Islam – Lecture 10Witness to Muslims

MI 210Dr. Robert Patton

Approach of Bachman

• ,• Bachman was a missionary for a number of

years in Germany• He had great success, especially with Muslims

from Iran – Farsi speaking• He developed a successful approach which I

will outline

Monotheism

• ,• We want them to find the one TRUE God and

to submit to His will• Speak with respect• Start with Deut 4:35 there is one God…

mention that these words were spoken by Moses

• Isaiah 45:5, 18 – also speak of one God

• Mark 12:29-32 where both Jesus and his listener state that there is one God

• Note – You have the Muslim listening to the Bible and agreeing with it.

• Also we have shown the necessity of loving God and his neighbor

Quote Jesus

Step 2

• Agree that everyone will go somewhere for eternity – to heaven or hell

• All who believe in any god except the true and living God will go to hell

• Now: James 2:19 (the devil believes in one God but trembles) – so that simple belief is not enough. God is greater than Satan

• So believing and fearing is not enough

Next

• Ask him to share what he thinks can get him to heaven without arguing or interrupting– Shows respect– Earns a hearing for you later– Allows you to understand where he is coming from– Uses up some of his ammunition

Moses

• Muslims revere Moses the most of any writing prophet – and Paul the least, because he contradicts Islam

• Thus some problems with beginning with the Romans Road

• All three monotheistic religions agree that Moses is a prophet of God

Moses

• Supported by Surah 2:53• God’s law shows every self-righteous individual

he falls short of God’s standard• (Show the 10 commandments)• Leviticus 5:17 – if we do something wrong, even

not realizing it, we are guilty and bear our sin

The law of Moses

• James 2:10 – One sin, guilty of all• God demands the death penalty: Genesis

2:17 Spiritual death vs. physical death

Jesus as a prophet

• Surah 60:6 states that Jesus is a messenger• Surah 5:46 states that he was sent to confirm

the message• Then why can Muslims not read his message?• 5:68 speaks of the law and the gospel being

important – then you can go to the Gospel of John and Nicodemus

The gospel and new birth

• We have already seen that all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death

• Now Jesus shows that a spiritual rebirth is necessary: John 3:1-7

Distance from Roman Catholics

• Admit to atrocities during the Crusades• Mention that the Crusades were started by

Pope Urban II, and the Catholics also persecuted Bible believers even before they persecuted Muslims

• Mention that Baptists sometimes were given asylum in Muslim lands

Distance from Roman Catholics

• Also for your information, the crusades were defensive in nature, but were carried out by unbelievers

• The crusades were done AGAINST the teaching of Jesus Christ

The inquisition

• The inquisition started in the 12th century, more than 300 years before the Protestant reformation

• Lasted to the early 19th century• Arguments – do not bow down to idols, do

not worship Mary

Further problems with Catholicism

• Focus on works – empty prayers• Take the sword & kill Muslims

Irreconcilable differences

Qur’an vs. Bible

• One author vs. 40 authors• Many inconsistencies vs. no contradiction• Quotes from persons out of context and time• But don’t focus on them, but on the fact that

there are irreconcilable differences• Do not force them to choose between the

Qur’an and the Bible yet

Noah’s sons

• Bible – all three sons in the ark Genesis 7:13• Qur’an – one son drowned – Surah 11:42-43• The two accounts cannot both be true• Zachariah being unable to speak– Bible – entire time: Luke 1:63-64– Qur’an – 3 days Surah 3:41

Does God love sinners?

• Allah – No– 2:290 for Allah loveth not transgressors– 3:57 but Allah loveth not those who do wrong

• Yahweh – Yes – read John 3:16– Then Romans 5:5-9

Does God have children?

• Allah: No Surah 39:4; 37:151-152 some say that Allah has made children, but they are liars

• Yahweh: Yes John 1:10-12; I John 3:2• Surah 5:18 asks Christians and Jews if they are

children, why does God punish them? Answer is in Hebrews 12:5 ff.

Isa vs. Jesus

• According to the Qur’an, Jesus is holy; Muhammad is never called holy– He sins: 40:55; 48:2

• This is confirmed in the Hadith (Bukhari)– 1:171; 8:319, 407

• Jesus did many miracles: 3:49; but Muhammad did none: 17:91-95?; 29:47-51

Isa vs. Jesus

• Isa was only a messenger: 4:171; 5:75• Isa denied that he was God or should be

worshipped: 5:116; 9:30• There are many references in the Bible that

show that Jesus is creator, omnipotent, omnipresent, claimed equality with God, is listed with the Father and Spirit, etc.

• Thus they are not the same: 2 Cor. 11:1-4

Jesus vs. Isa

• Don’t argue about divinity. Just say that there are differences which are irreconcilable.

• Jesus did not die: 4:157. This goes against the entire New Testament.

• Both cannot be true

Clarification – Virgin birth

• Several places in the Qur’an, there are references to “they” implying Christians believe that God had sexual intercourse with Mary 6:100-101; 19:34-35; 23:91-92

• The Holy Spirit came on Mary – but not in a physical relationship

• It was the POWER of the Highest that overshadowed Mary

Virgin birth

• Both the Bible and Qur’an use the terms that Mary conceived

• We contend that Jesus existed in Heaven before Mary conceived:– Before Abraham was, I am– Jews knew very well what He meant

Trinity

• Qur’an strongly opposes the trinity: 4:171 (tied with the virgin birth); 5:73

• Believe that Christians believe in Father, Jesus and Mary as Gods: 5:116

• Start with verses on monotheism: Deut. 4:35; Mark 12:29-32; I Jn. 5:7

• I Jn. 5:7 = one in three parts… see creation

Trinity

• Deut 6:4 does not use yachid for one (absolute unity) but echad = unity

• Man is made in the image of God. And man is three in one – I Thess. 5:23

Fundamentalist

• Return to the foundations• Christian fundamentalist, if true, should be

more loving• Muslim fundamentalist will use the sword

and become a terrorist• Crusades – most were Catholics and not

saved; went AGAINST Christ’s teaching

Average Muslim vs. Christian

• Evangelical & liberal Christians in general tolerate the moral relativity of our culture

• Most Muslims believe in moral absolutes– They do not drink, though more verses against

alcohol are in the Bible than the Qur’an– They dress modestly although more verses against

provocative dress are in the Bible than the Qur’an

Live out a separated life

• Children obey parents• Wives obey & submit to husbands, who love

them and are appropriate around other women• Disapprove of same sex marriages• We have the power to live separated lives

The Bible is the Word of God

• Ask one hour for each to speak without interruption about the book being the word of God. Ask him to go first. He may have problems filling the time

• Spend 40 minutes on inspiration, even though he agrees. He needs to hear the proof

Proof for the Bible

• Historical accuracy: such as Belshassar• Scientific accuracy = health laws by Moses;

bone marrow for health (see None of These Diseases by Dr. S.I. McMillen– Circle of the earth – Isaiah 40:22– Gravity – Job 26:7 (notice 8)

Inspiration of scriptures

• Daniel 7, 8, & 9• Isaiah 45 and Cyrus – an amazing prophecy• Also – Preservation of the scriptures, which is

prophecied multiple times in the Bible, and also in the Qur’an: 6:34; 6:115, 10:64; 18:27; 85:21-22. All but the last say that Allah’s words cannot be changed; the last that the Qur’an is preserved in a tablet

Preservation of Qur’an & Bible

• 2:136 promises to preserve all the words, not just of Muhammad, but those prophets before him…

• The message preserved was the Old & New Testament: Surah 21:7, 48, 105

• The message is guarded from corruption

Preservation of Qur’an & Bible

• 5:44-48 really states that the scriptures was given to Moses & to Jesus, and that Scripture was confirming the scripture that came before it and guarding it safely

• The Qur’an has corrupted versions available, even in English. Thus the same arguments hold for inspiration and preservation of the Qur’an as well as the Bible.

Does & don’ts winning souls

• Be courteous – remove your shoes• Accept their food• Be very careful with the opposite sex – never

alone with the opposite sex• Be friendly & respectful & demand respect• Be normal

Invite them to church

• They are amazed people WANT to come to church

• People are friendly and have a good time• Have a passion for the Muslim’s soul – you

will get a hearing equal to your passion

Show true love

• Perfect love casts out fear• Bless them that curse you, pray for them that

despise you• Our attitude needs to be appropriate• Our love shows the difference between God

and Allah

Allah & “sinners”

• Allah does not love sinners: 2:190,276; 3:57; 4:36. He loves based on what YOU are

• Yahweh loves sinners, based on what He is: – I Jn. 4:8, 10-11, 16

• Surah 3:31 “if you love Allah…Allah will love you…

• I John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us

God’s assurance

• Creation shows God’s existence• Conscience tells us we need forgiveness• The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness

and judgment• We have insecurity – and only God can

provide assurance

Works vs. faith

• Religion is man reaching toward God– Based on works– Never secure– Even Muhammad was not sure: Bukhari 5:266

• The Bible shows God reaching to man– Secure, because God never fails: I Jn. 5:13

Not based on works

• Anyone claiming eternal security appears arrogant to those claiming salvation by works

• 42:17 – Allah has the balance (of good deeds)• 101:6-9 Deeds weighed determine

destination

Moral restraint

• If works had nothing to do with salvation, then all men would end up in debauchery unless their hearts were changed

• But with the new birth, there is a new heart and desire to serve out of love and not fear

• Then we can accept the many verses of eternal security: Jn. 10:27-28, Romans 8:30, etc.

Contrast Islam & Christianity

• Religion changes my actions• Relationship changes my attitude• Religion is what I can do for God• Relationship establishes what God can do for

me

Share personal faith

• Share how your faith has impacted and changed your life

• Also – how God helps in daily life, performs miracles, etc. – with both positive and negative answers. We need to submit to both

Love, justice & mercy

• In the Qur’an– Love > 80 times, often ascribed to Allah– Just – 69 times, justice 41 times– Grace 74 times, gracious 62– Mercy – 156 times; merciful 117

• But terms are used differently – Allah is unknowable, inconsistent, unpredictable, vacillating, etc.

Allah’s behavior

• Justice is arbitrary• Mercy is ambivalent• Grace is ambiguous• No attempt to reconcile mercy & justice• Example – grace given to those who earn it,

while grace means unmerited favor. His grace is based on works – opposite of the Bible

Allah’s behavior

• Mercy – he is merciful to whom he will be merciful, and unmerciful to those to whom he will be unmerciful 3:128-129 & esp. 29:21

• Grace and mercy are given to those who deserve them – the opposite of the Bible

• Justice is based on weighing good & bad deeds: 23:102-103

God’s justice

• All sin MUST be punished• But he balances with mercy and grace• God Himself pays the penalty: Mt 26:28;

Romans 5:8; I John 2:1-2

Free will

• Allah denies it - fatalism• Yahweh demands it – personal accountability– He wants all to come to Him: Ezek. 33:11; 2 Peter

3:9; 1 Tim 2:4– Hell is for Satan & demons, not made for man– Predestination based on foreknowledge

How do you become…

• A Muslim– By parents– By choice– By force – certain slaves, etc

• True Christian – by the new birth by choice

Prayer

• Pray for the Muslim– To give you the love– To bring things into his life to open his heart– That God would bind the devil, who blinds his

eyes: 2 Cor. 4:4• May add fasting• Ask God to bless him personally

Patience & persistence

• Take enough time for the individual to understand

• Persist and work

Drawing the net

• Good to offer the chance to get saved at the end of any serious conversation

• Good to review – one God, eternity for everyone; all are sinners; only God died for our sins.

• We must choose between God & Allah

It is not changing religion

• It is accepting Jesus• Religion cannot save anyone; Jesus can• A Muslim submits to God’s will. And according

to John 6:40, it is the will of God that everyone accepting His Son has eternal life

• Ask to pray with him. Look at the opportunity to lead him in prayer after you thank God for your salvation

Watch your attitude

• Do not strive to win arguments, but present Christ. Avoid seeming arrogant

• For the Muslim, faith is superior to reason, so it is difficult to “reason” him into belief

• They are more experiential than seeking wisdom

• But our faith is not against reason

Show God’s greatness

• Show that God’s Word is superior to our intellect

• This will resonate with him• Depend on the Holy Spirit, which is poured

out for confrontational soulwinning

Any 3 method

• Any time• Any where• Any one• Use this 5 step method, praying that the Lord

will lead to proper encounter

Any 3 method

• Step 1• Be friendly – Initial question• What religion are you? Muslim, Hindu,

Christian, Buddhist, etc• All religions are pretty much alike. We all sin,

even good people. But we want to pay off our sin debt and go to heaven…

Any 3 method

• Step 2• In your religion, what do you do to get free of

sins?– Are your sins paid off yet?– What do you do to get them paid off?– Will they be paid off at judgment day?

• Listen quietly

Any 3 method

• Step 3• What I believe is different. I know that my

sins are forgiven, not because I am such a good person, but because God made a way for my sins to be forgiven

Any 3 method

• Step 4• The first and last sacrifice – the sacrifice to cover

Adam’s sin and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “According to the Bible, if we surrender our life to Jesus as Lord and believe that He has paid for our sins through His sacrifice and that God has raised Him from the dead, our sins will be forgiven.”Shipman, Mike. Any-3

Any 3 method

• Step 5• Does that make sense?• Do you want your sins forgiven?

Any 3 method

• Summary:• GET CONNECTED. • GET TO GOD • GET TO LOSTNESS. • GET TO THE GOSPEL • GET TO A DECISION

Any 3 method

• Summary:• GET CONNECTED. • GET TO GOD • GET TO LOSTNESS. • GET TO THE GOSPEL • GET TO A DECISION

Get Connected

• Samaritan woman – used common need – give me to drink

• Does not have to take a long time to get to spiritual things

• Acknowledge we are sinners too – but they need to see themselves as sinners who need a savior

Works vs. Faith

• Religions – do some works to compensate for sin

• Christianity – God does the work; we accept His work for us

• Then ask for a response – do you believe?

Help them see that they are lost

• What do you do to pay off your sin debt• Is it paid off yet?• When will it be paid off?• Will it be paid off on Judgment Day?

Help them see that they are lost

• What I believe is different.• I try to be good, but sometimes I fail• But God Himself has opened a way for me. I

just have to believe and accept His payment

Responses?

• Yes, I believe• Open, but not yet ready to confess Christ• Do not yet believe

Responses?

• Yes, I believe• Romans 10:9-10 They need to profess faith in

Christ• Lead them in prayer

Responses?

• I understand, but I am not ready yet…• Go further – another sacrifice story, like Cain

& Abel, Abraham & Isaac (they think Ishmael)• Offer to study further if they want

Responses?

• I understand, but I am not ready yet…• Go further – another sacrifice story, like Cain

& Abel, Abraham & Isaac (they think Ishmael)• Offer to study further if they want & offer to

pray with them

Responses?

• I do not believe• Summarize the gospel briefly, and move on

Satan challenges US

• 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Tim. 2:26. Satan will try to stop you at these 3 places

• Transition to talk on spiritual things – do not fear but move ahead

• Transition – what I believe is different – keep on going

• Ask if they believe

Excuse to bridge

• Most religions are alike – often used as an excuse but can be a bridge – almost all are works-based and we can contrast

• We all try to please God• We all want our sins forgiven

Excuse to bridge

• Most religions are alike – often used as an excuse but can be a bridge – almost all are works-based and we can contrast

• We all try to please God• We all want our sins forgiven

Excuse to bridge

• Response – I am a Muslim, but I believe all religions are good. Answer: Most religions are alike…

• Response: I am a Muslim – same answer• I am a Muslim; how about you. Answer: I

was raised in a religious home and tried my best, but without success….

Excuse to bridge

• Response – I am a Muslim, but I believe all religions are good. Answer: Most religions are alike…

• Response: I am a Muslim – same answer• I am a Muslim; how about you. Answer: I

was raised in a religious home and tried my best, but without success….

First and Last Sacrifice

• Jesus, the Word of God, was born of a virgin• He never sinned (Qur’an says so too) though

He had all sorts of trials, including Satanic attacks

• But he said that he must die, but that he will rise again.

• Why must he die?

First and Last Sacrifice

• Jesus, the Word of God, was born of a virgin• He never sinned (Qur’an says so too) though

He had all sorts of trials, including Satanic attacks

• But he said that he must die, but that he will rise again.

• Why must he die?

First and Last Sacrifice

• Adam & Eve fell from Satan’s temptations• When they sinned, the were naked and had great

shame. They were afraid, and felt guilty• God judged them and put them out of paradise– They only did one sin– They may well have been better than we are & done

good deeds.– But their good deeds could not cover their sins!

First and Last Sacrifice

• God promised a savior from sins in the future, and we have waited for him

• God covered them with animal skins. An innocent animal had to die

• Many prophets made sacrifices waiting for the coming savior – Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, all the Jewish priests of the OT

First and Last Sacrifice

• Jesus came as the one prophecied by God – born of a virgin, did many miracles

• Prophet John the Baptist said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

• He was the innocent lamb who had to die. That is why Jesus Himself said that He had to die

First and Last Sacrifice – my thoughts

• If questioned, read Matthew 16:13-23– Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man– Jesus accepts Peter’s claim that He is the Son of the

living God– Jesus predicts his death– Jesus calls Peter “Satan” in terms of his denial of the

death of Christ

First and Last Sacrifice

• Jesus surrendered to Jewish and Roman authorities and was put to death for our sins

• He cried out “It is finished” – the payment was made

• After 3 days He rose as He said, showed himself for 40 days to as many as 500 persons, and went to heaven, promising to come back

Important points

• Jesus prophecied his own death• God changed Adam & Eve’s clothing, and

started the sacrifices• Jesus is called the Lamb of God

Important points

• Jesus prophecied his own death• God changed Adam & Eve’s clothing, and

started the sacrifices• Jesus is called the Lamb of God

Important points

• We should be – Intentional– Taking the initiative– Interacting in a natural way but steer the

conversation toward the gospel– Introduce them to the Savior

Important points

• Listen and learn• Show respect• Pray for boldness• Share the gospel early to friends

Important points

• Listen and learn• Show respect• Pray for boldness• Share the gospel early to friends• Don’t just help physical needs but give the gospel• Live incarnational life

Important points

• Have a passion for the harvest• The time is short, but God promises some results

Important points

• The power of the cross• The gospel is sacrificial atonement• We must be filled with the Spirit, and have a

passion for souls• Absolute surrender• Humility

Important points

• Prayer – vital at the beginning and the end• Living in the Word of God• Abide in Christ• Christ promises greater works – same type,

greater quantity• Witness confidently through the power of the

Holy Spirit – 2 Cor. 3:5-6

Important points

• Suggestions of the author– Memorize Matthew 28:18-20– Memorize 2 Corinthians 3:5-6– Pray for the filling of the Spirit– Pray as you go

• Witness expectantly by faith• The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and

judgment

Important points

• Witness persuasively & sincerely• Lead people to Christ• Look for “people of peace” = those who share

with others after they get saved