Islam, Politics and Religion God Goes Ahead of Us Rod Spidahl, PhD Bethel Church Education Option

Recap & Review... Books that will help you are suggested on the website You can access class materials on the site You cannot access all handouts on the site Questions? Call at or at

Recap & Review... What is Gospel? How would you define a Muslim? What percentage of Muslims are Folk Muslims? What is animism? Is Christianity immune from animism? How is the class going so far for you?

The Jesus-Clues Are Already There! God wrote the Story that interprets our stories The World was Created to Hear the Gospel The Story of the Man and the Serpent

Accurate Translation of Truth The Gospel is “never about truth in general; its always about truth in specific... About actual persons, actual pains, actual troubles, actual sin; you, me; who you are and what you’ve done; who I am and what I’m for” (Eugene Peterson)

Contextualizing in Christ We do not go “beyond Scripture” We “see” ourselves and others thru Scripture We affirm Scripture’s “telos” or end game What do you think that end game is?

The Five Practices of Islam 1. Confessional Witness (Shahada) 2. Ritual Prayer (Salat) 3. Purification through giving (Zakat) 4. Fasting (Zaum) 5. Pilgrimage (hajj) NOTE: ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION AND PRACTICES ARE THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF MOST MUSLIMS.

What You May Encounter Amulets & Magical Uses of Quran or Scripture Dreams as Guideance & Very Differing Worldviews Focus on Spirit-Power Ancestor/Leader Veneration Jihad as a means to __________ Islamic Doctrines as part of the mix

Six Core Beliefs (Qur’an 4:6; 2:177) Belief in the Oneness of God Belief in Angels Belief in the books Belief in the Prophet-Messengers Nabi – A prophet w/o a revelation or book Rasul – A messenger like Adam, Noah, Moses

Beliefs (continued) Belief in the Last Things Resurrection Judgment Paradise Hell Belief in the Divine Decree (Quran 37:96) Everything is decided by Allah

Translating Christ rather correcting someone… In general, the following MAY apply… Don’t invite them to church! Go with someone you trust who knows Muslims Learn THEIR Hospitality Guidelines… or what?? Use the right hand Remove shoes Avoid physical contact with females (no hugs)

Different worldviews mean different questions will arise—use questions as the doorway… You should not be afraid (angry or judgmental) You should talk privately, one on one, quietly, over tea-- with hospitality You should state allegiance to Jesus so they understand You should not start with “Jesus as Son of God” You should not try to compare the Bible to the Quran Do not assume things until you can observe and verify

What You Should Learn to Practice Find culturally appropriate ways to embody the Gospel, word and deed Story & Parable are effective—Jesus used these Practice understanding the power of community and the possibility your friend feels of experiencing shame from family, friends or other Muslims

My Preferences for early encounters Be ready to tell you read/have read The Quran Quran means ______ and it is not translatable Ask them if they have read the holy books the Quran mentions (10:94) Understand some terms:Tawra (Moses) Zabur (Psalms of David) and the Injil (Gospel of Jesus) Muslims may be confused by “four” gospels christianese. John’s Gospel is best or talk of “Gospel about Jesus” if you use all four witnesses (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

Significance of the “Great Prayer” of Islam, Fatiha or Opening Surah (Chapter) of the Quran, interpreted below “In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful…Praise be to Allah, Lord of Creation, The Compassionate, The Merciful-- King of Judgment Day….”

Fatiha (cont.) …You [Allah] alone we worship, and to You alone we pray for help. Guide us in the straight path, the path of those whom you have favored, not of those who have incurred your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.”

The “Great Prayer” or Fatiha... Is recited often (partially) Has great theological weight Know the Fatiha and frame your witness accordingly

More of My Preferences for connecting…. Jesus is our Siriatu Mustakeem – the straight path that leads to water in the desert Use the Quran and Hadith, but wisely, carefully, respectfully Speak of Jesus as: A Word of Allah; Spirit of Allah; Without fault; Virgin Born; Coming Again

Read with me a truly great prayer… الجُزءُ الأوَّلُ هَنِيئاً لِلإنسانِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَمشِ حَسَبَ نَصِيحَةِ الأشْرارِ، وَعَلَى طَرِيقِ الخُطاةِ لَمْ يَقِفْ، وَلَمْ يُخالِطِ المُستَهزِئِينَ. 2 لَكِنَّهُ يُحِبُّ شَرِيعَةَ اللهِ. وَيَتَأمَّلُ تَعالِيمَهُ لَيلَ نَهارٍ.

Whoops—Psalm 1 in English… ;-) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the L ORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

Read with me a truly great prayer… …He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1, (continued) The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalm 1 (continued) For the L ORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.