1. JIHAD ISLAM/Religion/Politics March 6, 2016 Bethel Education Option – Prof. Rod Spidahl

2. Holy War: Historical & Religious Setting ■Always a force in Islam – proven by its immediate familiarity among all Muslims ■The bloodiest war of the 2 nd half of the 20 th century-Both declared Jihad ■Gentler Muslims emphasize the “Greater Jihad” ■Christian Crusades were called holy war—Muslims remember… ■Joshua destroyed men, women, children and animals. ■Psalm 137 has violent emotion expressed

3. Hadith on Jihad ■After prayers and obedience to parents, Jihad is the 3 rd highest obligation (1:300;10.5.505). Prayer- Parents-Jihad. ■Conversion to Islam can be forced “Fight the people until they say, ‘None has right to worship except ALLAH and whoever ways it will save life and property.’” (2;274;24.I.483 Al-Bukhari)

4. Theocratic Logic ■If all the world is ruled by [name of god], then all things and people belong to [name of god] and [name of god] people can act to fulfill that right by power ■All cattle in the world belong to [god of the Pul]; therefore the Pul people have the right to claim and take back anyone’s cattle who is not Pul. ■All the world belongs to Allah & Islam (theocracy) therefore Muslims may take all that is in the world with impunity. ■Hadith “Know that the land [of all the earth] is for Allah and His Apostle [Muhammad]

5. Muhammad sends assassins – See Parshall, Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions, page 104-105 Hadith 5:253-55;59 ■“Allah’s Apostle sent Abudullah bin Atik and Abdullah bin Utba with a group of men to Abu Rafi (to kill him)…..”

6. HEY, CHRISTIAN, “WHAT’CHA GOT?” A Biblical Response to Jihad

7. The Mercy Muslims know… ■ Muslims have no mediator but the “mercy” of their law (shariah). See, Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II) Paperback – September 22, 2010 “…concerned with the preeminent totalitarian threat of our time: the legal-political-military doctrine known within Islam as shariah. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and articulate "second opinion" on the official characterizations and assessments of this threat as put forth by the United States government.”

8. God so loved the world… can we love the world? ■All of the Muslim’s hopes rest on one person and his words: Muhammad ■Scripture offers over 40 authors in 66 books and all illuminate Christ and/or God’s plan of salvation ■Muslims cannot know if they are forgiven or if they will go to paradise (unless they die in a Jihad) ■If you love someone does that mean you also want them to know of the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus Name?

9. As the Father has sent me, in that way, I send you… ■Love is the most basic need of all people and there is no Islamic word or concept for the agape love we have in Christ our Lord ■Muslims may claim the Bible has been changed, gently but assuredly ask them to show the time and place. Be ready to offer evidence on the manuscripts, the Dead Sea scrolls and so forth, but do not “camp” on it

10. ALLAH as the Quran presents him is distant (except for Sufi’s and some other sects) so they are looking for other means to connect with God… this includes religious observances, animism, social-leader attachment and political activism Jesus is the one true mediator, the way the truth and the life (John 14:6)

11. We are called not only to belong to Christ… but to suffer for Him- Phil. 1:29 ■Islam has no cross and often is seeking to remove shame ■Islam has no real theology of suffering but does promote a theology of glory and power. Incha Allah is the only answer ■Islam is theocracy and must advance politically and religiously to be assured of Allah’s blessing

12. “I fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions…” ■We can show the power of God through the cross as we “fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ”, as God calls us (Colossians 1:24) ■Suffering is not a sign of defeat, but of our Lord’s authority and power (Rev 5:6; see also Acts 9:16; 1 Peter 2:21

13. How can they come if they do not know? Rom. 10:14 ■Can resolve the tension between what the Muslims says is a blessing upon Ishmael, stolen by the Jews in claiming Isaac was on the Mount. ■Can give peace from within ■Can turn swords into implements of healing ■Answers the cry of the Muslim heart, “Guide us in the straight path!”

14. As the Body of Christ we can…. ■Study about Islam and meet Muslims ■Engage and challenge your local congregation to become involved ■Form groups and structures that will actually serve in getting the Gospel to Muslims ■Begin a resource section in your home or church library with books, DVD’s and articles on Islam

15. HEY, CHRISTIAN, “WHAT’CHA GOT?” Love your enemies… Next week: US Politics and Islam