Worldview of Islam

Worldview/Religion Analysis of Islam

Harry L. Pitts
Student ID: #155179

APOLOGETICS 500

Professor Larry McDonald

Liberty University, February 06, 2011

Contents
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………….. 1
ISLAMIC THEOLOGY……………………………………………………………………… 2
IS THE KORAN THE WORD OF GOD…………………………………………………….. 3
QUESTIONS FOR MUSLIMS………………………………………………………………. 4 What can Muslims do to have eternal life in Christ…………………………………... 5

CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………... 6
WORKS CITED……………………………………………………………………………….. 7

INTRODUCTION

The following essay has been prepared in order to illuminate the understanding of many that have questions regarding the facts on Islam and its persuasive strategies to indoctrinate nations and people. Islam is a world religion founded by an Arabic visionary named Muhammad who was born in the city of Mecca. The teachings of Islam have touched the broad spectrum of this planet. When we examine the religions of this decade, one would have to agree that Islam is the second- largest religion in the world today. Many will argue and say that Islam is possibly the largest religion prevalent today. Of course, there are those that would agree and there are those that would disagree according to the growth of this religion. According to the prophecies that are written in the word of God, we know that the word of God will cover the world as the sea. As apologist, it is an opportunity to dialogue and it is an invitation to present the truth in light of the mythical teachings that have seduced billions for decades. The modern thought of today’s apologist is to provide an understanding in order to create an authoritative position, which dispels the untruths that many in this faith have followed for decades.

ISLAMIC THEOLOGY The core philosophy of Islam teaches that the true God of this religion is Allah, and that the religious beliefs and practices of other faiths are false. The Koran emphasizes the belief in Allah. Muslims will state emphatically that there is no other god but Allah. The paramount question that many should ask is who is Allah? Is he a mythical character or the God of the Christians? What type of attributes does Allah possess? It is evident that Allah lacks the omnipotence, omniscience, omni benevolence, holiness, and grace that the God of the bible possesses. It is blatantly obvious that Allah lacks these attributes, and Allah is a god that is out of reach and distant from all who follow him. After closely examining the nature and attributes of Allah, it is recognizable that Allah is not a personable deity that is easily approachable and one that desires a personal relationship with his followers. The Muslims God has a different nature. For example, Allah is not known as a god of love. The Koran systematically teaches that the Allah is merciful to those who follow his will only and those that do good and unmerciful to all those that do badly. According to the Koran Allah does not love the sinner. In addition, to not loving sinners Muslims deny the triune nature of God as recording in the Word of God. The Koran stresses that Christians, Jews, and gentiles are unbelievers and infidels because of the belief in the doctrine of Christianity and the Doctrine of the Trinity. When examining the belief of the Muslims god and the God of the Christians, it is evident that there is a distinct and opposing difference between each of them. Muslims must acknowledge the evidence that is a pervading truth- and that truth is that Allah was originally one of the pagan deities of the pre-Islamic pantheon. And to take it further, it is this truth that exposes the fact that Muhammad elevated this pagan deity to the status that he posses today.

IS THE KORAN THE WORD OF GOD Muslims believe and claim that the Koran is the only truth that is established for humanity to follow. Muslims believe that the Koran is the literal Word of God received from the Prophet Muhammad delivered by the Angel Gabriel. Muslims also believe that the Koran is flawless and beyond error. Muslims also believe that the Koran has stood the test of time and proven to be inerrant and has endured the scrutiny of many heathen scholars, who are infidels that need to be indoctrinated with the rich knowledge of Allah’s wisdom and truth in order to save them from a sinful path of decadence. Islam will go even further and state that the teachings of the Koran are far more superior than the bible. Islam teaches that the Koran only confirms the establishment of the Word of God as a secondary source. As apologist, we have to agree that the bible contradicts the doctrine of Islam, and Islam must recant the statement that Allah breathed upon the bible that Christians read today. The Word of God was not divinely inspired by Allah. If this was the position, then many would have to agree that the Word of God is full of error and not divinely inspires. Of course, we all know that this position is not accurate period! Let’s assume that the Bible is accurate and has not been corrupted, then there is one truth and the conclusion is that it is possible to attain a love that forgives even the worst individual. Often, Muslims will state that the Word of God is full of error and corrupt and that the Koran is holy and pure. The Koran has to be judged on it content. Muslims must agree that a divine revelation or clear understanding of God’s word must be beyond transgression and held to the highest moral and ethical standard possible. “Rodwell himself notes that the Koran contains fantastic visions and legends, teaches a childish ceremonial, and justifies blood shedding, persecution, slavery, and polygamy. Among other things, the Koran teaches that men are superior to women and that Muslim husbands are free to beat their disobedient wives. After hearing such truths, one would have to conclude that there is a mark of difference between Islam and Christianity. It is also apparent that Islam invariably practices a religion based upon control and fallacy. It is important to note that the belief system of Islam diametrically opposes that of Christianity. One can see that one religion practices a religion of holiness versus a religion of fear, control, and immorality. Let truth and holiness become the deciding factor regarding the theology of such religions.

WHAT CAN MUSLIMS DO TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST Muslims must examine the biblical fallacies recorded in the Koran. When discussing its philosophical ideals, Muslim’s must questioned the immorality of polygamy and the practices of abusive behavior toward the opposite sex; as well as the sexiest philosophy of genderism. The Koran offers teaching that habitually relies on its methods of violence and force to dominate nations and people. Oftentimes, if there is a people or nation that Islam considers a major threat, then jihad is declared- which means that this is a holy war enlisting the support of Muslims all over the world. Is this a religion of equality and hope for the future? Does this religion seek to oppress? Can it be said that this religion prepares its generation for perpetual generations? Or is this a religion based upon hate and dominance. Knowing all of these things, the Muslims must answer a tough question. Does this sound like something that can provide an eternal life of hope peace, joy, love, and life from fear? If one has said that this religion cannot offer these things, then he or she must start the steps of a new beginning and it is to accept Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. It is simple to open one’s mouth and make a confession that leads to eternal bliss with a person that died so that all could have a life free from pain fear, and intimidation. Muslims must begin the process of confessing their sins openly to God, and believing that He can save and deliver them from a past stained by wrong decisions and bad choices. It is the shedding of the blood of Christ that remitted the sins of all humanity. When confessing, one must believe that his or her sins are forgiven and accept the salvation that is so freely given by and all loving God, who can save any Muslim that desires to be set free from the bondages of sin and shame.

CONCLUSION
Muslims must acknowledge the fallacies that are set forth in the Koran. The Koran emphasizes conformity, and the Word of God emphasizes forgiveness and love. Islam appeals to the senses, personal opinion, logic and the bizarre claims of Muhammad. But it is this mere supposition that many in Islam must break away from. It is high time to use just a little of deductive reasoning to exposes the unfruitful works of darkness. All Christians across the globe have their work cut out, in order to seek and save those that are lost. Christians need to evaluate things by scripture, church history, character, and fruit. Personal opinion alone would not reach a Shiite or Sunni, but it is the dialogue and unwavering presentation of the flaws that this religion holds as truth. There must be an indelible print left upon the heart and mind of those that follow the teachings of the Koran. And this print must be the print of Christ that converts them from a belief system that does not have their best interest in mind.

BIBLIOGRAHPY
Anis, Shorrosh. Islam Revealed: A Christian Arab’s View of Islam (Nashville Nelson, 1977), p. 185
Holt, A.M., ed., The Cambridge History of Islam, Vol 2 (London: Cambridge University Press, 1970), cited in Josh McDowell and John Gilchrist, The Islam Debate (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1983), p. 16
Rodwell, J.M. The Koran (New York: Dutton, Everyman’s Library, 1977), p. 382

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[ 1 ]. Anis, Shorrosh. Islam Revealed: A Christian Arab’s View of Islam (Nashville Nelson, 1977), p. 185
[ 2 ]. Holt, A.M., ed., The Cambridge History of Islam, Vol 2 (London: Cambridge University Press, 1970), cited in Josh McDowell and John Gilchrist, The Islam Debate (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1983), p. 16
[ 3 ]. Rodwell, J.M. The Koran (New York: Dutton, Everyman’s Library, 1977), p. 382

Cited: Holt, A.M., ed., The Cambridge History of Islam, Vol 2 (London: Cambridge University Press, 1970), cited in Josh McDowell and John Gilchrist, The Islam Debate (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1983), p. 16 Rodwell, J.M [ 2 ]. Holt, A.M., ed., The Cambridge History of Islam, Vol 2 (London: Cambridge University Press, 1970), cited in Josh McDowell and John Gilchrist, The Islam Debate (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1983), p. 16 [ 3 ]