SPECIAL REPORT - ISLAM! |
For many there has been nothing more alarming than the world's
population increase. Indeed our world is growing, but more alarming
is the increase of religious confusion and fatalism that is consuming
millions of world citizens. I'm Dennis Finnan and in a moment
I want to talk with you about a resurgence of one of the largest
major religions to capture our groping world…
… Most encyclopedia's list six large, non-Protestant religious
systems. Each has hundreds of millions of followers. But of them
all, the largest to date is the fast growing religion called ISLAM.
By the year 2000 AD, Islam is expected to pass the ONE BILLION mark of followers, worldwide!
Therefore, this world religion is something everyone should know and consider.
On today's broadcast, I'm going to say something publicly, that
for many outside of the United States of America, would constitute
a death sentence upon anyone who would dare question or critique
the faith of ISLAM. Yet I am compelled to say these things because
they are first of all true, and second the freedom and peace of
the world today is based on a thorough understanding of it.
Yes ISLAM, is a world religion that has now become the fastest
growing faith worldwide. More than one sixth of the entire world's
population has become followers of the ISLAMIC faith. Those who
follow Islam are often called Muslims. Many mistake the word,
"Arab" as a synonym. This is not true. Although many
Arabs are Muslim, not all follow this faith. In North America
Islam as a religion is multiplying in many large communities like
"wild-fire." More than SEVEN MILLION people now follow Islam
in America alone. And, if you live in any metropolitan area, you'll
likely find at least one Mosque or Islamic center for worship.
Now in the past, most American's had little contact with Muslims.
But today, even in smaller communities around the United States
and other western world cities, one can find a Muslim neighbor
or work-mate. It is for this reason we who are Westerners, especially
Christian's even world-wide need to understand this faith and
its followers. So let's get down to business for today by asking
the question, "What is ISLAM?"
Islam as a religious faith is not a national organization. Indeed,
there is no titular head or priesthood in all Islam, but there
are Islamic centers all around the world, many now being built
in every major city in the U.S. The word Islam means
"purity, and peace," but most of all it means "submission
to God's will and obedience to his laws." Now Islam does
not claim to be a new and different religion. Rather, its followers
believe it is simply a "continuance" of all former
religious truth and principles decreed by God through the revelations
to all his prophets. Islam claims to recognize the Judeo-Christian
Bible and its prophets. From Noah, Abraham, Moses, David even
Jesus Christ -- all are revered and recognized as God's anointed
succession of prophets. However, the difference of the faith is
that for Islam, God's final revelation came not through Jesus
Christ, but through a man named Muhammad.
Muhammad, their revered founder, was born about 570 AD into an
idol worshipping tribe. It is probable that Muhammad was an actual
descendent of Abraham son, Ishmael. According to Islam, Ishmael
not Issac was offered up for sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, and he is
the heir to God's favor and blessing. Scholars are unable to substantiate
whether Muhammad could read and write, but through the years of
his life he had a profound influence on those he ministered to.
At age twenty-five he married his employer, a wealthy widow of
forty. Muhammad believed that men were permitted to have multiple
wives. He therefore preached and practiced polygamy which to this
day is permitted in Islamic countries. Although Muhammad claimed
he was granted special privilege to have many wives, he had ten
for himself, his followers are not permitted more than four wives.
Islam claims to respect women. But on the whole, women in Islamic
culture do not enjoy the same status or privileges of the men.
Even the sacred Koran states with infallible command for all faithful
Muslim men to obey,
"Men have authority over women because God made them superior…so good women are obedient…As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and banish them to beds apart and beat them; then if they obey you seek not occasion against them." (surah 4:31 - Koran)
Now, Islam has some good qualities that the world has benefited
from. In fact, I personally believe those who embrace Islam for
the most part are responsible, honest and good people. I have
no quarrel with the "followers" of Islam themselves.
However, the faith taught is highly questionable because of its
bogus claims and its sinsiter and deadly effect upon mankind. You see, ISLAM
is a fatalistic religion which presents its followers with a sovereign
God who, without consideration of any redemptive program, sends
people to heaven or hell according to his own whims. If a Muslim
is to have any hope of heaven, his good deeds must outweigh his
evil ones. It's that simple. There is no redemptive program as
the Christian Bible promises.
Now Islam has a holy book it follows. It's called the Koran. The
Koran is Islam's "bible." It is strongly believed that
this book is the infallible writings of the thoughts and teachings
Muhammad received by divine inspiration from the angel Gabriel.
However, most non-Islamic scholars who have searched the book,
say the writings are a "plagiarism from the Old Testament
and paganism of Mohammed's day." Although no writings
are historically attributed to Muhammad, belief follows the teachings
that Muhummed's faithful early disciples wrote down his exact
thoughts and explicit teachings so the world could know and follow
them.
Islam teaches and the faithful believe that the Islamic bible,
the Koran, is eternal and uncreated, and miraculously preserved
by Allah, as infallible and inerrant. Therefore it is not to be
translated, "for to do so would be to destroy the exact
quotation of Allah." Translations into other languages
therefore are regarded as paraphrases and non-binding unless verified
by the ruling scholars of Islam.
Now let's ask: "What does Islam teach?" Well, the religion
of Islam is based on (1) "The Six Articles of Belief,"
and (2)"The Five Pillars of the Faith." These
two bodies of teachings found in the Koran are the heart of Islam.
Let's examine them. The Six Articles of Belief are:
These six articles of faith are the foundational beliefs all Muslims
must follow. Of course, the interpretation of them is further
defined by the Five Pillars of Faith which are:
In addition to the "Five Pillars of Islam" other
rules and prohibitions have been laid down for the faith. And,
where the Koran fails to speak to an issue, traditions
or the "Hadith," Muhummad's oral teachings
and personal practices bind the faithful to follow. However, because
of differing interpretations of these traditions, Islam is a fragmented
faith. Recognized Islamic scholars (Imam's) today lead the divided
in following three major sects - the Wahhabi, Sunnites,
and Shiites.
The largest sect of Islam is called the "Sunnah." The
term means "well-trodden path." This branch of Muslims
are called the Sunnites. The Sunnites over the centuries have
become the overwhelming party of God. At least 90% of all followers
of Islam are in the sect of the Sunnites. The Sunnites, for the
sake of comparison, are the most tolerant, allowing differing
interpretations of tradition and faith to coexist among them.
Their leaders are not granted hierarchical succession, rather
nominated by representatives in each community. As such, no group
would be excluded unless they of course, renounced Allah and Muhummed.
Now the second group is called the "Shi'ah," or Shi'ites.
This smaller group comprising about 10% of the Muslim world, are
mostly gathered in the nation of Iran. There, 90% of the Shiite
sect resides. These followers of Islam believe in a hierarchical
succession of leadership that began with Muhammed's son-in-law
"Ali" who was the true illumined teacher to follow Muhummed.
They base their interpretation of faith on the traditions and
teachings of those who followed Ali, the first anointed disciple.
As such Shiite leadership wields dogmatic spiritual and national
authority.
Now, in addition to observing the Five Pillars of the Faith ,
most Shiite Muslim's add a sixth pillar called "exertion."
This is most important for you to know. "Exertion,"
in Arabic is called Jihad. This enjoins a Muslim to exert
themselves to the utmost to disseminate the Koran and make it's
rules and teachings supreme in the world.
Therefore, to the Shiite Muslims, all impediments to the spread
of Islam must be removed - through the tongue, the pen
and if necessary, the sword. Muhammed himelf sanctioned
plundering and raiding all who didn't follow the faith.
Moreover, Salmon Rushdie the author who criticized the Islamic
faith was put under a death sentence by the Iranian, Shiite leader
Ayatollah Kohmeini, for questioning and defaming the sacred book
of the Koran. This is why the Shiite Moslems have become the most
dangerous people in the world! We must never forget the brutal
massacres of Christians (5 million in Turkish Armenia) and regular
persecution of Christian missionaries for which fanatical Muslims
are known.
The followers of the Shiite Islamic faith believe there is no
price to steep to pay for world dominion. The conflicts and wars
in the middle east waged by the terrorist party "Hezbollah"
and "Hamas" are Shiite fanatical Muslims
who live for destroying the "Great Satan," which is
for them is a description of Christianity, Judaism and the entire
West. The deadly truck bombing of the US Marine barracks a few
years ago in Lebanon, and the latest incident in Kuwait that killed
19 marines, the downing of the jetliner over Lockerbie, Scotland
and maybe even the recent lost TWA flight 800 -- are all linked
to the extremism of Islamic Fundamentalism that will stop at nothing
to destroy all the "enemies of Allah."
Today our national government totally misunderstands this fanaticism
of Islam, and therefore I believe we are in grave danger unless
we realize that Islam, as interpreted by the Shiites, is really
the "world successor" to the dangerous threat of Communism,
now seemingly past.
Now I've identified the radical group of Islam, but that is not
a picture of the vast majority who although separatistic and
sincerely committed to the faith, can also be responsible, loving
people and citizen's of any world community.
However, none the less, to follow Islam is fatal for it denies
the only way of salvation God has revealed to a lost world. Now
I want to define the important and irreconcilable differences
between Islam and Christianity, realizing there are similarities,
and good ones at that. How is Islam different?
Starting with the affirmation that "Muhummed is the last
and greatest apostle of God," Islam relegates Jesus Christ
to the position of the "penultimate prophet."
That is, He is honored as from God, but not the last word, nor
anyone special above any others. In place of Jesus Christ ,Muhummed,
a man who lived and died in the sixth century, becomes God's greatest
and final prophet. So the false teaching of Islam is that Jesus
Christ is not God come in the flesh. Now it is important to know,
that this clearly contradicts the Judeo-Christian Bible which
says,
John 1:1,14,17 (NIV) "In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (14) The Word
became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (17) For the law
was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
1 John 4:10 (NIV) "This is love: not that we loved
God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice
for our sins."
1 John 5:10-11 (NIV) "Anyone who believes in the Son
of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe
God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed
the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the
testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in
his Son."
These truths repeated and reinforced throughout the Bible are
God's final revelation. On account of this, God proposed the great
question all men and religions must answer: It is written in,
Matthew 22:42 (NIV) ""What do you think about
the Christ ? Whose son is he?"
The answer to this question of the human heart determines the
eternal destiny of every soul, and of course, irreconcilably divides
Christians and Muslims. You see, Jesus himself left no room for
holding him up as a "good man, or another prophet" from
God, or any other revering acclaim. For in His own words, Jesus
said,
John 8:58 (NIV) ""I tell you the truth,"
Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!""
John 10:30 (NIV) "I and the Father are one.""
John 8:24 (NIV) "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not
believe that I am (the Creator God) the one I claim to be,
you will indeed die in your sins.""
There can be no mistake. Jesus Christ, unlike any other prophets
appointed or self-proclaimed, has clearly claimed personal deity
and equality with God. That leaves us with only three options
to consider concerning who He is. Upon His assertions and bold
claims, Jesus Christ is either a liar, a lunatic or He is truly
the Lord of the Universe indwelt in human flesh to which every
knee should bow. Islam's revering of Christ as a prophet is foolish
and wrong. How can anyone hold Christ up as a good man, or even
a prophet of the Lord by what He Himself has claimed? For if Christ's
statements are true, we must all reconsider following anyone or
any faith that does not hold Him up to be as Paul writes in,
Colossians 2:9 (NIV) "For in Christ all the fullness
of the Deity lives in bodily form,"
Moreover, in addition to denying Christ His rightful place and
worship, Islam also denies the crucifixion and resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead. Approximately one third of the Christian
gospels are given to eyewitness accounts of the crucifixion and
resurrection of Jesus Christ and also the events associated with
it recorded in the Bible. Islam denies all these, saying the Bible
became corrupt and the greatest corrupter was the apostle Paul.
Yet, the crucifixion is not only central to the New Testament,
it is the focus of Old Testament prophecy. Without it, the Bible
makes plain, there is no forgiveness of people's sins and no hope
of eternal life. This is why true Christianity is unique in its
preaching as Paul the apostle said,
1 Corinthians 1:23 (NIV) "but we preach Christ crucified:
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,"
1 Corinthians 15:3 (NIV) "For what I received I passed
on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,"
As such, Paul was simply reinforcing the very words of Jesus Christ
who said,
Mark 10:45 (NIV) "For even the Son of Man did not come
to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.""
Since the Koran denies this teaching and calls every follower
of Islam to also deny it, adherents of Islam have no sure hope
of eternal life or heaven itself. For the hundreds of millions
who follow this fatalistic faith, their God is presented to them
as one who is not concerned with redemption of a lost world, nor
manifesting love and care for them. The Koran says
and I quote from the "Sale" translation,
"[On the day of judgment] they whose balances shall be heavy with good works shall be happy; but those whose balances shall be light, are those who lose their souls, and shall remain in hell fore ever."(surah 23:102-3, Sale, tr.)
But thanks be to God, the Christian Bible contradicts and overrules
this and says:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) "For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is
the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."
Romans 3:21-23 (NIV) "But now a righteousness from
God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and
the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through
faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Romans 3:28 (NIV) "For we maintain that a man is justified
by faith apart from observing the law."
For the Muslim, the concept of a loving God who saves sinners
is considered an insult to Allah's righteousness, but on this
irreconcilable difference hinges the salvation of the world. Say
friend, what about you? Regardless of whether you follow Islam
or not, Who do you think Christ is? Unless you have
recognized Him as God come in the flesh, to save you from
your sins by dying on a cross, you have no hope of heaven
and eternal life, no hope of missing Hell to come, for all sinners.
Yes, regardless of whether you follow Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism,
Buddhism, Animism or even any pseudo-Christian faiths that teach
"works," (religious or not,) as the way to Heaven and
forgiveness of sins - Jesus said: "You shall die in those
sins."
Rather than following the "good advice," of religious
systems and their prophets, whose bodies rotted in their graves,
you must replace that with the "Good News" of the Savior
- that He alone has conquered death, and whose body was raised
incorruptibly from the dead. For the Islamic that means the "crescent"
must be replaced by the "cross." For all others, your
symbols of your faith must also be banished to the dung heap of
life and replaced with not an image, but the person of Jesus Christ,
Himself!
Herein is the differences of Islam and Christianity, and on that
note there can never be any reconciliation. May God truly give
light to all seekers of truth, and may they come out from the
false and dangerous religions that lead men and nations to despair,
war and destruction, and worse, the finality of losing one's soul
in Hell forever and ever. Friend, the way is open and the path
is clearly marked -- come to the Savior, receive Him as your Lord
and sin-bearer. Believe upon Him as your only means to reconciliation
with God, and you will be saved from sin and Hell to come. You
will be in effect, "home free," now and for all eternity.
For me, that's a muc better deal than Islam's unknowing future
state, and their god who's revelations have no place for love,
care, affection, and of course the saving of men.
Now I've spoken about Islam and its faithful followers not to
belittle them, nor condemn them. I for one stand far behind many
of them, their desire and efforts towards doing good, and being
righteous before God. I commend them for their zeal and effort
to please God. But "goodness can never be godliness"
because we have all sinned. Just think, even one sin to our account
must be paid for, or God's justice is marred and incomplete.
You see, God has only one penalty for sin, any sin and all sin,
it is separation from God for all eternity in a place called Hell.
But know this, God loves us and doesn't want to punish any man,
woman or child, He offers His free gift and grace of forgiveness
by satisfying the just demands of His own law, which states: "
the soul that sins shall die." Christ, God Himself, died
for us and fulfilled His own just decree for sin. Now, He offers
full pardon and fellowship - if you take Jesus as your Savior
and esteem Him alone as your Lord and God. Herein is the GOOD
NEWS of the Christian faith. May God bless it to your hearts today.
Amen.
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General Resources:
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker,
Dennis L. Finnan(wwyfin@sparc.isl.net), or visit our webpage at [ http://www.isl.net/wwyweb.html ].