BARRIERS AND BRIDGES
Seven Barriers that Muslims have to The Message
Barrier #1: One God
Most Muslims think that Christians serve three separate Gods- God, Jesus and Mary. It is
important that we help them understand that we serve one God, the God of Abraham.
KORAN
The Koran says that Christians and Muslims worship the same God
The Spider 29:46 And dispute not with the people of the Book, except with means better,
unless it be with them who inflict wrong: but say “We believe in the Revelation which
has come down to us and which came down to you: Our God and your God is one, and it
is to him we bow.”
BIBLE
The Bible says that there is only one God
Exodus 20:3
Deut. 4:35, 39
II Sam. 7:22
I Kings 8:23
Isaiah 43:10-11
Mark 12:32
I Tim 2:5
Barrier #2: The Bible has been changed
Although it is written in the Koran more than once that all good Muslims should read the
“Before Books”, it is common belief that it has been changed. It is important to point out
that this is God’s Holy Book and he is such a great and mighty God that He would not
allow His Word to be changed. You can also hand them a Bible and ask them to show
you which part has been changed (they can’t).
KORAN:
Cattle 6:115-116 Those unto whom We gave the Scripture know that it is revealed from
you Lord in truth. So be not of the waverers. Perfected is the Word of the Lord in truth
and justice. There is nothing that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
The Rocky Tract 15:9 We have, without doubt, sent down the message; and we will
assuredly guard it from corruption.
BIBLE:
The Bible says that all Scripture is God-breathed, cannot disappear or be changed
II Timothy 3:16
Matthew 5:17,18
Luke 1:1-4
Barrier #3: Son of God
Muslims think that Christians believe that God had sex with Mary and that’s why we call
Jesus the Son of God. Without getting into complicated matters of the Trinity we can tell
them that this is a metaphorical term that describes a relationship, similar to the term they
use “son of the road” or when I call someone “aunt” even though we are not related. In
other references Jesus is also referred to as “son of man” and “son of David”.
KORAN:
Jesus was not born by a physical relationship. God only has to say a word and it is done.
Mary 14:35 It is not befitting to Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him.
When He determines a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.
BIBLE:
Different uses of the term “son”
Matthew 1:1 Son of David
Mark 10:45 Son of Man
Hebrews 2:6 we are called the son of man
II Cor. 6:18 God calls us sons and daughters
I Samuel 26:17 Saul refers to David as his son
Isaiah 14:12 “son of the dawn” meaning someone who was great but fell
(Kings were referred to in the old days as “son of god” because they ruled by divine
authority and under no man.)
Barrier #4: Jesus didn’t die
Muslims believe that a prophet could never die such a terrible death. It would be
blasphemous. They think that someone took his place and died it appeared as if Jesus
had died. This is a key issue and seems to be the biggest stumbling block.
KORAN:
God states that he would cause Jesus to die and raise him upThe Family of Imran 3:55 Behold Allah said: “Oh Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee
to myself and clear thee of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee
superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection.”
Jesus speaks about his own death, as following his birth, and before his resurrectionMary 19:33 Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I
shall be raised up to life again
The Koran says that “they” didn’t kill or crucify Jesus (it was Gods plan and carried out
by Romans not Jews)The Women 4:157 They (meaning Jews) that said in boast “We killed Christ Jesus the
son of Mary the Apostle of Allah”, but they killed him not nor crucified him but so it was
made to appear to them
BIBLE:
The Bible points out that it was not man who killed Jesus, but God’s plan from the
beginning. Without blood there can be no forgiveness.
Acts 2:23
John 10:18
Hebrews 9:22
Leviticus 17:11
II Cor. 5:21
Barrier #5: No Sin
Muslims believe that all prophets were born without sin and lived a sinless life. It’s also
hard for them to believe that we are all sinners, and we’re definitely not born sinners.
They also think that if we do enough good things that they balance out the bad things.
KORAN:
We all have sinThe Bee 16:61 If Allah were to punish men for their wrong doing, He would not leave on
the earth a single living creature
Adam and Eve were banished from Gods presence because of one single sin
Taha 20:123 Get ye down, both of you, all together, from the Garden, with enmity One to
another
BIBLE:
In the Bible it clearly states that all people sin and that there are consequences for sin
Romans 3:23
Matthew 5:27,28
James 2:10
Barrier #6: Who is Mohammed?
This is who Muslims follow, and who they believe wrote down all the teachings from
God as the angel Gabriel dictated to him. He is considered holy. If we say he is sent
from Satan, do you think they will listen? No! We can answer “I believe Mo is who he
said he is in the Koran- a messenger and a warner” And interestingly enough he doesn’t
know where he’s going when he dies.
KORAN:
The Sandhills 46:9 I am no bringer of new fangled doctrine among the messengers, nor
do I know what will be done with me or with you. I follow but that which is revealed to
me by inspiration; I am but a Warner open and clear
BIBLE:
We know “assuredly” where we are going when we die
John 6:47
Barrier #7: Muslims relationship with Christians
Muslims have been taught for many years that Chr’s are bad people and will lead them
astray. In fact we are becoming more and more familiar with Muslim extremists who
believe that others who don’t believe the same way they do should be wiped from the
face of the earth. Contrary to their popular belief, God’s Truths and roadmap to Heaven
are perfectly revealed in the Scriptures that came before (the Bible) and the “People of
the Book” (us!).
KORAN:
Jonah 10:94 If thou wert in doubt as to what we have revealed unto thee, then question
those who read the Scripture that was before thee. The Truth hath indeed come to thee
from thy Lord
The Women 4:136 O you who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger and the
Scripture which He has revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture which He
revealed aforetime. Any who denieth Allah, his angels, his Books, his Messengers, and
the Day of Judgment hath gone far, far astray
The Table Spread 5:65-66 If only the People of the Book would believe and ward off evil,
we would remit their sins from them and surely we would bring them into Gardens of
Delight. If they had observed the Torah and the Injeel and that which was revealed unto
them by their Lord, then they would have been nourished from above them and from
beneath their feet
The Koran calls the followers of Jesus “Muslims”Family of Imran 3:52 Jesus said: “Who will be my helpers to the work of God”. Said the
disciples: “We are God’s helpers, we believe in God and do thou bear witness that we
are Muslims.”
BIBLE:
It’s true there are many hypocrites in the Christian faith and the Muslim faith. But let’s
represent Christ by loving our neighbors… and our enemies, and bringing blessing not
curses. We are the aroma of Christ!
Luke 6:46-49
Matthew 5:44
Romans 12:14
Matthew 25:40
II Cor. 2:14-15
REMEMBER:
Resist the temptation to criticize Islam
Do all you can to remove misunderstandings
Love is more persuasive than argument (II Tim 2:23-24)
REVIEW
1. The Arabic name for God is _______________ and it is the same word used by both
Muslims and Christians in many countries.
2. The Muslim name for Jesus is _______________.
3. Name four Books that every good Muslim must read:
4. Given that many Muslims have an “allergy” to the word Bible- what do you call that
Book?
5. How would you answer this question when a Muslim asks you: Are you a Christian?