ICS/MIS 6073
Islam in the 21st Century
Syllabus
I.
July 8 -12, 2013
Dr. Nabeel Jabbour
Presuppositions and Assumptions:
The assumptions will be covered in class.
II.
Course Description:
In this course you will explore the issues behind the anger and agenda of militant Islam.
You will examine not only the roots of Islamic fundamentalism and the radicalization of
Muslims throughout the world but also liberal and modernist trends. Special attention will
be given to the problem of Israel, the reasons Islam is growing so rapidly in the West, and
implications for Christian witness. We will also look at the Arab Spring revolution.
With approximately 1.6 billion Muslims in the world today, it is predicted that within the
next few years Muslims will become a quarter of world’s population. This course will
introduce basic information about Islam along with various approaches and implications
for Christian Witness. It will also examine the issues behind the anger and agenda of
militant Islam, and some possible responses. In addition it will carefully examine the war
that is being waged for the minds and hearts of Muslims, who are tugged in two
directions: on the one hand moderation and modernity, and on the other hand, Islamic
Fundamentalism and/or fanaticism. The Israel/Palestine conflict and other current events
will also be explored.
III.
Course Objectives:
We will cover as much as possible of the following:
1.
Cover very little of the basics since a pre-requirement for taking this course, is to
have taken another course in Islam or having read before coming to class Mike
Kuhn’s book Fresh Vision For The Muslim World.
2.
Understand and have a grasp of the war which is waging for the hearts and minds of
Muslims today. In Islam there is no separation between religion and state. Islam is
deen wa dawla (Religion and State). Geopolitics is an integral part of Islam.
3.
Understand the roots of Islamic Fundamentalism and the catalysts that prompted
events that led up to September 11, 2001.
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IV.
4.
Identify and describe the founders of Islamic fundamentalism and their
organizations.
5.
Understand the argument of liberal Muslims and consider their impact on Islam
today.
6.
Grasp how the history of Muslim-Christian encounter shapes current relations.
7.
Explicate the problem of Israel and Palestine.
8.
Consider the various options in our witness to Muslims, the Biblical bases and the
issues involved.
9.
Cover briefly the Arab Spring events especially in Egypt and Syria.
Course Paper:
Write a 4,000 words course paper on this topic: “In the war for the hearts and minds of
Muslims around the world what would it take to empower the moderates and open
minded, and marginalize the fanatics in the Muslim world? Who are the main players and
what can each do?”
There is the “silent majority” or the undecided Muslims in the Muslim world. They are in
the middle and they might be about 70% of the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. On one
side of the continuum there are the moderates and the open minded Muslims and they
might be about 10%. On the opposite side of the continuum there are the
fundamentalists, and there are the fanatics, and they might be about 20%. The militants
among them who would be willing to become suicide bombers are a fraction of 1%. The
war is for the hearts and minds of the undecided, the 70%, and the battles are Palestine,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and other places in the world. Christendom or Political
Christianity might “win” a battle and end up losing the war. The battle Christendom might
win could be strong governments in Iraq and Afghanistan and almost an end to the
occupation of Iraq and an exit strategy from Afghanistan. The war that Christendom might
loose is an increase of hatred to Christendom and to the Gospel, and an increase of
Islamic Fundamentalism and fanaticism in the Muslim world. If we go in the direction of
wanting to win battles and end up losing the war, then what will happen if a war breaks
out with Iran and its proxies? What would happen if an Islamic regime takes over in
Pakistan? What will Pakistan be like when they have nuclear power? What about Saudi
Arabia? What about Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood? The course paper has to do with
how to win the war and not only win battles.
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ICS 6073 Islam in the 21 Century [Winter Studies 2012] - 3
V.
VI.
Required Reading List:
1.
Chapman, Colin. Whose Promised Land? The Continuing Crisis over Israel and
Palestine. Baker Books. ISBN 0-8010-6441-4 (pbk)
2.
Jabbour, Nabeel. The Rumbling Volcano. Islamic Fundamentalism in Egypt.
Pasadena CA: Mandate Press, ISBN 0-87808-241-7. Available from William Carey
Library (800-647-7466; www.wclbooks.com).
3.
Carter, Jimmy. Palestine Peace not Apartheid. Simon and Shouster 2006. ISBN 13:978-0-7432-8502-5 ISBN -10:0-7432-8502-6.
4.
Burge, Gary. Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Told about
Israel and Palestine. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2003. ISBN 0829816607.
Recommended Reading and Resources List:
The references with asterisks ** are the priority readings. The more the asterisks the
more critical that you read it.
**1.
www.nabeeljabbour.com Links to websites.
2.
Shakir, M.H. The Qur'an. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc. ISBN 0940368188,
English only translation. Available from www.amazon.com
OR: Ali, A. Yusuf. The Holy Quran.
OR: Irving, Thomas. The Noble Qur’an. Amana Books. ISBN 0-915597-51-10.
*3.
Whose Holy City? Published by Baker and the ISBN number is:0-8010-6556-9.
4.
Kincaid, Jack. Between Two Fires, the untold story of Palestinian Christians. ISBN 09725258-0-7 , Banner Communications Inc. 352-336-1040
5.
Findley, Paul. They Dare to Speak Out. Hill Books. ISBN 1-55652-073-5
*6.
Chacour, Elias. Blood Brother. Chosen Books. ISBN 0-8007-9321-8
7.
Lewis, Bernard. What Went Wrong? Oxford University Press 2002. ISBN 0-19514420-1
8.
Chapman, Colin. Islam in The West. Paternoster Press. ISBN 0-85364-781-X
9.
Mallouhi, Christine. Waging Peace on Islam. William Carey Library; (800) 647-7466;
www.WCLBooks.com Paperback -- 348 pages. ISBN 1 85424 502 3.
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ICS 6073 Islam in the 21 Century [Winter Studies 2012] - 4
*10.
Hoskins, Dr. Edward J. A Muslim’s Heart: What Every Christian Needs to Know to
Share Christ with Muslims. ISBN 0-9672480-6-X Available from Dawson Media (1888-547-9635; www.dawsonmedia.com).
*11.
Chapman, Colin. Cross and Crescent. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press of
England, 1995 ISBN 0-85110-992-6. Available from IVP in Chicago at 800-843-9487.
*12.
Gilchrist, John. The Qur'an, The Scripture of Islam. South Africa: Mercsa, ISBN 09583905-2-5. http://answering-islam.org.uk/Gilchrist/#qbs
*13.
Gilchrist, John. Muhammad The Prophet of Islam. South Africa: Mercsa, ISBN 09583905-1-7 http://answering-islam.org.uk/Gilchrist/Muhammad/index.html
14.
Musk, Bill. The Unseen Face of Islam. London: MARC: Evangelical Missionary
Alliance, 1989.
15.
Muller, Roland. Honor and Shame: Unlocking the Door. ISBN 0-7388-4316-4.
16.
Love, Rick. Muslim, Magic and the Kingdom of God. Pasadena: William Carey
Library, 2000.
17.
Caner, Ergun. Voices Behind the Veil, Kregel Publications, ISBN 0-8254-2402-X
18.
Frost, Michael & Hirsch, Alan. The Shaping of the Things to Come: Innovation and
Mission For the 21st Century Church. Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 1-56563-659-7.
19.
Bosch, David. Transforming Mission. Orbis. 0-88344-719-3 (pbk).
20.
Jones, E. Stanley. A Song of Ascents. Abingdon Press/Nashville and NY. 1968. Library
of Congress # 68-17451
21.
The Holy Injil: Matthew. International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, (719) 4889200. User-friendly Gospel of Matthew for Muslims.
22.
Johnstone, Patrick. Operation World. Zondervan Publishing House.
**23.
24.
Brother Andrew and Al Janssen. Light Force, A stirring account of the church caught
in the Middle East crossfire. ISBN 0-8007-1872-0
Cook, Michael. The Koran. A very short introduction. ISBN 0-19-285344-9.
*25.
Kurzman, Charles. Liberal Islam. Oxford University Press 1998. ISBN 0-19-511622-4
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**26.
*27.
Jabbour, Nabeel. Unshackled and Growing: Muslims and Christians on The Journey
to Freedom. Dawson Media (1-888-547-9635; www.dawsonmedia.com). ISBN 978-09729023-2-5.
Khalidi, Rashid. Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America’s Perilous Path
in the Middle East. Beacon ISBN0-8070-0235-6.
*28.
Everest, Larry. Oil, Power and Empire, Iraq and the US Global Agenda. CC Common
Courage Press. ISBN 1-56751-246-1.
29.
“The Master Plan”. An article in New Yorker by Lawrence Wright.
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/09/11/060911fa_fact3
***30.
Jabbour, Nabeel. The Crescent Through The Eyes of The Cross. Navpress ISBN 978-160006-195-0. 1800-366-7788.
**31.
Kuhn, Mike. Fresh Vision for the Muslim World. Authentic 2009. ISBN 13: 978-160657-019-7.
**32.
Michael Scheuer. Imperial Hubris. Why the West is Loosing the War on Terror. 2004.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scheuer
**33.
Braverman, Mark. Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews and The Search For Peace in The
Holy Land. Synergy Books. 2010. ISBN 13:978-0-9840760-7-9.
*34.
Qutb, Sayyid: Milestones, ISBN 0-911119-42-6
ttp://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/books/milestones/hold/index_2.asp
**35.
Burge, Gary: Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians are not being told about
Israel and Palestinians. The Pilgrim Press. Cleveland. ISBN 0-8298-1660-7.
**36.
Pappe, Ilan: The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Oneworld Oxford. ISBN 13:978-185168-467-0 ISBN 10:1-85168-467-0.
*37.
Medearis, Carl: Muslims, Christians and Jesus. Gaining Understanding and Building
Relationships. Bethany House. ISBN 978-0-7642-0567-5.
*38.
Burge, Gary. Jesus and the Land: The New Testament Challenge to Holy Land
Theology. Baker Academic 2010. ISBN 879-0-8010-3898-3
**39.
Beinart, Peter. The Crisis of Zionism.
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ICS 6073 Islam in the 21 Century [Winter Studies 2012] - 6
VII. Requirements and Grading
ICS/MIS “Islam in the 21st Century” is a three credits course. There will be 35 hours of
class plus 95 hours of work out of class. What is required of those of you who are taking
the course for credit is to do the following:
1.
Attend the 35 hours of class and write a one page daily response at the end of each
day sharing insights gained and issues you are struggling with. (30% of the grade).
2.
Read the four required books and write about 700 words book review on each of
the books, evaluating, critiquing them and demonstrating that you have read them
rather than only skimming them. (40% of the grade). Start each page with a
statement “I have read the whole book from cover to cover.” Or “I have fully read
the first 120 pages and skimmed the rest of the book.” Etc… The size of the book
will determine the percentage of the grade. Also start the response to each of the
book reviews with this statement: “I did not read any of the book reviews on the
internet. My response and book review is based only on my reading of the book.”
As you write your book reports:
1.
Start with a very brief summary of the book.
2.
Evaluate the book. How do you agree and disagree with the author.
3.
How did this book challenge your prejudices and your assumptions.
4.
What lessons can be learned from this book?
5.
How did this book impact your thinking, your convictions and your life?
3.
Write about 4,000 words course paper on the required topic. (30% of the grade).
The Required Books are not only essential for the course paper but should be the
primary sources. Bibliography of the works cited and documentation of your
arguments will be essential.
Please send all the book reports and the course paper as word attachments in one
email to Dr. Jabbour on both these two email addresses
nabeel@nabeeljabbour.com and ntjabbour@gmail.com If you do not hear from
Dr. Jabbour within 24 hours, please resend the assignments.
The deadline for submitting the paper and the book reports is: August 2, 2013.
Grades for this course will be available September 15 from the Registrar’s office.
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VIII. Important Notice
1.
2.
3.
IX.
Please do not read Carter’s book Palestine Peace not Apartheid, until after you take
the class. The same applies to Jabbour’s book The Crescent Through The Eyes of the
Cross, which is not a required reading.
Please read before you come to class Burge's Jesus and the Land and Jabbour’s The
Rumbling Volcano and as much as you can of Chapman’s book Whose Promised
Land.
Please do not write any book reports till after class.
4.
Another very beneficial exercise is to read, before coming to class, the book by
Sandy Tolan, The Lemon Tree, An Arab, a Jew and the Heart of the Middle East.
Lemon Tree is not a required reading but I highly recommend it.
5.
To repeat what was said earlier: This course has a prerequisite. Either having taken
a course on Introduction to Islam or having read before coming to class Mike
Kuhn's book Fresh Vision for the Muslim World. Authentic 2009. ISBN 13: 978-160657-019-7.
Disability Services
Students with physical, emotional, ADD, or learning disabilities needing academic
accommodations should make requests through the office of Academic & Disability
Services. These requests will be kept confidential and will be used only to provide
academic accommodations. Because many accommodations require early planning,
requests should be made as early as possible. The Academic & Disability Services office is
located on the first floor of Rossi Student Center (807-5611, cmorgan@ciu.edu). If you
already receive services through ADS please contact me so that we can make your
academic experience in this class as successful as possible.
Additional Requirements
1. Classroom etiquette. I expect students to treat everyone with respect. Respect
includes, but is not limited to, being on time for class, not having side
conversations while I am speaking or another student is talking, interacting
appropriately with others in class discussions, using laptop computers only for
purposes directly related to the current class, and turning cell phones off. Some
students tend to speak too much and others tend to be quiet. Those who have the
tendency to talk too much and to ask too many questions need to be sensitive to
others and give them a chance.
2. While watching video clips and documentaries, laptops should be closed.