“H o l y W a r ?”
On September 11, 2001 your world changed. For most, it’s terrorism; for some
it’s a ‘holy war’ (jihad). Is it really? Who’s doing this? Why is this happening? Is
Islam responsible? What is Islam? How does it compare with Christianity? Aren’t
Christians in a ‘holy war’?
I. The Worldwide Presence and Influence of Islam
A. Stats: 1 of 5 are Muslim; 90% of Arabs are Muslim; only 1 Muslim of 5 is
Arab; 1 Arab of 20 are Christians; about 5 million Muslims in America.
B. Diversity: e.g. fundamentalists, moderates, radical terrorists
II. The Early History of Islam (“surrender”)
A. Biblical background (Genesis 16, 21; Galatians 4:21-5:1))
 Abraham, Isaac (> Israel), and Ishmael (>Arabs)
B. Mecca, Muhammad (570-632), and the flight to Medina (in 622—1st year on
the Islamic calendar)
C. The Qur’an (Koran = “to recite”): recitations given to Muhammad
D. The Ka’bah
E. After Muhammad’s death:
 Sunnis (now c. 85%): Successor should be elected
 Shi’ites (now c. 15%): Successor should be blood-relative; authority-based
F. Crusades in Middle Ages
III. Significant Modern Events for Arabs
A. 20th century colonialism (Arabs dominated by foreign powers)
B. 1947: Division of Palestine by United Nations (53% given to Jews)
C. 1948: The nation of Israel is established
D. 1967: Six day war and Israel’s victory
E. 1992: Saudi Arabia (where Mecca and Medina are) hosts American troops
IV. Holy War (jihad = exertion)
A. Moderates: jihad is a spiritual struggle within one’s heart.
 “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah 2:256).
 “The nearest in affection to believers are those who say ‘we are Christians’”
(Surah 5:82).
B. Some fundamentalists: Jihad is a political and military struggle using any
means (e.g. ‘terrorism’).
 “Fight in the course of God those who fight you and slay them. Fight
against them and slay them until they submit … until there is no more
persecution and oppression and there prevails faith and justice in God”
(Surah 2:190-192).
 “Fighting is prescribed for you” (Surah 2:276).
 “Fight and slay the infidels” (Surah 9:5).
C. Objectives of Fundamentalist radicals
 Restore strict Islamic law (religious & civil law).
 Eject Israelis from Palestine.
 Remove all Western influences.
V. Five Main Muslim Obligations
A. Recite: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.”
B. Pray 5 times each day toward Mecca
C. Daytime fasting and abstinence during Ramadan
D. Give alms (about 2.5% of income)
E. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
VI. What Can We Learn from Muslims?
VII. Islamic Beliefs Similar to Christianity
A. One God (creator; omnipotent, revealer, omniscient, judge)
B. Accepts biblical prophets and books
C. Jesus: virgin-born, miracle worker, sinless
D. Humans: created, sinful, accountable
VIII. Islamic Beliefs Different from Christianity
A. God:
 Not incarnate, knowable, or predictable
 Does not love the prodigal or the sinful (Surah 6:142; 7:31; 3:140; 4:107).
 Vs. Luke 15:11-24; Romans 5:8; 2 Peter 3:9.
B. Jesus:
 Not God, not crucified, not raised, not to be worshiped, not mediator.
 A Christian view: Jesus is the ultimate ‘Muslim’ (one who ‘surrenders’).
C. Bible: Corrupted; superceded by Qur’an
 Yet, “the Book” [Bible] is authoritative and authentic (Surah 2:136; 4:163),
authenticates Muhammad (Surah 7:157; 10:94), and is to be believed
(Surah 4:136).
D. Humans/Salvation:
 Humans good by nature yet sinful; forgiveness by repentance (no
atonement needed); salvation is not so certain and comes by more good
deeds than bad. Martyrdom during jihad can guarantee salvation.
 Vs. Rom 5:6-8; Heb 4:16; Eph 1:13-14; 2:1-9; Rom 8:1; 1 Jn 4:15-16; 5:1314.
E. Islam offered a kind of B.C. (before Christ) message 600 years after Jesus.
IX. How Should Christians Respond?
A. Suggested “Do’s”:
B. Suggested “Don’ts”:
Christian Resources on Islam:
Dean Halverson, Gen. Ed. A Compact Guide to World Religions.
George Braswell, Jr. What You Need to Know about Islam.
Christian website: www.answering-islam.org
Video: “The Real Story: A Christian’s Guide to the Arab World.” Vision 3
Productions, 1995 (with study guide). 206-712-8832
This presentation on Islam is produced by WorldviewEyes, a program that helps teenagers
develop a Christian mind and interact effectively with non-Christian worldviews
(www.worldvieweyes.org). It will be presented for CIY Discipleship by professors from
Lincoln Christian Seminary: by Dr. Robert Douglas (rdouglas@lccs.edu), director of Muslim
Studies, or by Dr. Rich Knopp (rknopp@lccs.edu), prof. of apologetics and director of
WorldviewEyes.