Islam – Theological Problems

Dr. Robert Patton

Many basic misunderstandings

The Muslim believes the following:

Christians have changed the Bible; therefore it is not the same as the Qur’an

The death and substitutionary sacrifice of Christ never occurred

The trinity means three Gods

The deity of Christ – Christians think that God had sexual intercourse with Mary

Basic understanding

The absolute holiness of God, and His abhorrence of sin

The need of redemption via a substitute

Man cannot change his nature by himself. He is born a sinner –

This is denied by the Muslim, who believes that man is good, but weak and forgetful

Initial contacts of Muslims with Christians in the 7th century

With Jews, who also killed Jesus because He claimed to be God (shirk)

The Jews also found Christ crucified a stumbling block

They also contacted aberrant Christians who did not teach good doctrine

Our lives must speak

We must win their hearts with our lives of love to open them to hearing the gospel

Mere facts are not enough – they have been programmed to reject them

Theological differences

Truth = Qur’an for the Muslim

Truth = total Biblical witness, culminating in Jesus for the Christian

Theological differences

God’s mercy = revelation of perfect law for the Muslim

God’s mercy – the suffering, redemptive love in Jesus Christ

What is missing in the Qur’an?

For the Christian:

God’s holiness

Man’s sin nature which he cannot overcome

God must intervene and save mankind

For the Muslim, these are nonsense, and you end up with a works religion

What is ultimate truth

Qur’an is uncreated and eternal book preserved in heaven – Muslim

Bible is God’s authentic authoritative Word revealed supremely in Christ.

Do not insult

Muhammad – recognize the good he did, such as reforming from idolatry and protecting certain groups. But he is not our prophet

Talk then about Jesus

Miraculous birth

Miraculous life

Miraculous ascension to heaven

The Qur’an

We appreciate the wonderful things that it says about Jesus

His virgin birth

His miracles

His ascension

His sinless life

Prophecies of Muhammad vs. Jesus

Some could be thought to refer to Muhammad –Gen 12:1-3; Deut. 18:19, John re comforter

But more than 300 talk about this special prophet, the messiah, who is Jesus

Deity of Christ – one approach

Starting with common ground

Christ had a supernatural birth with no father. (Adam did too, but his was supernatural too)

Christ did many supernatural acts – healing, raising the dead – so his life was supernatural. Others did some miracles as well

The next step is interesting!

Christ’s supernatural resurrection

Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and also arose from the dead and conquered death. They may object – but keep going

Then the prophet Jesus went to heaven and there is no grave and no bones to worship

So His death was supernatural

So His birth, life and end of life

Were all supernatural

What other prophet can say that?

He was the most supernatural person who ever lived

The muslim agrees with the virgin birth, the miracles, and the ascension of Christ

Christ as the Son of God

Show that we TOTALLY reject the idea that God had sex with Mary = blasphemy

Son of the road – 5 times in the Qur’an. Does this mean that the road married and made little roads?

Similar fashion – the Bible uses it metaphorically

Jesus reveals God

Jesus reveals God like a son can reveal the father because he resembles him.

We cannot tell God what to do or how He may choose to reveal Himself. It is like the veil being opened or removed.

The trinity

Muslims hold

The sovereign will of God

The eternal uncreated words of God – Qur’an

The argument: Then you have 2 uncreated things, thus 2 gods. When they object, point out that we have 3 uncreated things, the persons of the trinity

Personally I don’t think this is a strong argument…

The problem of holiness

The Muslim needs to see that even a little bit of sin is an affront to a holy God

One way is to offer a contaminated drink (showing them the contamination) to illustrate that a little poison makes the whole thing unacceptable.

Adam sinned once, but was punished by God

Works do not provide holiness

Only Christ can remove sin

Heaven is holy and we cannot enter with sin in our lives.

Animism cannot give power over sin, but Christ can do so

Four areas of vacuum in the Qur‘an

A loving God

A personal God

The assurance of forgiveness of sins

The assurance of eternal life

Impersonal God

Muslims do not pray to God for personal things

They feel that he is transcendent, and may pray to saints, etc for personal things

We can pray for them

Main things: LOVE AND PRAYER

Is the Bible corrupted?

The problem –

Christians: The Bible is God-breathed and inspired by God and cannot be changed: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Rev. 22:18-19

Muslims: The Qur’an is the mother of books on the throne of God

But in many places there are differences!

The answer from the Muslim

The Qur’an is the FINAL revelation which is to all people

The Muslim accepts the law of abrogation, where a more recent writing negates earlier ones

Thus they would state that the Bible has been changed by Christians or Jews

The Qur’an and the Bible

The Qur’an gives encouragement that the Bible is the Word of God: 5:68; 21:7

The Qur’an states that God’s Word cannot be changed: 6:115; 10:64

The big question

Then when was the Bible changed – before or after Muhammad?

If before – then Muhammad was a false prophet

If afterwards – we have many manuscripts that show no change

Then ask…

Who changed the Bible?

When was in changed?

How can they change God’s Word?

Jews would not dare to do so

Christians have severe warnings not to do so

Jesus said that his words would never pass away

What about translations?

The translations are somewhat different, but also there are a number of translations of the Qur’an. They do not invalidate the Qur’an

I have looked at three different English translations, and there are minor differences between the three

God the Father

To the Muslim, God is far away, and our relationship with him is primarily obedience. He conceives of sonship as biologic

For the Christian, God is close to the individual. The issue is obedience, but also that God has chosen to reveal himself. The son is also eternal, so it is not about procreation but relationship

Helpful hints

Do not ridicule or condemn Muhammad, but raise up Jesus as Lord

Avoid calling Islam a religion of words or the mechanics of Muslim prayers

Remember that Muslims do believe in God’s laws and have a fear of God

Helpful hints

Muslims are aware of sin and ask for mercy, though they have no assurance of forgiveness

Appeal to their conscience and need of a Savior

Tell the about our beliefs in Jesus Christ

Our behavior must back up our belief

Helpful hints

Our message will be evaluated on the basis of the character of the messenger. Show true love in the face of bitterness

Start with truths that the Muslim knows – that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, that He is known as the Word of God (Kalimat Allah)

Rely on the Holy Spirit

Helpful hints

Discuss with the same sex only.

Men – not into a home where no man is present.

Women, dress modestly & avoid all men groups

Don’t argue; praise the Lord Jesus

Do not insult Muhammad, Islam or the Qur’an