Christianity and Islam a Study in Contrasts

1. Christianity and Islam a Study in Contrasts by Pastor Dan Domke

2. Translation from Luther's Works American Edition vol. 53

3. “LORD, KEEP US STEADFAST IN THY WORD” 1541/42? This short hymn has been and perhaps still is the most widely used of all of Luther’s hymns. Countless agendas of the Reformation and post-Reformation era assign it to be sung either immediately after the sermon or at the end of the service, frequently followed by “Grant Peace in Mercy, Lord, We Pray.”1 The earliest source is Klug’s Wittenberg hymnal of 1543. An earlier Zwickau print of 1542 supposed to have contained it is now lost. Luther may have written it sometime between the end of 1541 and the spring of 1542. These were turbulent and critical days for the Empire. King Ferdinand of Austria was decisively defeated by the Turks at Budapest in August, 1541. Two months later a storm destroyed the imperial fleet near Algiers. Luther responded with his Vermanunge zum Gebet Wider den Türcken2 (Admonition to Pray Against the Turk).

4. The Elector requested pastors to offer special prayers for divine help and protection. Our hymn may have been written with this in mind, for Luther repeatedly stressed the children’s prayers as the best defense against the Turks. • Many people took bitter offense at the juxtaposition of “Turk” and “papist” in the second line of the first stanza. In predominantly Catholic principalities the hymn was forbidden, and after the interim of 1548, even Lutherans attempted to revise this line. • Under the influence of pietism it was commonly changed to a petition for protection from the enemies of the Word, and today the original Version has almost completely disappeared from use.

5. But it must be remembered that at the time of writing not only the Turks but also many of the European princes loyal to Rome were ready to liquidate Lutheranism by force. • Francis I of France, e.g., who posed as a defender of the church, made common cause with the Sultan against the Empire. These were the conditions that inspired Luther’s prayer for protection against both pope and Turk.

6. The melody bears the marks of Luther’s own hand. Clearly it is patterned after Ambrose’s “Veni Redemptor Gentium.”3 But the bold steps of the chorale are excellently suited to the mood of the words and make it truly congregational. • We offer text and melody after the oldest source, Klug’s Wittenberg hymnal of 1543. Valentin Babst’s Leipzig hymnal of 1545 and many later sources double the value of the notes marked by an asterisk and insert a quarter rest at the place indicated by a plus sign. • The German text, “ERhalt uns HErr bey deinem Wort,” is given in WA 35, 467–468; the music is given in WA 35, 528. The translation, with minor revisions, is that by MacDonald, Exotics, p. 69.

7. Helpful Information About Islam Islam means “submission” or “surrender” to God. 800 million, or one out of every six people are Muslim fastest growing religion in the world 3,000,000 adherents in USA and growing 600 mosques and Islamic centers in USA and growing Hahn, Ernest, How To respond to Muslims, Concordia Publishing House, 1995, pg..11

8. The Koran, Qur ran • The sacred book of Islam is the Koran, regarded as God’s ‘uncreated speech’ revealed to man through Muhammad. The basic guide to Muslim daily life is the Koran. Where it is silent, the accepted tradition called sunna is used. Where this is silent, the custom (adat) of an Islamic community provides the answer. Lutheran Cyclopedia, Concordia Publishing House, pg. 420

9. The Koran, Qur ran

10. Five Basic Beliefs of Islam • The one-ness of God and his greatness • Prayer

11. Five Basic Beliefs of Islam • Fasting • Almsgiving • Pilgrimage

12. The Five Pillars of Islam • Five Pillars of Islam, • called arkan in Arabic, five ritual duties that mainstream Muslims view as central to their faith. These are

13. Five Pillars of Islam • :(1) pronouncing the confession of faith (shahada or kalima); • (2) performing the five daily prayers (salat); • (3) fasting during the month of Ramadan (saum); • (4) paying the alms tax (zakat); • (5) and performing, at least once in life, the major pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)

14. Islamic Beliefs • Muslims believe that Allah chose Hagar and her son Ishmael for the covenant. It is believed the Koran (Qur'an) was given by Allah to Muhammad and is the final revelation of God to man. It is eternal and infallible and therefore considered superior to the Bible.

15. Islamic Beliefs continued • Islam teaches and practices absolute racial equality. However, Muslims are forbidden personal relationships with Christians or Jews. While conversion of non-Muslims to Islam is allowed, converting from Islam to another religion is considered treason and therefore a capital offense.

16. Islamic Beliefs continued • The Islamic religion maintains that every person has two recording angels to record their good and their bad deeds. On the day of judgment each person's deeds will determine whether they will be in heaven or in hell.

17. Islamic Beliefs continued • As we witness to a Muslim, it must be done with the knowledge that Muslims consider their morals superior and their devotion to God greater than those of Christians.

18. Islamic Beliefs continued • A positive approach for getting the attention of a Muslim is a humble explaining that our worship of God is a thankful response to God's mercy and forgiveness. A true Christian lives a life dedicated to serving God in joyful response to Him - not out of a sense of obligation or in a vain attempt to earn heaven.

19. Hagar and Ishmael - The Origins of the Arabs • Genesis 16:1-16 • Hagar - means ( rg*h ) means “Flight • Ishmael - means ( lau@m*v=y ) means “God will hear”

20. The Origins of the Arabs • The Naming of Abrahams first son by Hagar • Genesis 16:11 • Ishmael blessed by descendants who become twelve princes/rulers/tribes. • Genesis 17:18-20

21. The Origins of the Arabs • Ishmael Circumcised • Genesis 17:24-25 • Ishmael Blessed and God made a covenant with him, but … • Genesis 17:19-21

22. Understanding the Biblical Covenant • The Foundational Word • Genesis 6:18yt!yr!B=-ta# yt!m)q!h&w~(BHS) b@riyth {ber-eeth'} • The Word Covenant{ber-eeth'} is used in the O.T. 272 times. The most frequently used Hebrew word for defining a formal agreement or treaty between two parties with each assuming some obligation for the other.

23. Understanding the Covenant • Another term for Covenant is the “Ten Words”. Ex. 34:28 • Exodus 34:28 • <yu!B*r=a^w+ <wy{ <yu!B*r=a^ hw`hy+-mu! <v*-yh!y+w~ 28 • bT)k=Y!w~ ht*v* al) <y!m^W lk^a* al) <j#l# hl*y+l^ • .<yr!b*D+h^ tr#c#u& tyr!B=h^yr@b=D! ta@ tj)L%h^-lu^ • (BHS) The Ten words of the covenant. • eser Dabar bereeth • Near East Covenants were regarded as “words” of suzerain or words that have authority to control a future relationship. • Suzerain means - a state or regime that exercises control or authority.

24. The Weight of the Word. • Since “words” carry such weight, the phrase “Word of God” is bound up with a covenant with God. Last will and testament also speak of a covenant.

25. Origins of the Arabs • Hagar and Ishmael forced out of the camp of Abraham • Genesis 21:12-21

26. Ishmael’s Sons • Genesis 25:13-16 • Nebajoth; Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, • Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah • These became kings (sheiks) of the desert.

27. Ishmael’s descendants lived between: Havilah & Shur • SHUR. A wilderness-region in the NW part of the Sinai isthmus, S of the Mediterranean coastline and the ‘way of the land of the Philistines’, between the present line of the Suez Canal on its W and the ‘River of *Egypt‘ (Wadi el-ÔArish) on its E. Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid Hagar fled to a well past Kadesh on the way to Shur (Gn. 16:7).

28. The Wilderness of Shur

29. Map of Saudi Arabia

30. The Kaaba the Black Stone and Pre-Islamic Polytheism • Kaaba means a square structure. • A place to worship several gods (polytheism) • Believed there were swarms of spirits (jinn) • Human sacrifice occurred from time to time • Worshipped sacred stones (See Black Stone-next slide) • Center of this worship was Mecca

32. Worshipped Deities in stars the moon depths of the earth the sky Early Arabs were fatalistic Fatalism is the belief that events are inevitably determined; inherently anti-Christian denying possibility of a personal relationship between God and the believer. Were resigned to whatever happened. The Kaaba the Black Stone and Pre-Islamic Polytheism

33. Islam: Meteorite Worship of the black stone • Islam’s meteorite that they circle at the Kaba is like the Meteorite of Acts 19:23-36, six hundred years earlier. It seems pagans would think the meteor was a god and start worshipping it. • "But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? [ie. a meteor] "So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash."

34. The Kaaba was built by…. • Angels. • Adam, • Seth, • Abraham • Ishmael • Qusay, chief of the Quraish tribe; ruled Mecca,

35. Quraysh traced their lineage back to Abraham Monotheism came from the Hanifs The doctrine of One god was called Hannifiyya Abraham was neither Jew nor Christian Polytheism inherent part of Islam’s Beginnings

36. Polytheism inherent part of Islam’s Beginnings • Knowledge of supreme god came directly from Abraham, • Abraham one of Allah’s prophets • Monotheism did not come from Jews or Christians

37. Lailaha illa’ llah - means “There is no god but Allah” confirms strong emphasis on Monotheism In early years the Arabs worshipped gods whose names were known When name was known worshippers would enter into a blood tie with the demon or god; Polytheism inherent part of Islam’s Beginnings

38. The god became their patron (remember the list of different covenants) Allah was one god among many who were guardians of contracts. Over the years traditions were forgotten and Allah emerged as the supreme god. His daughters were elevated above all other gods, Al-Manat; goddess of fate Allat or ar-Rabbah; the lady Uzza - the mighty Polytheism inherent part of Islam’s Beginnings

39. Together they were called the swans and were the daughters of the vague but supreme god, Allah. Mohammed would later be shaped by these religious beliefs and traditions in building his moral, ethical, and political religion of Islam. Polytheism inherent part of Islam’s Beginnings

40. Was founded by Christ (Matthew 16:18) Based on Fact! Based on experience and feeling. Slide 168

41. Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

42. Was founded by Christ (Matthew 16:18) Founded by Mohammed (Born in Mecca in West Central Arabia in A.D. 570, 5 centuries after “all truth” had been revealed cf. 2 Peter 1:3)

43. 2 Peter 1:3 “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” God sent Christ, and it is through Christ that we have received “all” things. There is no need nor room for Mohammed five centuries later.

44. Was founded by One whose birth was foretold in the Old Testament (Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 7:14)

45. Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” The redemption of man through Jesus was in God’s mind from the very beginning.

46. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”

47. Prophetic Probability • Prophecies concerning the Messiah demonstrate biblical trustworthiness and divine origin.

48. Over 300 (333) prophecies concerning Messiah all have come true in the person of Jesus Christ • 29 came true in one 24 period concerning his suffering and death. • How probable is that? If just eight prophecies came true for one person, the probability of it coming true is 1 in 10(17th). That is one with 17 - 0’s behind it. 1 in 10(17th).

49. To understand the number, if you take one silver dollar to 1017 you cover the state of Texas in two feet of silver dollars.

50. Was founded by One whose birth was foretold in the Old Testament (Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 7:14) Was founded by one whose birth was not foretold in the Old Testament