Speaking the Truth in Love to Muslims
God
I. Natural Knowledge of God
"There's not much difference between religions--we all worship the same God."
That is a very common opinion, especially in America. Maybe this also explains why 95% of Americans consistently tell the Gallup pollsters that they believe in "God." Thankfully, the pollsters do not go much further than that!
Stop for a moment and describe what you think most people would say God is or is like.
Now, tell what most people would say God wants from human beings.
We call this the "natural knowledge of God."
Read Romans 1.18-31
Why is the wrath of God being revealed against the wickedness of men?
What are the things about God which are plainly seen in the created world?
From verse 28 onward, Paul talks about another side of God which everyone should know, but it isn't seen in the outside world--it is seen in the world inside us. What is it? (If you need help, read Romans 2.14-15).
So, to summarize, what are things about God that everyone should be expected to know, even without some religion telling them?
What would you call a person who doesn't even have that much of a knowledge of God?
How would that folly show up in their lives?
What part of God's nature are we missing when we only look at the natural knowledge of God?
II. The Koran's Revelation of God
Here's a couple of passages from the Koran which pretty much sum up the nature of Allah.
He created the heavens and the earth with truth, and he formed you, and made goodly your forms….He knows what is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you hide and what you manifest; and Allah is Cognizant of what is in the hearts. Sura 64.3-4
Allah has revealed the Book with the Truth; and surely those who go against the Book are in a great opposition. Sura 2.176
Elsewhere the Koran gives Allah the names, "the Eternal," "the Gracious," "the King," "the Slayer," "the First and the Last."
In your own words and describe what you see the Koran saying Allah is or is like.
Compare your list to the first list under the natural knowledge of God.
How do they compare?
If a pill promises to make healthy and young people look healthy and young, what can you figure out about that pill?
If the Koran promises to reveal a God who has already been revealed to everyone in nature, what does that say about the Koran?
III. The Merciful Allah
But the Koran portrays another side of Allah. I know, we've gone through this once before in a previous lesson, but a little repetition can go a long way! This other side of Allah is most clearly brought out in "The Opening of Scripture," Sura 1
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Owner of the Day of Judgment, Thee alone we worship; Thee alone we ask for help.
Show us the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast favoured; not the path of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.
What aspect of Allah is mentioned here that we haven't mentioned before in this lesson?
Islam sets forth a merciful God, Bismillah. He is portrayed as forgiving. The Koran explains this forgiveness.
For the saved the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens with rivers flowing underneath, an eternal dwelling: how excellent a recompense for those who work and strive! Ali Sura 3.136
Why does Allah forgive?
What must a Muslim do to be forgiven?
Is this forgiveness earned or given?
Does Islam really teach about a forgiving God?
What really does this line up with under the natural knowledge of God?
IV. The Only Revealed God
If religion is to be more than what man can ascertain for himself using the spiritual tools at his disposal, that religion should give him some new information. A teacher that teaches only what we already know is no teacher at all.
That's the test God consistently put forth to his people in the prophet Isaiah.
"I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.' You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them?" Isaiah 48.5-6
Put it in your own words.
And then the prophet Isaiah brings forth the news of the Suffering Servant of the Lord, the Savior! Clearly God's plan of salvation is that "something new" which man could not ascertain by his own powers.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him--but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2.9-10
Read Acts 17.18-21
Why did the learned men of Athens want to hear more about Paul's teaching?
Why didn't these geniuses know it already from their natural powers?
What had Paul been talking to them about?
Does the Bible give us new information about God that the Koran doesn't? If so, what is it?
V. The Triune God
The Koran steadfastly and vehemently denies the Trinity.
O followers of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak lies against Allah, but speak the truth: The Messiah, Isa (Jesus) son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and his Word which he communicated to Marium and a spirit from him; believe therefore in Allah and his apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God: far be it from his glory that he should have a son; whatever is in the heaves and whatever is in the earth is his; and Allah is sufficient for a Protector. Sura 4.171
Here's the passages we use to prove the doctrine of the Trinity.
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6.4
You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20.3
I and the Father are one. John 10.30
How many God's are there?
Who is God?
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2.11
When Ananias pretends to be giving to the church 100% of what he sold his land for (he had secretly kept back part of the sale price), Peter rebuked him:
"How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…You have not lied to men but to God." Acts 5.3-4
For he (Jesus) received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" 2 Peter 1.17)
How many Gods would this indicate to you that there are?
But how many Gods are there really?
Look at Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3.13-17 and highlight what each person of the Trinity is doing.
Father:
Son:
Holy Spirit:
How does Jesus' Great Commission prove the Trinity, emphasizing both the three persons and the oneness of God?
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28.19
How much is 1+1+1?
How many Gods do you get when you put together 1 Holy Spirit + 1 Son + 1 Father?
Is the teaching of the Trinity logical?
Does the illogicality of the teaching of the Trinity make it untrue? Why or why not?
What do we rely on, reason or revelation, to derive our beliefs?
Can you come up with some reasons why do people of other religions (Judaism, Islam, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses) react so violently against the Trinity?