Why does this question matter? Who is Allah? (In-house explanation) Who do we worship? (Conversations with others)

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2 Why does this question matter? Who is Allah? (In-house explanation) Who do we worship? (Conversations with others)

3 Contemporary blurring of lines Well, first of all, I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That s what I believe. G. W. Bush Increasing use of Chrislam (started in 1970 s) Dampens Muslim evangelism Dilutes the truth of the God we worship

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5 "Say: He is Allah, The One and Only. "Allah, the Eternal, Absolute Qur an 112:1-2

6 The ONLY God Eternal, uncreated Merciful and Gracious Creator of the universe and all in it Created Adam from clay, Eve from Adam Reveals himself to man through prophets who speak his word Hears and answers prayers Forgives people of their sin All-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise Will judge the world and place all people in one of two eternal locations

7 "Say: He is Allah, The One and Only. "Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. "He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him." Qur an 112:1-4

8 Has no equal, no partner Absolutely transcendent; no personal interaction with creation So transcendent, almost unknowable; no human ever develops a personal relationship with Allah The God of Islam could never be called Father because he is too great and majestic; would imply he has a son Creation of heavens and earth greater than creation of mankind; people created for the purpose of worshipping Allah Primary attribute: POWER The God of Islam does not love sinners, only those who fear him The God of Islam never promises grace, only justice

9 Absolutely Sovereign Lies, deceives, is arbitrary, humiliates, kills Determines every action/circumstance ( Inshallah ) He is the ultimate deceiver, plotter, schemer far better than any of his creation He changes as needed; this includes his word He is the creator of evil; breathes into everyone their wickedness and good Causes men to sin in order to destroy their city; ordains the portion of adultery Asserts truthfulness in swearing by sky, moon, stars, city, Qur'an, man s records, etc.

10 The All-Compassionate, The All-Merciful The Just, The Holy, The Most High The Creator The Forgiver The All-Seeing The Truth The Resurrector The First, The Last The Ever-Living, The Eternal The Lord of Majesty

11 The Abaser The Humiliator The Killer (Causer of Death) The Distresser The Dominator Overwhelming character trait of Yahweh is that of a holy God yearning, drawing his creation to himself Allah s names portray him as a domineering God whose wrath is only restrained by his unpredictable will Yahweh s names and divine attributes say to us, I want to be with you The corresponding picture of Islam s Allah is I have the power to devastate you, so you better fear me.

12 Allah brought every one of us into this world from a mere drop of fluid a fluid that is considered dirty, lowly and worthy of being washed off and discarded; which emanates from a part of the body that is also kept hidden and considered shameful; a part that excretes the filth (urine) from our bodies Furthermore, when a human baby comes into this world, it again does so through the same anatomical part of his mother's body. Allah reminds man again and again of his lowly and inferior origins, of his first and subsequent creation, in order to cull his arrogance and reinforce his belief in Allah's absolute power of creation and resurrection.

13 26 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

14 26 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

15 26 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

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17 There is only one God eternally existent in three persons (trinity) It still comes down to Jesus He is covenant-keeping, trustworthy God Ps 138:2; Num 23:19; Deut 7:9; Heb 6:17-18 God does have a Son Jn 1:14 God s human directed purpose is relationship Gen 3:8; Eze 37:26-28; Col 1:16; Jn 17:20-26; Rom 8:15-17 God extends Himself on our behalf in unconditional love Hos 11:1-4; Rom 5:6-8; 1 Jn 4:10

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