Christianity and Islam in a post-911 World

Christianity and Islam in a post-911 World

I. The Rise of the Non-Western (Majority World) Church

Graph 1. Christians, North and South, by Percentage, AD 33-AD 2100 100% 80% North 60% 50% 40% 20% South 0% 33 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 Year

Post Christian West and a post- Western Christianity N. America and Western Europe losing between 4,000 and 7,500 per day Africa gaining between 16,000 and 24,000 every day 10 million to 367 million China 1 mill. to 111 million & projected 218 India 10 million to 80 million & proj. 150 mil

Global Ethnic Background of Christians 1900-2025 90.0 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 White NonWhite 0.0 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020

1900 Xns 2005 Xns 2050 Xns USA 73 USA 251 USA 329 Russia 62 Brazil 167 China 218 Germany 42 China 111 Brazil 202 France 41 Mexico 102 DR Congo 145 Britain 37 Russia 84 India 137 Italy 33 Philippines 74 Mexico 131 Ukraine 29 India 68 Nigeria 130 Poland 22 Germany 62 Philippines 112 Spain 19 Nigeria 61 Ethiopia 104 Brazil 17 DR Congo 53 Uganda 95

Homogenization? Or...

...Time for a jumbo crayon pack?

The Christian encounter with non-christian faiths An authentic encounter between Christianity and the non-christian religions is an essential feature of our global witness.

II. Islam in the Context of the 20 th -21 st Centuries A. Numeric vs. Percentage Growth Islam in 20 th C. 199 mil to 1.1 billion Christianity in 20 th C. 558 mil to 2 billion Islam 12.34% to 20.36 (today) Christianity 34.5% to 33% (today) B. Islamic vs. Christian Growth

C. Islam in the Context of the 20 th -21 st Centuries 3,000 2,500 2,000 Islamic Numerical Growth 1,500 1,000 Christianity Islam 500 0 1900 1970 2000 2007 2025

C. Islam in the Context of the 20 th -21 st Centuries Growth as a Percent of World Population 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1900 1970 2000 2007 2025 Christianity Islam

C. Islam in the Context of the 20 th -21 st Centuries Islam and The 10/40 Window Source: Patrick Johnstone, Operation World, 1993 Global M apping International (719) 531-3599 Percent Muslim 50 to 99.9 10 to 50 1 to 10 0 to 1 LB/ph ISLM 3 - Rev 3.1: M arch, 1996

Islam and its Relationship to Arab ethnicity

Islam and its Relationship to Arab ethnicity

Islam and its Relationship to Arab ethnicity 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Muslim Populations Indon. Bang. Nig. Pak. Ind. USSR Chin. Kuw. Jor. Iq.

III. Unifying Principles of Islamic Faith

A. Qur ān Surah 43:1-4 Ha mim. By the Glorious Book (that makes things clear)! We have revealed the Qur ān in the Arabic tongue that you may grasp its meaning. It is a transcript of Our eternal book, sublime, and full of wisdom. (see also 10:37; 39:28)

B. Hadith Muhammad will instruct you in the Book (Qur ān) and in Wisdom (Hadith) (2:151). The Hadith as a Source of Islamic Revelation, Authority and Guidance 1. Sunna custom / example of Muhammad 2. Hadith written narrative

C. Five Pillars which hold up the house of Islam The Vision of the United Community

1. Shahadah Confession of Faith I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah. Shahadah witness or testimony

2. Salat Ritual Prayer Allah is most great! (4x) I testify that there is no God, but Allah (2x) I testify that Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah (2x) Come to prayer (2x) Come to success in this life and Hereafter Come to success! Allah is most great (2x) There is no God but Allah.

Call to Prayer

3. Zakat - Almsgiving 1. Relief of the poor 2. Further Islamic Missions You shall never be truly righteous until you give in alms what you dearly cherish. 3:92 recite your prayers and pay the almstax (2:43, 2:83, 2:110, 2:277, 58:13)

4. Sawm - Fasting In the month of Ramadan the Qur an was revealed therefore whoever of you is present in that month let him fast. (2:185)

5. Hajj - Pilgrimage The first temple ever to be built for men was that at Mecca, a blessed place, a beacon for the nations. In it there are veritable signs and the spot where Abraham stood. Whoever enters it is safe. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty for all who can make the journey. (Surah 3:97) See also, 2:196, 5:1, 95,96; 22:27-29

Grand Mosque in Mecca

Grand Open Air Mosque, Mecca

Ka bah

Black Stone of Monotheism

V. Diversity in Islam Sunni and Shiite Left Wing & Right Wing Sectarian

Islamic Fundamentalism Crash Course in Islamic Fundamentalism A. Definition: A movement which seeks to adhere to and to recapture the original message of Islam. It often involves challenging contemporary mainstream Islamic interpretations of the Qur ānic and Legal traditions and positing a particular interpretation of Islam which has been re-cast as reflecting the truest essence of Islamic life and thought. (Also called Islamism)

VI. Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity A. Top Three Theological Issues 1. Nature of Monotheism Christian Trinity vs. Islamic Tawhid

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity A. Top Three Theological Issues (cont.) 2. Nature, Person and Work of Christ (Christology) What Muslims Affirms About Christ Sinlessness (Surah 19:19) Virgin birth via Mary (Surah 19:15-22) Teaching/ miracles (Surah 3:49, 50; 43:63) Second coming (al-bukahari Hadith)

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity A. Top Three Theological Issues (cont.) What Muslims Deny About Christ Deity of Christ (eternality, equality with God, etc.) Substitutionary atonement Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Islam: Confusion concerning Incarnation Those who say: The Lord of mercy has begotten a Son, preach a monstrous falsehood, at which the heavens might crack, the earth break asunder, and the mountains crumble to dust. That they should ascribe a son to the Merciful, when it does not become him to beget one. Surah 19:88-91 #1 Stumbling Block: Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ

Islam: Confusion about Incarnation Islamic commentary on Surah 19 text: begetting a son is a physical act depending on the needs of men s animal nature. Allah Most High is independent of all needs, and it is derogatory to Him to attribute such an act to Him. It is merely a relic of pagan and anthropomorphic materialist superstitions. Confusions concerning the incarnation as describing a physical relationship

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity A. Top Three Theological Issues (cont.) 3. Nature of Biblical Revelation (Bibliology) a. Muslims affirm the uncreated Qur an Surah 10:37f The Qur an could not have been composed by any but Allah. It confirms what was revealed before it and fully explains the Scriptures If they say, it is your own invention, say, Compose one chapter like it. Call on your false gods to help you, if what you say is true.

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity We Have revealed the Qur ān in the Arabic tongue that you may grasp its meaning. It is a transcript of Our eternal book, sublime and full of wisdom. 43:1

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity A. Top Three Theological Issues 3. Nature of Biblical Revelation (Cont ) b. Muslims deny the inspiration of Holy Scripture c. Muslims believe that our texts are corrupt

Key Issues Which Separate Islam and Christianity Cultural / Civilization Issues Social / propriety issues dress, food, diet, gender roles, greeting customs, art, etc.. Sharia Law vs. Western Law

Islamic Fundamentalism Crash Course in Islamic Fundamentalism A. Definition: A movement which seeks to adhere to and to recapture the original message of Islam. It often involves challenging contemporary mainstream Islamic interpretations of the Qur ānic and Legal traditions and positing a particular interpretation of Islam which has been re-cast as reflecting the truest essence of Islamic life and thought. (Also called Islamism)

Islamic Fundamentalism B. A Brief History of Modern Fundamentalism 1924 Ataturk abolishes the Caliphate 1928 Muslim Brotherhood is formed 1952 Nassar comes to power in Egypt 1965 Publication of Signsposts on the Road by Sayid Qutb

Islamic Fundamentalism B. A Brief History of Modern Fundamentalism (cont.) 1967 - Humiliating defeat of the 6-Day war 1979 Iranian revolution 1979 Soviet Union invades Afghanistan 1980 Neglected Duty by M. Faraj

Islamic Fundamentalism B. A Brief History of Modern Fundamentalism (cont.) 1981 Anwar Sadat assassinated by fund. 1983 Attack on Marine Barracks in Beirut 1989 Russia (USSR) withdraws from Afghanistan 1991 Gulf War USA puts troops in S.A.

Islamic Fundamentalism B. A Brief History of Modern Fundamentalism (cont.) 1993 First Bombing inside USA (WTT) 1996 Taliban gains control of Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden declares war on USA 1998 Kenya and Tanzania embassies simultaneous bombed 213 dead 2001 Trade Towers / Pentagon 9/11

Islamic Fundamentalism B. A Brief History of Modern Fundamentalism (cont.) 2002 Numerous soft targets hit against Israel and the USA interests abroad 2003 Gulf War II Syrians claim that this war will produce one hundred Bin Ladens 2005 London Bombings

Islamic Fundamentalism C. Trends in Islamic Fundamentalism 1. Re-visiting of Islamic anthropology Jahilliyah / People of the Book / Muslim / Kafir 2. Re-interpretation/expansion of the jihad doctrine 3. 25 year radicalization of the movement in every predominately Islamic country

Islamic Fundamentalism C. 5 Trends in Islamic Fundamentalism 4. Terror / killing / slaughter is justified in the cause of re-instituting the Islamic caliphate and re-uniting mosque and state 5. Demonization of Western values as the embodiment of evil and the impediment to the spread of Islam in the world 6. More explicit linking of Palestinian cause with pan-islamic fundamentalism, globalized intifada, not palestinian intifada

Islamic Fundamentalism D. Why is Osama bin Laden angry?: A Look Inside the Ladense Epistles 1. Arab Defeat in 6 day war 2. Bitterness towards Royal Family in S.A. 3. Inability to export the success of the Iranian revolution to Muslims everywhere 4. Inability of Muslims to grasp the lessons of the Afghan defeat of the USSR (atheists) 5. Presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia 6. Western support of Israel and weak support for the Palestinian uprising