Islam

Are you a faithful Muslim? If so, you truly believe in one Allah, Creator of the universe, and Muhammad, His prophet. After your death, you long to reach paradise, but how will you escape hell? “Ah!” you say, “My faithfulness in keeping the Five Pillars will outweigh my sins.” Five times a day you kneel towards Mecca. The creed (shahadah) often forms on your lips. To your mouth comes no bread or water during the daylight of Ramadan. You are saving up money for the pilgrimage to Mecca, while freely giving alms to the poor. If you fail at this though you just have to have faith in the one true God Allah which if you have the faith of a mustard seed as they say you will eventually go to heaven after paying for your sins in Hell.

It takes the average Muslim to come to Jesus Christ about 7 years. For them they have to go through so much more trials and persecutions than the normal American would go through. They normally would lose their family, house, job, and even sometimes their life.

If we were honest, we would admit that our rightful home is hell. We need Allah’s mercy. But how can Allah be both merciful and just? The Qur’an instructs you to turn to the Bible with such questions

Surah 10:94 - But if thou art in doubt as to that which We have revealed to thee, ask those who read the Book before thee. Certainly the Truth has come to thee from thy Lord, so be not thou of the doubters.

Keeping the law cannot get us to heaven. Instead, the law reveals our sin. God’s justice requires death for sin, but His mercy provided a substitute – Jesus – to die for our sins.

Islam also believes the Torah of Moses (this is what Christians call the Pentateuch) the Zabur (which is the Psalms of David), the Injul (which is the Gospel of Jesus) and the Qur’an. They believe though that these texts were corrupted over time and therefore hold the Qur’an at the final and highest level of authority.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

With over 1.6 billion people who believe in Islam, Islam is the fastest growing and is the majority religion in forty-nine countries (Corduan, 2015; Morgan, 2012). Islam was created by a man named Muhammad who was born in A.D. 570 in the vicinity of Mecca (Corduan, 2015; Geisler, 1999). Orphaned at a very early age, Muhammad was raised by his uncle, and at age 40, he had his first revelation from Allah in a cave while he was meditating (Corduan, 2015; Newby, 2018). Muhammad who was illiterate, was commanded to read a book which he memorized and was able to recite it later to other scribes (Morey, 2015). This was the first recitation which would not be the last that would eventually complete the entire Qur’an (Corduan, 2015). Muhammad’s message had three fundamental teachings: “there is only one God; human beings are obligated to submit to God’s will; there will be a day of judgment when all people will be assessed on whether or not they have obeyed God” (Corduan, 2015, p. 96). Muhammad’s followers would later coin the word Islam which means submission to God who would later be identified as Muslims (Corduan, 2015; Geisler, 1999; Morgan, 2012). After Muhammad’s death in A.D. 632, the search for the new successor of Islam or caliph was underway which would split the Muslim people forever. Moving forward, despite the division of Islam regarding the caliph, one will discover all Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, all Muslims make these five pillars applicable in their everyday life, and also analyze how Muslims view Christians living in an Islamic context.

First Pillar - The Shahadah

No matter the sect one belongs to in Islam they are expected to believe in the five pillars of Islam (Corduan, 2012; Geisler, 1999). These practices are mandatory for every Muslim and demonstrate how one worships Allah (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018). Focusing on the five pillars, the first one is called the shahadah which means to confess. To become a Muslim, one has to confess before witnesses “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger” (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012; Shakir, n.d.; Surah 3:18). This confession in a Muslims life in central to their very being. Often, this confession is whispered into their ear at birth, usually heard before one dies, and every day in-between (Corduan, 2012; Morgan, 2012). To confess the shahadah, one is submitting to the belief of fundamental unitarian monotheism and recognizes Mohammad as God’s final apostle/prophet (Corduan, 2012). Unlike Judaism where one can still participate in Judaism and not believe in God, Islam commands a person to be monotheistic in the one true God, Allah.

Second Pillar - Salat

The second but also crucial practice of worship in Islam is the salat which means prayer (Corduan, 2012; Surah 2:43). Perhaps the most rigorous of all the pillars, salat consists of five ritual prayers given throughout the day. The prayer times are at sunrise, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and one hour after sunset (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). Even though these prayers can be done anywhere, it is encouraged that men perform the prayers at the mosque so they can participate in ritual washing (Corduan, 2012). This purification consists of each Muslim to wash their hands, face, mouth, nose, ears, teeth, and feet (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). Once the purification has completed, then the Muslim can properly be ready to pray in the direction of Mecca and offer up their prayers (Corduan, 2012). During these prayer moments which is highly structured, a prayer leader will lead the prayers, and one will find that the posture frequently changes from standing, bowing, prostrating, kneeling, prostrating, and finally standing again (Corduan, 2012). One interesting thing to note about salat is that men and women pray in separate rooms. Corduan makes a good point in his book saying, “Since a part of the prayer ritual is to prostrate oneself with the forehead touching the floor, it would be uncouth for men to line up along-side or behind women in this position” (2012, p. 120).

Third Pillar - Zakat

The third pillar of Islam is called zakat which means almsgiving. In the Qur’an, Muslims are commanded to practice regular charity (Surah 2:43). Once a year, Muslims around the world survey their assets and donate to the poor, the mosque, or even at Muslim businesses (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). Thought of as more of a tax than a freewill donation, this tax usually is 2.5 percent of the net profit of one’s assets which is used for the up keeping of the mosque, providing assistance for the poor, Qur’anic schools, and help other Muslim institutions (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). Participating in the act of zakat, any Muslim can find fulfillment in giving back, knowing that they are building up others in their communities, workplaces, and even within other likeminded families.

Fourth Pillar - Sawm

Moving on to the fourth pillar of worship in Islam, one would find themselves practicing sawm which means to fast (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). Fasting in Islam is the practice of not eating any food or drinking anything during the daylight hours through the ninth lunar month of Ramadan (Corduan, 2012; Geisler, 1999). Ramadan is the month that Mohammed experienced his first revelation from Allah (Morgan, 2012). The fasting prohibition further extends one from participating in certain forms of entertainment and even sexual relations (Corduan, 2012; “Lecture 3,” 2018; Morgan, 2012). This fasting may seem exhaustive to some, but a Muslim sees this as a time of celebration, often exchanging gifts with one another. Muslims make time before daybreak and after sunset to regather their strength and eat extravagant meals together. In addition, the fast is exempt from children, soldiers, and people who are seriously ill. One can even postpone their fast if necessary, and supplement the fast with a significant act of mercy such as donations to the poor (Corduan, 2012). Nevertheless, fasting is a core belief and act of worship to Allah.

Fifth Pillar - Hajj

The last pillar of Islam is called hajj which means every able Muslim must make one pilgrimage during their life to Mecca (Geisler, 1999; Morgan, 2012). The reason for this visit is so that every Muslim can experience with their own eyes Mecca, the focal point of Muslim devotion. Medina, where Mohammad is buried, and Jerusalem, where Muhammad ascended to heaven one night (Corduan, 2012). To complete the hajj, each Muslim, male or female has to recreate Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca (“Lecture 3,” 2018). This consists of purification, walking around the Kaaba seven times, running between Marwa and Safa, sacrifices, prayers, the stoning of the devil, and the literal journey to Mecca (Corduan, 2012). Once a Muslim completes this pilgrimage in their lifetime, one can recognize this by signs on their house, white hats may be worn, and the title of haji is given (Corduan, 2012). Some Muslims believe that once you have completed the hajj, one’s sins are forgiven completely (Morgan, 2012). It is no wonder that this pilgrimage is the highlight of every Muslim’s life.

Applying the Pillars

All five of these pillars become the very identity of every Muslim and it is impossible to separat them from their lives. Two of these pillars can be seen in any Muslims everyday life. Nabeel Qureshi (2016), who was a devout Muslim shows in his biography how the shahadah was woven in his everyday life:

The core beliefs of Muslims are repeatedly proclaimed from rooftops and minarets, beginning with the takbir: Allah-hu-akbar! Ashado an-la illaha il-Allah! Ashado an-na Muhammad-ur-Rasool Allah! It is the start of the adhan, the call to prayer. The call reminds Muslims to dedicate their lives to Allah the very moment they awaken. (pp. 257-258)

Not only was the shahadah part of his everyday life but also was the salat. The five daily prayers are a crucial part of everyday life since they have to be offered up five times a day. Nabeel Qureshi (2016) states:

Each of the five daily prayers has its own name: fajr, zuhr, asr, maghrib, and isha. Although the words and postures are the same for all, the number of repetitions differs. Each repetition is called a rakaat. A Muslim is required to pray seventeen rakaat daily, and optional prayers can be offered alongside these. In our jamaat, all told, we were taught to pray thirty-one rakaat per day whenever possible. (p. 290)

It is clear that the shahadah and the salat are woven into every Muslim from the time they wake up until the time they go to sleep.

How Christians can relate to the pillars

What happens though when someone who is committed to Islam and the five pillars, is introduced to another religion in their Islamic context? Christianity, for example, can relate to the five pillars in several ways. First, the Christian has a similar shahadah called the Shema. Christians as do people of Judaism belief have a fundamental belief of one God. “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God; the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Secondly, prayer is an essential part of Christian living just like it is in Islam. Prayer connects Christians to God; it is a form of serving God, is commanded by Christ, it helps Christians overcome trials, and helps Christians strengthen one another (Luke 2:36-38; 6:12-13; Matthew 26:41; Philippians 4:6-7). In addition, Christians think very highly of giving, fasting, and have hopes to visit the holy land of where their Lord once walked (Acts 13:2; 14:23; Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 25:35-40; 2 Corinthians 9:7). Sadly, despite the similar devotion to one’s God, Islam continues to devastate and persecute Christians.

What Does the Qur’an say About Jesus?

Isa (Jesus): Since the Qur’an commended Isa, faithful Muslims should study Isa’s teachings and obey them (Surah 3:48-49; 5:46).

Allah sent Isa: supporting Him with the Holy Spirit (Surah 2:87) - And We indeed gave Moses the Book and We sent messengers after him one after another; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear arguments and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it then that whenever there came to you a messenger with what your souls desired not, you were arrogant? And some you gave the lie to and others you would slay.
Allah exalted Isa: (Surah 2:253) - We have made some of these messengers to excel others. Among them are they to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted by (many) degrees of rank. And We gave clear arguments to Jesus son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. And if Allah had pleased, those after them would not have fought one with another after clear arguments had come to them, but they disagreed; so some of them believed and some of them denied. And if Allah had pleased they would not have fought one with another, but Allah does what He intends.
Isa was righteous and sinless: (Surah 3:46; 6:85; 19:19) – (3:46) and he will speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he will be) one of the good ones. (6:85) And Zacharias and John and Jesus and Elias; each one (of them) was of the righteous (19:19) He said: I am only bearer of a message of thy Lord: That I will give thee a pure boy.
Isa was raised from the dead: (Surah 19:33-34) - And peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised to life. (Just a side note if Jesus wasn’t crucified then why was he raised from the Dead)?
Allah commanded Isa to establish a religion: (Surah 42:13) - He has made plain to you the religion which He enjoined upon Noah and which We have revealed to thee, and which We enjoined on Abraham and Moses and Jesus — to establish religion and not to be divided therein. Hard for the polytheists is that to which thou callest them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He pleases, and guides to Himself him who turns (to Him).
Isa ascended into heaven: (Surah 4:157-158) - And for their saying: We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah, and they killed him not, nor did they cause his death on the cross, but he was made to appear to them as such. And certainly those who differ therein are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge about it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for certain: Nay, Allah exalted him in His presence. And Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.

What does the Qur’an say about the Bible?

If you are a Muslim, you have no excuse not to read the Bible. The Qur’an commands and praises it. Why don’t you start today? Begin with the Gospel of John which tells the story of Isa. He alone can give you assurance of paradise.

Surah 5:44a - “Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light” - And We sent after them in their footsteps Jesus, son of Mary, verifying that which was before him of the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, and verifying that which was before it of the Torah, and a guidance and an admonition for the dutiful.
Surah 5:46 - “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)”.
Surah 3:3 - “It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong)”.
Surah 10:95 - “And be not thou of those who deny the revelations of Allah, for then wert thou of the losers” - But if thou art in doubt as to that which We have revealed to thee, ask those who read the Book before thee. Certainly the Truth has come to thee from thy Lord, so be not thou of the doubters.
Surah 10:94 - As the Qur’an says, reading the Bible will answer your questions: “If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt”.

The Bible is Jesus’ Word

Isa’s teachings were recorded by His disciples in the Injeel (Gospel). Surah 5:111 states that the disciples were inspired by Allah to believe in Isa and His message. As Allah’s helpers (Surah 61:6, 14), Isa’s disciples would have accurately recorded His teaching.The Qur’an instructs Muslims to uphold and obey both the Torah and the Gospels (Surah 5:44-48). Muhammad would not have given that instruction if the Gospels had been corrupted. Therefore, the copies of the Gospels in Muhammad’s time were trustworthy and accurate. There are copies of the Gospels that proceed Muhammad’s time by 450 years. When comparing the most ancient copies, the copies from Muhammad’s time, and the copies dated after Muhammad’s time, all the copies of the Gospels are consistent in their testimony of Jesus and His teaching. No evidence can prove that the Gospels have been corrupted. Therefore, all of Jesus’ teachings are preserved accurately in the Bible.

Is Jesus God’s Son? How could Allah, being one, have a Son?

The Muslim would say in Surah 112:1-4 - Allah is one. It is He whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten; and none is like Him.

The Bible says though that being from God, Jesus is called God's Son. Jesus is one with His Father in deity yet distinct in the Trinity. Any Muslim would tell you though that they believe he was from God and was a Prophet. Sometimes they would say we respect Jesus but you cannot respect Jesus. In the Bible Jesus claims over and over again that He is God, more than just a messiah to the Jews but that He came to die for all sinners who would believe in Him. If you claim to be God you are either diluted or divine. You have to revere Him as God or reject him as a fraud; you don’t have the option to respect Jesus. If Jesus was just a Prophet from God then why was he crucified? What were the charges? The charges were Blasphemy which is claiming to be God. You can’t deny Christ’s claims to be God because that’s exactly why He was crucified.

Well what about Surah 4:157? Someone dies in Christ’s place? Really? Tell that to the disciples who went into hiding and were destroyed from when Christ death happened. After His resurrection though their lives were changed. They became bold witnesses in the name of Christ whom all of them died a Martyrs death except John. Why would they die and never renounce what they were preaching was a lie? I’ll tell you why because all of them knew what they were preaching was the TRUTH! One God, one Lord! As monotheists, Muslims, Christians, and Jews all agree that there is only one true God. Jesus Himself upheld monotheism. When asked for the greatest command, Jesus responded, “. . . The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30). The Apostle Paul, leader of the early church, also taught monotheism: “There is no God but one. . . the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). As followers of Jesus, the early Christians preferred to reserve the title “God" for the one whom Jesus called "my Father and your Father" (John 20:17) and the title "Lord" for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus is both Master and deity.

Man’s testimony that Jesus is divine is Jesus really God’s Son? When people witnessed His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection, they believed and testified that He was divine: “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God” (1 John 4:14-15).

Followers of Jesus testified after He calmed a storm: “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:32-33).
Peter, Jesus’ disciple, testified: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven’” (Matthew 16:13-17).
A woman testified:“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world’" (John 11:25-27).
A Military officer and soldiers who were guarding Jesus at his death on the cross testified:“When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).
Thomas testified after God raised Jesus from the dead: “Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:24-31).

Jesus’ own testimony

When some Jews were plotting to kill Jesus, He testified: “This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill [Jesus], because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life’” (John 5:18-24).
At Jesus’ trial, He testified: “. . . Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven’" (Mark 14:61-62).

God the Father’s Testimony

God testified at Jesus’ baptism: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17; see also Luke 9:35).
God’s testimony is truth: “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:9-13).

What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?

The Trinity is one of the most complicated topics to discuss about within Christianity, and which separates Christianity from a lot of other religions. The Trinity is God consisting in three persons God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit. God reveals Himself in three co-equal and co-eternal persons. All three are all of the same essence, separate, but somehow one. Each member of the Trinity has all the attributes that God has such as creator, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotence, sovereignty, personal, Holy, infinite, eternal, immutable, etc.

The Trinity is well put by Dr. Robert A. Morey (2004) when he said,

God is Spirit in nature, infinite in all His attributes, and incomparable in all that He is; He is God in Three Persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit; our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; in whose power and wisdom, righteousness, goodness, mercy, and grace we trust. (p. 7)

There are some examples that we try to give as an analogy of what a Trinitarian thing is physically like water, space, and time. We must also realize that God is Incomprehensible. Only God understands God infinitely. If we could fully understand God, then we would know this is a man made religion.

1 Corinthians 2:11 - For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

So Whats the Difference?

If were talking about God: Muslims believe that there is only one true God Allah. The Christian believes that God is revealed as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three persons who are coeternally God. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19, and 2 Corinthians 13:14)
If we are talking about Jesus Christ: A Muslim believes in Jesus but will only acknowledge Him as a prophet from God. He did not die for anyones sins, and was not Divine. The Christian would say that Christ is the Son of God whom came down from Heaven as our redeemer to die for the Sins of those who would believe Him. (John 1:13,14; 1 Peter 3:18)
If we are talking about Authority: The Muslim would hold the Qur’an and the Hadith at the highest level of authority and hold it to the final Revelation of God. The Christian stands on the foundation of The Holy Bible which is God Breathed and hold that it's the only authority from God. (2 Timothy 3:15; Mark 13:31; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
If we are talking about Sin: Muslims believe that humans are born with hearts that have a “Clean Slate”. If they commit sins they can overcome these by acts of the will. Christians will say that we are born sinners and dead spiritually apart from God’s grace, and that no one does good apart from faith. (Romans 3:12; Ephesians 5:8-10)
If we are talking about Salvation:A Muslim would say that Allah does not love those who do wrong, and each person must earn his/her own salvation. A Christian would say that God loves humanity so much that he sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, He was God and lived a perfect life, died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven to present His blood for the atonement of our sins, and now is seated at the right hand of God which confirms that God accepted His sacrifice. Our salvation is a FREE gracious undeserved gift from God first of all, it’s a gift that if we receive it by faith and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we have the promise from God that we are going to Heaven. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Ephesians 2:4-9; Ridenour, 2014)

Conclusion

In Conclusion we find that at the very heart the Muslim denies the trinity and the divine nature of Christ. Who He was and what He came to do was to save the lost. The Muslim lives by the scales for his salvation. If I am saved by Gods grace through faith though why good works do you ask? I would say because Christ is the lover of my soul and He is Lord of my life. Now I want to live right because I love Him not because I have to earn His love. Caner (2009) said, "I do what I do, I am what I am, I say what I say, I read what I read not to be accepted but because I am accepted." I have direct access to God by Christ Jesus who is the only mediator between God and Man. God is intimate, He is personal, and He is my Father.

References

Brown, E. M. (2016). Persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries. Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 51(2), 198-209.

Caner, E. M., & Caner, E. F. (2009). Unveiling Islam: An insiders look at Muslim life and beliefs. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

Corduan W. (2012). Neighboring faiths: A Christian introduction to world religions (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.

Geisler, N. L. (1999). In Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Lecture 3 (2018). INT-244: World Religions. Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon University.

Morey, R. A. (2004). The encyclopedia of practical Christianity. Las Vegas, NV: Christian Scholars Press.

Morgan, G. R. (2012). Understanding world religions in 15 minutes a day. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.

Newby, D. (2018). Islam. In G. Smith (Ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Law. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordbiblicalstudies.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/article/opr/t526/e65

Qureshi, N. (2016). Seeking Allah, finding Jesus: A devout Muslim encounters Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Ridenour, F. (2014). So whats the difference? Bloomington, MN: Bethany House.

Shakir, M. H. (Ed.). (n.d.). The Quran. Medford, MA: Perseus Digital Library.