Don Stewart :: Why Is It Important for Christians to Know about Islam?

Why Is It Important for Christians to Know about Islam?

Islam – Question 1

There are numerous religions in the world that claim to have the “truth” about the existence of God, or gods, the meaning of human life, the problemof evil, and the ultimate destiny of human beings. All of these are incontrast to the Christian faith which not only claims to have the truth butgives evidence to support its claims.

Since this is the case, why should anyone take the time to time to study one particular non-Christian religion, Islam? Why should a believer in Jesus Christ want to know anything about Islam and its followers, the Muslims?

There are a number of reasons why it is important to know some things about Islam. They include the following.

1. Islam Is the Second Largest Religion in the World

Although it is the newest of the world religions, Islam is behind only Christianity in number of adherents. Indeed, over one billion people on the planet, one fifth of the world’s population, claim to be Muslims. This fact alone should cause the Christian to be, at least, somewhat familiar with who Muslims are and what they believe. Islam is not going away and it is good if we know some things about what the faith is all about.

2. Islam Is Actively Seeking Converts

The Islamic faith is also active in promotion. While many religions are content with doing their work behind the scenes, Islam is actively seeking converts.

Consequently, Christians will encounter Muslims who are passionately spreading their faith. We cannot escape contacting them as we tell people about Jesus.

3. Radical Islam Is Linked with World Terrorism

Whether it is fair or not, radical Islam has been linked with world terrorism. The people that commit these murderous acts claim to have a religious sanction. It is important that we have some understanding of why they would do such things. Obviously, there has to be intense commitment and motivation for someone to murder others for the sake of their own religious convictions. Something in the teachings of this faith is leading certain people to commit these atrocious acts of violence. It is helpful that we can gain some understanding of what drives people to do such horrendous things.

4. We Are to Know Our Enemy

The Bible commands us to know our enemies. Scripture says we are fighting a spiritual battle in the spiritual realm with spiritual weapons. The Apostle Paul wrote the following to the Ephesians about this battle we fight.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13 ESV)

The Islamic faith is an enemy of Christianity. This is clear. Having said this, we do not mean to infer that the Muslim people are enemies of Christians. They are not. Like those involved in all other non-Christian religions they are souls for whom Jesus Christ has died. The offer of salvation from sin extends to them as well.

Therefore, we need to make the distinction between those people who embrace the faith and the faith itself. Our fight is against the religion of Islam and that for which it stands. Our fight is not against the Muslim people.

5. We Are to Know What and Why We Believe

Another reason to understand Islam is because it attacks the Christian faith. There are numerous charges made against Jesus Christ and Christianity from the Quran, the holy book of Islam. These charges must be given a response.

The Bible commands Christians to know what they believe, as well as why they believe. Peter wrote,

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

Muslims will confront Christians and debate with them about who indeed has the right answer with respect to God’s existence, the authority of the Bible, the Person of Jesus Christ and other important topics. Since Muslims deal with Christians as to why we believe what we do believe, we need to have an answer for them. Therefore, it is important for Christians to have some understanding about Islam.

Summary – Question 1
hy Is It Important for Christians to Know about Islam?

Islam is one of many non-Christian religions that exist in the world. Yet, this particular religion is important for Christians to study for a number of reasons.

To begin with, while it is the newest of the major religions of the world, it is the second largest religion in the world next to Christianity. For this reason alone, we should know something about this faith. Also, Islam is actively seeking to make converts. Muslims are not just sitting on the sidelines. Indeed, it is growing in its numbers and influence all of the time.

There is something else. One form of Islam is also associated with world terrorism. Its followers are actually murdering themselves and others with the belief that somehow that are doing the will of Allah and promoting the faith. There is obviously some reason they are doing this. We need to have some understanding of what drives them.

Scripture also says we are in a spiritual battle. All non-Christian religions, including Islam, would be in the category of those we are battling. Therefore, we need to use the spiritual weapons which the Lord has provided in our struggle to gain converts from those entrenched in Islam.

Finally, the Bible commands believers to know what they believe and why they believe. Comparing the beliefs of Islam to that of Christianity helps us clarify our understanding of what we believe as well as answer the objections from Muslims. Therefore, for a number of reasons, Bible-believing Christians need to understand the Islamic faith.