The Pastor's Desk

Today 50,000 Muslims will march on Capitol Hill for prayer.  On their website (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com), their stated purpose is:

“IN THE NAME OF ALLAH….The objective of this gathering is to invite the Muslim Communities and friends of Islam to express and illustrate the wonderful diversity of Islam. We intend to manifest Islam’s majestic spiritual principals as revealed by Allah to our beloved prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) of Arabia. Likewise; we intend to inspire a new generation of Muslim to work for the greater good of all people. We shall serve all people, regardless of race, religion or national origin.”

Sounds harmless, right?  After all, don’t we have freedom of religion in America?  Watch out.  With Islam, the domination of a spiritual regime is connected with the domination of a political and national regime.  One of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering said, “Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house.”  Don’t be deceived, church.  The spread of Islam necessitates the domination of the national and political world.  They are inextricably yoked.  We have already seen how Islam is beginning to dominate the culture of Europe (see here) and is spreading rapidly there.  We are not far behind.  It’s time to get equipped to share the truth of the one and only true God with Muslims and pray for their salvation.  They are motivated, devoted, powerful and organized.  If we don’t match their loyalty with gospel witness, America will be a country populated by Muslims when our children are trying to plant churches.  Be salt and light beloved (Matthew 5:13-16).  Be ready to give an answer to Muslims who tell you that Muhammad is God’s true prophet (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Be ready to defend the unchanging truth of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Be ready church.

For those of you ready to be equipped, I encourage you to get the series “The Clashing of the Swords” by Ronnie Rogers.  You can find it here.  It includes 18 lessons with handouts and is well researched and thorough.  For books on the subject, I recommend:

Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner, Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2002.  This book provides an excellent look at Islam from the perspective of authors who were reared Jihad youth and are now Christians. One of them is a Professor of Theology and History at Criswell College, and the other is a Professor of Theology and History at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1993. This book has more of an apologetic flavor to it. It deals with some of the tough issues; for example, it examines and responds point by point to Islamic apologists concerning things like the accuracy of the biblical text, prophecies concerning Muhammad etc.

There is no doubt that if you read the introduction to Luke’s two volumes (Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-3) that you will see he was extremely concerned about historical accuracy.  He wanted his gospel account to relate FACT, not fiction; HISTORY and not hearsay.  The entire Christian faith depends on one single fact of history – the physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This Easter, join us in examining four evidences for the resurrection of Christ: Fatal Torment, Empty Tomb, Appearances of Christ, and Transformation of His followers.

 

 Many Convincing Proofs - Evidence for the Resurrection: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Many Convincing Proofs - Evidence for the Resurrection: Download

Did Jesus really defend what He said or did He simply declare the gospel?  How did Jesus interact with His critics?  Follow along with us through the Gospel of Matthew and see the way Jesus interacts with everyone from critics to seekers.  Along the way, we will see several relevant principles for our own apologetic journey as we “follow” Jesus, the Great Apologist.

 

 Apologetics Part 2 - Following the Great Apologist: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Apologetics Part 2 - Following the Great Apologist: Download

That is what the prophet Jude commanded all of us to do in light of all the false teaching that was spreading in the first century and threatening the true church.  But if false teaching was prevalent then (with no TVs, computers, blogs, emails, cell phones and Twitter updates) then how much more necessary is it for us to defend the faith in an age when we hear false teaching on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis?  This is a time when we must have answers for those who ask us about our beliefs.  This message introduces and explains the what and why of apologetics.  This is the beginning of an ongoing series labeled S.A.L.T. – Salt And Light Training.  Come join us Sunday night for this penetrating study.

 

 Apologetics Part 1 - Introduction: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Apologetics Part 1 - Introduction: Download