When the topic of violent jihad comes up, the first thing I hear most Muslims say is that they don’t practice violence, nor do most Muslims they know. Islam is a peaceful religion, they contend. But we see a different face of Islam in the news. Besides the September 11 attacks, there have been riots, bombings, and beheadings all done in the name of Islam. Are the perpetrators of this violence not following true Islam? What do we make of Islamic leaders who decry the violence of jihadists? How do we make sense of the contradictory claims by Islamic spokesmen? Will the real Islam please stand up?
As ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to learn the truth about Islam and engage with Muslims in a Christlike manner. This begins with a careful examination of Islam's three sources of authority: the Qu'ran, the Hadith, and the Sunnah. If a teaching, like jihad, is advanced in these authoritative sources, then it's an authentic Islamic doctrine. If it's not consistent with these three sources, then it probably isn't Islamic. It's an approach I outline in more detail in the first session of my video series A Closer Look at Islam, which I invite you to download or stream for free at the link below.
Watch the first session, "Our Commission as Ambassadors," from Alan Shlemon's new five-part teaching seriesA Closer Look at Islam.
It's vital to understand that Muslims are not the enemy. Our battle is not against them. Paul writes in 2 Cor. 10:3-5 that “though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, the weapons we fight with have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.”
It is the enemy, Satan, who has erected the stronghold of Islam. He has set up that religion against the knowledge of God. Our war is against Satan, his army, and his lies. He’s the true terrorist.
That’s why training Christians to reach Muslims is so critical. Muslims are not the enemy, but hostages of the enemy. We at STR will continue to fight with weapons, not of this world, to demolish strongholds.
This fight is only possible because of your generosity. With your financial and prayerful support, STR is able to continue equipping you and thousands of other Christians—through our many articles, videos, podcasts, and books—with the answers needed to remain confident in today's culture.
Standing confidently with you,
Alan Schlemon
Stand to Reason
str.org
