1. What We Have Done - Where We Are At

Over the last 6 weeks we have looked at some of the history of Islam, its basic teachings, and listen to a debate between an Islamic and a Christian apologist. We are now ready to review this information, and in the process determine how what we have learned will help us be a more effective witness for Jesus Christ.

 

2. Review of Points Made in the Debate

From Islam	From Christianity	Comments
The Qur-an states in Sura 4:157 "That they said (in boast), 'We killed Christ Jesus The son of Mary, The Messenger of Allah';- But they killed him not. Nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that Was shown to them And those who differ Therein are full of doubts, With no (certain) knowledge. But only conjecture to follow. For of a surety They killed him not."	New Testament - I Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ be not raised [from the dead], your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."	Both these statements cannot be true. Either Jesus died and was resurrected, or He didn't and wasn't. Who Jesus was, His death and resurrection, is the key difference between Islam and Christianity.
To the Muslim the Qur-an is the veritable word of God, no proof is required, no questions need to be asked - "I believe and I affirm".	The crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus is one of the if not the best verifiable event of the "classical" period (around 300 B.C. to 100 A.D.). The majority of Muslims hold to the substitutionary theory, i.e. someone took Jesus' place on the cross. There are many suggestions in Islamic literature as to who it was.	God does know what has happened through out history. His very nature prevents him from lying about events of history. What He says and what we can deduce from historical records will agree in the end. The Biblical documents have shown over and over again that this is the case. It appears that the Muslim's faith is "blind" - "require no proof". Christians are called to a faith founded in facts
The Gospel documents are not legally acceptable testimonies, as the authors did not sign them. They also contain hearsay evidence. as the disciples ALL fled when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50).	Historical, extra biblical records (Polycarp for one) attest to the authorship of the Gospels. The Ancient Document Rule applies to the New Testament, making them "legally" acceptable. These documents also went through the apostolic period and survived intact. ALL the disciples did flee as a group at Jesus' arrest, but came right back individually. (Mark 14:54, John 18:15, John 19:24)	"Legal" document is not as important as "acceptable historical evidence". There is no trial. What is important is are being confident in knowing that what we have recorded as Jesus' words, actions, and the events surrounding Him are accurate. It is also important to read the evidence in context, let the scriptures speak for themselves.
When first meeting with his disciples in the upper room Jesus was saying that he was NOT resurrected. He said "a spirit has no flesh and bones as you se me have." According to Luke 20:36 the resurrected are "as the angels" - spirits.	The resurrected will have incorruptible, immortal, spiritual BODIES. These are spiritual bodies that have substance.	Going from angel to spirit is a bit of a stretch. Jesus appeared in the locked room, yet he had flesh and bone - substance.
Outside the tomb, Jesus was disguised as a gardener because he needed to hide from the Jews who would kill him if they discovered that he had NOT died, but only passed out.		Swoon theory - Jesus didn't die, just fainted and was revived by his disciples. The disciples went to their deaths proclaiming a risen Lord. It is difficult to believe they would all (but John) die for what they knew to be a lie.
When Jesus told Mary not to touch him, it was because it would hurt his injured body.	(read on)Jesus told Mary not to touch Him because he had not yet ascended to the Father, not because he was hurting. He needed to present the sacrifice to God. When He returned later and said touch me, He was indicating that the sacrifice (his body) had been accepted as payment for ALL our sins.
The Sign of Jonah. Jesus said he would be in the earth like Jonah was in the belly of the big fish. Jonah did not die, therefore Jesus did not die.	As to three days and three nights, Jewish reckoning called any part of a day a day and a night. In Ester chapter 4 a fast of three days and three nights ended on the third day. In Mathew 20 Jesus said that He would be raised on the third day, not after the third day.	We are told what the sign of Jonah is in Matt. 12:38-45 and Luke 11:29-32. It is being called to repentance.
Jesus never says in the 27 books of the New Testament that he was dead, and came back from the dead.	In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says "I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore"
Jesus WAS reluctant to die, told his disciples to set up two line of defense in the garden of Gethsemane, using the two swords they had.	Jesus predicted His death. He was willing to die. He willed Himself to die - "It is finished".
God was going to rescue Jesus, which is why he sent the angle, to plan the rescue.
Jesus bones were not broken because he would need them. It doesn't matter if a dead person's bones are broken.	The bones were broken of those being crucified to hasten death. The dead did not need their legs broken.
Man is a coward by nature. Always passing the buck. Always wants somebody else to "take the medicine". Jesus said take up your cross, i.e. take responsibility for yourself. This is the Islamic system.		There is a lot of truth here. The problem is that God knew we could not take all the medicine and maintain a relationship with him. He paid the price, through Jesus His Son so that we could have fellowship with him forever. Where we are weak, He is strong.
Jesus said we must be better than the Jews.		He was referring to the religious leaders, this is what he said. This is an example gross generalization. Another cultic tactic.
Christians are being taken for a ride on a cross.	Yes, Christians are being taken for a ride on a cross - straight to heaven.