A Biblical Point Of View On Islam »

Readers today are eager for accurate information about Islam in the midst of a fog of political correctness. In nine short chapters, respected Point of View radio host J. Kerby Anderson draws on years of research and experience to clear up misconceptions, address concerns, and provide a biblical perspective on the world’s second largest religion. He answers questions about the basic beliefs and structures of Islam and offers guidance about the Christian response:

• What are the five pillars of Islam?
• What are the main teachings of the Qur’an?
• Does the Qur’an promote suicide bombers and martyrdom?
• How do Muslims view the Christian world?
• What is the extent of the threat from radical Islam?

Readers will discover a fuller picture of the Muslim faith and the role of Islam in the world, as well as helpful advice for reasoning with Muslims from the Qur’an and the Bible about Jesus.

A Note About Spelling and Translations     6
Introduction     7
The History of Islam     9
Who is Muhammad?     10
What happened after Muhammad left Mecca?     12
Did Muhammad condone assassinations done in his name?     15
What happened after Muhammad's death?     17
The Structure of Islam     21
What are the basic beliefs of Islam?     21
What are the five pillars of Islam?     23
Is there a sixth pillar of Islam?     26
Are verses about jihad in the Qur'an taken out of context?     28
Is jihad taught only in the Qur'an?     28
Does the Qur'an support the martyrdom of suicide bombers?     29
What is the psychology of suicide bombers?     30
What are the major divisions of Islam?     31
What is Wahhabism, and how does it affect Saudi Arabia?     33
What do black Muslims believe, and are they part of Islam?     34
What is the significance of Mecca?     35
What do Muslims do in Mecca?     36
The Theology of Islam     37
What are the scriptures of Islam?     37
How does the Qur'an view the Bible?     39
How do the Bible and the Qur'an contradict eachother?     41
What is the basis for Islamic monotheism?     42
What do Muslims believe about Muhammad?     45
What do Muslims believe about Jesus?     46
What do Muslims believe about the prophets?     49
What do Muslims believe about angels?     50
What do Muslims believe about sin?     50
What do Muslims believe about salvation?     52
What does the Qur'an teach about the end times?     54
A Christian Response to Islam     57
Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?     57
Why do Muslims reject the idea that Jesus is the Son of God?     59
How should Christians respond to Islam's rejection of the Trinity?     60
Isn't Muhammad like every other founder of a religion?     61
How do Muslims view the Christian world?     62
Why is it hard for Muslims to become Christians?     63
How can we witness to Muslims about Jesus?     64
Misconceptions About Islam     67
Is Islam a religion of peace?     67
Doesn't the Qur'an prohibit murder?     71
Isn't the Bible just as violent as the Qur'an?     71
Did dancing in an American church fuel Muslim anger?     74
What is the significance of the Muslim names for weapons?     75
Islam and Human Rights     77
What is sharia law?     78
Are Jews and Christians second-class citizens?     78
How have Christians been treated within Islam?     80
What happens to those who leave Islam and are considered apostate?     81
What does the Qur'an teach about women?     82
What does the Qur'an teach about polygamy?     83
How do Muslim women participate in worship?     84
Why do Muslim women wear veils and scarves?     84
Why can't women go out alone in Muslim countries?     86
What does Islam teach about divorce?     86
What is the Muslim law concerning rape?     87
Islam and the Crusades     89
How did the Crusades start?     89
What happened during the Crusades?     91
What atrocities were committed during the Crusades?     93
How accurate are Hollywood films about the Crusades?     94
Did the Crusades accomplish anything?     95
Islam and the Clash of Civilizations     97
Why do we face a clash of civilizations?     97
Does everyone believe we are in a clash of civilizations?     100
What is the extent of the threat from radical Islam?      103
What implications does this clash of civilizations have for Christians?     105
Islam and Terrorism     107
Why have terrorists been so successful?     107
Are prisons becoming prime recruiting areas for terrorists?     110
How should we deal with terrorism?     110
Should we formally declare war on terrorism?     112
Can the War on Terror be considered a just war?     114
How does the "just war tradition" relate to terrorism?     116
Is the profiling of terrorists ever justified?     117
A Final Word     119
Bibliography     121
Notes     123