The
FALSE GOSPEL
of ISL_MFOR CENTURIES, Christians have recognized Is-
lam as a false religion. Until recently Musl_ms
(or Mohamm_dans as they have been known in
the past) have been the focus of evangelistic
outreaches. But today many people are consid-
ering Isl_m from a more ecumenical point of
view. It is often said that Christians, Jews, and
Musl_ms are worshipping the same God, but in
different ways. Musl_ms have capitalized on this
misconception and now urge Christians and
Jews to worship the one God with them, and
work together for solutions to the world's many
social problems. It is important to know some of
the history and false doctrines of Isl_m, and to
reject the new approach of this fast growing
religion.
Isl_m began about 600 A.D. in what is
modern Saudi Arabia. Muhamm_d, the
"prophet" of Isl_m, received what is purported to
be a revelation from God. This revelation is
known as the Qur’_n, the holy book of Isl_m.
From its dubious beginnings, Isl_m has grown
to approximately a billion adherents worldwide.
For centuries Isl_m has exerted a great deal of
influence over the people of the Middle East and
Africa, even dominating southern Europe for a
time. Today Isl_m is endeavoring once again to
have a significant influence upon the culture
and society of the Western World.
The new image Isl_m is trying to present in
the West is a far cry from the fanaticism and
violence advocated by many Musl_m leaders.
Nevertheless, the devotion of Musl_ms in the
West to Isl_mic principles is as uncompromis-
ing as any in the world. The presentation of
Isl_m in Europe and North America is character-
ized by intellectualism rather than emotional-
ism. The irrational religious frenzy by which
Isl_m has become recognized worldwide is cov-
ered by a facade of civility. Yet, Musl_ms around
the world concur that Isl_mic laws and principles
take precedence over the decency and morality of
civilization.
No matter how intellectual, civilized, or
scientific Isl_m is made to appear, it is still a
religion which embodies "another gospel: Which
is not another" (Gal. 1:6-7). The Lord declares it
accursed (Gal. 1:8). True Christians must be
prepared to present the one true Gospel of salva-
tion to Musl_ms, desiring that they be delivered
from their religious bondage.
The most important thing for Christians to
know when confronted with the teachings of a
false religion is the Truth. It cannot be too
forcefully stated that Christians must know the
Scriptures. In evangelism, therefore, we must
know the Evangel.
Our message to Musl_ms is that they, like all
men, are lost. All are naturally at enmity with
God (Ps. 14:2-3; John 3:36b; Eph. 2:1-3). There is no
good in us that can merit God's favour and there is
no good we can do to endear ourselves to Him
(Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:12; 19-20; Titus 3:5). But,
being lost and unable to effect our own salvation,
God did all that is required to reconcile men to
Himself. Christ bore our sin, died on the Cross
shedding His Blood as a completely propitious
sacrifice for sin, and He rose again bodily from
the dead. Believing this testimony and wholly
trusting Jesus Christ for salvation is all that is
necessary to be saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 5:1,6-
9; Col. 1:12-22; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).
The "gospel" of Isl_m is something quite dif-
ferent. Similar to many modern cults, Isl_m
claims to revere the writings of all the prophets.
Yet, Musl_ms unequivocally subjugate the Scrip-
tures to the "prophecy" of Muhamm_d.
A leaflet prepared by the Institute of Isl_mic
Information and Education titled "Introducing
Isl_m to Non-Musl_ms" states, "Muhamm_d is
the very last Prophet of God to mankind. He is the
final Messenger of God. His message was and is
still to the Christians, the Jews and the rest of
mankind. He was sent to those religious people
to inform them about the true mission of Jesus,
Moses, David, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham."
The leaflet continues, "Muhamm_d is con-
sidered to be the summation and the culmina-
tion of all the prophets and messengers that
came before him. He purified the previous mes-
sages from adulteration and completed the Mes-
sage of God for all humanity. He was entrusted
with the power of explaining, interpreting and
living the teachings of the Qur’_n."
Believers must recognize that Joseph Smith
(Mormonism), Charles T. Russell (Jehovah's
Witnesses), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Sci-
ence), and Ellen G. White (Seventh Day Ad-
ventism) have all claimed that same transcen-
dent authority. And along with these, Muham-
mad was the bearer of wicked doctrines that have
plunged many into the outer darkness of eternal
torment.
Among the insidious doctrines of Isl_m is
the rejection of the doctrine of imputation.
"Introducing Isl_m to Non-Musl_ms" explains,
"Musl_ms believe that people are born free of sin.
It is only after they reach the age of puberty and
it is only after they commit sins that they are to
be charged for their mistakes. No one is respon-
sible for or can take the responsibility for the sins
of others."
First, this is a denial of the Biblical teaching
that all mankind sinned in Adam, that is, Adam's
sin has been imputed to the whole human race
(Rom. 5:12-14). Second, this is a denial of the
Biblical teaching that the sin of man is imputed
to Christ, that is, Christ became sin for us on
Calvary's Cross (2 Cor. 5:21). Third, this is a
denial of the Biblical teaching that the righteous-
ness of God is imputed to men upon believing,
that is, believers possess the righteousness of
God (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:15-19). By denying
these truths which are fundamental to the Gos-
pel of salvation by grace through faith alone,
Isl_m has laid the groundwork for a "gospel" of
self-righteousness and salvation by works.
The Bible teaches that salvation is NOT a
reward. Heaven is the eternal abode of those who
have received Christ the Saviour. Isl_m teaches
that salvation is indeed a reward for a life of
relative piety and righteousness. The Qur’_n
states, "Then those whose scales are heavy, they
are successful. And those whose scales are light
are those who lose their souls... ." In fact, Mus-
lims are encouraged to "vie with one another to
attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness and to a
Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth,
which awaits the God-conscious, who spend for
charity in time of plenty and in time of hardship,
and restrain their anger, and pardon their fellow
men, for God loves those who do good."
From these denials of fundamental Biblical
teachings and the establishment of a religion of
self-righteousness follows the Isl_mic repudia-
tion of the Saviour. The following is so important
to Isl_m that it was printed in very bold type in
the leaflet "Prophethood in Isl_m": "The Quranic
account of Jesus emphatically rejects the con-
cept of his ‘Divinity’ and ‘Divine Sonship’... ." The
Institute of Isl_mic Information and Education
publishes a leaflet entitled "Is Jesus Really God?"
In it they totally reject the Biblical teaching that
Jesus is God manifest in the flesh.
Nevertheless, the Word is plain: "God was
manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16). Jesus is the
self-existent I AM (John 8:58). The Creator dwelled
as a man among men (John 1:1-3,14). Jesus Christ
is the Forgiver of sin (Lk. 5:20-21). In short, the
Son and the Father are one (John 10:30). The Lord
said to the religious of His day who rejected His
deity, "...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die
in your sins" (John 8:24).
Isl_m unashamedly rejects these truths
which comprise the Gospel. While many people
today say that Christians and Musl_ms worship
the same God, the Lord says, "Whosoever trans-
gresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God" (2 Jn. 9). An even
greater condemnation is pronounced by God in
verse seven. Denying the doctrine of Christ re-
veals Isl_m as a deception and an antichrist reli-
gion. The Qur’_n has substituted false doctrines
which present another gospel. Isl_m purports to
be "the way of peace," but the end of Isl_m is the
way of death. Bible-believers must not yield
these eternally important points merely because
Isl_m claims to esteem the patriarchs and the
prophets. It is our responsibility to testify to the
Truth, even as we cry out against the error of any
false religion.
It is important for God's people to be aware
of the fact that many so-called Christians are
willing to compromise the Truth of God's Word
in the interest of building bridges with various
religions. Isl_m seems to be asserting itself in
the area of religious dialogue, and men and
women who claim to represent Christianity are
quickly building the credibility of Isl_m as a true
religion. Instead of witnessing, Christians are
encouraged to discover common ground with
Musl_ms. Rather than exposing its errors, Chris-
tians are told to search for the truth in Isl_m.
Thus, Isl_m is gaining a respectability that is
simply not deserved.
While "Christians" are manifesting their
"open-mindedness," Musl_ms are spreading
their false religious propaganda under the cover
of dialogue. Musl_ms believe that all mankind
must be brought into subjection to the spurious
teachings of the Qur’_n in order to experience
peace and blessing. They will not compromise
that belief. Musl_ms believe that the doctrine of
the Incarnation of God is blasphemy. They will
not compromise that belief. Musl_ms believe
that Muhamm_d is the prophet who fully re-
vealed the final truth. They will not compromise
that belief. Musl_ms are "devoted to their ide-
als,... and uncompromising with falsehood"
("Moral System of Isl_m"). Only the glorious,
liberating light of the one true Gospel will be
able to break through such darkness.
Although those who practice Isl_m profess
"to respect all those who are faithful and God
conscious people," it is their contention that the
one true religion is Isl_m. Musl_ms trace the
"true religion" from Abraham through Ishmael,
but the Bible absolutely contradicts this notion.
Genesis 17:15-21 makes it clear that God re-
jected Ishmael, confirming the covenant bless-
ings--including the fulfillment of the true reli-
gion to Isaac alone. In chapter 21 Hagar and
Ishmael are cast out of Abraham's house with
the sanction of God, "Let it not be grievous in
thy sight" (v. 12).
Galatians chapter three deals with this
subject of the true religion and directly refer-
ences the events of Genesis 17 and 21. Galatians
3:8 says, "And the scripture, forseeing that God
would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, say-
ing, In thee shall all nations be blessed." The
promise of salvation for Jew and Gentile was
prophesied to come through the seed of Abra-
ham. Verse 16 clearly relates the true religion,
the only Gospel, to the promise made to Abra-
ham in Genesis 17:15-21: "Now to Abraham and
his seed were the promises made. He [God] saith
not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And
to thy seed, which is Christ." The Gospel
preached to Abraham was the Gospel of Christ
delivered through Isaac, not the gospel of Isl_m
delivered through Ishmael.
Isl_m claims to be a religion of peace and
tolerance. It is, in fact, characterized by instabil-
ity and religious bigotry. It is our duty to stand
for THE Gospel and against all other gospels.
Isl_m has rejected the essential teachings of the
Word of God. The "prophet" Muhamm_d
brought a message from a false spirit that totally
opposes the Gospel of grace. The message of
Isl_m is a curse, not a blessing.
Isl_m is being presented as a practical,
modern religion though it holds its adherents in
spiritual bondage. Christians must be diligent to
witness to--not dialogue with--Musl_ms. This
is God's way of presenting the glorious light of
the Gospel. There is only one true religion. It was
prophesied in the Garden of Eden, typified in the
days of Noah, confirmed to Abraham and Isaac,
and realized in Jesus Christ.-- Ric Llewellyn