Varied Authors. Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th Ed. “Muhammad and the Religion of Islam.” Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985.
Given the forum’s interest in orbital learning, divine providence (Reformation theology, WCF, 5)…inquiries into Islam proceed.
When catechetized, e.g. the Westminster Confession of Faith, learning is a corollary concern in life; it’s natural.
Outline
The Foundations of Islam
1. Muhammed: the Prophet and his message
A. Life and works
B. Character and achievements
C. The legacy of Muhammed
2. Sources of Islamic doctrinal and social views
3. Islamic scripture: the Qur’an
A. Form
B. Doctrines of the Qur’an
C. Origins and compilation of the Qur’an
D. Interpretations
E. Translations
4. Hadith, traditions of the prophets
A. Nature and origins
B. Historical development
C. The science of Hadith
D. The compilations
E. Sectarian variations
F. Significance of Hadith
5. Fundamental practices and institutions of Islam
A. The five pillars
B. Sacred places and days
Islamic Thought
1. Origins, nature and significance of Islamic theology
A. Early developments
B. The Hellenistic legacy
2. Theology and sectarianism
A. The Khawarij
B. The Mu`tazilah
C. The Sunnah
D. The Shi`ah
E. Other groups
3. Islamic mysticism
A. History
B. Sufi literature
C. Sufi thought and literature
D. Theosophical literature
E. Sufi orders
F. Significance
4. Islamic philosophy
A. The Eastern philosophers
B. The Western philosophers
5. The new wisdom: synthesis of philosophy and mysticism
A. Philosophy, traditionalism, and the new wisdom
B. Primary teachers of the new wisdom
C. Impact of modernism
The Culture of Islam
1. Islamic law, Shari`ah
A. Nature and significance of Islamic law
B. Historical development of Shari`ah law
C. The substance of traditional Shar`ah law
D. Law in contemporary Islam
2. Social and ethical principles
A. Family life
B. The state
C. Education
D. Cultural diversity
3. Religion and the arts
A. The visual arts
B. Music
C. Literature
D. Architecture
4. Islamic myth and legend
A. Sources and variations
B. Types of myth and legend
C. Illustrations of myth and legend
D. Significance and modern interpretations
The Foundations of Islam
Muhammed: the Prophet and his message. Islam was created by a false prophet with religio-Imperialist and socio-economic ambitions. His name is Muhammed, born in Mecca, c. AD 570, and died c. AD 632. The religion is entitled “Islam” which means surrender to Allah (Arabic for “God”) as revealed in the fevered revelations of this displaced chap and caravan-raider-gone-big. Those revelations had an oral tradition and were written down in the Qur’an (=Koran).
Muhammed’s deal was his vision that he, by Allah’s will, was the final prophet. While he noted Adam, Noah, Jesus and others as prophets, he was the “last prophet” whose prophecies “abrogated” those of the earlier prophets. This Anti-Christ nonsense would soon be backed up by the sword, astute commercial treaties, taxation policies, and numerous military victories. His victories were judgments on its victims.
He was handed around, as a lad, in varied tribal families. About 610, he got his big vision of a majestic being with a vocal call, “You are the messenger of God.” It sounds like something out of Benny Hinn or a TBN-prophet. The varied revelations were sometimes accompanied by noises (e.g. a bell) or simple internal ideas. They were viewed as the “Word of Allah” to which "all must submit." He gathered some sympathizers around him, but his ideas accosted nomadic and Arabian polytheism.
He ran into opposition at Mecca. He had begun preaching publicly with implied critiques of rich merchants, a message that was not entirely popular with the mercantilists. “There is no god but Allah” coupled with his economic complaints. By 616, some Meccan forces united to oppose Muhammad; he and followers headed off to Medina. By 627, a Constitution is developed in Medina acknowledging Muhammed as the source for adjudication of any disputes. For 5 years, he gathers others.
He engages in numerous “benevolent” (tongue-in-cheek) razzias (=”raids”) on varied caravans. He personally led 3 “raids” in 623. Big point here: he becomes what he’s criticized, a materialistic gamer with a self-created religion. These razzias expand to Syria and Yemen. By 624, he puts out orders to accost caravans to and from Yemen. Varied Jewish groups oppose him and his policies begin to shift; finally, there is a break with the Jews. In 624, he conducts a successful raid on a Syrian caravan which he views as a “vindication” of his prophetic sovereignty. More raids and battles. Two are notable, the Victory of Badr, Syria, 624 and the Battle of Uhud.
A crafty and able chap, he made life simple. Submit to Islam and we can have a socio-economic pact: no raids. It was a Mafia-protection racket provided you submit. Given humanity’s depravity, the thinking goes: “What’s a minor theological accommodation, a little Allah, for the sake of peace and commercial progress?” There were clear economic and material advantages.
His closing years were accompanied by more alliances. He became “militarily the strongest man in Arabia.” By 630, he had a very successful raid in Syria along with further arrangements. His attitude to Christians began to change as well including Copts in Egypt and Ethiopia. His power had united Arabia and, shortly after his death in 632, his fanatics were poised to conquer Syria and Iraq.
Muhammad was reviled by medieval European scholars. He undoubtedly approved of assassination plots. He indubitably conquered with the sword. He indubitably ran a Mafia-protection racket. He indubitably united “religion and state” backed by the sword and bribery.
20 years after his death, his federation extended to Libya and Persia. The Byzantine Empire and Persian Empire felt his sting: “Islam is the basis of Arab unity.” Jihad was the war cry, meaning “Holy War” and “Holy Surrender.” This would also extend to Spain and into India.
Christians and Jews were the “people of the book.” As such, they were “taxed.” All others: “convert or die.” Not quite the religion of peace as is often put forward.
As Confessing Christian Churchmen, this Anti-Christian religion needs further exposition.
Given the forum’s interest in orbital learning, divine providence (Reformation theology, WCF, 5)…inquiries into Islam proceed.
When catechetized, e.g. the Westminster Confession of Faith, learning is a corollary concern in life; it’s natural.
Outline
The Foundations of Islam
1. Muhammed: the Prophet and his message
A. Life and works
B. Character and achievements
C. The legacy of Muhammed
2. Sources of Islamic doctrinal and social views
3. Islamic scripture: the Qur’an
A. Form
B. Doctrines of the Qur’an
C. Origins and compilation of the Qur’an
D. Interpretations
E. Translations
4. Hadith, traditions of the prophets
A. Nature and origins
B. Historical development
C. The science of Hadith
D. The compilations
E. Sectarian variations
F. Significance of Hadith
5. Fundamental practices and institutions of Islam
A. The five pillars
B. Sacred places and days
Islamic Thought
1. Origins, nature and significance of Islamic theology
A. Early developments
B. The Hellenistic legacy
2. Theology and sectarianism
A. The Khawarij
B. The Mu`tazilah
C. The Sunnah
D. The Shi`ah
E. Other groups
3. Islamic mysticism
A. History
B. Sufi literature
C. Sufi thought and literature
D. Theosophical literature
E. Sufi orders
F. Significance
4. Islamic philosophy
A. The Eastern philosophers
B. The Western philosophers
5. The new wisdom: synthesis of philosophy and mysticism
A. Philosophy, traditionalism, and the new wisdom
B. Primary teachers of the new wisdom
C. Impact of modernism
The Culture of Islam
1. Islamic law, Shari`ah
A. Nature and significance of Islamic law
B. Historical development of Shari`ah law
C. The substance of traditional Shar`ah law
D. Law in contemporary Islam
2. Social and ethical principles
A. Family life
B. The state
C. Education
D. Cultural diversity
3. Religion and the arts
A. The visual arts
B. Music
C. Literature
D. Architecture
4. Islamic myth and legend
A. Sources and variations
B. Types of myth and legend
C. Illustrations of myth and legend
D. Significance and modern interpretations
The Foundations of Islam
Muhammed: the Prophet and his message. Islam was created by a false prophet with religio-Imperialist and socio-economic ambitions. His name is Muhammed, born in Mecca, c. AD 570, and died c. AD 632. The religion is entitled “Islam” which means surrender to Allah (Arabic for “God”) as revealed in the fevered revelations of this displaced chap and caravan-raider-gone-big. Those revelations had an oral tradition and were written down in the Qur’an (=Koran).
Muhammed’s deal was his vision that he, by Allah’s will, was the final prophet. While he noted Adam, Noah, Jesus and others as prophets, he was the “last prophet” whose prophecies “abrogated” those of the earlier prophets. This Anti-Christ nonsense would soon be backed up by the sword, astute commercial treaties, taxation policies, and numerous military victories. His victories were judgments on its victims.
He was handed around, as a lad, in varied tribal families. About 610, he got his big vision of a majestic being with a vocal call, “You are the messenger of God.” It sounds like something out of Benny Hinn or a TBN-prophet. The varied revelations were sometimes accompanied by noises (e.g. a bell) or simple internal ideas. They were viewed as the “Word of Allah” to which "all must submit." He gathered some sympathizers around him, but his ideas accosted nomadic and Arabian polytheism.
He ran into opposition at Mecca. He had begun preaching publicly with implied critiques of rich merchants, a message that was not entirely popular with the mercantilists. “There is no god but Allah” coupled with his economic complaints. By 616, some Meccan forces united to oppose Muhammad; he and followers headed off to Medina. By 627, a Constitution is developed in Medina acknowledging Muhammed as the source for adjudication of any disputes. For 5 years, he gathers others.
He engages in numerous “benevolent” (tongue-in-cheek) razzias (=”raids”) on varied caravans. He personally led 3 “raids” in 623. Big point here: he becomes what he’s criticized, a materialistic gamer with a self-created religion. These razzias expand to Syria and Yemen. By 624, he puts out orders to accost caravans to and from Yemen. Varied Jewish groups oppose him and his policies begin to shift; finally, there is a break with the Jews. In 624, he conducts a successful raid on a Syrian caravan which he views as a “vindication” of his prophetic sovereignty. More raids and battles. Two are notable, the Victory of Badr, Syria, 624 and the Battle of Uhud.
A crafty and able chap, he made life simple. Submit to Islam and we can have a socio-economic pact: no raids. It was a Mafia-protection racket provided you submit. Given humanity’s depravity, the thinking goes: “What’s a minor theological accommodation, a little Allah, for the sake of peace and commercial progress?” There were clear economic and material advantages.
His closing years were accompanied by more alliances. He became “militarily the strongest man in Arabia.” By 630, he had a very successful raid in Syria along with further arrangements. His attitude to Christians began to change as well including Copts in Egypt and Ethiopia. His power had united Arabia and, shortly after his death in 632, his fanatics were poised to conquer Syria and Iraq.
Muhammad was reviled by medieval European scholars. He undoubtedly approved of assassination plots. He indubitably conquered with the sword. He indubitably ran a Mafia-protection racket. He indubitably united “religion and state” backed by the sword and bribery.
20 years after his death, his federation extended to Libya and Persia. The Byzantine Empire and Persian Empire felt his sting: “Islam is the basis of Arab unity.” Jihad was the war cry, meaning “Holy War” and “Holy Surrender.” This would also extend to Spain and into India.
Christians and Jews were the “people of the book.” As such, they were “taxed.” All others: “convert or die.” Not quite the religion of peace as is often put forward.
As Confessing Christian Churchmen, this Anti-Christian religion needs further exposition.
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