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Muslim Worldviews and the Bible:

Bridges and Barriers
Part II: Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Age to Come
by Rick Brown

I
t is well-known that Muslims and Christians tend to misunderstand each
other. When trying to explain their beliefs to one another, they usually end up
“talking past each other.” In part this is because of unrecognized differences
in worldview. The same problem arises when people first encounter the Bible, since
they try to interpret Scripture through the filter of their traditional worldview. But
the very purpose of the Bible is to challenge traditional worldviews and transform
them, leading to faith and understanding.
Part I of this series outlined Biblical themes regarding God, creation, angels, spirits,
mankind, God’s rule, and mankind’s predicament. It compared these themes with
viewpoints common to various Muslim subcultures and noted the relationships. Part
II continues this approach with attention to the person and work of Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit, prophets, revelation, salvation, misfortune, the Kingdom of God, para-
dise, and the end of this age. Where the viewpoints of Muslims are already in align-
ment with a Biblical theme, this is indicated in the middle column with an equals
sign ‘=’. Similarities are marked with an ‘~’. Both could be considered “bridges.” More
obvious differences are marked with an ‘x’ or an ‘X’, where ‘X’ is more serious than ‘x’.
“Barriers” occur where well-entrenched aspects of worldview are in conflict with the
worldview revealed in the Bible. These mismatches can lead to a distorted hearing of
the message or to a complete rejection of it. Barriers are represented in the chart with
a ‘|’ or ‘||’ or even ‘|||’, indicating increasing degrees of obstruction to comprehen-
sion and belief. There is an important class of worldview differences which may be
called “door-openers” or “points of appeal,” and these are marked with ‘>’. These are
Biblical viewpoints that are attractive to Muslims once they have understood them.
The hope is that this comparison will lead Christians to a greater understanding of
Muslims and of the difficulties Muslims have in understanding the Biblical message,
so that Christians may dialogue with Muslims more knowledgeably and more effec-
tively. For Muslims who believe in Jesus and the Scriptures, this chart could possibly
alert them to assumptions they might want to reconsider. It would not be helpful,
however, for Christians to give this chart to prebelievers, since it could just highlight
the barriers for them and make them defensive. Christians also inherit worldviews
that derive from their own cultures and traditions, and the Bible challenges elements
Rick Brown is a Bible scholar and of these worldviews as well. So Christians might want to ensure that their own
mission strategist. He has been
involved in outreach to the Muslim worldviews are aligned with the Bible before trying to help others understand the
world since 1977. Biblical revelation.
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 Rick Brown 49

Some Major Biblical Themes Corresponding Muslim Viewpoints

Jesus Christ x the Messiah ‘Isa son of Mary
The coming of the Christ (Messiah) was foretold by ~ The coming of Jesus was foretold by the prophets.
the prophets, as recorded in the Old Testament.

There were shadows or forerunners of Christ in the (no such concept)

Old Testament.
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and did many miracles. = Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and did many miracles.
Jesus Christ was a prophet. = Jesus Christ was a prophet.
Jesus Christ was without sin. = Jesus Christ was without sin.
Jesus Christ is the eternal, creative Word of God, ~ Jesus was a word sent from God (a phrase with uncertain
incarnate in human form. He is God’s supreme meaning)
message and self-revelation to man.
Jesus is called Christ (the Messiah) because he is the holy, X Jesus and he alone is called the Messiah, but the meaning of
eternal Savior-King over God’s Kingdom. this title is uncertain.
Other Messianic titles from the Bible include “The Son of X (no other Messianic titles and no Messianic concept)
Man”, “The King of the Jews”, “The Son of David”, “The
Savior”, and “Lord”.
“The Son of God” is a special Messianic title in the || The Christians claim that God slept with a woman and
Bible, affirming Jesus’ unique relationship with God had Jesus as an illegitimate offspring, but this is blasphemy.
in his role as the Savior and Lord of all. Anyone who says that goes to hell. Jesus however is near to
God, is prominent in this world and the next, and gives the
final verdict on matters of dispute.
Jesus Christ is God and reveals what God is like. || Jesus was only a prophet; he was not like God, and was not
divine in any way.
Jesus Christ died on the cross as the only perfect sacrifice ||| Jesus did not die; someone else died in his place. There is
for sin. This sacrifice benefits all who accept Jesus as Lord no sacrifice that can atone for sin. No one can help man at
and Savior. He is their advocate before God Almighty. the judgment.
Popular: The annual sacrifice can atone for the sins of the
previous year. Special sacrifices can substitute for potential
misfortunes and are appropriate before using a new
building, etc.
God’s love for mankind and Christ’s love for God are | It would have been shameful for God to have allowed his
demonstrated in the willing sacrifice of Jesus. prophet Jesus to be killed, but it would be honorable for
Jesus or anyone to sacrifice his life in service to God.
God was honored when Jesus obeyed him even to the cross. > Although martyrdom is valued, God would never allow his
prophets to be badly mistreated.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead. | Jesus did not die or rise from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus demonstrated that he is | Jesus ascended without death and resurrection. He will come
the Messiah, the righteous Son of God, who has again to rule and make everyone Muslims, then he will die.
conquered sin and death and will come again to rule
and judge all mankind.
Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. ~ Jesus ascended into heaven in his normal body, without
dying and rising.
Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on the >| Jesus does not rule and is not feared. Only God has power
earth; he rules and expands his kingdom from heaven. to harm or benefit. God can, however, designate someone as
his viceroy (khalifa) over the earth.

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50 Muslim Worldviews and the Bible (Part II: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Age to Come)

Petitions to God may be made on the basis of one’s | Orthodox: One cannot make petitions to Christ or to God
standing in Christ (“in the name of Jesus Christ”). They in Christ’s name. This would be shirk, the worst of sins.
may be addressed to Jesus himself. Popular: One can address petitions to Jesus and to other
~ prophets and saints.

Jesus will return to earth from heaven at the end of ~ Jesus will return near the end of history.
this age.
Jesus will judge the living and the dead. | When Jesus returns, he will break crosses and force
everyone to become Muslims. After the resurrection God,
not Jesus, will judge all people.
Jesus will establish his universal kingdom over heaven | Jesus will proclaim and demonstrate that Islam is the true
and earth. religion and will become part of the universal Umma.
Jesus will rule forever. x Jesus will die and be buried.
The Holy Spirit The Spirit of God
The Holy Spirit is God and has all the attributes of God. | Orthodox: The Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel. God does,
however, have a life-giving spirit which he breathed into
Adam and Jesus when he created them.
Shi‘ite: The Spirit of God brings blessing to people.
Sufi: The divine secret (as-sirr ul-’ilâhî) or divine
accompaniment works in the lives of godly people.
God gives life to mankind through his Spirit. ~ God created life in Adam and in Jesus through the work of
his Spirit.
The Spirit of God convicts people of sin and leads x (no such idea)
them to Christ.
The Spirit of God indwells believers in Christ and enlightens > God guides us by giving us law. There is no spiritual
and guides them and makes them more like Christ. indwelling, no sanctification.
The Spirit of God empowers believers to overcome the > (no such idea)
sinful nature and to live in a manner pleasing to God.
The indwelling Spirit of God allows fellowship with > (no such idea)
God and allows the church to be a community of God.
Prophets Prophets
A prophet is someone whom God calls to speak his ~ A prophet is someone whom God calls to warn people to
message to people. repent and observe his laws.
An apostle of Christ is someone sent by God to X An apostle of Christ (hawâri ) is one of his close companions.
spread the Gospel and establish the church.
( Jesus and certain prophets were apostles sent by x An apostle (rasûl) is a someone to whom God has sent
God. Heb 3:1; Lk 11:49.) down laws for a “people of the book” to follow. God sent
down to each of the main apostles a book of law and gave
them political authority over a people.
A prophet is inspired by the Spirit of God, but he uses his | God sends down to the apostle the exact words to speak to the
own language and manner of speech to deliver the message. people. The prophet could be in a fit and understand nothing.
Jesus Christ foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit. x Jesus Christ foretold the coming of Muhammad.
There have been false prophets, whom God has not ~ There have been false prophets, and there will be false
sent, and there will be false prophets and antichrists. prophets, especially Al-Masîkh ad-dajjâl, the false Christ.
A true prophet not only directs people to obey the > Most major prophets were attested by miracles, but the last
Creator, he is also attested by miracles such as prophet, Muhammad, was attested by the quality of the
foretelling events which come to pass and praying verses he uttered in the Qur’an, which is the greatest miracle.
for people to be healed.

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 Rick Brown 51

Aaron, Job, Isaac, Lot, and Ezra are not generally X These are generally counted among the prophets, along
considered to be prophets, and certainly not Adam and with others called Hud, Salih, Shuaib, Dhu-Kifil.
Alexander the Great.
Petitions should be made directly to God, without requests = Orthodox: same
to dead prophets, apostles, or saints for their intercession.
X Popular: Appeal is made to dead saints to intercede or
even to intervene, and baraka (blessing, power) is sought
from their tombs and relics. In West Africa and parts of
North Africa, many people seek guidance, blessings and
intercession from living Islamic scholars called “marabouts.”
Images and statues of people and other creatures are ~ Statues are forbidden. Images of prophets are forbidden
forbidden, especially if they are to be venerated. (In unless they do not show the face (particularly the eyes). In
practice, some churches venerate statues and icons, stricter circles, images of all living things are forbidden.
and even Protestants allow images and statues of Popular Shi‘ite: Images of prophets and saints are allowed.
Jesus, prophets, apostles, saints, famous people, etc...)
Knowledge of God Knowledge of God
God reveals his character to people through creation, >| God does not reveal himself; he only reveals his laws. God
prophets, Scriptures, his Spirit, and most of all is unlike anything man can see or imagine.
through his incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.
Many attributes of God can be perceived through > God is utterly unknowable, at least in respect to his
observation and reflection on what he has created. attributes. But everyone is born with some sense of God
and his law, as well as faith and submission; that is, they are
born Muslims.
Sufi: An advanced Sufi can apprehend knowledge (ma‘rifa)
of God.
The Scriptures were written by prophets and by | God wrote the Scriptures in heaven before creation, then
apostles of Christ who were inspired by God. sent portions down to his apostles, most notably Abraham,
They received a message or insight from God and Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad. They received the
expressed it in their own language and style, as is words of God and merely recited them to their audiences.
evident from their different styles.
Knowledge is transmitted by transferring information X Knowledge is transmitted by transferring information.
and fostering understanding. Regeneration by the Holy
Spirit in response to faith in Christ is a prerequisite to
understanding spiritual matters.
Most religious knowledge concerns the character and x Most religious knowledge consists of God’s laws and
ways of God as revealed in the record of his activities doctrines, as revealed in the Qur’an and the Hadith.
in history, in the nature of his commandments, and
especially in his self-revelation in Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures show a progression in revelation and X The prophets all brought the same message: the unity of
in the history of salvation, culminating in the work God, the revelation of his laws, the call to follow his laws,
of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom. the warning of the day of judgment, and the promise of
There is a succession of covenants as well, but there is no rewards for the pious and the punishment of unbelievers.
cancellation of some passages by others. Nevertheless, the Qur’an cancels previous books, and many
of the later passages of the Qur’an cancel earlier passages.
The Scriptures consist of books written by over thirty X The Scriptures consist mainly of the Tawrât (Torah), Zabûr
servants of God who were inspired by the Spirit of (Psalms), Injîl (Gospel or NT), and Qur’ân, which were
God. They expressed God’s message accurately in written by God and sent down to his apostles through an
their own language and style. Traditionally the Bible angel or other means. The Jews, however, have changed
is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The their book and the Christians have corrupted the Injîl.
Old consists of the Law of Moses, the books of the
Prophets, and the writings, including the Psalms.

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52 Muslim Worldviews and the Bible (Part II: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Age to Come)

The Gospel is the good news of the establishment x The Injil is a book that God sent down to Jesus. Some say
of God’s gracious Kingdom through Christ Jesus, it was taken back to heaven with him.
the eternal King. It was announced by Christ, as
recorded in four “Gospels”.
Jesus fulfilled the legal requirements of the Old > God’s law is eternal and unchanging. The Qur’an expresses
Covenant on behalf of his people, and God made God’s law the best, and it has cancelled previous scriptures.
a new covenant with his followers by the perfect
sacrifice of Jesus for their sins. They are therefore
no longer under the Law of the Old Covenant.
Nevertheless, the Old Testament remains a valuable
witness to truth and to the will and nature of God
and to his purposes for mankind.
The Christian Scriptures are reliable for faith and |> The Christian Scriptures came from God but they have
practice. They have the power to change the hearts and been altered and enlarged, mostly in regard to the prophecy
minds of those with ears to hear. of the “Ahmed” to come in John 14:16. Therefore they
should be avoided. In practice, the whole Bible is avoided.
God’s perfect, eternal Word is Christ, the Living | Christ is a word from God, but God’s perfect, eternal
Word Whom he sent to exemplify his will and Word is the Qur’an, which he sent down to inform man of
character, etc. God’s law.
Those who sincerely seek the truth of God will x Muslims who look for the truth objectively are viewed with
eventually come to see and believe it. They will see alarm and may be considered doubters and apostates.
that Christ spoke the truth and is who he said he is.
The Epistles are reliable and authoritative for believers. | The genuine traditions (hadîth) are reliable and authorita-
tive for believers.
The Bible has a rich message; people continue to x The correct interpretation of the Qur’an has been handed
discover new aspects of its meaning and message, down from medieval scholars; individual exegesis is
especially through the application of historical- prohibited. Some Wahhabis disagree.
linguistic exegesis. Philosophical Sufi: Independent exegesis (ijtimâ‘) is both
permitted and necessary (for scholars alone).
The Bible is beneficial only to the extent that it is X The Qur’an is most beneficial if it is chanted with correct
understood and believed. pronunciation, regardless of whether it is understood,
although understanding is also good.
Popular: Written verses from the Qur’an have power to
cure disease, exorcise demons, or ward off evil. They may be
displayed, worn, burned or consumed.
There are no requirements about the format of X Scriptures should be published in a dignified format,
Scriptures or their handling. meaning hardbound with a dignified script and ornately
decorated covers.
The text of Scripture should be set apart by framing it
with a special border. Except for verse numbers, anything
extra-textual should be outside the frame, including section
headings and notes. No illustrations should be included
alongside the text.
The book should be handled by believers who are ritually
clean and kept above the waist. It should be stored on an
elevated and dignified location, and no other book should
be placed upon it.
Salvation from Mankind’s Predicaments Salvation from Mankind’s Predicaments
God shows his goodness and grace to mankind by = (same)
providing the things man needs for life and salvation
and especially by giving instructions to guide him
into blessings now and paradise hereafter.

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 Rick Brown 53

Man can be saved from his predicament by God’s grace |> Orthodox: If God wills, one can be saved from his predicament
through faith in Christ alone. Acceptance by God is an by believing in God’s Unity and obeying his guidance.
unearned gift. Philosophical Sufi: By revelation and concentration an
advanced Sufi can become the perfect man (qutb).
God provides man with revelation about himself and | God provides man with revelation about his unity and laws
about his will for man through the Bible’s record of for man through the Qur’an and the sayings and example of
his activities, judgments, and messages. God reveals the Prophet, but God does not reveal himself. He remains
himself through his incarnation in Jesus Christ, and beyond conception or characterization, although the 99
through the indwelling Holy Spirit. names suggest something about him.
Jesus Christ taught and exemplified the perfect > Muhammad taught and exemplified the ideal life as God
life as God desires it, and this way of life is further desires it.
explained in the Epistles. Yet there is a significant contrast between the life
exemplified by Jesus and that of Muhammad.
Faith in Christ involves personal trust and commitment x Faith involves assenting to the revealed doctrines, especially
to him, as well as repentance from what displeases God’s unity. Saving faith should involve belief from the
him. True faith gives rise to works of love. heart and result in submission to God’s revealed laws.
Repentance involves recognition and regret of x Repentance involves recognition and regret for individual sins
personal sinfulness and a resolution to lead a life and a resolution to abstain from them and obey God’s law.
pleasing to God.
By faith in Christ, man can be regenerated and receive > There is no regeneration. Knowledge of God’s law and
a new nature. Without regeneration and the grace fear of his punishment are sufficient to make a person
of God, man cannot do what God requires. Law is submissive and compliant with the Law.
weak because man’s flesh (nature) is weak and sinful.
By faith in Christ, man can receive the indwelling Spirit of > Power to resist sin comes only from conducting ritual
God, to guide him and to give him power (grace) to resist sin. prayers regularly and from fearing hell fire. God guides
through fate rather than through his Spirit.
When people repent of sin and personally accept || Man can please God by believing in the main of faith,
Jesus as the Christ, their Lord and Savior, God accepts by performing the main religious duties, by resisting
them into his Kingdom and treats them as his sons. They temptation, and by submitting to God’s laws as his slave.
are saved by God’s kindness and power through People can never be sons to God, but they can be close to
personal faith in Jesus Christ. God and beloved of him.
Jesus Christ allowed himself to be killed and became the > There is no sacrifice for sin and no savior. God may forgive
perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of those who believe whomever he wants to forgive. There is no assurance.
in him, who are thereby freed from condemnation to hell Martyrdom in the cause of Islam, particularly in battle, is
and given assurance of forgiveness and paradise. the only way of ensuring salvation for oneself and family.
When one has submitted to Christ as Lord and been x Orthodox: Satan has permission to lead astray all who are not
freed from condemnation, he is freed from the power true servants of God, but he does not rule, oppress, or kill.
of the accusation and oppression of Satan, although Popular: Satan causes harm and intimidates.
he can still be tempted. >
On the Day of Judgment, Satan and his hosts will be = On the Day of Judgment, Satan and his hosts will be cast
cast into the fire of hell. into the fire of hell.
In the age to come, the earth will be renewed and freed X The earth will not be regenerated or repopulated.
from corruption, death, and evil.
By accepting Christ and receiving the Spirit of God, x Fellowship with God is not possible, neither now nor after
man can have partial fellowship with God now, and death. God’s throne is in the seventh heaven, not in paradise.
full fellowship after death.
Good deeds please God and benefit man, but they do | If God wills, one’s good deeds will outweigh his bad deeds and
not earn grace, forgiveness, or eternal life. They do not bring him material blessings now and paradise in the end.
cancel sins.

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54 Muslim Worldviews and the Bible (Part II: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Age to Come)

Illness, misfortune, and failure Illness, misfortune, and failure

Prosperity and poverty, illness and health, X Prosperity is a sign of the blessing of God. Illness, poverty,
misfortunes and disasters may all have natural or misfortune and failure generally have spiritual causes.
supernatural causes, but God takes special care of
those who love and obey him.
God frequently blesses his own people with spiritual x Material prosperity is always due to God’s blessing.
prosperity without giving them material benefits.
Spiritual blessings are more important than material
blessings because they are eternally enduring.
God keeps the followers of Christ from being > There are many malignant supernatural beings and forces
overwhelmed by illness and disaster, but instead of operating in the world that are a constant threat to man. Allah
protecting them from all problems, he supports them in is more powerful than any of these beings and forces, which in
dealing with problems. any case he created, but he has left it to lesser beings to provide
God does directly intervene in the lives of his people help against them. Humans are therefore obliged to consult
to help them in many ways, often in response to their with those specialists who can deal with these beings.
prayers. He actively works in their lives so that their life Popular: The causes of illness, misfortune, and failure can
experiences progressively improve their character and be determined by ritual specialists to whom God has given
their relationship with him. special insight into these matters. These specialists then
Christ heals many who request healing from him in faith. advise their clients of the measures then need to take to
his power defeats the power of Satan. regain health and success.

Envy (the evil eye) is a sin, but it does not magically x The evil eye is dangerous.
cause harm to the object of the envy. In general, Popular: The evil eye is a major source of evil; its harm can
though, Satan can make envy and other sins an be intentional or not. Some people harm almost anything
occasion to cause harm. they look at.
The Kingdom of God and the Church x Dar al Islam and The Umma
God is establishing a Kingdom on earth in which he X God is establishing Islam on earth and causing all people to
is bringing people into compliance with his will. submit to his laws.
The Kingdom of God is God’s establishment of the X (No such concept. The Kingdom (malakût) of God is his
Messianic Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven absolute sovereignty, but more commonly the term is used
among those who accept Jesus as their Messianic for the unseen world of jinn and magic.)
King. Until the consummation of this Kingdom at
the return of Christ, God tolerates a limited amount
of sin and rebellion.
The Kingdom of God is administered by the x The Umma should be administered by a succession of
Messiah, the promised King. He will rule forever, Caliphs. The Umma observes and enforces the Law, but
bringing all of nature into willing compliance with cannot change it. Eventually Jesus will return to rule and to
God’s will. All supernatural power and authority in decide all issues on which people dispute.
heaven and on earth has been given to him.
Nevertheless, Christ’s Kingdom is not a political body in X The Umma is the rightful government of this world.
this present world. Until he returns, Christ rules from
the unseen world, influencing events on earth.
This Kingdom started small but is growing in the > The Umma should bring everyone into submission to Islam
earth. In general, only a minority of people will and establish an Islamic government, so that Islam can be
enter it. When Christ returns, he will form a new practiced in purity. People of the book may be tolerated as
government over all the earth and remove those who second-class subjects.
have rejected his rule.
Jesus is the Messiah King who administers this Kingdom. | Jesus was a prophet, not a ruler.
He is Lord over all people.
Christ rules in the hearts and lives of his people. X The Umma observes and enforces Islamic law.

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One enters the Kingdom by accepting Christ as | A non-Muslim enters the Umma by saying the confession
his Savior-King and being thereby born again and of faith (shahada) that there is no god but God (Allah) and
forgiven, etc. that Muhammad is a messenger of God. He must also
submit to Islamic law (sharî‘a). Children of a Muslim father
are born into Islam.
Initiation into the kingdom is through baptism. x Initiation into Islam is through saying the confession of
One may be baptized if he has repented of sin and faith and receiving a ritual bath (ghusl).
confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
One may testify to his faith in Christ and his x One testifies to his faith and his membership in the Umma
membership in the Kingdom by observing the by repeating the confession of faith.
Lord’s supper.
Those whom God brings out of the dominion of sin x Those who submit to Allah and his prophet, as prescribed
and into his Kingdom are called the “Church”, as in Islam, enter the Umma.
well as other terms. Their real citizenship is not in
this world, but in heaven.
Although the benefits of the Kingdom of God will not > There is no foretaste of a supernatural life in this present
be fully realized until Christ returns, the benefits earthly existence. This life holds many trials for true
are partially available in this age to those who are Muslims, and only infidels enjoy this world.
in Christ. These include the fruit of the spirit, gifts
of the spirit, fellowship with God, peace that passes
understanding, and assurance of salvation.
The struggle of the Kingdom of God is not against people X The struggle of the Umma is against all people and
and governments but against the supernatural kingdom governments who resist Islam, who are therefore the realm
of darkness (Eph 6:12). of war (dâr ul ḥarb).
Local assemblies of those in the Kingdom of Christ are x Churches and mosques are buildings used for religious rites.
also called churches. God helps them serve one another
in different ways through the power of his Spirit.
The core social unit in the Kingdom of God is the local x The core social unit in the Umma is the extended family.
body of believers (church, congregation, fellowship,
assembly, etc.).
Those in the Kingdom (in Christ) are all brothers x Muslims are considered brothers, but blood relationships
and sisters. remain the most important ones.
Only a minority of people enter the Kingdom. x Whole countries can be in the Umma.
Some from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people X The whole world should be brought into submission to
will enter the Kingdom. Those chosen may retain, in Islam, and eventually to a common Islamic culture and a
this life at least, most of their cultural and linguistic common language, Classical Arabic, but this will not be
diversity. No particular culture or language is favored completed until Christ returns and kills all who refuse to
above others. submit to Islam.

Paradise Paradise
Followers of Christ enter paradise after their death. > Those predestined by God will enter paradise after the
Paradise is in heaven. resurrection and the judgment and a period of time in hell.
Paradise is not in heaven. Only Muslim martyrs go directly
to paradise upon their death.
Those entering paradise have been regenerated and > Those in paradise are similar to how they were on earth;
progressively transformed on earth, and they are fully there is no moral transformation of their nature.
sanctified and glorified in paradise.
Paradise is a beautiful, harmonious place where there X Orthodox: Paradise is a beautiful place; its chief pleasures
is no suffering. The greatest pleasure of paradise is close are food and sex.
fellowship with God. Philosophical Sufi: The chief pleasure is the removal of the
illusory veil of being separate (distinct) from God.

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56 Muslim Worldviews and the Bible (Part II: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Age to Come)

The End of this Age The End of this Age

Before the resurrection, there will be many signs. = Before the resurrection, there will be many signs.
The antichrist will appear with false signs and wonders. ~ The antichrist (ad-Dajjâl) will appear with false signs.
The Beast will brand unbelievers with a sign on = The Beast will brand unbelievers with a sign on their faces.
their faces.
Gog and Magog will appear. = Gog and Magog will appear.
There will be signs in the heavens: smoke, the sun ~ There will be eclipses.
darkened.
Jesus will return to earth. = Jesus will return to earth.
Jesus will come to gather his people and to judge the earth. | Jesus will come to restore people to Islam and then die.
Those who belong to Christ will be raptured to meet God, not Jesus, will be the judge on the last day.
him as he returns.
There will be a resurrection of those who died X There will be a general resurrection.
belonging to Christ. They will join the throng that
was raptured to meet Jesus and receive their rewards.
Some people understand the book of Revelation
to teach that this throng will inhabit the earth for
1000 years, under the rule of Christ, before the
resurrection of the rest of mankind.
The dead who did not belong to Christ will be X All people will be judged on the Day of Judgment. God
resurrected and eventually be judged according to will double the good works of his servants, then their good
their deeds; they will be condemned because they works will be weighed against their bad works. Ultimately,
have rebelled against God. They will have no salvation God may forgive or condemn anyone, but he will not
because their names are not in the book of Life. (By forgive those who associate another being with him.
rejecting the King they forfeited the Kingdom.)
Those whom God finally rejects will “perish” in the ~ Those whom God rejects will be tortured in the hell fire;
lake of fire (hell). they will be neither dead nor alive.
Those who are in hell are spirits of the dead, whereas X All people are resurrected with the same kind of bodies.
the saved are resurrected beings with glorious, Those who are in hell are half dead, or else they suffer
immortal bodies. frequent death and resuscitation.
Satan and the other fallen angels will be cast into hell. = Satan and the demons will be cast into hell.
The earth will be destroyed. = The earth will be destroyed.
There will be a new earth and heavens, in which > Those whom God guides will be assigned to one of several
God dwells with his people, and they enjoy loving different places in paradise, still separated from God.
fellowship with him.
The saved do not go to hell; there is no exit from hell. > (Almost) all believers go to hell for punishment before
going to paradise. Some say that one day of sin in this life is
punished with a thousand days of torture in hell. Others say
a hundred days of torture for each sin. IJFM

Bibliography of Works Consulted

Editor’s Note: Due to space limitations, the bibliography will appear at the end of part III of this article.
However, you can download the bibliography at www.ijfm.org

International Journal of Frontier Missions