WESTERN  SEMINARY

 

                     Intro to Islam, Current Events and Approaches in Evangelism

 

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

This course is a combination of three areas:

  1. Standard Islam. Life of Muhammad, the Qur’an, basic doctrines, Folk Islam, Islamic Fundamentalism and other basics.
  2. 2. Current events and how they affect Muslims and their receptivity to the Gospel.
  3. Approaches used in Evangelism and their Biblical bases. 

 

It will be a 2 semester hours for those taking this course for the first time. It will be a one-hour course for those who are taking it for the second time with special reading and paper.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

1.   Attempt to understand current events as we stand in the shoes of Muslims in the Middle East.    Evaluate US M.E. policy in light of how it affects the Muslims’ receptivity to the Gospel.

  1. Help the students, as much as possible, to get under the skin of Muslims and see Islam from their point of view.

3. Get to study Islam in light of praying for Muslims and/or reaching out to honest seekers among    Muslims.

4. Get acquainted with the Qur'an, the life of Muhammad and the basics in Islam. 

  1. Get acquainted with some various approaches for reaching out to Muslims, and the Biblical bases of these approaches.

 

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

 

* Very Important: By the time you come to class on July 12, 2004, each of the students should have read, at least, the book: “Whose Promised Land” by Collin Chapman. It will be better to read the Qur’an after you take the course during the grace period.  

 

 

* For students not taking the course for seminary credit, there is no required reading. But it is recommended that the students read as much as possible of the recommended texts.

 

* For those taking the course for 2 credits, it is required that a student shall read 800 pages from the following list. The following texts are arranged in order of priority.

 

1. Shakir, M.H. The Qur'an. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an Inc.  ISBN 0940368188, English only translation.  Available from www.amazon.com

OR: Ali, A. Yusuf.  The Holy Quran.

OR: Irving, Thomas. The Noble Qur’an. Amana Books. ISBN 0-915597-51-10.

 

2. Jabbour, Nabeel. The Rumbling Volcano. Pasadena CA: Mandate Press, ISBN  0-87808-241-7.  Available from William Carey Library (800-647-7466;  www.wclbooks.com) (284 pages).

 

3. Chapman, Colin. Cross and Crescent. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press of England, 1995 ISBN 0-85110-992-6.  Available from IVP in Chicago at 800-843-9487. (346 pages).

 

4. Chapman, Colin. Whose Promised Land? Baker Books ISBN 0-8010-6441-4. (305 pages).

 

5. Watt, W. Montgomery. Muhammad Prophet and Statesman. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1961.  ISBN 0-19-881078-4. (250 pages).

 

6. Gilchrist, John. The Qur'an, The Scripture of Islam. South Africa: Mercsa, ISBN  0-9583905-2-5.

It is available on the Internet: http://www.truthnet.org/islam/Qurangil1.html (141 pages).

 

7. Simson, Wolfgang. Houses That Changed The World. OM Publication. ISBN 1-85078-356-X

 

8.  Hoskins, Dr. Edward J.  A Muslim’s Heart:  What Every Christian Needs to Know to Share Christ with Muslims.  Available from Dawson Media        (1-888-547-9635; www.dawsonmedia.com).

 

9. Gilchrist, John. Muhammad The Prophet of Islam. South Africa: Mercsa, ISBN 0-9583905-1-7 (137 pages). http://answering-islam.org.uk/Gilchrist/Muhammad/index.html 

10. Musk, Bill. The Unseen Face of Islam. London: MARC: Evangelical Missionary Alliance, 1989. (284 pages).

 

11.  Mallouhi, Christine.  Waging Peace on Islam. William Carey Library; (800) 647-7466; www.WCLBooks.com   ISBN 1 85424 502 3.  (348 pages). 

 

12. Jones, E. Stanley. A Song of Ascents. Abingdon Press/Nashville and NY. 1968. Library of Congress # 68-17451. (395 pages).

 

13. Lewis, Bernard. What Went Wrong. Oxford University Press. 2002. ISBN 0-19-514420-1 (160 pages).

 

14. Findley, Paul. They Dare to Speak Out. Lawrence Hill Books. 1985. ISBN 1-55652-073-5. (360 pages).

 

15. Mead, John Clark. The New World War. Xulon Press. ISBN 1-591603-03-X (170 pages).

 

 16. Shakour, Elias. Blood Brothers. Chosen Books. ISBN 0-8007-9321-8. (238 pages).

 

17. Muller, Roland.  Honor and Shame: Unlocking the Door.   ISBN 0-7388-4316-4. 

 

 

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:

 

1. For websites links go to:  www.nabeeljabbour.com

 

2. Johnstone, Patrick. Operation World. Zondervan Publishing House. For prayer.

 

3. 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus.  World Christian News & Books, Colorado Springs, CO (719) 380-0507.  An excellent daily prayer guide for Muslims during the month of Ramadan.

 

4. The Holy Injil:  Matthew.  International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, (719) 488-9200.  User-friendly Gospel of Matthew for Muslims.

 

5.  David Johnston.  “Are God and Allah the Same?”  David Johnston. Jan-Feb 2002 issue of Mission Frontiers journal.  Can be downloaded at www.missionfrontiers.org (go to Back Issues link). Short two-page article which shows why Muslims and Christians are speaking of the same God.

 

6.  James A. Beverly.  “Is Islam a Religion Of Peace?”.  Christianity Today, January 7, 2002 edition.  Can be downloaded at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/001/1.32.html

 

7.  Woodberry, Dudley.  “The War on Terrorism: Reflections of a Guest in the Lands Involved”.  (Former Dean, School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary; directs Islamic dept. at Fuller).  Available from: FullerVision - (Electronic Newsletter of Fuller Seminary Southwest) by going to their website: http://www.fuller.edu/cll/fsw/FullerVision.html  (can also go to www.fuller.edu and do a search for the title, "The War on Terrorism").  19. www.nabeeljabbour.com (Links tab).

 

8.  Piper, John (Desiring God Ministries.)  "Israel, Palestine and the Middle East".   Internet article that can be downloaded at:   http://www.johnpiper.org/library/sermons/04/030704.html   Addresses the question of to whom the land of Palestine belongs.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

  1. Fist day cover introductory materials.
  2. On second day cover current events.
  3. On third and fourth day cover standard Islam.
  4. On fifth day cover the approaches in Evangelism and their Biblical bases.

 

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

 

1. For those who will be taking the course for credit.

a.        For those taking the course for 2 credits, a term paper is required.  Imagine this situation: The Office of the Secretary of State in the U.S.A.  asks you to write a paper, based on what you have read especially in the book: "The Rumbling Volcano" and in light of the aftermath of September 11, to advise them on how to have a long range strategy for dealing with Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East. What would you write in a ten page long paper to help the policy makers have a better understanding of Islamic fundamentalism in the M.E. and thus contribute to the expansion of the Gospel among Muslims.

b.       For those taking the course for 1 credit, a term paper is required. “Islam, Justice and US policy in the Middle East”. Ten pages.

            2. Attendance is required at all sessions.

3. A daily Response paper is due at the end of each day. In the response paper please write briefly highlights of insights and issues/questions you are struggling with.

4. Those taking the course for credit need to write a one-page report for each book they have read, demonstrating that they have done the required reading.

 

GRADING PROCEDURES:

 

1.      Required reading 40 points.

2.      Attendance and Daily Response papers: 5 points each; 25 points total.

3.      Term paper 35 points.

 

Note: Because this is an intensive course, there will be a grace period. All of the reading assignments and term papers must be turned in to Dr. Jabbour by the date set by the Seminary and the professor.

 

Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour can be contacted at:

Home and Office 719-578-8973

Email address: nabeel@nabeeljabbour.com