History of Islam

Raised in Ohio as devout Sunni Muslims, Ergun Caner and Emir Caner, by the grace of God, are now professors of Christian Church History and Theology. Their book provides "an easily understood panorama of Islam, explaining motives, beliefs, and history. It is meant to guide and encourage every person who wants to be a more effective witness to Muslims."

These two well-educated former Muslims provide practical information that is helpful to Christians on a variety of topics, including: Muhammad; The Qur'an; Sunnah and Hadith; Allah; The Five Pillars; Women; Salvation; Holy Days; Islamic Sects; Jihad; Christianity; Jesus in the Qur'an; Outreach to Muslims; Topical Index to the Qur'an; Fatalism in Islam.

Ibn Warraq (a pseudonym) grew up in a Muslim family. Study and reflection led him to reject the teachings of Islam. And there, he says, the matter would have ended were it not for “the Rushdie affair and the rise of Islam.” Prompted by the deaths of “ordinary, decent Muslim people” at the hands of other Muslims in Iran, Turkey, Saudi, Pakistan, and northern Africa and by the apologies for Islam that were written by Western authors following the Rushdie affair, Warraq takes “an uncompromising and critical look at almost all the fundamental tenets of Islam” in this book.

Chapter headings provide a brief tour through the content: 1 The Rushdie Affair; 2 The Origins of Islam; 3 The Problem of Sources; 4 Muhammad and His Message; 5 The Koran; 6 The Totalitarian Nature of Islam; 7 Is Islam Compatible with Democracy and Human Rights?; 8 Arab Imperialism, Islamic Colonialism; 9 The Arab Conquests and the Position of Non-Muslim Subjects; 10 Heretics and Heterodoxy, Atheism and Free Thought, Reason and Revelation; 11 Greek Philosophy and Science and Their Influence on Islam; 12 Sufism or Islamic Mysticism; 13 Al-Ma'arri; 14 Women and Islam; 15 Taboos: Wine, Pigs, and Homosexuality; 16 Final Assessment of Muhammad; 17 Islam in the West.

An attached document provides some thoughts from Chapter 17, "Islam in the West."

Across the globe, Islam is thriving; it is one of the fastest growing religions in America. Muslims can be your neighbors, coworkers, store owners, or friends. So how do you approach Muslims with the gospel? How are Islam and Christianity different? How do Muslims view the Bible and Christ? In this insightful book, learn more about Muslims and their religion, as well as how to witness to them. This book provides a concise summary of the Lutheran law and gospel approach to dealing with Islam.

See attachment below for an excerpt from the book that comments on how to witness to Muslims.