Transcript: A few weeks ago, it had been requested that I present a lesson concerning the Islamic religion. And I've done some research years ago, but there's a lot of things that's happened here recently and continue to happen. So what I did is I used Grok, and you can also use other AIs, but I just asked five questions, and I want to go through those five questions before we get into the study. Well, we're getting into the study, but some of the things that I want to bring out today. First question I asked: Is Ishmael of Genesis 16 and 17 the foundation of the Islamic religion? You know who Ishmael is. We'll deal with him later on, but it came back to me from Grok, that Elon Musk's AI, says Ishmael plays a significant role in Islam as a prophet and a messenger of God. He's mentioned 12 times in the Quran, that's their Bible. And notice he says he is regarded as the progenitor. What that means is he's regarded as the parent of the Arabs, including Muhammad. And he's seen as an ancestor in the prophetic lineage tracing all the way back to Abraham. In Islamic tradition, Ishmael assisted Abraham in building the Kaaba in Mecca, which is the holiest site in Islam and central to pilgrimage. While Ishmael is not the sole foundation of Islam—that belongs to Muhammad, according to the Muslims—he is foundational in establishing the Arabic roots of the faith, and Muslims view Arabs as descendants of Ishmael, and seeing him as a key figure in God's covenant with Abraham. The Quran describes Ishmael as a prophet and apostle, emphasizing his settlement in Mecca after wandering in the desert. Second question: Where does Muhammad connect with the Islamic religion? Muhammad is the central figure and the founder of Islam, believed by the Muslims to be the final prophet. He's the final prophet in a line that includes Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others. He received divine revelations from God—their God is called Allah—for we believe in the trinity of God. Do you remember Matthew 28:19? Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. So we believe in three in the Godhead. They believe in Allah, just one—mono. And so it's mentioned here what they said: that divine revelations through Allah, through the angel Gabriel, in 610 CE, they say. They will not use the word A.D. or B.C. because if you notice, the word A.D. is Anno Domini, which means in the year of our Lord, and they would reject that. So they would use C.E., which stands for Common Era. Muhammad, his life and teachings formed the basis of the Islamic beliefs, the practices, and law. This is called the Sharia law. In fact, in parts like Dearborn, Michigan, where there's quite a number of Muslims, it's actually a city that's governed largely by Muslims. And so they want the Sharia law implemented into our constitution, which will not happen according to our present president. And so they believe in monotheism, which is one. They have five pillars concerning the Quran, the Islamic religion, and the Seal of the Prophets was confirmed and completed earlier in the monotheistic message, as they claim. Third question: Does the Islamic religion think that Genesis 22, that Christians have substituted Isaac for Ishmael? You know the story of Genesis 22. The answer is yes. The Islamic tradition holds that it is Ishmael, not Isaac, whom Abraham was commanded to sacrifice, since he was the oldest from the handmaid Hagar. The Quran retells the sacrifice story in Surah, chapter 37, verses 99 through 113, if you want to look that up. For they think that we, as Christians, and also Jews, have flipped the story and substituted Isaac for Ishmael. Ishmael is seen as the son of promise in Islam, contrasting the biblical emphasis on Isaac. Some Islamic scholars argue that substitution reflects a broader bias in the Bible to favor Isaac's lineage, leading to Judaism and Christianity they teach, over Ishmael leading to Islam. Fourth question: Does the Islamic religion think that Christians have taken what should belong to them, concerning including the Bible? Yes, the answer is yes. Islam teaches the concept of tahrif, distortion, or corruption, where Muslims believe that Jews and Christians altered the original revelation in the Torah and Gospel to suit their interests, thus polluting or corrupting the scriptures. The Quran accuses people of the book of changing words from their rights to Islam, and this is from Quran, chapter 5, verses 13, also chapter 4, verse 46, implying that textual tampering has taken place by us in the book of Genesis. Fifth question: What is the history of Muhammad? Muhammad was born in 570 A.D.—they say C.E.—in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, into the Quraysh tribe, and he was orphaned early. His father died before birth. His mother, when he was six years old, she died. So he was raised by his grandfather and uncle. Muhammad worked as a merchant and gained reputation for honesty. It says earning the nickname Al-Amin means trustworthy. At age 25, Muhammad married Khadija, a wealthy widow, and she had several children, though only daughters survived to adulthood through Muhammad. In 610 A.D., at age 40, he received his first revelations, he claimed, in a cave of Hira, marking the start of his prophethood, and this is found in Quran, revelation over 23 years. Facing persecution in Mecca, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 A.D., and so that's what happened concerning Muhammad, concerning their religious belief. There's some interesting things that you remember. There were some airplanes that flew into buildings in 9/11. And you see, they think that we polluted the Bible so badly that it justified doing what they did. There's some false, and you remember we went off into war in Iraq and then Afghanistan. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq from Genesis chapter 2:10-14. A lot of things, interesting things, happened between the rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, these rivers. Noah built an ark in Iraq, Genesis chapter 6. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq, Genesis 11. Abraham from Ur was in southern Iraq, Genesis chapter 11. Jonah preached in Nineveh, which was in Iraq. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq. See, they bring all this up because you know who inhabits between the rivers today? Mostly Muslims. Assyria was in Iraq. Babylon was in Iraq. No other nation except Israel has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq. We believe in God. They believe in Allah. We believe in Abraham. They believe in Abraham. We believe, though, it's in Isaac that the promise came. They said, no, Ishmael. We believe in Christ. They believe in Muhammad as the great prophet. In fact, Jesus was actually just pointing forward to the coming of Muhammad. We believe in Christianity. They believe in Islam, which means submission. That's what the word Islam means. We believe that we're Christians. They believe that they're Muslims. We believe in the Bible. They believe their Bible is the Quran, and it's the true word of God. We believe that there's a spiritual war in Ephesians 6:10-20. Not a carnal war. We're to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the wiles of the devil, a spiritual war. You talk to them in Nigeria. If you don't submit, it becomes a physical war for them. Islam will use the book of Genesis. But you know, there's no war on earth. I promise you, this is the year 2026. Of all the places I've ever been, it's always the same. But to reject Jesus, they say it's Satan coming there. But do the history of how they came up with that. During the Afghanistan war, a Saudi Arabian officer said, we will be friendly, but we can never be your friends. Across the Muslim world, there are currently demonstrations against the United States. In fact, after 9/11, there was parts of the world in the Arab countries, the Islamic, where they were celebrating the catastrophe that took place in the United States. John said in 1 John 2:22, Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist. And I believe John was referring to the Gnostics at that time, but it would certainly fit today, wouldn't it? Because they deny that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Jesus said in [John 14:6](https://biblehub.com/parallel/john/14-6.htm), I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. They deny that. They reject that. They vehemently get angry with those kind of words. Jesus is Greek for the Savior, Matthew 1:21. Christ is Greek for the Anointed One. It is Hebrew for Messiah. Islam denies that Jesus is the Savior of the world. The great prophet is Muhammad. The Islamic religion is growing rapidly upon the Earth. Approximately 24% to 25% of the Earth's population now is referred to as being Islamic Muslims. It is the fastest growing religion in the United States among our blacks. We need to know about the enemy of Jesus Christ when they deny that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In John 14:6, Jesus said this. Muhammad—let's look at some of his beginnings. He was born in Mecca, as we mentioned. He was married at 25. He had lots of money through his marriage, and he claims that he received a call from his God, and he received revelation from the archangel Gabriel. But in Galatians chapter 1, notice what Paul said concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had wrote to these churches of Galatia, and he said to them in chapter 1 beginning, I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting or turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is really not another. Only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed. But yet they say Muhammad claims that the angel Gabriel spoke to him. Who are we to believe? We are to believe Jehovah God. They will take issues with us concerning that. The five pillars of Islam: pillar one, belief in the Shahada—the only God is Allah, and Muhammad is Allah's prophet. That's pillar number one. A confession has to be made in that effect. You see, they take a lot of the thoughts from the Bible, you know, in Romans 10:9-10 where the mouth confession is made. They teach that you have to confess Allah and you have to confess that Muhammad is his prophet. Second pillar is prayer. They pray daily. They pray five times a day at traditionally set times. Don and I, we flew from Cape Town, South Africa to Dubai. And we were in the airport in Dubai and in the middle, as you go down, they had rooms. I looked in—I didn't want to go in—but that's where they would go in and throw the mat down and pray. I mean, they just stopped everything. If it comes time to pray, that's what they did. And I suppose they got a lot of that from Daniel—you know, he prayed facing towards Jerusalem. They pray facing towards Mecca, they claim. Fasting, pillar number three. Fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan, probably our December. Pork is permanently taboo with them. Almsgiving, pillar four. Give alms to the poor. Zakat is a type which every Muslim is expected to donate as his portion towards the expansion in the faith and the support of the poor. Pillar number five: pilgrimage. If possible, make one trip in your lifetime to Mecca. The word Islam means submission. There's no form of priesthood in Islamic religion where we have a form of priest—a high priest—and His name is Jesus Christ. But they don't have that. There are no elaborate ceremonies in the worship to Allah where we partake of the Lord's Supper. Islam is divided into many sects, the Sunni and the Shiite. The Sunni are the majority, over 80 percent. And these two groups cannot get along with each other. Most Muslims are Sunni—that's the orthodox, which Webster's Dictionary defines the word orthodox as conforming to the belief of established doctrine. The Shiites believe that the caliph—Webster's Dictionary means that supreme ruler, like the Pope in the Catholic Church—the caliph should come by the physical descendant of Muhammad. Sunnis, on the other hand, would support any eligible person. You know, they talk about that Jesus Christ Himself never wrote anything. Well, you know, He stooped down and wrote in the sand. But what word was written about Him—they do that sort of like in your face—because Muhammad never wrote anything. The word Quran, which is their Bible readings, it is divided up into 114 chapters or surahs. Each surah is divided into verses. Each verse is viewed as a miracle, according to them. In addition to the Quran, the Muslims recognize the Sunnah, the practice or custom of the Prophet Muhammad. Let's look at some thoughts concerning Islamic religion versus Christianity. Muslims claim that all the other prophets of God, including Jesus, point towards Muhammad, that he is the supreme prophet. Whenever the word is used as Helper in John 15:26, where Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, in John 14:26, they claim it's referring to Muhammad. They claim Jesus was no more than a man. They deny that Jesus died on the cross. They claim that the Jews made a mistake and crucified someone else in his stead. This is recorded for them in Quran, chapter 4, verses 156 through 159. Heaven—a difference between Christians and Islam. Heaven in Islam is a place of sensual pleasures. Their heaven including drinking and gambling, and men would be pleasured by many dark-eyed women. Sexual pleasure would be intensified with 72 virgin women. That's why they could fly airplanes into the building, because they thought the more non-believers, the greater their reward would be in their heaven. Final judgment: Muslims believe that the second coming of Jesus and that all Christians and Jews will realize the truth about Jesus, that He's not the Savior of the world. They believe that. They believe that good deeds are measured, and if you outbalance the bad deeds, that you can go to heaven. Well, God said there'll be nothing in Revelation 21:27 that's going to enter heaven that will defile it, but they say flying airplanes in the building builds a tremendous amount of good deeds, because you're destroying non-believers. Marriage: Islam, they believe in polygamy. It's permitted up to four wives and as many concubines as you want, except for the prophet who had 12 wives in special revelation. Divorce is permitted for many reasons, but we're restricted in Matthew 19:9. Predestination: differences in Christianity. It's very important in the Quran chapter 9, verse 51: naught shall befall us save what God has written down for us. It is not for any soul to die save by God's permission written down for an appointed time in Quran chapter 3, verses 139. Violence: They believe in violence if it involves conversion. The holy war—jihad—a struggle in the path of God is what it means. Quranic acts are very similar to what is taught in the Quran. Notice this: Fight and slay the pagans—that's us—wherever you find them, fight those who believe not in God—that's their Allah—nor in the last day. Quran chapter 9 verse 5 and verse 29. If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him. Quran chapter 3 verse 85. If you'll notice as their percentages grow in each country, the more violence that they cast forward. The unbelievers among the people of the book and the pagans did not desist from unbelief. In their Quran chapter 9 verse 1, it says they shall burn forever in the fire of hell. They are the vilest of all creatures. You know, God's word, we teach love. We teach trying to get along with our fellow man, but that's not what is taught. In the Quran chapter 2, verses 191 through 194, it teaches when you meet the unbelievers—that's Christians, anyone that believes not in their religion—strike off their heads. I want to—let's go to Genesis chapter 12. Notice what happened. Notice where all this came about. In Genesis chapter 12 beginning, we know that, you know, God made a promise to Abraham, didn't He? He made it in the first part of that chapter. He made a promise to Abraham that through this seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. And he said, I'm going to make you a great nation, Abraham. And we know this took place down in Genesis 46:3, down in Egypt. But notice what else it teaches. Here in Genesis 12, Abraham was 75 years old whenever God made this promise. Well, sometimes we as man, we want to help God out. Because going over to chapter 16 of Genesis, God made a promise to Abraham, but he didn't make who it was going to come through—what the female was. But he was married to Sarah at the time he made this promise. So, in chapter 16, beginning in the first part of the chapter, Sarah, Abraham's wife, had bore Abraham no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. So Sarah said to Abraham, now behold, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go into my maid. Perhaps I will obtain children through her, and Abraham listened to the voice of Sarah. And she did conceive. Hagar did. And brought forth a son. And notice what God said. He said in verse 11 of Genesis 16: The Angel of the Lord said to her, Hagar, behold, you are with child, and you will bear a son, and you shall call his name Ishmael. Because the Lord has given heed to your affliction, he will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him. Boy, isn't that true today? Now, let's go on over to chapter 17 as we're winding the lesson down. In chapter 17, here you have in verse 18, okay, Hagar had a child. His name is Ishmael. And notice what Abraham said in verse 18: Oh, that Ishmael might live before You! And God said, No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. As for Ishmael, I've heard you. Behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year. So God's called Isaac's name even, it appears, before it's conceived. See, when we want to help God out, God's got His own game plan. You know, in Galatians 4:4, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son. It was on God's time frame. God knows what He's doing. And notice it mentions here that Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised, and Ishmael was 13 years old. And back at the last verse of chapter 16, Abraham was 86 years old when Hagar bore Ishmael. So my point is this: God has a plan, and it's through Isaac, not Ishmael. So when they took this, Muhammad took this religious belief and twisted it and said that we stole, we polluted the Bible, and it should be Ishmael and not Isaac. But we believe in what the word of God teaches us. If you're here today and you're not a Christian, you have to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and through His word. We have to believe that. It's not Ishmael, it's not Muhammad. You have to repent of your sins, and you have to confess Christ before men—not Allah, not Ishmael, and not Muhammad. And you have to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sin. In Galatians 3:27, you do not put on Christ until you're baptized into Christ. But they would reject this. And then the Lord Jesus Himself will add you to His church, Acts 2:47. 2 Scriptures Used in the Lesson The speaker primarily quotes or paraphrases from the New King James Version (NKJV), with some close paraphrases. Full quotes below in speaker's version (NKJV), NKJV, and Literal Standard Version (LSV). Words of Christ in red where applicable (Google Docs: select text > Text color > Red). Matthew 28:19 Speaker: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." NKJV: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) LSV: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) Genesis 22 (story reference, no direct quote) Sacrifice of son (Islam claims Ishmael). Key verse for context: NKJV: And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12) LSV: And He says, “Do not put forth your hand to the youth, nor do anything to him, for now I have known that you are fearing God, and have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12) Genesis 2:10-14 Speaker reference to rivers (Tigris and Euphrates). NKJV: Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads... The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. (Genesis 2:10, 14) LSV: And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from there it is parted, and has become four chief [rivers]... the third river [is] Hiddekel, it [is] that which is going east of Asshur; and the fourth river is Phrat. (Genesis 2:10, 14) Genesis 11:5-9 (Tower of Babel reference, partial) NKJV: But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built... “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language...” (Genesis 11:5, 7) LSV: And YHWH comes down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men have built... “Come, We go down, and we confound their tongue...” (Genesis 11:5, 7) Ephesians 6:10-20 Spiritual armor. NKJV (summary key): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God... (Ephesians 6:10-20) LSV: As to the rest, my brothers, be strong in the Master, and in the power of His might; put on the whole armor of God... (Ephesians 6:10-20) 1 John 2:22 Speaker: "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist..." NKJV: Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22) LSV: Who is the liar, except he who is denying that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist... (1 John 2:22) John 14:6 (quoted twice) Speaker: "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through me." NKJV: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) LSV: Jesus says to him, “I AM the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, if not through Me.” (John 14:6) Matthew 1:21 NKJV: And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) LSV: And she will bring forth a Son, and you will call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Galatians 1:6-9 (paraphrased as NASB, but close to NKJV) NKJV: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel... But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6, 8) LSV: I wonder that you are so quickly removed from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to another good news... But even if we or a messenger out of Heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we proclaimed to you—anathema let him be! (Galatians 1:6, 8) John 15:26; John 14:26 (Helper claimed as Muhammad) NKJV (John 15:26): “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” LSV: “And when the Comforter may come, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, who is proceeding from the Father—He will testify concerning Me.” NKJV (John 14:26): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things...” Revelation 21:27 NKJV: But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles... (Revelation 21:27) LSV: And there may not at all enter into it any defiling thing... (Revelation 21:27) Matthew 19:9 NKJV: And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery... (Matthew 19:9) LSV: “And I say to you that whoever may put away his wife, if not for whoredom, and may marry another, commits adultery...” (Matthew 19:9) Galatians 4:4 NKJV: But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son... (Galatians 4:4) LSV: And when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son... (Galatians 4:4) Genesis 16:11-12 Speaker: "He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him." NKJV: And the Angel of the Lord said to her: “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” (Genesis 16:11-12) LSV: And the Messenger of YHWH says to her, “Behold, you [are] conceiving, and bearing a son, and have called his name Ishmael, for YHWH has listened to your affliction; and he is a wild-donkey man, his hand against every one, and every one’s hand against him—indeed, he dwells in the presence of all his brothers.” (Genesis 16:11-12) Genesis 17:18-21 Speaker paraphrase/corrected quote. NKJV: And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” (Genesis 17:18-21) LSV: And Abraham says to God, “O that Ishmael might live before You!” And God says, “No, but Sarah your wife is truly bearing a son to you, and you have called his name Isaac, and I have established My covenant with him for a covenant age-during, and with his seed after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes does he beget, and I have made him become a great nation; and My covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah does bear to you at this appointed time in another year.” (Genesis 17:18-21) Galatians 3:27 NKJV: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) LSV: For as many as were immersed into Christ put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) Acts 2:47 NKJV: ...And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47) LSV: ...And the Lord was adding to the Assembly day by day those being saved. (Acts 2:47) 3 Scriptures for Additional Study Romans 4:1-25 (Abraham justified by faith; promise through Isaac's line). (Romans 4) NKJV key: ...Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. LSV: ...Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Hebrews 11:8-19 (Faith of Abraham, offering Isaac). (Hebrews 11:8-19) Context: Sacrifice of promised son. John 8:31-59 (Jesus' dialogue with Jews on Abraham). “Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58) Acts 4:12 (No other name for salvation). (Acts 4:12) NKJV: Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 2 Corinthians 11:4 (Another Jesus or gospel). (2 Corinthians 11:4) 4 Outline of the Lesson I. Introduction and Use of AI Questions Speaker introduces request for lesson on Islam and shares five questions posed to AI (Grok). II. AI Responses to Five Questions Is Ishmael (Genesis 16; Genesis 17) the foundation of Islam? Significant role as prophet and ancestor of Arabs, but foundation is Muhammad. Muhammad's connection to Islam. Founder and final prophet; revelations via Gabriel; monotheism vs. Trinity (Matthew 28:19). Does Islam claim Christians substituted Isaac for Ishmael in Genesis 22? Yes, Ishmael as the son to sacrifice. Does Islam claim Christians corrupted the Bible? Yes, concept of tahrif (distortion). History of Muhammad. Born 570 CE, orphaned, merchant, married Khadija, revelations at 40, migration to Medina. III. Historical and Biblical Connections to Iraq/Middle East Events like Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10-14), Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), etc.; contrasts belief in God/Christ vs. Allah/Muhammad. IV. Spiritual vs. Physical War Christians fight spiritually (Ephesians 6:10-20); Islam may use force; denial of Christ as antichrist (1 John 2:22). V. Exclusive Salvation Through Jesus “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus as Savior (Matthew 1:21); contrasts with Muhammad. VI. Paul's Warning Against Another Gospel Even if from an angel (Galatians 1:6-9). VII. Five Pillars of Islam Contrasted with Christian practices. VIII. Differences: Islam vs. Christianity Views on Jesus, heaven, judgment, marriage, predestination, violence (jihad). IX. Biblical Origin: Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac Man's attempt to help God (Genesis 16); covenant through Isaac (Genesis 17:18-21). X. Call to Obedience Believe in Jesus, repent, confess, baptize (Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:47). 5 Lesson Description In this sermon delivered on January 4, 2026, preacher Alton Bailey addresses a congregation request for a biblical perspective on Islam. Drawing from personal research and responses generated by an AI (Grok), Bailey systematically contrasts key Islamic beliefs with New Testament Christianity. The lesson begins with five pointed questions about Islam's foundations: Ishmael's role as ancestor of Arabs and prophet in Islamic tradition, Muhammad's status as the final prophet, Islam's claim that the biblical sacrifice account in Genesis 22 originally involved Ishmael rather than Isaac, the doctrine of tahrif (alleged corruption of Jewish and Christian scriptures), and a brief biography of Muhammad. Bailey highlights doctrinal divides: Islam's strict monotheism versus the Christian Trinity, its view of Jesus as merely a prophet pointing to Muhammad, denial of Christ's crucifixion and divinity, and differences in salvation, heaven, marriage, predestination, and approaches to religious dissent. He describes the Five Pillars of Islam and notes sectarian divisions between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The core biblical argument centers on God's covenant promise to Abraham: while Ishmael receives blessing and becomes a great nation (Genesis 17), the everlasting covenant passes through Isaac's lineage (Genesis 17:18-21), ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3–4). Bailey warns that any gospel differing from the apostolic message—even if delivered by an angel—is accursed (Galatians 1:6-9), applying this to Muhammad's claimed revelations. Throughout, Bailey frames Islam as a spiritual challenge, citing rapid global growth and calling Christians to recognize denial of Jesus as the Christ as serious error (1 John 2:22; John 14:6). The sermon closes with an evangelistic appeal emphasizing belief in Christ, repentance, confession, and baptism for salvation. The tone is direct and apologetic, aimed at equipping believers to understand Islam's claims while affirming the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. (428 characters) 6 Suggested Titles Ishmael vs. Isaac: The Biblical Covenant and Islam's Claims Islam and Christianity: Contrasting Foundations from Genesis The Promise Through Isaac: Why Jesus, Not Muhammad Denying Christ: The Danger of Islamic Teachings God's Covenant: Isaac, Not Ishmael 7 Other Writings and References (These have not been reviewed.) Sermons and Sermon Series on Islam Islam Series by Ernest Clevenger (Church of Christ preacher and author). This is a multi-part sermon series based on his publication Islam – History, Religion, and Conflict. It covers Islamic history, beliefs, and contrasts with Christianity. Available as outlines and audio adaptations on Church of Christ websites. Part 4 example: Granby Church of Christ Sermon on Islam Video adaptation: Islam Or Christianity Lesson 4 (YouTube) Islam Sermon Series from Granby Church of Christ. A collection of sermons drawing from Clevenger's work, discussing Islam's foundations, state treatment of non-Muslims, and biblical responses. Example parts: Islam Part 7, Islam Part 4 Articles and Books on Islam Former Muslim Shows Islam from the Inside by Bobby Ross Jr. (The Christian Chronicle, Churches of Christ publication). Reviews the book Islam in Christ's Eyes by Youssif Al-Aethawi, a former Muslim convert to Christianity, providing a scriptural study of Islam's origins. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article In Europe, a Chance to Reach Islam (The Christian Chronicle). Discusses missionary efforts by Churches of Christ members in Europe to evangelize Muslims, including retreats and outreach strategies. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Don’t Judge This Book on Islam by Its Cover (The Christian Chronicle). A book review encouraging Churches of Christ readers to understand Islam for better interactions in daily life. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Review: Books Endeavor to Help Christians Understand Islam (The Christian Chronicle). Overview of resources for Churches of Christ members to learn about Islam's growth in the U.S. and biblical responses. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Christ and Islam: A View from Africa by Alan Howell (missionary associated with Churches of Christ, The Christian Chronicle). Shares experiences of engaging with Islam in Mozambique and strategies for outreach. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Nine Years Later — Sept. 11, Islam, Ground Zero and Religious Freedom (The Christian Chronicle). Reflects on 9/11's impact, Islam, and religious liberty from a Churches of Christ perspective. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Soccer, Islam, Terrorism and Church Growth in Africa (The Christian Chronicle). Explores terrorism linked to Islam in Africa and opportunities for Churches of Christ growth. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Dyron Daughrity on Christianity, Islam and Africa (The Christian Chronicle). Interview with Dyron Daughrity (Pepperdine University, Churches of Christ-affiliated) on Islam's influence in Africa. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article ‘Islam in America’ Focus of Harding Seminar Featuring Muslim Leader (The Christian Chronicle). Reports on a seminar at Harding University (Churches of Christ school) discussing Islam in the U.S. Link: The Christian Chronicle Article Debates and Video Resources Christianity vs. Nation of Islam Debate featuring Jack Evans Sr. (prominent Church of Christ preacher) vs. Jeremiah Muhammad. A multi-part debate on Christianity and Islam, hosted by Churches of Christ platforms. Video: Part 1 on Facebook Christianity vs. Islam Debate featuring Jack Evans Sr. vs. Hamza Abdul Malik. A 1998 debate contrasting Christian and Muslim beliefs, available in parts. Videos: Part 1 (YouTube), Part 2 (YouTube), Part 3 (YouTube) These resources primarily come from Churches of Christ-affiliated publications, preachers, and institutions like The Christian Chronicle, Granby Church of Christ, and Harding University. They focus on understanding, critiquing, and evangelizing in relation to Islam.