In this week’s class, we are continuing with our topic of Religious Pluralism, focusing on some suspicious similarities between Islam and Mormonism. In an effort to show reasons why the Christian worldview and the Bible in particular are unique from other faiths, religions and philosophies, we are highlighting the major beliefs and historical backgrounds that define these differences. Each week’s class includes prayer, an “apologetics” presentation, a review of last week’s Bible study, and a homework assignment. You can find the presentation notes, Bible study questions and additional resources below.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

2023 A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues…

Religious Pluralism, Part 4b – Islam and Mormonism

Prayer and Reflection

1.  Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

2.  Bible Practice: Memorizing helpful facts

a.  What are the five categories of the Old Testament books in the Christian Bible and what are the 39 books of the Old Testament in each of those five categories? (Hint 5-12-5-5-12)

b.  What are the “Major Historical Events” – the “Major Players” involved in those events – and the “Major Covenants” found in Genesis?

3.  Memory Verse:

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB)

Click here to check or review answers for Genesis chapters 30-32 given in the presentation

Scripture warns us…

Galatians 1:6-10 (NASB)

Paul, writing to the Galatian Church:

Perversion of the Gospel

⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; ⁷ which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ 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! ⁹ As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! ¹⁰ For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Jesus, speaking about “end times” and warning of false teaching:

Matthew 24: 10-14; 23-25 (NASB)

10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

23 …if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance.

Islam and Mormonism: Are There Similarities?

Issue	Islam	Mormonism
Bible	Views it as largely corrupt, but accepts portions.	Views it as largely corrupt, but accepts the KJV Bible “insofar as it is translated correctly.”
Religious destiny	Strong overall sense: believes Islam will spread throughout the world and ultimately dominate.	Strong overall sense: believes Mormonism will spread throughout the world.
Division after death of founder	Experienced power struggles and confusion; smaller sect followed descendants of the prophet.	Experienced uncertainty regarding successor; smaller sect followed descendants of the prophet.
Human condition	Human beings are basically good. Biblical atonement is not needed.	Human beings are basically good. Atonement allows the opportunity to become gods.
Origins	Muhammad received angelic revelations (and other) revelations.	Joseph Smith received angelic (and other) revelations.
Polygamy	Is sanctioned by the Qur’an; practiced by Muhammad and other followers.	Was approved until 1890; practiced by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other followers.
Prophets	Believes Muhammad was God’s last and greatest prophet.	Believes Joseph Smith was God’s key prophet.
Restoration	Claims to restore true religious worship.	Claims to restore true religious worship.
Salvation	Works-based. Allah will judge good and bad works.	Works-based (though some contemporary LDS trends are moving away from this model).
Scripture	Qur’an was divinely revealed and without error in the original Arabic. The Bible is filled with unauthorized changes.	Book of Mormon was divinely revealed. Smith claimed it was “the most correct of any book on earth.” The Bible is true only as far as it is translated correctly.
Testimony	Proclaims: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet” (known as Shahadah, meaning “to bear witness”).	Proclaims: “I bear my testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true, that the LDS is the true church.”
Trinity	Denies it. Sometimes interprets it as consisting of God, Jesus, and Mary	Denies it. Interprets it as three separate gods.

Similarities between Joseph Smith and Muhammad:

1. The followers of Muhammad and Joseph Smith both killed innocent “infidel” on the same date of 9/11.
2. Both were visited by an angel: Joseph Smith was visited by the angel “Moroni” and Muhammad by Gabriel.
3. Both were given visions.
4. Both were told that no true religion existed on the earth.
5. Both were to restore the long lost faith as the one true religion.
6. Both wrote a book they claimed was inspired by God.
7. Both claimed to be illiterate or uneducated and used this as proof the book was inspired.
8. Both claimed the Bible was lost, altered, corrupted and unreliable.
9. Both claimed their holy book was the most correct and perfect book on earth.
10. Both claimed that their new “Bible” was based upon a record stored in heaven.
11. Both claim that the version we have in our hands today are identical to what the prophet revealed and that parts are not lost, altered and corrupted.
12. Both claimed to be a final prophet of God.
13. Both claimed they were persecuted because of their pure faith.
14. Both were polygamists who had many wives, and thus this became an accepted and expected practice of their faiths.
15. Both borrowed from paganism/polytheism.
16. Both received “after the fact corrective revelations” supposedly from God.
17. Immediately after the death of Muhammad and Smith, a fight broke out from among the “faithful converts” as to who would succeed Muhammad and Smith.
18. Both have “after-death” or “next life” theologies that make everyone a person of their respective faith.
19. Both have those who follow the “original doctrine” of the founding leaders that includes violence and ongoing revelations justifying their evil actions.
20. Both Muslims and Mormons (and Jehovah’s Witnesses) have progressive revelation as sanctioned, or initiated by their current leaders.

Resources

My top three picks for this topic and more…

 1.  Nabeel Qureshi: Any books, videos or articles – especially his three books Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, No God But One, and Answering Jihad

2.  STR.org: Stand to Reason Apologetics Ministry has many videos, articles and podcasts on how to reach and witness to Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and others

3.  rose-publishing.com: For easy to read access and comparisons Rose Publishing has hundred of pamphlets and quick reference guides for Christian Apologetics and Bible study, including easy to read charts, graphs and timelines.

Join us as we continue the topic of Religious Pluralism next week…

Bible Study

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be part of the next presentation or posted mid-week for your review, depending on the topic. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1.  Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read Genesis Chapter 33 through Chapter 36, then answer the following questions:

2.  (Genesis 33:1-20) In this chapter Jacob finally reunites with Esau. What did Jacob do when he saw Esau coming and how did Esau respond to what Jacob did? Discuss: Do you think Jacob was wise in the way he handled this encounter, why or why not?

3.  (Genesis 34:1-31) This chapter tells a side story about Jacob’s daughter Dinah, the people of Shechem and some of her brothers. What happened to Dinah and how did Jacob’s sons respond to the request by Shechem’s father? Who were the two sons of Jacob that were responsible for this and what did their father Jacob say to them?

4.  (Genesis 35:1-21) In this chapter God tells Jacob to move to Bethel. What did Jacob require his household to do, and why was this was important? What happened between God and Jacob, and what was the result of this encounter? What happened to Rachel after this?

5.  (Genesis 35:22-26) There are now twelve sons (future tribes) of Israel. Reuben is the oldest son and should get the blessing of his father, but what did he do, and why does it come back to bite him (see Genesis 49:4)? Food for thought: What have the three oldest sons done so far that might make them lose the chance at the blessing (and who is fourth in line)?

6.  (Genesis 35:27 through 36:43) How old was Isaac when he died, and who was there to bury him? Chapter 36 is a focus on Esau and his genealogy: Where did he move to and why? Discuss: How does Esau’s move relate to the Covenant Promise and God’s sovereign plan?

7.  Going Deeper: Do a study on the names Jacob and Israel (as God renamed him). Hint: There is significance to the Scripture’s use of these names from this time forward.

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Old Testament!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15