COURSE DESCRIPTION

CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC THEOLOGICAL ISSUES BY DR. SASAN TAVASSOLI

Christian and Islamic Theological Issues” course section presents a concise explanation of these two very different world-views. Dr. Tavassoli compares the concepts of God, man, Christ, and the Scriptures in each worldview, and explains how these differences can be confronted when speaking with our Muslim neighbors. Presented from the unique perspective of a former Muslim, this class is sure to reveal an inside look into the theological differences between the two faiths This course is a survey of the major areas in which Christian and Islamic theology, doctrine, and dogma collide. The content of this course will also provide an important outline for the basic content necessary for discipling new CMBs (Christians with a Muslim background)

 Dr. Sasan Tavassoli was born and raised in a Shi'ite Muslim home in Iran, Sasan came to faith in Christ as a result of American missionaries he met in Europe. He has been involved in ministering to Iranians for more than 20 years and is currently active in producing theological resources and promoting leadership development for the growing Iranian Church worldwide. Dr. Tavassoli graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary (MA), Columbia Theological Seminary (ThM), and earned his PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK.

SECTION II

CUTTING EDGE BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM - DR. JOHN GILCHRIST

In this section John Gilchrist tackles the doctrines, perspectives, and arguments that separate Muslims and Christians. He explains the “cutting edges” between Islamic and Christian concepts of textual history of the Quran and the Bible, the sinlessness of the prophets, the uniqueness of Jesus, the Trinity, the crucifixion and what constitutes true revelation and a true prophet. Dr. Gilchrist provides solid biblical and well- reasoned answers for Christians who are discussing or debating with Muslims.

Dr. John Gilchrist Teaches from over 30 years of personal outreach to Muslims in South Africa and is a well-known international writer, teacher, and debater. He has always believed that the most effective way of reaching Muslims with the Gospel is to base our witness on the Word of God.

SECTION III

THE BIBLE: REVELATION, AUTHORITY AND ISLAMIC DENIAL OF TRUTH - DR. JAMES WHITE

The Bible has been assaulted like never before in the past century both by secular and Islamic scholars. In this section Dr. James White shows why and how we can be absolutely certain that the Bible is the word of God. James White articulately refutes the common accusations set against biblical inerrancy, historical textual transmission, canonicity, the Trinity, and the so- called “other gospels”.

Dr. White also critiques the Islamic challenge to the Bible and its theology to see if the claims in and about the Qur’an can handle the same scrutiny the Bible can take. He shows unequivocally that Islam crumbles under the same historical and theological scrutiny. 
 
 Dr. James White
 James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, and an elder of Apologia Church in Arizona. He is the author of more than twenty books, a professor, and an accomplished debater. He has been married for more than thirty-seven years and has two children and four grandchildren.

SECTION IV

EVIDENCE THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT - DR. JOSH McDOWELL

Josh McDowell has distributed more than 60 million copies of books on apologetics in the nations. This section is based on the classical book Evidence that Demands a Verdict. The section addresses the trustworthiness of the Bible and offers historical evidence and supporting attestations for Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Josh McDowell addresses "radical criticism" of the Bible and is devoted to quelling the voice of numerous skeptics, including "a defense for the existence of miracles" and "answers to a divergent worldview."


Dr. Josh McDowell 

In 1961 Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus. Well known as an articulate speaker, Josh has addressed more than 10 million young people, giving over 24,000 talks in 118 countries. In addition to many other awards, Josh has been nominated 36 times for the Gold Medallion Award and has received that award on four occasions.


SECTION V

LOVING GOD WITH ALL YOUR MIND - JP MORELAND

The mind plays an important role in Christianity. Unfortunately, many of us leave our minds behind when it comes to our faith. In this course Love Your God with All Your Mind: For the New Generation, J.P. Moreland presents a logical case for the role of the mind in spiritual transformation. He challenges us to develop a Christian mind and to use our intellect to further God's kingdom through evangelism, apologetics, worship, and vocation.

To be a follower of Jesus is to express Christ likeness to others. Those who reflect that likeness should have the skills and savvy to live out their faith confidently and vibrantly amongst a skeptical world, all the while, being able to answer and rebut the most skeptical questions of our time. Loving God with All Your Mind: For the New Generation is about answering these fundamental questions.

Dr. Moreland addresses such issues as: Anti-Intellectualism vs. the thinking Christian, Jesus the greatest intellectual in history, Atheism, Secular Humanism, Post-Modernism and their impact on Western and global culture.

In this course Love Your God with All Your Mind, J.P. Moreland presents a logical case for the role of the mind in spiritual transformation. He challenges us to develop a Christian mind and to use our intellect to further God's kingdom through evangelism, apologetics, worship, and vocation.

Course Objectives

Upon the completion of the course the student will be able to:

  • Give historical and biblical arguments for the essentials of the Christian faith including : 
the Bible as God’s holy word 
 - Substitutionary atonement 
 - The deity of Christ 
 - The Trinity 
 - and Salvation by grace through faith

  • Articulate what constitutes heresy historically and doctrinally as seen in the first nine centuries of the Christian church.

  • Explain canonicity and textual transmission of biblical documents and why certain documents were rejected from the cannon.

  • Present moral and philosophical arguments for Jesus’ death as atonement as the only way for salvation.

  • Articulate the weaknesses in Islamic theology specifically: 
 - Qur’anic origins and sources
 - Denial of the historical evidence of the crucifixion. 
 - Muhammad being prophesied in the Bible 
 - Qur’anic and Muslims confusing about the validity of the Bible.

  • Effectively share the gospel with a Muslim using apologetics and polemics in a dialog that can lead to a discussion about sin, salvation, and Jesus.

Course curriculum

    1. Course Syllabus

    2. Introduction to the Required Reading

    3. Reading Assignmente Explanation : RISE Model For Providing Meaningful Feedback

    4. Student Community Forum

    5. Online Student Library

    1. Introduction to Christian & Islamic Theological Issues (Video Lecture)

    2. Lecture Application

    3. Course Book Reading - "Narratives and Questions: Exploring the Scriptures with Muslims"

    4. Post a RISE Comment

    1. The Doctrine of the Trinity Part 1 (Video Lecture)

    2. Lecture Application

    3. Course Book Reading - "The Trinity and You"

    4. Post a RISE Comment

    5. The Doctrine of the Trinity Part 2 Video (Video Lecture)

    6. Lecture Application

    7. Course Book Reading -"The Love of God in the Qur'an and the Bible"

    8. Post a RISE Comment

    9. Doctrine of the Trinity Part 3 (Video Lecture)

    10. Lecture Application

    11. Course Book Reading - "Islam and The Doctrine of the Trinity"

    12. Post a RISE Comment

    13. The Trinity Part 4 (Video Lecture)

    14. Lecture Application

    15. Course Book Reading - "KNOWING GOD PERSONALLY: THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM WORLD"

    16. Post a RISE Comment

    17. The Doctrine of the Trinity Part 5 (Video Lecture)

    18. Lecture Application

    19. Required Reading: The Cross of Christ by John Stott (Chapters 1-3)

    20. Post a RISE Comment

    1. The Doctrine of Man Part 1 (Video Lecture)

    2. Lecture Application

    3. Course Book Reading - "ISLAMIC CONCEPT OF HUMAN NATURE"

    4. Post a RISE Comment

    5. The Doctrine of Man Part 2 (Video Lecture)

    6. Lecture Application

    7. Required Reading: The Cross of Christ by John Stott (Chapters 4-5)

    8. Post a RISE Comment

    1. Islamic View of Jesus (Video Lecture)

    2. Lecture Application

    3. Course Book Reading (Various Articles)

    4. Post a RISE Comment

    5. Required Reading: The Cross of Christ by John Stott (Chapter 6)

    6. Post a RISE Comment

    1. Christian Response to the Islamic View of Jesus (Video Lecture)

    2. Lecture Application

    3. Course Book Reading - "THE DEITY OF JESUS", "100 TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS INDEX"

    4. Post a RISE Comment

    5. Required Reading: The Cross of Christ by John Stott (Chapters 7-9)

    6. Post a RISE Comment

    7. Required Reading: The Cross of Christ by John Stott (Chapters 10-11)

    8. Post a RISE Comment

About this course

  • Free
  • 176 lessons
  • 32.5 hours of video content

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Online Master's Degree

A Pathway to a Master of Arts in Ministry with an Islamic Studies Concentration

God’s Bible School & College (gbs.edu) has partnered with Mission Muslim World University (mmwu.org) offering a pathway to receive a Master of Arts in Ministry with an Islamic Studies Concentration. This degree is designed for those with Bible college undergrad degrees who want grad-level theology and ministry training to evangelize and disciple Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s Bible School & College will award an MA degree to students who complete the 18 credit hours of core online-classes through God’s Bible School & College and transfer in up to 18 credit hours of completed online-classes completed through Mission Muslim World University.