Why is the crucifixion important? This is what Dr. Cynthia asks guest Bob Siegel in this video clip. Siegel, a Christian coming out of a Jewish background, adds to the historical proof that Jesus died on the cross, confirmation from the writings of Jesus’ Jewish enemies of the time, who also document that Jesus died on the cross.
Siegel explains to us that the crucifixion is important because through it Jesus not only fulfilled his prophecy that he would die and arise again, but the crucifixion is important because Jesus’ death was a blood sacrifice in our place. He quotes the apostle Paul in Corinthians about the essential importance of this doctrine in Christianity. The crucifixion is important because without it, the Christian hopes of forgiveness and resurrection from the dead are without basis.
Dr. Cynthia Summarizes the Bible and the Qur’an. This video clip summarizes the material Dr. C presents in the two more detailed clips on the Bible and the Qur’an. Here the focus is not on which book is true, but the different ways that Christians and Muslims approach the Bible and the Qur’an as their respective holy books. For example, to touch the Qur’an, one must be ritually pure, which is not necessary with the Bible. Non-Muslims, known as “infidels, or “kafir” are considered unworthy to touch a Qur’an in Arabic; whereas Christians are glad to have everyone read the Bible!
Another significant difference between the Bible and the Qur’an is that the actual Arabic words of the Qur’an are believed to have supernatural power in themselves. For Christians, it is the message of the Bible that holds the power, not the words specifically in the original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic. So, the Bible has the same power in any language. Not so with the Qur’an! It must be read and memorized in Arabic to count.
These are some, but not all, of the important differences between the Bible and the Qur’an. By understanding these approaches to the Bible and the Qur’an, we can better understand each others’ religions.
How does God speak in the Bible? How God speaks in the Bible is important for everyone to know – especially those coming from a Muslim background. In Islam, almost every chapter begins with a direct claim to be speaking words from God to people (the first chapter, or Fatiha, is a notable exception). So, when a Muslim approaches a holy book, they are expecting everything to be written from that vantage. This causes significant misunderstanding and even offence when they read the Bible. In the Bible, God speaks in several different ways.
In “How Does God Speak in the Bible?” Dr. Cynthia discusses the primary three ways God speaks in the Bible: directly, indirectly, and implied. In this clip she focuses on how God’s voice is implied. The ways God speaks in the Bible is important for everyone to know – especially those coming from a Muslim background. Almost every chapter in the Qur’an begins with a claim to be speaking words directly from God, so when a Muslim approaches a holy book, they are expecting everything to be written from that vantage. This causes significant misunderstanding and even offence when they read the Bible – unless they learn that in the Bible, God speaks in several different ways.
In a few places in the Bible God speaks directly to the people, in other areas it is indirectly through a message given to a prophet. But in many areas God instructs us through examples in the lives of his people. Also, since the Bible shows Jesus to be God, we accept that his words are from God. See also “How Does God Speak in the Bible?”
“Come join us!” says Dr. Cynthia of this quick trip to Egypt. Take a whirlwind tour of the ancient and Islamic sites of Egypt, as you travel from Cairo beyond Aswan to Abu Simbel in only 3 minutes! Besides the remarkable tourist sites of colossal columns and statues, you will peek into Al Azhar University, the ultimate authority of Sunni Islam. Then Dr. C shows you the view out of finely latticed windows of the women quarters of old Islamic Cairo.
What you will not see are the persecuted Christians Dr. C visited with in Upper Egypt. One was literally trembling at the memory of his cousin’s murder. Although Egypt has one of the oldest Christian traditions, extending from the early mission work of St. Mark, (who wrote the gospel so named), and still has about 10% Christians, they have suffered increasing persecution over the last decade. But through the television ministry of Father Zakaria and others, thousands, some say over a million, Muslims have left Islam and are walking into the kingdom of God. After taking this video travel to Egypt with us, take a moment to remember the needs and suffering of its believers.
Barbie is a mature Christian sister with the spiritual gifts of encouragement and evangelism. Because of her inspirational style, she has been a favorite teacher of Dr. Cynthia and many others. Every year for decades Barbie has divided her time between America and various places in the Middle East. Her remarkable story includes backpacking and hitch-hiking from Israel to India, including through Iran and Afghanistan back in the 1960s, when it was still relatively safe for two young women to travel alone in Muslim countries.
Besides adventures around the world, Barbie has also suffered incredible hardships and losses. In this clip she shares with Huda, and with us all, a little about her life and her becoming Christian from an agnostic background. Through Jesus, Barbie has come to have peace. She shares with us the importance of reading the Bible and getting to know Jesus better.
In this video clip Huda personally shares her testimony of what her life was like under Islam, and how it has changed since she became Christian from Muslim. She clearly states that Islam and its rituals brought no peace or comfort to her life. She found life under Islam very hard. As a new Christian from a Muslim background, she has found that although she still has trouble in her life, she has peace, and a sense of presence that lifts her above the world and keeps her safe. She quotes for us II Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!” Huda invites us to join her on the real journey of her life as she becomes Christian from Muslim.
