By Stephen McDowell

After viewing the above presentation by Stephen McDowell on “The Threat of Islam to Liberty and Christianity” you may ask “What can we do to combat this great threat?” Following are a number of actions we can take, both personally and nationally.

What Should We Do?

One’s view of the nature of man will affect how leaders deal with Muslim terrorists today. If you think man is basically good and wants to live in peace, but his social-economic environment causes him to act bad – that is, you believe violence begets more violence – you will think changing external things will stop his evil action. People with this view say “we must stop the cycle of terror.” (It’s a cycle, according to them, because America’s actions caused the terrorists to respond with attacks.) Such leaders will speak peace, repent of all the bad their nation has done toward them, and try perpetual negotiations (thinking their great wisdom can bring resolution), all the while giving concessions to terrorists thinking that once they get what they want then we can all live in peace. (This sounds a lot like President Obama’s policy toward Iran and other terrorist nations. He has even invited extremist Muslim leaders to a White House summit to solicit their opinions on terrorism.[1])

Such a view discounts the Christian idea of man, the history of the spread of Islam, and the teachings of the Muslim faith. The response that works (as seen at Tours in 732 AD, Vienna in 1529 and 1683, and with the Barbary Pirates) is for civil government to use the sword as mandated by God to restrain evil and protect the righteous.

What should we do as a nation?

• Aggressively defend our nation against Muslim terrorists, here and abroad, with ample force.
• Build a strong military to be able to provide overwhelming force against evil-doers.
• Restrict immigration of Muslims and others who do not embrace our Biblical constitutional principles. New citizens must agree to the principles in our founding documents.
• Prosecute treasonous actions of citizens and deport non-citizens.
• Close the border to allow only legal immigration.
• Stop welfare programs, especially any that would support illegal aliens and those who oppose America.
• Encourage and support pro-liberty movements in oppressed nations.
• Support allies fighting against terrorists (with various aid and assistance).
• Promote freedom and self-government through example and words, with aid, through the Voice of America radio, etc.
• Educate Americans in schools and media on:
  • American Exceptionalism – unique government, unique founding principles, unique liberty
  • The nature and history of Islam (as well as other oppressive ideologies)
  • Truth about Christianity so that everyone can see its great liberating principles, which are in contrast to the oppression of Islam.

What should we do in Iraq and Afghanistan?

• We went to war in the early 2000s in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sound arguments could be made that both engagements satisfied just war criteria with the primary purpose to defend Americans. However, some arguments opposing involvement could also be made. Before we engage in military action, just war criteria must be considered. Since we did decide to engage these nations, whether one considers the action was Biblical or not, we must now act in the best possible way to see liberty as the outcome.
• After the initial victory, President Bush’s goal of attempting to establish democracies in these countries was laudable. (This was done in Japan, a non-Christian nation, after World War II with good success. However, Japan was a united nation before defeat, while Iraq was comprised of distinct groups that required force to unite them; hence, making it harder for a successful outcome.) There would be many benefits if these nations were free. Not only would the citizens have more liberty and economic opportunities, but democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan would reduce the potential for future aggression toward America, diminish the rise of terrorist groups within their boundaries, and provide examples for changing other Muslim nations who would see the fruit of liberty and prosperity. However, seeking to build democracies in these or any nations ruled by tyrants is not a right reason for going to war. Some progress toward liberty and democracy was made, but commitment to remain in Iraq and Afghanistan was abandoned by Obama, hence great turmoil now exists, with war with ISIS and other terrorists groups, and Iran having a growing influence in Iraq.
• Was this goal of establishing liberty in these nations ever going to succeed? Not likely, given the history of Islam, but with God moving among Muslims, there remained some hope. Moreover, we have to defend ourselves against terrorists who will never give up; therefore, we should at least work to see liberty grow in those nations, using Biblical methods.
• Without long-term commitment to defend and help, there is almost zero probability of success.

What about military force against ISIS and terrorist groups?

• Yes, if there is direct threat to US citizens.
• Yes, if liberty-loving allies are threatened.
• In Iraq: Since we were already engaged, Obama should have kept sufficient troop strength until proper transition could occur. If we had done so, ISIS would not have grown and Iran would not have increasing influence in Iraq. Now it is much harder to deal with both problems. We should: Strengthen good civil and military leaders in the country; build a coalition of Iraqis and Kurds, along with other nations, to drive out ISIS and militant Iranians (all the while promoting the spread of truth, freedom of worship, etc.).
• In Syria, Libya, and other oppressive nations, let the oppressors fight it out with terrorists.

What should we do about Iran?

• Since 1979 when militants took control, Iran has been the primary supporter of terrorism in the world. Their stated goal is to wipe out Israel and destroy the great Satan, the United States. They have not lived up to any verbal agreements in the past regarding development of nuclear arms. There is no reason to expect they will in the future. Aggressive economic sanctions must be taken by all freedom-loving nations. We should support resistance movements in the nation (unlike Obama in 2009 when protests arose over the corrupt re-election of Ahmadinejad). As a last resort force should be used to prohibit nuclear weapons getting in the hands of the radical leaders.

What should we do in other Muslim nations?

• Encourage the promotion of the peaceful aspect of Islam, while realizing the seed of the religion is false and destructive, both for personal salvation and societal well-being.
• Establish free trade because free flow of ideas will follow.

What should we do as individuals and in the private sector?

• Elect leaders (especially the commander-in-chief) who understand the nature of Islam so they can act and educate appropriately.
• Teach truth to those under our influence. This includes teaching the truth about Islam and Christianity in our homes, churches, and schools.
• Demonstrate and preach the Gospel to Muslims everyone.
• Pray for God to continue to move among Muslims throughout the world as He is doing.

God is moving among Muslims bringing a genuine awakening.

Muslims are taught many false ideas about God. The brief contrast of Christianity and Islam presented in the above recording shows the great difference between the true God, who loves mankind and forgives those who repent and believes in Christ’s redeeming work, and the false god of Islam, who is neither personal, nor loving, nor has he provided a savior for fallen man.

We need to teach Muslims they do not have to kill the infidel to please God. Muslims do not have to blow themselves up to bring His kingdom. Muslim women do not have to live as slaves or be subservient to men to be in obedience to God. They do not have to marry before womanhood and possess little liberty. We need to teach Muslims that they can know God personally by repenting of the sins and believing in Christ’s redemptive work, and then as children of God they can live in great freedom. Where Muslims hear this message, millions are responding. Since many live where the Gospel is greatly suppressed, God is supernaturally revealing Himself and His salvation.

Pastor Tom Doyle has spent many years as a missionary to Muslims in the Middle East and recorded in his book, Dreams and Visions, how God has been supernaturally moving to convert multitudes of Muslims to Christ. He records scores of stories of God using extraordinary means to reveal Jesus to Muslims of all genders and stations in life throughout the Islamic world. Some of the hardest Muslims to reach are the religious leaders, or Imams. Doyle writes of ten Muslim Imams studying at Al-Azhar University in Egypt (the intellectual center of Islam) who had dreams about Jesus and became Christians. While remaining Imams these secret Christians became aware of each other over time and began to meet together to learn the Bible and pray for others to receive Jesus.[2]

Doyle and co-author Greg Webster write that “we believe more Muslims have become followers of Jesus in the last ten years than in the last fourteen centuries of Islam.”[3] In addition to anecdotal stories, there is objective evidence of a genuine move of God occurring today within Muslim lands. This revival has been documented by David Garrison in A Wind in the House of Islam. He records that across 29 nations where most of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims live, there have been 82 movements to Christianity from Islam, defined by at least 100 new churches or 1000 baptisms – and 84% of them have happened since 2000.[4] While it is difficult to get accurate figures, there have been perhaps 5-10 million Muslim converts in the last five years in the Middle East. There are 1-3 million Christians in Iran. Most have never been to church but are being reached by TV, radio, and internet.

Like Doyle, Garrison also records numerous stories of supernatural conversions to Christ and the great sacrifices many have made to follow Jesus. Garrison writes, “There are nine geo–cultural ‘rooms’ in the ‘House of Islam,’ and the Wind of God’s Spirit is blowing through every one of them.” His book presents how “God is at work through answered prayers; dreams and visions; 21st–century technologies such as Internet, satellite television, video and audio tools; and bold Christian witnesses who have often paid the ultimate price for the sake of reaching Muslims for Jesus Christ.”[5]

God is even using terrorist actions to awaken many Muslims as they see the atrocities of extremist Muslims and ask if this is really what Islam teaches. The militant verses are usually not taught by clerics to the general populace, Muslim and non-Muslim. Many nominal Muslims have begun to examine Islam’s teachings and have come to see Islam is not the religion they want; it does not produce liberty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the history and teachings of Islam show it is a false, demonic religion. It has not brought life, but rather death, theft, and destruction. A small minority of Muslims, like many in the past, advance their faith with force, leaving death and oppression in their wake as they seek to fulfill their triumphant prophetic purpose. Freedom loving governments must crush these militants with superior force, while the church should pray and proclaim the Gospel in hopes that God will extend His gracious hand and save many.

While most Muslims today are moderates who practice their faith quietly, likely detesting the militant action of the radicals, they, nonetheless, carry the seed of an ideology that has nowhere produced liberty or life. As the population of Muslims has increased In the United States, they have gradually begun to exert a growing negative influence within society – from establishing local Sharia courts (thus subverting American Constitutionalism), to raising money through non-profit organizations that has been used to support terrorists, to influencing the content of public school textbooks presenting an idealized view of their religion, to sowing seeds through teaching in some Mosques that are anti-American, anti-freedom, and anti-Christianity. Their influence must be lessened by restricting immigration, requiring allegiance to the principles of liberty and law in our Constitution by all present and potential citizens, and teaching the truth about Islam, Christianity, and American exceptionalism in our schools and churches. The church must also fulfill its mission to proclaim the liberating message of the Gospel in order that God might continue to move mightily among those living in sin and deception.

To advance liberty, we must first recognize the ideologies that are contrary to the Bible and then take appropriate action. Islam is one of the greatest threats to Christianity and liberty in the twenty-first century. With God’s grace and our efforts, it will not advance but be pushed back and overcome, and multiple millions of those living in darkness will see the glorious light.

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[1] Tom Doyle and Greg Webster, Dreams and Visions, Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World?, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012, Chapter 2.

[2] Ibid., p. xiv-xv.

[3] From article by Mindy Belz in World Magazine, May 31, 2014, summarizing findings in A Wind in the House of Islam (2014) by David Garrison.

[4] David Garrison, A Wind in the House of Islam, 2014, book description.