A new book by a Seventh-day Adventist missiologist, "Islam In the Post 9/11 World," has generated massive interest in both its original Danish-language version and in an English edition produced by the Stanborough Press in England.
A new book by a Seventh-day Adventist missiologist, “Islam In the Post 9/11 World,” has generated massive interest in both its original Danish-language version and in an English edition produced by the Stanborough Press in England. The book will be available through Adventist Book Centers in the United States.
Dr. Borge Schantz, for seven years the pioneering director of the world church’s “Adventist Center for Islamic Studies,” and a missionary to Muslim nations in West Africa and the Middle East for 14 years, is the author of the book, which has gone through three printings in Denmark and may soon enter a second printing in English.
The book was written as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, carried out by members of the Al Quaida terrorist group who claimed the inspiration of Islam for their deeds.
Dr. Schantz, who earned his doctorate in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, said he wants readers to gain a clear understanding of what Islam is—and what it isn’t.
“There’s no doubt that most Muslims in our midst in Europe and America are peaceful, law-abiding citizens. They want to have a good life in the same way as most Christians do,” Dr. Schantz said in a telephone interview with ANN from his home in Bjaeverskov, Denmark. “In their theology and deep in their self-understanding, however, there is a notion that Islam with Shariah law should be prevalent in all nations. It is a world religion like Christianity, and they want to spread Islam to all people.
“However, primarily their ambition is to get Shariah introduced as religious-based legal code in all countries. In this way a Muslim will be assisted in his fight against temptations and helped in his/her goal to enter paradise,” he added.
Shariah law is derived from various Islamic sources: the Quran and the traditions (Hadith) built on Muhammed’s life, which is seen as being the most important. The penalties outlined in the Shariah are probably the most rigorous in any legal system. Not only is the death penalty prescribed for adultery and amputations of hands and feet for stealing, but there is also execution for apostasy from Islam. Although there are many mitigating circumstances in Islamic courts that allow for pardon, the strict laws with its harsh punishments are still in force. It is regarded as rules for conduct that cannot be changed because it was instituted by Allah more than 1,000 years ago.
The struggle by a minority of Muslims in the West to impose the principles of Shariah law is not only creating tension, it is an extensive cultural struggle. It can be compared to a guest in a home dictating how the home should be ruled. The reasons, according to Schantz, is that Western laws, in contrast to Islamic rules, are based on Judeo-Christian traditions, with high respect and consideration for personal freedom.
“One interesting concept of sin and salvation between Christianity and Islam is that the Christians pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ We teach our children to avoid places with allurements. In Islam, persons and things that tempt are destroyed or removed. Women are covered, prostitutes are executed, idols are blown up; and alcohol, certain magazines, and pork are forbidden,” Dr. Schantz said. “In Islam you don’t pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation;’ you do not believe in a Holy Spirit to guide your life. You simply transform societies in such a way that there are no temptations. In this way the road to the Muslim paradise is made easier.”
This view of religious law and legalism influences Islamic understanding of sin and access to paradise, Dr. Schantz said. In Islam there is no real concept of sin compared with the biblical understanding. Allah cannot be affected or hurt by any human action, Dr. Schantz explained. “The idea is simply: ‘You forgot to follow my rules—you better come back into line.’ There is no real asking for forgiveness—you go back and live in accordance with the Shariah and the Koranic teachings.”
He continued, “In an irenic conversation with a distinguished professor of Islam in an Indian university, it was explained to me that although Islam is a legalistic religion where obedience is the condition for eternal life, there is not a guarantee of paradise. If a person could earn paradise by deeds, he/she would be manipulating Allah. And that is not possible. This gives a special meaning to the Arabic word ‘In sha’a-llah,’ or, ‘If God wills.’”
Asked how Christians should respond to the presence of Muslims in their community, Dr. Schantz stressed pragmatism, respect and gentle evangelism. “We should be fair to Muslims,” he said. “We are inclined to compare the ideal Christianity or Adventism with how the Muslims practice their religion. On their side, they compare ideal Islam with how we live. On the folk level where we find people in all religions, there is no real difference: all cheat, lie, steal, commit adultery, etc. [But if you] compare ideals, you can dialogue peacefully. In the beginning, stress the few points of similarity. Then after a meaningful relationship has been established, the crucial issues where there are differences can be dealt with.
“What I want to say to my Christian brothers and sisters [is that] prejudice against a person because of color of skin, race, sex, language and religion is un-Christian. Witch-hunts against individual Muslims due to deeds committed in the name of Islam is unworthy. However, to witness, to try to convince [others] about false and dangerous teachings and what you believe as a truth from God is a Christian duty. Evangelism is not a hate crime,” he concluded.
