Back in 2003 Dennis Prager wrote that the world’s future is being decided at this very time.He said that such moments are rare in history and when they do occur they usually occur between two worldviews.In our case, he says, there are three worldviews vying for the hearts and minds of the world. The three are: “militant Islam,” “Western European secularism and socialism,” and “American Judeo-Christianity.”
What he observes about each jocking for “hearts and minds” is interesting.He says, “The first [Islam] is being spread both peacefully and violently, the second [Secularism and Socialism] is being spread peacefully, the third [Judeo-Christianity] is not being spread.”
If Prager is correct then Islam will rule the world!Secularism can not stop Islam for any number of reasons but the most obvious is that Secularists will not die for their faith!Another reason is the Secularists version of “tolerance.”As long as the Secularists make excuses for violent Islam under the guise of being tolerant, the worse the situation will become.
And while I agree with Prager in many things he says (he’s my favorite Jewish scholar) I don’t think he is correct about the spreading of Christianity.Perhaps Judaism isn’t doing well, but Christianity is spreading in many places around the world.The fastest growing religion in China is Christianity!And it is being spread by reason and persuasion--not violence.Christians do not believe in preaching a gospel of “either accept Christ or die!”
But I also different a bit with Prager on the key worldview players.I see six worldviews in play at the present time—Christianity, Islam, Secular Humanism, Marxist Humanism, Cosmic Humanism and Postmodernism.One reason for listing these six is simple demographics.If there are 6.5 billion human beings on “mother earth” these six quickly fill up the world’s population.In fact, Christianity and Islam account for over ˝ of the world’s population alone.
Be that as it may, it is my contention (at my age it seems I am contending a whole lot) that an understanding of these six worldviews gives us a better understanding of the world.And while the eyes of the world are presently on the Islamic worldview, Christians must certainly be aware of the internal struggle in the West between the Christian worldview and the Secular Humanist worldview.
In fact, it seems obvious to me that if Christians lose that struggle the West will go Muslim!And right now we are not doing well at all.The Christian influence on the West (and by the West I mean Western Civilization) continues to diminish and in some parts of the West Christianity is looked upon as a larger threat than Islam.American universities seem to have no problem offering “Islamic Studies,” but “Christian Studies” would be considered “intolerant.”
For anyone interested in better understanding the six primary players upon the world stage I would direct your attention to the latest 2006 updated and revised edition of my Understanding The Times:The Collision of Today’sCompeting Worldviews.Within its 528 pages I set forth each of the six major worldviews and look at them within the parameters of a worldview viz., what is their theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics and history.
No Christian can afford to be a dollar short or two weeks late anymore.We can actually get on top of these competing worldviews and make sense of the world once and for all.When the Air Force Academy, for example, accepts into its “Special Programs in Religious Education” the Free Thinkers of Colorado Springs, one should know immediately that a clash of worldviews (Christianity and Secular Humanism) is going on right before our very eyes.
And the fact that the Free Thinkers, who generally don’t want to be known as “religious,” are now pushing their way into the Academy’s “faith” programs speaks volumes.However, unfortunately, how many see the significance of such a move?
In future columns I will speak to the issue of Secular Humanism as a religion, but in the meantime Brannon Howse is allowing all our readers to obtain a copy of Understanding The Times directly from Summit Ministries via our web-store at: http://store.summit.org/product.php?productid=507&cat=2&page=1
For those who would rather call and order a copy the telephone number is (719) 685-9103.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
Issues like this remind us of how critically important that we have proper respect and understanding for the authority of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. There is no excused to biblically illiterate.
The Word tells us that no prophecy is a matter of any private interpretation and we're to study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word.
Will Islam rule the world? Our understanding of biblical eschatology is critical to having a correct answer. Not that we can name names and set dates, but the big picture is clear.
And we cannot get a clear answer by embracing any kind of preterist perspective. It is exegetically indefensible.
What we can see is that there cannot be a one world religion that either includes Islam or co-exists with Islam; Islam shares religious rule with no one. It must conquer or be conqured. And it is unlikely that the end times world religion would be Islam. More likely it is Islam that rises against Israel and is crushed by Yaweh.
And while we're seeking a correct biblical perspective we must be diligent to strip ourselves of any mistaken ideas that confuse that which is American with that which is biblically Christian. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 09:47:05 PM
Age 51, KY
In Ibn Warraq's "Leaving Islam, Apostates Speak Out" a Pakistani apostate says "Where God recedes Allah procedes". Not that I believe God had receded from anywhere but this man's point is a good one: where faith in the one true living God fades then a false belief system like islam moves in to fill the vacuum. Look at how secular Europe is now being overwhelmed with muslim immigration and assimilation problems. Christians must be focused on expanding Christ's kingdom here and now. We must love, pray for, and evangelize our muslim neighbors. Let's be Christ's hands and feet. Taylor Mill Pete Psalm 112:7-8 Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 09:46:32 PM
Age 51, KY
In Ibn Warraq's "Leaving Islam, Apostates Speak Out" a Pakistani apostate says "Where God recedes Allah procedes". Not that I believe God had receded from anywhere but this man's point is a good one: where faith in the one true living God fades then a false belief system like islam moves in to fill the vacuum. Look at how secular Europe is now being overwhelmed with muslim immigration and assimilation problems. Christians must be focused on expanding Christ's kingdom here and now. We must love, pray for, and evangelize our muslim neighbors. Let's be Christ's hands and feet. Taylor Mill Pete Psalm 112:7-8 Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 12:56:52 PM
Age 76, AZ
I personally do that think so. Christ is the God of this world and only what he decrees will happen will happen. He is in control, no matter what the various religions say is going to happen. The Northern American continent is a "choice land" so decreed by Christ. And as long as the inhabints of this continent serve the God of this land, which is Jesus Christ, we will be free from all foreign powers. If we do not, then we have no promise from the Lord. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/24/06 06:24:20 PM
Age 61, TX
First, I take exception with your statement, "Christ is the God of this world." I John 4:4 "...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." That "one" in the world is a reference to SATAN. We have radicals in our country who are destroying all that we and our founding fathers consider sacred. They are statistically winning and they know it, it's just a matter of time. There are Islamic radical cells in the USA from coast to coast, and specific cities are listed in "Because They Hate," by Bridgette Gabriel. Many Christians have become out of touch, indifferent, lukewarm and tolerant. We have run out of cheeks to turn to the enemy. We tolerate their hate-filled preaching in their mosques and on street corners in the name of freedom of speech, yet a Christian would be slaughtered in the Islamic nations simply because he was Christian. Death threats are made against Islamic Americans who become Christian. Ask Ibrahim Abdullah of Dearborn, Michigan, who announced on Christian TV programming that he couldn't continue because his children's lives had been threatened! The Bible shows us examples of sinful nations that have been used by God to punish other sinful nations. In many ways, mostly through unfaithfulness to God, and moral decay, much of America is becoming a sinful nation. I believe the minute we forget God's words about the land He was going to establish through Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you," and "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," God will remove His protective hand from America. Many denominations have already withdrawn support from Israel and won't even own stock in companies that sell to Israel. Yes, denominations are rich enough to own stock. If you want an update on the truth, read "America the Beautiful? The United States in Bible Prophecy" by Dr. David R. Reagan, and "The American Prophecies, Ancient Scriptures Reveal Our Nation's Future" by Michael D. Evans. Evans book was near being #1 non-fiction the last I knew. I encourage everyone to read them! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 12:35:30 PM
Age 30, IN
Suppose Islam does come to "rule the world" (though I'm not sure exactly what's meant here - is this political ruling? Economic? Military? Cultural? Religious?) Why would that matter for Christians? Why should that concern us, other than, perhaps, the "comfort factor" (i.e. it being possibly more difficult to openly practice our beliefs)? Is that the only complaint - a "pragmatic" complaint? Or is there supposed to be something deeper here, like a concern that, if Islam "rules" the world, then Christianity somehow "loses," or that its essence is threatened, or that some specific duty (e.g. of ruling the world) of Christians is thwarted? Just trying to get clear on whether we're supposed to be worried about anything more than "hard times," of the sort that Christianity has survived throughout its entire history (and that Jesus seems to think we should always expect). Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/24/06 08:06:48 PM
Age 61, TX
If Islam rules the world, it will be all you mention and more. It has to matter to Christians because Islam is completely incompatible with Christianity. You can't separate their politics from their religion. If we're not one of them, we're infidels, and that includes all Christians, Jews, everyone, even their own, and they're told in the Quran to seek out and kill all infidels. Consider this passage, "Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war." They're told to knock on the doors of heaven with the skulls of Jews. No one will be allowed to coexist with them. Recently a Fox News Reporter was captured with his camera man. I think it was in Gaza. A film of them tied up was run, at least on FNC. They were missing for a week or more. He said a knife was held to his throat and he was told they would behead him if he didn't renounce Christianity and follow Islam. He did make the statement they demanded, and was freed. If that sounds like the book of Rev., there's a good reason: Rev. 13:15 "He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed." Re: your statement, "the sort that Christianity has survived throughout its entire history (and that Jesus seems to think we should always expect)." I suggest the Revelation of JESUS CHRIST 13:7 "He was given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them." Please read all of Rev. 13!--better yet, read ch. 1 and then ch. 13. Because I'm pre-trib, it matters, because we need to lead all we can to Jesus, as if this was our last day to do it. I believe the saints in verse 7 refer to those who come to saving faith during the tribulation. To me it is a big deal! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 09:23:15 AM
Age 33, MI
I beg to differ with Mr. Noebel. He claims that half the world is Christian, and I don't believe that is true. While he is correct in that they evoke the term 'christian', "christian" today and "christian" at the time of the apostles ministry are very different things. Think of the people who claim to be 'christian'. Consider the sects within 'christianity' which do not believe in a once-for-all salvation by the shed blood of Jesus on the cross... because they incorporate Jesus Christ in their teachings, they are 'christian'.
If half the world were actually subscribers to the worldview Christ taught, we would not be in the condition we are in. But I cannot agree that half the world is 'christian'. Not with an article in the New York Times just this week (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/us/06evangelical.html?ex=1317787200&en=51a7c2fe01e8148c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss) stating that a scant near 35% of the baby boomer era is 'christian' and less in each generation following. Not with Barna polls citing that less than 7% of church-going Americans hold a Biblical worldview.
No, I cannot agree that the world has a prevalent Biblically sound presence in it. I don't believe it ever has - which is why Christ Himself said, "Narrow is the way, and few may find it." Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 02:34:16 PM
Age 42, TX
The comment was "In fact, Christianity and Islam account for over of the worlds population alone." The NYT article you referred to said that 35% of the current generation of baby boomers are Christians. I believe they meant in America alone, and that does not include Islams.
Also, that same article goes on to say that "To break the isolation and bolster the teenagers commitment to a conservative lifestyle, Mr. Luce has been organizing... stadium extravaganzas for 15 years. The event in Amherst was the first of 40 that Teen Mania is putting on between now and May, on a breakneck schedule that resembles a road trip for a major touring band. The roadies are 700 teenagers who have interned for a year at Teen Manias Honor Academy in Garden Valley, Tex."
"More than two million teenagers have attended in the last 15 years
Thats more than Paul McCartney has pulled in..."
"For the next two days, the teenagers in the arena pogoed to Christian bands, pledged to lead their friends to Christ and sang an anthem with the chorus, We wont be silent. Hundreds streamed down the aisles for the altar call and knelt in front of the stage, some weeping openly as they prayed to give their lives to God."
"The next morning...they wrote on scraps of paper all the negative cultural influences, brand names, products and television shows that they planned to excise from their lives. Again they streamed down the aisles, this time to throw away the 'cultural garbage.' "
Trash cans filled with folded pieces of paper on which the teenagers had scribbled things like Ryan Seacrest, Louis Vuitton, Gilmore Girls, Days of Our Lives, Iron Maiden, Harry Potter, need for a boyfriend and my perfect teeth obsession. One had written in tiny letters: fornication.
Some teenagers threw away cigarette lighters, brand-name sweatshirts, Mardi Gras beads and CDs one titled Im a Hustla.
The phenomenon may not be that young evangelicals are abandoning their faith, but that they are abandoning the institutional church, said Lauren Sandler, author of Righteous: Dispatches from the Evangelical Youth Movement (Viking, 2006). Ms. Sandler, who calls herself a secular liberal, said she found the movement frighteningly robust.
Contradicting the sense of isolation expressed by some evangelical teenagers, Ms. Sandler said, I met plenty of kids who told me over and over that if youre not Christian in your high school, youre not cool kids with Mohawks...
The 4 percent is cited in the book The Bridger Generation by Thom S. Rainer, a Southern Baptist and a former professor of ministry. Mr. Rainer said in an interview that it came from a poll he had commissioned, and that while he thought the methodology was reliable, the poll was 10 years old."
I believe we will see the younger generation, not only coming to Christ, but leading many others as prophecied in Isaiah 11:6, "and a little child shall lead them." Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 09:20:45 AM
Age 40, WI
The author makes some excellent points. It is time for the church to wake up! One point I would like to add, is that western Christians have become so selfish, materialistic and influenced by the world, that by aborting our children and limiting the size of our families to the point of decreasing our own population, surely we will be outnumbered soon. At the current population rate (not including conversions), by 2055 over half of all children will be born into Islamic families. Take all things into consideration and Islam is spreading at 4 times the rate of Christianity. When we take our eyes off the Lord, we don't even have to blame God for allowing our enemies to dominate us or persecute us to "purify the church". We are creating our own demise as we are persuing our own desires over God's commandments. And our spiritual vacuum could be replaced by Islam. Willl the sexual revolution and feminist movement be replaced by Shariah Law? Even the liberal humanist may usher in their own demise! Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 08:37:28 AM
Age 57, NC
The Bible tells us that there will be a religion that is headed by the anti-christ that will rule the earth. It also says that the Body of Christ will be removed in the twinkling of an eye. Christianity will never overcome the false religions of the world but Christ will. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 08:06:42 AM
Age 25, ON
I just finished "Why I Left Jihad" by Walid Shoebat--- must read!!! The West is missing a lot of the hints because so many in the media don't understand religion, to know their teachers are serious when they say their own flags will hang on the white house some day soon. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 01:48:24 PM
Age 48, GA
You state correctly the media is not aware of the religious thoughts of the day. Look at what we are doing in education. We teach our students that religion is a one day a week or a private matter. Other parts of the world operate on religious directions. So we in America have students, employees, and representatives that do not comprehend that there are people in the world that rise and rest and whose decisions are based upon their religious direction. No wonder the media does not get it. They look to the obvious picture and want a capsule of the problem when in fact the problem is no so easily contained or explained. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Re: Will Islam Rule The World?
Posted On: 10/10/06 12:22:28 PM
Age 61, TX
I've been a prophecy/eschatology student for about 40 years, and I've learned things from Walid Shoebat that I wish I had known decades ago! Besides being a brilliant man, he's open, honest, and risking his own life every time he speaks against the religion of hate, lies, and ani-Semitism and anti-America. I wholeheartedly agree with the person whose post I'm responding to. Read Walid's books or go to his website if you want the truth. The pastors and churches in the know and who have the courage are having him speak. He'll be at Columbia University on Oct. 11. The topic will be "Two Ex Terrorists and a Former Nazi Speak Out." I've already heard all three of these men, and they're authentic - - - and threatened. God bless! Click here to reply to this post
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