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			About Good News for the Crescent World Doctrinal Statement Current Needs How to Make a Donation About GNFCW The United States has become a sea of international faces. No longer must we travel across the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other people groups. Instead, God has brought them to our doorsteps. Many of these immigrants belong to the Islamic faith. Islam is regarded by some as the fastest growing religion in the US. It is believed that there are between 2 and 6 million Muslims from over 60 countries residing in the US. The Islamic movement is aggressive in propogating the faith and winning non-Muslims to Islam. Churches and Christian organizations need to be aware and informed of the challenges posed by Islam and the efforts that are being made to change the face of western countries. The purpose of Good News for the Crescent World is to create such awareness and to provide reliable, accurate information to help Christians to become well-acquainted with the teaching of Islam in order to discover the basic doctrinal differences that exist between Christianity and Islam. Also, GNFCW aims at challenging Muslims to take an honest look at Christianity and the person of Christ as the only way of salvation. This website is intended to facilitate research in the study of Islam by providing access to relevant information from both Christian and Islamic sources. The user will find links to websites and data bases related to the culture, religion, political affairs, news and languages of the Islamic world. In addition, there are resources available that present the biblical perspective of the Christian faith. Doctrinal Statement The Holy Scriptures We Believe the Bible (being the 66 books comprising the Old and New Testaments) to be the infallible, inspired, authoritative Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Peter 1:21; John 17:17) God We Believe God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1; 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14) Jesus Christ We Believe Jesus Christ lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1 :3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13) Man We Believe that Man, created by God, willfully sinned and as a result is separated from God and without hope of regaining fellowship with Him apart from receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Acts 4:12) Salvation The Forgiveness of Sin Cannot Be Earned – It Is A Free Gift for Those Who Ask. We Believe that salvation (forgiveness of sins) is available only by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This free gift of forgiveness of sins and the removal of the associated guilt are offered to all who receive Christ as Lord and Savior through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:6; John 3:16) The Church We Believe that the Church is the body and bride of Christ on earth, founded on the day of Pentecost, consisting of all true Christians everywhere. (Matthew 16:13-18; Ephesians 4:4-6; Acts 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) Eternity – Life After Death We Believe that death seals the eternity of each person (Hebrews 9:27). Those who are forgiven of their sins will spend eternity with God in heaven; those not forgiven of their sins will be eternally separated from God in hell. (John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Acts 17:31) Current Needs Podcast Project: GNFCW is developing a podcast project for unreached peoples. The project will include preaching the Gospel, answering questions, and dialoging. The estimated cost is $3,000 to $5,000. How to Make a Donation to Good News for the Crescent World Make your check or money order payable to GNFCW and mail to: GNFCW P.O. Box 13217 Arlington, Texas 76094 RETURN TO TOP
ABRAHAM - Father of the three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam ABU BAKHR / ABU BAKR– the first Caliph and successor to Muhammad ADHAN– call to prayer AHL AL-KITAB – “People of the Book.” Qur’anic reference to Christians, Jews, Sabaeans and Zoroastrians. AL-ADHA– “sacrifices.” Also a feast holiday on the Muslim calendar. ALI – cousin of Muhammad revered by Shi’ites. ALIM – a recognized scholar of the Qur’an and hadith. ALLAH – “the God.” Arabic name for God. ALLAHU AKHBAR – “God is great.” AL-WAHHAB – founder of the Wahhabis which led to the creation of the Saudi state in Arabia AYAT – lit., “sign.” A verse in the Qur’an. BISMILLAH – “In the name of God.” CALIPH – “successor.” A title given to the rulers of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad. DHIKR – “recollection (of God)” DIN – “religion” FARD – religious duty FATIMA – daughter of Muhammad FATWA – legal opinion FIQH – “understanding.” The science of legal interpretation. GABRIEL – the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad HADITH – lit., “new.” Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad. There exist various notable collections of hadith, such as al-Muwatta, al-Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca HANAFIS – a school of law named for Abu Hanif HANBALIS – a school of law named for Ibn Hanbal HAQQ - TRUTHHEGIRA – “migration.” The flight of Muhammad in 622 AD to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. HEZBOLLAH – the “Party of Allah.” Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem HOLY WAR – “jihad.” The act of striving to preserve or impose the religion of God. ID AL-FITR – feast at the end of Ramadan IFTAR – breaking of the fast after sunset IHRAM – cloth worn by the pilgrim to Mecca IJMA– consensus of the scholars IMAM– a Muslim religious leader INJIL– Arabic title for the holy book given to Jesus. INTIFADA - “awakening,” or “uprising” ISLAM – “surrender” ISNAD – the chain of authority of hadith JIHAD – “to strive for the faith.” Commonly referred to as a holy war to preserve or impose God’s religion. JINN– spirits JIZYA– poll tax judgment: heaven and hell KA'BA – lit., “square.” The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A structure believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham, and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage of all Muslims. KHADIJA – first wife of Muhammad KHARAJ – land tax KHUTBA – sermon during the Friday prayer MADHHAB – religious-legal school MADRASA – “school” MAHDI – “the rightly guided one” who will appear before the Last Judgment MALIKIS – a school of law named for Malik ibn Anas Mary, mother of Jesus MASJID – mosque. The common place of prayer. MATN – text of hadithMecca – The birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city in Islam, and is where the Ka’ba is located. Medina – The city 260 miles north of Mecca, where Muhammad took refuge in 622 AD. Muhammad built the first mosque in Medina and was buried there. MIHRAB – niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca MINARET – tower from which the call to prayer is made MINBAR – pulpit used for the Friday sermon MOSQUE – The common place of prayer MU'AWIYA – The Muslim leader who forced Ali out of the Caliphate. This began the division in Islam, with Mu’awiya leading the Sunni sect. mufti – legal scholar MUTA – temporary marriage pilgrimage (hajj) QADAR – “destiny” QADI– religious judge QIYAS – “analogy” QUR'AN – “recite.” The book that was revealed to Muhammad and is the basis of the Islamic faith. QURAYSH – the tribe from which Muhammad came. RAKA – bodily positions in ritual prayer RAMADAN – The month of fasting for Muslims, during which all Muslims who are able should abstain abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. RAY – “opinion” RIBA – usury SAHIH – a “sound” HADITH SALADIN (or, Salah al-Din) – Defeated the Crusader army in 1187 during the Third Crusade, returning Jerusalem to Islamic rule. SALAT– the prayer that is practiced by Muslims five times a day. SAWM– the fast during the month of Ramadan. During this month a Muslim should abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. SHAFI'I – intercessor on Judgment Day SHAFI'IS – a school of law named for al- SHAFISHAHADA – “confession.” The Muslim’s testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger. SHARI'A – “law.” Islamic law that governs daily life. SHARIF – “noble” SHI'AT ALI – “Party of Ali.” Shai’, or Shi’ite sect of Islam. SHI'ITE – “followers.” The name of the sect that followed Ali after Mu’awiya forced him from the Caliphate. SHIRK – the sin of blasphemy against God SHURA - council SIRAT – bridge over hell to be crossed at the Last Judgment SUFI – A Muslim mystic. SUFISM – A mystic sect of Islam. SUNNA – “tradition.” The deeds of Muhammad that serve as the example followed by the Sunni community. SUNNI – “followers of the path.” The name of the sect who followed Mu’awiya after he forced Ali from the Caliphate. SURA – A chapter of the Qur’an. There are 114 suras. TAHAJUD – night prayer TALAQ – divorce TARAWIH – prayers offered after the breaking of fast of Ramadan TARIQA – “path” TASFIR – Exegesis of the Qur’an. TASIN – beginning of sura TAWRAT – Arabic title for the Torah. TILAWAT – recitation of the Qur’an ULAMA– legal scholars Umayyad/Umayyads UMMA – the Muslim community URF – customary law UTHMAN - Uthman ibn ‘Affan was chosen as the third Caliph in 644. Wahhabis WAHID – “one” WAQF – a foundation or trust given for the establishment of charity or education. WUDU - ablution ZABUR – Arabic title for the Psalms of David. ZAKAT – almsgiving