Page 40 - History of Christianity I - Student Textbook

Study Section 8: Islam and the Church

8.1 Connect

Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1.8 billion followers or about 24% of the
world’s population. Most of northern Africa is Muslim. They believe there is only one God, as
Christians do, but they also hold that Muhammad is the principle messenger of God. The Christian
God, however, is quite different than the God of Islam. At the beginning of his ministry, Muhammad
taught that there should be peace among religions, but toward the end of his life, his methods
changed. He taught that the non-Muslims were enemies of Islam and were worthy of death. People
converted to Islam at the threat of death.

Today we will look at how Islam spread throughout the entire Middle East and northern Africa and was finally
stopped as it moved north into Europe. We will also see that the church of the west became more powerful and
political, and continued to walk away from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Let’s dive in…..

8.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to describe the life of Muhammad and the spread of Islam

2. The student should be able to explain the significance of the Battle of Tours in 732 AD.

3. The student should be able to explain the Iconoclastic controversy and its significance in the development of
the church.

4. The student should be able to describe Charlemagne’s contribution to the development of the western
church.

5. The student should be able to state the accomplishments of Anselm of Canterbury.

8.3 Life of Muhammad 570-632

Muhammad was born in the year 570 in the town of Mecca, a mountain town in the
high desert plateau of western Saudi Arabia. In 610, Muhammad received is first
”revelations” and began to write them down (Quran). After several wars and
battles, he won the right to freely travel. Traveling from Yathrib (Medina), where he
built his Muslim community, he conquered Mecca by force in 630. He invited the
political leaders of Persia to convert to his new religion or face the consequences
(death).

Here is a copy of the letter sent to Khosrau II of Persia.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to the great
Kisra of Iran. Peace be upon him, who seeks truth and expresses belief in Allah and in His Prophet and testifies
that there is no god but Allah and that He has no partner, and who believes that Muhammad is His servant
and Prophet. Under the Command of Allah, I invite you to Him. He has sent me for the guidance of all people
so that I may warn them all of His wrath and may present the unbelievers with an ultimatum. Embrace Islam

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