Free Online Course on Islam
July 9, 2010 – 4:23 pmFor those interested in learning the basics of Islam from a Christian perspective, while in a structured environment, you can listen to Timothy Tennent’s “Introduction to Islam” course. In this free, 24-lecture, 16 hour course, Tennent provides a historical, theological, and cultural overview of the religion of Islam.
Here is the course description:
The purpose of this course is to provide an introductory study of the structure, beliefs and practices of Islam. Special emphasis will be placed on a study of the theology of the Koran. The student will read and study the entire Koran along with important selections from the Hadith, Shari’a material and Sufi writings.
The actual historical manifestations of contemporary Islam will be explored with a special emphasis on Islam in the African context.
Throughout the course there will be a concern to demonstrate how Islamic thought is different from Christian thought and how the gospel can be most effectively communicated to members of the Islamic faith, the second largest and fastest growing religion in the world today.
Here are the lecture topics (you can listen to individual lectures):
- Introduction
- Pre-Islamic Arabia
- Muhammad, the man
- The Qur’anic World View
- Central Articles
- Islam as a “Missionary” Religion
- Historical Development
- Role of Tradition
- The Islamic Sharia
- Schools of Law
- Sufism and Sufi Orders
- Folk Islam
- Jesus and the Qur’an
- Biblical/Theological Issues
- Cultural Issues
- The Christian Community in an Islamic Context
- Islamic Apologetics Surveyed
Dr. Timothy Tennent is a former professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (where he served as professor of world missions and Indian studies) and is currently the president of and professor of World Christianity at Asbury Theological Seminary.
HT: JT
