Jochen Katz is the founder and director of Answering-Islam.org, the largest Christian website on Islam which provides more than 10,000 evangelistic and apologetics articles written specifically to answer Muslim questions, challenges, and polemical attacks on Christianity and the Bible.
2012 Forum Sessions
Afternoon Workshops
Scientific Miracles in the Qur'an
Why should one believe that the Qur’an is authentic revelation from God? Since about the 1970’s, one of the major claims of Muslim missionary efforts has been that the Qur’an contains many scientific miracles that prove its divine origin and thus prove Islam as the final message of God. Some of these miracle claims appear to be quite convincing at first glance. This seminar will take a look at some of the most prominent of the alleged scientific miracles and demonstrate how instead of being miraculous, they are faulty exegesis, bad science, and in general, the illegitimate placing of modern meanings onto ancient texts. This session will help you know how to evaluate these claims and construct useful answers to help your Muslim friend see their fallacy.
Pre-Forum Seminar
Understanding Islam's History, Beliefs, and Impact on Europe
Session One: Brief History of Islam
Keith Small
A brief overview of Islamic history. In addition to the general overview, this presentation highlights attitudes and views fostered in the earliest Islamic centuries that endure into our time and inform current events.
Session Two: Introduction to Islamic Beliefs and Practices
Jochen Katz
The beliefs and practices of the major Islamic groups will be surveyed and explained. This will provide a foundation for understanding the religious worldview of our Muslim neighbours.
Session Three: Biblical and Theological Responses to Islam
Speaker TBA
Key Islamic beliefs and theology are evaluated in view of Biblical teaching and Christian theology. The nature of God, views of salvation and views of Scripture of Muslims and Christians will be surveyed with a sound Biblical response being explained for use in evangelism.
Session Four: Islam in Europe
TBA
An overview of Islamic groups in Europe. Demographic issues concerning the growth of minority populations as well as the theological and political inclinations of various groups will be provided. A clear Christian response will be articulated for addressing growing Muslim populations of Europe.
Post-Forum Seminar
Responding to Islam's Unique Challenges
Session One: Personal Evangelism to Muslims
Speaker TBA
This session will provide practical advice and material for evangelizing Muslims. Special attention will be given to using for evangelism the questions and challenges Muslims themselves use in seeking to present Islam to Christians.
Session Two: Mystical Islam
Keith Small
This will provide a brief historical and theological overview of Sufism, a mystical approach to Islam affecting all major branches of the faith. Special attention will be given to points of similarity and difference to Christian theology that will be useful in conversation so as to demonstrate the uniqueness of Christ, the Gospel, and Christian experience.
Session Three: Shame, Honour, and the Occult in Islam
Keith Small
In addition to theology, cultural and spiritual issues play a major role in shaping the Muslim worldview. Shame and honour provide a major means of regulating personal and group behaviour in Muslim cultures. Also, interaction with spiritual beings and occult practices play a major role in the daily lives of most of the world’s Muslims. Emphasis will be placed on understanding these features and shaping our evangelism to acknowledge their importance and address their influence.
Session Four: Frequently Asked Questions
All available team members
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