Mark Christian Presents Historical Context of Islam in “Understanding Islam” Series

by Chris Wilson

This week, Dr. Mark Christian presented the third lesson in his “Understanding Islam” series to Concordia students and the community. He focused on the historical context of Islam with his lecture “The Rise of Islam.”

Christian covered the prophet Muhammad’s story as the leader of the first Islamic State in the years after Muhammad’s night journey when he became the Muhammad that is known today until Muhammad’s death in 632.

The main focus of this lesson was the question of Islam being a “religion of peace” and how its politics help answer that question.

“Islam started out more as a kingdom or an empire rather than a religion,” Christian said. “That is why it is more of a political movement than a religious one.”

Christian supported his statement by explaining the early history of the Islamic State when it only had power in Medina.

After Muhammad’s night journey, he became the leader of a city engulfed in conflict between Arabs and Jews called Yathrib, which is modern day Medina.

Christian said in order to fuel and support the kingdom of Islam, Muhammad ordered raids on passing trade caravans, and when the caravans began defending themselves, the violence escalated into Islamic expansion.

Christian then discussed the multiple battles early Muslims fought and how Muslims view war as self defense and as a way of creating more Muslims.

By the time of Muhammad’s death, the entire Arabian Peninsula was under the Islamic State.

Another point Christian made in this week’s lesson was how the pillars and traditions of Islam have grown over a period of time—not all at once. The expansion of Muslim as a religion follows along with Muslim’s expansion as an empire.

Christian’s aim for the lesson was for people to understand how Islam started and what its main message is.

“The message of Islam is very evil,” Christian said. “But the Muslims have no say in whether to believe this or not.”

“These lessons are giving me good insight into what Islam really means because I think that often times when you hear about Islam, it’s not true, or the complete story,” junior Sloane Crawshaw said.

In addition to speaking at Concordia in a weekly series during February and the first two weeks of March, Christian also speaks in conventions across the world. Last week, he was at a convention and spoke with American evangelical author and personal friend Dr. James Dobson.

Next week, Christian will continue presenting on the historical rise of Islam after the death of Muhammad at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1 in Weller auditorium.

Read more about Christian’s “Understanding Islam” series and last week’s lecture.