Concerns about Muslims’ Spread
Throughout the World
Throughout the World
The last chapter of the New Testament warns not do add any new to the Bible as the Word of God. The Lutheran Confessions focus on John 8.31-32, emphasizing that the word of God will guide us to find the truth. Now with Muslims, their Koran deviates from stories in the Bible and they reject Jesus as the Son of God, Jesus’ death on the cross, and His resurrection. How can I believe in Koran as it largely deviates from the Bible? One pastor mentioned, if you recognize the real U.S. Dollar, you will be able to tell which dollar papers are fake or not.
How can Muslims reject Jesus as the Son of God and a true God, while saying that their way of salvation has been preserved? They believe in works, while the Bible says that Jesus is true God who DOES our works in salvation. Jesus converts us and gives us faith we need for salvation. Muslims believe that you must follow Islam’s the five Pillars of Faith. on the earth order in to go to heaven.
In my mind, I would ask politely them tough questions. Since Muslim say Jesus will come again to create kingdom for Islam, how can they determine that Muhammad, prophet in their faith, as a mere human, is greater than Jesus? Jesus was a prophet and a Messiah of Israel before Muhammad, so how can Muhammad emulate Jesus? Ask them, name one miracle that Muhammad did, such as healing people and resurrecting people?
It would be best to demonstrate the main differences between Islam and Christianity:
Islam: Work to earn life in Heaven = dissatisfied, bitter, praying doesn’t give peace, a lot of energy in hating.
Christianity: Grace and mercy via Jesus Christ = forgiveness, love, and peace from God.
~~ Pastor Andy
How can Muslims reject Jesus as the Son of God and a true God, while saying that their way of salvation has been preserved? They believe in works, while the Bible says that Jesus is true God who DOES our works in salvation. Jesus converts us and gives us faith we need for salvation. Muslims believe that you must follow Islam’s the five Pillars of Faith. on the earth order in to go to heaven.
In my mind, I would ask politely them tough questions. Since Muslim say Jesus will come again to create kingdom for Islam, how can they determine that Muhammad, prophet in their faith, as a mere human, is greater than Jesus? Jesus was a prophet and a Messiah of Israel before Muhammad, so how can Muhammad emulate Jesus? Ask them, name one miracle that Muhammad did, such as healing people and resurrecting people?
It would be best to demonstrate the main differences between Islam and Christianity:
Islam: Work to earn life in Heaven = dissatisfied, bitter, praying doesn’t give peace, a lot of energy in hating.
Christianity: Grace and mercy via Jesus Christ = forgiveness, love, and peace from God.
~~ Pastor Andy
| Christianity | Islam | |
| Name | “Jesus” =“God saves” “Christ” =“Anointed One” |
“Muhammad” = “Praiseworthy” |
| God | One Triune God = Father, Son, Holy Spirit |
One God (Allah) with no partner. |
| Issue with the World |
Sin is a result of separation from God’s will. | Sway from Allah’s way, not follow His guidance, leading to moral and spiritual corruption. |
| Solution to the issue |
Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. |
Submission to Allah, the Five Pillars, and living a moral life based on the teachings of the Quran. |
| Major Practices |
Prayer, sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), church attendance, reading the Bible | Fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj), prayer (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat). |
| Relationship status of Jesus and Muhammad |
Jesus never married, He defended and honored women (John 8:1–11), and His law was “love one another”. | Muhammed had fifteen wives and sanctioned the beating of wives (Sura 4:34). |
Facts about Luke
1. Who wrote the Book of Acts in the Bible?
(Hint: compare Acts 1:1 with Luke 1:1-4)
1. Who wrote the Book of Acts in the Bible?
(Hint: compare Acts 1:1 with Luke 1:1-4)
- John
- Matthew
- Luke
2. What was Luke’s occupation?
(Hint: See Colossians 4:14)
(Hint: See Colossians 4:14)
- Architect
- Lawyer
- Physician
3. Among the New Testament, was Luke the only New Testament writer clearly identifiable as a non-Jew?
(Hint: See Colossians 4:10-14)
(Hint: See Colossians 4:10-14)
- Yes or No?
4. Did Luke ever mentioned himself in the books in the Bible that he wrote?
(Hint: See Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1; Acts 16:10-17; Acts 20, 21, & 27)
(Hint: See Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1; Acts 16:10-17; Acts 20, 21, & 27)
- Yes or No
5. Who was Luke’s main companion?
- Peter
- Paul
- Timothy
We normally go into prison two or three days each week – once for Bible study; then again to help Deaf inmates teach ASL to their hearing and Hard-of-Hearing friends and cellmates; and then we often return for special programs in prison.
In all our years working in prisons, we have never met anyone who wants to be in prison, although several have told us that they are grateful that prison was the place where they met Christ. But still they miss their freedom and their family connections outside. The day when they will be able to go home can’t come soon enough.
Several men who have become mature in their faith see their present situation as the place where God wants them to be at this time in their lives. They have come to understand that their lives are fully in God’s hands, and that God is using life in prison
For many Christian inmates, their roll model is Joseph in the Old Testament. Joseph was betray by his own brothers, he was falsely accused, falsely convicted, and falsely sentenced to life in prison. However, the day came when he could look back and see the Hand of God in everything that happened to him. He could say to his brothers, “You meant to hurt me, but God meant it for good.” ...good which Joseph could never have experienced without the injustice he endured. (See Genesis 37 – 50)
May God give each of us eyes to see and faith to trust that He knows what He is doing in our present circumstances.
In all our years working in prisons, we have never met anyone who wants to be in prison, although several have told us that they are grateful that prison was the place where they met Christ. But still they miss their freedom and their family connections outside. The day when they will be able to go home can’t come soon enough.
Several men who have become mature in their faith see their present situation as the place where God wants them to be at this time in their lives. They have come to understand that their lives are fully in God’s hands, and that God is using life in prison
- to help them grow in their faith,
- to teach them specific lessons about their life in service to Him,
- to use them to encourage fellow inmates who are struggling in their faith,
- and to show the love of Christ to fellow inmates who still living in darkness.
For many Christian inmates, their roll model is Joseph in the Old Testament. Joseph was betray by his own brothers, he was falsely accused, falsely convicted, and falsely sentenced to life in prison. However, the day came when he could look back and see the Hand of God in everything that happened to him. He could say to his brothers, “You meant to hurt me, but God meant it for good.” ...good which Joseph could never have experienced without the injustice he endured. (See Genesis 37 – 50)
May God give each of us eyes to see and faith to trust that He knows what He is doing in our present circumstances.
Remember those who are in prison
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
July 4th cookout at Pastor Andy’s house
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This year Pastor Andy hosted our annual cookout at his riverside home near Baltimore. The weather was great, food was delicious, fellowship was delightful. Folks who stayed past dark enjoyed a fireworks display from
across the river. Click on any picture to see it full size. |
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Since his youth, Pastor Andy has been an avid sailor, a love he got from his father. The location of his home gives him backdoor access to his boat and the open sea.
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ILDA Great Lakes Regional Conference
July 11 – 13, Rochester NY
July 11 – 13, Rochester NY
Click on any picture to see it full size.
GLRC Officers: Pastor Andy, Karen Beiter,
Larry Blout, Jeff Padon, Nancy Bergstresser |
Pastor Andy - devotion leader
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Making the 2026 ILDA Convention banner
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Pastor Ed Bergstresser leading
Sunday morning Bible study |
Saturday Game Night
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Pastor Ron, Georganne, and Mark stayed
an extra day to visit Niagara Falls. |
Congratulations Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf!
On Sunday, August 29, Pastor Vince Mroz was ordained into the holy ministry to serve as pastor to Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
From left to right: Rev. Edwin Bergstresser (Columbus, OH), Rev. Vince Mroz (Pittsburgh, PA),
Rev. Dr. John Reinke (St. Louis, MO), Vicar Dan Wallis (St. Louis, MO)
Rev. Dr. John Reinke (St. Louis, MO), Vicar Dan Wallis (St. Louis, MO)
Reformation Day
October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses
to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany
to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany