Islam’s Ideology and the Praxis of Life after Death

Description

After the September 11th terrorism attack in New York City, the world’s attention was drawn to the Muslim world in reference to its worldview. The death of many people and destruction of property brought into focus the Muslim belief about death. Death is a very painful thing and people, especially the immediate family, are affected when it occurs. This book attempts to answer the question of Muslim belief in death and the ‘hereafter’. This is a very resourceful area of study and a basis by which the Christian church of all ages can engage the Muslim community in missions. The author shows that faith in Islam finds its true expression through prescribed practices (five ‘pillars’ of Islam) such as recitation of creed, prayer, fasting, alms-giving and pilgrimage to Mecca. Such practices coupled with belief in the unity of God (Tawhid), make Muslims hopeful and prepare them for hereafter. But still, despite one’s effort in keeping with the good deeds as prescribed in their religion, there is no surety of going to heaven except by the will of Allah. Such impeding dilemma in Islam makes it necessary for the Christian church to develop a meaningful missiological relationship that will provide hope to the Muslim in their quest for the life to come.

Rev. Dr. Lawrence Oseje is married to Dorcas and blessed with three children and a son in-love. He is an ordained minister of the Gospel with over twelve years’ experience of Church ministry as a pastor in Mombasa, Kenya. He holds Masters of Arts in Missions (Islamic emphasis), Masters of Theology and a PhD in Interreligious Studies from Africa International University. He is a former lecturer in Uganda Christian University and pioneered Islam for Mission and Ministry track while teaching there for five years. He is currently the Executive Director of Destiny Impact Mission International and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Biblical Studies, Kabarak University. He is an adjunct faculty/Instructor at Regent University in USA, Africa International University, AIU, Pac University, Renewal University in Uganda and Africa Theological College, ACT in Rwanda. He is a Langham Scholar, Chairman of Africa Scholarship Exchange, ASE-Kenya, an Academy Fellow for International Council for Evangelical Education, ICETE, a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, ETS, and Africa Society of Evangelical Theology, ASET. He is an elder in CITAM Ngong and a member of Council of Elders in Christ is the Answer Ministries in CITAM. He is the chairman of Missions and Scholarship Committees in CITAM. He has authored ‘African Traditions Meeting Islam’ and published book chapters and articles related to Christianity and Islam. He has participated and presented in international research conferences, Middle East consultative meetings on Trends and Contemporary issues in Islam and other Interreligious related studies.