Summit Ministries

Throughout the duration of my time at Summit, I am becoming considerably more knowledgeable concerning various worldviews; and, in addition, how Christianity is distinct from the others. Today, for example, Dr. Caner demonstrated the following: 1) why Christianity is not a religion; 2) the commonalities between Islam and Mormonism; and 3) the misconceptions most Muslims have about Christians. Dr. Caner's approach, in turn, was very thorough, firm, and engaging.

Dr. Caner noted six distinctions between Christianity and religion. This is of much importance, due to the fact that many secular humanists fail to make this distinction; for example, Richard Dawkins or Daniel Dennett. With that being said, noting and explaining the distinctions between religion and Christianity, can, in turn, be used as a powerful way to not only engage secular humanists, but also used as a way to find common ground with an atheist who may be open to truth. One of the most profound differences is the fact that religions have a guide or teacher opposed to Christianity which has a savior, Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith, for example, simply claimed to be a prophet, not the savior of mankind. Another distinction, in addition, involves religions concept of an impersonal God or gods, opposed to the intimate, personal, and gracious God of Christianity. I did, in turn, benefit greatly from Dr. Caner's original and intriguing approach to this issue.

Furthermore, Dr. Caner demonstrated over twenty commonalities between Islam and Mormonism. Without question, Dr. Caner demonstrated the implausibility of such beliefs, while exposing their sinister underlying structures. For example, both Muhammad and Joseph Smith claimed that their texts abrogated the Bible. Interestingly enough, Muhammad, 2700 years after Moses recorded Abraham's events, changed the story. Dr. Caner pointed out how most Muslims commit the genetic fallacy by attempting to argue the authenticity of the Quran based on the fact that it's more recent than the Bible. Dr. Caner's ability to not only point out the various similarities between Mormonism and Islam, but also his ability to demonstrate the underlying importance of the issue, was truly astounding.

Dr. Caner noted the fact that most Muslims are indeed trained to engage and attack the Christian faith. Dr. Caner further pointed out how most Christians are incapable of defending a Muslim attack, due to the lack of instruction concerning Islamic doctrine. Therefore, as a Christian, it seems important to know the common misconceptions most Muslims have about Christians. For example, according to Dr. Caner, most Muslims believe that the alleged Christian church that they view on television is identical to every other Christian church. This information is clearly of much importance in regards to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a Muslim.

The information covered today was vast and at times challenging. However, all of it, without question, if used, will expand the Kingdom of God. In conclusion, Dr. Caner's firm, yet at times humorous approach to engaging worldviews is exciting and unique; his testimony and wisdom both ultimately portray the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-Tanner Sewell