Islamic Trajectories in Early Christianity

Were Early Christians Trinitarians?

Is the Trinity really an ancient pagan belief?

Is Jesus God?

Did Jesus ever claim to be God?

Dr Jerald Dirks received his Bachelor of Arts (philosophy) from Harvard College in 1971, his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 1974, his Master of Arts (clinical child psychology) from the University of Denver in 1976, his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 1978, and his sessions program certificate in Islamic studies from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in 1998.

In 1969, he obtained his License to Preach from the United Methodist Church and was ordained into the Christian ministry (deaconate) by the United Methodist Church in 1972.

He converted to Islam in 1993 and completed the 'Umrah and Hajj in 1999.

His vocational history includes over five years teaching in American colleges and universities and over 20 years spent in the private practice of psychotherapy. In addition, he has taught at the middle school level at two different private Islamic schools and has served as the psychoeducational consultant at one private Islamic school.

Dr. Dirks is the author or co-author of over 60 published articles in the behavioral sciences (primarily in psychosomatic medicine), over 140 published articles on the Arabian horse and its history, and over 220 published articles or formal presentations on Islam, comparative religion, and private Islamic education in America.

He has lectured widely on Islam at American universities (Tabor College, University of Kansas, University of Denver, Oklahoma State University, Missouri State University, Wayne State University, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Georgetown University), in American mosques (in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia), and at regional and national conventions of the major Islamic organizations (ISNA, ICNA, and MAS).

In addition, he has been interviewed about Islam by newspapers in California, Colorado, Missouri, and Saudi Arabia and by television stations in Kansas, New York, Texas, Utah, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. He is the author of four books that explore the commonalities and differences among the three Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism): The Cross and the Crescent, now in its second printing; Abraham, The Friend of God; Understanding Islam--A Guide for the Judaeo-Christian Reader; and The Abrahamic Faiths--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

His fifth book, Muslims in American History--A Forgotten Legacy was published in 2006 and celebrates the centuries-old history of Muslims in America. His sixth book, Letters to My Elders in Islam, was published in 2008. Dr. Dirks has also proofread and/or edited several books for other authors.

The Topic: Islamic Trajectories in Early Christianity

A talk by Dr Jerald Dirks

http://www.dirksonlinebooks.com/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Islam
• Christianty
• Qur'an
• Koran
• Allah
• The
• mission
• Trinity
• Godhead
• Sonship
• Disciples
• Apostle
• Paul
• Jesus
• crucifixion
• nature
• Nature
• God
• Early
• Christians
• Jerald
• Dirks
• Christ

[Mahdiarmy]

He holds a Master's degree in Divinity from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver.

[easyonetwothree]

Christianity is pure polytheism!

[mbarnabeus]

Guidance is a gift from GOD Almighty, and indeed He doesn't guide the unjust people, and indeed arrogance is one of main sources of unjustice, no matter how many signs and knowledge a person could get, without a true call and prayer for guidance with submission to ALLAH and aknowledgement of the littel knowledge we have..guidance..earn it..

[MrAudy86]

@glower125 again, all you said was that my questions are a bit cliched and no reasoning there again.i agree they are fundamental and essential questions, but i also must insist they remain unanswered by any religion, not just islam. so i guess theyll remain unanswered still..

[glower125]

@MrAudy86 well I guess you have already convinced yourself. Nothing will I or anyone else have much to tell you. Your questions have been answered by many people and frankly they are more of the primitive type when it comes to theological enquiry.

[MrAudy86]

@glower125 thanks for the effort in replying, but apart from telling me that im wrong n ur right and that ur also a doctor...u didnt really give any reasons so...sorry...not impressed..

[glower125]

@MrAudy86 BTW, you seem to have denounced your Islam and you still walking and talking, so you have just contradicted your statement. No such a good start for someone who started by talking about his credentials.

[glower125]

@MrAudy86 Your problem is adapting western philosophy and western thoughts to life and therefore it had clouded your sense or right and wrong. Just because a majority of people hold certain values to be true does not mean that they are. "folies a deux" can also be "folies a millions"..I invite you to read Sane Society by a erich fromm and you might understand the fallacies of your reasoning.

[glower125]

@MrAudy86 since you prefaced your entry to this boards by mentioning that you are a Doctor and you have studied science therefore you are not convinced about Islam. I introduce myself, I am also a Doctor and before my medical degree I have studied physics and I was an electronic engineer for several years. I too have studied sciences extensively. Unlike you, I was born in a family that's half jewish and half christian. 2 years ago, after 7 years of extensive studies of Islam I reverted.

[glower125]

the first followers of jesus who were thrown to lions in stadium in Rome where truly Muslims. Muslims need to realize that persecution of Muslims is every old.

[gmgnautics313]

@MrAudy86 (contd...) Secondly Allah says His biggest blessing upon you is that you were born into a muslim family by His will. Think of that, deny Islam is denying Allahs biggest blessing. Also think about and yes do make sure you know Islam correctly, with an open and sincere mind. Youll realise how beautiful your religion is. Here is another beauty of it, think of Zakat (charity) its there to prevent poverty and thus crime so in an Islamic system people who are poor are taken care of BY LAW !!