Islam is on the Rise - Can Ancient Answers Meet the Moment? Part 1

Islam on the Rise: Ancient Christian Responses for Today Host Paul Akin speaks with Dr. Devon Provencher about the growth of Islam globally and in the United States, exploring how Christians can respond with gospel intentionality rather than fear or defensiveness. Provencher, a Southern Seminary graduate with an MA in Islamic Studies and a PhD focused on Islamic history and early Christian-Muslim dialogue, explains the distinction between Islam as a religious system and the diverse experiences of individual Muslims. Drawing on the history of the seventh- and eighth-century Arab conquests, he examines how Christians lived under Islamic rule, addresses common Muslim objections to Christianity, including the divinity of Jesus and the reliability of Scripture, and highlights how early Christians responded through biblical teaching, reason, and even arguments drawn from the Quran. The conversation challenges churches to deepen their understanding of Islam and prepare to engage Muslims thoughtfully and faithfully with the gospel. Timestamps 00:00 Mission Podcast Intro 00:35 Islam Rising Today 01:59 Meet Devon Provencher 03:19 Why Study Islam? 05:11 Threat or Opportunity? 07:06 Islam vs. Muslims 08:04 Is the Church Ready? 09:23 History Repeats Itself 11:04 The Realities of the Arab Conquests 14:48 Core Doctrines Challenged 15:49 Common Muslim Objections 17:16 Ancient Christian Responses