The Entire World Should Be Concerned About Islamic Expansionism

On October 7, 2023, Islamic Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli civilians and left over 1,400 people dead, including entire families massacred in their homes.

The shock rippled globally—not just because of the brutality—but because of what it revealed about the deeper ideological roots behind Islamic nationalism and expansionism.

The issue is not simply a land dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. It’s not just about political grievances or failed negotiations. What many overlook is that underlying these global flashpoints is a theological system with expansionist goals deeply embedded in its framework.

Islamic expansionism—particularly in its militant expressions—poses challenges that go beyond geopolitics. It is a spiritual and ideological contest with roots in religious doctrine. As Christians, we must understand this not to incite fear or hostility, but to be wise and discerning (Matthew 10:16) and to seek peaceful, righteous influence in a profoundly broken world.

Only in God’s Kingdom will hate end and justice be complete. In the meantime, we are called to be peacemakers who don’t reward violence, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

Let’s examine Islamic expansionism in a 21st-century context from a Biblical perspective. We’ll take a critical look at why Islamic nationalism is ignored while Christian nationalism is exaggerated in the media. And, what Christians can do to advocate peace and truth without compromising biblical justice.

Understanding Islamic Expansionism in the 21st Century

Islam is often misunderstood as merely a personal religious belief like Christianity or Judaism. But Islam has always included not just theology but a political, legal, and military system.

This is especially true in the concept of the “umma”—a global Muslim community united under sharia law. In many Islamic countries, there is no separation between mosque and state. And for certain Islamic movements, particularly jihadist factions, global conquest is not a metaphor—it is a mandate.

Islamic expansionism is more than religious zeal; it is a comprehensive system with political and military ambitions.

The Doctrine of Jihad and “Submission”

The word “Islam” itself means “submission,” and this reflects the religion’s inherent posture toward power. While many Muslims pursue peace, the Quran and Hadiths contain numerous passages promoting jihad—not just spiritual struggle, but physical warfare against non-Muslims (Surah 9:29).

In fact, jihadist slogans like “From the river to the sea” call for the eradication of the state of Israel, replacing it with an Islamic state that stretches from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. This is not simply anti-Zionism; it is genocidal ambition.

Likewise, chants of “Death to America” aren’t empty rhetoric. They reflect a theological conviction that Western pluralism, democracy, and Christianity must be replaced by Islamic governance. There is a push by Islamic agitators to recognize Sharia law in the US and other countries with a Judeo-Christian history.

Though not all Muslims hold these views, such ideologies find strong support in many parts of the world, making it irresponsible to dismiss them as fringe. All Muslims are guilty of Islamic hate and violence because the so-called “good” Muslims refuse to step in and calm the radicals. That problem exists in even the oldest Islamic rivalries.

Iran vs. Saudi Arabia: Sunni and Shia Rivalries

One of the often-ignored dynamics in the Islamic world is the intra-Islamic struggle between Sunni and Shia factions. Iran (Shia) and Saudi Arabia (Sunni) are competing for dominance in the Muslim world, each funding proxy wars from Yemen to Syria.

This rivalry isn’t just political—it’s deeply theological. Both sides consider the other heretical, but unite when it comes to opposing Israel or the West.

The civil war in Syria, the rise of ISIS (Sunni), and Iran’s sponsorship of Hezbollah (Shia) all flow from this centuries-old schism. Each side believes it should lead the future Islamic caliphate.

Yet even in their division, both factions are united in the belief that Islam must ultimately prevail globally—a goal fundamentally at odds with freedom of religion and democratic ideals.

The Global Strategy of Islamist Movements

Islamist expansion doesn’t always happen through war. It also spreads through demographic growth, cultural influence, and legal challenges.

In many European countries, Islamist leaders have pushed for blasphemy laws, separate courts, and no-go zones where sharia trumps national law. In France, there is a definite concern about Islamic social and political subversion.

As Christians, we must avoid xenophobia or racism. However, we must also not close our eyes to movements that oppose fundamental freedoms—including our biblical command (Matthew 28:19-20) to share the gospel.

In Western countries, Islamic advocacy groups often label any criticism of Islam as “Islamophobia,” silencing debate while promoting Islamic values in public schools, government, and media. Clusters of Islamicists who refuse to assimilate into American society, with American values, have weaponized democracy against us.

Why the Media Exaggerates Christian Nationalism and Ignores Islamic Nationalism

It’s nearly impossible to read mainstream news today without stumbling across fears about “Christian nationalism.” While some individuals confuse patriotism with spiritual authority, the actual political influence of self-declared Christian nationalists is minimal compared to the global impact of Islamic nationalism. So why the double standard?

The media’s focus on Christian nationalism ignores the far more violent and widespread impact of Islamic nationalism.

Defining the Terms: What Is “Christian Nationalism”?

Christian nationalism is often defined as the belief that the United States should be a Christian country in both identity and law. While some historical Christian influence is undeniable in America’s founding, few Christian leaders today advocate for a theocracy.

Most Christians simply want religious freedom and the right to live out their faith in public life. But media outlets often conflate conservative political positions (like opposition to abortion or same-sex marriage) with an alleged desire to impose a theocracy.

Meanwhile, Christians are often the ones defending religious liberty for all faiths, including Islam—a fact frequently ignored.

Ignoring the Elephant in the Room

Islamic nationalism, on the other hand, has real governments—like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—that operate as full religious theocracies. These are not fringe groups but entire nations enforcing religious law with harsh penalties.

Women in Iran can be arrested for not wearing a hijab. In Saudi Arabia, churches are not permitted to be built. In Pakistan, people can be imprisoned or killed for “blasphemy” against Islam. In Afghanistan, Christians must worship in hiding under threat of death.

The Role of Western Guilt and Cultural Relativism

One reason for this imbalance is the West’s lingering sense of guilt over its colonial past. This often leads to overcompensation—excusing or minimizing the oppressive elements of other cultures out of fear of appearing imperialist or racist.

Secular media elites, having largely rejected Christianity themselves, view it as a threat to progressive values. Islam, by contrast, is often seen through the lens of postcolonial victimhood. This selective outrage distorts reality and puts vulnerable populations—especially Christians in Muslim-majority countries—at greater risk.

Working Toward Peace Without Rewarding Violence

The Christian view should be unique. We want to reward peace, not fuel violence. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of such enormous global issues. But Christians are never called to passive despair. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–14), and to overcome evil not with violence or hate, but with good.

Christians are called not to fix the world, but to faithfully serve god by seeking truth, justice, and peace—even when it’s hard.

Pray Strategically and Intelligently

The first and most powerful thing Christians can do is pray—strategically and informed by truth. We should pray for peace, yes, but also for discernment and the boldness to act. Pray for persecuted believers in the Middle East (Hebrews 13:3), for open doors to share the gospel (Colossians 4:3), and for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of Muslims (Acts 2:17).

When we pray intelligently, our hearts also align more with god’s. We begin to see beyond headlines and into the spiritual battle underneath.

Pray also for national leaders, journalists, and even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Peace begins when our hearts are transformed by god’s mercy.

Support Ministries That Promote Peace and Truth

Many Christian organizations are doing incredible work in Muslim-majority areas—bringing humanitarian aid, offering education, and sharing the gospel with wisdom and respect.

A small sample of Christian groups sharing the love of Jesus Christ with Muslims:

Christar (https://www.christar.org/)
Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef (https://ltw.org/mission/muslim-outreach/)
Crescent Project (https://www.crescentproject.org/)

Remember, in many Muslim-majority countries, converting from Islam is forbidden and may carry severe penalties, including imprisonment or death. This forces many Christian outreach efforts underground.

Christians can also support legal and educational initiatives that uphold human rights, freedom of religion, and the dignity of all people.

Speak the Truth in Love—Even When It’s Unpopular

In a culture that’s increasingly hostile to biblical values, Christians must speak truth clearly but compassionately. That means confronting the reality of Islamic expansionism without hating Muslims. It means rejecting both naive idealism and toxic nationalism. And it means calling out double standards in media coverage and public discourse.

Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). We must be, too. Don’t be afraid to challenge popular narratives—but do it with love, not arrogance.

Christian, Speak Out!

In a broken world where violence, deception, and religious manipulation run rampant, Christians are not called to cower or conform. We are called to stand firm in truth, speak with compassion, and act with wisdom.

Pray daily for discernment, for peace, and for the Muslim world.
Support frontline ministries that combine truth-telling with acts of mercy.
Engage in conversation—don’t be silent when the world distorts reality. Speak with courage and kindness.

The problems of Islamic expansionism won’t be solved overnight. But Jesus Christ is sovereign, and his Kingdom will come. In the meantime, let’s be faithful stewards of truth and love.