good stuff man. It puts alot of things into perspective huh?
Well it does but provide some education and perspective, but not in a manner that leads me closer to accepting Islamic theology (I don’t mean that to be disrespectful either). Fact of the matter is, I will never forsake my God, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because the truth of God has been affirmed for me through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I know ahmed simply responds with “meaningless emotional rhetoric”, but that does nothing to take away from the reality of the situation…..that’s a just canned response for a concept foreign to him (doesn’t have to be that way though).
Christianity and Islam may have some verses of scripture that are similar, but that doesn't negate the foundational tenets that are diametrically opposed. The simple change from "salvation by grace through faith in Christ" to "human works as payment for sin" is the crux of the matter (for me). That seemingly simply change in theology becomes shrouded in the "written elegance and beauty of the Quran", but it’s part of the essence of the monumental change! For the Muslim, the fact that our own human works are not enough to pay our sin debt is often brushed off with a casual, "So we're not supposed to do good things....BAH...that's pagan!" The indwelling of Holy Spirit and a believers act of repentance that follows are brushed aside as well, but if it is addressed it's given the ole "emotional rhetoric" response which is meaningless in and of itself and founded completely in ignorance.
Islam reinvents Christ as “prophet Jesus (pbuh)”, denies his deity, his resurrection, his sacrifice on the cross, denies the trinity, denies salvation by grace through faith, denies virtually every word of scripture, denies Paul’s revelation from Christ and cherry picks biblical scripture to meet a desired end. In essence, every verse of biblical scripture in support of the Christian is corrupt, but any verse serving the Muslim is somehow acceptable....a double standard and pure nonsense!!
The theology of Islam is affirmed in biblical scripture, but that affirmation is found only in biblical warnings concerning future false prophets, competing theologies that deny Christ or apostasy. If it denies Christ, it is the antithesis of Christ and sourced from the antichrist. The whole notion that Islam accepts "prophet Jesus as the Messiah" is nonsense!!! There is no acceptance of biblical, scriptural Christ, there’s only a reimagining of Christ within a new, antichristian theology…..a new version of Jesus was fashioned to fit the Islamic mold.
Yes, I watch some of the posted videos, read internet articles, I read a book to help me understand Islam; although, I in no way believe or uphold its foundational tenets. Although, let me be clear, I don’t dislike Musims….I dislike Islamic theology; further, I know this won’t cushion the blow or “make things right” between Muslims and Christians. Still, I have to be honest because I genuinely care about the members of this board…..even those that detest me.
What gets me is that the Muslim is so steadfast in their support of Islam, Allah, Muhammad, etc…., but fully admits that their life’s pursuit of good works may not secure them a place in Allah’s eternal paradise. The Muslim cannot be sure that they’re doing enough or doing their good works appropriately. At least the atheist believes “hey, when I’m dead that’s it.” For the Muslim a life of good works may simply be in vain.