Do We Worship the Same God?

by

Why are we talking about this today?

Islam is becoming a serious force to be reckoned with today: around the world, more so in Europe and here in the US as well.

A teacher at college in Wheaton, IL said, we worship the same God, then she quoted the pope as saying the same.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #841 Pope John Paul II said . . . the Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.

Is it a matter of there being one God, just several different names?

Is the Muslim god, Allah, the same as the Yahweh and/or God of the Bible?

Many say that the differences are just acts of extremist

Are ISIS and those that commited the atrocities of 9/11 the same religion?

Are Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists like Osama bin Laden following mainstream Islamic belief, or do they pervert Islamic belief?

Many say and believe it to be a religion of peace

File this message under be ready to give an answer!

Huge task to analyze the Koran (just as it is for the Bible)

As we go through it we need to be aware of the fact that: Christianity and Islam make mutually exclusive truth claims so both worldviews cannot both be true.

Law of contradiction: A = B; A does not equal B (both cannot be the truth).  So, if God and Allah differ they cannot be the same!

As we go through lets keep this in the forefront of our mind.

Facts about Islam

Reprinted with permission from The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Muhammad is respected as a prophet. He is not regarded as the “founder” of Islam, but rather as one in a long line of prophets from Adam to Abraham, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus. Islam therefore did not begin with Muhammad, whose role was that of a “messenger” who received and passed on a revelation from God.

Muslims, Christians and Jews all worship the same God.

The Qur’an has many stories about Biblical characters which are very similar to those in the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus is very highly honored as a prophet, although Muslims believe that Christians erred in regarding him as divine. … they believe that errors have crept into the Jewish and Christian traditions and into the text of the Bible. The mission of Muhammad was to correct those errors.

Nonetheless, the Qur’an teaches that Jews, Christians and Muslims are all “People of the Book.” As believers, Jews and Christians have juridical rights under Islamic law to live as “protected peoples.” Historically, Islam has been a relatively tolerant religion. Islam clearly teaches that “There is to be no compulsion in matters of religion.” In the 7th century Muslim armies brought vast territories under Muslim political control, but conversion to Islam was voluntary and was not imposed “by the sword.

The accurate translation of the Arabic word jihad should be “exertion of effort or struggle” in accord with the will of God. It is any strenuous effort – physical, intellectual, spiritual – for the good. The “higher jihad” is the personal struggle to become a better Muslim. Jihad can mean standing up to speak the word of truth to tyrants and to call for justice.

Does saying it make it so? No, and we cannot be fooled by this!

Something else to take into account: Taqiya: Muslims can lie when it is in their interest or to the benefit of Islam and “Allah” This is all OK as long as they “didn’t really mean it.”

What is our experience

Leader of ISIS reportedly as a Ph.D. in their theology. He gives sermons and leads his people based on the tenets of the Koran.

Muslims who diligent follow their religion in all respects will put Jews to death , kill anyone leaving the faith, and seek to establish Sharia law over the entire earth, etc…

Allah vs God

Is Allah just another way of saying God, like Dios in Spanish?

It is! BUT when we look at the god of the Koran and compare it with the True God of the Bible we find that they have mutually exclusive characteristics.

Good or Evil

When we ask whether God and Allah are good or evil, we see our first striking difference between the two.

Christianity: Perfectly Good

Everything God does is for good; nothing God does is evil.

Psalm 5:4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

God hates evil! Don’t need to say any more.

Islam: Good and evil both

Allah is responsible for the presence of both good and evil.

[Sura means chapter]

Sura 4:78: If some good befalls them, they say, “This is from Allah”; but if evil, they say, “This is from thee” (O Prophet). Say: “All things are from Allah.

Sura 3:54 – And (the unbelievers) schemed and planned, and Allah schemed also, and the best of schemers [deceivers] is Allah.

Sura 8:30 – Remember how the unbelievers schemed against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or to slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They scheme and plot, but the best of schemers is Allah.

We already have a contradiction that shows that God and Allah CANNOT be the same…but we will go on….

Just or Unjust?

How is judgment rendered? Is it with equity?

Christianity: Just

The Bible shows us that God is just and fair (You fill in the scriptures)

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Islam: Unjust / Allah is unjust.

Sura 4:119–“I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires;”

Sura 4:88 – “For those whom Allah has thrown aside and led astray, never shall they find the Way.”

Sura 4:142 – “… Those who Allah causes to go astray and err will not find a way.”

In the end Muslims believe it is a matter of pitting their good deeds against their bad. If the good outweighs the bad then good for them [Salvation by works]

But here is the problem: If it is Allah who causes them to do bad things, whether they go to paradise or not is just a crap shoot then. Also, how can he punish them for doing bad things if he is the one that caused it?

This is not just, it is clearly unfair. This is not loving and we know that God is love! (1 John 4:8).

God is a Family

We are not given in marriage in the resurrection (Matthew 22:30) and Islam believes they will get 72 virgins.

The Koran specifically denies that Allah is a father or that God is Family.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Romans 8:14-17. “those who have His spirit are sons of God”

Muslims admit that Allah had no son

Bound and unbound by their word

God cannot lie and does not change (Titus 1:2; Malachi 3:6; John 10:35)

But according to the Koran, Allah is not limited by anything. He is not constrained by his own nature. He can do anything, anytime, anywhere, without limitation. Allah is capricious.

Capricious (given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; whimsical) is a very good word to describe his “character”

[5.40] Do you not know that Allah– His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; He chastises whom He pleases; and forgives whom He pleases and Allah has power over all things.

In other words Allah can do what he wants, when he wants – without rhyme or reason

What we are seeing is that just because there may be similarities, it doesn’t mean they are the same!

Bible and Koran

How do we compare these words to test which is of God?

Both sides saying that they are correct; we have already seen that they say different things;

Again the law of contradiction says that they cannot both be correct if they are in opposition

Is there a way to prove which one is “God breathed”?

How can we evaluate the Koran and Bible in an unbiased way?

Both claim to have originated from God

Bible divine inspiration

Both are called “Scripture” by Muslims and Christians respectively.

To do this in an objective rather than subjective manner we will look at from the aspect of Prophecy

Observe whether or not the predictions of future deeds of people in recorded history are accurately fulfilled.

This would be a Measurable Standard and is a standard God subscribes to:

Deuteronomy 18:22 “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

God predicts history in advance

If the actual information in the Bible or the Koran is truly words from God then it will demonstrate the power of God

Isaiah 44:7 And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them.

God throws down the gauntlet; Ground rules for discerning a prophecy

We are not looking for

* postdictions or “predictions” which were made after the events

This would be simply be stating history.

* We are not looking for easily-made predictions, which are a “sure bet” –virtually guaranteed to happen– such as…next year the sun will rise at least once

For example: as two armies gather you prophecy that they will fight

* We are also not looking for what existing humans plans to do

This is could then just be a self-fulfilled prophecy

* We cannot accept predictions which may likely have been copied from another source.

For example making predictions the Bible already predicted

* We are not looking for unverifiable events

Due to no evidence; Still far off in the future

* We are also not looking for broad prophecies that lack descriptors

Such as Nostradamus or anything that is subject to several interpretations or fulfillments

* We are not looking for prophecies where they are not

Bible code; making something out of nothing

The further out the prophecy is made the better, the less that people are aware that they are fulfilling prophecy the better, and the more detailed the better…AND the biggest test is that it has to be 100% fulfilled

Now with all the qualifiers out of the way…

“Predictions” In The KORAN

“The Prophecies of the Holy Qur’an,” written by Q.I. Hingora, suggests 22 predictions in the Koran –as generally, among Koranic scholars, there are said to be 22 predictive prophecies in the Koran.

We can quickly eliminate half of these predictions as they are still yet in the future and have not been fulfilled. For example:

Sura 2:23-24 states:

“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. But if ye cannot -and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones, -which is prepared for those who reject Faith.”

It fails in 2 veins: referring to the future and is similar to Matthew 13:41-42 in which Jesus says, “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Here is the next “prophecy” but it is not really a prophecy:

In Sura 5:70, which states: “We took the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them apostles, every time, there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not – some (of these) they called impostors, and some they (go so far as to) slay.”

Of course the real problem is that it is past tense – there is no indication of a future event. In addition to this is similar to Matthew 23:37 which in it and of itself is not prophetic.

Sura 15:9 says, “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”

Once again very similar to what the Bible said many centuries before (Matthew 24:35) nor does it have a finality to its fulfillment.

Next… Sura 41:42 (similar to Sura 15:9) says: “No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.”

This is more of a pronouncement than a prophecy and either way, as we are seeing and will continue to see it is not true.

Sura 15:96 Who set up along with Allah another ilah (god), they will come to know.

This “warning” is just a statement and in no way shows the power of God in prophecy

Sura 24:55 says that Allah has promised to bless (with land? and inheritance?) those who believe, and to establish the authority of their religion and give them security and peace.

This “prediction” may seem to have some merit at first but is far too general for the boundaries that have been set. There is no who, what, where, when, why and how. It lacks specificity, plus the Bible says the same thing many times over.

Sura 48:27 is thought to be a prediction that the “Prophet” (Mohammed) would enter the “Sacred Mosque” to worship… But this is predicated on the phrase “if Allah wills.”

We surely see the problem with this. We can call it a prophetic loop hole – that if it does not happen one can simply opt out by saying Allah did not will it.

Sura 54:44-48 not corroborated by history and falls into the self-fulfilling category

Similarly, Sura 110:1-2 promises help and victory from Allah.

This can be generally fulfilled in many lives.

So to sum up we can see that these prophecies fail for the following reasons:

No future tense verb; reiterating a prophecy found in the bible; lacks specifics; hasn’t been fulfilled; prophetic loopholes (Denver will beat Seattle in the Superbowl this year – if Allah wills); some are not prophecies just theological assertions (the Bible has many of these); too general – no who what where when why and how; not corroborated by history; self-fulfilling; or generally fulfilled in many ways and many lives (help and victory from Allah)

So now we come to the the best possibility of having been fulfilled:

Of the 22 predictions put forth by Hingora, we have only one left: Sura 30:2-3

“The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious within a few years.”

Now, of all the proffered predictions from the Koran, this one from Sura 30 comes the closest to being a specific prediction:

Who — the “Roman Empire”

What will happen (they will be victorious)

When (“within a few years”).

This passage references a time when the Persians defeated the Byzantine Romans in Syria (in A.D. 615). However, there are a few problems which seem to disqualify this passage as a significant predictive prophecy:

The most serious problem is that it may be history because Mohammed was alive and still producing Koranic verses for several years after the time of the suggested Roman defeat and/or victory in history.

According to Al-Baizawi’s commentary, the Byzantine Romans were evidently victorious over Persia in 628 A.D., and so, Mohammed was alive for four years after that victory

Secondly the wording is past tense “the Roman Empire has been defeated…” and

Thirdly, it was probably sure that this would happen in some way shape or form

Tantamount to saying that the US will win a skirmish or lose a skirmish in Iraq this year

The summation to me is clear that there is no cold hard evidence of a fulfilled prophecy in the Koran based on the criteria that we have set forth.

Predictions In The BIBLE:

TYRE very specific and way ahead of time

Ezekiel 26:1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [it was God saying this to and through a physical mortal man, it is God pronouncing the fate that would befall this specific nation] [this was in 585 B.C].
Ezekiel 26:2 “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’ [gloating that Judah had gone into Babylonian captivity and was ready to take advantage of that fact and because it was threatening to take a spoil of this kingdom of Judah].
Ezekiel 26:3 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up.

Very specific :4-12

Ezekiel 26:4 ‘And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
Ezekiel 26:5 ‘It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,’ says the Lord GOD; ‘it shall become plunder for the nations.
Ezekiel 26:6 ‘Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’
Ezekiel 26:7 “For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people.
Ezekiel 26:8 ‘He will slay with the sword your daughter villages in the fields; he will heap up a siege mound against you, build a wall against you, and raise a defense against you.
Ezekiel 26:9 ‘He will direct his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers.
Ezekiel 26:10 ‘Because of the abundance of his horses, their dust will cover you; your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen, the wagons, and the chariots, when he enters your gates, as men enter a city that has been breached.
Ezekiel 26:11 ‘With the hooves of his horses he will trample all your streets; he will slay your people by the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground.
Ezekiel 26:12 ‘They will plunder your riches and pillage your merchandise; they will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses; they will lay your stones, your timber, and your soil in the midst of the water.

From HWA (Proof of the Bible):

Now notice! Over 2500 years ago, there existed a great city that already, then, was more than 1500 years old. That city was the mistress of the seas – of the whole world; it was the commercial center of the world. It was beautiful, rich, and stable. That city was ancient Tyre on the Mediterranean. It was located on the western coastal area of Phoenicia. In the year of 604 B.C., the nation Judah had been invaded by the Chaldeans under King Nebuchadnezzar, of the Chaldean Empire. The Jews had been conquered and taken captive, in a series of sieges between 604 and 580 B.C. The people of Tyre were looking with greedy eyes on Judah; and they were laying plans to go down and take part of the spoil, now that their rival king had invaded and conquered it.

For over 1500 years the armed forces of other cities and nations had attacked this proud city of Tyre, but never had any army been able to batter down its walls or actually to invade the city.

Ezekiel 27:4 Your borders are in the midst of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty.

Only half a mile off shore. The original site of Tyre on the mainland became known then as OLD TYRE, and the city on the island became known as NEW TYRE.

For some historical veracity – Let me quote from the Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 22 under the article “Tyre.” It says: “Tyre, the mistress of the seas, in the 6th century, B.C., endured a 13-years’ siege from Nebuchadnezzar.” “The siege of Tyre by Alexander the Great, 332 B.C.” (He had won his battle at Issus, his first great battle in conquering the Persian Empire, in the previous year, 333 B.C.) “New Tyre was built on a small island about half a mile from the mainland upon which the old city stood … Alexander demolished [what remained of] Old Tyre, and with the debris built a mole 2000 feet in breadth across the strait so that he turned that island actually into a peninsula and it became therefore a part of the mainland. The reduction of Tyre was now but a matter of time … Alexander … scaled the city walls. Thus after a siege of seven months the city was taken, 8,000 of the citizens were slaughtered, 2,000 later on were executed, and 30,000 sold into slavery.”

From the book, The Bible as History, by Werner Keller, page 320: “This Phoenician city, heavily fortified and protected by stout high walls, was built on a small island which guarded the coastline. Alexander performed here a miracle of military ingenuity by building a 2,000-foot mole in the sea out to the island city. To safe-guard the operations, mobile protective shields, so-called ‘tortoises’ had to be employed. Despite this the construction of the causeway was greatly hindered by an incessant hail of missiles. Meantime his engineers were on shore building veritable monsters …. These were mobile protective towers many stories high, which held detachments of bowmen and light artillery. A drawbridge on the front of the towers enabled a surprise attack to be made on the enemy’s walls. They were the highest siege towers ever used in the history of war. Each of them had twenty stories and the topmost platform towered, at a height of over 160 feet, far above the highest city walls.

“When, after seven months’ preparation, these monsters, bristling with weapons, slowly and clumsily rolled toward Tyre, the fate of the maritime stronghold, which was considered to be impregnable, was sealed.”

Who could have guesses after centuries of watching the city of Tyre prosper and view it as unassailable….that it would fall in the manner that it did. Obviously God did.

When compared to the Koran this prophecy is quite specific and has met the obligations that we set forth before beginning.

MESSIANIC

Human, male, virgin, jew, lineage of david, in Bethlehem etc

1. Messiah to be a descendant of Abraham & Sarah – Genesis 12:2-3 ; 17:15-17 ; 18:18

2. Messiah to be a descendant of Isaac – Genesis 17:19

3. Messiah to be a descendant of Judah – Genesis 49:10

4. Messiah to be a descendant of David – Isaiah 9:7

5. Birth-Place of Messiah, the “Eternal One”, to be in Bethlehem, Israel – Micah 5:2

7. Messiah to be born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14

8. Messiah flees to Egypt to live for a while, and returns to Israel – Hosea 11:1

9. Messiah to be a prophet like Moses, with miracles, authority over the Scriptures – Deut. 18:15

10. Messiah to enter Jerusalem triumphantly, as a King, …riding on a donkey – Zechariah 9:9

11. Messiah, though innocent, is rejected and dies for our sins – Isaiah 53:3-5,9,12

12. Messiah to be crucified, bones disjointed, mocked, lots cast for clothing – Psalm 22:6-8,16-18

13. Messiah’s side to be pierced at the behest of the people of Jerusalem – Zechariah 12:10

14. Messiah’s body does not decay, but is resurrected in three days – Psalm 16:10 ; Isaiah 53:11

15. Messiah to ascend into heaven, and rightly called “Lord” – Psalm 68:18 .

But, of course, there are many more than eight prophecies. In another calculation, Stoner used 48 prophecies and arrived at the extremely conservative estimate that the probability of 48 prophecies being fulfilled in one person is the incredible number 10157. There are only 1080 atoms in the entire universe!

Most agree to 300+ prophecies and Edersheim has it at 456 of them.

In addition we have the Prophecies of Daniel: 70 Weeks prophecy; World ruling empires of which we are seeing the very last resurrection form

In Ezra 1:1, we read that King Cyrus of Persia made a proclamation to rebuild the temple, in fulfillment of God’s prophecies in Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1. It is interesting that these prophecies named Cyrus, even though they were written hundreds of years before Cyrus was born. However, even though God called Cyrus for a certain task, He did not call him to salvation.

In 1 Kings 13:2, a man of God prophesied that a child, “Josiah by name,” would sacrifice the priests of Baal on an altar, and burn their bones on the altar. King Josiah of Judah fulfilled this prophecy more than 400 years later (compare 2 Kings 23:15, 16).

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT PROPHECY

This ability to prophesy is a proof of the Bible and that God is who He says He is and that Bible is the word of God and not the Koran

Now that we have seen that the Bible is Godly inspired I would just like to point out a few other contradictions to the Bible

Treatment of Unbelievers

The Bible teaches, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44-45).

Sura 9:5 And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with God wherever ye shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert, and observe prayer, and pay the obligatory alms, then let them go their way, for God is Gracious, Merciful.

Sura 47:4 When ye encounter the infidels, strike off their heads till ye have made a great slaughter among them, and of the rest make fast the fetters.

Women as Second Class Citizens

The Scriptures teach that God made mankind and he made them male and female and that they are both created in the image of God.

Sura 4:34 Men are superior to women on account of the qualities with which God has gifted the one above the other, and on account of the outlay they make from their substance for them. Virtuous women are obedient, careful, during the husband’s absence, because God hath of them been careful. But chide those for whose refractoriness ye have cause to fear; remove them into beds apart and scourge them: but if they are obedient to you then seek not occasion against them: verily, God is High, Great!

It gives the man double the value of a womans witness in court (Surah 2:282).

[4.34] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

[2.228] And the divorced women should keep themselves in waiting for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they should conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the last day; and their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile if they wish for reconciliation; and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Divorce [god is clear on this; marriage is supposed to point to our eternal marriage to Christ]

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

When JC was confronted about Moses giving out a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?”, he said unto them, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committs adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Matthew 19:4-9).

By contrast the Koran has different ideas about divorce

2:229-31 Ye may divorce your wives twice: Keep them honourably, or put them away with kindness. But it is not allowed you to appropriate to yourselves aught of what ye have given to them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the bounds’ set up by God. And if ye fear that they cannot observe the ordinances of God, no blame shall attach to either of you for what the wife shall herself give for her redemption. These are the bounds of God: therefore overstep them not; for whoever oversteppeth the bounds of God, they are evil doers.

But when ye divorce women, and the time for sending them away is come, either retain them with generosity, or put them away with generosity: but retain them not by constraint so as to be unjust towards them.

Muhammed commanded his adopted son to divorce his wife so that she could become his (Sura 33:36-38).
[33.36] And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Apostle have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Apostle, he surely strays off a manifest straying.
[33.37] And when you said to him to whom Allah had shown favor and to whom you had shown a favor: Keep your wife to yourself and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; and you concealed in your soul what Allah would bring to light, and you feared men, and Allah had a greater right that you should fear Him. But when Zaid had accomplished his want of her, We gave her to you as a wife, so that there should be no difficulty for the believers in respect of the wives of their adopted sons, when they have accomplished their want of them; and Allah’s command shall be performed.
[33.38] There is no harm in the Prophet doing that which Allah has ordained for him; such has been the course of Allah with respect to those who have gone before; and the command of Allah is a decree that is made absolute:

Jesus taught monogamy (Matthew 19:5,6) while Muhammad taught (and practiced) polygamy (Sura 4:3) And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course.

Permission For Sexual Promiscuity

The Scriptures command, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and defines that as all sexual relationships outside of the marriage bond. Spiritual intent “That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28). sharp contrast

Forbidden to you are also married women, except those who are in your hands as slaves (4:24)

Criminal Punishments

The Bible teaches that the will of God with respect to sins against our fellow men is repentance and restitution. With respect to those who once were thieves, but now profess the faith of Jesus Christ Paul taught, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Ephesians 4:28).

As to the thief, whether man or woman, cut ye off their hands in recompense for their doings. This is a penalty by way of warning from God himself. And God is mighty wise.

I would imagine the effect of this punishment is to force him to either be a beggar or continue in his thievery.

After-life

It consists of wealth, women, unlimited sex, wine, honey and bird’s meat.

Much is quite similar to Norse mythology regarding Valhalla

Taste this then: and we will give you increase of nought but torment.” But, for the God-fearing is a blissful abode, Enclosed gardens and vineyards; And damsels with swelling breasts, their peers in age, And a full cup There shall they hear no vain discourse nor any falsehood: A recompense from thy Lord-sufficing gift! (78:31-34)

Again we know that we will not marry or be given in marriage (Matthew 22:30)

Salvation by grace or by works

We believe that salvation is a gift of God and in the Koran we see the concept of salvation by works

In Surah 11: 114 “And keep up prayer at the two ends of the day and in the first hours of the night. Surely good deeds take away evil deeds. This is a reminder for the mindful.”

It is even encompasses the catholic concept of penance ( that we can pay for our sins)

And the list goes on… and this does not take into account the lack of MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE etc

Authority of the Koran

THE QUR’AN’S MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE:

…the manuscripts for the Qur’an within the century in which it was purported to have been compiled, the seventh century, simply do not exist. are from 150-300 years after the events which they describe, and therefore are quite distant from those events (Nevo 1994:108; Wansbrough 1978:119; Crone 1987:204).

We should expect to find, in those intervening 150 years, at least remnants of evidence for the development of the old Arab religion towards Islam (i.e. Muslim traditions); yet we find nothing (Nevo 1994:108; Crone 1980:5-8). not even a fragment as one would expect

Keep in mind we only needed one thing (the law of contradiction)

Contrast Between Christ And Mohammed

These are the main and central prophets of each religion

Mohammed – Primary Figure in Islam

Caveat about information concerning Mohammed

best info is in Koran – subtle references

came at least 120-130 years after Mohammed since he was illiterate

Origin of Muhammad and His Religion

Mohammad was born about A.D. 570 in Mecca

At the age of 25, Muhammad accepted a marriage proposal from a wealthy 40-year-old widow,

Muhammad married at least eight women after her death.

At first, his new religion failed to attract many adherents. He fled from hostile Mecca in 622 to Medina, where he found more support. After a series of battles that lasted for ten years, he led an army of 10,000 into Mecca, smashed the pagan idols and took control of the holy city in a bloodless victory.

Islam became the dominant religion in Arabia. Muhammad intended to extend Islam beyond the Arabian Peninsula, but he fell ill and died in 632.

Muslims believe that Allah called Muhammad, at 40 years of age, to be his messenger, ordering him in a series of revelations to spread his message. He was illiterate, but other men took down his words. At some point Muhammad adopted the practice of meditating alone for several weeks every year in a cave on Mount Hira near Mecca.

Was Muhammad Possessed by a Demon?

Foster mother thought he was; others; even Muhammad thought he was; thoughts of suicide; every time he went to do (throw himself off the mountain) “Gabriel” would appear to him to give him the revelations contrary to the bible; what kind of spirit would do that? It was not angel preaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8)

Muslim-Catholic Ties (part of the Babylonian religious system)

Khadijah was catholic; tasked her with finding a brilliant young man who could be used by the Vatican to create a new religion and become the messiah for the children of Ishmael; instructed by monks; sons died but Fatima lived; now the city named after her in Portugal is famous for its own “visions”

A Comparison of Two Prophets

Because the Quran acknowledges both Muhammad and Jesus Christ to be prophets, it is fair to compare the two and consider each’s individual merits as prophets. As we shall see one is much more than a prophet.

Muhammad

  • Muhammad The prophet of war.
  • His disciples killed for their faith.
  • Killed his enemies
  • Promoted persecution against the “infidels.”
  • The taker of life
  • Was called to destroy lives
  • Muhammad method was by force
  • Muhammad conquered his enemies with the sword.
  • Muhammad Said to the masses, “Convert or die!”
  • Muhammad was swift to shed blood
  • He constrained people by conquest.
  • Mohammed’s mission was to conquer the world for Allah.
  • Mohammed was to be a false prophet
  • Allah himself refers to Muhammad as sinful
  • Muhammad performed no miracles
  • Muhammad is only a man
  • Muhammad taught revenge
  • Muhammad’s words changed

Contrast that with the Christ you know

  • The Prince of Peace
  • he asked his people to lay down their lives for one another.
  • Preached love your enemies. Came to save sinners and the whole world
  • Turn the other cheek
  • JC came to save the world
  • JC allows free moral agency and asks us to believe
  • Gave His life for us
  • Showed love for all
  • Lived a sinless life Did many miracles
  • Jesus was and is God
  • Muhammad is only a man
  • Jesus taught forgiveness
  • Jesus words never change

Islam and Beyond

So when the Muslims or anyone else talk about a kinder / gentler Islam with the same God that we worship you can know that either they are lying (taqiya) or ignorant. The True God that we should be worshipping is NOT the god of Islam or the Koran or Muhammad.

We have seen that the nature of God and the way that Allah is represented are two entirely different ways of life. And since there is only one God and one way, the law of contradiction dictates that Allah is not the same God so therefore it is a false god and not even close to being in the same realm as the One True God.

What we know is that the nature of God is defined and seen in His Law. For instance we know that God does not lie, because that is Who and What He is. The law is an extension of His nature and character and it is the same character that He wants us to put on.

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”


When we worship God we must do it in the way that the Bible says to do it, because that is TRUTH and the way that He wants it.

We do not have the prerogative to take any other way (ie Xmas) and say that we do this in honor of you:

Matthew 15:7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
Matthew 15:8 ‘THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
Matthew 15:9 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’ “

(Matthew 15:9 BBE) But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.

(Matthew 15:9 CEV) It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans.”

So here is the rest of the story… we talked about Islam for a reason today (it is at the forefront of the news)

But the conclusion that we have to come to is that ANYONE that does not worship God in TRUTH is not worshipping the right God. So this includes the Hindus, Buddhist, etc even the Jews

John 8:19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

Also Catholics and professing Christians and can include even those in the claim to be in the church of God.

If we are not doing this then you cannot have a relationship with God:

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities [sins and transgressions] have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Repentance is necessary, turning to the right way (that you have to know)

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 12:30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’
Deuteronomy 12:31 You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

When we put all these scriptures together we can only come to one inescapable conclusion and that is that if we do keep all the commandments of God and understand His true nature, then We Do NOT worship the same God the world does!

Extra Thoughts

Joshua 24:14 “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!

1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

It has been rightly said, The problem with Christianity is individual Christians.  The problem with Islam is Islam.

Apocrypha, Book of Mormon, etc apply these principals and to the days of worship New Year’s Eve, Lent, Easter, Halloween, or Christmas, the origins of these pagan holidays are mentioned as being abominations to God and all the Muslim ones as well.

John 17:17; Proverbs 28:9

Everyone should take that warning seriously, especially those who profess to worship the one and only God. “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

Prove the bible! It is sufficient unto salvation.

A better question may be: do Muslims believe that we worship the same god?

1 John 2:21-23: “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”