Christianity vs Islam

[Rod]

So now I see your anger is not directed at God - but against the many structures (churches) in the name of GOD - that undermine the true message of Grace and somehow impede TRUE SPIRITUAL LIFE and CELEBRATION and GROWTH.

YES, YES, and YES!

 

[XL-entLady]

Has anyone on the MB read "Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment" yet? This is religious fiction by Deepak Chopra.

Just curious.

Lady

 

[Rod]

I must say...this has turned into a wonderfully enlightening and beautiful thread and topic...If I do say so myself


Keep it going this way


God Bless

I normally stay away from such topics (especially after debating theology online for years, for which I became burned out).

But, one thing that debate is healthy for is causing you to dig deeper into your soul and the Scriptures to find the reasons WHY you believe the way you do. As the Bereans were wise to do, we are to follow their example:

They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11

Because of these many debates and countless hours in the Scriptures, I now have a better understanding of why I believe and do not believe certain doctrines. For example, I used to tithe simply because I was taught that I was robbing God if I did not. Then I studied the context and historical significance of tithing (both inside and outside of the Scriptures), and the context that Jesus condoned it- only in the context of the law-keepers- the Pharisees. Then the Apostle Paul vidicated what I believed to be accurate and true,

You should each give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn't give if you don't want to. You shouldn't give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7

Just because it comes from the pulpit, or is written within doctrines and decrees doesn't make it Gospel.

In context, what do the Scriptures teach?

 

[Buster]

In context, what do the Scriptures teach?

One word...TRUTH!

 

[Buster]

Has anyone on the MB read "Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment" yet? This is religious fiction by Deepak Chopra.

Just curious.

Lady

Wasn't he the rapper that was assasinated in Vegas?

 

[wv-girl]

Heck, when you think about it, and the experiences you have had personally, He is even there when you are simply alone with Him.

Yes, I have found that is very true. However, that is a whole other conversation and would not have addressed the debate

 

[XL-entLady]

Has anyone on the MB read "Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment" yet? This is religious fiction by Deepak Chopra.
Just curious.
Lady

Wasn't he the rapper that was assasinated in Vegas?

Do we need the "tongue in cheek" emoticon again?

Just in case that was a serious question, the answer is, "No!" The longer answer is that he is an Indian (as in, from India) medical doctor who once stated, "It’s time to rescue "intelligent design" from the politics of religion. There are too many riddles not yet answered by either biology or the Bible, and by asking them honestly, without foregone conclusions, science could take a huge leap forward."

Lady

 

[Rod]

One word...TRUTH!

Yes, one will come to truth if the Scriptures are studied within their context. And I'm not simply talking about taking the surrounding text into account. I'm talking about taking culture, tradition, history, etc. etc. into account.

FWIW,

Who did Christ come to save?

He came to save His people, the Jews. Unless you are Jewish, Christ did not initially come to save you- a Gentile. Shocked???

As a Gentile, you were eventually "grafted" in because of Israel's unbelief that Jesus came to save them from their sins. God used Gentiles to stir up envy within the apple of His eye, Israel!

That, my friend, is the grace of God!

Here are some key Scriptures, in no particular order:

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first (the Jews). Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
" 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."

On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Knowing that Christ initially came to save His people, the Jews, makes me that much more appreciative of God extending His grace to me, a Gentile.

 

[Rod]

However, that is a whole other conversation and would not have addressed the debate

It was a thought. That's what it was, whether it addressed the debate or not.:toung:

 

[PessOptimist]

A Somali friend of mine told me many years ago how they explain Jesus' birth without a known father, to a virgin girl in Somali stories. As he told it, a man took a pee/wank alongside the road, wiped himself with a wad of cotton which he then tossed on the ground. Mary came along, did the same bodily function same place (must have been some good brush hiding cover or something), picked up the cotton and reused it and got pregnant from residual active sperm left on the cotton from the previous traveller. Pretty hokey? They think we think God had physical sex with Mary and that's not only hokey to them, but blasphemous to boot.

No wonder muslims laugh at us. Mary, practically deified in some christian faiths, was the issue of some wanker.

This thread has devolved to the point of proselytism by members of one faith who believe in one book, the authorship and authenticity of which are open to debate.

OK, I'm sure i am going to...whatever you believe.

Started out as a good thread.

 

[Buster]

No wonder muslims laugh at us. Mary, practically deified in some christian faiths, was the issue of some wanker.

This thread has devolved to the point of proselytism by members of one faith who believe in one book, the authorship and authenticity of which are open to debate.

OK, I'm sure i am going to...whatever you believe.

Started out as a good thread.

Until you started your criticism of these opinions and views..You have corrupted this thread now...So, GO AWAY!!!

 

[XL-entLady]

Unfortunately, my suspicions are confirmed. Given the human condition, it may be impossible to have an extended conversation about religion without bringing negative feelings into the mix. I thought the concept of Deity is supposed to make us better not more argumentative. :blink: But the subject devolves into rancor in my "other" world as well.

"You cannot antagonize and persuade at the same time." -John Knox

Lady

 

[Buster]

Unfortunately, my suspicions are confirmed. Given the human condition, it may be impossible to have an extended conversation about religion without bringing negative feelings into the mix. I thought the concept of Deity is supposed to make us better not more argumentative. But the subject devolves into rancor in my "other" world as well.

"You cannot antagonize and persuade at the same time." -John Knox

Lady

It's okay Lady...only one negative comment...so maybe we can continue the original course of discussion, without further degradation.

And yes, my tongue was firmly in cheek on my earlier post to you..you should know me by now.:cheesy:

 

[Rod]

This thread has devolved to the point of proselytism by members of one faith who believe in one book, the authorship and authenticity of which are open to debate.

OK, I'm sure i am going to...whatever you believe.

Started out as a good thread.

OK, let's get the thread back on topic... "Christianity vs. Islam".

 

[Buster]

OK, let's get the thread back on topic... "Christianity vs. Islam".

Which is why I considered this topic..it all boils down to who was the son of Abraham to be Sacrificed to show his love of God..Isaac or Ishmael?

Islam (Mohammad) believes it was Ishmael..Christians/Jews believe it was Isaac..This is the root of the differences as I've come to learn.

 

[wv-girl]

Which is why I considered this topic..it all boils down to who was the son of Abraham to be Sacrificed to show his love of God..Isaac or Ishmael?

Islam (Mohammad) believes it was Ishmael..Christians/Jews believe it was Isaac..This is the root of the differences as I've come to learn.

Maybe it was just following what the Lord said and that is the lesson? Could it be that he loved both sons equally? And the true test was obedience instead of which son? As a parent could you choose? Would you choose?

 

[XL-entLady]

Islam (Mohammad) believes it was Ishmael..Christians/Jews believe it was Isaac..This is the root of the differences ....

And it's been a lethal case of sibling rivalry ever since. Too bad we can't be "Christianity & Islam" instead of "Christianity vs Islam". :worried:


"Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13

"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20


Lady

 

[FUTURESTRADER]

And it's been a lethal case of sibling rivalry ever since. Too bad we can't be "Christianity & Islam" instead of "Christianity vs Islam". :worried:


"Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13

"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20


Lady

I was thinking the same thing, Lady. Change the thread header.

 

[Buster]

And it's been a lethal case of sibling rivalry ever since. Too bad we can't be "Christianity & Islam" instead of "Christianity vs Islam". :worried:


"Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13

"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20


Lady

Problem is..Islam, at least the fundamental fanatics...exercise the broadest sense of hypocrisy of any religion...

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar

..I don't think I need to point out any examples..9-11 was a pretty good one..

 

[Buster]

I was thinking the same thing, Lady. Change the thread header.

Then that would mean there is no strife...and that isn't the case by a long shot..There is plenty of hate and strife and differences..Not in the sense we are playing a ball game either, but a holy battle for world domination..I don't think Modern Christians and Jews are trying to dominate by force and death to non believers..At least I haven't heard of any beheading lately in the name of God..