Some Truth About Islam

G.W. Bush said, "I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world: We respect your faith. It is practiced freely by many millions of Americans, and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them." (9.20.2001 an address to a Joint Session of Congress)

Mohammed said: “The sword is the key of heaven and hell; a drop of blood shed in the cause of Allah, a night spent in arms, is of more avail than two months of fasting or prayer; whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven, and at the day of judgment his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim."

G.W. Bush probably does not know as much about Islam as does Mohammed, Islam's founder.

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Barack Hussein Obama said, "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." (Inaugural Address January, 2009)

The Koran: has well over 100 verses that teach fighting, killing and terror. When compared to the Hadith (a history of Mohammed the Sunni Muslims use as an example to follow, though Shiites reject it) we see that most of these verses are chronologically later than the "peace" and acceptance verses. Due to the "Doctrine of Abrogation," the later "revelations" from Allah cancelled out the earlier teachings. The doctrines of Mohammed were always subject to change. The point: Islam at its heart is violent and vengeful. It is seen in the life of Mohammed, his followers and the books of his religion.

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The Bible does teach that Jesus came not to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10.34), but that is not in the same kind of context as the Koran and the life of Mohammed displayed in the Hadith. The Bible teaches forgiveness:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103.11-13 ESV)

O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (Jonah 4.2 ESV)

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. (Acts 13.38-39 ESV)

The Bible also teaches unchanging truth:

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. (Psalm 102.25-27 ESV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24.35 ESV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrew 13.8 ESV)

Finally, the Bible teaches one way to salvation- by grace, through faith in Christ alone:

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4.12 ESV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14.6 ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2.8-9 ESV)

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My best resource for this post was "The Truth About Islam" by Don Walton at Time For Truth Ministries. He could not find a publisher willing to print this workbook- and was even kicked out of a major office supply chain when he was having them printed at his own expense. The workbooks were originally intended as a resource for pastors to be able to teach from, but they have become popular with those who are not ministerial staff members.

Tuesday Morning Notes 2.3.2009

Tuesday morning Boyd and I set out again. The weather was on the cool side, but since there was no wind it was pretty comfortable. We covered a long stretch of road and spoke to a fair number of people.

A couple of those people were Christians and one was a Christian co-worker. However, we did meet a few who we were able to share the Gospel with. One man denied needing Jesus at first, saying that he was "perfect." He thought it was funny, but when we spoke about sin and how we cannot measure up to God's requirements for perfection, he admitted that he was not perfect. He admitted being a sinner. However, after a few minutes, he said he did not really want to consider salvation at that time.

Another young man stopped and spoke to us. He said that he did not sin but needed to "get back into church." He seemed open to the Gospel, but had to drive his sister to work and could not stay to talk more than the five or so minutes we spent with him. He did hear the truth about his standing with God and acknowledged that he was headed to hell if he would did at this point. This young man did not want to surrender his life to Christ at this point.

The last person I will mention was a lady (obviously with a few children in the house). She said she did not know what would happen to her if she died at that moment. She accepted the fact that she was lost in sin and seemed to be open to the Gospel, but her pressing need to take care of her children forced us to cut the conversation short. We left a tract with her and let her know that she could call the church if she had any questions or could visit.

May God lead these folks who demonstrated an openness to the Gospel into His Kingdom.

Finally, at work I had to speak with a man who actually came to our mental health facility looking for someone to pray for him and help him spiritually. He was not a danger to himself or others and was not "religiously preoccupied." He was tired of his life of sin and wanted to find His salvation in Christ. He actually went to a church where he was led to Christ and given a Bible, but when the minister heard that this gentleman had three or four beers before he came to the church the minister went and called the police. I do not understand the thinking of this "minister," but I know the church and it is a bit higher class than I would fit into. Thank God!

I actually spoke about Jesus with this man and referred him to Boyd's church since he lives close to Anchor Baptist. I explained the Biblical teaching about being born again and how God transforms us through His own power, not through ours. This gentleman was engaged in our conversation and I tried to encourage him that the Lord can take him from where he is into a much different life.

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV)

And that concludes the notes for this week. I invite the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ.