Harley — thank you for that comment. It was not insensitive.
I was looking for educated opinions and you’re the first person to voice it so far on this thread.
I know our Jewish friends, nay brothers, will say that to them, Christianity is false - and that makes sense from their religious point of view. We can agree to disagree with them
For me the revelation was understanding that post 2nd temple Judaism is from the Pharisee sect of 2nd temple Judaism and we Christians are from the Jesus-movement sect of 2nd temple Judaism.
That to me explains a lot of things:
1. Why the antagonism - it is a continuation of the 1st century when the two sects were fighting over adherents
2. Why the question about “didn’t Jews convert” - and the answer is “may did - may be even half as it wasn’t converting so much as following a sect of 2nd temple Judaism - the Jesus-movement sect”
3. How we should see the post 2nd temple Jews - as our elder brothers with whom we fundamentally disagree
And more importantly how we should see ourselves as Christians.
Islam, looking at it from a historical point of view is some Bedouin guys taking the aspects of Pharisaical Judaism and mereging it with Christian evangelism and Zoroastrian dualism and pagan Djinn etc. to create a compelling warriors religion.
This isn't simply a disagreement. According to scripture, if you do not believe in the Lord Jesus for your salvation then there is no other method of salvation. All other religious systems of this world, be it Judism or Islam, no matter how kind or noble, are false systems devised to keep a person from sharing in eternal glory with Christ. One can have a very moral belief system (like the Mormons) but good works or moral values will not save. And if a dear friend was following a path to eternal torment, would you simply say that "You have your ideas, and I have mine. I just simply disagree with your views."?
As one who believes in the sovereign will of God in salvation choosing those who He wills to accomplish His will, I fully understand that many will not come to Christ. They think our message is interferring with their beliefs. Their minds are darkened to the truth. However, that does not excuse us from our obligations to follows Christ's command to tell them that 1) they need to repent, and 2) believe in the Lord Jesus for their salvation.
Ezekiel 3:18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.