One God for all

me | me

[mfreddy]

Today my local newspaper had a nasty response to a LCMS pastor's claim that Christians and Muslims do not believe in the same god. The author goes on to say "This is contrary to all the sources I've seen, which explain that Jews, Christians and Muslims do indeed worship the same god, in what is termed the Abrahamic tradition. Perhaps he is confused my the term "Allah" (Arabic for "the lord"), not understanding that it is a different name for God, not the name of a different god." The letter closes with a personal attack on the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

Can anyone help me understand what the philosophical differences between the three religions and provide me with information to refute the letter if untrue?

Given the nasty nature of the letter and the attack on the Church I feel strongly compelled to at least investigate whether a response is warranted.

[hellinahandcart]

Well, let's see. Their god promises lots of sex in heaven for Islam's martyrs; my God says there won't be any sex in the afterlife...sounds like they are worshipping a different entity entirely, doesn't it? One that's very much concerned with the physical.

[George W. Bush]

The Muslims are told that God cast off Isaac and gave the promises to Ishmael, never does it say that in the Old Testament, only in the Quaran written by a guy who makes a statement like "I constrain myself from performing miracles". Muslims see their duty as not waiting for a Messiah of any kind, they are to themselves conquer the world for their god by cunning, killing, or conversion. Nice group eh what?

What?! But President Bush told us that Islam Is Peace. He probably is getting ready to issue an executive order to that effect.

Now I don't know what to believe...

[George W. Bush]

Pope kissing the Koran

A nice picture of Papa preaching the Gospel of Christ. I suppose this is what Billy Graham has in mind when he calls JP2 a great evangelist. Given Graham's dismal success rate, I think ol' Billy is quite sincere.

Ever notice how our RC friends never seem to account for Papa kissing a book that denies the divinity of Christ? How exactly does one explain the supposed holy father of Christianity, supposedly ordained to lead all Christians, when he kisses a book that says Jesus was only a teacher and that the crucifixion of Christ is a fairy tale and that someone else was crucified in Christ's place?

It must take a lot of Latin mumbo-jumbo to paper over this kind of blasphemy by the "vicar of Christ".

It's one thing to have wool over your eyes but quite another to epoxy it in place to avoid the truth about Papa and the religion of Rome.

[MissAmericanPie]

Poor baby, how bout believing your lying eyes like the rest of us? haha

There was another thread earlier this am about the Saudi and Iranian parliments issuing a statement airing their anger over how the Western media is talking bad about their great religion. Which is odd, all I see the media doing is kissing their feet, just because it isn't working isn't really the media's fault.

[VeritatisSplendor]

I believe that that's not a Koran, it's an Arabic Bible. This photo has been used over an over again to slander the Pope, but I have never seen anyone give the necessary background information (date and place) to prove that JPII is actually kissing a Koran. There are plenty of Christians in Arabic-speaking countries, why do you assume anyone wearing a turban is a Muslim?

[Romulus]

It must take a lot of Latin mumbo-jumbo to paper over this kind of blasphemy by the "vicar of Christ".

Not really.

ego autem dico vobis diligite inimicos vestros benefacite his qui oderunt vos et orate pro persequentibus et calumniantibus vos

Works with all sorts, actually.

[RnMomof7]

What?! But President Bush told us that Islam Is Peace. He probably is getting ready to issue an executive order to that effect.

The flames will lick at your heels for that:>)

[Prodigal Daughter]

Unless it is all a hoax, it appears that the Pope did indeed kiss the Koran. See: Daily Catholic October 2001 and Daily Catholic June 99 which quotes Patriarch Raphael I Bidawid who is the spiritual leader of about 600,000 Catholics of the Chaldean rite, most of them living in Iraq. There are also about 200,000 Latin-rite Catholics in Iraq, along with 200,000 non-Catholic Christians.

The complete text of the interview with Patriarch Raphael I Bidawid follows, through the courtesy of FIDES:

Q: What is the situation in Iraq?

A: The people, despite everything, are resisting. The tragedy is that the US and Great Britain bomb every day, hitting not only military targets. In Kosovo they call them "mistakes," but here they are normal daily routine. But I think that when someone is killed it is always a mistake, these are crimes against a civilian population, and they kill about twenty people every day.

Q: You mentioned the war in Kosovo. Have the two conflicts anything in common?

A: If we compare our situation with that in Kosovo we find many similarities, and in fact the Iraqi people, although mostly Muslims, feel they are in the same trench as the people of the Yugoslav Republic. What has been happening there for two months now, has been happening here for nine years: and the same people are dropping the bombs. It seems to me that in both cases the US and Great Britain show they know nothing about the people they are attacking. They undervalue the tenacity of the Iraqi people who has resisted for nine years, and the same appears to be true of the Yugoslav people. They think that with bombs they can weaken the power of the leaders, whereas, in fact, they only increase the suffering of the people. The people prefer to support their leaders rather than end up under the slavery of America.

Q: At what point are preparations for a papal visit to Iraq?

A: It is known that Pope John Paul II has often voiced a desire to make a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Abraham, the common father of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. For the Pope, Abraham is a figure who helps the unity of believers to overcome political divisions. On May 14th I was received by the Pope, together with a delegation composed of the Shi'ite imam of Khadum mosque and the Sunni president of the council of administration of the Iraqi Islamic Bank. There was also a representative of the Iraqi ministry of religion. I renewed our invitation to the Pope, because his visit would be for us a grace from heaven. It would confirm the faith of Christians and prove the Pope's love for the whole of humanity in a country which is mainly Muslim.

At the end of the audience the Pope bowed to the Muslim holy book, the Qu'ran, presented to him by the delegation, and he kissed it as a sign of respect. The photo of that gesture has been shown repeatedly on Iraqi television and it demonstrates that the Pope is not only aware of the suffering of the Iraqi people, he has also great respect for Islam.

A papal visit would be welcomed by both the people and by the authorities. After the audience I immediately sent a recommendation to the Iraqi government to make the official step of inviting the Pope to Iraq.

Q: Will the bombing raids on Iraq ever end?

A: I hope they will, but in the mean time, with the delegation received by the Pope, I will go to America in July. We accepted an invitation from Billy Graham. We will visit the lion's den and try to explain the situation of our people. We will meet a number of NGOs and religious and civil authorities. We are going not to ask for help, but to explain how the people suffer because of the bombing. If they stop the bombing we will not need any help. Iraq has everything it needs, except peace.

[Havoc]

..in other words, there's nothing that messes up one's claims or beliefs quite like a good set of facts. LoL.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Havoc]

Now, Acts 2:2-4 shows us where the Holy Spirit was given to the believers. The Holy Spirit appeared first in the Gospels when John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Thus, Christ's fulfillment of His purpose unleashes the Holy Spirit, and we then understand the three Godheads. This doesn't negate the fact that Jesus was born in the House of David, as promised, and that Jesus was a Jew who came to His own first. Remember the mount of transfiguration? Who was Christ talking to? Was Moses and Elijah before worshipping a different God than the one Jesus did? Of course not! He is the same God.

A very astute observation that he went first to the jews. It is worth noting that the exclusive ministry of the original apostles was to the Jews. Later, Paul was called to convert the Gentiles; but, the office of the original group was to minister to the 12 tribes of Israel. The Catholics would argue you down on this; but, it's scripture. And I'll take scripture over someone's made up traditions any day. :) Jesus took care of the Father's beloved.

[George W. Bush]

Good find. I think RnMom has been looking for the two links you posted here on the Pope and the Koran.

[mfreddy]

Sorry, but what is BTTT?

[mfreddy]

Thanks all for the information. I've learned a great deal and was able to write a response to the person mentioned in my post. I'm sure some of you will disagree, and I still have some personal clarifications to discuss with my pastor but I have enjoyed the dialogue. I do believe there is a difference, although what exactly the difference is will take a lot more study on my part.

[Diverdogz]

Muslims Don't Recognise the Christian God

Jews Don't Recognise Jesus as the Messiah

Protestants Don't Recognise the Pope as the Head of the Church

...and

Baptists Don't Recognise Each Other in the Liquor Store!!!