Islam teaches that it is the Muslim's duty to convert others the way Evangelicals believe it is their duty to evangelize everyone (according to the Great Commission which was specifically addressed to the Apostles, and by extension, their successors of their choice).
Historically, Islam has tolerated the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians), although as second-class citizens. Islam mercilessly exterminated any other (non-biblical) religious sect and cult
Examples...among hundreds others:
In their conquest, they would offer defeated Christian kings and nobility a chance to convert and be saved. Otherwise they were beheaded. Muslims are particularly sensitive to what they perceive as "Crusaders" for whom they have little tolerance.
When it comes to killing the infidels, the Muslims, like the Jews and the Evangelical Christians, believe that they are doing "God's" work and don't see it as crime but as "justified" killing. This should sound familiar to your side when it comes to biblical atrocities "ordained" by God.
Neither side "wantonly" murders; atrocities are "justified" as "God's" "plan" and the purpose of which is all for His glory. Thus the slaughter of Canaanite infants and even live stock is seen as "pleasing" to God.
Every religion "justifies" its crimes the same way. Whether it is killing for Christ, for Yahweh/Eli or Allah, murder and even outright genocide are twisted into "holy" work of God through his human intermediaries.
I would say that the Koran equals or even pales when it comes to the cruelty of Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus. To me they are all the same.
And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them [Dt. 7:16]
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword [Josh. 6:21]
Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil [Koran, Women 4:76]
[the children of a delicate woman] that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them. [Dt. 28:57]
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up [Hos 13:16]
They all read the same. Senseless cruelty; that's all.
There is no Christ in any of these.
My dear Kosta, how little you know our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Be certain He shall not always remain full of grace and mercy in the face of unrighteousness. All judgment is turned over to Him. He and He alone will qualify to open the seals. Just as God the Father judged the Son on the Cross, so to shall the Son judge all unrighteousness brought before Him.
All of human history is His Story. When God commanded the slaughter of His enemies, that was All Christ, the second person of the Godhead, determined by the Father and when implemented through faith in Him, performed by the Holy Spirit to glorify the Son.
Your complaint is with God. I didn't write the OT, I just believe in it. And your comparison is false. No Christian today has cause to "follow the Bible" and kill people. But many Muslims believe that they are following the Koran in their murders. I have seen articles that have analyzed the Koran and it appears to me that the fundamentalists have a case. No Christian would have such a case.
Neither side "wantonly" murders; atrocities are "justified" as "God's" "plan" and the purpose of which is all for His glory. Thus the slaughter of Canaanite infants and even live stock is seen as "pleasing" to God.
God ordered such specific missions of specific people at specific times. I have no evidence that He has done so since Christ. No Christian has any Biblical justification to carry out such acts on his own. It is only the terrorists who believe they have justification, not Christians who follow the Bible.
I would say that the Koran equals or even pales when it comes to the cruelty of Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus. To me they are all the same.
I have no doubt of it. :) But just remember that the cruelty that you see in the Bible is directly from your own God, as HIS WORD says and stands by. You yourself have said that Jesus quoted from the Septuagint, which related this cruelty that disturbs you. Yet, He never once said anything against it, now did He? In fact, He stood squarely behind all of these stories as matters of fact.
They all read the same. Senseless cruelty; that's all.
The difference in the passages you quote is that in those from the Bible they refer to God's actions or specific orders to specific people, whereas, in the one quote from the Koran, it appeared to give a general command to all people as they see fit. That's a huge difference.
There is no Christ in any of these.
There is no Christ that YOU believe in, in any of these. Your personal views of the Bible necessarily color your perception of who Christ IS.