The religion of Islam has moved to the forefront since the terrorists' attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
In an unprecedented scramble just about everyone, including President Bush, with some access to a mass media outlet was
stressing that the terrorists' religion was not truly Islamic but rather a very fanatical lunatic fringe element which was guilty of "hijacking" Islam! With
vocal cords of media personalities operating in high speed overdrive mode we were constantly informed that Islam is a peaceful religion and its followers seek
peace in all relationships.
High profile exposure was given to "reaching out" and "dialog" experiences. The president's photo op sessions included
gatherings with Muslim clerics and reading moments with Muslim children -- a publicity campaign designed to convince even the skeptics that Islam is
indeed a "peaceful" religion.
Numerous elements of Christianity reached out to invite Muslims to come to special gatherings in churches for purposes of
dialog and discussion so that Christians might be better informed regarding the faith of Islam. Christian clergy met with Islamic clerics and chatted with
the intent of better understanding and respect of each other's faith. After all, don't we really serve the same God and aren't we really striving for the same
thing? And don't we hope for a similar eternal destiny?
So what's wrong with this picture? For a large number, including El Presidente, absolutely nothing is wrong with it! For these,
it is a good thing that we get together and come to a mutual understanding and respect for each other, thereby making for a peaceful and harmonious relationship!
What we have been witnessing is the making of an unholy marriage -- a live and let live agreement -- a shared view that each
has a legitimate claim in matters of divinely revealed prepositional truth, human responsibility, and eternal destiny. That this deplorable situation has come
about in this country is due primarily to corrupting elements which have invaded both Christianity and Islam!
In the purest forms of doctrine as based on Christianity's Bible and Islam's Quran there is no possible reconciliation except
when one side completely abandons the basics of its faith for the other -- that is, a Christian abandons his professed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
and becomes a Muslim, professing faith in Allah as the only true god. By the same token, a Muslim abandons his faith in Allah and high regard for Muhammad as the
greatest prophet and professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his life. In both cases there is a denial that the former faith which one professed
is a legitimate faith -- it is totally rejected and considered false and deceptive and the new faith which one now professes is considered to be the only true
faith!
In both records (Bible and Quran) there is a clear and most radical claim that there are no alternatives to true faith -- it is
all or nothing -- you either go by the exclusive salvation offered through Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form, or you go by the teachings of
Muhammad the prophet and faith in Allah. But there is no compromising the two -- at least, in the teachings of the Bible and of the Quran as taken at face
value to their logical conclusion!
In the Bible, God concludes His plan for His creation through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who is the final Judge, and before Whom
all human beings will ultimately give an account of their lives on earth. All the wicked are judged and consigned to an eternal hell. The faithful followers of
Jesus Christ are rewarded and given a place in His eternal Kingdom. There is absolutely no allowance for an Allah or a Muhammad or anything either may have said
or taught!
In the same manner Islam regards Muhammad as the greatest prophet. It allows for the fact that Jesus was also a prophet but
not nearly so high in standing as is Muhammad. The world is eventually purged of all infidels who have not accepted Allah, and by implication, abide by the
teachings of the Quran. Jews and Christians are labeled as infidels, and at one point Muslims are admonished to not take them as friends. You don't believe that?
Read the Quran my friend -- it's all there in plain black and white!
Go ahead -- take a look at The Quran (Koran), Islam's holy book. Use return feature
on web browser to come back here.
So how is it that in this country many Muslims and Christians are practically becoming cozy bed fellows? Primarily because of
the corrupting elements in both faiths. It is not that unusual anymore to hear of Christians (especially among some pastors who have been brainwashed in a
seminary they attended!) denying the reality of Who Jesus really is, what His primary purpose was in coming to earth, and what His future plans are. These are:
- He is God revealed in human form
- He died on the cross for every human being (including practitioners of Islam) to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to Himself
- He was literally resurrected from the dead 3 days after crucifixion
- He ascended back to heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is scheduled to return to planet Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords to
set up a Kingdom which will last forever!
In the same manner there are followers of Islam who are denying elements of their faith as they fail to denounce
Christianity and other religions as being absolutely false, and if you don't convert and acknowledge Allah as the only true god, you are an infidel and
worthy of death!
The purer form of Islam is practiced in those countries where the religion is dominant (as much as 90 percent or better) and
controls the governments. Do a check as to how Christians get along in those countries and see how compatible Christianity and Islam are, and how frequently the
Muslim clerics invite the minority Christians to public gatherings to discuss their faith for the purpose of enlightening the faithful Muslims.
You can get interesting insight by looking into
Religious Restrictions in the
World -- recent reports are available -- be sure to look closely at the Islamic controlled countries -- Islam a "peaceful" religion? Yea, when they are in control and practically everyone is a Muslim -- but woe to Christians and Jews who live in those countries!
What is the approach Christians should take on this issue? Our faith is to be expressed in love, but with deep conviction that
salvation, forgiveness, peace with God, and hope are possible only through Jesus Christ. It's not a matter of self-righteously telling the Muslim that he is going
to Hell, but rather informing him that Jesus loved him, as He did us, so much that He died for the sins of all of us on the cross. It is also a matter of
demonstrating our concern and willingness to help in any way we can in order that the Muslim (or anyone else still in bondage to sin) may know forgiveness and
peace through Jesus.
That is why Christianity in its purest form of expression is extremely radical and unyielding -- allowing for no possible hope
outside of Jesus Christ, because it takes literally the claims of Jesus Christ which He made regarding Himself and the demands He has placed upon all humans,
including every single Muslim.
If you haven't already done so, review those claims and demands at The Way - The Truth - The Life. Use the return feature on your browser to come back here.
As mentioned elsewhere on Circuit Rider's Range Osama bin Laden and others such as he are more faithful in practicing Islam
than are most Muslims here in the United States. They have taken the Quran to its logical conclusion and are simply attempting to usher in the day when the
world will be purged of all infidels, including Christians and Jews, and there will be only one holy book, the Quran, and only one god being worshipped whose
name is Allah!
Taking a much different approach, Christianity in its purest form strives to carry out the mandate of the risen Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), and looks forward to His glorious appearing as King of kings and Lord of lords. The nature of the mandate is an
approach of love and peace, never attempting to force anyone to repent and believe on Jesus Christ -- it is simply throwing the "ball" (message of Jesus Christ)
into their court, and the choice is strictly up to them to accept or reject. The world being what it is at the present time, sometimes the response is
positive and other times violent hostility!
For further reference read Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 2 and 3; Jude; and the entire book of Revelation. The final 3 chapters of Revelation are really exciting -- notice however, that Muhammad and Allah are conspicuously absent! Enjoy! 
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
and former pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) > November 1999 through November 2019
Gipsy PA
For related subjects see: (use reverse feature on browser to return here)
What Would Happen If We Could Export Some Unique USA Cultural Distinctives to Islamic Countries?
The One Call That the Church Professing the Name of Jesus Christ Refuses to Heed!
"But doctor, I feel good, and people say I look great!" - a parable of 21st Century church health!
Response to a Columnist's Diatribe on Ministers' Comments About Terrorists' Attacks!
President Bush's "Selective War" Against Terrorism! or "Some Terrorists Will Be Spared in the Supposed 'War on Terrorism!'"
September 11, 2001 -- Shades of Pearl Harbor!
Trashing Sacred Gifts -- 21st Century Style!
