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The word "Islam" means, literally, "absolute submission to Allah's will." It is primarily dependent upon the writings of Mohammed as found in the Quran (the holy book). I have not been involved in the Islam religion nor done an exhaustive study of the religion. However, I believe that it is important that we can see some major basic differences in Christianity and Islamism. You may find additional information at "Probe Ministries".
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| Confession: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). | Confession: "I testify that there is no God but Allah, and the Mohammed is the Prophet of God." |
| The God of the Bible is loving, personable, and seeks to have a loving relationship with men. (Ref. 0). | Allah of Islam is distant, cold, and men can not have a personal relationship with him. |
| Man was created by God as a free agent to do good or evil, but chose to sin. Therefore, man needs a savior. (Ref. 1). | Man was created by Allah, but has little control of his destiny. He is more in need of a guide than a savior. |
| God is the one eternal God (Jehovah or Yahweh) who is manifested in three persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). (Ref. 2). | God is one god, and that is Allah. There is a belief that the lives and acts of men are foreordained by all-knowing Allah. |
| Salvation by faith in Jesus, the Son of God alone and not by good works. (Ref. 3). Man was given a free choice and chose to sin which resulted in a spiritual death. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth being born of the virgin, Mary. He lived a life void of sin, but took our sins upon himself on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected the third day that he might offer eternal life those who would commit their lives to him by faith. (Ref. 4). | Salvation may be potential by doing various good works including prayer, meditation, fasting, giving of tithes, and a pilgrimage to Mecca. There is no assurance of salvation in that one's works will be weighed in the judgment. The possible exception (the belief of some) is that one may be saved through being a martyr in the destruction of those who oppose Islam in a holy war. This may assure him of a place in paradise. Jesus was not crucified or resurrected. |
| The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the perfect, final Word. Nothing is to be taken from it or added to it. (Ref. 5). | The Quran (Koran) as the greatest revelation of God. However, tradition is greatly relied upon. |
| Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and the only way of Salvation. (Ref. 6). He is also the fulfillment of prophecy (Ref. 7), the Believers' High Priest (Ref. 8), and the coming King of kings. (Ref. 9). | Jesus was only a prophet who was succeeded by the greater prophet, Mohammed. The worship of Mohammed is propagated. |
| Isaac was the son of Abraham through which the promises of God were given, but fulfilled in Jesus. Furthermore, the Bible specifically states that Isaac was the only "legitimate" son of Abraham. (Ref. 10). | Ishmael, the elder son of Abraham, was the son through which the promises of God were given. |
| Monogamy of marriage between a man and woman. (Ref. 11). | Often polygamy among various sects. |
| Heaven is a place of peace, comfort, and holiness. There will be no marriage there. (Ref. 12). | Heaven is a place of bliss where one will have many wives. (Various sects may vary somewhat in their beliefs). |
| Strong belief in spiritual aggression through the sharing of the Gospel. (Ref. 13). However, on a personal level the belief of forgiveness and love of the enemy. (Ref. 14). Military actions are delegated to those in governmental power for self protection of the nation and justice. (Ref. 15). | Strong belief in spiritual aggression through the sharing of the Islam religion. Also a strong belief in physical aggression = the Jihad (the sword) or in holy wars. Currently (9/18/01), two Christians are on trial by the Taliban. If they are convicted of witnessing, they are to be hung to death. |
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (I John 1:1-3).Ref. 1:"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:10). True Love Demonstrated
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27)."Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exodus 3:14).Ref. 3:"For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone" (Psalms 86:10).
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).Ref. 4:"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:1-4).Ref. 5:"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him" (I John 4:9).
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II 3:16-17).Ref. 6:"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it" (Deuteronomy 12:32).
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:5-6).
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19).
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).Ref. 7:"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5)
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" (Philippians 2:10).
"And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" (Matthew 11:3-6).
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8).Ref. 8:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession" (Hebrews 4:14).Ref. 9:"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building" (Hebrews 9:11).
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:14).Ref. 10:
"And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him" (Genesis 17:19).Ref. 11:"And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice" (Genesis 22:16-18). (This statement was made by God concerning Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac on the altar. This is also a type or picture of Yahweh giving His son Jesus.)
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Hebrew 11:17-18).
"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband" (Ephesian 5:33).Ref. 12:"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" (Titus 3:2).
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).Ref. 13:"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him" (Revelation 22:3).
"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:3).
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20).
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake" (Romans 13:1-5).
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