With all the attention on the Muslim Brotherhood in recent weeks, and the fall of the Mubarak government in Egypt, renewed attention has been directed at the Muslim religion.
What is the difference between Jesus’ message in the Bible and the message taught by Mohammed?
During the Muslim conquests, Christians and Jews were known as “The People of the Book”. Muslims understood that Christians had the scriptures in which they drew their purpose and direction for life.
The reason that the land of Israel is so important to Islam is that according to their way of thinking, a land that once belonged to Islam, even if lost to a conqueror, is still holy to Islam. They believe that because these former lands of Israel, southern Europe, Spain and North Africa once were lands belonging to Islam, they should be restored to the rule of Islam.
According to Islam, it is Allah’s will that the entire world should be under the rule of Islam. Because of this, Muslims are very zealous and forceful in spreading the religion of Islam, either by peaceful means or by force.
To a Muslim, the Qur’an is the Word of God that came from their prophet Mohammad through the angel Gabriel. There are 114 chapters in the Qur’an that deal with moral and ethical teaching, as well as the day of judgment.
According to Islam there is just one God, and He has no Son or separate Spirit. Allah has the ability to be everywhere at once but he does not dwell within anyone or anything. Only Allah created and sustains the universe. He is merciful, just, sovereign and without equal.
According to the Qur’an, Allah created two species, man and Jinn. Jinn was created from fire and man was created from clay. Jinn was created with reason and responsibility, yet more susceptible to evil than man.
The Qur’an is directed at man and claims to be the only guide for man. True faith, called “Iman”, is made up of a sincere belief in the “Immaculate, Divine Unity of Islam and a person’s submission to Allah’s will”.
The prophets of Islam are human and are simply the receivers of God’s revelation as revealed by angels. In Islam, God never speaks to man directly, nor has a personal relationship with man.
According to Islam, on the last day all men will be resurrected and be judged by God according to their deeds. Those with good works according to the precepts of the Qur’an will be given paradise. Those with bad deeds and a rejection of the teachings of the Qur’an will burn in the fires of hell. In addition to the fires of hell, those who are condemned will also suffer “Fire in their hearts”.
In Islam, the wealthy are seen as evil and the accumulation of wealth is seen as the main reason for the fall of human societies and governments. This is the reason that the United States and her capitalistic society are seen as so evil and corrupt. According to Islam, wealth should be distributed to the poor equally, much as in a socialist society.
The main object of Islam is not to convert individuals to Islam, but to gain political control over the collective affairs of societies and institute them according to the law of Islam.
The leaders of Islam believe that conversion of the individual person happens naturally as a result of the power of Islamic government gaining control over the lives of people.
Islam does not believe that it is acceptable to wage war to acquire worldly power, glory, or rulership. The Shi’ah sect of Islam believes that the rulership for Islam belongs to the descendants of the prophet Mohammad. The Sunni sect of Islam believe that rulership should come from those who belong to the tribe of the Prophet Mohammad.
Sunnis believe that political theory is a result of the circumstances and after the fact rationalization of the events of history. Shi’ah’s restrict rule is a legalistic ownership to Ali’s family.
Sunnis are tolerant and allow those with other beliefs to exist alongside them. The Shi’ah sect of Islam are a hard line, intolerant group who believe that their leader or Iman, is transformed into a metaphysical manifestation of God on the earth. He is considered infallible and has the unique ability to to reveal the true meanings of the Qur’ an.
Religious life for the Muslim centers around the mosque. On every Friday each Muslim observes the day as a “Holy Day”. The entire life of the Muslim is centered around achieving “The highway of life leading to God.”
For the Muslim, the world is divided into three spheres: Islam, Peace, and War. Any nation or people who refuse Islam as the principal ruler of their society is under the sphere of War. The Jihad or Holy War is waged against any nation or people who refuse the way of Islam.
According to Islamic law, called “Shar’iah, crimes from assault, murder, rape or robbery, are punishable by retaliation. Those who commit these crimes are punished with the same treatment as was committed against the victim. Certain crimes have predetermined punishment: Death for Denial of Islam, Hand amputation for Robbery. Stoning to Death for Extramarital Affairs if the offender is married. 100 Lashes for the unmarried person. 80 lashes for any accusation of sexual sin, adultery or the drinking of any alcoholic beverage.
Under Islam, there is no provision for salvation for a person. There is no sacrifice for sin. No risen Lord as with Jesus who lives within the believer and guides them daily. Mercy is unpredictably given by Allah at his discretion. The Kor’an has no guidance for the individual follower in their daily life. The teaching of the Kor’an is harsh and legalistic with swift punishment for the offender.
The major difference between Islam and Christianity is the Christ.
The love, grace and teaching of Jesus stands in stark contrast to the harsh, legalistic and strict teaching of the Kor’an. Jesus said that a person should “Love their enemy”. The Kor’an teaches that either an enemy is forced to adhere to the teachings of Islam or they are to be killed.
Jesus never used any force on anyone. He taught love, grace, forgiveness and mercy by example. He is the friend of sinners and He is willing to eat and have fellowship with the most miserable and destitute of the world.
When teaching on the subject of an enemy, Jesus said that the reason that we are to pray and do good to those who hurt, abuse and use us, is because this is the treatment that our Father in Heaven gives to the evil and the good. We are to be the sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, so we imitate His treatment and behavior in every facet of our lives.
Jesus is revealed in the Bible as the unique Son of God who has no beginning or end. He is described as the Creator of everything that exists, and the One who holds all of creation together. Jesus is the judge of all men and the ruler of all creation. He has appointed a limited time of grace in which the sins of any person can be pardoned and removed from their record. Jesus claimed to be the only Savior of the world and that no one can enter the eternal state of heaven apart from an acceptance of His sacrifice for their sins.
Jesus taught that there is no good work that any man can do that can earn him the right to eternal life. All men are hopelessly lost in their sin, with no possibility of eternal life, apart from His death and resurrection.
Jesus claimed that the proof that He is God and the only Savior of the world would be that He would raise Himself from the dead on the third day after He was crucified. According to the historical record, Jesus rose from the dead as is testified by many eyewitnesses and lived on the earth and was seen by hundreds, for more than 40 days after His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best documented event in all of human history.
Jesus has no equal, no flaw or sin. He is the second Adam who is the eternal God. He was born as a human being on earth, so that He could be qualified to be the Savior of all men. Jesus promised to return to earth at a time known only to Him. Upon His return He will set up an everlasting kingdom in which all those who have given their lives to Him, will rule and reign with Him forever.
The most important difference between Jesus and Islam is Love.
There is no one in all the history of the earth who so clearly defined what God is: Perfect Love, except Jesus. Although He possesses the power to destroy every person who has lived on the earth, He chose rather to use His power to lay down His own life and die for the very ones who betrayed and rejected Him.
Jesus died for His enemies, just as much as for those who would Love Him. Jesus Love, His Grace, and His Mercy stand in stark contrast to harsh, unmerciful and unloving doctrines and laws of Islam.
Rob Robinson
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