I recently visited a Mosque to see and experience Islam which was interesting. If you ever try going, pay attention to the seating arrangement and be willing to participate. The people were very welcoming as most are with any religion. It’s not like a Christian Church where you can just sit in pew and stand during a hymn and easily blend in. It’s a little more involved and being that the Scripture readings are in Arabic it makes the service a little more confusing. I walked away realizing that every religion probably has terminology that people might not be familiar with which is important to remember when speaking with new people outside of the faith. The following was an email sent to someone I met although it has been edited for the purpose of this blog. I greatly appreciated their invitation to the service as it was educational. The Muslim life, as an example, shows me how lacking I am in my prayer life.
I use to be somewhat into Christian apologetic in defending the faith and the trinity while I was younger. I had dated a Mormon who typically don’t share the same views on Christ and deny the Trinity. I had studied there religion and debated religion for six months. After this I came to realize that we are all somewhat brainwashed into our own biases based on how we are raised. Arabs are raised Muslim, Americans typically Are Christians, Tibetans are typically Buddhist. I realized that the important thing was not to just accept the faith of our fathers but to seek it out for ourselves and that which is true should stand out when tested with scripture of course this might vary depending on the scripture you are reading although I believe there are some major commonalities in all scriptures. That which brings you closer to walking and following after God is good. I realized that creating grief and confusion was not good, people will only want to see and hear what they want to believe and that which God wants to reveal to them; all that we can do is to live following after God and be an example unto others.
I have thought about going to a Christian seminary in order to learn the Hebrew and Greek to further study the Christian scriptures. Although I know some Greek/Roman philosophies may have crept their way into the canon of scripture, I believe the majority to be true and accurate although I sometimes question Paul’s writings. I’m somewhat a student of theology, being that I’ve always had a deep interest for it. What is the definition of Muslim? One who follows after Allah? In reading the Quran tonight I came across Surah 3:52 and my English translation says the apostles called themselves Muslims, I assume that it means to says, “We bare witness that we are followers of God.” I’m pretty sure that the apostles, followers of Christ, didn’t call themselves Muslims and would have considered themselves Jews considering Islam had not yet come to pass. I figure it is something lost in translation.
I’m very familiar with the Nicene Creed and the Roman Emperor Constantine Who persecuted the Arian Christians yet was Baptized by them later. I would prescribe more to the Arian believe as it does not agree with the Trinity. Most Arians were crucified or became Muslims to escape the Catholic Church.
I would argue that God does have sons and daughters as we are all children of God.
I do agree that we are accountable for our life as James, Jesus’ brother, claims that we must have fruits that stem from our faith.
Isaiah 42:1-9 Speaks of the messiah and calls him the LORD’s servant. Jesus also acknowledges himself subservient to the father thus I have troubles on how the Trinity can claim they are one. The word God can also mean Judge and for that purpose I could see the title given to Christ as he will be a part of our judgement as he was made to be Lord on this Earth. In the old testament God said that Moses will be a God unto pharaoh in that he pass judgment unto pharaoh. I do believe that there is only One God and that Jesus is his anointed chosen one, begotten in that he was uniquely chosen and anointed, to be Lord over this Earth so that after all things are put under Christ, Christ can put himself under God and glorify God. I read in the Quran that there is no other LORD other than Allah, so I have some disagreement in how this might be viewed in that I believe Jesus was made to be Lord on this Earth, our King as foretold by the Jews and their prophets. Ultimately all things go to the Father as Christ’s actions and will is that of the Father, God, Allah.
With anything, I believe most scripture to be true although written by the hands of man, it is our interpretation that usually distorts it. The Quran says that Jesus didn’t die on the cross but was made to look like it. I would agree with the scripture but disagree with most Muslim scholars on their view on this. I don’t believe he was replaced by another. I believe Christ was crucified, displaying his obedience to God unto death, and although he rested in the grave for three days made to look like he was dead he was truly resurrected so that we all might believe in a Resurrection for those who follow after God. I see no reason to ignore this. Jesus preached the Good News, a message of the coming of a heavenly kingdom here on earth as it was in heaven. It wasn’t until later when Paul a former Jew began teaching salvation of sin through the blood of Christ which I have problems with. I believe that Christianity has become a religion of Paul more so than that of Christ. Ezekiel 18 speaks of how God is fair and will judge each man according to his actions, thus why would we be guilty of Adam’s sins? It says that God will save those who are good. There are also those who say that none can be good enough, yet we see that God saved Enoch, Jesus, among other prophets. Christ came to set an example and free us from the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, teaching us how to live. By living like Christ, our spirit can share in his holiness as we are all one in spirit. Today I believe Christians make the mistake of forgetting Jesus’ humanity and thus failing to be Christ like making the excuse that he is God and that there is no way they can be sinless and like God. Yet the Bible says that we should struggle daily to be like Christ and to continue on sinning is like crucifying him again and again.
I love my Lord and his God, the God of Abraham. In Christianity it bugs me how we sometimes seem to place Jesus on a pedestal above the father, our God. Although Jesus may have been Lord of this Earth he is not the Father, the LORD almighty, and I don’t believe he claimed to be although we make him out to be. It grieves me that the different views of Christ cause such turmoil between the Jews, Christians, and Muslims as we all are trying to worship the same God of Abraham. Jesus called us all to be One and if we were to unite it would truly be Heaven on Earth.
My current studies have been leading me into the study of heaven and what happens after death. My belief although not the typical is that we are buried waiting for Christ return and the Resurrection on the day of judgement. I’m trying to refute the concept of near death experiences and going to heaven when you die as it doesn’t make sense with scripture and a Resurrection. Why would one die to be with God only to be resurrected again later?
inshallah salam, peace be upon you
God Bless
Loading ...