Correct me if I am wrong.

 

The Shiites and Sunnis are both Muslims/Islamic religions correct?

And they are trying to kill each other, correct?

You don't see the different Christian denominations IN THIS COUNTRY trying to kill each other.

I think that says there is a HUGE difference in Christianity and Islam.

 

On Rod Parsley, tried to watch him twice but couldn't get past his delivery and quickly changed the channel.

 

 

While I can't rebut your "In this country" phrase, worldwide history shows we too have had our moments.

 

Ever heard of the Huougenots? What about the Ana-Baptists? The wars in Europe between Catholics and Protestants? Ireland?

 

There is a big difference but more similarities than some might realize.

Some will but the questions remains was it?

 

The country was founded on Christianity and Christianity has tried before to destroy Islam, ever hear of a thing called the Crusades.

 

Quite a reach historically here.

 

We weren't founded on Christianity, we were founded by a group, the majority of which were Christians in name and/or practice.

Although not really popular with a typical PC crowd, I have no problem with that statement.

 

 

Islam, he says, is an "anti-Christ religion that intends, through violence, to conquer the world."

 

Interestingly Islam holds Jesus as a great prophet of God. In fact he is revered and topped only by Muhammad in their theology.

Islam, he says, is an "anti-Christ religion that intends, through violence, to conquer the world."

 

Interestingly Islam holds Jesus as a great prophet of God. In fact he is revered and topped only by Muhammad in their theology.

 

What point are trying to make with this post? I want to clarify before I respond...

What point are trying to make with this post? I want to clarify before I respond...

 

The term "anti-Christ" is often used as the opposite of Christ.

 

My point was simply that Muslim theology holds the following common grounds with Christianity:

 

1. They hold Jesus as one of the great prophets from God. (they do not hold to his divinity which I think is the clear and forever dividing point between the two but it's not like they deny Jesus as integral to their understanding of God.)

 

2. They hold the Bible as sacred scripture from God but they hold the Koran as the final authoritative word from God. (Not unlike Mormons do with Scripture and the Book of Mormon)

 

3. They hold to the monotheistic concept of God and are not much different in cousins from Christianity as Judeism.

 

 

I am merely telling you what I have read from Islam and Christianity written and videoed by Dr. Timothy George (Dean of Beeson School of Divinity at Sanford University in Alabama). Now what is said and practiced (as is often the case with Christianity) is sometimes different.

 

I made my post with the intent of getting people to see there is more common ground to dialogue upon with Islam than some who have done no research or reading on Islamic theology portray.

Islam is "anti-Christ."

 

I don't see the big deal. He was saying that Muslims are not for Christ - thus, they're "anti-Christ."

The term "anti-Christ" is often used as the opposite of Christ.

 

My point was simply that Muslim theology holds the following common grounds with Christianity:

 

1. They hold Jesus as one of the great prophets from God. (they do not hold to his divinity which I think is the clear and forever dividing point between the two but it's not like they deny Jesus as integral to their understanding of God.)

 

2. They hold the Bible as sacred scripture from God but they hold the Koran as the final authoritative word from God. (Not unlike Mormons do with Scripture and the Book of Mormon)

 

3. They hold to the monotheistic concept of God and are not much different in cousins from Christianity as Judeism.

 

 

I am merely telling you what I have read from Islam and Christianity written and videoed by Dr. Timothy George (Dean of Beeson School of Divinity at Sanford University in Alabama). Now what is said and practiced (as is often the case with Christianity) is sometimes different.

 

I made my post with the intent of getting people to see there is more common ground to dialogue upon with Islam than some who have done no research or reading on Islamic theology portray.

 

1. 1 John 2:22 says "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son."

 

The Bible clearly states you cannot know the Father without knowing the Son. If you deny the divinity of Jesus, you don't know Him. Their acceptance of Jesus as a prophet is irrelevant because they deny the most important truth about Him. There is no way to reconcile that difference.

 

2. Again, they may classify the Bible as sacred scripture, but their view of it is that it was corrupted, therefore they only accept the parts of it that falls in line with their beliefs. They explain the rest away by saying it was "corrupted". Again, as a Christian who believes the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, there is no way to reconcile this difference. Similarly to point one, classifying the Bible as a "sacred scripture" is irrelevant to me because they pick and choose the parts they want to use and explain the rest away as corrupted text.

 

3. Again, what good is that when we disagree on all the major points that form the foundations of our beliefs.

 

 

I'm not against attempting to have some sort of dialogue with Muslims...I just don't think you can build it on any of the points you mentioned. The differences are too important. Perhaps there is some other points in each religion about helping your fellow man, treating people with kindness, etc., that would be more effective, IMO.

Islam is "anti-Christ."

 

I don't see the big deal. He was saying that Muslims are not for Christ - thus, they're "anti-Christ."

 

Didn't you see post #20, offered up by Hatz?

Everything he's says his accurate except the nation being founded to destroy Islam.

Didn't you see post #20, offered up by Hatz?

 

The Muslims don't believe Jesus is the Christ.

1. 1 John 2:22 says "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son."

 

The Bible clearly states you cannot know the Father without knowing the Son. If you deny the divinity of Jesus, you don't know Him. Their acceptance of Jesus as a prophet is irrelevant because they deny the most important truth about Him. There is no way to reconcile that difference.

 

2. Again, they may classify the Bible as sacred scripture, but their view of it is that it was corrupted, therefore they only accept the parts of it that falls in line with their beliefs. They explain the rest away by saying it was "corrupted". Again, as a Christian who believes the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, there is no way to reconcile this difference. Similarly to point one, classifying the Bible as a "sacred scripture" is irrelevant to me because they pick and choose the parts they want to use and explain the rest away as corrupted text.

 

3. Again, what good is that when we disagree on all the major points that form the foundations of our beliefs.

 

 

I'm not against attempting to have some sort of dialogue with Muslims...I just don't think you can build it on any of the points you mentioned. The differences are too important. Perhaps there is some other points in each religion about helping your fellow man, treating people with kindness, etc., that would be more effective, IMO.

 

I respect your responses and actually agree with much of what you have presented.

 

However, have you ever "witnessed to somebody." Most people find a common ground to speak on. Then the Christian finds a way to steer the conversation toward what he/she has experienced in receiving Christ as his/her Savior.

 

Now what would be the best way to dialogue with Muslims? Could it be to already take their high understanding of Scripture and respect for Jesus and perhaps steer the common ground toward my understanding and experience of Jesus as Christ?

 

If you can't see where we can find common ground then do we just give up the conversation and not try? I'm not talking about compromising the tenents of faith (Jesus as Christ) but finding a way to lead others to that place. Parsley is calling them "anit-Christ" and cutting off all dialogue and hope of leading them to relationship with God through Christ. Tell me, is that what Jesus would do?

Ladies and gentleman....the Rev. Rod Parsley! I know many of you know him well and love his theology, but some others may not be as aware of him and his wackiness. McCain intially sought the support of Parsley to help him with evangelicals. He should have re-thought that...

 

First, Hagee, who says the Catholic church is a very nasty name , and now this hate-filled bozo. McCain has his own share of pastor problems...

 

Parsley claims that our nation was founded, in part "with the intention of seeing this false religion(Islam) destroyed."

 

 

Islam, he says, is an "anti-Christ religion that intends, through violence, to conquer the world."

 

 

Check out Parsley and his views on Islam along with his connection to McCain:

 

 

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4908453

 

 

 

Notice how what McCain says seems in stark contrast to the guy that McCain called "one of the truly great leaders in America," " a moral compass," and a "spiritual guide". Do we really know just how the "Straight Talk Express" believes about anything?

 

McCain called Parsley ,"Ralph, " when introducing him. So is Rabid Ron really his spiritual guide or just some guy he thought was "Ralph".

 

 

 

More from the same Parsley sermon:(Check it out, it's only a couple of min.)

 

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4904882

A lot of people believe this, not just the preacher.

They do not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, only as a good teacher that lived one time, long ago. That would make them Anti...

A lot of people believe this, not just the preacher.

They do not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, only as a good teacher that lived one time, long ago. That would make them Anti...

 

 

 

I'd say there are billions of Anti-Christs walking the Earth, then.

I'd say there are billions of Anti-Christs walking the Earth, then.

Yuppp, probably so, if that is the correct number.

But I am going to lean to say if all Muslims had the Religious freedom that we lucky Americans have, I would venture to say they would Accept Christ as the Son of God and as their Savior.

 

Something we will all get to find out for ourselves one day, when we get to meet him.:thumb:

I respect your responses and actually agree with much of what you have presented.

 

However, have you ever "witnessed to somebody." Most people find a common ground to speak on. Then the Christian finds a way to steer the conversation toward what he/she has experienced in receiving Christ as his/her Savior.

 

Now what would be the best way to dialogue with Muslims? Could it be to already take their high understanding of Scripture and respect for Jesus and perhaps steer the common ground toward my understanding and experience of Jesus as Christ?

 

If you can't see where we can find common ground then do we just give up the conversation and not try? I'm not talking about compromising the tenents of faith (Jesus as Christ) but finding a way to lead others to that place. Parsley is calling them "anit-Christ" and cutting off all dialogue and hope of leading them to relationship with God through Christ. Tell me, is that what Jesus would do?

 

It depends on what your goal is.

 

If you're witnessing to individual (or perhaps small groups of) Muslims in attempt to convert them to Christianity, then I think the approach you're talking about would be an excellent one to you use (possibly the most effective).

 

However, if we're looking at this from a political/diplomatic perspective, in which we're attempting to improve relations with Muslim nations, then I think it's a mistake. In that case, I think we'd be better advised to steer clear of the foundations of the religions because there is obviously a big difference in doctrine. A more effective way to bring religion into the picture would be to stress the teachings in each religion that call for humanity and kindness without broaching the subject of deeper theological foundations.

 

The latter situation is the one I had in mind. I was looking at it more from McCain's perspective as future president and trying to improve relations with Muslim leaders and nations...not from an evangelical perspective of trying to lead Muslims to Christ. Whether that was a logical point-of-view to have with regards to the thread and the direction it took with previous posts, that is where I was coming from. Perhaps that will shed a little light on what I meant.

 

:thumb: