Variant 'concepts' of GOD ....

Submitted by Oliver (United States), Mar 4, 2008 at 22:23

"So, if Jews contend that YHVH is God, and Christian contend that God is triune, and then Muslims object, is it correct to say that each religion worships a different God? Or is it better to say that each religion promotes a variant CONCEPT of God? Christians may claim that their concept of God is the same as Judaism, but some Jews clearly reject this. Muslims may claim that their concept of God is the same as that of the Jews, as is alluded to many times in the Qur'an, and also that of Christians as well. Of course, some Jews and Christians are going to reject that as well."

The 'concept' of GOD that is 'promoted' by each of these 'religions' was, if we can take the holy writ of each religion as the 'gospel' (TIC), was revealed to the original adherants of each religion by the very being they regard and refer to as their GOD. The Tanakh through Moses and subsequent prophets and scribes as the Spirit moved them. The Christian NT by the Gospel and Epistle writters as the Spirit gave them utterance. And, of course, the Quran came 'directly' from Allah, albiet through Gabriel to Mohammad. How is it that the one-and-the-same-god could 'inspire' such opposing 'concepts' of itself? Let alone 'creation', 'righteous behavior' or 'eternity'? Then there is the Jewish 'problem' to 'deal' with.

The god of Abraham (YHVH) chose Issac as His child of 'Promise'. He did not totally reject Ishmael, He said He would bless him (for Abraham's sake, IMHO) but, Ishmael would not be in the line of Promise. YHVH has never abandoned His 'relationship' with His people of promise - nor will He - for HIs covenant with them is an everlasting covenant.

From its inception there has been a Jewish 'problem' within Islam. Except for a 'nod' toward Abraham - there is little but contempt and hatred directed toward the Jews in the Quran - which is, may I remind you, the 'direct' revelation from Allah. How can the one-and-the-same-god have such divergent attitudes toward His people of promise?

In the Gospel and Epistles of John (Christian NT) Jesus is refered to as 'the Only-Begotten Son of God'. In the Quran Mohammad mandates that Allah could never have 'begotten' a son. There are many other 'contradictions' to be found when comparing the writings of the intimate followers of Jesus and that of Mohammad (who lived some 600 years after Jesus) - but this one point is sufficient to indicate the polar opposite 'conceptions' of god that exists between the two. How can these two divergent points of view come from the one-and-the-same-god?

Q 109

1 In the name of Allah, most benevolent,

ever-merciful. SAY: "O you unbelievers,

2 I do not worship what you worship,

3 Nor do you worship who I worship,

4 Nor will I worship what you worship,

5 Nor will you worship who I worship:

6 To you your way, to me my way.

These are (IMHO) the most sensible words to ever cross the lips of Mohammad - why couldn't he have left it at that?

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