Reply to zzazzeefrazzee - Allah does mean a monotheistic "god"

Submitted by jennifer solis (United States), Mar 18, 2008 at 04:09

Hello,

First off, are you fluent in Arabic?

Here's a reply from someone who says he is, regarding the aya 9.111 in the Qu'ran -

http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/119621

There are many websites that reiterate this bit of information, websites that are hosted by former Muslims - Faithfreedom.org, for one. I suppose your rebuttal might be, what do you expect, they are former Muslims. That would not explain, however, many thousands of Muslims today who praise other Muslims who died while killing in the name of Allah, and celebrate these martyrs' assured assent to Paradise. There is much film footage of flags dotting Palestinian neighborhoods with images of young martyrs on them, documentaries of Palestinian families showing their happiness and praising of Alla that their son or daughter is now in Paradise, for having been a suicide bomber.

Of course you've heard also about the cartoons, textbooks, and pre-school level children's classes that celebrate martyrdom and the assurance of Paradise that goes with it.

You wrote, "Furthermore, there are many interpretations of Islam as to what is justifiable martyrdom and what is not." I don't disagree; in fact it's obvious that there are.

But that does not negate Qu'ran 9.111 exists.

Something else that exists: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved." - Acts 16:31

Understand, Zzazzeefrazzee, that the theme of my comment was attainment of Paradise (eternal life) and the difference between what the scripture of Islam has to say about this, and the Bible.

You shifted from that by introducing that the God of the Bible commanded killing. That is true. But He never promised eternal life as a reward for this; also, your assumption that the God of the Bible commanded killing based on people being "unbelievers" is incorrect.

The verses you offered:

Exodus 34:1-14; Moses was instructed to "tear down their altars and smash their pillars and cut down their Asherim". Not kill the Canaanites, in this instance. But destroy their pagan idolatry.

Leviticus 26:-9; deals with killing enemies, not "unbelievers".

Dueteronomy 20:16-18; wipe them out, yes, verse 18 is the key - "so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods." - like child sacrifices, etc.

Joshua 6:21; Again, the Canaanites were utterly destroyed because of their idolatry, and the incest, human sacrifice, and sexual perversion involved.

Not because they were unbelievers, per se.

By the way, the Lord Himself wiped out 185,000 of the enemy - Isaiah 37:36.

Your reply to "faith alone in Christ alone" as the way of salvation - you state that that is what Christians (mainly Protestant) "preach".

It may well be; but I am not referring to what views different denominations have (or don't have)regarding the Bible.

I go by the original languages, Greek and Hebrew, of the Bible. I have been fortunate to study (for 20+ years) under a pastor who teaches strictly from these original languages (for 50+ years); it is very clear that by faith you are saved, Old Testament (Genesis 15:6) as well as New Testament (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Regarding "modern" Judaism, I did not state that all of Judaism today recognizes the need of a Savior. Some do, some do not, and some even recognize Christ - you have head of Messianic Jews, have you not?

Regarding Jews in the time of Jesus Christ - all twelve apostles were Jews; 3000 Jews believed on Pentecost, after the death of Christ.

And again, Paul was a Jew, and he wrote most of the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, the name Jesus Christ is not mentioned; however, it is stated that a Savior will come through the line of David; an interesting verse - "And I [God] will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, And between your seed [unbelieving humanity] and her seed [the virgin-born Messiah]; He [the Seed] shall bruise you on the head [Satan's final doom], and you [Satan] shall bruise him [Messiah] on the heel [a reference to the Cross]. - Genesis 3:15

And then there's the Nephilim.

I respect your statement, "I obviously don't believe that any of these scriptures, whether the Bible or Qur'an are the infalliable words of God alone. Rather, I argue that it is humans who argue over (and even accuse each other of blasphemy, and then proceed to kill each other) over the different interpretations of God."

While I disagree with the first sentence, the second I heartily agree with.

"Allah", today, constitutes a mono-theistic "god". So does the "God" of the Bible.

We seem to agree on that, at least!

Regarding your comment, that the " 'Allah is a different God' argument is espoused mainly by English speaking Evangelical Christians" - perhaps you find comfort in Muslim aquaintances of yours, or perhaps just of your own thoughts, that state the God of Islam is the same as that of the Bible.

This can only be rational if you disregard scripture.

Sometimes truth is not what is comfortable nor immediately appealing.

Thankyou for your interesting and thought-provoking comments.

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