Yaqub,
The reason why so many Christians speak out against islam, is because in their perception islam is a counterfeit delivered by a false prophet of which many will perish because islam directly disparages the Gospel of Christ: his sacrifice and resurrection, as well as role and origin. We were warned well before mohammed came against false prophets who would seek to pervert the Gospel.
I know that islam is a religion which greatly values proselytizing. Christianity is also. If you look at it from a Christian's perspective, they are only doing the most "loving" thing possible: spreading the gospel to whom they perceive to be lost in error. Certainly you feel that converting Christians to islam is to that Christian's benefit and in good intention you do will that all would convert to islam.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Leviticus 19:17
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Ecclesiates 7:5
There are so-called Christians who don't believe in rebuking. They claim it is judging --and then promptly turn on the rebuking Christian in JUDGING that Christian themselves. I remember one time I was merely stating my opinion that abortion is murder --directed at no one in particular-- and some teenage girl who --claimed-- she was a pro-life Christian got on my case and told me a bunch of blah blah blah you have no fruit you have a stoney heart blah blah blah. Why? Because I said abortionists commit murder. So the one who cried judge was herself judging.
The one who said you have to relate to people and have compassion on people and not judge people and love people in order to win them over was certainly not displaying any of that to me.
Anyways, people can talk all they want about the 'right' way to win people over, but as for me: I will look at the examples given to me.
Like when Jesus overturned the sacrilegious money changers tables in defiling the temple? Was that too direct? How about when Moses in his anger smashed the tablets of the Law against the idolatry of Israel? Does he make Jews and Christians look bad? And lets not forget about the time John the Baptist confronted king Herod without reservation concerning his adulteries.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. -Isaiah 58:1
I am wrong for calling abortionists murderers. Didn't Jesus call the pharisees liars and murderers who do the will of their father the devil? A brood of vipers? Yeah, modern Christianity is sick. Jude says on some have compassion and on others save by fear. Some people respond to rebuke some respond to soft words. There is nothing unrighteous with calling sin what it is.
At the same time, there are parts of islam I think are very valid. Obviously the parts which mirror the Bible. Islam says "say not three" concerning the trinity. I will probably be accosted for say this, but while I wont exactly outright deny the trinity, there isnt much real evidence to support it. The plural word "Elohiym" is plural intensive to demonstrate might (sort of like a "King of kings and Lord of lords" is just an over the top way to demonstrate superiority.) The hebrew word for life is chayim --also a plural intensive word. chayim is used in the singular where the subject is one person. anyways without going too far into that, Ill just say I cannot denounce islam for that based on the fact that out scriptures NEVER plainly teach that. If I am wrong, then show me by the scriptures I am wrong. I do not argue out of malice or agenda. I present my understanding. If anyone thinks he has a higher understanding, let him rebuke me and show me Biblical love so that my understanding will be made whole. If you are fully convinced in the trinity doctrine and refuse to show me why, you have no right to judge my interpretation. It is not about debate and pride. Its about understanding the truth. If you cannot make a case for the trinity do not judge me for not understanding it, but if you rebuke me; do not do it in hostility, but show me my error so I can correct it.
Islam loses all credibility with me when they deny Christ died and was raised on the third day. While the trinity concept isnt sufficiently confirmed, the status of Christ as God is pretty well rooted. The root and the offspring of David the bright and morning star. The Alpha and the omega the beginning and the ending the first and the last the almighty. Before Abraham was I am. who being in the very form God, thought it not robbery to be made equal with God. The Word was with God and the word WAS God and nothing that was made was made without him but everything by him. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.... It goes on and on and on.
And beyond that, Islam refuses to acknowledge that God has a son. I dont think muslims understand the "son(s) of God" concept. Jesus asked Peter who he thought he was. Peter didnt outright say "Thou art God." (although Thomas put his hands in the wounds of the resurrected Jesus' and exclaimed "My Lord and my God!"
Anyways, Peter responded "Thou art the Christ; the son of the living God."
That is the answer I prefer to stick to when addressing this question. Christ responded to it favorably so I have adopted this response.
Islam rejects this.
Islam means "submission to God"
Christians are only submitting to God when they do what he commanded them.
He commanded them to preach the Gospel to every living creature.
Dispelling lies which stand against the truth of God is righteous submission.
In the first century, Jews looked down on the Samaritans. The Samaritans were half Jews who worshiped the same God inasmuch as Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Though the Samaritans had a defective understanding of God and worshiped him contrary to that which was revealed by his servant Moses, Christ thought it good to use the Samaritan in his parable.
I do not boast in conceits over muslims. They are only believing what they understand to be right. My only wish is that they come to know the truth of the Gospel and forsake the false doctrine that has been delivered to them.
Im sure muslims feel the same about us. In the end, we will all stand to give an account before the creator, as it is written in Romans: Who are you to judge another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. I wont judge you, but I will rebuke you in hopes of reproof. I rest in the knowledge that Gods will shall be exercised in the end. His will be done. There is no fear that it will fail. I stand by faith that his word is true. the quran contradicts his word. You will say the Bible is doctored and not preserved; but there are scrolls discovered in caves that date back some 3,000-4,000 years that say the exact same thing that we have today. There is a complete Isaiah scroll found in the dead sea caves. Its the same as our Isaiah. Its true the Masorites edited the Tanahk in the middle ages to aid their agenda against the fulfilled scriptures of Christ, but the Septuagint and dead sea scrolls among other prevail as a faithful witness.
I hope muslims come to the truth, but Im not going to be a constant nag. The prophets of old appeared once or twice or rarely such as Moses before pharaoh more times.... Then they stepped aside and allowed God to act after they delivered their warning.
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
And when ye come into an house, salute it.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. -Matthew 10:11-15
If we are "tolerant" of things which we know to be wrong, we consent that these things are right. Tolerance of a fundamental error is the betrayal of the fundamental truth. My praises are not of men; but of God. In the end, it is not about disrespecting islam. It is about leading you to salvation in Christ so that you will be spared from the second death. That is all we want for you.
