With all the latest news about the Muslim extremists and their latest acts of violence I thought I'd jump into the arena but with a different twist.
Lately I've been hearing that Islam and Christianity are compatible. Afterall they do follow the God of Abraham. But do they? Really? Let's take a closer look.
Closer examination will show that the faiths of Islam and Christianity are incompatible. Mohammed claimed that God's revelation to him was infallible. In doing so making the Quran the standard by which all other scriptures were to be tested. However the mere claim to fame means nothing unless backed up with adequate evidence.
The evidence for the inspiration and historical reliability of the bible is overwhelming while the evidence for the infallibility of the Quran is severely lacking.
Mohammed stated that the view of Jesus as seen thru the gospels is incorrect. He alone was given the correct view of this man Jesus in his revelation from God. Therefore the Muslim is to go to the Quran for proper understanding on Jesus rather than the New Testament account. The Jesus as revealed in the Quran is not the same Jesus as revealed in the gospels. Both cannot be true. One has to exclude the other.
The Quran states that "Jesus Christ the son of Mary, was no more than an apostle of God." (Sura 19:92). Of course the scriptures are quite clear that Jesus was more than mere man. He was not only Son of God, He was God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
The Quran further states that Jesus was only a prophet to the Nation Israel while Mohammud was the greatest prophet ever to live and to the whole world.
The Quran on the death of Christ states, "They neither killed nor crucifed Him ; it had only the appearance of it." Contrast this to the NT scripture which says, "And when they were come to the place called Calvary , there they crucified Him.
The bible teaches that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. Islam teaches Jesus was a miracle born of Mary but stops short of the virgin account. They believe Jesus was created in Mary's womb as Adam was fashioned from the earth. They say he is not the son of God or God at all.
Islam teaches faith by works. Your salvation depends on this. "They whose balances shall be heavy shall be blest. But they whose balances shall be light they shall lose their soul abiding Hell forever. (Sura 13:102-40). If the scale tips in favor of good works the Muslim will enter Paradise. If the scales tip down or away from good works the Muslim will be banished to Hell.
The Bible on the other hand teaches salvation by grace through Faith and not of works. "For by grace you have been saved thru Faith and not that of yourselves. It is the gift of God and not of works so no man can boast." Eph 2:8-9. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy he saved us. Titus 3:5
Another fact worth considering when weighing the two major religions is how they were written down. Mohammed's testimony was not written down until 600 years after they occurred. The NT in comparison was written down by eyewittnesses and has firsthand testimony of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Christ made the distinction clear when he said, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom he has sent." John 6:29.
If you read about Abraham and his call from God you will see that he was called out of Ur (modern day Iraq). His family including his father Terah were idol worshippers worshipping the moon god. God called him out to be separate, and by his obedience to God's calling he was called the Father of many nations.
This took place about two thousand years or so before the birth of Islam. Allah, the moon god would make himself known through the prophet Mohummed, the descendant of Abraham thru his son Ishmael.......... and the rest is history."