The Arabian Connection

      We recently spent some time in Dubai, which is east of Saudi Arabia. We were impressed with the clean & safe & modern city. There seemed to be good economics & hospitality. We would go back there. I was given a copy of the Quran & I have been reading it. Now Dubai is not far from Mecca & Medina, the origins of Islam some 1400 years ago. And there has been tremendous worldwide growth of this Arabic religion in that time – it now dominates at least 42 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa w/much more than a billion members. And Islam has many good-hearted folks like Cornelius of Apostolic times – “a devout man who feared God with all his household . . .” Acts 10:2.
      I am intrigued with Islam for the reasons above, but I look at an ancient bad politics root which causes “a fly in the ointment”. That root goes back about 2600 years before Muhammad wrote the Quran. In Genesis chapter 15 we have the PROMISE of numerous descendants to Abraham (the Israel nation). In the next chapter we have Abraham’s lack of PATIENCE waiting for the promised son, by promoting heirs thru a slave woman, Hagar his wife’s maid.  Ishmael was born illegit. & prophesied in that chapter to be “. . .against every man and every man’s hand against him”. While God did say he would “greatly multiply (Hagar’s) descendants . . .” Genesis 16:10-12, Isaac the promised son was born fourteen years later to Abraham’s wife Sarah as per Genesis 21:1-5. (why the delay??) This “bad family root” explains why Arabs & Israel grew apart & have bad political – who likes who - differences to this day. And Muhammad promoted stark refusals of history & Scripture, which he surely had access to in his day.
      Islam accepts the first 5 books of Scripture & the Psalms as do the Jews. They also recognize the “Injil” (Gospel) of Jesus. But of course, the Quran is Allah’s final word which does contradict the basic fabric of Jewish & Christian teaching. The ancient bad politics root shines thru. The supposed angelic author of the Quran – Gabriel -- would not contradict Old & New Testament Scripture. But Lucifer would contradict that scripture – artfully at that. And I do admire the literary style of the Quran. But there is no Biblical record that “Abraham & Ishmael were laying the foundations of the House” – as Quran 2:127 suggests.
      Their #1 pillar of faith is “no God but Allah . . .” Well, that squashes the Trinity – Father, Son, & H. S. – Three in One, a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. They refer to this (& deifying Mary) as “polytheism” many times in the Quran. The specific Sonship of Christ (which is vital to Christianity) is squashed by outright denial. (Q.4:157). While Jesus Christ & Apostles stressed the sin problem & solution, there is little mention of sins by the Quran except such as Q.47:2 & 34 where it says believe in Muhammad & get sins removed. Jesus Christ said, “unless you believe that I am He (the Messiah), you will die in your sin.” John 8:24. Then Jews & Christians are clearly said to be “wrongdoers”. Q.5:51 (there’s that political root.)
      The copy of the Quran I have, has a very interesting introduction which is high-minded but misleading. It says the message has “nothing to do with violence”, only peace. But Q. 4:56 & 89 say “to the fire . . . seize them & kill them . . .”, and other references to mayhem & smashing anyone who disbelieves their teachings, which is still happening today. The Christian way is drastically different – it teaches forgiveness of adversaries, and “live in peace; and the God of love/peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11. There are some real choice “pictures” of paradise in the Quran - Q.76:12-22, and other refs. of devotee’s reward. And probably all Christians should read the Quran, but also all Muslims should read the New Testament. But I understand the political blocker. We generally cannot read theirs, and they generally cannot read ours.  
      Well, I know we all believe what we WANT to believe (a Mormon told me this). I personally want to go with the root of Moses, David, the Messiah Jesus Christ, the Apostles, & God’s revealed plan of salvation which is wonderful & predates Islam by 600 years. “Thus says the Lord, Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 And the Messiah Jesus Christ came for Cornelius & Arabs & everyone else. That’s what the Acts 10 incident is all about. Choose Jesus, He is Alive. Muhammad is still in his grave. See also “I Saw the King” link 7.

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