The majority of media reporters have declared no religious affiliations. Still, their commentaries about deeply rooted spiritual issues are pathetically shallow and prejudice towards a global unity of all faiths at all cost.
Yet Christianity is mutually exclusive and distinctly different from all other religions.
Irreconcilable Difference
Saint Augustine said: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things charity.”
The non-negotiable essentials of the Christian faith seem to be up for auction these days. The highest bidders are the ones who own the microphones. The media seems bent on forging the mindset of the uniformed public into adopting and endorsing their worldly opinions about spiritual truths under the banner of tolerance.
But the sleeping spiritual community is waking up. There is a revived interest in understanding world religions and many individuals are wrestling with their own personal positions about eternal matters. I also was compelled to explore various books and reference material about the Islamic religion.
For example, several books that I read said that the Muslim message of Muhammad (which means “the Praised One”) is not just a “desert religion.” A reported one-sixth of the world’s population follows Islam.
Islam (the correct name for the religion of Muhammad) means submission.
Muslim (the correct term for a follower of Islam) means one who submits.
This religion teaches that there are only two classes of people: those who have submitted and those who have resisted.
I also read that the Quran, commonly called the Koran, is God’s last word to the world. If the teachings are in direct conflict with the Bible, the Quran is always the final authority. The favorite creed of Islam is “There is no God but Allah,” which is recited daily by the faithful Muslim.
It is my opinion that the essential doctrinal beliefs of Christianity and Islam cannot be reconciled.
Merit vs. Substitution
The founder of Christianity is Jesus Christ, the Eternal God who came to earth in human flesh. He lived a perfect life. He offered Himself to die on a cross for the sins of the world. He was buried and rose again from the dead on the third day. He is alive today, seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. A Christian is one who follows the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.
Christianity offers a “substitutionary atonement” for forgiveness of sin, while Islam offers forgiveness predicated upon personal merit and Allah’s choice of mercy.
A Christian relies on the finish work of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Jesus also said that that the whole world will know that you are My disciples by the love you have for one another. Even though there is irreconcilable difference in doctrine, I pray that there would a non-compromising demonstration of love to all people of all faiths.
