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― or ― Allah's Koran |
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The Christian Bible is comprised of 66 individual books. 39 books
in the Old Testament; 27 books in the New Testament. There are some
40 human authors as it was written over the course of the middle 2,000
years of human history. Most were Jews. The earliest book was
Job, written about 2,000 B.C. (B.C.E.), before there were Jews actually,
as Job may have been a contemporary of Abraham. But there is no evidence
that they knew each other. Then after about a 400 year gap when the
Hebrews were delivered from slavery in Egypt, Moses authored what are now
the first 5 books of the Bible, known as the Torah (or Pentateuch): Genesis
through Deuteronomy. The rest of the Old Testament (known to Jews
as the Tanach) continued to be penned, mostly by various Jewish prophets
(39 books altogether), until about 400 B.C. Then there is another
400 year gap. And the entire New Testament's 27 books were all completed
within a single generation, i.e. during the first few decades immediately
following the life of Jesus Christ. Then the Bible was concluded
by the Apostle John's final book, The Revelation.
The Muslim (Moslem) Koran (Qur'an) was successively revealed from Allah ( الله ) to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia during the 7th Century A.D., over the course of 23 years, by an angel calling himself Gabriel. Koran means: "The Recitation." Shortly after Muhammad's death it was codified into a single written Arabic version. All variant versions were then destroyed. The same Arabic version (though now translated into many tongues worldwide) remains the standard even down until today.
In terms of volume, the Bible is about ten times longer (about 780,000 words) than the Koran (about 78,000 words).
While the Bible contains 66 books each divided into chapters (so 1,189 chapters altogether); comparatively the Koran contains a total of 114 Suras (chapters) each alternately referred to by either its sequential number (of the 114 total) or by its unique name. For example Sura 14 is also called "Abraham" (in Arabic: Ibrahim, إبراهيم ). The longest Sura "The Cow" (Al-Baqara) has 286 verses. Most are much shorter, the shortest being only 3 verses long.
The world's three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity & Islam have several things in common. There is "One True God" whom all men should worship. And all three believe that there are angels out there, some good, but others evil. But then there are major differences in theology and doctrines. Each contend that some spiritual teachings are good, but other doctrines are in error or even heretical. Each claims to hold and teach the most accurate revelation from our Maker. Jesus claimed to be God Himself (per the New Testament), but the Koran teaches that Jesus ('Isa) was but a prophet, one lower than Muhammad (Mohammad).
... "Allah Akbar" (Allahu Akbar) does not actually mean "God is great."
That is a purposeful mistranslation. ...
(The Arabic words actually contend that: "Allah is greater." That is what it means.)
Allah seeks to replace Jehovah in the hearts and minds of men.
Most modern Jews do not recognize the (Christian) New Testament as Scripture. The Jewish Tanach (the Law and the Prophets; or what Christians call the 39 books of the "Old" Testament) is their primary set of Scriptures. They are still waiting for the Messiah to come. Down through Israel's long history the Shema has been a pivotal declaration of faith. Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD." The true God is One Almighty Being.
Almost all of the Bible's (Tanach) Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, as completed by 400 B.C. But by then (after the Babylonian Captivity) the Hebrew language was not as commonly spoken among the dispersed descendants from Israel and Judah then scattered amongst multiple Middle Eastern kingdoms. So a complete translation into Greek (the common language of learning of the day) was made by 270 B.C. called the Septuagint (or: "70" or LXX). It is the Greek Septuagint version that was often quoted (instead of the original Hebrew) by Jesus and the New Testament writers when the New Testament was penned in the Greek language. Luke 23:38 tells us that the inscription written atop Christ's Cross was in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. And John 19:19 says, "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews'." Many contend that the Hebrew acrostic for this title would have been: YHVH (or: YHWH; or: יהוה ), the Tetragrammaton.
In the Bible the first name used for our Creator is: Elohim ( אלהים ) (see: Genesis 1:1 & 1:26). This is a plural Hebrew word, but one always grammatically treated as a singular. (Plural and singular at the same time.) The names of Jehovah or Yahweh (both from: YHVH) are also sometimes used, also denoting the very same Creator God.
And notice the first of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." One God. Do not make a likeness, image, statue, or idol of any kind. "Christian" statuary with attendant prayers to old prophets or saints are also prohibited. Jesus clearly taught us to pray directly to "Our Father, which art in Heaven...." (Matthew 6:9). And no other Gods (no other powerful spiritual beings) are to be put before Him in your heart. Neither Baal, nor Zeus, nor Buddha, nor the God of this world (per 2 Corinthians 4:4 - Lucifer; Satan; the Devil), nor any other God. Jesus, the son of Mary, told us to pray to our Father in Heaven, just as he did himself. And notice Luke 11:27-28, "And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
Jesus was the Word of God in the flesh (John 1:14). But let's again notice that Elohim is a plural Hebrew word (per above). Christians explain this as the doctrine of the Trinity, as in 1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." The three are together as one. The true God is One Almighty Being.
Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be God. John 4:25-26 and John 10:30. Mark 14:61b-62a "Again the high priest asked him ... Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am." And the Gospel message is stated succinctly in I Corinthians 15:1-4. Verse 4 states, "And that Jesus was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Jesus, God's son, died on the Cross and then rose from the dead three days later, according to the Bible.
The Koran though teaches that Jesus was only a good prophet and that He did not die on the Cross. In fact the Koran is adamant in contending that "God has no son." Sura 72:3; Sura 112:2-3; and as stated in this Koranic verse: Sura 4:171 "...and do not say about GOD except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, ... You shall not say, 'Trinity.' ... GOD is only one god. ... He is much too glorious to have a son. ..."
Contrast with: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world
to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
has no son. |
has an only begotten son. |
Isaiah 9:6-7a "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever."
still wait, believing that God's son the Messiah has not yet come |
believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the one true Messiah |
believe that "God has no son" but that Jesus was a good prophet, one of many below Muhammad |
There is a perceived progression; (claimed) subsequent revelations; building truths
upon truths (it is contended). Muslims sometimes call Jews and Christians "People of
the Book." The implication being that Christians and Jews do hold
some truths, but that the Koran supercedes the Bible's teachings.
Much could be discussed in these regards but the primary thrust of this
article is to show that the God of the Koran is in fact a wholly different
powerful spiritual Being than the God of the Bible. Allah seeks to
replace Jehovah in the hearts and minds of men.
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"Allah Akbar" (Allahu Akbar) does not actually mean "God is great." That is a purposeful mistranslation. The Arabic words actually contend that: "Allah is greater." That is what it means. But it is untrue. Jesus Akbar! (To actually say "God is great" in Arabic one would instead state: "Al-Khaleq Kabir." "Al-Khaleq" (Al-Khallaq, Al-Khaaliq, الخالق ) is the general Arabic word for the Creator-God of the universe. And "kabir" means: great; unlike "akbar" which means: greater.) So the Holy Koran claims that Allah is Al-Khaleq; but the Holy Bible claims that Jehovah (Yahweh, Elohim) is the Creator God Al-Khaleq.
Skeptics reading this may think that this is all hair splitting and that the spiritual is all "imaginary" in the first place. Tsk, tsk, how easily the sheep can be deceived, sigh. They think that the few dimensions that we humans operate within is all that there is. But we know that modern mathematics and science have shown that there are more dimensions out there. Don't be an ostrich with your head in the sand. All around us, all around these mostly empty atoms there is so much more, in other dimensions. Therefore, think logically. The little that we see is not "all there is" - come on! Wake up! Actually the spiritual is much more important than the lowly material/physical parts of our beings and this vast universe. This life is a war for souls. Ignoring this does not help you. Even if one determines to not choose a side, you are still within the battle zone, and ignorantly so as not accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior (He is the way, the Truth, and the Life), leaves you (your essence, your karma, i.e. your soul) bound for Hell after this life. (So much for skeptics being so "smart" and all.)
Religious wars are among the worst wars in history!
It is true. Beliefs lead to actions. So here is a question: When were the worst, the most murderous religious wars in all of human history!? Was it Christians persecuting and killing Jews during the Inquisition, or during one of the multiple Crusades, or from a Jihad? Actually the most evil, torturous, the most murderous religious wars - were during the 20th Century. Yes, when the atheists came to power. They have no "holy book" and no external rules. The Marxist-Communist-Fascist regimes denying God's power altogether would attack foreign armies and then turn right around and mass murder their own people. Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot, and other non-God-fearing men were much worse in their denial of the intrinsic worth of humanity than almost any religious tyrant from ancient history. Therefore atheism and its denial of the spiritual realms is the most murderous religion devised to date. Beliefs lead to actions and atheists foolishly think that there is no God to answer to after this life. Atheists mass murdered tens of millions of souls during the 20th Century. (So much for skeptics being so "honorable" and all.)
Muslims call themselves the "House of Peace" and those they attack via Jihad (against infidels via holy war, i.e. the Christians and Jews) are termed the "House of War." The Jihads began during the Prophet Muhammad's life (570-632 A.D.). He made over 40 religious-military assaults upon others, beginning his religious "House of Peace" in the Seventh Century A.D. (C.E.). Four centuries later.... ahem, over four centuries of Jihadi assaults later - the Christian crusades began; the first after a speech by a pope in 1095 A.D.
The teachings of the Koran vary markedly from the teachings of the Bible. Jesus taught and practiced forgiveness and love. Muhammad did not. Allah is a very different God from the God Yahweh (Jehovah; Elohim), i.e. the God of the Bible.
Two Bible verses often overlooked by Christians are those right at the end of the Lord's Prayer:
Matthew 6:13b-15 "...but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Forgiveness stems from love. And the Bible declares: I John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." The Bible clearly teaches that "God is love." Also see 1 Corinthians, chapter 13.
In the entire Koran there are no comparable verses claiming that Allah is love, or anything like this. The Arabic word "love" is used quite sparingly in the Qur'anic (Koranic) Scriptures, usually in terms of "Allah loves this" or "Allah loves that" as the context. Submission to Allah (whether willingly or not) is a primary theme of the Koran.
A final fundamental difference between Elohim (Jehovah, Yahweh) and Allah is that of truthfulness. The Bible clearly states that the God of the Bible cannot lie. Jesus claimed to be God's Son and the only way to Heaven. John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." No person can reach the Father except through Christ. Jesus also said, John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
But the Koran teaches that Allah loves deception. Wait, this would make the God of the Bible and the God of the Koran as opponents in seeking men's souls, wouldn't it? The Arabic word "makr" ( مكر - deceiver or schemer) is commonly used in relation to Allah. He is called the best "makr" there is. Sura 3:54 "They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD [Allah] is the best schemer." Sura 4:157 claims that Jesus was not actually crucified, but rather that this was another deception, then claiming that Allah is almighty and most wise.
Fundamentalist Muslim. Fundamentalist Christian. They are almost complete opposites, aren't they? One closely follows the teachings and course set by Muhammad who encouraged the religious-military attacks of infidels. The other aspires to follow Christ's teachings and example of forgiveness and love, even dying on the Cross for the sins of others. The proud skeptics think than any religious fundamentalist is somehow a danger and that they're all similar anyway. Au contraire. The fundamentalist Muslim is hearing sermons based on Koranic teachings. The fundamentalist Christian is hearing sermons based on Biblical teachings. God is love? - or - All men must submit?
― Christianity has been summarized as a religion where God gave His Son for you.
― Islam has been summarized as a religion where you give your son for God.
The 20th Century was an exception for Islam. Jihads - to include deceptions, intimidation, outright attacks, terror, and trickery - have been the norm in Islam ever since the days of Muhammad the prophet himself. This temporary secular dominated (European Great Powers, then Cold War divided world) interlude is now ending. The skeptics (the spiritually ignorant and hiding) have had their day. Today even in England, for example, Muslim numbers are increasing rapidly. Certain Muslims quietly attend church services to monitor what the Christians are saying. Thus many churches are under intimidation to not say certain things from the pulpit. There are now "no-go areas" across Britain for non-Muslims. So probably they'll eventually have a civil war or England will eventually succumb to the immigrants and their Shariah law. Historically speaking, Islam is intolerant of other religions and creeds. And if a society tolerates intolerance, what does that make it soon become?
Communists used to contend that "the end justifies the means." But that is not true. 20th Century Marxist communism was a murderous disaster around the world. Actually the end is created by the means, i.e. what you sow, that is what you shall reap, Galatians 6:7. Sowing truth leads to freedom; sowing deception leads to slavery. Those who sow deceptions will become those the most deceived themselves. You reap what you sow.
The Christian Crusades were an exception, unbiblical, a temporary reaction, and one mostly contrary to the teachings of Jesus. But the long initiated series of Muslim Jihads (holy wars) have always been entirely consistent with Koranic teachings. Bring converts to Allah, subdue others. They must submit to Allah.
It is a tragedy that many Christian Bible translations in Muslim countries use the name of "Allah" for
the Bible's God. This adds confusion for young believers. How can one learn God's
expectations for us when two completely different Gods are being called by the same name. Nowhere
in the original Hebrew or Greek of the Bible is the name of "Allah" mentioned at all. He is a wholly
different spiritual Being.
"The One True God" Strong, plots, schemes; and human submission (whether willingly or not), and he has no son. |
"The One True God" Strong, love, forgiveness; and it is your choice to accept or not, and he gave us his only begotten son. |
Elohim is one very
powerful spiritual being.
Allah is also a powerful (but different) spiritual being.
Allah's Koran is proposed as a replacement. Muslims contend "Allah Akbar" (i.e. that their God is greater or the greatest).
Elohim's Bible which was written by 40 separate human authors during the
middle 2,000 years of human history continues to stand the test of time
as a book of science, philosophy, accurate history, and most importantly
spiritual guidance.
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