How should have Christians historically addressed Islam?

[chevyontheriver]

I have no reason there has ever been any "dearth" of true believers on earth, since the time of Jesus.

There has been no such dearth. But whether they believe like you do is another question. I wonder if you believe anything similar to the Catholics or the Orthodox?

I believe it, though the term 'consubstantial' in the 381 AD version could be quibbled with.

Quibbled with? It is THE essential doctrine of the Nicene Creed. The Eternal Son of the Father is made of the 'same stuff' as the Father. He's either made if the 'same stuff' or made of 'different stuff'. One or the other. If you believe it is 'different stuff' even almost the same stuff, you are an Arian and Jesus Christ is not God. Now being an Arian is, I guess, your right but it puts you outside of the Christian faith if you reject that creed.

 

[Lukaris]

Personally, I pray the 2 great commandments ( Matthew 22:36-40) & the golden rule ( Matthew 7:12) alongside the Lord’s Prayer daily. We should obey our civil authorities as St. Paul tells us in Romans 13:1-14 and he repeats the same commandments the Lord told the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-19.

I believe in the framework I mentioned above if I use my sword ( I don’t really have any genuine weapon) as an insurrectionist, I break the Lord’s commandments. If I defend myself against someone trying to murder me I need confession ( 1 John 1:5-10).

 

[chevyontheriver]

Do you pray at all about those things happening ?

Of course.

Do you pray at all about being free of such events ?

No. I pray that I have the courage to do the right thing in whatever events come my way. And to be protected in the process. Not to close my eyes and see no evil.

 

[JosephZ]

Islam is not a path to salvation. Sadly I have encountered churches and church leaders who at best obfuscate this issue and at worst are promoting a false gospel, any talk of Islam as an Abrahamic religion or inter faith dialogue, or kissing Qurans is off IMHO. Address Islam first by sharing the gospel fearlessly with Muslims.

Islam is a progressive religion and, in the view of Muslims, simply a continuation of Judaism and Christianity. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are called Abrahamic faiths because they each trace their lineage specifically to Abraham. If you ever plan to witness to a Muslim and you start out by trying to convince them that Islam is not an Abrahamic religion, you will push them even further away from Christ than they already are.

 

[Hoping2]

This is nonsense.

You don't believe that God answers the prayers of His faithful ?
He surely does !

 

[Hoping2]

The bible says God commands you shall have no other Gods before me. So how is allowing the false Islamic god to advance in Christian nations obeying the first commandment?

Name one Christian nation.
False faiths will spread as far as God deems they will.
I have no influence on it...besides my praying to keep myself and loved ones safe from it.

 

[Hoping2]

Of course.

Why ?

No. I pray that I have the courage to do the right thing in whatever events come my way. And to be protected in the process. Not to close my eyes and see no evil.

Aren't the right thing to do the things Jesus said we should do ?
Pray for our enemies, and do them good ?

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Aren't the right thing to do the things Jesus said we should do ?
Pray for our enemies, and do them good ?

So Jesus, in response to an evil in front if us that we can stop, for everyone, without exception, wants us to mere pray and not act?

 

[chevyontheriver]

Why ?

Aren't the right thing to do the things Jesus said we should do ?
Pray for our enemies, and do them good ?

A thief comes to your house and breaks in. What do you do?

 

[Hoping2]

So Jesus, in response to an evil in front if us that we can stop, for everyone, without exception, wants us to mere pray and not act?

When did that ever happen to Paul, or Peter ?
God will get His revenge on the last day.

 

[Hoping2]

A thief comes to your house and breaks in. What do you do?

That didn't happen, as I pray to God that it doesn't happen.
Have some faith, man !

 

[chevyontheriver]

That didn't happen, as I pray to God that it doesn't happen.
Have some faith, man !

That didn't happen in your world, yet. Let me know what you did after it happens.

 

[Daniel Carlton]

Name one Christian nation.
False faiths will spread as far as God deems they will.
I have no influence on it...besides my praying to keep myself and loved ones safe from it.

Well England is still (legally) Christian. As the king is the head of state and the church. And has to swear in his coronation to be the defender of the faith. Whether he does or not is another matter but all the framework is Christian.

I get it, you are a pray only person who would never even think of making things better. Just understand we are not all like that.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

When did that ever happen to Paul, or Peter ?
God will get His revenge on the last day.

What is your argument here? That because Paul and Peter didn't experience a direct murder they could have stopped, therefore we shouldn't? .

You're assuming that all Christians experience the same trials or that the only examples we may learn from are from the New Testament. I don't even understand why you trust the New Testament given the churches which preserved it were not even authentically Christian to you.

 

[Hoping2]

That didn't happen in your world, yet. Let me know what you did after it happens.

I will keep praying to God, in the name of Jesus Christ, that it doesn't happen.

 

[Hoping2]

Well England is still (legally) Christian. As the king is the head of state and the church. And has to swear in his coronation to be the defender of the faith. Whether he does or not is another matter but all the framework is Christian.

Picturesque coronations do not make a man, or country, "Christian".
Actions determine who is in charge of one's heart.

I get it, you are a pray only person who would never even think of making things better.

Hardly.

Just understand we are not all like that.

I hope not !

 

[Hoping2]

What is your argument here? That because Paul and Peter didn't experience a direct murder they could have stopped, therefore we shouldn't?

I am saying that God will not allow His children to be in a position that requires them to break their vows to Him.

You're assuming that all Christians experience the same trials or that the only examples we may learn from are from the New Testament.

Only in the NT have men been enabled to walk in and after the Spirit, instead of in and after the "flesh".

I don't even understand why you trust the New Testament given the churches which preserved it were not even authentically Christian to you.

If they have been preserved by the NT, (not a saying I am familiar with), they will continue to God's will.
He wills that we not kill or fight in any matters of covetousness.

My soul, and eternal life, are too valuable to risk on defense of land, people, or belongings.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I will keep praying to God, in the name of Jesus Christ, that it doesn't happen.

You could pray that you be of service to those in need rather than avoiding it all.

I missed your response to the issue of the Nicene Creed.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I am saying that God will not allow His children to be in a position that requires them to break their vows to Him.

That is quite a different argument to the obe you made before. That God will not allow his faithful to be subject to such things.

Only in the NT have men been enabled to walk in and after the Spirit, instead of in and after the "flesh".

So only men In the New Testament were given this ability? No one else?

If they have been preserved by the NT, (not a saying I am familiar with), they will continue to God's will.
He wills that we not kill or fight in any matters of covetousness.

Defending someone from evil is not covetousness. It's helping someone in need.

My soul, and eternal life, are too valuable to risk on defense of land, people, or belongings.

It's also too valuable to risk defending another from murder or rape. You would rather rape happen than stop it.

 

[Hoping2]

You could pray that you be of service to those in need rather than avoiding it all.

I tend to stay in context.

I missed your response to the issue of the Nicene Creed.

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