Only one God

[KateB]

Hello!

I posted a thread earlier about God and it led to a discussion about religion between my friend and me. I'm a Christian and she's a Muslim, and it's always interesting to talk to her, because though we don't share the same faith, we both believe in God (she doesn't call Him God, of course, but Allah).

We were talking about the fact that we both believe in only one God, but because they're different religions, and neither of us can be allowed to deny the other's faith, we came to the conclusion that if we accept that neither of us is wrong, then we must believe in the same God, only we're going about it in different ways, with different perspectives.

As a Christian, is that an acceptable point of view? I think it's a nice idea, and so does she, but we're still puzzled. It's such a vast subject. What does Jesus think of other religions? There are many similarities between our religions, but plenty of differences too. We both agree we would never swap religions for anything, yet we totally respect our differences of opinion.

Sorry if this isn't the right place. I'm not trying to provoke anyone here by talking about different religions, I was really just wondering how Christians feel about Allah, and she is doing the same on her side, and we'll get back to each other to talk about it.

 

[Albion]

Hi, Kate.

Hello!

I posted a thread earlier about God and it led to a discussion about religion between my friend and me. I'm a Christian and she's a Muslim, and it's always interesting to talk to her, because though we don't share the same faith, we both believe in God (she doesn't call Him God, of course, but Allah).

We were talking about the fact that we both believe in only one God, but because they're different religions, and neither of us can be allowed to deny the other's faith, we came to the conclusion that if we accept that neither of us is wrong, then we must believe in the same God, only we're going about it in different ways, with different perspectives.

As a Christian, is that an acceptable point of view?

No. However, in this day of exaggerated attempts to get along with and respect Muslims, it's being heard more and more. The word Allah is used for God by Christians in the Middle East, it's true, but if anyone defines God in a totally different way from that of another person, gives God a different identity IOW, he is believing in a different god.

I think it's a nice idea, and so does she, but we're still puzzled. It's such a vast subject. What does Jesus think of other religions?

Jesus' words, as recorded in the New Testament, seem pretty clearly to say that you "can't have your cake and eat it too" when it comes to accepting him as the Son of God.

 

[DavidAReed]

The Apostle Paul wrote at 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, "But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." So, we need to be cautious here.

Muslims claim to worship the God of Abraham. But the God of Abraham revealed himself in the Bible as having a name, which is translated Yahweh or Jehovah in English-language Bibles. (The name Jesus means "Jehovah is Salvation" or "Jehovah is Savior.") The God of the Bible does not call himself Allah. In fact, some Christian researchers identify Allah with the pagan moon god who was worshiped by Arabs for centuries. (Judges 8:21 reveals ancient pagans in the Middle East used crescent moon-shaped ornaments, similar to the Muslim use of the crescent today.)

Many cult experts consider Islam a cultic offshoot of Christianity, rather than a world religion. History shows that the writers of the Koran were influenced by Christian teachings, and the Koran even speaks about Jesus. It calls Jesus the son of Mary. But it denies that Jesus is the Son of God. In a way, this is like the Mormon cult, which says Jesus and the Father are two of many gods, and like the Jehovah's Witness cult which says Jesus is just an angel, not God at all. All of these are cults that speak about Jesus and God, but not the real Jesus, and not the real God of the Bible.

The Apostle Paul warns against people who preach "another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news,” which you did not accept." (2 Cor. 11:4) And the preachers of Islam fit that description.

 

[graceandpeace]

Hello!

I posted a thread earlier about God and it led to a discussion about religion between my friend and me. I'm a Christian and she's a Muslim, and it's always interesting to talk to her, because though we don't share the same faith, we both believe in God (she doesn't call Him God, of course, but Allah).

We were talking about the fact that we both believe in only one God, but because they're different religions, and neither of us can be allowed to deny the other's faith, we came to the conclusion that if we accept that neither of us is wrong, then we must believe in the same God, only we're going about it in different ways, with different perspectives.

As a Christian, is that an acceptable point of view? I think it's a nice idea, and so does she, but we're still puzzled. It's such a vast subject. What does Jesus think of other religions? There are many similarities between our religions, but plenty of differences too. We both agree we would never swap religions for anything, yet we totally respect our differences of opinion.

Sorry if this isn't the right place. I'm not trying to provoke anyone here by talking about different religions, I was really just wondering how Christians feel about Allah, and she is doing the same on her side, and we'll get back to each other to talk about it.

Muslims acknowledge the God of Abraham - as do Jews & Christians. (Allah is the Arabic word for God). All three groups worship the same God.

However, Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God - God incarnate - which is an unacceptable belief for both Jews & Muslims. Further, Christians believe God exists in a Trintity, whereas Jews & Muslims follow a stricter form of monotheism.

Muslims do believe in Jesus as a prophet, that he performed miracles (but only by God's power, not because he actually was God), that he will return, along with some other beliefs - he does have a place in Islam. Once again though, Muslims reject the idea of him being the Son of God & otherwise object to any need to place faith in Christ. The idea that God has no partners or son is necessary in Islam.

So, these religions do acknowledge the same God, but the differences are rather stark when trying to identify who this God actually is, this God's nature, & what it means to follow this God.

I think it's great to be respectful & to dialogue with your friend.

 

[Goodbook]

I would say as a christian yes the muslims worship one God, but they don't really know Him like we do. And I would say that, because the Koran is based on the bible (but had things changed around) that, their god is in many ways similar to how we see God (and did the same things, like create the universe etc) but the important difference is, they refuse to believe He had a son who died for us and rose again.

Muslims call their god Allah but we call Him Father. muslims do not have a personal, relationship with God like we christians do. Their god is a religious deity to be submitted to, but not actually have a Father to son/daughter relationship.

Hope this makes sense. When talking to your friend, focus more on Jesus (they do believe he existed) rather than the one god thing. Also Jews do believe in God as well, but many are still stuck in the old testment ways. We have a new, better covenant now.

 

[KateB]

Thank you all so much for your enlightening answers. It can be quite complicated for two people of different faiths to talk about religion, without sounding disrespectful to the other, or trying to convert the other to one's own beliefs! I'm lucky my friend is very open minded and she's a great person.

These answers are perfect. I shall keep on respecting my friend's faith just as she does mine. I know now that although it would be quite easy and convenient to believe they are the same, they're not, and I have placed my faith in Christ so no matter how much I'd like different religions to get on with one another, I stand by Him, and still only believe in Him.

Thank you!

 

[Soyeong]

You don't have

Hello!

I posted a thread earlier about God and it led to a discussion about religion between my friend and me. I'm a Christian and she's a Muslim, and it's always interesting to talk to her, because though we don't share the same faith, we both believe in God (she doesn't call Him God, of course, but Allah).

We were talking about the fact that we both believe in only one God, but because they're different religions, and neither of us can be allowed to deny the other's faith, we came to the conclusion that if we accept that neither of us is wrong, then we must believe in the same God, only we're going about it in different ways, with different perspectives.

As a Christian, is that an acceptable point of view? I think it's a nice idea, and so does she, but we're still puzzled. It's such a vast subject. What does Jesus think of other religions? There are many similarities between our religions, but plenty of differences too. We both agree we would never swap religions for anything, yet we totally respect our differences of opinion.

Sorry if this isn't the right place. I'm not trying to provoke anyone here by talking about different religions, I was really just wondering how Christians feel about Allah, and she is doing the same on her side, and we'll get back to each other to talk about it.

Hello,

Christianity and Islam are mutually exclusive, so either one of them is wrong, or both are wrong, but they can't both be right. As a Christianity, you should think her beliefs are wrong, and there is nothing wrong with respectfully denying that you think are false. Tolerance is being egalitarian toward people and elitist towards ideas, not the other way around.

 

[JackRT]

Some years ago I visited a Hindu temple. I stood before the altar area staring in silent amazement at the multitude of images of various deities, some of them very bizarre indeed. I had been there several minutes when I heard a gentle voice behind me say "God is One." I turned to meet the pundit (priest) of the temple. As he escorted me around the altar area he explained that while God is One, we in our finitude are unable to comprehend the fullness of God in a single "take". Each one of the "deities" before us was simply a different manifestation of God's Oneness. We Christians have done much the same with our trinity theory. Interestingly enough, the pundit was also a nuclear chemistry professor at a nearby university.

 

[Soyeong]

Some years ago I visited a Hindu temple. I stood before the altar area staring in silent amazement at the multitude of images of various deities, some of them very bizarre indeed. I had been there several minutes when I heard a gentle voice behind me say "God is One." I turned to meet the pundit (priest) of the temple. As he escorted me around the altar area he explained that while God is One, we in our finitude are unable to comprehend the fullness of God in a single "take". Each one of the "deities" before us was simply a different manifestation of God's Oneness. We Christians have done much the same with our trinity theory. Interestingly enough, the pundit was also a nuclear chemistry professor at a nearby university.

"Echad" is a plurality of oneness, such as one bunch of grapes. His view was interesting, I hadn't thought of it like that.

 

[Take Heart]

Muslims call their god Allah but we call Him Father. muslims do not have a personal, relationship with God like we christians do. Their god is a religious deity to be submitted to, but not actually have a Father to son/daughter relationship.

I couldn't agree more.. beautifully said.

 

[dhornace]

I have nothing to contribute here to the discussion, I just wanted to say I have really enjoyed reading all of your responses!

 

[KateB]

Hello Soyeong,

Thanks, yes you're right. It is impossible for me to believe my friend's religion is right, when I already believe in Jesus. Just as I'm sure she doesn't believe mine is right, because she has a prophet. I don't believe in her prophet, Mahomet, because to me it seems he invented a new religion when Jesus had already saved us, and died for us on the cross. So it feels to me that there was no need for him. But I understand that those who followed him anyway, meant no harm, because though my friend believes in him, she's a good person. And I accept that she doesn't believe Jesus is the Son of God, even though I know He is.

We are happy to accept that from each other, and we have even agreed to include each other in our prayers. I have such faith in our Lord, that I'm sure he loves her too. And I love my friend for letting me believe that without judgment! It's nice that we can be such good friends despite our different opinions, I wouldn't dare to have these conversations with most non Christians I know. It's strange because some of my atheist friends have a hard time understanding my faith, and try so hard to prove me wrong! They don't realize it hurts me when they make fun of Jesus. My Muslim friend has never done that, and has never tried to convert me to her beliefs!

 

[JackRT]

muslims do not have a personal, relationship with God like we christians do

I am not convinced that is a true statement.

 

[Thir7ySev3n]

Some years ago I visited a Hindu temple. I stood before the altar area staring in silent amazement at the multitude of images of various deities, some of them very bizarre indeed. I had been there several minutes when I heard a gentle voice behind me say "God is One." I turned to meet the pundit (priest) of the temple. As he escorted me around the altar area he explained that while God is One, we in our finitude are unable to comprehend the fullness of God in a single "take". Each one of the "deities" before us was simply a different manifestation of God's Oneness. We Christians have done much the same with our trinity theory. Interestingly enough, the pundit was also a nuclear chemistry professor at a nearby university.

It's this kind of nonsense that smuggles in pseudo-Christian theology in an attempt to cultivate sympathizers among those who follow Christ towards anti-Christian doctrine. "Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22)." This Hindu priest's example is a false parallel. The Trinity is not one person manifested in three forms, but three actually distinct Persons existing with one essence (some like to use the example of a triangle; more literally, God is aptly described as one mind with three rational faculties, whereas we are one mind with one rational faculty). It is not as though the Triune nature of God could be likened to a person on instagram who takes a series of pictures of themselves in order to exhibit all of their distinct emotional and mental states, with Christ and the Holy Spirit merely reflecting "moods" of God. The Father is distinct from the Son, and the Son from the Holy Spirit, yet absolutely uniform, completely one in essence.

We mustn't forget how crafty Satan is, and how thoroughly familiar he is with the Scriptures. The most effective infiltration isn't predicated on remaining unseen, but hiding in plain sight. It isn't surprising with an enemy who is so familiar with the Person and Word of God that we should expect many anti-Christian religions to be very similar (even virtually identical) to Christianity itself, with the fundamental difference being the denial of Christ as the exclusive way to the Father (John 14:6). But that just is the fundamental difference, and the reason why no sympathy, except to the person holding their false beliefs, should be extended. We need to always do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), and "be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16)." But we must not become passive, instead seeking to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God..." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Needless to say, this is immediately relevant to your situation KateB, though I need not add anything else on that subject to what has already been perfectly said by the other posters.

 

[Thir7ySev3n]

I am not convinced that is a true statement.

It is very possible that non-Christians do have some genuine experience of God (even if it isn't in apprehension of the Spirit's witness regarding the gospel) as the Ground of Being (on which human beings are dependent), as the Moral Paragon (from whom all moral values are derived), or as the loving Father of mankind. Christian's need not be theologically committed to the contrary, for even Paul explicitly states that "what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:19-20)." It is inevitable, however, that Christians possessing the authentic witness of the Holy Spirit to the truth claims of the Christian faith would have a relationship with God unlike any other possibly could.

 

[KateB]

It's this kind of nonsense that smuggles in pseudo-Christian theology in an attempt to cultivate sympathizers among those who follow Christ towards anti-Christian doctrine. "Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22)." This Hindu priest's example is a false parallel. The Trinity is not one person manifested in three forms, but three actually distinct Persons existing with one essence (some like to use the example of a triangle; more literally, God is aptly described as one mind with three rational faculties, whereas we are one mind with one rational faculty). It is not as though the Triune nature of God could be likened to a person on instagram who takes a series of pictures of themselves in order to exhibit all of their distinct emotional and mental states, with Christ and the Holy Spirit merely reflecting "moods" of God. The Father is distinct from the Son, and the Son from the Holy Spirit, yet absolutely uniform, completely one in essence.

We mustn't forget how crafty Satan is, and how thoroughly familiar he is with the Scriptures. The most effective infiltration isn't predicated on remaining unseen, but hiding in plain sight. It isn't surprising with an enemy who is so familiar with the Person and Word of God that we should expect many anti-Christian religions to be very similar (even virtually identical) to Christianity itself, with the fundamental difference being the denial of Christ as the exclusive way to the Father (John 14:6). But that just is the fundamental difference, and the reason why no sympathy, except to the person holding their false beliefs, should be extended. We need to always do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), and "be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16)." But we must not become passive, instead seeking to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God..." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Needless to say, this is immediately relevant to your situation KateB, though I need not add anything else on that subject to what has already been perfectly said by the other posters.

Hello Thir7ySev3n,

Would this actually mean Satan crafted all other religions in order to lead people away from Jesus? I thought maybe other religions were made by humans who were raised in different beliefs only because of their culture, sort of. What I mean is, surely if we'd been brought up by Jewish or Muslim parents, we might have been mistaken into never embracing the Lord as our Savior. I don't know, can't say really, it feels strange to even think about it, but what if? It's scary to think Satan would have had anything to do with it.
I thought Jesus loved Christians and none Christians alike, because of His infinite love and forgiveness? Is this wrong?

 

[tturt]

Yes, Yahweh loves all and that is one of His characteristics. In that sense, He is inclusive. Another one of Yahweh's characteristics is He does not to lie (Numbers 23:19). So He wouldn't tell one group to love others (Matt 22:39) while telling another group the opposite.

"God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation." Exo 3:15 He does have many names such as I AM (Exo 3:14), Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9), Jehovah (Isa 26:4).

However, "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" Ex 34:14 (Mark 12:29, Rom 3:29-30) No other gods are included so in this sense, Yahweh is exclusive. You probably already know that the greatest commandment is "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt 22 His son, Yeshua, wasn't just a prophet. He died, rose again for us (John 3:16; I Peter 3:18; Matt 28:6; Luke 24:51-53), and will return with His own agenda (such as I Thess 4:13-18). Also, when we are Yahweh's believers, The Holy Spirit dwells in us (I Cor 3:16).

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

Hello!

I posted a thread earlier about God and it led to a discussion about religion between my friend and me. I'm a Christian and she's a Muslim, and it's always interesting to talk to her, because though we don't share the same faith, we both believe in God (she doesn't call Him God, of course, but Allah).

We were talking about the fact that we both believe in only one God, but because they're different religions, and neither of us can be allowed to deny the other's faith, we came to the conclusion that if we accept that neither of us is wrong, then we must believe in the same God, only we're going about it in different ways, with different perspectives.

As a Christian, is that an acceptable point of view? I think it's a nice idea, and so does she, but we're still puzzled. It's such a vast subject. What does Jesus think of other religions? There are many similarities between our religions, but plenty of differences too. We both agree we would never swap religions for anything, yet we totally respect our differences of opinion.

Sorry if this isn't the right place. I'm not trying to provoke anyone here by talking about different religions, I was really just wondering how Christians feel about Allah, and she is doing the same on her side, and we'll get back to each other to talk about it.

Jas 2:19 KJV
(19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

the devil also believes in the same God as Christians do, yet the devil is not on another path to God.

Joh 14:6 KJV
(6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

there are many religions, but only one way to God - Jesus. True Christianity is different from all other 'religions' because the burden of one's salvation rests not on one's performance, but on faith in God's grace; all other 'religions' put the burden of salvation on the individual's performance - since no one in a flesh body (except Jesus - 'Emmanuel' - God with us) can achieve perfection in performance to God's laws, no other 'religion' can lead anyone to a personal relationship with God; only Christianity is focused on God, all other 'religions' are focused on self.

Mat 7:21-23 KJV
(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

be very careful not to allow the goodness and moral character you see in your lost friend to deceive you into thinking that she is on some other path to the One True God - if she does not profess Jesus as her personal Savior, then she does not know God, and is not on some other path that leads to Him - there is only One Way, One Truth, One Life by which man can come to the One True God.

 

[Thir7ySev3n]

Hello Thir7ySev3n,

Would this actually mean Satan crafted all other religions in order to lead people away from Jesus? I thought maybe other religions were made by humans who were raised in different beliefs only because of their culture, sort of. What I mean is, surely if we'd been brought up by Jewish or Muslim parents, we might have been mistaken into never embracing the Lord as our Savior. I don't know, can't say really, it feels strange to even think about it, but what if? It's scary to think Satan would have had anything to do with it.
I thought Jesus loved Christians and none Christians alike, because of His infinite love and forgiveness? Is this wrong?

It is highly likely that many religions have been derived and developed in human history from some demonic initiative. It's important to remember that Satan does not possess any qualities exclusively intrinsic to the deity of our LORD, such as, relevantly notable in this case, omnipresence. He is only ever in one place personally at any given time, though his influence through accompanying demonic entities can be widespread. The Scriptures reveal some of the interactions between Satan and God, as well as his original sin and motive of pride that lead him to contend for the position and glory of God (there is some interesting considerations that could be made regarding the relationship between the angels and our LORD prior to the fall that would allow for Satan to delude himself to the possibility of supplanting God, but it would be mostly speculative and not immediately relevant). With this objective, the knowledge he possesses of the Scriptures, and his ability to influence (not the same as possession) the minds of human beings (1 Chronicles 21:1, Mark 8:33), it is to be expected that there will result spiritual deception, sometimes in the form of anti-Christian religions.

I would note that it's not entirely important whether the anti-Christian religious doctrine was derived directly from satanic influence or from some development of an ignorant mind based on a confusion or misinterpretation of God's general revelation of Himself. The real issue is that it is doctrine that is misleading and directs the proponents of those doctrines away from (or, at least, not towards) Christ. Regardless, since these doctrines are false, a lie, they are in some sense still satanic in that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Therefore, the function of other religions from Satan's standpoint is to spread confusion and alienate men from Christ when He is revealed to them, whether those religions are of his initiative or human error. Think of it this way: Hypothetically, even in the instances where an anti-Christian religion could be (if it ever is the case) entirely absent of demonic influence, it could still be manipulated to make a person an enemy of Christ. It could be manipulated in much the same ways that human deceivers manipulate people's emotions or unconsidered positions in politics, or friendships, or any other human relationship; like the person who's insecurities are manipulated to make a person believe a friend has betrayed them, or a spouse's jealousy is used to make them doubt their husband's/wife's fidelity.

To answer your last question, of course Jesus loves all people, regardless of their circumstances or spiritual state. Scripturally, that is overtly obvious (I don't imagine I need to refer to John 3:16, Luke 6:35, and the many others). But you may be wondering how that is possible if He allows certain people to be deceived unto death. This is a question about God's divine providence, and I can provide both a directly Scriptural response, and a theological inference from what is revealed of God in the Scriptures (and general revelation, like what Paul speaks of in Romans 1:19-20).

First, Jesus makes explicitly clear the His ascension from the world in the flesh was to accomplish a nobler task than could be done in His physical presence, namely, the assigning of the Holy Spirit to continue the ministry Jesus began with His disciples and those who were still to believe (John 16:7). The purpose of this ministry, Jesus stated, was to "prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned (John 16:8-11)." The culmination of this ministry, then, is to convince the world regarding the truth of the gospel, the Christian faith. Therefore, it is not ultimately ever a problem with a lack of arguments, evidence, or preaching that causes a person to reject Christ til death. Rather, it is a lifelong rejection of the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which is the self-disclosure of God Himself, because such men love darkness rather than the light (John 3:19). So no man or woman ever goes to their grave without culpability of rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit Himself.

Lastly, we can theologically infer from the Scriptures that God's goal in creating the universe was to actualize the option in the plethora of potentialities before Him that would produce the greatest potential good, this great good being drawing all men freely into a saving knowledge of Himself. We can infer this from what we know about God's qualities, such as His omnibenevolence, omniscience and omnipotence: (**substitute in your mind "greatest potential good" with "greatest quantity of souls freely entering the saving knowledge of God"**)

1. Because God is omnibenevolent, He would desire to create the world that would produce the greatest potential good
2. Because God is omniscient, He would know which world would produce the greatest potential good
3. Because God is omnipotent, He would be able to create the world which would produce the greatest potential good
Therefore, the universe in which we exist is that which would produce the greatest potential good

So all souls that can be saved in some given circumstance, will be saved, and provided the times and conditions necessary to effectuate their salvation. I will conclude with an additionally confirmatory verse regarding this fact: "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:26-27)