The Christian-Muslim Conflict!

Is there really a conflict between Christians and Muslims? There were said to be nine crusades from 1095-1272. This was where Christians got together to fight against Muslims. What is happening in world today? Maybe we should take a look at Christian Bible and Muslim Koran before tensions escalate too far? Millions of people revere writers of these sacred books. The question is, can and will this promote love and respect between neighbors in differing religions?

Have you ever asked yourself who actually wrote New Testament and Koran? Should you examine foundation of Christianity, known from writers of New Testament? Many of Paul's epistles are recognized by Biblical scholars as actual letters, first written some 18 years (about 51 AD) after Jesus died. Paul clearly states that he never physically met Jesus. Paul only mentions three of apostles by name (Galatians 1:18-20, 2:9)! When it comes to meeting Peter, as Jesus' key apostle, Paul states: "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in wrong..." (Galatians 2:11)

Early letters and other writings do exist from those referred to as “Apostolic Fathers,” yet apostles are not mentioned by name. (Papias was 'quoted' as having mentioned Matthew; see footnote below.) Beyond writing more of New Testament than any other, Paul, in fact, appears to be primary spokesmen for what became Christianity, even according to Apostolic Fathers.

"I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen before your eyes, not only in case of blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and rest of apostles. ... If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of heathen. But who of us are ignorant of judgment of Lord? 'Do we not know that saints shall judge world?' as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in midst of whom blessed Paul laboured." [From Chapters 9 and 11 of “The Letter of Polycarp to Philippians,” see footnote 1.]

The main objective of later Biblical writers -- including writers of Gospels -- was to make traditions fit together and convince others that Jesus was Christ, chosen Messiah. Was this viewpoint of Jesus intolerant of other faiths? The Christocentric view is stressed in oft-quoted John 14:6 where Jesus was claimed to have said, “I am way and truth and life. No one comes to Father except through me.”

For more than a thousand years large majority of Christians (strongly) believed that all non-Christians would eternally suffer in hell. For some, this has given Christians right to coerce and even murder. Currently, many Christians may understand that all good people with or without religion can worship God in their hearts. The priority of love and compassion can save people from damnation. It seems that anyone can go “through Jesus” (referring to scripture above) by accepting what Jesus established as priorities in life.

The New Testament stresses to “Love God with all of your heart and mind, and your neighbor like yourself.” Christianity has great spiritual power through example of Jesus. Good individuals in every religious tradition have loved God, at least their understandings of God. Love and compassion are experienced throughout world; however, abuse in name of religion is also a very real experience.

Muhammad was founding prophet of Islam. If a Muslim, you believe that Muhammad is seal of prophets. [3] As authoritative seal, his prophecies or revelations provide complete and final truths. As people questioned authority of prophecies that were developed and expressed throughout months and years of Muhammad’s life, further revelations sought to clarify given situations.

"When we change one verse for another — God knows best what He reveals — they say: 'You [Muhammad] are an impostor.' Indeed most of these people do not understand. Say: 'The Holy Spirit brought revelation down from God in truth, in order to strengthen faithful, and to give guidance and good news to those that submit.' We know they say: 'A mortal taught him.' But man to whom they allude speaks a foreign tongue, [4] while this is pure, clear Arabic. God will not guide those who disbelieve that these are His revelations. Woeful punishment awaits disbeliever." (Koran 16.101-104)

Muhammad's viewpoint of Jesus' divine authority clearly contradicts what mainstream Christians believe!

Are we listening to God?

I paid very close attention yesterday evening at leadership class.

And I also paid very close attention to a cartoon - animated picture on TV last night.

I want to share two things for now and below I will share from my notes from class.

1. When one of men which is Chariman of Deacon Board(younger than me) shared following at leadership class: He shared with us that he was at home yesterday and he just happened to watch soap operas something that he don't do, but for some reason on this soap opera they were talking about and showing one of characters had died and went to heaven, and focus was on ENTER THE GATES.

I do believe that Kevin told us one that had died was named LUKE

He told us it just caught his attention for that was title of our Leadership Lesson and he began to watch it and he thought woww!!!

Now keep in mind, I just wonder how many countries, cities and nations did pick up and did show this soap opera?

2. Last night I was watching Bobby Hill on TV: cartoon -- animated picture.

This really caught my eyes his mother had painted CLOUDS on his room wall, now I have seen this picture before but last night I began to see something different; my mind went back to my study on Tabernacle.

Then daddy did not like wall painted with clouds so he began to take paint brush and cover up just a small partion of wall.

Everytime Bobby Hill would began to ask questions daddy would ask don't you have homework to do? And child said No. Then daddy asked don't you have sunday school homework to do?

Ok, again I heard word "MIRACLE" and Bobby Hill was reading from scriptures about Jesus and I think wedding at Cana.

Now keep in mind, I just wonder how many countries, cities and nations did pick up and show as well?

Some might be saying Oh, Angela that is just another coincident.

"My Notes From Class Friday 27, 2003"

ENTER HIS GATE

WHAT GATE

GOD's GATE

How can sinful man approach God? REPENT

OUR PASTOR ASKS? IF everyone that came to church was seeking LORD?

QUESTION TO BREAK THE ICE: If you went blind at this moment what would you miss? (You do not have to share answer with me)

Let's go to Exodus 25:8-9

MAKE A SANCUTARY according to HIS PATTERN.

Make God a Sancutary that HE may dwell among them according to what GOD SHOW.

verse 8...And let them make me a sancturary; that I may dwell among them.

verse 9...According to all that I shew thee, after pattern of tabernacle, and pattern of all instruments thereof even so shall ye make it.

Let's go to John 5:46

MOSES wrote of JESUS: if ye would have believed MOSES you believed JESUS.

SCRIPTURE --- THE STANDARD OF THE TRUTH

verse 46...For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Why would you think it was important to GOD to have a fence of Tabernacle?

Why a fence?

Let's go to Isaiah 59:2

MY/OUR SINS HAVE SEPARATED US FROM GOD: MY SINS HAVE HID GOD'S FACE FROM ME. THE PRAYER OF THE WICKED NOT HEARD.

But your inquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Let's go to Exodus 33:17

MOSES HAD BEEN OBEDIENT TO GOD'S WORD