Post by pitbull on Nov 12, 2008 7:37:02 GMT -5
DAILY WISDOM
“A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.” [Proverbs 12:9]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FORGETTING THE PAST
Philippians 3:13
1. We need to forget all past guilt. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)
2. We need to forget all past grief. (2 Samuel 12:15-23)
3. We need to forget all past grudges. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
4. We need to forget all past glories. (Job 29:1-25; 30:1)
RELIGIOUS AWARENESS
Fundamental Evangelistic Association
selected articles from:
©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt Costella, Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
________________________________________
Major Misconceptions
©FOUNDATION Magazine Editorial, Sept-Oct 2001
The recent terrorist attack against the United States by Muslim fundamentalists has unleashed a myriad of misinformation that should be of concern to all who define themselves as Bible-believing Christians. As is usually the case when political and social events of such magnitude occur, everyone seems to have an answer to what has happened and how we need to respond. Such open dialogue and freedom of expression is a precious privilege and right that we possess in this free society in which we live. Yet at the same time, this freedom of speech and expression always subjects society to misinformation, whether deliberately propagated or not. As a Christian who knows what he believes and stands firmly upon God's revelation to man, and as an American who believes in using his freedom to think critically and express concerns publicly, I have noticed three prevalent streams of thought that have made their way to the public spectrum and have been quickly embraced by a majority of the American public. Each of these bits of misinformation needs to be clarified and understood by Christians and Americans everywhere.
First, despite what we are hearing from politicians and religious leaders, Islam is not a religion of peace and tolerance. The very word Islam means "submission." We should be thankful that most Muslims here in the United States are people who desire peace in the world and who respectfully tolerate other religions. They do not take their "holy book" as literally as do Muslims in other areas of the world, and they are not defined as "fundamentalists" because they do not strictly obey what their religion teaches them. But while most Muslim people in the Western world may be peaceful and tolerant, the religion of Islam itself is neither peaceful nor tolerant. Throughout the Middle East, the Muslim religion/culture is carried out to its natural end in nations such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and other countries. In these nations, no distinction exists between "mosque and state," and those who convert to a religion other than Islam are often punished or killed. Religious liberty is expressly forbidden. Proselytizers are not allowed. Women are enslaved. Infidels (those who reject Islam) are enemies of the religion and the state. Jihad (holy war) against the infidels is the natural outcome of this religion. Their "holy book" allows for this and actually encourages it in some places.
Second, despite what we are hearing from politicians and religious leaders around the world, Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Sadly, Christian leaders in the United States have become primary disseminators of this blatant lie. A United Methodist News Service report stated, " [Muslims] worship the same God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus" (9-12-01). Roman Catholic and Muslim leaders in the U.S. issued a statement in which they said, "We believe that the one God calls us to be peoples of peace" (Zenit, 9-16-01). In a United Methodist News Service commentary, the Rev. Bruce Robbins said, "So many Christians do not realize the bonds between Christianity, Judaism and [Islam]. We all worship the one and the same God of the Abrahamic tradition yet with different perspectives and understandings" (9-17-01). Pope John Paul II even declared that "Jews, Christians and Muslims adore the One God" (Zenit, 9-30-01). No, Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Christians worship a God who has declared Himself to mankind through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh. Muslims worship an impersonal god who is so transcendent that he is unknowable. They adamantly reject the fact that Jesus Christ is God. Christians worship a God who saves mankind by His grace through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Muslims worship a god who requires them to perform a wide variety of works, rites and rituals in order for them to even hope to experience a paradise in the life hereafter. Christians worship a God who indwells them in the person of the Holy Spirit and keeps them secure throughout their lives. Muslims reject any God who indwells them and has such a personal relationship with mankind. Christians worship a God who cannot lie nor act in any way contrary to His divine nature. Therefore, He is always good, holy, righteous and truthful. Muslims worship a god who is not limited by anything, including his own nature. Therefore, he can change as he wills. Clearly, the god of Islam is not the God of Christianity, and Christians today must understand this important truth so they will not find themselves in accord with those who reject Jesus Christ as God manifest in the flesh. Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God!
Finally, despite what we are hearing from politicians and religious leaders around the world, Americans should not be denied their freedom of speech in an effort to refrain from "offending" the followers of Islam. Both Muslim and Christian leaders are now expressing their "intolerance" of any who speak negatively of the Muslim religion. But just as I would defend any individual's right to praise Allah and speak of the greatness of Islam, so I will most certainly defend my own right, and the right of others, to speak the truth concerning Islam as a religion that exalts a false god and that is anything but "peaceful" and "tolerant." Long before the attacks against the United States on September 11, we warned about the spiritual dangers of the Muslim religion. And now, long after the attacks, we will continue to do the same. I value my American freedoms and will do everything in my power to make sure that both Muslims and Christians have the right to speak out concerning what they believe. We live in America, not Afghanistan, Pakistan or Libya. Islamic nations throughout the world reject freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The inhabitants of these nations are held hostage, verbally speaking. They are only allowed to express agreement with the religion of their culture or fear the repercussion. In America, we enjoy the right to speak our minds, to disagree with our government or the religion of others. As Christians, we should continue to adamantly declare that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and that no one can have a relationship with God the Father except through Him. We must boldly proclaim that "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). When the leaders of the early church were threatened to suppress their religious beliefs, they held fast to their conviction and declared that they would obey God rather than men and would continue proclaim the truth. We must have this same conviction and attitude and defend our freedom to speak the truth in love.
I certainly respect Muslim people, just as I respect Roman Catholics, Jews, Hindus or liberal Protestants. I have known Muslims and worked with them in the past and have considered them to be good friends. However, I am diametrically opposed to their religion, just as I am opposed to Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism, liberal Protestantism or any other false religion that advances a false gospel and is sending people to an eternity apart from Christ in a literal lake of fire. The Muslim religion is a false religion that is blinding the eyes of billions of people and keeping them from a relationship with God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. As Christians, we should desire to see these precious people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and lovingly declare to them how they can become children of the one, true God.
Let us not find ourselves slaves to "political correctness" and believing the lies and misinformation that is bombarding us on every hand. Let us purpose to stand firm on the truth of God's Word and boldly refute the evil doctrines that are permeating the world and the Church today. With God's help as we are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can use these exciting days in which we live to bring glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
M.D. Costella