The
internet can be a great resource for Christians, but it is also filled with
half-truths and outright lies. Nowhere is this more evident than in the
numerous articles and discussions about Islam. I recently read an article by progressive
author Benjamin L. Corey titled “Five Things I Wish Conservative Christians
Understood about Muslims.” Corey begins by reprimanding the entire conservative
Christian movement for merely having “a lot of opinions about Islam,” and then
proceeds to attack Franklin Graham for painting “an entire religion with the
broad brush of stereotype.”[1] Not only does he do the
very thing of which he accuses Graham, but his lengthy article includes only
one reference. Is he merely stating his opinion? While I appreciate his love
and compassion for Muslims, what follows is a respectful response to his work,
along with appropriate references.
I wish Progressives understood
that…
1. We
Can and Should Make the Distinction Between Islam and Muslims.
When
conservatives speak out against Islam they are often accused of being unloving
towards Muslims. However, there is a tremendous difference between the religion
of Islam, and the Muslim who is the adherent to the religion. Muslims are
valuable people made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and Christians have been
given “a ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). The Apostle Paul tells us
“Christ died for all” and we should “recognize no one according to the flesh”
(2 Cor. 5:16). People are valuable, regardless of who they are. However,
Christians are also told to “destroy arguments set up against the knowledge of
God” (2 Cor. 10:5) and “expose darkness” (Eph. 5:11). We can confront false
ideas without attacking the person holding those ideas.
Corey
attacks Franklin Graham and quotes him extensively in his article, but Graham
is warning about “the teachings of Islam,” not Muslims in general. Nowhere in
the quote does Graham even use the term Muslim. Samaritan’s Purse, the organization
Graham oversees, reflects the love of God to all people groups, regardless of
their religious identity. The Graham family has consistently devoted their time
and resources globally and indiscriminately for quite some time. I don’t think
I am misrepresenting them in any way to say that they love Muslims and deserve
more credit than what Corey’s article gives them. There is no indication in
Franklin Graham’s article that he does not love or care for Muslims as a
Christian should. He is simply attacking the false belief system called Islam.
2. Muslims
Love the Wrong Jesus.
Corey
declares, “I don’t know how to make this more clear: you can’t be a good Muslim
if you don’t love Jesus.” Such a comment commits the logical fallacy of
equivocation. The Jesus of the Bible and the Isa of the Qur’an are radically
different. Corey goes on to rightfully point out how “the Qur’an affirms many
of the key beliefs orthodox Christians,” but you will never distinguish between
the genuine and a fake by only examining similarities. Progressives love to
stress all the commonalities between Christianity and Islam, while ignoring
crucial differences. At the heart of the Christian Gospel is the death, burial,
and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-8), but Islam rejects the deity of
Christ (Surah 5:75) and the historical claims of His death by crucifixion
(Surah 4:157). Without the cross, there is no Good News. Scripture says if
Christ has not been raised from the dead, “Then our preaching is vain, your
faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God” (1
Cor. 15:14-15). The Bible is clear, the death of Christ was a real historical
event, and those who deny it as such, “your faith is worthless; you are still
in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17), and you are a false witness.
3. Islam
is Inherently Violent.
Once
again, I point out my assertion concerns Islam, not what Muslims do. Mark
Gabriel, Former Muslim and professor at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, rightly
says “We cannot look to Christians to learn what Jesus taught, nor can we look
to Muslims to determine what Muhammad taught.”[2] Christians and Muslims are
capable of misunderstanding and misrepresenting their respective religions. We
must look to their founders, Jesus and Muhammad. The Qur’an gives the command
to “Fight those who believe not in Allah” (Surah 9:29), and gives no indication
that the command is not applicable to Muslims today. In fact, we have over 1400
years of history proving that many Muslims believe this is indeed an ongoing
part of their religion. The Qur’an also exalts Muhammad above Jesus as “a
beautiful pattern on conduct” (Surah 33:21), and Allah is practically
unknowable because “there is nothing like Him” (Surah 42:11). Understandably,
Muslims focus more of their attention on Muhammad than they do Allah. They
dress like him, grow their beards as he did, even entering a restroom as he
would, etc. Most importantly for our discussion here, Muhammad was an extremely
violent man who did not tolerate unbelief in Islam. He engaged in offensive
Jihad. His biography tells us “When the Apostle raided a people he waited until
the morning. If he heard the (Islamic) call to prayer he held back; if he did
not hear it he attacked.”[3] According to the Hadith, any
Muslim who chooses to “Wage peace,” as many progressives love to say, is “not
equal” to those who are committed to waging Jihad.”[4] So, I have just given you
three of the most authoritative sources in Sunni Islam, and they all suggest
Islam is violent. Please understand, there’s much more to be said concerning
the violent nature of this religion.
4. Surah
5:32 is Addressing Israelis not Muslims.
Progressives
like Corey often point to Surah 5:32 in an attempt to make Islam look peaceful
or non-violent. While this approach does ignore numerous contradictory verses
promoting violence against unbelievers, it is the way in which the verse is
often quoted that speaks volumes. Corey, like many others, does not quote the
entire verse. He doesn’t even give a Qur’anic reference. Why is that? He gives
two references in support of his next point. Now, I can only speculate about
his motives, but regardless, his words are misleading. The command in 32 is not
addressing Muslims, but is “ordained for the children of Israel.” The context
is Cain slaying Abel. It make no sense to reference a command given to Israel
in order to depict Islam as a peaceful or non-violent religion. If you want to
understand what’s being communicated in the text, it may be helpful to at least
read both verses.
(32) “On that account: We ordained for the
Children of Israel that if any one slew a person – unless it be for murder or
for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people;
and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole
people. Then although there came to them Our Apostles with clear signs, yet
even after that, many of them continued to commit excess in the land.
(33) The punishment of those who
wage war against God and His Apostle, and strive with might and main for
mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of
hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their
disgrace in this world, and heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter.” –
Surah 5:32-33
Suddenly, the partial quote takes on
an entirely different meaning. One that is actually being communicated by the
author of the Qur’an. Only now can we begin to ask, what it means to “spread
mischief in the land?” Like many other verses within the Islamic text, the
precise meaning is not clear at all. This is part of the problem. However, what
does appear crystal clear is how “those who wage war against God and His
Apostle” can be executed or crucified.
5. Islam
Encourages Violent Aggression Against Hypocrites.
Last
of all, I wish Progressives understood that it makes no sense to present
Muslims as “the victims of terrorism,” in response to the threat of Islam. The
Qur’an is filled with instructions to respond violently to those who are not genuine
in their faith. Muhammad was commanded to “strive hard against the unbelievers
and the hypocrites” (Surah 9:73). He would pass this same command on to his
followers saying, “If somebody (A Muslim) discards his religion, kill him”
(Sahih al-Bukhari).[5]
It should be noted that the word “Sahih” means sound or reliable teaching, and
Bukhari is one of the most authoritative Hadiths in Islam. Any Muslim who
suspects apostasy, has solid religious grounds to respond in a violent manner.
Muhammad was not concerned with people embracing or rejecting Islam because
they believed it was reasonable. Hence, the name Islam, which means
“Submission.”
In closing, let me say that I love both
Progressives and Muslims. Biblical love demands that we seek what is good for another,
and in order to do this we must emphasize what is true. Love and truth are like
wings on a plane. One without the other is dangerous. So, if Progressives wish
to influence Conservative “Freedom-loving Christians, they must do better with
the cold hard facts. Truth by definition is divisive. I agree “We should come
along side our Muslim neighbors, we should grieve with them, and support them –
because they are under attack,” but only if we take the time to understand the
reality of Islam which holds them captive.
Below
is the link to Corey’s article.
https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/5-things-wish-conservative-christians-understood-muslims/
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[2] Mark A. Gabriel, PhD (2004), Jesus and Muhammad. Lake Mary, FL: Front
Line. vii
[3] Guillaume (1982), The Life of Muhammad. Pakistan, Oxford
University Press. 511
[4] Sahi Al-Bukhari (1997), The Book of Jihad, Darussalam. Vol. 4,
2826
