Islam and the Bible- Part 1

The series begins!

There aren't a lot of actual chapters in this book, so each "part" will consist of so many pages that I can read at the time. (Just so you know..)

This sentence was in the Forward: "Long ago I learned that we can never make Jesus attractive to Muslims if we antagonize them." - I wish many American Christians would learn that.


"Is true Islam peaceful or militant? The answer to this opening question is not simple, for there are many faces to Islam. Muslim clerics in the U.S. say that Islam means peace and doesn't sanction terrorist acts. Yet many clerics in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Sudan, teach that committed Muslims must fight unbelievers (Jews and Christians) until they are subdued.

... Either position can be argued by quoting specific Quranic verses. "

"Early passages in the Quran advocate a peaceful coexistence with Christianity"

We can see this 'peaceful coexistence' in Sura 2:62, Sura 2:256, and Sura 29:46.

Later on, Muhammad's power increased in Medina, and he almost changed his mind as he turned on Jews and Christians who refused to accept him as the prophet of God. (That's power for ya, we all can see this in politics and fame in today's society.)

Sura 9:5 says: "Slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them captive, and besiege them and prepare for them each ambush.."

This was a complete flip. At first, they didn't mind the Christians and Jews, but as time went on, they do. I wonder why?
"According to Quranic teaching, Allah can change his mind and replace a verse with a later and better revelation."

So if he says something that isn't right the first time, he can change it?
(Sura 2:106, Sura 16:101)

"Mark A. Gabriel, former professor of Islamic history at al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt, notes that Muhammad, while living in Mecca, "Never spoke of jihad." He did not mention a "holy war" because he lacked the military might. While in Medina, however, where he built an army."

"Muhammad's move from Mecca to Medina changed Islam into a political movement."

Interesting change in ways, in this first section. We'll see how it works out later on in the book.


(All quotes in bold are from the book Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann