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Curious Christian · 07-02-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:Bismillah:

i agree, but there are still huge difference between our understanding of the term monotheim and your understanding.

for example:

1- The Qur’an gives no less than ninety-nine different attributes to Almighty Allah. The Qur’an refers to Allah as Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious), Ar-Raheem (Most Merciful) and Al-Hakeem (All Wise) among many other names. You can call Allah by any name but that name should be beautiful and should not conjure up a mental picture. we should not call Him as Jesus for example.

2- Not only does God possess unique attributes, but also each attribute of Almighty God is sufficient to identify Him. Let us take an example of a famous personality, say Neil Armstrong. Neil Armstrong is an astronaut. The attribute of being an astronaut possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but not unique to Neil Armstrong alone. So when one asks, who is an astronaut? The answer is, there are hundreds of people in the world who are astronauts. Neil Armstrong is an American. The attribute of being American possessed by Neil Armstrong is correct but not sufficient to identify him. So when one asks, who is an American? The answer is, there are millions of people who are American. To identify the person uniquely we must look for a unique attribute possessed by none except that person. For example, Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. So when one asks, who was the first man to set foot on the moon, the answer is only one, i.e. Neil Armstrong. Similarly the attribute of Almighty God should be unique. If I say God is the constructor of buildings, it is possible and true, but it is not unique. Thousands of people can construct a building. But each attribute of Allah is unique and points to none but Allah. For example, God is the creator of the universe. If someone asks who is the creator of the universe, the answer is only one, i.e. Almighty God is the Ultimate Creator. Not Jesus for exampl.

3- Besides the attribute being unique, it should not contradict other attributes. To continue with the earlier example, suppose somebody says that Neil Armstrong is an American astronaut who was the first human to set foot on the moon and was an Indian. The attribute possessed by Neil Armstrong of being the first man to set foot on the moon, is correct. But its associated quality of being an Indian, is false. Similarly if someone says that God is the Creator of the Universe and has one head, two hands, two feet, etc., the attribute (Creator of the Universe) is correct but the associated quality (in the form of human being) is wrong and false. 

4- Since there is only one God, all the attributes should point to one and the same God. To say that Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut who first set foot on the moon, but he was born in 1971 is wrong. Both these unique qualities belong to one and the same person, i.e. Neil Armstrong. Similarly to say that the Creator of the universe is one God and the Cherisher is another God is absurd because God possesses all these attributes combined together. or to say thta God is one and in the same breath you say he is three is totally false and rejected in Islam.

5- and lastly you should not worship anything or anyone along with this God. this is called Shirk in Islam

Shirk literally means sharing or associating partners. In Islamic terms it means associating partners with Allah and is equivalent to idolatry.

Shirk is the greatest sin which Allah will never forgives. Shirk also leads to hell fire

The Qur’an says in Surah Maidah: “They do blaspheme who say: ‘Allah is Christ the son Of Mary.’ But said Christ: ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord And your Lord’. Whoever Joins other gods with Allah -Allah will forbid him The Garden, and the Fire Will be his abode. There will For the wrongdoers Be no one to help.” [Holy Qur’an 5:72]

in short God commanded us to worship and obedey none but Him:

The Qur’an says: “O people Of the Book! Come To common terms As between us and you: That we worship None but Allah; That we associate No partners with Him; That we erect not, From among ourselves, Lords and patrons Other than Allah.” If then they turn back, Say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) Are Muslims (bowing To Allah’s Will).” [Holy Qur’an 3:64]

Salam

Wael.

Just some thoughts point by point with your comment.

1) I've never counted the attributes of God in the Bible but there are much more than 99. Also you say that the name of God should not conjue up an image. Doesn't the word "Allah" conjure up an image to those you profess his name?

2) I completely agree with your idea of God here. Again, we disagree in the end because Jesus is God. Who can forgive sins Wel Mel? Only God can, yet we see that Jesus forgave sins. Who can command the oceans and the storms? Only God can. Yet we see that Jesus did so.

3) I agree. I don't believe that God has a physical body like ours. When we are created "in his image" we were given some of his attributes. Such as the ability to create art for example (which sets us apart from all other animals). Further we were created in his image in that we know good from evil. Jesus, while he dwelt on this earth, did have a body. But nothing in the bible tells us that God has a literal bodily form. We know from the bible that God is everywhere. Christians do not worship God as a human.

4) There is but one God. The Bible teaches us that God is three persons. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. From the creation account to Revelation the nature of God is revealed as Triune. This doesn't mean a plurality. I realize that Islam rejects the Trinity so we differ there.

5) Obviously there is a stark contrast here to was the Quran says and what the bible says. The Bible as we've discussed before demonstrates that Jesus is God.

'“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” – John 20:28'

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." – Revelation 4:11 (the words of the 24 elders to Jesus).

“…Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” – Acts 20:28

“…the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” – Titus 2:13

“…To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours” – 2 Peter 1:1

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…. for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” – Romans 10:9,13. Note: Paul reveals Jesus to be the same “Lord” referred to in Joel 2:32, which he quotes. In Joel 2:32, “LORD” is Jehovah/Yahweh.

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