
Scenarios
- It's a religion of peace
One-liners
- Is that freedom or conformity?
In-brief
The word 'Islam' means submit, so the message is that God is distant and must be obeyed without question. In the Bible God reveals himself as relational 'Come let us reason together' (
Isaiah 1:18 ). 'Israel' means struggle-with-God so there is a sense of God seeking to draw us close, 'Let's talk about it', and for us in our humanity to get to a position to respond to Him.In contrast the Islamic attitude of submission leaves people needing to follow rules to please their God and no one is really sure if they will be accepted. Doing good things for whatever reason is clearly helpful but the concept of Jihad offers a more certain route.
The Islamic caliphates were largely created through warfare rather than voluntary turning to Islam. The conquered peoples were treated differently if they did not convert - extra taxes, inferior status. That motivation is still playing out today as we see in various attacks on western targets and on rival Islamic groups.
There can be peaceful religion, but it relies on making peace with God his way, through the sacrifice of his Son, bringing us back into relationship with Him.
Shield verses
- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6