Pilgrim's Progeny
Puritan Board Sophomore
I ask this question in light of a recent debate over the "god" of Islam. in my opinion, Muslims are idoloters, even though they have a text derivitive of the OT Scriptures, because they have perverted the God of Abraham and fashioned him into an idol of their own imagination. It is blasphemous, in my opinion, to say they worship the same "God" as we do because, anything short of the full revelation of God is either a perversion or lacking and a idol. That means if you do not worship the Triune God you are worshipping an idol.
Following that line of reasoning could we say that modern Jews are idolaters and blaspemers because they worship "god" in ignorance and without full knowledge. Paul said that he was an blasphemer before he knew Christ, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 1:12-14 (NASB77). Was Paul also an idolater?
I ask this not merely for debate, but to be better equipped as a pastor as I deal with both these issues and people of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian religions, because there are some Christians who believe we worship the same God as the Jews and Muslims.
Also, I am not asking to discuss what the term "Allah" means, we are talking about what the term represents for practicing Muslims.
Lastly, I am not asking how we relate to those of the other religions, that belongs in another forum.
Following that line of reasoning could we say that modern Jews are idolaters and blaspemers because they worship "god" in ignorance and without full knowledge. Paul said that he was an blasphemer before he knew Christ, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 1:12-14 (NASB77). Was Paul also an idolater?
I ask this not merely for debate, but to be better equipped as a pastor as I deal with both these issues and people of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian religions, because there are some Christians who believe we worship the same God as the Jews and Muslims.
Also, I am not asking to discuss what the term "Allah" means, we are talking about what the term represents for practicing Muslims.
Lastly, I am not asking how we relate to those of the other religions, that belongs in another forum.