The Whole Armor of God, Part 14B

Today I continue my series of articles commenting on the concepts and principles involved in the Armor of God, which the Apostle Paul described in the New Testament. This is the topic of the Sunday school lesson, which I am currently teaching.





















Abram knew the right thing to do in a crisis for God was with him.

Abram had faith in God who had blessed him and had spoken to him in the past. One day he learned that his nephew had been taken captive by a confederation of kings. Nowhere is it recorded that he had to seek counsel of God on what he should do about the situation. He had 318 men trained for combat duty ready to engage any enemy. He had made a confederation with three others who I would think each had men under their command otherwise a confederation would have been meaningless. These went off to retrieve Lot, Abram’s nephew, and defeat the intruders. He then tithed the spoil, allowed those with him to take their share of the spoil, but refused to take any spoil for himself. You might remember that Abram is over 75 years old when he goes off to war. This attack by Abram, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre also prevented an attack on themselves in the future. The account is found in Genesis 14:1-24.

Genesis 14:1-7
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

Genesis 14:8-9
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

Genesis 14:10-12
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Genesis 14:13-16
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Genesis 14:17-20
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Genesis 14:21-24
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

God worked through Abram and the people in his army to provide a victory. He was strong in God. In the same way, God also works through every believer often without us even realizing it.

If you desire God to work through you in the way he did Abram, then you can start today by receiving Jesus into your heart. You can pray to God confessing to Him that you are a sinner and then invite Jesus into your heart. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.”

Shining God’s Light on the Koran – God Communicating with Man Part 1B

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.

God’s Verbal Interaction with Man, Part Two

In the Koran, Allah is said to not directly verbally communicate with mankind. In the Holy Bible, however, God is said to have verbally communicated with several men. Let’s consider the three patriarchs of Israel Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

It is beneath the dignity of Allah to condescend to speak to a mortal with the exception of disclosing information or only in speaking from behind a covering hidden from view or by dispatching a messenger who reveals with His permission what He pleases; certainly He is Exalted and exercises good judgment (Surah 42:51).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

According to the Koran, Allah does not lower himself to speak directly to mortals. He may reveal something of new significance to someone but not usually. He will hide himself behind a sheet or send a messenger to deliver the message he wants to send people. Such as when Gabriel was sent to speak to Muhammad in order to reveal Allah’s word to him.

BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

God speaks to Abraham Four Times Besides the Theophany

I. ... Now the Lord had said unto Abram, “Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your fathers house, unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curseth you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).”

II. ... The word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, “Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.” And Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, to me You have given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.” And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, “This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir.” And He brought him forth abroad, and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you be able to number them”: and He said unto him, “So shall your seed be.” And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:1-6).

III A. ... When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying. “As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made you. And I will make you exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come out of you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you. And I will give unto you, and to your seed after you, the land wherein you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” And God said unto Abraham, “You shalt keep my covenant therefore, you, and your seed after you in their generations (Genesis 17:1-9).”

III B. ... Abraham said unto God, “O that Ishmael might live before you!” And God said, “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed; and you shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly: twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto you at this set time in the next year.” And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham (Genesis 17:18-21).

IV. ... Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking, Isaac. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, “Let it not be grievous in your sight because of the lad, and because of your bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto you, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall your seed be called (Genesis 21:9-12).”

God speaks to Isaac Twice

I. ... There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, “Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell you of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for unto you, and unto your seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham your father; And I will make your seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statues, and my laws.” And Isaac dwelt in Gerar (Genesis 26:1-6).

II. ... Isaac went up from Rehoboth to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father: fear not, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your seed for my servant Abraham’s sake (Genesis 26:23,24).”

God speaks to Jacob Three Times

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I. ... Jacob rose up in the night, and took his two wives and his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, “Let me go, for the day breaketh.” And he said, “I will not let you go, except you bless me.” And he said unto him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” And he said, “Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince have you power with God and with men, and have prevailed.” And Jacob asked him, and said, “Tell me, I pray thee, your name.” And he said, “Why do you ask me my name?” And he blessed him their. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved (Genesis 32:22-30).

II. ... God said unto Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother (Genesis 35:1).”

III. ... God Appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, “Your name is Jacob: your name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name”: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of you, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to you I will give it, and to your seed after you will I give the land.” And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him (Genesis 35:9-13).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

God met personally with each of the three patriarchs face to face: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God established an everlasting covenant with Abraham, which was to extend to his descendants through Isaac and Jacob. God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham and to his descendants through Isaac and Jacob for an eternal possession. God blessed Ishmael because he was a child of Abraham but he was not one through whom the covenant of Abraham or the eternal possession of Canaan would pass to his descendants. It was through Isaac and Jacob that the descendants of Abraham would be counted and not Abraham’s other sons; Ishmael, Shuah, Cimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, and Ishbak.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

Though the god of the Koran made mankind mortal he considers it beneath his dignity to meet personally with mankind. The God of Scriptures created Adam and Eve immortal but through disobedience to God they become mortal, and therefore subject to death. Still He humbled himself to meet on a personal basis with mortal man. He even made an eternal covenant with them.

CONCLUSION

Which God would you prefer to serve? Do you want to serve the one who will not humble himself to meet with mortal man, or the One who is humble enough Himself to meet with mortal man?

REFERENCES

The Koran’s passages is a paraphrase of several English translations:
The Koran, translated by N.J. Dawood: A Penguin Classic
The Qur’an, translated by M.H. Shakir: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc.
The Holy Qur’an, translated by Maulana Muhammad Ali: Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at Lahore Inc. U.S.A.
The Koran, translated by Marmaduke Pickthall: Everyman’s Library

The Holy Bible is paraphrased from:
The King James Version
The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, Liberty University & Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Shining God’s Light on the Koran: The Friend of God

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.


Abraham, The Friend of God

Both the Koran and the Holy Bible agree that Abraham was the friend of God.

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

And who has a nobler religion than he who submits to God, does what is right, and follows the faith of saintly Abraham, whom God chose to be His friend (1)?
Abraham was a paragon of piety, an upright man obedient to God. He was no idolater. He rendered thanks for His favours, so that He chose him and guided him to a straight path. We bestowed on him a blessing in this world, and in the world to come he shall dwell among the righteous (2).

And now We have revealed to you Our will, saying: Follow the faith of saintly Abraham: he was no idolater (3).

When his Lord put Abraham to the proof by enjoining on him certain commandments and Abraham fulfilled them, He said: “I have appointed you a leader of mankind” (4).

His people argued with him. He said: “Will you argue with me about God, who has given me guidance? I do not fear your idols, unless my Lord so willed. My Lord has knowledge of all things. Will you not be warned? And how should I fear your idols when you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God? Which of us is more deserving of salvation? Tell me, if you know the truth. Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path (5).”

Such was the argument with which We furnished Abraham against his people (6).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Abraham the friend of God, obeyed God and believed what God had told him. He did not worship any idols. He was thankful to God. We, the god of Islam along with the angels Gabriel and Michael, blessed Abraham abundantly with financial wealth, cattle, and servants.

The god of Islam claims to have tested Abraham with His commands and Abraham passed and was made a leader of many people.

In the coming world Abraham will be counted with the righteous.

Abraham argued with his relatives about worshiping idols. He implies that there may be some idols approved by god for worship with the statements: I do not fear your idols unless my Lord so willed, and you are not afraid of worshiping idols not sanctioned by god.

Salvation is something to be earned. This is done by not tarnishing ones faith with evil deeds. This concept of earning ones salvation came from the god of the Koran and the angelss Gabriel and Michael.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

But you, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend (7).

And the Lord appeared unto him, (Isaac) and said, Go not down into Egypt: dwell in the land which I shall tell you of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for unto you, and to your seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham your father; And I will make your seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statues, and my laws (8).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report (9)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (10).

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (11).

But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promise offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (12).

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (13)

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith, For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all (14).

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works (15).

You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble (16).

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (17).


COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Abraham the friend of God obeyed Him, kept His charge, His commands, statues and laws. As a result the promises to Abraham were given to Isaac.

Abraham had faith in God. When God showed him the stars and he believed God and his faith was counted to him for righteousness by God. When God told him to sacrifice his only begotten son, Abraham demonstrated his faith by his actions in sacrificing his son and was stopped by God.

Faith and grace go together. Salvation is by faith so that God’s grace may be extended to all people. The works of the law make void faith and grace.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran the god of Islam promises to bless Abraham in this life. In Scripture God promises Abraham that he and his seed will be a blessing to the families of the earth.

According to the Koran a person earns salvation through faith and good works. According to Scripture one is saved by faith alone apart from any good work that may be done. God’s grace is extended to all people. What good work one does is the result of one’s faith and does not merit salvation.

In the case of Abraham: he was counted as righteous many years before the sacrifice of his son Isaac; which was a proof of his righteousness. In the Koran Abraham is considered as righteous after his death.

CONCLUSION

The god of the Koran is not the God of Scripture.

The god of the Koran with the angels Gabriel and Michael taught Abraham to say that one earns their salvation. In Scripture one cannot earn salvation for it is given by unmerited favor, grace. God’s grace is extended to all people but only those who receive it in faith receive salvation.

Perhaps you would like to receive this salvation, be righteous, and go to heaven. Jesus, who is God in flesh, was sinless and lived a sinless life. He took your sins and those of the whole world in His own body on the cross and received the wrath of God against Himself; being forsaken by God for those sins. He, Himself being infinite, was able to reduce those sins to zero and said, ‘It is finished’. He then gave up His Spirit and died.

This is the grace of God extended to all men and women. My writing this is God’s grace extended to you through me.

Jesus being a man was able to represent each human individual before God. He shed His blood on the cross and died. Three days later He arose from the dead and forty days later ascended to heaven. This you must believe for salvation, that's faith. Salvation, eternal life is a free gift to you from God; paid for by God.

You must repent of your sins by confessing to God that you are a sinner and invite Jesus into your heart. A sample payer is, “Lord Jesus Christ forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.”


REFERENCES

1. The Koran, Page 73 Paragraph 4:125
2. The Koran, Page 196 Paragraph 16:120
3. The Koran, Page 196 Paragraph 16:123
4. The Koran, Page 22 Paragraph 2:123
5. The Koran, Page 100 Paragraph 6:80-82
6. The Koran, Page 100 Paragraph 6:83
7. The Holy Bible, Isaiah 41:8
8. The Holy Bible, Genesis 26:2-5
9. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:1,2
10. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:6
11. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:8,9,10
12. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:16-19
13. The Holy Bible, Romans 4:1-5
14. The Holy Bible, Romans 4:13-16
15. The Holy Bible, James 2:14-18
16. The Holy Bible, James 2:19
17. The Holy Bible, James 2:20-24

Shining God’s Light on the Koran: Abraham’s Children

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.

The Children of Abraham

Abraham had eight children by three women. Ishmael by Hager (Genesis 16:15), Isaac by Sarah (Genesis 21:3), and Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah by Keturah (Genesis 25:1,2). Yet Abraham has more children than these eight. Could you be one of them?

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Praise be to God who has given me Ishmael and Isaac in my old age (1)!

Abraham said: ‘Lord, make this a secure land. Preserve me and my descendants from serving idols. Lord, many have they led astray. He that follows me shall become my brother, but if anyone turns against me, You are surely forgiving and merciful (2).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

The Koran lists only two of Abraham’s children: Ishmael and Isaac. Those who follow Abraham are then considered brothers of Abraham. Those who turn against Abraham will be forgiven by the god of the Koran who is merciful. This is implied by the phrase, “you are surely forgiving.”

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (3).

For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (4).

It is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewomen. But he who was of the bond-women was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise (5).

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bond woman and her son: for the son of the bond woman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free (6).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Scripture gives the names of the eight children of Abraham along with their mothers’ names. One of the children is a child of promise from God.

The covenant and promise of God with Abraham was carried on to Isaac only and not the other seven children (7). From this covenant and promise arrives the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the blessing to the entire world and to every family on earth. Whoever believes on Jesus becomes a child of Abraham by promise of God to Abraham. That is of course to believe that Jesus is God in flesh, the second person of the Trinity. That Jesus was sinless and lived a sinless life in total obedience to his Father the first person of the Trinity. That Jesus was crucified, shed his blood on the cross, and died on the cross: having taken the sins of the whole world in his own body on the cross. Then He received the wrath of God against himself for those sins, tasting death for each and every person. Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. When one confesses to God that they are a sinner and invites Jesus into their heart; Jesus saves them from perdition.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran those who follow Abraham are called brothers of Abraham. In scripture those who follow Abraham are called by God the children of Abraham according to the promise of God.

In the Koran if one curses Abraham then God is merciful and forgiving. In Scripture if one curses Abraham then God will curse those who curse Abraham. It is an automatic response to anyone.

CONCLUSION

If you would like to be a child of Abraham you need to confess to God that you are a sinner, and then invite Jesus into your heart. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.”

REFERENCES

1. The Koran, Page 182 Paragraph 14:40
2. The Koran, Page 182 Paragraph 14:36
3. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:6-14
4. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:26
5. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:22,23
6. The Holy Bible, Galatians 4:28-31
7. The Holy Bible, Genesis 29:2-5; 17:21; 12:3; 15:18

Shining God’s Light on the Koran: Abraham’s Seed

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.

The Seed of Abraham

The word seed is used in reference to the source, origin, or beginning of something. It can refer to the descendants or posterity of a person. Seed can also mean sperm or semen which would be produced by the male (1). I think that the egg would also qualify as seed since it is produced by the female. The Koran makes no reference to the seed of Abraham in that term as Scripture does, but it does refer to Abraham’s descendants. Scripture also refers to one person in particular as Abraham’s seed.

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path.

Such was the argument with which We furnished Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will to an exalted rank. Your Lord is wise and all-knowing.
We gave him Isaac and Jacob and guided both as We had guided Noah before them. Among his descendants were David and Solomon, Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron (thus do we reward the righteous); Zacharias and John, Jesus and Elias (all were upright men); and Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot (2).

Praise be to God who has given me Ishmael and Isaac in my old age! All prayers are heard by Him (3).

When his Lord put Abraham to the proof by enjoying on him certain commandments and Abraham fulfilled them, He said: I have appointed you a leader of mankind. And what of my descendants? Asked Abraham. My covenant, said he, does not apply to the evil-doers (4).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

In this list of descendants Job, and Lot are not descendants of Abraham. Job is a contemporary of Abraham (5) and Lot is Abraham’s nephew (6). Isaac, Ishmael, and Jesus are correctly identified as descending from Abraham. With the statement, “We gave him Isaac and Jacob,” one could incorrectly think Isaac and Jacob were brothers; contemporary sons of Abraham, while in reality they were father and son (7). No one is called the seed of Abraham in the Koran.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

And I (God) will put enmity between you (the serpent) and the women, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel (8).

And Abram said, Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, ‘Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, one born in my house is mine heir.’ And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ‘This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir (9).’

And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac (10).

Ammon, Moab, and others and people from beyond the sea came to Judah to do battle, a great multitude. Jehoshaphat prays to God for deliverance. Part of his prayer is as follows, ‘…Art not you our God, who did drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and gave it to the seed of Abraham your friend for ever (11)…’ God defended Judah and had the enemies of Judah destroy each other so that none escaped. Judah spent several days collecting the spoils from the dead enemy. Their neighbors were then afraid of Judah. You can read about it in II Chronicles 20:1-30.

But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend (12).

Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with you shall perish (13).

Fear not, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you, saith the Lord, and your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (14).

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ (15).

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise (16).

For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (17).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

We see in scripture that Isaac was the seed of Abraham, as well as Israel and his decedents. Jesus in particular is the seed of Israel and those who believe in Jesus for salvation become the seed of Abraham. The Abrahamic covenant extends to all people regardless of ancestry through faith in Jesus.

The God of Abraham helps the seed of Abraham. Today the descendants of Israel are in the land of Israel and the Muslims want to destroy them totally. God has promised to help Israel and destroy those nations which are against them. That would include Russia and China. The United States of America has been against Israel ever since Jimmy Carter became President of the United States. Land for peace brings God’s judgment on this nation and certainly a Palestine state will bring more of God’s judgment on this nation.

In the United States of America there are many people who are the seed of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ. If America is strong in faith, God will help America against its enemies. Ironically the greatest enemies of America are within the nation itself seeking its destruction because they hate God and follow Satan. Notice the praise given to tyrant leaders of nations. Notice that many members in the United States House of Representatives and Senate praise the enemies of the United States of America , they also condemn or troops who are fighting to protect us from these same enemies. It was Congress who caused America to lose the Vietnam War and caused the death of many thousands of Vietnamese when the Communists took over. The last time I was on guard duty in Vietnam it was with a Mountain Tribes Soldier and we sung hymns together. It was his people who were killed by the North Vietnamese. Those protesting the war did not care for they love evil and hate good. America is in a spiritual cultural war for its very survival. Have you noticed? Do you care?

‘Baptize into Christ’ does not mean water baptism. The word ‘baptize’ means to immerse. Upon salvation one is immersed into the body of Christ with Jesus as the head. The many who are born again are then one in Christ. In the same way the three persons of the God Head are one.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran Abraham asks the god of the Koran about his descendants. Abraham is told that his covenant does not extend to evil-doers. Is it possible that this is true in scripture as well? The answer is yes and no.

Yes, in that Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why is this so? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed (18).’

No, whoever curses Israel is cursed by God, even if Israel has no faith and acts wickedly. They still inhabit the gates of their enemies. God still blesses those who bless Israel.

CONCLUSION

Islam has stumbled over the same stumbling stone as Israel without the law of righteousness. What the Koran calls belief is really unbelief. An ‘evil-doer’ is one who lives without faith in Jesus. Faith in Jesus is to believe that He is the Son of God as well as the Son of Man, that He lived a sinless life and was without any sin, and that He took the sins of the whole world in his own body on the cross and received the wrath of God for those sins and died and shed his blood for you. Faith in Jesus is to believe is that Jesus rose from the dead the third day and today is seated at the right hand of God the Father and that you are a sinner and in need of a savior.

If you want to be of the seed of Abraham you need to repent of your sins by confessing to God that you are a sinner and invite Jesus into your heart. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”

REFERENCES

1. Webster’s New World College Dictionary Fourth Edition, Page 1298
2. The Koran, Page 100 Paragraph 6:83,84,85
3. The Koran, Page 182 Paragraph 14:40
4. The Koran, Page 22 Paragraph 2:123,124
5. The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, Page 818
6. The Holy Bible, Genesis 14:12
7. The Holy Bible, Genesis 25:19-26
8. The Holy Bible, Genesis 3:15
9. The Holy Bible, Genesis 15:2-4
10. The Holy Bible, Genesis 21:1-3
11. The Holy Bible, II Chronicles 20:7
12. The Holy Bible, Isaiah 41:8
13. The Holy Bible, Isaiah 41:10
14. The Holy Bible, Isaiah 41:14
15. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:16
16. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:18
17. The Holy Bible, Galatians 3:26-29
18. The Holy Bible, Romans 9:31-33

Shining God’s Light on the Koran re: Abraham's Work

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.

The Work of Abraham

Abraham was the only man ever told by God to sacrifice his son. Both the Koran and Scripture record this event in some way.

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

He (Abraham) said: ‘I will take refuge with my Lord; He will give me guidance. Lord, grant me a righteous son.’ We gave him news of a gentle son. And when he reached the age when he could work with him, his father said to him: ‘My son, I dreamt that I was sacrificing you. Tell me what you think.’ He replied: ‘Father, do as you are bidden. God willing, you shall find me steadfast.’ And when they had both submitted to God, and Abraham had laid down his son prostrate upon his face, We called out to him, saying: Abraham, you have fulfilled your vision.’ Thus do We reward the righteous. That was indeed a bitter test. We ransomed his son with a noble sacrifice and bestowed on him the praise of later generations. ‘Peace be on Abraham!’ Thus do We reward the righteous. He was one of Our believing servants. We gave him Isaac, a saintly prophet, and blessed them both. Among their offspring were some who did good works and others who clearly sinned against their souls (1).

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Abraham prays to the god of Islam for a son which is righteous. The god of Islam and angels informed Abraham that he will have a son who is gentle. Abraham followed a dream where he dreamt he was sacrificing his son Isaac on an altar. This dream Abraham told to Isaac and they both agreed to go through with it. The god of Islam and angels provided a ransom for Isaac. The god of Islam provided Abraham with the praise of later generations.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir (2).

And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham, and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell you of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for the burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of: and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not your hand upon the lad, neither do you any thing unto him: for now I know that you fearest God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from; me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day. In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time. And said, “By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because you have done this thing, and have not with held your son, your only son: That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba (3).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Abram was wide awake when he had this vision of God and had a dialogue with Him. God promised a descendant and an heir proceeding from Abram himself.

God speaks to Abraham and tells him to sacrifice his only son Isaac in a place where God will show him on mount Moriah. Abraham obeys. Isaac does not know he is the one about to be sacrificed. Isaac asks his father, where is the sacrifice? Evidently this is not the first sacrifice for Isaac to attend. Abraham said, God will provide Himself a lamb …, In other words, God would be the lamb Himself. Abraham foresaw the day when the Son of God (Jesus Christ) would be the Lamb of God. Abraham knew that God had promised him that his descendants would come though Isaac. Even if Isaac were dead, God would have to raise him from the dead to fulfill his promise.

God tells Abraham that for not withholding his only son from God, He would bless him. Abraham’s descendants would be numerous, in control, and by his seed every nation would be blessed.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran Abraham dreamt he was sacrificing his son Isaac. This is then referred to as a vision. In scripture Abraham had a vision when God told him he would have a descendant from his own flesh. Abraham was not dreaming when having a vision. When it was time to sacrifice Isaac God spoke to him while he was awake.

In the Koran Abraham prays for a righteous son and at some time god tells Abraham he will have a gentle son. In Scripture Abraham is promised to be the father of a multitude and is concerned that he is childless. He would father his heir.

In the Koran Abraham tells Isaac of his dream that he sacrifices Isaac. Isaac says, do it dad. In scripture Abraham tells only that he and Isaac are going to worship God. Isaac says, hey dad were is the sacrifice. Isaac was not told that he was the meat for the fire.

Abraham’s reward in the Koran is the praise of future generations: “Peace be on Abraham.” In Scripture Abraham is promised that his seed will bless all the nations of the world. His descendants would be many and would control the position of leadership of their enemies.

REFERENCES

1. The Koran Page 315 Paragraph 37:103 – 107
2. The Holy Bible Genesis 15:1-4
3. The Holy Bible Genesis 22:1 -19

Shining God’s Light on the Koran re: Faith

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.

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The Faith of Abraham

According to the Koran, people should follow the faith of saintly Abraham; he was no idolater (1). Scripture explains to us what faith is. Faith is being certain, the confident assurance, that something you want is going to happen even though you cannot see it up ahead. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (2). By it the elders obtained a good report (3). Without faith it is impossible to please God (4).

While listening to the Frank Beckman Show on 760 am, WJR radio, there was a guest who spoke of faith and reason as being exclusively different as if you could not have one if you had the other. The dictionary defines “reason” as a) The ability to think, form judgments, draw conclusions, etc. b) Sound thought or judgment; with good sense commonly known as normal mental powers. c) To think coherently and logically. d) Draw inferences or conclusions from facts known or assumed (5). Faith is a part of ones reasoning for those who have it. Those who are without faith are missing some of the facts needed in sound reasoning and good judgment making themselves therefore illogical.
Abraham whose name was first Abram came from Ur of the Chaldeans. The people there worshiped the moon god Sin which was their supreme deity. The god Sin was called “the exalted lord” and “the beautiful lord who shines in the heavens.” The people paid their taxes to the king who was also their landlord. The city was something of a theocracy centered in the moon deity (6). Terah, Abraham’s father and Nachor Abraham’s brother served idols in this place (7). It was from Ur of the Chaldeans that Terah took his family which included Abram and went to Haran which also worshiped the moon god (8).

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Who but a foolish man would renounce the faith of Abraham? We chose him in this world, and in the world to come he shall abide among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: ‘Submit’, he answered, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of the Universe (9).’

When his Lord put Abraham to the proof by enjoining on him certain commandments and Abraham fulfilled them, He said: ‘I have appointed you a leader of mankind.’ ‘And what of my descendants?’ asked Abraham. ‘My covenant.’ Said He, ‘does not apply to the evil-doers (10).’

Abraham and Ishmael built the House and dedicated it, saying: ‘Accept this from us, Lord. Make us submissive to You; make of our descendants a community that will submit to You. Teach us our rites of worship and turn to with mercy; You are the Forgiving One the Merciful (11).

Tell the unbelievers that if they mend their ways their past shall be forgiven; but if they persist in sin, let them reflect upon the fate of bygone nations. Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God’s religion shall reign supreme (12).

Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the East or the West. The righteous man is he who believes in God and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who, though he loves it dearly, gives away his wealth to his kinsfolk, to orphans, to the destitute, to the traveler in need and to beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and renders the alms levy; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers; such are the God-fearing (13).

Surely, your Lord is the Mighty one, the Merciful. Recount to them the story of Abraham. He said to his father and to his people: ‘What is that which you worship?’ They replied: ‘We worship idols and pray to them with all fervor.’ Do they hear you when you call on them?’ he asked. ‘Can they help you or do you harm?’ They replied: ‘This was what our fathers did before us.’

He said: ‘Do you see those which you have worshiped, you and your forefathers? They are my enemies. Not so the Lord of the Universe, who has created me; who gives me guidance, food and drink; who, when I am sick restores me; who will cause me to die and bring me back to life hereafter; who , I hope, will forgive me my sins on the day of judgment.

‘Lord, bestow wisdom upon me, and admit me among the righteous. Make me deserving of praise among posterity and count me among the heirs of the Blissful Garden. Forgive my father, for he has gone astray (14).

Tell of Abraham, who said to his father and to his people: ‘I renounce the gods you worship, except Him who created me for He will rightly guide me.’ He made this an abiding precept among his descendants, so that they might for ever turn to Him (15).

Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, so that he might become a firm believer. When night drew its shadow over him, he saw a star. ‘That,’ he said, ‘is surely my God.’ But when it faded in the morning light, he said: I will not worship gods that fade.’ When he beheld the rising moon, he said: ‘That is my God.’ But when it set, he said: ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I shall surely go astray.’ Then, when he beheld the sun shining, he said: ‘That must be my God: it is the largest.’ But when it set, he said to his people: ‘I disown your idols. I will turn my face to Him who has created the heavens and the earth, and will live a righteous life. I am no idolater (16).’

His people argued with him. He said: ‘Will you argue with me about God, who has given me guidance? I do not fear your idols, unless my Lord so willed. My Lord has knowledge of all things. Will you not be warned? And how should I fear your idols when you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God? Which of us is more deserving of salvation? Tell me, if you know the truth. Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path.’

Such was the argument with which We furnished Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will to an exalted rank. Your Lord is wise and all-knowing (17).

We formerly bestowed guidance on Abraham, for We knew him well. He said to his father and to his people: ‘What are these images to which you are so devoted?’ They replied: ‘They are the gods our fathers worshipped.’ He said: ‘Then you and your fathers have surely been in evident error (18).’

‘Is it the truth that you are preaching,’ they asked, ‘or is this but a jest?’ ‘Indeed,’ he answered, ‘your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. It was He that made them: to this I bear witness. By the Lord, I will overthrow your idols as soon as you have turned your backs.’

He broke them all in pieces, except their supreme god, so that they might return to him. ‘Who has done this to our deities?’ asked some. ‘He must surely be a wicked man (19).’

‘Abraham,’ they said, ‘was it you who did this to our deities?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘It was their chief who smote them. Ask them, if they can speak (20).’

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Abraham asked the god of the Koran to show him the proper rites of worship. These include such things as believing in god and judgment on the last day, and the book, and the prophets, giving alms, attending to your prayers, keeping your promises, being steadfast in trial and adversity, and warring against unbelievers (especially Jews and Christians but also Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, etc.).

Abraham is not certain on how well he will do on the Day of Judgment. His sins are not forgiven during his lifetime. But he hopes they will be forgiven on the Day of Judgment. He asks god for wisdom and admittance among the righteous. He asks to be deserving of praise among his posterity.

Abraham is considered no idolater and renounces the gods that his relatives worship with one exception. One of the gods that his relatives worship he claims to be the creator.

Abraham shows reasoning ability when he notices that the stars fade in the morning light, that the moon sets, and the sun goes down. He reasons that none of these objects are god. He claims that he does not fear any of the idols unless his god willed him to. He would only fear idols sanctioned by god. He says those who have faith and do not mar it with wrongdoing earn salvation. This argument was given to him by the god of the Koran. So with the god of the Koran one must earn their salvation as well as have faith in the god of the Koran.

Abraham’s friends and relatives had a supreme god that he wanted them to worship only. It would appear that this was the god that Abraham worshipped. So he broke all the idols of the lesser deities leaving the idol of the main deity in tact. This main deity is probably the moon god Sin as shown by the crescent moon that represents Islam.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith (21).

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (22).

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him: and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran (23).

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (24).

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

God made several promises to Abraham as a result of leaving his father’s house. First, God would make of him a great nation. Second, God would bless him. Third, God would make his name great. Fourth, God would make him a blessing. Fifth, God would bless them that bless Abraham and curse them that curse Abraham. Sixth, in Abraham shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Abraham left his father’s house believing all these promises. And God didn’t threaten Abraham to get him to obey.

This is the first instance where we see that he believed in the Lord even though he obeyed Him by faith previously. But this time it says that he believed in God. This belief in God was counted to Abraham for righteousness. It was not something he worked for or earned.

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran we see that Abraham submits to god. The term submission is not used in the Holy Bible. We see faith and obedience used in scripture. So what‘s the difference between submission and faith in God and obedience to God. The difference is coercion. In Islam there is the threat of death for not complying with the god of the Koran’s requirements. In scripture God rewards obedience to Him.

In the Koran it’s believing in the god of the Koran plus doing the works he requires that takes a person to paradise. But in scripture one is counted righteous through faith in God alone, apart from good works.

CONCLUSION

Abraham had assurance of salvation while he walked on the earth and didn’t have to wait until the judgment day to be forgiven of his sins. If you would like to be sure of your eternal destiny, you can invite Jesus into your heart today. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my evil and come into my heart.”

REFERENCES

1. The Koran, page 196 paragraph 16:123
2. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:1
3. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:2
4. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:6
5. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, fourth edition page 1194
6. The Open Bible, page 1230-1232
7. The Holy Bible, Joshua 24:2&14
8. Liberty Annotated Study Bible page 28 Genesis 11:31-32
9. The Koran, page 22 paragraph 2:130
10. The Koran, page 22 paragraph 2:123-125
11. The Koran, page22 paragraph 2:127
12. The Koran, page129 paragraph 8:39-40
13. The Koran, page 27 paragraph 2:176
14. The Koran, page 260 paragraph 26:66-90
15. The Koran, page 345 paragraph 43:26
16. The Koran, page 99 paragraph 6:75-79
17. The Koran, page 100 paragraph 6:80-83
18. The Koran, page 230 paragraph 21:15-54
19. The Koran, page 231 paragraph 21:55-60
20. The Koran, page 231 paragraph 21:61-62
21. The Holy Bible, Romans 1:17
22. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:8
23. The Holy Bible, Genesis 12:1-4
24. The Holy Bible, Genesis 15:5-6

Shining God’s Light on the Koran re: Abraham

Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.
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Was Abraham a Muslim?

Abraham is spoken of very highly in both the Koran and Scripture. The question we ponder today is: Was Abraham Muslim?

THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

Say: “God has declared the truth. Follow the faith of Abraham. He was an upright man, no idolater.”(1)

He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and in the world to come he will surely be among the losers. (2)

And who has a nobler religion than he who submits to God, does what is right, and follows the faith of saintly Abraham, whom God chose to be His friend? (3)

Tell of Abraham, who said to Azar, his father: “will you worship idols as your gods? Surely and all your people are in palpable error.” (4)

Thus did We show Abraham the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth, so that he might become a firm believer. (5)

His people argued with him. He said: “Will you argue with me about God, who has given me guidance? I do not fear your idols, unless my Lord so willed. My Lord has knowledge of all things. Will you not be warned? And how should I fear your idols when you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God? Which of us is more deserving of salvation? Tell me, if you know the truth. Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path.” (6)

They say: “Accept the Jewish or the Christian faith and you shall be rightly guided.” (7)

Say: “By no means! We believe in the faith of Abraham, The upright one. He was no idolater.” (8)

And tell of Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: men of might and vision whom We made pure with the thought of the hereafter. They shall dwell with Us among the righteous whom We have chosen. (9)

COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT

The Koran teaches that Christians and Jews will tell Moslems and others to follow their Christianity or Judaism. Muslims are to say that they follow the faith of Abraham. It is implied that the faith of Abraham is Islam because according to the Koran there is no other correct religion. We can see from this that Islam is exclusive from Christianity or Judaism. It is not possible to be a Jew or a Christian and also be a Muslim at the same time. It is like one day when an avowed atheist told me that he became a better Christian after he became an atheist. Of course I was impressed with the contradiction of terms. I am just as impressed that the news media attempts to equate Islam and Christianity. Muslims do this also by telling me they believe in Jesus and that He is spoken of in the Koran.

The Koran says that Abraham was no idolater. This means that Abraham did not believe that Jesus was divine or that Abraham worshiped Jesus. Islam teaches that Jesus is not divine nor is he to be worshiped. Therefore, those who believe that Jesus is divine or worship Him are idolaters.

Abraham is said to have discussed idolatry with those who lived around him. He told them “who is more deserving of salvation.” This shows he considered salvation something to be worked toward and obtained based on one’s meritorious service. Merit means to serve for hire. (10)

The Koran claims this to be a noble religion, submit to God, do what is right, and follow the faith of Abraham. God chose Abraham to be His friend. Perhaps God will choose you also to be His friend. The question is what does it mean to submit to God? Submission is to give control of oneself to another. In being submissive to the god of Islam there is one thing among many one must do. It is to not believe that Jesus is God or to worship Jesus. What is the right thing to do? One of the right things to do is to make war against those who believe Jesus is God and worship Him (11). The faith of Abraham involves working for whatever goodness the god of Islam approves.

According to the Koran, Abraham leaves open the possibility of worshiping idols as long as they are sanctioned by the god of the Koran. It is written that he said: “…you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God?” So, if they are sanctioned by the god of the Koran it is possible to worship the idol. This knowledge will be handy when it comes time to worship the image of the beast.

THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to yourself. And Abram said to the King of Sodom, I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord. The most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me. Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. (12)

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram: in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, lo, one born in my household is my heir. And, behold , the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be your heir; but he that shall come forth out of your own bowels shall be your heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. (13)

But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (14)

COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Abram went out to do battle with the kings that had defeated Sodom and refused to take for himself any of the spoil of war even though he was entitled to it. He wanted to receive his blessing from God and not some wicked king who could then brag that he had made Abram rich. He was certainly not covetous. He did serve God out of love for God.

Abram believed in God. This is what was counted as righteousness for Abram.

God said of Abraham: “My friend.”

COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE

In the Koran Abraham is chosen to be the friend of God. In Scripture God says of Abraham, “My friend.”

In the Koran Abraham earns his salvation by believing in the god of Islam, which includes not believing Jesus is divine, and doing good works acceptable to the god of the Koran. In Scripture Abraham is considered righteous by believing in God.

In the Koran Abraham would worship only idols sanctioned by the god of the Koran. In scripture no comment is made concerning idols with Abraham.

In the Koran Abraham is shown the kingdoms of heaven and earth in order to become a firm believer. In Scripture Abraham is shown the heavens and asked if he can count the stars. God tells him his descendants will be just as numerous as the stars though he be childless. Abraham believes in God and this is counted for righteousness for himself.

CONCLUSION

In the Koran one earns their salvation and in Scripture one does not earn salvation. You must choose which one you believe to be correct. I believe Scripture to be correct and therefore Abraham was not a Muslim.

REFERENCES

1. The Koran Page 50 Paragraph 3:95
2. The Koran Page 50 Paragraph 3:85
3. The Koran Page 73 Paragraph 4:125
4. The Koran Page 99 Paragraph 6:74
5. The Koran Page 99 Paragraph 6:75
6. The Koran Page 100 Paragraph 6:80
7. The Koran Page 23 Paragraph 2:134
8. The Koran Page 23 Paragraph 2:135
9. The Koran Page 320 Paragraph 38:45
10. Webster’s New World College Dictionary Page 901
11. The Koran Page 81,127 Paragraph 3:16,8:12
12. The Holy Bible Genesis 14:21-24
13. The Holy Bible Genesis 15:1-6
14. The Holy Bible Isaiah 41:8

Shining God’s Light on the Koran

Was Abraham a Jew or a Christian?

In the Koran I find that it declares that the Old Testament patriarch Abraham was neither a Jew, nor a Christian (1). Certainly Abraham lived before either the terminology "Jew" or "Christian”"came to be used. Yet he was the father of both, as well father to many nations.

In actuality, Abraham was a Hebrew (2). The Judeo-Christian Bible teaches that he had eight sons. Ishmael was born to Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid (3). Isaac was born to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. He was the child of promise from God, not Ishmael (4). Zimran, Jokshan, and Zman and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah was born to Keturah who Abraham married after Sarah died (5).

When Sarah observed Ishmael mocking Isaac, she was very upset. She told Abraham, “Put out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be an heir with my son even Isaac (6). Abraham was very grieved because of his son. God told him not to be grieved and to do what Sarah said. God promised to make a great nation of Ishmael because he was a descendent of Abraham (7). The descendents of Ishmael were known as Ishmaelites, and he is the traditional progenitor of the Arabs (8). He was never recognized or referred to as being a “Hebrew.”

Midian , the fourth son of Keturah (9) was the one most referred to in the Bible, sixty-seven times, in fact (10). The land of Midian included the eastern coast of the Red Sea to the Border of Moab and taking in all of the Arabian Peninsula. He and his descendents are never referred to as Hebrews.

Jokshan, the second son of Keterah, was the father of Sheba and Dedan who were two separate tribes (12) both referred to in Scripture. They, too, were never referred to as Hebrews.

God told Abraham that his descendents would be known through Isaac (13). Everything Abraham had he gave to Isaac (14). God established a covenant with Abraham and his descentdents for an eternal covenant (15). After the death of Abraham, God spoke to Isaac and made this eternal covenant with him (16).

God told Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. God provided a ram, which was caught up in thick brush, to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. God promised that in being obedient his descendents would be a blessing to all the nations of the earth (17).

Isaac had two sons Esau and Jacob. Jacob purchased the birthright of the first born with a bowl of lentil soup. Jacob, then tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau. Isaac sends Jacob to his wife’s brother, Laban, to get a wife and confers on him the blessing of Abraham and to his descendents (18). The descendents of Esau are never called Hebrews but rather Edomites (19). Jacob has twelve sons, the fourth of which is Judah and the eleventh is Joseph (20). Joseph is identified as a Hebrew in Egypt (21).

Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel (22). He moved to Egypt (23) and when they left Eypt they were called the children of Israel (24). During the time of being ruled by Judges the term “children of Israel” was shortened to “Israel” (25).

Saul, David and Solomon ruled Israel for 120 years, but ten of the tribes revolted during the reign of Rehoboam leaving Judah and Benjamin together (26). The ten tribes were known as Israel and were wicked, so God sent them into exile in Assyria. Judah went into exile over 100 years later and they became known as Jews.

Today the term “Jew” is used to identify all the children of Israel, which are also Hebrews (27). Since today the term Hebrew and Jew are synonymous one could say Abraham was a Jew.

The disciples of Jesus were called Christians first in the city of Antioch (28). This was many years after the life of Abraham on earth. God had made a covenant with Abraham and his seed (descendents)(29). God said there would be One who would come out of Abraham’s bowels who would be his heir (30). The One to whom He was referring to was Jesus Christ (31) and He fulfilled the promise that God made to Abraham, :… in Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (32).

Years later after Isaac had grown, God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (33). Notice that even though Ishmael was also a son of Abraham, God called Isaac His only son (34). This follows that through Isaac would Abraham’s descendents be know (35). While Abraham and Isaac were climbing up to Mount Moriah, Isaac stated to his father, “Here is the wood, and the fire, but where is the sacrifice?”(36) Abraham responded, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb…”(37). This is a direct reference to Jesus, that God would Himself to be the sacrifice (38). Under the blood covenant all that was Abraham’s was God’s and all that was God’s was Abraham’s so when Abraham did not withhold his only begotten son from sacrifice, this gave God the right to sacrifice His only begotten Son (39).

This is shown by the statement of John the Baptist, “Behold the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world” (40). He was the Lamb of God. The Jews said to Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, (who) is dead?” (41) Jesus responded, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it, and was glad (42).” Then the Jews said to Jesus, You re not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham (43)? Jesus said, Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” (44) Then the Jews took up stones to throw at him(45). Jesus in an effect said that He was the one who spoke to Moses in the burning bush, the self existent one. He was the one who visited with Abraham and to whom Abraham interceded for Sodom that He might not destroy it. Jesus was both a contemporary of God and of Abraham.

Jesus said, “. . . Salvation is of the Jews (46).” Simeon, a godly elderly Jew waiting for his Messiah, was told that he would not die until he would see the Lord’s Christ. He came into the temple and saw the child Jesus and took Him in his arms and blessed Him and said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word: For my eyes have seen Your salvation… (47)” God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (48). Jesus came into His own, the Jews, but His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become sons of God, even to those that believe in His name (49). These are the ones called Christian. Abraham received Jesus before His name was called Jesus therefore he must, too, be a Christian.

References:

(1) P.48 3:66, The Koran Translated by N.J. Dawood, Penguin Books.
(2) Genesis 14:13
(3) Genesis 16:1-6
(4) Genesis 15:4; 17:7, 15-10; 18:9-13
(5) Genesis 25:1-4
(6) Genesis 21:9-10
(7) Genesis 21:12, 13
(8) New World College Dictionary, p. 757
(9) Genesis 25:1-7
(10) Dakes’ Annotated Study Bible, p. 23
(11) Dakes’ Annotated Study Bible p. 66
(12) Genesis 25:3
(13) Genesis 21:12
(14) Genesis 25:5
(15) Genesis 17:7-10
(16) Genesis 26:3-5
(17) Genesis 22:1-18
(18) Genesis 25:23-34; 27:1-29; 27:43-28:4
(19) Genesis 36:9
(20) Genesis 35:23-26
(21) Genesis 39:14
(22) Genesis 35:9-10
(23) Genesis 46:1-4
(24) Exodus 1:1
(25) Judges 21:1
(26) 1 Kings 12:1-24
(27) Webster’s New World College Dictionary, p.768
(28) Acts 11:26
(29) Genesis 15:1-21
(30) Genesis 15:4
(31) Galatians 3:16
(32) Genesis 12:3
(33) Genesis 22:2
(34) Genesis 22:2
(35) Genesis 21:12
(36) Genesis 22:7
(37) Genesis 22:8
(38) Teaching of Merrill S. Keiser, Sr.
(39) Teaching of Kenneth Copeland
(40) John 1:29
(41) John 8:22
(42) John 8:56
(43) John 8:57
(44) John 8:58
(45) John 8:59
(46) John 4:2
(47) Luke 2:25-30
(48) John 3:17
(49) John 1:11, 12