Confused On The Trinity

Happy Reformation Day (500)!

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Chapter One:The Fantacizers Cont. 

The Danger of Islam

Mr. Wallace writes that Muslims too have a great commission in their Scriptures. (6). But it is much different than the New Testament, great commission. (6). Mr. Wallace quotes from the Qur'an and I will cite the same verse from my online source. The author explains that these were Muhammad's final instructions on his death bed. (6). Muslims are to convert these people, enslave them or force them to pay jizya. (6). Jizya is a protection tax extorted from non-Muslims. (163).

This reads like an act of thuggery. More like the mafia than a religion of peace. Enslaving people is even worse, morally.

Sahih International

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

Surah 9;29 (This verse has been quoted twice in this series, previously)

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

Mr. Wallace writes that Muhammad was mildly partial to Christians in Surah 5:82. (6).  Below.

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah ; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians." That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. 

But on his deathbed, Muhammad declared Christians as polytheists. and not monotheists (7).

As has been discussed in this review series so far, in regard to Jihad/Holy War, it appears that orthodox Islam and radical Islam have significant agreement.  Although as I have noted, the orthodox position claims Jihad and Holy War is more so, defensive. A trillion dollar question is how many Muslims in North America and the West would attempt to follow these instructions from Muhammad very literally? Especially if politically allowed to do so?

I do not have a clear, specific answer.

More importantly to me, at least at this point in time, as a Christian theologian and philosopher is the Islamic confusion in regard to the Trinity. Islamic theology confuses the Christian doctrine of Trinity, three divine distinctions/persons of one infinite, eternal, ontological nature as God, with polytheism, a belief in three Gods with distinct natures.

Colossians 2:9-10 (Him is Jesus Christ) 'New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made [a]complete, and He is the head [b]over all rule and authority;

Footnotes:

Colossians 2:10

Lit full Colossians 2:10

Lit of ' N.T. Wright explains in regard to Colossians 2: 9-10, it is an continuation of 1:19 (109), 'for all the fulness to dwell in him.' (NASB).

'He is uniquely God's presence and his very self'. (109). Wright reasons that Paul is teaching monotheistic doctrine here and not that Jesus Christ is a second deity. (109). Christ is the embodiment of full deity. (109).

Jesus Christ, the Word (John 1) remains infinite, eternal God, and became God incarnate.

Acts 2: 24 states that God raised Him (Jesus Christ) from the dead and in the process defeated death. 

From Hebrews 1; Greek scholar Walter Bauer defines 'Hupostasis' the original ὑπόστασις, εως, ἡit from the Greek as substantial nature, essence, actual being, reality. In the context of Hebrews 1: 3 the Son of God is the exact representation of God’s real being. (page 847).

Erickson further explains that each member of the Trinity is quantitatively equal. Erickson (1994: 337). Matthew 28: 19-20 and Acts 5 are two examples from the New Testament demonstrating the Holy Spirit as God.

Matthew 28:19-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 28:19 Or Having gone; Gr aorist part.

Matthew 28:20 Lit all the days

Acts 5: 2-6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

It is stated that one can lie to the Holy Spirit (verse 3) and therefore lie to God. 'You have not lied to men, but to God.' (verse 4).

All three distinctions within the trinity are infinite, of one ontological (existence and being) essence and nature, and yet with distinctions. In speculation, a philosophical critique might be that the infinite nature of God requires no distinctions or differently that God being infinite, should exist as infinite distinctions. Finite, sinful and imperfect humanity needs God's enlightenment from revelation to reasonably know God and to have significant intellectual understanding. God is Scripturally revealed in three distinctions and three persons, properly biblically defined. This is not completely understandable for the finite mind, but it is reasonable to the finite mind. To suggest that God as infinite must have infinite distinctions is not necessarily true, theologically, is not necessary philosophically, and is highly speculative philosophy of religion.

The incarnation of Jesus Christ has the infinite, eternal Word of God (John 1) take upon a finite human nature without the infinite divine nature and finite human nature, mixing. Therefore, Jesus Christ remains infinite, eternal God, but with two natures as both deity and incarnated man. God as trinity is relational in nature and therefore humanity is made in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:27).

Humanity is therefore specifically relational and rational in the context of being made in the image and likeness of God.  The infinite God could create finite creatures capable of relationship and communication in rationality, because being relational and rational is also an aspect of God's nature.

BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

WRIGHT, N.T., Colossians and Philemon, (1986)(1989), IVP, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.

History Matters In Religious Studies

Encountering page 290

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

History Matters In Religious Studies

Graphics such as these are useful and important.

Evidences from the Church Fathers are less important, by far, than Scriptural evidences from the divinely revealed New Testament and Hebrew Bible, texts.

However:

If historical connections could not be academically made between the era of the Church Fathers and the religious history/Scripture of the earlier New Testament era, it would make, in my case, a reasonable Christian, Reformed, faith and philosophy (theology), much less reasonable, and more intellectually difficult.

As anyone that knows me well will acknowledge..I am not a fideist. I certainly have faith, but insist it be reasonable.

As examples:

If the Church Fathers did not quote, or at least acknowledge books from the New Testament era, it could be queried:

Were the New Testament texts actually written in the New Testament era? Because the next era did not acknowledge the previous.

Were the New Testament text dates 'fudged' by the Christian Church and Roman Catholic Church?

Did Jesus Christ, the disciples, Apostles and scribes within the New Testament actually exist  at all, or were they fabricated by the Christian Church and Roman Catholic Church?

However:

The Church Fathers documented, in the post New Testament era, scholarly connections to the New Testament texts.

Along with the thousands of New Testament manuscripts these serve as solid documented evidences for historical Christian faith and philosophy.

Encountering page 272

Vancouver

Greek Manuscripts, Part or All of the New Testament. Page 10.

Papyri Cataloged 127
Uncial Mss. Cataloged 318
Minuscule Mss. Cataloged 2, 880
Lectionaries Cataloged 2, 436
Total 5, 761

(Numbers in all categories inch up periodically with new discoveries) German numbers from 1994 and 2011 are accessed.

History matters in religious studies.

The Politically Correct Agenda

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Chapter One:The Fantacizers Cont. 

The PC agenda

Mr. Wallace has reasoned for many years that 'political correctness will be the death of our nation'. (5). He opines that the PC agenda attempts to take control of the talking points in society and mould the discussion so that lies can be told with some form of believability. (5).

Mr. Wallace states that an example of this is the idea sold that terrorists are not actual Muslims, but radical Muslims. (5). The idea is portrayed that radical Muslims have hijacked the religion. (5).

The true doctrines of Islam are actually being followed by the radicals, Mr. Wallace writes. (5).

In my previous entry on this book review:

A problem of open-ended verses: October 24

I quoted

The Supreme Islamic Council of America

'The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence. In most cases, Islamic splinter groups invoked jihad to fight against the established Islamic order. Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam.'

End quote

This council which claims to present Islamic theology in America admits there are 'Islamic splinter groups'.

There will be intellectual debates on whether 'Islamic splinter groups' are truly Islamic. Do they truly follow the Qur'an?

There will be intellectual debates on whether 'Christian splinter groups' are truly Christian. Do they truly follow the Bible? The New Testament?

There seems to me, in a modern liberalized Western context, is a desire by many within Islamic scholarship to interpret Jihad less violently. As the last entry I wrote opined, the Qur'an offers open-ended verses.

From Answering Islam

Scholar Noel Natan writes:

'164 Jihad Verses in the Koran Compiled by Yoel Natan

Each of the 164 Jihad verses in this list was selected based on how clearly and directly it spoke about Jihad, at least when considered in its immediate context. Most of the listed passages mention a military expedition, fighting, or distributing war spoils. Verses NOT generally listed are those that speak about aspects of Jihad other than the raiding, fighting and looting, such as:

Muhammad's poor opinion of those who did not go on Jihad, even though they were able-bodied and able financially (for instance, some verses in K 009:081-096),

The heavenly rewards for Jihadists, and

The many generic mentions of "victory" found in the Koran.'
---

I shall look at the second and third of his listings which appear relevant in regard to Jihad and cite them from the Qur'an. I will also include Quran 9: 29 cited in a previous article.

Quran 9: 29

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

Quran 2: 190-193

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

2: 190

Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.

2: 191

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.

2: 192

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

2: 193

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Quran 2: 194

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

[Fighting in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
---

The Supreme Islamic Council of America has noted

'In case military action appears necessary, not everyone can declare jihad. The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them. The concept of "just war" is very important.'

'Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests.'
---

I can grant that The Supreme Islamic Council of America has a reasonable point that there is a defensive aspect to Jihad and Holy War.

However:

The open-ended nature of these verses means there are also interpretations possible that define  defensive Jihad and 'just war' in a much more preventive sense. This approach, with any aspect or degree of 'Holy War' to/for religious expansion is definitely and definitively not in agreement with New Testament theology, where the Kingdom of God is not of this world (John 18) and in the New Testament, it is the State, not the Church that has been given the right to hold and use the sword to maintain law and order (Romans 13).

The concept of religion-state in the Quran appears to have much more in common with the errors of church-state rule which plagued the Christian Church after the New Testament era, from Constantine (313 forward) until the era of the modern secular state.

I am in basic agreement with Mr. Wallace, in regard to political correctness.

I think political correctness in regard to Islam should be abandoned in exchange for a reasonable, scholarly evaluation of Islam, Jihad and Holy War.

Galatians & Church Fathers

Encountering page 279

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

Chronology of New Testament Books: March 19, 2013

Galatians (Estimated date 49-55 AD) is connected as a work of religious history within the Christian community from the New Testament era to the era of the early Church Fathers.

Turkey: Mediterranean

A problem of open-ended verses

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Chapter One:The Fantacizers Cont.

Playing Make-Believe

Mr. Wallace reasons that spin doctors have sold gullible Americans a politically correct version of Islam where Islam is considered a religion of peace. (4).

Based on any research I have done on Islam (I admit I am not an Islamic scholar,  but am a Christian theologian and philosopher), which includes academic texts that are used in World Religion classes, and looking at the Qur'an; the concepts of Jihad and Holy War do belong in the context of orthodox Islam (See this website archives).

Granted, it could be argued that Jihad in an orthodox Islamic context is a modified in comparison to a radical Islam context and therefore, in general, Jihad is not administered as violently within the world of Islam. But this would be a subject of great debate.

Interestingly, I noted in an archived related article's comments section:

From

The Islamic Supreme Council of America

Cited

'The Islamic Supreme Council of America

WHAT JIHAD IS

The Arabic word "jihad" is often translated as "holy war," but in a purely linguistic sense, the word " jihad" means struggling or striving. The arabic word for war is: "al-harb".

In a religious sense, as described by the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s), "jihad" has many meanings. It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believer, as well as working to inform people about the faith of Islam.

If military jihad is required to protect the faith against others, it can be performed using anything from legal, diplomatic and economic to political means. If there is no peaceful alternative, Islam also allows the use of force, but there are strict rules of engagement. Innocents - such as women, children, or invalids - must never be harmed, and any peaceful overtures from the enemy must be accepted.

Military action is therefore only one means of jihad, and is very rare. To highlight this point, the Prophet Mohammed told his followers returning from a military campaign: "This day we have returned from the minor jihad to the major jihad," which he said meant returning from armed battle to the peaceful battle for self-control and betterment.

In case military action appears necessary, not everyone can declare jihad. The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them. The concept of "just war" is very important.

The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence. In most cases, Islamic splinter groups invoked jihad to fight against the established Islamic order. Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam.

Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests.

WHAT JIHAD IS NOT

Jihad is not a violent concept.

Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions. It is worth noting that the Koran specifically refers to Jews and Christians as "people of the book" who should be protected and respected. All three faiths worship the same God. Allah is just the Arabic word for God, and is used by Christian Arabs as well as Muslims.

Military action in the name of Islam has not been common in the history of Islam. Scholars says most calls for violent jihad are not sanctioned by Islam.

Warfare in the name of God is not unique to Islam. Other faiths throughout the world have waged wars with religious justifications..

End citation

A counter view:

Religion of Peace

'Does the Quran really contain over a hundred verses promoting violence? The Quran contains at least 109 verses that call Muslims to war with nonbelievers for the sake of Islamic rule. Some are quite graphic, with commands to chop off heads and fingers and kill infidels wherever they may be hiding. Muslims who do not join the fight are called 'hypocrites' and warned that Allah will send them to Hell if they do not join the slaughter.

Unlike nearly all of the Old Testament verses of violence, most verses of violence in the Quran are open-ended, meaning that they are not necessarily restrained by historical context contained in the surrounding text (although many Muslims choose to think of them that way). They are part of the eternal, unchanging word of Allah, and just as relevant or subject to interpretation as anything else in the Quran.

The context of violent passages is more ambiguous than might be expected of a perfect book from a loving God. Most contemporary Muslims exercise a personal choice to interpret their holy book's call to arms according to their own moral preconceptions about justifiable violence.

Islam apologists cater to these preferences with tenuous arguments that gloss over historical fact and generally don't stand up to scrutiny. Still, it is important to note that the problem is not bad people, but bad ideology. Unfortunately, there are very few verses of tolerance and peace to balance out the many that call for nonbelievers to be fought and subdued until they either accept humiliation, convert to Islam, or are killed. Muhammad's own martial legacy, along with the remarkable stress on violence found in the Quran, have produced a trail of blood and tears across world history.'

End citation

'The religious military campaign has to be declared by a proper authority, advised by scholars, who say the religion and people are under threat and violence is imperative to defend them. The concept of "just war" is very important.'

Therefore, this 'Jihad is not a violent concept', is not true.

Even a just war is violent.

Quote:

'Jihad is not a declaration of war against other religions'

Yet: 'Examples of sanctioned military jihad include the Muslims' defensive battles against the Crusaders in medieval times, and before that some responses by Muslims against Byzantine and Persian attacks during the period of the early Islamic conquests.'

Biblical Christianity would never take up a religious war. Law and order is left to the State (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2).

Even the way 'The Islamic Supreme Council of America' described Jihad and Holy War, the open-ended nature of the Qur'an in regard to Jihad and Holy War is troublesome. It seems to me there is plenty of room for orthodox to more radical interpretations under the theology and political philosophy of Jihad and Holy War.

To quote the counter text:

'Unlike nearly all of the Old Testament verses of violence, most verses of violence in the Quran are open-ended, meaning that they are not necessarily restrained by historical context contained in the surrounding text (although many Muslims choose to think of them that way).'

Yes, for example, the book of Hebrews states there is a new covenant and the old one, which would have been used within the theocracy of Israel is now obsolete. The New Testament era and forward until the restoration, is the Church age and if interpreted correctly, the Kingdom of God is not of this world system (John 18, Revelation 21-22). Therefore, there is no theology of holy war in the New Testament.

I can agree with Mr. Wallace, in the sense that Islam is generally not being accurately marketed in the Western world.

Many of us do not live in a white house

LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York.

Key symbols

≡df = Equivalence by definition
: = Equal (s)
ε = Epsilon and means is
⊃ = Is the same as
⊨ is Entails
˜ = Not
∃ = There exists
∃! = There exists
∴ = Therefore
· = Therefore
< = Is included
v = a logical inclusive disjunction (disjunction is the relationship between two distinct alternatives).
x = variable
· = Conjunction meaning And
0 = Null class

Previous article of the Langer review text

Langer example:

wt= Is white

wt x=A definition of the class of things white, without relating what is white to any other term. (Based on 159). Therefore the term wt needs to be connected with other terms.

(∃! x) = wt · x (Based on 159).

There exists x equals white equals and means x. But it connects to nothing else.

However:

K=int 'houses'

(∃! wt) . (K)

There exists white and houses. There exists white houses.

October 23, 2017

Further:

The symbol wt2 can be used as the symbol for the universe where there are white houses. (161). Such as our present universe.

This means:

wt x

There are white houses. (161).
˜ (wt x)

There are not white houses. (161).

(∃a) : wt a (161).

There exists (a=houses) equals there exists white houses,

(∃!a) ⊨ wt a

There exists (a=houses) entails there exists white houses.

(∃a) : ˜ wt a (161).

There exists (a=houses) equals there is not white houses.

Relevance?

With one element to quantify, Langer provides four possible general propositions. (161).

(a) : wt a

(A) equals white houses.

(a) : ˜ wt a

(A) equals not white houses.

(∃a) : wt a

There exists (a) equals white houses exist.

(∃a) : ˜ wt a

There exists (a) equals white houses do not exist.

Langer writes that the quantifiers can be manipulated (161) so there is just one element which is white or there can be two, three, etcetera...wt2, wt3...(161)

I suppose practically, philosophically white houses can be separated from the class of non-white houses that are a sub class of houses. One could also separate houses based on actual colours as in green houses, red houses, white houses, etcetera.

Classes have sub-classes (117).

Class: Sheep
Sub-class: White sheep
Sub-class: Black sheep (117).

Class: Christians
Sub-class: Roman Catholic
Sub-class: Protestant
Sub-class: Orthodox
Sub-class: Non-denominational

Each sub-class would also not (˜ ) equal the other sub-class.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Not about bashing

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Chapter One:The Fantacizers

The author states: 'This book is not about bashing Muslims' (3). 'However, this book will be making a critical analysis of the religion of Islam and its prophet Muhammad. (3).

Mr. Wallace opines that Islam is an enemy of the Western way of life (3) as he views Islam as militant, political and cultural in orientation. (3). It is considered taboo to opine negatively on the subject of Islam in Western culture (3).

From a biblical, Christian perspective, contrary to modern Western culture, 1 Peter 3 (15) tells the believer to defend the faith and related hope with gentleness and respect. Therefore, I am in full agreement with author that Islam and any worldview that challenges the gospel, should be critically analyzed (All worldviews including Christianity, should be critically analyzed). And, yes, this should be should be done without hating or bashing persons that hold to worldviews different than Christianity, including those that hold to Islam.

My focus is more so theological differences between the religious worldviews, than a critical analysis of the potential political dangers that Islam might cause to Western culture, but obviously I cannot ignore all premises related to the political. Especially when the political and religious are very connected within Islam.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6

English Standard Version (ESV)

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Is Jihad (Holy War), Orthodox Islam?

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

This is the second entry in the book review. The first to review text. Again, I have heard the author speak on a few episodes, but I do not have a definite idea on what the content of the author's book will be. I am reading sections and reviewing.

Preface XI

The author reasons that Islam has destroyed many nations and governments over the course of 1500 years. (xi). He explains that both the United States and Canada are under threatened by Islam, and that his Canadian friends are expressing concerns with this possibility as well. Bellingham, where the author's church is located is very close to the Canadian border. By vehicle, Bellingham is approximately 70 minutes from here in Maple Ridge.

S.A. Nigosian states in 'World Faiths'  in regard to Jihad (Holy War) that the Qur'an enjoins Muslim believers to "strive in the way of God". (448). Nigosian explains that Qur'an 2. 186 states for believers to 'Fight in the path of God against those who fight against, but do not seek aggression'. (448). It is stated to 'Fight against them until sedition is no more and allegiance is rendered to God alone'. (448).

Quran.com 2.186

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL 

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. 

Further in Qur'an 9. 29 according to Nigosian states, quote in part: 'Fight against those who believe not in God, nor in the last day, who prohibit not what God and his Prophet have prohibited, and who refuse allegiance to the true faith.' (448).

Quran.com 9. 29

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL 

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled. 

Nigosian second citation appears to follow the Qur'an version I have used, more closely. I do not find his interpretation of Qur'an 2. 186 as convincing. I am not an Islamic scholar, I am dependent on the quality and accuracy of online, English versions.

Nigosian writes that this is 'combativeness'...or rather being engaged in combat against 'pagans' or opponents is called jihad, meaning holy war. (448). The goal is not primarily religious, as in conversion, but the goal is political control over societies. (448). In order to rule with the principles of Islam, in other words, Islamic law.

Lewis M. Hopfe admits that one of the most controversial aspects of Islam is 'Jihad' (Holy War). Hopfe (1987: 419). Pagans he writes may have been forced to convert but Jews and Christians and others were free to worship and they chose. Hopfe (1987: 419). It is admitted by Hopfe that there is a Muslim doctrine that one must do battle for God. Hopfe (1987: 419).

This is contrasted by Christ as the Kingdom of God is not of this world.

New American Standard Bible

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18: 36).

Instead of Kingdom of God is eventually established as in fully culminated in Revelation 21-22 by God, and not by the military acts of the Church, Christians, Jews or people of God.
---

Based on my two world religions texts and the Sahih International version of the Qur'an, Mr. Wallace is correct to have concerns in regard to Islam gaining too much political control in Canada and the United States of America.

Liberalized Muslims, will often assimilate into Western culture. Liberalized Muslims as in a similar way, liberalized Christians, will often not take their scripture too literally, and in some cases, not too seriously. But 'radical Islam' as publicly defined, appears to have some considerable agreement with orthodox Islam, in regard to the political aims of Islam and the striving for the implementation of Islamic law.

This is not fear mongering, this is reasonable philosophy based on scholarship.

HOPFE, LEWIS M. (1991) Religions of the World, New York, Macmillan Publishing Company. 

NIGOSIAN, S.A. (1994) World Faiths, New York, St. Martin’s Press.

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Islam book review series

Refuting Islam

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fortress of Faith.org.

Fortress of Faith

With my driving to and from academic work, I have been listening to Christian radio.

One of the interesting, but short programs is Fortress of Faith. It is hosted by Tom Wallace that seems a rational, intellectual, educated and caring Christian speaker that has studied Islam for decades.

I decided to order his book 'Refuting Islam' for learning and review. I am not certain how much I will agree or disagree. In other words, there is a level of open-mindedness in this review. The book is sold at a very reasonable price. This is appreciated as it does promote the reading of scholarship.

I will use my academic, world religions texts from bible school and seminary as sources for comparison.

Mr. Wallace is associated with Bellingham Baptist Church

Interesting in regard to the King James Version of the Bible

Beliefs Bellingham Baptist Church

'OUR POSITION

Bellingham Baptist Church believes the Bible is comprised of sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments and was given by inspiration of God. Bellingham Baptist Church believes, therefore, that it is inerrant and infallible. Bellingham Baptist Church furthermore believes in both the verbal and plenary inspiration. In addition, Bellingham Baptist Church believes that God has preserved His Word as He promised, and that He has preserved it in the traditional texts or in the set of manuscripts known as the Received Text (Textus Receptus) and Masoretic Text. Bellingham Baptist Church also believes that the King James Version of the Bible is an accurate, faithful, and reliable translation of these manuscripts and that the English reader, therefore, can study it with utmost confidence and rely upon it. Bellingham Baptist Church can confidently say the King James Version is the inspired Word of God, not because God “breathed” again in 1611, but because the King James Bible was translated from the preserved texts.'

It is an Independent Baptist church.

I am a Biblical Christian from the Reformed tradition, there is some agreement on biblical inspiration. The original inspired autographs are inerrant and infallible, The copies are accurate in religious history, theology and in the gospel message.

But, I do not favour, specifically the King James Version of the Bible or the Textus Receptus. I do cite the King James Version but also bible versions from later discovered manuscripts that are at times older. I often do reference the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version Bible for the closeness in accuracy to original Greek manuscripts.

I look forward to the review over several articles.

Napoleon Bonaparte on Liberty

I recently viewed and listened to a PBS documentary Napoleon Bonaparte, 2000

The quote below was featured on the program.

PBS

AZ Quotes

Liberty is a need felt by a small class of people whom nature has endowed with nobler minds than the mass of men;.... Consequently, it may be repressed with impunity. Equality, on the other hand, pleases the masses. Napoleon Bonaparte

Ironically, by nature, Napoleon himself would be within the intellectual class of persons as opposed to within the class of the masses. A reason he would consider himself as a fit emperor would be his noble, intellectual mind, in comparison to the minds of the typical citizens of France and Europe.

But, of course, in order to maintain his political dictatorship, Napoleon repressed with impunity, with exemption, the liberty of intellectuals that did not support his totalitarian rule.

The elite arguably have more control of the masses within a totalitarian state than within a democracy. In general, democratic rule offers more reasonable possibilities for equality.

Every human being and human system is significantly tainted by sin. Therefore, the only truly good (untainted) Kingdom or government would be ruled, directly and without reasonable doubt, by the perfect and holy God. In the New Testament model, this is culminated in the future through God the Son, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 21-22).

Brief on forgiveness (PhD Edit)

Wales: trekearth

Theodicy and Practical Theology, The University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (2010).

Since I reason a sovereignty perspective is the most workable and likely theodicy approach,[1] I am presenting it to those outside of the Church in the hope that they will be impacted.This gospel associated theodicy view allows for the possibility of forgiveness of sins within the atonement for persons and for persons to experience the ultimate justice of God’s culminated Kingdom.[2] Bloesch explains that in the context of atonement and justice[3] with God’s holiness he forgives and forbears and demonstrates his love.[4]  There is within my theodicy concepts of ultimate justice[5] and deliverance from the problem of evil and its results, but as a Christian scholar attempting to be as accurate in understanding as possible, I must include the concept that sin must first be atoned for in Christ[6] before a person can experience the benefits of a culminated Kingdom free from evil and suffering.[7] G.C. Berkouwer explains that ‘Man[8] is-even when alienated from God-not alone.’[9] God has still gifted fallen humanity[10] and there is a possible limitation to human corruption, that being the grace of Christ and his words and work.[11] God still has the power and opportunity to save persons,[12] and humanly speaking[13] persons have an opportunity to know Christ in conversion.[14]

BERKOUWER, G.C. (1962) Man: The Image of God, Grand Rapids, W.M.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1987) Freedom for Obedience, San Francisco, Harper and Rowe Publishers.

BLOESCH, DONALD G. (1996) ‘Sin, The Biblical Understanding of Sin’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

GREEN, JAY (1971) Five Points of Calvinism, ‘Forward’, Grand Rapids, Sovereign Grace Publishers.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books. 

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[1] But not the only approach with some good and reasonable points, as there are valuable points from non-Reformed theists and atheists within this work.

[2] Mounce explains that the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation 20 is not an arbitrary judgment of God but is based on the works of each person.  Mounce (1990: 365-366).  It is sign of the ultimate justice of God for all persons.

[3] Bloesch (1987: 97).

[4] Bloesch (1987: 97).

[5] Mounce (1990: 365-366). 

[6] Green (1971: iii).  Whale (1958: 81).  On this matter I do not see myself as a judge of those outside of Christ, but rather as one reporting within the best of my ability, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, what Scripture states about human sin and salvation.

[7] Sin, death and suffering will not exist in the culminated Kingdom. Mounce (1990: 372).

[8] I prefer the term humankind.

[9] Berkouwer (1962: 183).

[10] Berkouwer (1962: 186).

[11] Berkouwer (1962: 192).

[12] Berkouwer (1962: 192).

[13] Within a compatibilistic framework.

[14] Berkouwer (1962: 192-193).

Very brief on themes in Romans

Richmond, rush hour, heading home, but I was not listening Rush; it was Mahavishnu Orchestra and Christian radio that day. See, I have a problem. I know from past history that vehicle CD players can scratch disks (many in my case), so I am only going to use doubles scratched already or copies. I have a limited library in that case. CD's scratched by a previous car stereo and copies. My off-road focus is iTunes at present. Not CD's.

Encountering page 262.

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

I continue with a review of the 'Encountering' text, focusing on discussing the theological teaching from the images.

Other very important points from the text:

The Apostle Paul states that the righteousness of God has been revealed (Romans 1). (260). The atoning and resurrection, gospel work of Jesus Christ applied, provides salvation and legal justification by grace through faith (alone). In particular my words,  with a Reformed slant, but based on 260).

Romans reasons that those in Jesus Christ, receive God's righteousness (262). The righteousness of Jesus Christ, infinite God and perfect man. Works and the law could not guarantee human righteousness and therefore could not justify (Romans 4). Abraham too was justified as righteous by faith, not works. (Romans 4).

Those in Jesus Christ receive the imputed righteousness (Romans 1-2, 3) of Jesus Christ and therefore are legally justified by God. This is instead of facing God's wrath and through Christ's death on the cross, human sin is atoned for. (262). This leads to everlasting life and a sanctification (Romans 6-8) of the sinful human nature toward the perfect human nature of Jesus Christ. To be completed at resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

Romans 6: 22

English Standard Version

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

New American Standard Bible

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

King James Bible

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Salvation (justification, sanctification, my add) is by grace through faith, not works, and human beings can do nothing to merit God's acceptance. (263). Sanctification (6-8) is to increase obedience in the Lord. (263). Sin should be diminished, not promoted. (263).

Epistles, Romans & Church Fathers

Encountering p. 257

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

Although I can appreciate dividing Pauline texts from non-Pauline texts; chronological listings with authors is more useful in my opinion than what is presented (257). I provide an archived link below.

Chronology/Authorship March 19 2013

The more useful second graphic (258) historically connects the New Testament era Book of Romans to the Church Fathers era.

Encountering p. 258 

Very Brief on Repentance (PhD Edit)

Parma: Facebook/Google+

For clarity and openness, I realize that within my PhD focus on the problem of evil and theodicy, my reviews of Reformed, Evangelical, Liberal and Critical perspectives meant that concepts of regeneration were dealt with more than concepts of repentance. But in review, I did mention human repentance in the context of human regeneration via God as primary cause.

If compatibilism did actually equate with hard determinism, as some incompatibilists claim in error (And some hard determinists, perhaps claim in error), and not soft determinism, why would God as primary cause will for a human secondary cause in Jesus Christ to embrace, for example, repentance? Again, a regenerated person in Christ, does not just wake up one morning accepting the atoning and resurrection, gospel work for self, justification and sanctification and having no understanding why that is the case. Repentance is a continual process in a believer's life, as in confessing sin in 1 John.

I have discussed repentance within this website’s archives.

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010

As persons were regenerated they would hear the call of salvation, repent and believe in Christ.[1]  I would view conversion as an aspect of regeneration, which is the beginning of the Christian experience.[2]  Regeneration was to encompass the entire divine plan of recreation from the initial change in persons to the ultimate culmination of a new heaven and new earth.[3]

BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.

BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.

FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005)  The Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.

MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2:  Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust. 

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[1] Bavinck (1918)(2006: 53).

[2] Franke notes that the Scripture explains that the Holy Spirit continued to guide the earliest Christians. Franke (2005: 132). The Spirit continues to work in regenerated/converted believers that embrace the gospel.

[3] Bavinck (1918)(2006: 53).