Repentance

Windows Wallpaper

I presented a version on this on Satire Und Theology, Sunday. I have added material...
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Repentance

Our pastor spoke well, on repentance on Sunday.

From my Reformed perspective, God causes regeneration in the chosen person (s), in Christ (Ephesians 1, 2, Romans 8-9).

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Ephesians 1

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before [d]Him. In love 5 [e]He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the [f]kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In [g]Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He [h]lavished on [i]us.

Ephesians 2 later...

Romans 8

28 And we know that [k]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 9 14

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[f] 16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

God causes this regeneration as primary cause and it is embraced by those in Christ as a secondary cause. The divine, primary cause alone actually saves a person. Secondary cause here means a human being embraces the work of the primary cause as opposed to by force or coercion. This compatibilistic approach therefore features soft and not hard determinism.

Non-exhaustive examples of God regenerating:

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Titus 3:5-7 5

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life.

John 3 3

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these [a]signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born [b]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Within my Reformed theology, in the salvation process, regeneration would include (non-exhaustively) God providing grace, faith, (legal) justification, sanctification and repentance to persons. Atonement is multifaceted with many aspects, but a key is that God the Son, Jesus Christ, within the triune Godhead, provides these to human beings by divine power alone.

God enlightening someone, now in Christ, to repent is as an aspect of human salvation by grace through faith alone. The person in Christ, embracing repentance or any aspect of salvation, does not technically save that person, but this is the person embracing this aspect his/her salvation, which is the atoning and resurrection work of God the Son, Jesus Christ applied.

I acknowledge there are other examples in the New Testament such as James that state:

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

James 2:24 24

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Ephesians 2: 8-10 8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [h]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

The justification discussed in James is a justification of works, as in a sign on true regeneration and faith is works. Someone that is not regenerated will not have the works mentioned in both James 2 and Ephesians 2: 10.

Barclay reasons that Paul and James are not in disagreement. (79). Faith and deeds are not opposites, they are inseparable. (79). Someone must be moved to faith by God, and that faith will demonstrate works for God.

Lexicon

παλιγγενεσία

Root word From πάλιν (G3825) and γένεσις (G1078)

new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration

Lexicon

γεννάω

From a variation of γένος (G1085) γεννάω gennáō, ghen-nah'-o; from a variation of G1085

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate:—bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring. 

Lexicon

ἄνωθεν 

Root word From ἄνω (G507) ἄνωθεν ánōthen, an'-o-then; from G507 

from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew:—from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.

BARCLAY, WILLIAM (1976) The Letters of James and Peter, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.

Hylozoism

Miami Beach: trekearth.com

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

A busy day driving around for work and typing in a warm office. Another 'new word' for me.

Hylozoism is the doctrine that all matter is endowed with life. (182).

Cambridge states (paraphrased) that this is the view that all matter is by nature alive or that all bodies have some degree of life. (352). In modern times, hylozoism is connected to animism and is considered a naive view by many philosophers. (355). Cambridge writes that some theistic philosophers have claimed this is a form of atheism. (355)

To connect this doctrine with atheism supposes, in my view, reasoning along the lines that
if everything in existence in the universe, naturally is life, there is no need of a first cause or God to create.

To insist finite matter could have always existed is to fall prey to a vicious regress, which is a regress which never solves its own problem and is not reasonable, even as philosophers debate whether
a vicious regress can be logical or not. Premises can be logical, as can conclusions, without being necessarily true. I have come to the conclusion that a vicious regress can be logical, but is unreasonable.

For example, this god was caused by this god, this god was caused by this god, to infinity.

Logical, not contradictory, as a god without contradiction could be caused by another god, to infinity;
but not reasonable as each of these gods is finite and the finite has limited existence, not being eternal. What is reasonably required is an infinite, first cause, God, to begin, at least, a creation process. See Genesis 1, John 1 as examples within a biblical framework.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press

MOURELATOS, ALEXANDER, P.D. (1996) General Editor, Robert Audi, in The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Providence, sovereignty and human free will (MPhil & PhD Edit)

Today

MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives 

Chapter 11, entitled The Mystery of Providence, is the centre piece of Carson’s book and sets out his philosophical outlook concerning the problem of evil in light of God’s sovereignty and human freedom.

Carson stated: The Bible as a whole, and sometimes in specific texts, presupposes or teaches that both of the following propositions are true:

1. God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimized, or mitigated.

2. Human beings are morally responsible creatures–they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent...so far as the Bible is concerned, the two propositions are taught and are mutually compatible. Carson (1990: 201).

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology

It could be understood that providence would be the method by which God has sovereign control over his creation, and as Calvin notes, God’s providence has him work through persons. Calvin (1543)(1996: 36). Philip Edgcumbe Hughes (1990) explains that through God’s providence the world is dependent, for if God did not maintain it, it would cease to exist. Hughes (1990: 45). In Law of Nature, Edwards (1731-1733)(2006) explains that providence is the means by which God governs the world as the supreme judge of the universe. Edwards (1731-1733)(2006: 553).

My MPhil and PhD view of compatibilism (soft determinism) allows for significantly free human beings to commit free actions, simultaneously influenced and determined by an outside force, but never with the use of constraint, coercion or force. If/when coercion or force is used, by a primary or secondary cause, upon another secondary cause, this cancels significant human (or angelic moral) responsibility as a secondary cause of thoughts, acts and actions. As under strain, significant limited free will would not exist.

God is reasoned the first cause of all things, with moral perfection as infinite and perfectly good.

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html

CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html

CALVIN, JOHN (1540)(1973) Romans and Thessalonians, Translated by Ross Mackenzie, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. CALVIN, JOHN (1550)(1978) Concerning Scandals, Translated by John W. Fraser, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

CALVIN, JOHN (1552)(1995) Acts, Translated by Watermark, Nottingham, Crossway Books. 

CALVIN, JOHN (1553)(1952) Job, Translated by Leroy Nixon, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. 

CALVIN, JOHN (1554)(1965) Genesis, Translated by John King, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1981) Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, Atlanta, John Knox Press.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1990) How Long, O Lord?, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

CARSON, DONALD.A. (1996) The Gagging of God, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House. 

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1729)(2006) Sovereignty of God, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1731-1733)(2006) Law of Nature, New Haven, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.

EDWARDS, JONATHAN (1754)(2006) Freedom of the Will, Flower Mound, Texas. Jonathanedwards.com.

HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

The universe is exhausted between them

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

The continuation of text review: I am half way through this text review.

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
cls = Class
 int = Interpretation
---

The author summarizes on page 193. In symbolic logic, every class includes itself; every class includes the sub-classes of the sub-classes; every class is included in a universe class and includes an empty class. (193). The universe class is not the same as the universe of discourse. In other words the universe of discourse contains the universe class. The universe class does not contain the universe of discourse. Every class has a complement and the class and its complement are mutually exclusive. The universe is exhausted between them. (193). In other words, every class has a non-class.

Langer explains that by definition, mutual inclusion is called equality the sum of two elements a and b, which is written a + b and the product is shown as a x b. (193). Together they are the whole system of classes. (193).

Any two classes have a sum and product, if they are mutually exclusive (In symbolic logic) the product is 0. (193).

I reason based on Langer in regard to every class:

0 + 0 = 0
0 x 0 = 0

Based on my interpretation of Langer, if we created a universe of discourse  with a universe class of those within the Kingdom of God, the non-class would be those not within the Kingdom of God. This would equate to all of humanity. Or in other words, 0 persons would not be within the universe class.

There exists at least one class 0 that for any class cr (Christians) 1, 0 is included in a. (a + b).

There is a class of no Christians, in this universe of discourse.

In other philosophical words:

In these classes, Langer never assumes a universe class where there is not a non-version within.

Futurology

Majorca: Facebook

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Futurology

After a day of ministry work, I thought I would seek to write a new article, as in dealing with a new term, to me.

Philosopher Blackburn explains that futurology is the activity of predicting the state of the world at a future time. (151). This is often considered a pseudo-science (151) as this approach deals with complex academic fields such as social, political, economical, technological, nature, the environment.

Implied from Blackburn is that the approach is too simplistic and naive to be real science, in many cases.

What comes to mind, non-exhaustively under the futurology umbrella:

Those that attempt to predict radical changes in technological trends. (For example, that computers will eventually control humankind).

Those who predict various apocalypses, within the Christian Church and outside, without generally giving proper intention and attention to eschatology and the book of Revelation is context.

Idealists that would like to replace religion and God (s) with human utopias of the future.

Some of those that that hold to scientism and reason that in the end science can solve all human problems and therefore there is no fallen, corrupted, human nature in need to the salvific work of Christ in atonement and resurrection. No need for God or a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21-22).

Britannica

Futurology, in the social sciences, the study of current trends in order to forecast future developments. While the speculative and descriptive aspects of futurology are traceable to the traditions of utopian literature and science fiction, the methodology of the field originated in the “technological forecasting” developed near the end of World War II, of which Toward New Horizons (1947) by Theodore von Kármán is an important example.

Points for me, I mentioned utopia before I read it in Britannica or anywhere...

Taking Jihad & Warfare literally

Book review continued:

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

Mr. Wallace reasons that the best English source for learning about Islam is not the Qu'ran, nor it is the Sunnah. (58). The author suggests a classic text on Islamic law titled Reliance of the Traveller (ROT). (58)

I have noted my academic approach that original primary sources should still be cited, but can acknowledge the importance of ROT.

This text, according to Mr. Wallace will state an Islamic law, provide an interpretation, and then provide a source (s) from the Qu'ran and/or the Sunnah. (58). Mr. Wallace explains the ROT (Reliance of the Traveller), (1991) documents that it is an obligation for every able-bodied man to participate in Jihad. (74).

Note in context this is warfare Jihad, not the idea of inner struggle Jihad, for the Muslim.

Citation from ROT

WHO IS OBLIGED TO FIGHT IN JIHAD

09.4 Those called upon (0: to perform jihad when it is a communal obligation) are every able bodied man who has reached puberty and is sane. (601).

Citation from ROT

THE OBJECTIVES OF JIHAD

o9.R Thc caliph (025) makes war upon Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians (N: provided he has first invited them to enter Islam in faith and practice, and if they will not, then invited them to enter the social order of Islam by paying the non-Muslim poll tax (jizya, def: 01 L4)-which is the significance of their paying it, not the money itself-while remaining in their ancestral religions) (0: and the war continues) until they become Muslim or else pay the non-Muslim poll tax (0: in accordance with the word of Allah Most High,

'Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day and who forbid not what Allah and His messenger have forbidden-who do not practice the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book-until they pay the poll tax out of hand and are humbled" (Koran 9:29)...(602)

End citations

Based on Mr. Wallace's text and the ROT which summarizes law from the Qu'ran and Sunnah, any Islamic mosque, organization or individual that takes these teachings reasonably literally in regard to warfare, if holding to consistent theology, will in actuality oppose Western values of democracy, liberty and freedom of religion.

Fortunately, I reason this will not be the majority of Western Muslims, that will likely take a more liberal approach to Islamic scripture and embrace many secular values in regard to democracy, liberty and freedom of religion.

Reliance of the Traveller, (1991) Amana Publications, Beltsville, Maryland. The Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law 'Umdat al-Salik by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (d. 769/1368) in Arabic with Facing English Text, Commentary, and Appendices Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller. 

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

Genesis 1: 26 and the Trinity

YVR approach

Last Sunday, our church featured a fine, educational sermon on the Trinity. Genesis 1: 26 (a) was referenced from the English Standard Version:

Genesis 1:26 English Standard Version (ESV) 

26 Then God said, “Let us make man[a] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Footnotes: Genesis 1:26 The Hebrew word for man (adam) is the generic term for mankind and becomes the proper name Adam 

Courson, via his commentary, is in basic agreement on what was preached on Sunday. He explains that in Genesis 1: 26 (a) the name God is translated from the Hebrew (In English, my add) as Elohim El is in singular form and Elohim refers to three or more. (4). Courson reasons the Trinity is being referenced here. (4).

Hebrew Bible scholar, Hamilton, acknowledges that based on 1: 26, God is multiple in nature. (22). Based on exegesis he reasons it is impossible to state that it is a reference to the Trinity. (22). Several unrealistic possibilities are offered as alternative interpretations (mythological interpretation as in God to other gods, or the Earth being in partnership with God, or God and the angels creating, or God speaking of his majesty in plural, or the plural of divine self-deliberation) and then finally Hamilton reasons that most likely 'us' refers to the fullness or plurality within the Godhead. (23). Perhaps God is referencing the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1:2 as the Spirit of God moved upon the earth...(23). Hamilton is not denying the Trinity, but he does reason that it is not revealed until the New Testament revelation. (23). Hamilton, I reason, would not necessarily agree with Courson that multiple in nature meant at least three, based on exegesis.

I would state that the Trinity is foreshadowed in Genesis.

The pastor on Sunday stated that God was in eternal relationship. I agree. I would like to state that God as infinite and eternal did not have eternal time to be in triune relationship. God did not have an eternal past to ponder in Trinity on whether or not he would create humanity, the universe and solar time, or a type of time for finite angels, without infinite knowledge, to reason in.

God has infinite knowledge and infinite, eternal, triune relationship. God simply is and created the finite, including finite humanity, the finite universe and finite time, both solar time and time within the spiritual realm for angelic beings, to reason from point A to point B. God may have created finite angelic beings within a type of finite time prior to creating the physical universe of time, matter and energy.

It is error to hold to a view that God reasoned in infinite time because this is a fatal problem of vicious regress and this is a fatal problem that is not reasonably solved. God simply reasoned and yet had infinite knowledge and fellowship within the Trinity.

In the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Simon Blackburn discusses ‘infinite regress’ and mentions that this occurs in a vicious way whenever a problem tries to solve itself and yet remains with the same problem it had previously. Blackburn (1996: 324). A vicious regress is an infinite regress that does not solve its own problem, while a benign regress is an infinite regress that does not fail to solve its own problem. Blackburn (1996: 324). Blackburn writes that there is frequently room for debate on what is a vicious regress or benign regress. Blackburn (1996: 324). An example of a benign regress is infinite numbers both plus and minus, as they in reality represent conceptualized things as opposed to being real things.

BLACKBURN, S. (1996) ‘Regress’, in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.

HAMILTON, VICTOR P. (1988) Handbook on the Pentateuch, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

The lawyer's fallacy

YVR approach

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Philosopher, Blackburn explains the many questions fallacy, of as The lawyer's fallacy, inferring or implying some type of guilt, when a person cannot provide a yes or no answer to each question. (230). It may not be possible for a factual answer to be provided to each and every question. (230).

Blackburn provides 'Have you stopped beating your wife?' (230). A yes or no answer would not suffice for someone that has never beaten his wife.

In not the identical way provided by Blackburn, a lawyer or critic could use this type of fallacious approach by insisting that truthfulness from the person being questioned requires a 100% ability to answer questions acceptably. A worldview could be challenged using a similar fallacy and then it could be concluded by the questioner to be a false worldview because, according to the questioner, each question was not adequately answered.

Infinite knowledge is not required for a (finite) person to be truthful and or for his/her worldview to be true, rather significant premises and conclusions need to be logical and reasonable and internally and externally certain. Reasonable (not 100%) certainty requiring, internally, logical and consistent, premises and conclusions and externally, premises and conclusions superior to counter arguments.

The lawyer's fallacy and my example is somewhat related to a reviewed fallacy below from 2016:

Complex Question Fallacy: Pirie review from June 4 2016

Brand new today, black blazer and black dress shoes for executive, ministry work, weddings and related. Groovy blankets courtesy my sweet Alberta Grandma. The brand new winter jacket I posted on Satire Und Theology, February 27 with a similar photo, received two large rips to seams in a downtown Toronto storm and is being fixed at the shop where I purchased the dress shoes. That winter jacket does not suffice for Ontario! It is for mild Vancouver area winters and like!

Progression and Restoration

April 10, 2018

Admittedly, it would be logical to philosophically contend that the universe and the earth has remained relatively the same. But Scripture documents that God has intervened and that the creator will restore the universe and earth.

2 Peter 3 from New American Standard Bible

3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For [a]when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and [b]its works will be [c]burned up.

MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives 

At times, there is present theological progression in thought, for example Christ’s work established a New Covenant which replaced Old Testament Law, but there appears in Scripture from the Garden of Eden to the Holy City of Revelation, a consistent progressive plan of God to restore his creation. This revelation is seen in Scripture and the person of Christ which gives it a divine seal of approval. The Christian worldview of seeking a supernatural God points people to the cross and the resurrection. It turns them from trusting in self to trusting in God, who alone can provide the philosophical solution to the problem of evil and, more importantly, provide the theological remedy through Christ’s atoning work, which culminates in full restoration upon his return.

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology

The development and ultimate restoration of a number of these imperfect human beings may be worth the problem of evil in God’s estimation. Feinberg (1994: 131). I reason that as human nature has already demonstrated that it can fall, in the restoration it will need not only culminated perfect nature through resurrection, but also the influence of the Holy Spirit in heavy measure. Citizens will be filled with the Holy Spirit as was Stephen in Acts Chapter 6, for example. The New American Standard Version Bible Version (1984: 1234-1235). As God has developed saved persons to freely follow him with his guidance, I do not see why this would change within the everlasting realm. 

FEINBERG, JOHN S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House. 

THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (1984) Iowa Falls, Iowa, World Bible Publishers.

Watered-down religion?

Watered-down religion?

This book review continues...

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

Chapter 9: An ideology of violent conquests

Mr. Wallace opines that Islam is more so an ideology than it is a religion.(71). He reasons that Islam is a man-made worldview that presents itself as a religion. (71).


As I noted in a previous entry of review:

Mr. Wallace reasons that the best English source for learning about Islam is not the Qu'ran, nor it is the Sunnah. (58). The author suggests a classic text on Islamic law titled Reliance of the Traveller (ROT). (58) This text, according to Mr. Wallace will state an Islamic law, provide an interpretation, and then provide a source (s) from the Qu'ran and/or the Sunnah. (58).

From ROT O9.0: Mr. Wallace provides a definition of Jihad which defines it as war against non-Muslims.(71). The word is etymologically derived from the word mujahada which means signifying warfare to establish religion. (71). This is considered the lesser Jihad, as the greater Jihad is the war against self. (71).

Cited from (RoT) (Not from the Wallace text):

09.0 JIHAD (0: Jihad means to war against non-Muslims, and is etymologically derived from the word mujahada, signifying warfare to establish the religion. And it is the lesser jihad. As for the greater jihad, it is spiritual warfare against the lower self (nafs), which is why the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said as he was returning from jihad, "We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad."

The scriptural basis for jihad, prior to scholarly consensus (def: b7) is such Koranic verses as:

(1) "Fighting is prescribed for you" (Koran 2:216);

(2) "Slay them wherever you find them" (Koran 4:89);

(3) "Fight the idolators utterly" (Koran 9:36);

and such hadiths as the one related by Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

"I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform the prayer, and pay zakat. If they say it, they have saved their blood and possessions from me, except for the rights of Islam over them. And their final reckoning is with Allah";

and the hadith reported by Muslim, "To go forth in the morning or evening to fight in the path of Allah is better than the whole world and everything in it." Details concerning jihad are found in the accounts of the military expeditions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), including his own martial forays and those on which he dispatched others. The former consist of

0.9.1

the ones he personally attended, some twentyseven (others say twenty-nine) of them. He fought in eight of them, and killed only one person with his noble hand, Ubayy ibn Khalaf, at the battle of UhuJ. On the latter expeditions he sent others to fight. himself remaining at Medina, and these were forty-seven in number.) (599-600).

End citation

Reliance of the Traveller, (1991) Amana Publications, Beltsville, Maryland. The Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law 'Umdat al-Salik by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (d. 769/1368) in Arabic with Facing English Text, Commentary, and Appendices Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller.

Mr. Wallace reasons that Islamic instructions in regard to Jihad is consistent with the Qur'an and with the teachings of Muhammad (Sunnah). (73). The law in regard to Jihad would still be applicable for modern-day Muslims within Islam. (73).

Based on Islamic scriptural evidence, it could be reasoned that modern liberalized Islamic scholars and teachers have softened the original meaning of Jihad (and other doctrines as well) to make it more palatable in Western and non-Islamic contexts.

Mr. Wallace writes that Islamic texts expose this worldview as militant ideology. (76). I reason that this is true. The more peaceful face of Islam that is usually presented in modern non-Islamic cultures, and in the Western world, is that of a watered-down version in order to be more acceptable within non-Islamic societies.

To be clear, I am not reasoning, based on Mr. Wallace texts and the Qu'ran, Sunnah and ROT, that most people in Islam, or even most leaders and scholars in Islam, are intentionally dishonest, secretly holding to more conservative views on Jihad with some type of sinister intent. Rather, I reason that many modern Muslims hold to a more liberal version of Islam, a less literally interpreted, version of Islam, than was originally intended by the writers of Islamic scripture.

There is a similarity in how in some cases, modern Christianity is watered-down from the more literal contextual Scriptural version (degrees of literalness). But that is another subject and this entry is long enough and I have other work to do...

Deep Schisms?

This book review continues...

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

Chapter 8: Use Their Words Against Them

Mr. Wallace writes that Muhammad's death led to deep schisms within the followers of Islam. (61). There was a dispute over succession. (61).

The Shi'ites believed that the Caliph (successor to Muhammad) should be of the Prophet's bloodline. (61).

The Sunni's believed that it was the will of Allah to choose a successor and that it was not dependent on bloodline. (61).

Mr. Wallace explains that further divisions arose over interpretations of Islamic law. (61). Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence. (61). Schools of law, also called madhhah.

Sunni

Shafi'i
Hanafi
Maliki
Hanbali

Shi' a

Ja ' fari
Zaydi

(61).

Mr. Wallace opines that eight out of ten Muslims follow Sunni doctrine. (62). The earliest and largest school of Islamic law was Shafi', within this tradition. (62). It is also considered the most orthodox. (62). In modern times the largest school is  Hanafi. (62). This may be deemed as a reformed form of Islamic law according to Mr. Wallace.

The Manual of Islamic Sacred Law, entitled 'Reliance of the Traveller' (ROT) was translated into English by an American Islamic scholar. (62). It was originally written in the 14 century.

The original author was Shihabuddin Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad ibn an-Naqib al-Misri (1302–1367).

Islam, like all major world religions, has a contextual and religious development. It should be noted that Islam developed originally in Arabia in the 7th Century, seven centuries after the origins and development of the New Testament. Islamic interpretation and revision of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament doctrines should be evaluated with an understanding that Islam developed in a different historical era, and within a different culture and religious culture. The radically different theology within Islam in comparison to Biblical Christianity on several core doctrines, such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the atonement and resurrection, serves as primary evidence of a different concept of God and a different religion.

Back home Ontario to British Columbia

Do not be anxious

Yesterday: Possibly over Northern Ontario

My ministry work first trip, to Toronto, Ontario went very well.

Highlights:

Approximately a dozen meetings in a week, meeting with various ministry departments. I found my co-workers humble and caring.

As I posted on Satire Und Theology, I attended the Club America @ Toronto FC, CONCACAF Champions League, Semi-final, match.

There was a winter-like, rain storm. I discovered later that my brand new winter jacket now has two major rips to sewn areas that became soaked. It took approximately sixteen hours for my jacket to dry. The ministry lent me a blazer the next day to use. I am hoping, of course, to find someone local to repair the new coat.
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The ministry for which I was hired Regional Director for British Columbia and Yukon is on a relaunch. There is of course much new work to do, and uncertainty on how the new ministry relaunch will work.

Matthew 6:34 English Standard Version (ESV) 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

From work, from the warehouse, I fortunately received three defective, not suitable for sale, texts. These have some physical damage. Synopsis of the Four Gospels, parallels Mark 6: 25-34 with Luke 12: 22-32. (59). At verse 22, Jesus Christ tells his listeners (and future readers) not to be anxious about life, verse 30, instead the Father knows the needs of each person and this includes follower. (59).

In my work, there is much to do, but God-willing I shall live on what Jesus Christ stated, (paraphrased) to live a day at a time. I am seeking from God, today's grace for today, not yesterday's grace for today, not tomorrow's grace for today.  I am focused on completing one task, successfully at a time and will leave the level of success up to God.

Synopsis of the Four Gospels, Revised Standard Version, Edited by Kurt Aland, American Bible Society, New York.