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.
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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

Refuting Islam

Islam book review series: Refuting Islam

Preface

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

Fotress of Faith

20251110

I reviewed the text  above from October 2017 to October 2018. I attempted to use primary Islamic sources, including the Quran, when helpful for academic clarity. 

20171018

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. I will use primary sources as needed.

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).