In part I & II (see April 10, 13) of this blog string, I highlighted some of Robert Schuller’s teaching and how it is diametrically opposed to the Bible. Which brings us to a question: where does a person like Robert Schuller go to find fellowship with like-minded people? Where could Dr. Schuller go to find people of similar passions and dreams for extending “positive religion?” Well, he can start with about a billion muslims.
The Nov. 2, 2001, Chicago Tribune article: Audience of Many Faiths joins Schuller in Mosque for an ‘Evening of Hope’ gives us a glimpse that Dr. Schuller accepts even religions opposed to Christianity. The story recounts that Dr. Schuller’s first interaction with a Muslim group came four years previous, when Mohammed invited him to give the opening sermon at the Muslim American Society’s New Jersey convention. In 1999, Dr. Schuller was also asked by the grand mufti of Syria to preach in Damascus. Dr. Schuller recounted their introduction:
“When I met the grand mufti … I sensed the presence of God,” he wrote in his autobiography. The two men, he said, focused on similarities, not differences. “We didn’t discuss theological details that might distract us … from hearing the voice of a crying child,” he said. Nor did they talk about whether non-Christians were going to hell. “In a world with crying children we have no time,” he said. “The purpose of religion is not to say, ‘I have all the answers, and my job is to convert you.’ That road leads to the Twin Towers. That attitude is an invitation to extremists,” he said.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, he also said, that the emphasis of religion should move from proselytizing (trying to reach people with the truths of one’s particular faith) “to just trying to help everybody who had hurts and hopes.”
Questions:
Why or why not was Dr. Schuller wrong in thinking he sensed the presence of God when he met the grand mufti?
Are Muslims worshipping the same God under a different name (Allah vs. God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)?
“Sensed the presence of God?” What does that mean? Moses “sensed the presence of God” at Mt. Sinai; Sodom and Gomorrah “sensed the presence of God” somewhat differently…
They “didn’t discuss theological details” while they sensed the presence of God, he says. Is God’s identity just a “theological detail?”
And that goes to the second question: it is not the same god under a different name. Mohammed didn’t rise from the dead. Jesus did.
I need a history lesson. How did the Muslim religion start? Are any of it’s roots in “our” God? I agree that Mohammed is not Jesus. But was there some “fork in the road”?
The Arabic word “Islam” means the submission or surrender of one’s will “Allah” and anyone who does so is termed a “Muslim.” The word Muslim implies “peace” which is the said to be natural consequence of a person coming into submission to the will of Allah. Islam’s latest expression was achieved by Muhammad (570-632 AD), an Arab, who said he received supernatural revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel (he memorized the revelation given to him by Gabriel since he could not read or write – pretty good “memory!”).
Devout Muslim’s would say that Islam started with Adam since he lived out the ideal of “Islam” being the first created of Allah or “God.” When Mohammad received revelations it was because the people had strayed and worshipped false gods. Mohammad brought the Arab people back to worship Allah and destroyed their idols. Mohammad’s teachings were then written down by others who followed his example and were then compiled into a book called the Koran. Islam claims 1.2 billion followers worldwide and expresses their “faith” by working the “Five Pillars” of Islam.
The confession of faith in the one God Allah (the “Shahada”):
“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
If a Muslim rejects the Shahada, it cancels his or her hope of salvation.
The Salat (“prayer”):
The Muslim must recite prayers while facing Mecca five times a day.
The observance of Ramadan –
A month-long fast throughout the daylight hours to remember the first revelation of the Koran to Muhammad.
The “Zakat” (giving to the expansion of Islam):
Muslims are required to give 2.5 percent of their income, plus other forms of wealth, as determined by a complicated system that purifies their remaining wealth.
The Hajj (or “pilgrimage”): Travel to Mecca, Muhammad’s place of birth as a sign of devotion to Islam.
Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must make this trek at least once is his or her lifetime. Also, if one is physically unable to make the trip they can pay for another Muslim to go in their place.
These “Pillars” work much like the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. By completing these actions they are expressing their allegiance to Allah and receive his favor, i.e. “salvation”.
We need to pray for more workers to go reach Muslims with the truth of the gospel since they reject Jesus and their Savior and Lord. The religion of Islam offers a false hope built on personal obligation to achieve salvation.
See Galtians 1:6-9.
I don’t like the question “Are Muslims worshipping/praying to the same God as Christians?”. This can be taken too many different ways.
Are they asking if there are actually different gods which each hear the prayers of their individual followers?
Are they asking if God is all powerful and hears the prayers of everyone?
Are they asking if the God of Christianity has the same attributes and character as the god of Islam?
Are they asking if Christians and Muslims both have the same relationship with God?
Then you have the issue of Muslims in whom the Holy Spirit is working to eventually draw them into Christianity. When they are in the seeking process and still have misconceptions about God are they then praying and worshipping the same God as Christians? What about agnostics (or people of other religions) who are in the same situation?
I just think the question leads to all kinds of other questions and qualifiers and usually misses the point of the person trying to ask the question. The real question is “Are Muslims in a saving covenental relationship with God (whom they call Allah)?” And this has a clear “No” for an answer.