David Slays Goliath
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David Slays Goliath
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The Differenceby Paul Parsons
Recently, a newspaper article reported about a Palestinian woman who had given birth to a large number of children and quoted her as saying, “I would like to have many more so they can help get rid of the Jews.”
Much has been written and verbalized about the Islamic religion since the September 11 attack on America, much of which hasn’t been very complimentary. While trying to avoid any attack on anyone’s beliefs, I want to offer at least one opinion on the three major differences between Islam and Christianity.
The first difference goes to the heart of my opening paragraph. The Palestinian woman echoed the driving motivations of Arafat and other hard-line Arabs that Israel occupies their land and must be driven out, no matter what the cost in innocent lives. There is this mindset that the land upon which Jesus walked belongs to them and that they will all die before giving it up. It is all about taking back what they believe belongs to them.
The Christian faith practices a totally contrary concept, that of giving back what they believe belongs to God. This is evidenced by the many good works done for others, including Arabs, in the name of Christ. Even now, when Christian evangelists are trying to feed their hungry children and minister to their sick bodies, they face the danger of attack from Moslem extremists who would rather sacrifice the lives of their children rather than accept the help of Christians. It is a matter of “the friend of my enemy is my enemy.”
The second difference lies in the utter contempt that leaders of the Moslem world, and indeed many of their followers, have for anything and anyone who is not Moslem. There seems to be a worldview which is based on the (for lack of a better phrase) gospel of hatred. Why else would the practitioners of the faith promote evil actions, even against innocent bystanders? Why else would the religious leaders, almost unanimously, use verbiage that fosters violence, rather than discourages it?
On the other hand, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love. We are taught to love our enemies and to bless and pray for those who curse and despitefully use us. When we are slapped, we are taught to turn the other cheek. When we are compelled to go a mile, we are taught to go another. Our leaders do not encourage violence against those who are not followers of our Savior; they encourage us to embrace them and to minister to them.
The third and final difference I want to bring into play here is the most important of all. At certain times each day, devout Moslems bow on their knees and pray toward Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, near his death place, Medina. Through promises of eternal life with eternally virginal prostitutes, Mohammed rose to power and influence and created a religion. When he died, he remained dead.
Jesus Christ lowered himself to the position of a servant, having created everything that is good. When He died, He arose…and He lives in us today. When Christians pray, they pray anywhere they are to a God who is everywhere they are.
As more than one person has said, “Viva la difference.” |
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He Alone Ministries
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