Saturday Song, 'El Paso'

My good friend Abbie Taylor has been writing a feature on her blog called "Saturday Song" where she writes about significant music in her life and she also provides links to them.

I like this idea so much that I've decided to do this on my blog too. After all, religious subjects can be intense and burdensome. So let's have one day of lightness to offset the heaviness.

"El Paso" is my favourite Marty Robins song. It's the earliest song I can recall. In 1959, I was only three years old but somehow the song stuck with me.

Though "El Paso" is about murder, jealousy, and cowboy justice, this song gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Like in the movies, the actors all get up and become themselves again when the director yells, "Cut!"

That's how I feel when I hear Marty's classic song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

End Times Destruction of Wicked Vs. Jews and Christians

This might be news to some Christians but Islam also mentions the end times and the end of the age. But their version is different than what the Bible teaches.

The Apostle Paul gives this account of what will happen at Christ's return when he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (KJV), "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (rise before) them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

But when Christ returns, it will be a fearful time for all who don't believe in him. This includes Muslims. Jesus said in Luke 23:30 (KJV), "Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us."

But sura 52:44-47 claims, "Even if they were to see lumps of the sky falling down, they would say, 'A mass of clouds.' So leave them until they meet their Day in which they will be stunned. The Day when their ploys will avail them nothing; and they will not be helped. For those who do wrong, there is a punishment besides that; but most of them do not know."

The Qu'ran also refutes what Christ said about heaven. Sura 44:51-58 claims, " As for the righteous, they will be in a secure place. Amidst gardens and springs. Dressed in silk and brocade, facing one another. So it is, and We will wed them to lovely companions. They will call therein for every kind of fruit, in peace and security. Therein they will not taste death, beyond the first death; and He will protect them from the torment of Hell. A favour from your Lord. That is the supreme salvation"

But Jesus, answering the Sadducees' question of a woman who had seven husbands, stated plainly in Matthew 22:30 (KJV), "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

The Qu'ran also teaches that Christians and Jews are among those who will be sent to "the hellfire" on the last day. Sura 26:87-103 claims that Abraham prayed, " "And do not disgrace me on the Day they are resurrected. The Day when neither wealth nor children will help. Except for him who comes to Allah with a sound heart. And Paradise will be brought near for the righteous. And the Blaze will be displayed to the deviators. And it will be said to them, 'Where are those you used to worship? Besides Allah? Can they help you, or help themselves?' Then they will be toppled into it, together with the seducers. And the soldiers of Satan, all of them. They will say, as they feud in it. 'By Allah, We were in evident error. For equating you with the Lord of the Worlds. No one misled us except the sinners. Now we have no intercessors. And no sincere friend. If only we could have another chance, we would be among the faithful.' Surely in this is a sign, but most of them are not believers"."

As I pointed out in earlier posts, many who say, "Lord! Lord!" will be sent to outer darkness. Only those who have a personal relationship with Christ and who follow him will have eternal life. This is why I'm writing my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to know this and be warned against putting off repentance until it's too late.

Accuracy Vs. Embellishment

Since most of us know the Bible stories, I'll just quote the embellishments and inaccuracies of the Qu'ran in this post. Being that it was written more recently than the New Testament, it should contain fewer details rather than more.

First of all, consider what sura 4:54 says. "Or do they envy the people for what Allah has given them of His grace? We have given the family of Abraham the Book and wisdom, and We have given them a great kingdom." What book and kingdom did Abraham ever get?

Furthermore, ponder this absurd statement. Sura 3:67 reads, "Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Monotheist, a Muslim. And he was not of the Polytheists." Oh really? Jews and Christians weren't in existance back then.

The Bible nowhere counts Ishmael as a prophet, yet sura 4:163 claims, "We have inspired you, as We had inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And We inspired Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon. And We gave David the Psalms."

Nowhere does the Bible say that Abraham disowned his father, yet sura 9:114 claims, "Abraham asked forgiveness for his father only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he disowned him. Abraham was kind and clement."

Neither did Abraham see or do like what Sura 6:76-78 says. "When the night fell over him, he saw a planet. He said, 'This is my lord.' But when it set, he said, 'I do not love those that set.' Then, when he saw the moon rising, he said, 'This is my lord.' But when it set, he said, 'If my Lord does not guide me, I will be one of the erring people.' Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, 'This is my lord, this is bigger.' But when it set, he said, 'O my people, I am innocent of your idolatry.'"

And whenever did this happen? Sura 2:125 claims, "And We made the House a focal point for the people, and a sanctuary. Use the shrine of Abraham as a place of prayer. And We commissioned Abraham and Ishmael, 'Sanctify My House for those who circle around it, and those who seclude themselves in it, and those who kneel and prostrate.'"

Furthermore, when was Moses struck by lightning and then God resurrected him? Sura 2:55-56 reads, "And recall that you said, 'O Moses, we will not believe in you unless we see Allah plainly.' Thereupon the thunderbolt struck you, as you looked on. Then We revived you after your death, so that you may be appreciative."

Sura 19:54 says, "And mention in the Scripture Ishmael. He was true to his promise, and was a messenger, a prophet." Really?

The Bible nowhere lists Ishmael as a prophet. All it says is that God would make of him a great nation.

And remember when Jacob's brothers sold Joseph into slavery? They didn't say anything about racing to him when they brought back the torn robe of many colours with goat's blood on it. Sura 12:17 alleges, "They said, 'O father, we went off racing one another, and left Joseph by our belongings; and the wolf ate him. But you will not believe us, even though we are being truthful.'"

Furthermore, sura 12:21 states, "The Egyptian who bought him said to his wife, 'Take good care of him; he may be useful to us, or we may adopt him as a son.' We thus established Joseph in the land, to teach him the interpretation of events. Allah has control over His affairs, but most people do not know."

Potiphar never said they wanted to adopt Joseph. He was just a servant. Read the rest of sura 12 and you'll discover even more discrepencies between Holy Scripture and the Qu'ran.

Remember how the birth of John the baptist came about? Sura 19:10 claims, "He (Zechariah) said, 'My Lord, give me a sign.' He said, 'Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights straight.'"

Zechariah was without speech until John was born and his relatives wanted to know what he would name the boy. Neither did he ask for a sign.

And any one familiar with the Christmas pageant will do a double take when they read this. Sura 19:23 says, "The labor-pains came upon her, by the trunk of a palm-tree. She said, 'I wish I had died before this, and been completely forgotten.'"

Neither did Jesus speak as soon as he was born. Sura 19:29-34 reads, "So she pointed to him. They said, 'How can we speak to an infant in the crib?' He said, 'I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture, and made me a prophet. And has made me blessed wherever I may be; and has enjoined on me prayer and charity, so long as I live.'And kind to my mother, and He did not make me a disobedient rebel. So Peace is upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the Day I get resurrected alive.' That is Jesus son of Mary—the Word of truth about which they doubt."

Additionally, the Qu'ran denies Christ's deity. Sura 19:88-92 reads, "And they say, 'The Most Merciful has begotten a son.' You have come up with something monstrous. At which the heavens almost rupture, and the earth splits, and the mountains fall and  crumble. Because they attribute a son to the Most Merciful. It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to have a son."

I'll expand on these outrageous claims of the Qu'ran in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Those who hold to the Chrislam doctrine need to be shown the extent of their error.

New Testament Vs. Qu'ranic Treatment of Women

If God and Allah are the same person, why the sudden change in the treatment of women? It would seem that God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, should arbitrarily change marriage and divorce laws.

Jesus ratified the ancient covenant of marriage when he said in Matthew 19:5-6 (KJV), "And said, 'For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?' Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

This prompted the Pharisees to ask why Moses allowed divorce to happen. Jesus replied in Matthew 19:8 (KJV), "He saith unto them, 'Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.'"

Islam, on the other hand, affirms polygamy. Sura 4:3 sets out how many wives a man may have. "If you fear you cannot act fairly towards theorphans—then marry the women you like—two, or three, or four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then one, or what you already have. That makes it more likely that you avoid bias.

And speaking of divorce, the Qu'ran also allows it for the sake of dissatisfaction. Sura 66:5 says, 'Perhaps, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you: submissive, believing, obedient, penitent, devout, fasting—previously married, or virgins."

The New Testament doesn't have any instruction regarding dividing worldly inheritance. Even so, Jesus and the apostles focused on the eternal inheritance in heaven. Luke 12:13-14 (KJV) states, "And one of the company said unto him, 'Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.' And he said unto him, 'Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?'"



But look what the Qu'ran says about dividing the earthly inheritance. Sura 4:11 states, "Allah instructs you regarding your children: The male receives the equivalent of the share of two females. If they are daughters, more than two, they get two-thirds of what he leaves. If there is only one, she gets one-half. As for the parents, each gets one-sixth of what he leaves, if he had children. If he had no children, and his parents inherit from him, his mother gets one-third. If he has siblings, his mother gets one-sixth. After fulfilling any bequest and paying off debts. Your parents and your children—you do not know which are closer to you in welfare. This is Allah's Law. Allah is Knowing and Judicious."

And look at what sura 4:34 says about the treatment of women. "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great."

But Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25 (KJV), "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

I could write so much more on this topic but this post is getting too long. Instead, I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that the God of the Bible and Allah are diametrically opposite to each other.

New Testament Vs. Qu'ranic Prayer

Another way in which God and Allah differ is in the matter of prayer. For example, we can see by the prayers of Jesus and his disciples that it was a conversation with the loving and caring Father.

Christ spoke to God in Luke 10:21 (KJV). "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, 'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.'"

And even the Jews prayed to God in a personal way, Though they often prayed with wrong motives. As Christ pointed out in Luke 18:11 (KJV), "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.'"

When the apostles were persecuted, they too addressed God as a person. After praising him, they said in Acts 4:29 (KJV), "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"

Even in Old Testament times, people prayed to the Lord and brought before him their petitions. As just one example, Daniel 2:23 (KJV) says, "I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.'"

But in Islam, the devout Muslims recite prayers. Sura9:71 reads, "The believing men and believing women are friends of one another. They advocate virtue, forbid evil, perform the prayers, practice charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. These—Allah will have mercy on them. Allah is Noble and Wise."

In some Christian churches, they also say rote prayers. But this isn't found in the Scriptures. Even what some call the "Our Father" or "The Lord's Prayer" is a template and not to be repeatedly recited without understanding.

Sura 4:101 shows that prayers were recited but could be shortened if need be. "When you travel in the land, there is no blame on you for shortening the prayers, if you fear that the disbelievers may harm you. The disbelievers are your manifest enemies."

I'll be writing more about this in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Muslims think we're the ones bound for the "hellfire" but they are the ones headed for that place of punishment. I'll expand on that extensively in my book.

Christ Vs. Mohammad on Enemies

One of many major differences between Christianity and Islam is the treatment of enemies. Christ famously said in Matthew 5:44 (KJV), "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

Just before that, he commanded in Matthew 5:39 (KJV), "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Christ's apostles likewise believed in living in peace with others. Romans 12:18 (KJV) admonishes, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

We don't repay evil for evil because that's up to God to repay. Hebrews 10:30 (KJV) instructs, "For we know him that hath said, 'Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,' saith the Lord. And again, 'The Lord shall judge his people.'"

But Muslims are instructed not to even have unbelievers as friends. Look at what sura 60:1 says. "O you who believe! Do not take My enemies and your enemies for supporters, offering them affection, when they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the Truth. They have expelled the Messenger, and you, because you believed in Allah, your Lord. If you have mobilized to strive for My cause, seeking My approval, how can you secretly love them? I know what you conceal and what you reveal. Whoever among you does that has strayed from the right way."
 
And instead of praying for enemies, the Qu'ran says this in sura 8:12. "Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs."
  
This, and many other comparisons, I want to include in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? We who believe in Christ must discern truth from poison. This is why God gave us his Word in written form. We therefore must understand truth from counterfeits.

Jesus: Son of God or Mere Prophet

As I have shown before, Jesus is the Son of God. But Muslims believe he was merely a prophet. So who's right?

Luke 9:18 -20 shows that Christ was thee Messiah and no mere prophet. "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, 'Whom say the people that I am?' They answering said, 'John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.' He said unto them, 'But whom say ye that I am?' Peter answering said, 'The Christ of God.'"

No true prophet would have let Peter say such a thing but Jesus, who is God, praised him for it. Matthew 16:17 (KJV)says, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.'"

Neither would any mere prophet say what Christ said in John 8:58 (KJV). "Jesus said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.'" Jesus used the sacred name of God in that seemingly awkward sentence, causing the Pharisees to pick up stones with witch to stone him for blasphemy but he escaped.

But the Qu'ran states in sura 2:135-136, "And they say, 'Be Jews or Christians, and you will be guided.' Say, 'Rather, the religion of Abraham, the Monotheist; he was not an idolater.' Say, 'We believe in Allah; and in what was revealed to us; and in what was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus; and in what was given to the prophets—from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him (Allah) we surrender.'"

Additionally, sura 3:59 claims, "The likeness of Jesus in Allah's sight is that of Adam: He created him from dust, then to him, 'Be,' and he was."

This clashes head on with what Christ himself declared to John in Revelation 1:8 (KJV). "'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,' saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Now how could a created being say such a thing?

So much more could be written on this topic so I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to know that Jesus is coequal with God and therefore is to be worshiped.

Trinity Vs. Supposed Sin of Shirk?

Continuing on with this month's topic, I need to show that God is triune and not a single deity. The best place to start is at Christ's baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17 (KJV) describes the scene this way. "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?' And Jesus answering said unto him, 'Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.' Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"

Now how could God be a singular entity when the Spirit of God and Jesus were in the same place when God spoke from heaven?

Likewise, God spoke from heaven in John 12:28 (KJV). "'Father, glorify thy name.' Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, 'I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.'"

But Qu'ran 4:116 says, "Allah will not forgive that partners be associated with Him; but will forgive anything less than that, to whomever He wills. Anyone who ascribes partners to Allah has strayed into far error."

Also, how could the Old Testament address God in the plural form (read Genesis chapter one) and show himself to be a triune being in the New Testament, yet the Qu'ran claims he has no partners? If God and Allah were the same being, he himself would be guilty of the sin of shirk, ascribing partners to himself.

I'll be writing more about this in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Foolish Christians believe that God and Allah are the same but I've shown here without equivocation that they aren't.

God Loves Jews and Christians But Allah Hates Them?

This month, I want to show how different the God of the Bible is from Islam's Allah. Far too many Christians, who ought to know better, assume that God and Allah are the same person. They most certainly are not.

As I noted in a previous post, God is jealous, meaning protective, of his people who he loves. He chose Israel out of all the peoples of the world to be the ones through whom his beloved son would be born. As he spoke through one of his prophets in Zechariah 1:14 (KJV), "So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy."

The Queen of Sheba noticed God's love being lavished on Israel and said to Solomon in 1 Kings 10:9 (KJV),  "Blessed be the LORD thy God, which  delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the  LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do  judgment and justice."

And as Christ's most impulsive disciple noted in 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV),  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"

But the Qu'ran refutes this by saying in sura 3:64, (translated by Ali ‘Imran) "Say, “O People of the Book, come to terms common between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate nothing with Him, and that none of us takes others as lords besides Allah.” And if they turn away, say, “Bear witness that we have submitted.: 

This verse denies that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are divine. Why would God say they were before this and then deny it? Either he's inconsistent or Allah isn't the God of creation.

The Bible shows in Malachi 3:6 (KJV) that, "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Here is additional proof that Allah can't be God. Why would he love Christians when sura 3:151 states, "We will throw terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they attribute to Allah partners for which He revealed no sanction. Their lodging is the Fire. Miserable is the lodging of the evildoers."

I could list so many other examples of the vast difference between God and Allah but I'll save them for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to realize that ONLY in Christ is there salvation from hell. And before our Lord was born, people such as Abraham were saved by their trust in God, not their own works.