Comment by Rev Andy Kelso on the series on Islam

The intention of this series is to examine Islam in the light of current events. It calls itself pre-eminent over all religions, with the Koran as God's pure and complete word, and Mohammed as God's last and greatest prophet. Is this true?

In order to find out the answers we need to look at the history of Islam and its founder Mohammed and we need to see if the Koran preaches peace as Muslims state. Are radical Muslims a splinter group or are they fulfilling the Koran's teaching?

The aim is to understand Muslims in order that we can have a heart of love towards them and engage in dialogue. I hope you will come to this series with an open mind.

Notes to accompany "Understanding Islam part 3"

Islam is a religion whose teachings contradict the foundation of the Gospel.

"It is he (Allah) who has sent forth His Apostle with guidance and the True Faith, so that he may exalt it above all religions." Koran 61:9.

Islam denies the death of Jesus:

"They said (the Jews) 'We killed Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, the message of Allah' but they killed him not, nor crucified him but so it was made to appear to them." Koran 4:157.

Hebrews 9:22: The Cross is God's heartbeat for humanity.
1 Corinthians 1:23

Islam denies the Deity of Jesus:

"The Christians call Christ the Son of God. Allah's curse be on them. How they are deluded away from the Truth." Koran 9:30.
Colossians 2:9, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:1,14 , Romans 1:3-4

"Christ, the son of Mary was no more than a messenger" Koran 5:75.

How could Jesus, declared sinless in Koran 19: 19, be lower than Mohammad whose past and future sins are admitted in Koran 48: 2 ? Colossians 1:17

Confusion and Contradictions in the Koran

Muslims claim the Koran is the pure and perfect word of God and that Christians and Jews have changed their Scriptures.

Fact! The oldest fragments of the Koran are from 200 years after Mohammad's death. Variations of the Koran existed until the 10th century and in the mid 20th century two versions were still in use. Mohammad's dependence on the Old and New Testament is revealed in the Koran.

"If thou wert in doubt as to what we have revealed to thee then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee." Koran 10:94

But if a Muslim reads the Bible they'll see contradictions with the Koran. To explain this away Muslims have invented the theory that the Scriptures we have are corrupted and the Koran's reference to the Bible is to the original perfect writings. Rubbish! Complete manuscripts of the Greek New Testament go back more than two centuries before the time of Mohammad and they underline the truth of what we have today and not the variations of the Koran. Many of the so called prophets in the Koran are not to be found in the Bible, nor does there appear to be any historical record of them.

Salvation

Islam does not give a promise of salvation. The promise of eternal life depends upon good works but no one is sure if their good deeds are enough. Muslims are doubtful about the love of Allah for them.

Sin Justification

Since there is no such thing as forgiveness of sins in Islam, Muslims justify their sins. Adultery and fornication can be labelled as temporary marriage. Koran 4:3-34

Blind faith

Most Muslims are not versed in the Koran or the history of Islam. Mohammad is proclaimed as extremely kind and super-righteous. Therefore to be critical of Mohammad is to blaspheme God.

Fact! The rate of illiteracy among Muslims is high. In many Muslim dominated countries in Africa and Asia over 80% of the people cannot read or write. They are wide open to deception.

Fact! Muslims believe the Koran must be read in the Arabic language. But some 800 million Muslims cannot read, write or speak Arabic. They are wide open to deception.

Fact! The faith of the majority of Muslims is based on their social culture rather than the fundamentals of Islam.

Comments

• If the Koran only makes full sense in Arabic it is not a revelation for all mankind.
• In the Koran there is the threat of hell every 7 verses. Repetition was the only way to fill out this Koran. Mohammad retells the Abraham's story every 3.6 chapters. Moses' story is retold every 3.3 chapters.
• Some translators of the Koran replace many of Mohammad's pronouns with nouns they think he meant.
• You would expect something inspired by God in the After Death 600's to be on a par or above the teaching of the New Testament. What we find is a throw back to days of violence and bloodshed.
• When Mohammad couldn't get his way with the Jews in Medina he gave Islam authority over Judaism and Christianity.
  "Make Islam Victorious over every other religion." Koran 61: 9
• With 10 years we'll see parts of England controlled by Muslim clerics, which will follow Sharia law unless the government stops appeasing Muslim leaders.

There is a book widely available called "The Noble Koran: A New Rendering of its Meaning in English." It calls for the killing of Jews and Christians and sets out a strategy. The Government has done nothing about it whilst promising to punish religious hatred and the glorification of terrorism.

Next week:
Old Testament morals and the Koran
New Testament morals and the Koran
Mohammad's legacy

• Sources: The Bible
• The Koran
• Inside Islam: Reza F. Safa
• Secrets of the Koran: Don Richardson
• North American Mission Board Convention: Phil Roberts
• Encyclopaedia of Religion, A comprehensive commentary on the Koran: E.M. Wherry