-Comparing: Islam and Christianity #1 -God’s Love?

1.  Christianity teaches that God loves the world and all mankind: *

     “…God is love.” – I John 4:8;  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…” –I John 4:10;  “I have Loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” –Jer. 31:3;  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  –John 3:16

2.  Islam teaches that the love of Allah is conditional- he only loves those who believe and do good works:

     -Sura 19:96  Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love.

Comment: For Muslims: you can never know or trust that Allah loves you until the judgment.  But hear all you Christians: Our God is love, and he loves us and he sent his Son to save us even though we were yet sinners.

This is the first article in a new series which will compare and contrast the major teachings of Islam and Christianity.  The two religions represent very different world views, and I believe that it is important for Christians and those of us in the Western world, to get a better understanding of Islam.

For years, Islam was a religion largely contained in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of southern Asia.  Now, Islam is in the process of a major ‘invasion’ of Europe (Some forecast that Europe will be largely Islamic in 20-30 years).  All of Africa is in play.  Even in the USA, Islam is becoming increasingly more visible.  With Islamic terrorists threatening our culture and our cities, it is time to wake up and understand the world view that brings us to this place in History.

*Reference:  Islam and The Bible: Why Two Faiths Collide, By David Goldmann (Chicago: Moody Pub., 2004, 174 pgs.) Pg. 31