The Biblical Examiner
An Examination of Biblical Precepts Involved in Issues at Hand |
9-11, an Emergency
Call to Christians
9-11 & Repentance
The Muslim Truth
A Muslim World
Attack on America Tragedy demands
Revision...
Uprooting Terrorism
The dangers posed
by militant Islam
A voice from the past
Personal
AGES Christian Library review
Did they or did they not? Who flew the suicide missions on
9-11? Arabs? Muslims? Americans? We have been shown no convincing
evidence about the identity of the perpetrators of the terrible
things. Furthermore, though the powers that be are trying to distance
themselves from any "Christian" vs "Muslim"
implication, it is a religious war. And the time may be quickly
approaching when professed Christians will have to decide between
physical persecutions at the hands of a pagan world, even Muslim
as is taking place world-wide, or submission to the demands of
paganism.
Regardless, the fact remains that the hand of the Lord was and
is in the whole situation. (Amos 3:6.)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. (Rev. 2. See also 9:20, 16:9, 11.)
Was the Lord referring specifically to the people to whom He sent
the Revelation - that is, the generation that saw the destruction
of Jerusalem? We do see that people can become so hardened in
their sins that the Lord abandons them to their own destruction.
Did not the Lord harden Pharaoh's heart to where he was willing
to face destruction rather than repent? But his hardness was to
the salvation of God's people. (Ex. 7:13, &c.) Romans one
does speak of God giving the sinners over to a reprobate heart,
and Romans two speaks of the hardness and impenitent heart storing
up wrath for the day of judgment. (Rom. 1:28, 2:5.)
Of course, we cannot allow the world-changing events of 9-11to
pass without examination. No doubt as many have, I have read more
news reports and thoughts of others concerning the events of 9-11
than I care to remember. There are so many things worth discussing,
I really do not know where to start nor what to cover without
rehashing things that many of us are tired of hearing.
However, I will cover a point that has been completely ignored in the material I have read -- that is, ourfirst loyalty is not to the United States. Nor do we owe loyalty to any other literal nation upon this earth, though some Christians seem to believe they owe loyalty to the nation of Israel, and are willing to go to war over that loyalty. That unbiblical "Christian Zionism", antichrist attitude has helped bring about our current situation.
Our loyalty is to the kingdom of God:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Lk. 10:9, 11.) But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (Lk. 11:20.)
I see American flags flying everywhere, and all kinds of people
selling them. But try to find a Christian flag to fly to show
your loyalty to His kingdom... There have been some devastating
blows to His kingdom, e.g.,liberal churches that
deny Christ (with easy believeism and denial of the work of Christ),
the government education system and "abortion rights."
Yet very few of even Christians have been upset about those attacks
by the wicked. If anything, the Christian flag should be flying
half staff.
Certainly, I love America. Certainly, I was saddened to see the
jet liners fly into the World Trade Center, and I would certainly
like to see the perpetrators caught and dealt with, but why am
I not equally saddened to see the wicked destroying the faith
that this nation was founded in, the Biblical Christian Faith
of our Lord Jesus Christ?
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent
me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you
toucheth the apple of his eye. (Zech. 2:8.)
The apple of his eye is not a small nation over
in the Middle East. The apple of his eye is the
blood bought Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Gal. 3.) The
nation of both the Lord's and our loyalty has as its capital thecity
of the living God; it is the heavenly Jerusalem
spoken of in Hebrews 12:22-24. It is right now ruled by the King
of kings, (Eph. 1:20-23) has Jesus as the mediator of the new
covenant, and is cleansed by the sprinkling of His blood. May
God see fit to give to us right priorities, and that priority
is first of all the well being of the Kingdom of God.
(Matt. 6:33.)
A pastor friend sent out an e mail asking where is the spirit of repentance over the horrible sins of America? Why has there not been a day of fasting and mourning over sin been declared? Seeing as how this tragedy has brought no desire to repent and turn from sin, will there not be more attacks in the future? I am sure it was not done intentionally, but it seems that despite the sad events since 9-11, the nation has thumbed its nose at the Lord God in order to be Politically Correct, e.g., a Muslim cleric led in the "national" prayer Friday. And he prayed to the "Lord." However, the "Lord" he to was not the Lord who alone can defend us from those who seek to destroy us.
We saw right after 9-11, neighbors gathered in front of Muslim Mosques to defend them. Where were the neighbors to defend the churches a few years ago when they were being burned?
I have received an abundance of e mails concerning the events of 9-11. One thing that stands out about the e mails is the common consensus that though the attacks were the worse man-made disaster in American history, there has been no spirit of repentance. Rather, the attacks have been a call to unite all religions, which is quite contrary to the Word of God. Bush even honored the Muslim holy day when he held off the bombing for that day, no doubt, so he would not offend the Muslims. Yet he will not show the same respect to Christians.
I must admit that I would not envy President Bush. He is on a powder keg. The Feds have worked hard to dilute the WASP influence with every kind of false religion possible, and they have done the job very well.
The attack has not called America nor Christians to repent of their evil ways, as we saw with Falwell and Robertson hinted about sin. Rather, it has called for a joining together with history's most violent and worse enemy of Christ, the Muslims. That unity is only going to cry out to God for more distressing times, for the Lord God will not share His glory with anyone, not even Allah.
1 ¶ Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? 7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? (Amos 3.)
A common prayer that many Christians have prayed for years has been that God would do something to wake this nation up; that He would do something to humble us from our self-reliance, self-indulgence and unbelief. We have known that something drastic needed to happen, and that life just could not go on as it has since WWII, continuing to descend into the pit of destruction. We have been confident that either God would intervene, or we would self-destruct.
Some thought Y2K might be the wake-up call, but, obviously, it was not. On the other hand, the events of 9-11 might be God beginning to answer those prayers. However, the call throughout Scripture is for the people who are called by God's name to repent. According to God's word, the 9-11 events were ordained by God.
2 Chronicles 21:12-17, we see that because God's people turned from God and went whoring after the false gods, the Lord God Himself stirred up the Philistines and the Arabians against His people.
Isaiah 37, Sennacherib, the wicked king of Assyria, was intent on moving against Hezekiah, king of Judah. In order to strike fear into Judah, Sennacherib boasted about what he had done in the past. His past military success make him confident of an easy victory over Hezekiah. But in vv. 26-29 God tells Sennacherib why he had been able to have such military success, He says, "Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, from ancient times I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass that you should turn strong cities into ruinous heaps. This is why their inhabitants did not have the strength to resist you. It was because of Me that they were dismayed and put to shame; it was because of me that the were like the vegetation of the field and as the green grass."
The Lord assures Sennacherib that He knows all about him, and because of what he did to Israel, the Lord will judge him. Then in v. 30, we see that God's people will prosper. (Actually, this is a prophecy that reaches forward to the time in which we live, the Church age.)
God told Sennacherib, "You were successful not because of your might nor of your superior planning, but because I was with you, and I was with you against My own people whom I redeemed from Egypt."
Revelation 13 and 17 make it clear -- God is the One who brings both good and evil plans to pass. Furthermore, the Scriptures teach that He may even be the one to plant the evil and destructive idea. (See 1 Kings 22:22ff., 2 Chron. 35:21, Isa. 10, Jer. 25:9, &c.)
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
What took place on 9-11 was a warning from God
to those who are called by His name. 9-11 was
a demonstration of what can happen when God removes His protective
hand. It is a call to repent of our sins and of our indifference
toward our responsibilities to God and to man.
Luke 13:1-5
Some people asked Jesus about two major news events of their day: First, some Galilaeans had gone into the temple to offer their sacrifice, and Pilate came suddenly upon them, and killed them. He mingling their blood with the blood of the animal sacrifice they were offering. Second, there was a tower in Siloam that fell and killed 18 people. Christ's answer to both of the news items of his day was except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Christ did not say that those who died were examples of divine judgment against sin. Christ did not speak against Pilate who killed the people who were making their sacrifices. Christ did not speak against the contractor who built an unsafe tower, though the contractor was guilty of murder under the law. Christ did not mourn for the victims.
The context of the Lord's words in Luke 13 is Luke 12, where the Lord preached a strong message concerning faithfulness. He warned His hearers about knowing their master's will, yet not doing it. The entire chapter is calling men to faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ, and doing His word.
Luke 12:1-3, Christ was speaking primarily to the twelve, but there was also a great multitude of people listening to Him.
Vv. 5-12, speaking to the rest of the multitude, He told them not to fear what others would think if they would serve the Lord first of all. One is to fear God, for He will take care of His own. (Vv. 11, 12 were speaking primarily of the time before Rome destroyed the old Jewish religion.)
Vv. 13-21, one hearer was fearful that he would not get his proper inheritance. And Christ warned of covetousness - that is, gathering unnecessary and unneeded material possessions around him. Life could be cut off in a moment, and then who will have those things for which you worked so hard. Note, however, layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. In other words, there is nothing wrong with laying up treasures for one's self - the problem is forgetting one's Godly responsibilities in his plans.
Vv. 22-35, speaking to the twelve again, Christ says that our first responsibility is to be faithful to the Lord God -- that is, please Him by doing His word, and He will take care of His own.
Vv. 35-40, beware, for the Lord will call us into account at the most unexpected moment. So the call is to watch and be busy about His business no matter how long He delays His just judgment.
Vv. 41-48, Peter asked to whom the Lord was talking. Was He speaking to just the 12 or to the whole multitude that was listening? The Lord answered Peter with another warning -- BE FAITHFUL TO WHAT YOU KNOW TO DO ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER.
Vv. 49-53, the Lord warns that His message will split even families.
Vv. 54-59, Christ rebuked the people, calling them hypocrites because they could tell by the looks of the sky what kind of weather was on its way, but they could not see that Christ among them demanded their faithful service.
Chapter 13, some in the multitude questioned Christ about the two news events of the day: Pilate's action and the tower. Christ turned to those questing Him, and used these news stories as a call to the people following Him to repent. He points out that death came suddenly and unexpectedly upon both the Galilaeans, who were involved in religious activities, and the people in the tower, who were involved in daily activities. Death will come unexpectedly upon us, so now is the time to repent of our indifference and serve the Lord.
In a situation such as we had on 9-11, its easy for us to focus on the sins of those around us. But in this passage, Christ tells us that terrible events are a call for His followers to examine themselves -- WHERE HAVE WE COMPROMISED OUR TESTIMONY? Yes, thousands of people perished on 9-11, but the most important thing in that the tragedy is the issue between us and our God.
Certainly, God hates the sodomy, adultery and the murder of about 4000 babies a day that is going on in our nation. It is convenient for the followers of Christ to point to those sinners and say, "They brought this about." But we see from Luke 12 and 13, CHRIST DID NOT SAY THAT UNLESS THE SODOMITES, WHOREMONGERs AND MURDERERS REPENT, EVERYONE WILL PERISH.
Christ is speaking to those who were following Him, including
the 12 Apostles. He TOLD HIS FOLLOWERS, except
you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
He is speaking to us who are consumed by materialism, love of
money, complacency, self-assurance, unbelief, self-centeredness,
arrogance, idolatry (sports) and love for human approval above
God's approval.
In Isaiah 2:12-22, the Lord promises to humble the pride of man, and exalt Himself. In that day, all the material and financial preparation man has done will be useless.
In Genesis 11:1-9, the people said "Come, let us build for ourselves a great tower whose top will reach into heaven, so we can make a name for ourselves." And the Lord confused their language and scattered them over the face of the whole earth; so they had to stop building. How many new church buildings have been built as a memorial to a man? We are prone to love the displaying of our own abilities. We are impressed by ourselves. And God does not like it, and will not have it.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 4:7 that we have noting that we were not first given by God, so why do we boast as though we received it by our own might and power?
Certainly, this is a time for mercy - there are many who need
love, many who need help. This is a time for bringing to justice
those who planed and did this terrible thing.
But first and foremost, this is a time for pointing the
finger at our own wicked and unfaithful hearts. It is
a time for humbling ourselves; it is a time to
ask God to speak to our own hardened hearts, and for weeping over
our sin; it is a time for acknowledging that He is God, for He
has issued the warning, Unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:4.)
Awake to righteousness [Christians], and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. (1 Cor. 15:34.)
The media and seemingly all involved have been working overtime to paint a nice, friendly, peaceful picture of the Muslim religion. However, Islam is probably one of the most violent religions on earth, and its faithful followers are required to wage literal war against all who do not follow its tenets. We are being inundated with the idea that Islam, Judaism and Christianity are from the same root, the Old Testament. However, even a slight knowledge of the three will show that Islam and Judaism are no more the religion of the Old Testament than is Christianity of the Koran. (John 5:46, 8:56, &c. But this is not the topic of our discussion at this time.) The true religion of the Bible will see that Christ is God (Isa. 9:6), and that through Him alone will anyone ever approach the Father (1 Tim. 2:5). Therefore, Bible believing Christians cannot even entertain the lie that Islam, Judaism and Christianity are the same.
The kingdom of God has been under attack by the
kingdoms of this world, including the United States, for many
years. However, the most violent enemy of the Kingdom of God on
earth has been the Muslims, who, over the years, have expanded
their empires through war, particularly the Ottoman and Mogul
empires. Mohammedanism, or Islam as they like to be called, was
founded by Mohammed (570, at Mecca to 632), unschooled, self-taught
(though he probably could neither read nor write), imaginative,
energetic, brave, semi-barbarous and only child of a young widow
named Amina. "He belonged to the heathen family of the Hàshim,
which was not wealthy, but claimed lineal descent from Ishmael..."
As a four year old, he was seized with something like fits of
epilepsy, and the violent fits continued throughout his life.
At the first, even Mohammed attributed the fits to demonic possession,
but later attributed them to the overpowering presence of God.
(The following is gleaned from Philip Schaff [1819-1893], History
of the Christian Church, vol. 4, chapter 3, pp. 138ff. "Master
Christian Library, V. 8, as found on The Ultimate Christian Library,
DVD. 1.800.297.4307)
At first he proclaimed toleration: "Let there be no compulsion in religion;" but afterwards he revealed the opposite principle that all unbelievers must be summoned to Islâm, tribute, or the sword. With an increasing army of his enthusiastic followers, he took the field against his enemies, gained in 624 his first victory over the Koreish with an army of 305 (mostly citizens of Medina) against a force twice as large, conquered several Jewish and Christian tribes, ordered and watched in person the massacre of six hundred Jews in one day, while their wives and children were sold into slavery (627), [such actions by the Muslims have been typical over the years, as they have been chief promoters of the slave trade, ed.] triumphantly entered Mecca (630), demolished the three hundred and sixty idols of the Kaaba, and became master of Arabia. The Koreish were overawed by his success, and now shouted: "There is but one God, and Mohammed is his prophet." The various tribes were melted into a nation, and their old hereditary feuds changed into a common fanatical hatred of the infidels, as the followers of all other religions were called. The last chapter of the Koran commands the remorseless extermination of all idolaters in Arabia, unless they submit within four months. ... He believed in the use of the sword as the best missionary, and was utterly unscrupulous as to the means of success.
Schaff said of Islam, "like Christianity, it had its birth in the Shemitic race, the parent of three monotheistic religions":
Christianity made its conquest by peaceful missionaries and the power of persuasion, and carried with it the blessings of home, freedom and civilization. Mohammedanism conquered the fairest portions of the earth by the sword and cursed them by polygamy, slavery, despotism and desolation. The moving power of Christian missions was love to God and man; the moving power of Islâm was fanaticism and brute force. Christianity has found a home among all nations and climes; Mohammedanism, although it made a most vigorous effort to conquer the world, is after all a religion of the desert, of the tent and the caravan, and confined to nomad and savage or half-civilized nations, chiefly Arabs, Persians, and Turks. It never made an impression on Europe except by brute force; it is only encamped, not really domesticated, in Constantinople, and when it must withdraw from Europe it will leave no trace behind. (Ibid.)
Islâm in its conquering march took forcible possession of the lands of the Bible, and the Greek church, seized the throne of Constantine, overran Spain, crossed the Pyrenees, and for a long time threatened even the church of Rome and the German empire, until it was finally repulsed beneath the walls of Vienna. ... The monarchy and the church of Spain, with their architecture, chivalry, bigotry, and inquisition, emerged from a fierce conflict with the Moors [Muhammadans, ed.]. Even the Reformation in the sixteenth century was complicated with the Turkish question, which occupied the attention of the diet of Augsburg as much as the Confession of the Evangelical princes and divines. Luther, in one of his most popular hymns, prays for deliverance from "the murdering Pope and Turk," as the two chief enemies of the gospel; and the Anglican Prayer Book, in the collect for Good Friday, invokes God "to have mercy upon all Turks," as well as upon "Jews, Infidels, and Heretics." ...
Mohammedanism then figures as a hostile force, as a real Ishmaelite in church history; it is the only formidable rival which Christianity ever had, the only religion which for a while at least aspired to universal empire. [And it did so with the sword, as many "millennialiests" seem to desire for Christ to do in a future, literal reign, ed.] ...
Viewed in its relation to the Eastern Church which it robbed of the fairest dominions, Mohammedanism was a well-deserved divine punishment for the unfruitful speculations, bitter contentions, empty ceremonialism and virtual idolatry which degraded and disgraced the Christianity of the East after the fifth century. The essence of true religion, love to God and to man, was eaten out by rancor and strife, and there was left no power of ultimate resistance to the foreign conqueror. ... ([Schaff's footnote:] Archbishop Trench, l.c. p. 54: "We can regard Mohammedanism in no other light than as a scourge of God upon a guilty church. He will not give his glory to another. He will not suffer the Creator and the creature to be confounded; and if those who should have been witnesses for the truth, who had been appointed thereunto, forsake, forget, or deny it, He will raise up witnesses from quarters the most unlooked for, and will strengthen their hands and give victory to their arms even against those who bear his name, but have forgotten his truth." Similarly Dr. Jessup, l.c. p. 14: "The Mohammedan religion arose, in the providence of God, as a scourge to the idolatrous Christianity, and the pagan systems of Asia and Africa--a protest against polytheism, and a preparation for the future conversion to a pure Christianity of the multitude who have fallen under its extraordinary power." Carlyle calls the creed of Mohammed "a kind of Christianity better than that of those miserable Syrian Sects with the head full of worthless noise, the heart empty and dead. The truth of it is imbedded in portentous error and falsehood; but the truth makes it to be believed, not the falsehood: it succeeded by its truth. A bastard kind of Christianity, but a living kind; with a heart-life in it; not dead, chopping, barren logic merely.)
It should be mentioned, however, that, according to the testimony of missionaries and African travelers, Mohammedanism has inflamed the simple minded African tribes with the impure fire of fanaticism and given them greater power of resistance to Christianity. Sir William Muir, a very competent judge, thinks that Mohammedanism by the poisoning influence of polygamy and slavery, and by crushing all freedom of judgment in religion has interposed the most effectual barrier against the reception of Christianity. "No system," he says, "could have been devised with more consummate skill for shutting out the nations over which it has sway, from the light of truth. Idolatrous Arabs might have been aroused to spiritual life and to the adoption of the faith of Jesus; Mahometan Arabia is, to the human eye, sealed against the benign influences of the gospel .... The sword of Mahomet and the Coran are the most fatal enemies of civilization, liberty, and truth."
Schaff points out that Mohammedans believe in only one true god, and they abhor idolatry and image worship. At the time he wrote, their belief inclined them to listen to the Christian message of only one true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. No doubt times have greatly changed from when he wrote well over 100 years ago. But the basic belief is still there of only one true god. And thus it could be but a short step for God to turn their hearts as He did when Paul stood up and used THE UNKNOWN GOD as the text of his message, Acts17:22.
§ 43. THE CONQUESTS OF ISLÂM.
"The sword," says Mohammed, "is the key of heaven and hell; a drop of blood shed in the cause of Allah, a night spent in arms, is of more avail than two months of fasting or prayer: whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven, and at the day of judgment his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim." This is the secret of his success. Idolaters had to choose between Islâm, slavery, and death; Jews and Christians were allowed to purchase a limited toleration by the payment of tribute, but were otherwise kept in degrading bondage. History records no soldiers of greater bravery inspired by religion than the Moslem conquerors, except Cromwell's Ironsides, and the Scotch Covenanters, who fought with purer motives for a nobler cause. ...
With sovereign contempt for all other religions, they subjected the Christians to a condition of virtual servitude, treating them like "dogs," as they call them. They did not intermeddle with their internal affairs, but made merchandise of ecclesiastical offices. The death penalty was suspended over every attempt to convert a Mussulman. Apostasy from the faith is also treason to the state, and merits the severest punishment in this world, as well as everlasting damnation in the world to come.
Concubinage with female slaves is allowed to all without limitation. The violation of captive women of the enemy is the legitimate reward of the conqueror. The laws of divorce and prohibited degrees are mostly borrowed from the Jews, but divorce is facilitated and practiced to an extent that utterly demoralizes married life. Polygamy and servile concubinage destroy the dignity of woman, and the beauty and peace of home. In all Mohammedan countries woman is ignorant and degraded; she is concealed from public sight by a veil (a sign of degradation as well as protection); she is not commanded to pray, and is rarely seen in the mosques; it is even an open question whether she has a soul, but she is necessary even in paradise for the gratification of man's passion. A Moslem would feel insulted by an inquiry after the health of his wife or wives. Polygamy affords no protection against unnatural vices, which are said to prevail to a fearful extent among Mohammedans, as they did among the ancient heathen. ...
The sensual element pollutes even the Mohammedan picture of heaven from which chastity is excluded. The believers are promised the joys of a luxuriant paradise amid blooming gardens, fresh fountains, and beautiful virgins. Seventy-two Houris, or black-eyed girls of blooming youth will be created for the enjoyment of the meanest believer; a moment of pleasure will be prolonged to a thousand years; and his faculties will be increased a hundred fold. Saints and martyrs will be admitted to the spiritual joys of the divine vision. But infidels and those who refuse to fight for their faith will be cast into hell. ... (Ibid., pp. 164, 165. Emp. added.)
Slavery is recognized and sanctioned as a normal condition of, society, and no hint is given in the Koran, nor any effort made by Mohammedan rulers for its final extinction. It is the twin-sister of polygamy; every harem is a slave-pen or a slave-palace. "The Koran, as a universal revelation, would have been a perpetual edict of servitude." Mohammed, by ameliorating the condition of slaves, and enjoining kind treatment upon the masters, did not pave the way for its abolition, but rather riveted its fetters. The barbarous slave-trade is still carried on in all its horrors by Moslems among the negroes in Central Africa.
War against unbelievers is legalized by the Koran. The fighting men are to be slain, the women and children reduced to slavery. Jews and Christians are dealt with more leniently than idolaters; but they too must be thoroughly humbled and forced to pay tribute.
The mosques are as well filled with men, as many Christian churches are with women. Islâm is a religion for men; women are of no account; the education and elevation of the female sex would destroy the system.
The Reformers and older Protestant divines took substantially the same view, and condemn the Koran and its author without qualification. We must remember that down to the latter part of the seventeenth century the Turks were the most dangerous enemies of the peace of Europe. Luther published, at Wittenberg, 1540, a German translation of Richard's Confutatio Alcorani, with racy notes, to show "what a shameful, lying, abominable book the Alcoran is." He calls Mohammed "a devil and the first-born child of Satan." He goes into the question, whether the Pope or Mohammed be worse, and comes to the conclusion, that after all the pope is worse, and the real Anti-Christ (Endechrist). "Wohlan," he winds up his epilogue, "God grant us his grace and punish both the Pope and Mohammed, together with their devils. I have done my part as a true prophet and teacher. Those who won't listen may leave it alone." Even the mild and scholarly Melanchthon identifies Mohammed with the Little Horn of Daniel, or rather with the Gog and Magog of the Apocalypse, and charges his sect with being a compound of "blasphemy, robbery, and sensuality." It is not very strange. that in the heat of that polemical age the Romanists charged the Lutherans, and the Lutherans the Calvinists, and both in turn the Romanists, with holding Mohammedan heresies. (Ibid., 171.)
Note here that the Protestants view of eschatology today has completely overlooked the Mohammedan heresies. And the Muslims hold more of the world's population in bondage than the Church of Rome, from where it is believed the false prophet will come. We have missed the significance of what is taking place with the Islam religion. We should mention that MORMONISM is a close kin to Mohammedanism.
It is disconcerting, to say the least, to hear the rhetoric concerning Islam. Many "Christians" believe the lie that Allah is simply another manifestation of God. Thus they have no qualms about spiritually joining with Muslims, even during that which is supposed to be exclusively devoted to the worship of the one and only true God. The teachings of the Muslim holy books, such as the Koran, are crystal clear. Their teachings are not open to debate or interpretation. True Muslims believe that the Jews and Christians alike have distorted the truth; Muslims believe that Abraham actually offered Ishmael, and that Ishmael is the one who actually had the promise, not Isaac. Muslims believe that Christians have lied in saying that Christ is more than a mere prophet, not to even mention His death and resurrection. As such, the Koran declares that all who believe the "lies" about Isaac and Christ are "atheists" or "infidels," and those "infidels" must be converted, subdued with taxes or put to death.
The Muslim's track record shows that they adhere to these teachings with a zeal and a devotion unknown to most modern Christians. History easily shows the ruthless and murderous execution of their "great commission," and that commission is to take over the planet for Allah. Most historians today concentrate on the atrocities committed by admittedly misguided Christians during the crusades without considering the role Islam played in these battles.
Yes, Mohammedanism is a religion of "peace." But their "peace" is obtained with the sword - when others submit to their religion or agree to pay the tax placed upon them, then and only then is there "peace."
In order for the Ottoman Empire (Turks, or Muslims) to secure "peace," thousands of Armenian Christians were killed, and their villages burned (1894). The last and worse of the Ottoman (Muslim) massacres of Armenian Christians took place during WWI (1814-18). About 1,7500,000 Armenians from the Caucasus region were forced into exile by the Turks (Muslims) into Syria and Mesopotamia (actually, world-wide). About 600,000 Armenians died of starvation or were killed by Turkish soldiers and police while in route in the desert. Hundreds of thousands more were forced into exile. (Birtannica 2001, Standard Edition CD-ROM. s.v. "Armenian massacrers.") We are continually reminded of the German atrocities against the Jews. However, the Muslim atrocities against Christians have claimed far more lives than did Hitler, yet we hear nothing about the Mohammedanism.
I am sick of the media trying to
paint Islam as something it is not, e.g., "Islam,
properly presented, promotes peace. (Indianapolis Star,
10/28/01, D3.)
Even our own time sees the relentless persecution of the Coptic
Church in Egypt, the annihilation of Christians
in Somalia, the carnage in Libya, Indonesia
and in the Sudan, the execution of both missionaries
and of those who are converted to Christianity in Afghanistan
and elsewhere, the murderous threats and declarations of Jihad
(holy (!) war) against the United States and all who side with
her...to mention but a few.
Here are examples of the Mohammedan mind-set:
By Riaz Khan
TEMERGARAH, Pakistan (AP [10/27/01]) - In buses and trucks, pickups and vans, more than 5,000 people rolled out of a northeastern Pakistan village Saturday morning, bound for the Afghan frontier and vowing to fight a holy war against the United States. ...
"I am an old man. I consider myself lucky to go - and to face the death of a martyr," said Shah Wazir, 70, a retired Pakistani army officer. In his hands Saturday morning, he carried a French rifle from about 1920. ...
"It is a difficult time for Islam and Muslims. We are in a test. Everybody should be ready to pass the test - and to sacrifice our lives," said Mohammad Khaled, one brigade leader. Would-be warriors embraced and chanted anti-American slogans.
Hussain Khan, 19, a carpenter from the area, carried a Kalashnikov and stood with his friend. He said he was leaving behind a fiancee and joining a just cause.
"Whether I come back alive or I am dead, I'll be fortunate because I am fighting in the service of Islam,'' Khan said.
The call for holy war came this week from Sufi Mohammad, an outspoken Muslim cleric who runs a madrassa, or religious school, in nearby Madyan. He exhorted ``true Muslims'' to mass and prepare to go to Afghanistan - to repel any U.S. ground incursions. ...
In this region of Pakistan, Mohammad's organization, Tehrik Nifaz Shariat Mohammadi Malakand, or Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Laws, has been embraced.
And the cleric's message - that, despite its insistence to the contrary, the United States is waging war on Islam - hits home.
"This is a strange occasion of world history," Mohammad said Friday. "For the first time, all the anti-Islamic forces are united against Islam." ...
... Mohammad's backers say the number to enter Afghanistan will reach 100,000.
"We are not worried about death," said Khaled, the brigade leader. "If we die in jihad, it is something much more greater than to be alive. And we will be taken into paradise." ...
"I cannot tolerate the bombing and the cruelty of Americans. I must go," said Mamoor Shah, a medicine salesman who, at 18, already has a wife and child. "Muslims cannot keep silent."
For many young men, this is no mere rite of passage. It is religion - and it is blood, heritage and family.
"I'm going. My mother sent me to fight for our faith," said Farooq Shah, 21, a student from Buner, 50 miles away. When she told him to go, he had no Kalashnikov. So she went out, sold her jewelry and bought him one.
Thousands of fighters flock to Taliban army
Eben Black, James Clark and Tony Allen-Mills, Washington
THOUSANDS of Pakistani warriors armed with automatic weapons, axes and swords headed for the Afghan border yesterday to join forces with the Taliban regime shielding Osama Bin Laden.
Between 5,000 and 10,000 were reported to be travelling in a convoy of trucks, buses and vans on the northwest frontier. They vowed to fight a holy war against the United States. ...
Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban leader, had appealed for tribes in border provinces to provide men to help him resist American-led attacks. The fighters, urged on by clerics, plan to join Taliban forces, who are thought to number about 40,000. Their ranks are being swollen by Islamic fundamentalists from many countries, including Britain.
Already thousands of Afghans have been conscripted into the army to fight the rebel Northern Alliance and prepare for attacks by US and British troops. Volunteers brandishing Kalashnikovs and shotguns said they considered themselves lucky to go to Afghanistan and face a martyr's death.
"Everybody should be ready to sacrifice their lives," said Mohammed Khaled, a leader of the newly formed force.
The emergence of the Pakistani "jihad brigade" coincided with evidence that the British government is concerned over the progress of the war against terrorism. ...
Three Luton men are among four British Muslims reported to have been killed during an American rocket attack on Kabul last week. One, who used the assumed name of Mohammed Omar, was a recruiter of young Britons for the Taliban.
Copyright 2001 (October 28 2001) Times Newspapers Ltd. This page is provided by www.sunday-times.co.uk on Times Newspapers' standard terms and conditions.
Now, tell me, who is more consistent in the following of their religion?
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4.)
Many e mails floated around the internet during the last presidential election, telling about what a good Christian Bush was. However, if he is a Christian, his works since then show that it is not much more than in name only. He is president of the whole nation, and is sitting on a powder keg. However, the following shows his apparent total lack of spiritual understanding, as he praises the most vicious and violent religion in history:
President Bush 's address Thursday to a joint session of Congress... -...We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in Cairo...The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics; a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam. The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children...I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah BLASPHEME THE NAME OF ALLAH. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself...In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may he watch over the United States of America... (AP, Sept.20)
Fleischer: Attacks Were Perversion of Islam - ...White House spokesman Ari Fleischer addressed several aspects of the President's war on terrorism at yesterday's press briefing... When Fleischer was asked about concerns that this response could degenerate into a West-versus-Islam battle, he remarked: 'This attack had nothing to do with Islam. This attack was a perversion of Islam.'... (Agape Press, Sept. 18, 2001/Christian World News Report -9/19/01)
Bush Visits Mosque, Urges Respect for Muslims -...President Bush visited a mosque on Monday to urge that Muslim Americans be treated with respect after last week's attacks, saying: 'The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam.'...Slipping off his shoes to respect Islamic custom, Bush sought to quell a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment... 'These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith and it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that,' Bush said at the Islamic Center of Washington, a mosque in the U.S. capital...Respecting Muslim custom, Bush, his White House aides and Secret Service agents removed their shoes before stepping on the elaborate carpets in the mosque, which sits in a leafy Washington neighborhood surrounded by embassies. At one point, the president quoted a translated verse from the Koran, saying: 'In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil.'.. (Reuters, Sept.17)
Our government leaders have made false, naive statements concerning Islam, no doubt worried about the Muslim vote. We must not make the mistake of thinking that all Muslims believe and follow then commands of their faith, no more than we can think that all Christians believe and follow the commands of their Bible. The peaceful Muslims in America and around the world do not represent the basic teachings of Islam.
It is wrong to claim that peaceful Muslims in America and other countries represent the basic teachings of the Islamic religion:
Though people of good will naturally recoil from attaching blame to a major world religion itself, we can no longer afford such sentimentality. No longer dare we allow Islam to escape its undeniable responsibility. Yet former President Bush called Islam a peace-loving religion. he devastating acts of war by Islamic terrorists against the United States were greeted by naive statements from well-intentioned government leaders to the effect that we must distinguish between terrorism perpetrated by extremist groups and Islam itself which is peaceful...Several years ago Steven Emerson produced for PBS an excellent video titled Jihad In America. Its cameras went directly inside cell groups associated with mosques here in America where eager young Muslims were being recruited for jihad against the United States. Muslim leaders are shown giving speeches about bringing America to its knees through terrorism.... terrorists act in direct obedience to Muhammad, the Qur'an, Allah and Islam. While nominal Muslims reject the idea, all Islamic scholars agree that it is the religious duty of every Muslim to use violence whenever possible to spread Islam until it has taken over the world...There is a natural reluctance to accept any statement which seems to be a prejudiced attack upon a world religion. It is the fear of such prejudice which prevents the world from facing the truth. (David Hunt, Berean Call, Sept.19, 2001)
Though the ungodly are trying to mix "Christianity" with Islam, true Mohammedans, Muslims, who believe and follow their Bible, the Koran, must seek to destroy non-Muslims, or Unbelievers - Christians and Jews, who the Koran identifies separately from Pagans.
Is it not strange how the ungodly, Muslims, can seek to make the world Muslim with few objections, but when Christians try to make the world Christian, objections are hurled from every corner. It will surely have to be a supernatural work of God's Spirit that opens the eyes of faithless Christians who refuse to believe that Christ's command of Matthew 28:19, 20, to conquer the world with the Sword of His Spirit. (Heb. 4:12. Have Christians willingly laid down their God-provided weapons to conquer the world for Christ, Eph. 6:17?)
Bishop Dolli says former Sudanese President Sadiq el-Mahdi has prophesied that by 2010, the world will be dominated by Islam. (Cal Thomas, The dangers possed by militant Islam. Indianapolis Star, October 25, 2001.)
If Christians do not obey Christ's command and start working to Christianize their areas of influence through prayer and the Sword of the Spirit, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ may well let the Mohammedans have the world. Philip Schaff notes that,
Archbishop Trench, l.c. p. 54: "We can regard Mohammedanism in no other light than as a scourge of God upon a guilty church. He will not give his glory to another. He will not suffer the Creator and the creature to be confounded; and if those who should have been witnesses for the truth, who had been appointed thereunto, forsake, forget, or deny it, He will raise up witnesses from quarters the most unlooked for, and will strengthen their hands and give victory to their arms even against those who bear his name, but have forgotten his truth." Similarly Dr. Jessup, l.c. p. 14: "The Mohammedan religion arose, in the providence of God, as a scourge to the idolatrous Christianity, and the pagan systems of Asia and Africa--a protest against polytheism, and a preparation for the future conversion to a pure Christianity of the multitude who have fallen under its extraordinary power." Carlyle calls the creed of Mohammed "a kind of Christianity better than that of those miserable Syrian Sects with the head full of worthless noise, the heart empty and dead. The truth of it is imbedded in portentous error and falsehood; but the truth makes it to be believed, not the falsehood: it succeeded by its truth. A bastard kind of Christianity, but a living kind; with a heart-life in it; not dead, chopping, barren logic merely. (Philip Schaff, 1819-1893. History of the Christian Church, vol. 4, chapter 3)
Thus, the rise of Mohammedanism, Islam, is a reproach on today's Christianity, which is an unbiblical religion. Biblical Christianity has the goal of obeying the Lord to disciple the nations of the world -- that is, do all things to the glory of God, which includes every area of life and thought. (Matt. 28:19, 20, 1 Cor. 10:31.) Today's religion called Christianity generally only sees its calling as "spreading its gospel (which is not the gospel of Christ, for it is missing Matthew 28:19, 20, among other things) and getting professions of faith" in the modern Jesus.
Schaff points out that Mohammedans believe in only one true god, and they abhor idolatry and image worship. At the time he wrote, their belief inclined them to listen to the Christian message of only one true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Times have greatly changed from when he wrote well over 100 years ago. But the basic belief is still there of only one true God. And thus it could be but a short step for God to turn their hearts as He did when Paul stood up and used THE UNKNOWN GOD as the text of his message. (Acts17:22.) But first, Christians must be converted (Acts 22:32) from the false faith that cannot see the conversion of the world to Christ.
It was about the time of Schaff's writing that the Christian world-view started to be changed. Up until the middle and late 1800s, the Christian faith said the world could and would be converted by God's gracious Spirit. But then things changed; the Muslim religion continued to expand, claiming the Modern World for Islam, unchallenged by Christians. (On October 30, 1517 a German monk and professor of theology by the name of Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper on the Wittenburg Church door. Historians mark Luther's challenge against the Church as the beginning of the Modern Age. It is commonly called the Reformation, and out of that reformation came the faith that the world could and would be Christianized. However, that faith was killed by some key men in the 1800s, while the Muslim faith held that the world could be made Muslim.)
The man most influential in changing the Biblical view from Christinizing the world to simply spreading the "gospel" was George Müller (1805-1898). Müller married Anthony Norris Groves' (1795-1853) sister, October 7, 1830. Groves had a successful mission work in Baghdad, including a school. But his mission school reflected the new millenarian thinking of simply spreading the gospel. The purpose of Groves' school work was "not on the ground of attending to the rising generation, but to aid him in language, attach young scholars to him, give him opportunity of 'trying his wings' (as he called it) against Christian errors, and exciting the attention of Moslems." (Harold H. Rowdon, The Origins of the Brethren. 1825-1850. London: Pickering & Inglis Ltd., 1907. P. 191.) In other words, the purpose of Groves' educational work was not converting Muslims and training future generations to take dominion of all things for Christ according to 1 Corinthians 10:31. Its purpose was to help him learn the language, to "attach young scholars to" himself and to counter what he considered Christian errors - defined as Christian involvement in social and civil issues.
And thus when the opportunity was presented to make huge inroads into the heart of Islam, the new millenarian system saw it a sin to attempt to change a Muslim nation to a Christian nation.
Müller's story is too well known to be told again in detail. The son of a tax collector, he grew up in a grossly wicked manner. He attended a religious meeting in the home of an acquaintance of one of his friends, and was converted, November, 1825. Müller met Groves through a common friend, another pillar in the premillennial movement, Henry Craik (1805-1866). In November, 1830, twenty-five year old Müller accepted a call to pastor a Baptist church at Teignmouuth, England. "For some time, Müller continued a Baptist pastor. But, little by little, he began to develop views which were to cause him to become more and more associated with the Brethren." Probably influenced by Groves' view of wealth (it was unspiritual), Müller renounced his regular salary at the end of October, 1830. Müller's link with the escapist mentality is well established:
More germane to our immediate purpose, it provides [the marriage, &c., ed.] further evidence that Müller was imbibing the spirit of Groves not only through the reports that were coming from Baghdad, but through personal contact with those who had been influenced by, and had influenced, him. (Origins, p. 118. See also William B. Neatby, A History of the Plymouth Brethren. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1902. Pp. 53ff., Origins, 114ff., and Elgin S.Moyer, Who Was Who in Church History. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing Inc., 1974. S.v. "Müller, George. ")
Groves had a great influence over Müller. (Neatby, History, p. 55.) In Müller, however, we see that the extreme views of withdrawal from society were not totally shared by all who united with the Plymouth Brethren. He is known for his social work with orphans. Nevertheless, Müller founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution (SKI), which did more to spread the destructive tenets of Christian withdrawal than probably any one other event of his time. Müller's Institution was a main-stay of Hudson Taylor's China Inland Mission in its early days. (Coad, History, 52, 53. The premillennial system was and is one of passivity, other-worldliness/non-involvement in "worldly matters," and their distinctive, unique prophetic views. The systemneutralized Christianity wherever it went.) In his February 25, 1834, journal entry, Müller gave six reasons for forming "a new Institution [SKI, ed.] for the spread of the gospel." Although this writer certainly agrees with five of Müller's reasons, he must take serious exception with Müller's first reason:
1. The end which these religious societies [then in existence, ed.] propose to themselves, and which is constantly put before their members, is, that the world will gradually become better and better, and that at last the whole world will be converted [sic.] To this end, there is constantly reference made to the passage in Habakkuk ii. 14: "For the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea;" or the one in Isaiah xi. 9: "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." But that these passages can have no reference to the present dispensation, but to the one which will commence with the return of the Lord,--that in the present dispensation things will not become spiritually better, but rather worse,--and that in the present dispensation it is not the whole world that will be converted, but only a people gathered out from among the Gentiles for the Lord,--is clear from many passages of the divine testimony, of which I only refer to the following: Matt. xiii. 2430, and verses 36-43, 2 Tim. iii. 1-13, Acts xv. 14.
A hearty desire for the conversion of sinners, and earnest prayer for it to the Lord, is quite scriptural; but it is unscriptural to expect the conversion of the whole world. Such an end we could not propose to ourselves in service of the Lord...
1. We consider every believer bound, in one way or other, to help the cause of Christ, and we have scriptural warrant for expecting the Lord's blessing upon our work of faith and labor of love; and although, according to Matt. xiii. 42, 43, 2 Tim. iii. 1-13, and many other passages, the world will not be converted before the coming of our Lord Jesus, still, while he tarries, all scriptural means ought to be employed for the ingathering of the elect of God.(George Müller, The Life of Trust; being a Narrative of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller, written by Himself. The first American edition was published in 1860. P. 109, 110, 113. See Origins, 129.)
The operating missionary societies up to the time of Müller
"constantly put before their members" the hope of Christianizing
the world before Christ's return, a goal Müller found unscriptural.
Lacunza's 1790 "dispensational" view of Matthew twenty
four, which became popular in Müller's lifetime, caused him
to abandon any hope that the gospel could change the world for
Christ. It also caused him to say that those expecting the Gospel
of Christ to Christianize the nations are not serving the Lord.
Müller, therefore, led in changing the goal of missionary
endeavors from Christianizing the world's nations, including the
Muslim nations, to simply "soul saving." Accordingly,
the missionaries trained by the SKI went with great zeal over
the world to "save souls," yet they were convinced that
it was unscriptural to hope that the gospel message could bring
about godly social change. The expectations of their faithless
gospel were met. Müller thus united with others of his day
who condemned all who desired to convert the world to Christ.
And hence the opportunity spoken of by Schaff of winning the Muslim
world to Christ was missed - Christians abandoned the Biblical
hope of Christianizing the world through the Sword of the Spirit,
and turned it over to the Muslims to convert the world with the
sword. So Islam, one of the most violent religions in all of history,
continues in its violence.
Violence has been the practice over the years by the Mohammedans, as they have used the sword to expande their kingdoms over the earth - the Turks defeated the Byzantines in 1071, leading indirectly to the Christian Crusades (1096-1254); the Muslim armies of the Ottoman Empire under sultan Mehmed II overthrew the Byzantine Empire (the Eastern Roman Empire, established after Constantine's conversion to Christianity, making Christianity the favored religion of the state) in 1453, and renamed its capital, Constantinople, Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. (Destroyed in 196, Byzantium was splendidly rebuilt by Constantine in 330 and named Constantinople. Admittedly, by the time the Ottomans conquered Byzantine, Christianity had been reduced to not much more than a name.). The Moguls were a Muslim dynasty of Turko-Mongol origin, conquering northern India in 1526; it reached its climax of power from the late 16th century until the beginning of the 18th. Its last sultan was dethroned by the British in 1858. Though spread by the power of the sword more often than not, Mohammedanism's initial spread into Indonesia and West Africa was primarily by peaceful means through Arab and Berber caravan traders. But it used violence to keep the religion "pure." Mohammedans sometimes add "jihad" as a sacred duty of their faith - violence to purify the faith and to subdue others to it. (The Software Toolworks Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1992 Edition, v. 1.5.) We should note that the "Black Muslims" have been active in the US for some years.
The nations of the Muslim world are united by a common faith, and work together as one nation to expand the faith, as the independent colonies did here in America at the first. Faith to them cannot be separated from civil rule. And we do not see the ACLU running to demand that their religion be separated from their civil beliefs here in the United States.
According to the Koran, Islam is an extremely violent religion.
The Koran is in Arabic, and translations, there are more than one, cannot do it justice. Moreover, some translators have evidently "watered" down its militancy by using words that are not as militant as are found in other translations or the original.
Though just a few "verses" seemingly from a "watered" down version, the following quotes are enough to give us an idea of what is required of faithful Mohammedans, or Muslims (though history calls them Mohammedans, Mohammed's followers do not like the term, for they say it exalts Mohammed as god, which they do not do). Islam (meaning "surrender" and "submission") is as far from being a "peaceful" religion, as we as Christians define peace, as the East is from the West. Peace to Mohammedans means everyone subjected to their faith, so there can be no peace until all opposition is subdued.
The following quotes are from the Koran (as contained in the Online Bible, ME 1.03, $35, post paid. Order from The Biblical Examiner, PO Box 6, Linden, IN 47955):
A "peaceful" religion! Warfare is commanded of the faithful against Unbelievers
2:216 Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
2: 190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. 191 And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult or oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. 192 But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 193 And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.
Muslims are commanded to subdue with the sword all who oppose Allah (Islam), and the fighting is to continue until all opposition ceases. Only when opposition to Allah ceases is he "Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful."
47:7 O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly. 8 But those who reject (Allah), --for them is destruction, and (Allah) will render their deeds astray (from their mark). 9 That is because they hate the Revelation of Allah; so He has made their deeds fruitless.
48:29 Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah; and those who are with him are strong [with the sword] against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. ...
Force of arms are to be against Unbelievers (in Allah and in Mohammed his prophet). Unbelievers are defined as Christians and Jews, the two being lumped together because they both worship one God. It makes another distinction for Pagans.
4:101 Section 15. When ye travel through the earth, there is no blame on you if ye shorten your prayers, for fear the Unbelievers may attack you: For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies. 102 When thou (O Apostle) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, taking there arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed--and them pray with thee, taking all precautions, and bearing arms: The Unbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame on you if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. For the Unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment. 103 When ye pass (congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on Believers at stated times. 104 And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have hope from Allah, while they have none. And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
Unbelievers are at all times enemies. Arms must be kept close at hand. The enemy is to be relentlessly sought out. And Allah will give the power to endure the hardships and victory over them.
4:119 "I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah." Whoever, forsaking Allah, takes Satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. 120 Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan's promises are nothing but deception. 121 They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape. ... 123 Not your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (can prevail): Whoever works evil, will be requited accordingly. Nor will he find, besides Allah, any protector or helper. [The "People of the Book" are Christians.]
And thus not only is America the "Great Satan," but all who fail to follow Allah, and particularly those who knew and now forsake him, take Satan for a friend.
8:12 Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: Give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: Smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them." 13 This because they contended against Allah and His Apostle: If any contend against Allah and His Apostle, Allah is strict in punishment. 14 Thus (will it be said): "Taste ye then of the (punishment): For those who resist Allah, is the penalty of the Fire." 15 O ye who believe! When ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. 16 If any do turn his back to them on such a day--unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) --he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, --an evil refuge (indeed)!
9:38 Section 6. O ye who believe! What is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. 39 Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things. 40 If ye help not (your Leader), (it is no matter): For Allah did indeed help him (Mohammed, ed.), when the Unbelievers drove him out: He had no more than one companion: They two were in the Cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear, for Allah is with us": Then Allah sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of Allah is exalted to the heights: For Allah is Exalted in might, Wise. 41 Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the Cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew.
Take up the sword and fight the "Unbelievers," or Allah will fight against you.
9:73 Section 10. O Prophet! Strive hard [make war] against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, --an evil refuge indeed. 123 Section 16. O ye who believe! Fight the Unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: And know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
22:78 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Apostle may be a witness for you, and ye be a witness for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector--the best to protect and the Best to help!
8:38 Section 5. Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). 39 And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere;...
9:12 But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith, --fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: For their oaths are nothing to them: That thus they may be restrained. 13 Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Apostle, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe! 14 Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,
3:18 There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise. 19 The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.
There is no god but Allah, and Allah is not the Christian God who alone can be approached through Jesus Christ. Thus all who deny Allah are atheists, and enemies of Allah, Islam and all Islam governments.
3:156 Section 17. O ye who believe! Be not like the Unbelievers, who say of their brethren, when they are travelling through the earth or engaged in fighting: "If they had stayed with us, they would not have died, or been slain." This that Allah may make it a cause of sighs and regrets in their hearts. It is Allah that gives Life and Death, and Allah sees well all that ye do. 157 And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass.
Either the Unbeliever (Christian, Jew or Pagan) must convert
to Islam, pay the Jizya, or he is killed, and his wife and children
sold into slavery.
9:29 Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor
hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His
Apostle, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, (even if they
are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya [tribute
that recognizes subjection] with willing submission, and feel
themselves subdued.
47:4 Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): Thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): But if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the way of Allah, --He will never let their deeds be lost. 5 Soon will He guide them [they will yield to Islam] and improve their condition, 6 And admit them to the Garden which He has announced for them.
4:43 Section 7. O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say, --Nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.
Drunken prayers are condemned, but not drunkenness. Sins are "blotted" out with good works as defined by Muhammad, with no repentance necessary, e.g., Koran 5:13. Is it any wonder Islam is making such huge inroads?
47:2 But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and believe in the (Revelation) sent down to Muhammad--for it is the Truth from their Lord, --He will remove from them their ills and improve their condition.
5:13 Section 3. Allah did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel, and We appointed twelve captains among them. And Allah said: "I am with you: If ye (but) establish regular Prayers, practice regular Charity, believe in My apostles, honor and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resisteth faith, he hath truly wandered from the path of rectitude." 14 But because of their breach of their Covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard: They change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the Message that was sent them, nor wilt thou cease to find them--barring a few--ever bent on (new) deceits: But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds): For Allah loveth those who are kind. 15 From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a Covenant, but they forgot a good part of the Message that was sent them: So We estranged them, with enmity and hatred between one and the other, to the Day of Judgement. And soon will Allah show them what it is they have done. 16 O People of the Book! There hath come to you our Apostle, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary): 17 There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book, -- 18 Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His Will, unto the light, --guideth them to a Path that is Straight. 19 In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His Will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all--every one that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For Allah hath power over all things." 20 (Both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are the sons of Allah, and His beloved." Say: "Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men, --of the men He hath created: He forgiveth whom He pleaseth. And He punisheth whom He pleaseth: And to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: And unto Him is the final goal (of all)." 21 O People of the Book! Now hath come unto you, making (things) clear unto you, our Apostle, after the break in (the series of) our apostles, lest ye should say: "There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner (from evil)": But now hath come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner (from evil). And Allah hath power over all things.
Mohammed was the "Apostle" and the "Koran" the book, both rejected by the "People of the Book," and thus they became the enemy of all Muslims. Moreover, Muslims who believe their Bible, the Koran, hold as blasphemy the truth that Christ, born of Marry, is the God of the Bible. In this sense, Muslims and Jews have a common faith - both deny the deity of Christ. Furthermore, the Koran asks how can Christians and Jews claim to be the children of God if their God punishes them for their sins?
5:54 Section 8. O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.
9:17 Section 3. It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to infidelity. The works of such bear no fruit: In Fire shall they dwell.
Clearly, those who have "joined" with the US and with individual Christians have denied the Muslim faith.
5:119 Section 16. And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst say unto men, 'Worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, Thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden."
9:30 Section 5. The Jews call Uzair (Ezra) a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the Son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they imitate what the Unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: How they are deluded away from the Truth!
17:111 Say: "Praise be to Allah, Who begets no son, and has no partner in (His) dominion: Nor (needs) He any to protect Him from humiliation: Yea, magnify Him for His greatness and glory!"
19:20 She [Mary] said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not Unchaste?" 35 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is. 88 They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begot a son!" 89 Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! 90 At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, 91 That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious. 92 For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.
4:129 Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women... [who make up one's many wives].
23:5 Who abstain from sex, 6 Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, --for (in their case) they are free from blame, ... [will be the heirs of Paradise, where they will dwell forever].
24:33 Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them; yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them yet, after such compulsion, is Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them).
4:24 Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess:
In other words, women slaves, though married to another, are permitted for a Mohammad man.
3:14 Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet:
Women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded
(for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled
land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness
to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to). 15 Say: Shall
I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the
righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing
beneath; therein is their eternal home; with Companions pure (and
holy); and the good pleasure of Allah. For in Allah's sight are
(all) His servants, --
55:54 They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be
of rich brocade: The Fruit of the Gardens will be near (and easy
of reach). 56 In them will be (Maidens), chaste, restraining their
glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched; -- 58 Like
unto rubies and coral. 60 Is there any Reward for Good--other
than Good? 62 And besides these two, there are two other Gardens,
-- 70 In them will be fair (Companions), good, beautiful; -- 72
Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions;
-- 74 Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched; -- 76 Reclining
on green Cushions and rich Carpets of beauty. 78 Blessed be the
name of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.
Those who die in Allah's service have the promise of a life
of ease, surrounded by all the good things of life, as well as
beautiful virgins waiting to fulfill their every desire.
There are Christians who insist on defending Islam. How foolish
they are to allow themselves to be used by the enemy of all truth!!
By Thomas Williamson
At first glance, the disastrous attacks on the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon on September 11 may appear to give a boost to
the speculative scenarios of the televangelists and prophecy teachers
who have been predicting and promising the Battle of Armageddon.
World War I, World War II and the Gulf War were all thought to
be the eagerly awaited Battle of Armageddon, but they proved to
be a disappointment. The latest hostilities may help pump up hope
that Armageddon is near, and that all the predictions of the Israel-First
Millennialists for the establishment of a literal, earthly kingdom
of Israel are soon to be fulfilled.
But it should be noted that so far, events are taking place in
a manner far different from what was predicted by the Armageddon
enthusiasts.
When the warmongering activities of some Christian Zionist televangelists,
and their apparent thirst for a nuclear war over control of the
alleged Temple Site in Jerusalem, made some people nervous, we
were assured that there was nothing to worry about. We were promised
that before the bombs started falling, all truly born again evangelical
Christians would be "raptured out" from the earth, so
that they could watch all the action from a secure vantage point
somewhere in the stratosphere.
Televangelist Jerry Falwell expressed this hope of the "pretribulational
rapture" when he said he was not worried about the Battle
of Armageddon, because "I ain't gonna be here!"
As of September 11, the bombs have started falling, causing perhaps
7,000 civilian casualties in America. Jerry Falwell, for better
or for worse, is still here, and so are all the rest of us, including
the dead bodies of hundreds of evangelical Christians who were
not supposed to be around when the bombs hit - but they were.
If this is the Battle of Armageddon, or even the prelude to it,
events are not taking place according to the end-times script
written by America's very best and most trusted televangelists
and prophecy buffs.
Another out-of-sequence item in the Armageddon Theology doomsday
scenario is that this devastating blow to America was not supposed
to take place as long as America was enthusiastically supporting
Israel, as we have been doing for the last half-century.
The same televangelists who promised us that we would not be around
when the bombs started falling (in a war they helped to provoke)
also promised us that "As long as America stands by Israel,
America will be blessed of the Lord." We were given to understand
that if America ever stops supporting Israel, then God would zap
us, perhaps even nuke us. In theory, the Attack of America should
not have taken place until after America stopped her military,
financial and diplomatic support for Israel.
The fact is that, for whatever reason, God allowed the Attack
on America to take place at a time when the American government,
news media, religious establishment and the people as a whole
were rendering their total, unquestioning, uncomplaining, all-out
100 percent to Israel and to Zionism. We were keeping our part
of the bargain, and in return, we were struck with a disaster
that dwarfs our losses at Pearl Harbor, and threatens our future
as a world superpower.
Before we blame God for not keeping His part of the agreement,
it is important to recognize that God never promised us in His
Word that America would be blessed as long as we stand by Israel.
This promise was made to us not by God, but by the televangelists.
By some coincidence, it turns out that some of these televangelists
are receiving generous gifts from the Israeli government, in return
for preaching to the American people that God will bless us if
we support Israel and zap us if we do not. For instance, Jerry
Falwell was given a jet plane by the Israeli government. It almost
sounds like a conflict of interest, for preachers to accept payoffs
from a foreign government and then act as lobbyists on their behalf.
Although God did promise Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that He would
bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse him, it
has been pointed out that the original Hebrew words are singular,
not plural, indicating that God made this promise to one and only
one person, Abraham, not to a multitude of his descendants. If
we follow the literal principle of interpretation, then the promise
cannot be applied to any individuals or nations living today-it
was only to Abraham. If we choose to spiritualize it to apply
to all modern descendants of Abraham, then it would mean that
we must equally bless and support all Arab nations, including
the Palestinians, on the same basis that we support Israel, since
the Arabs are also children of Abraham. [The promise blessing
is Christ, not a literal nation, Gal. 3:16. Ed.]
The Attack on America is a wake-up call for us all, showing us
that our continuing support for the Israeli campaign of terrorism
and ethnic cleansing against Palestine is not a prerequisite for,
or guarantee of, our enjoyment of the divine blessing. There is
no Scriptural evidence that our political support for Israel is
part of God's agenda for the Church in this age.
We need to get back to the Word of God and the Great Commission.
As for the Christian Zionist "Armageddon Theologians,"
they will have to go back to the drawing board, and start rewriting
their now-obsolete prophecy novels. As we enter a new and dangerous
phase of the Zionist crusade for domination of the Middle East,
it appears that all of us have been "Left Behind" for
the festivities.
Mr. Williamson is a layman from Chicago who offers material to
the Examiner on a regular basis. He can be reached: Thomas Williamson,
3131 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608
By Dr. Peter Hammond (From the FRONTLINE
FELLOWSHIP NEWS LETTER)
It is no accident that the most vicious terrorism originates from
the least evangelised area of the world. The Muslim Middle East
represents the most complex political challenge and potentially
an enormous military threat to the free world. It is also the
greatest missionary challenge to the Christian Church.
Muslim states are the most severe persecutors of Christians.
And radical Muslim extremists are the most vicious terrorists,
hijackers, kidnappers, suicide bombers and assassins. The
failure of the Christian Church to fulfill the Great Commission
in the Middle East continues to have far-reaching and disastrous
consequences.
Islam is a challenge that we cannot ignore. Yet, very few Christians
understand Islam or know how to respond to it.
Terrorism's Missionary Vision
The primary suspect for the multiple, co-ordinated terrorist attacks
on the United States, Osama Bin Laden, aside from his extensive
business and terrorist connections, is also a major sponsor of
Islamic missionary activity. Bin Laden has been a financial contributor
to the Islamic Propagation Centre International, based in Durban,
South Africa. I have visited the IPCI on numerous occasions and
debated these Muslim extremists in the biggest Mosque in the Southern
Hemisphere. The IPCI credited Bin Laden with personally financing
the translation of the Qur'an into Zulu. He has been known to
make donations of up to $1,000,000 at a time to the IPCI.
Clearly Bin Laden is a radical Islamicist with a broad strategy
and a world vision. His hatred for America is apparently more
religiously motivated than political. Although many would see
America as a secular country with a large number of Christians,
to radical Islamicists like Bin Laden, America is the largest
and strongest Christian nation on earth and the primary supporter
of Christian missions worldwide. By striking at the financial
centre of America, one of his aims could have been to cause a
drop in support for Christian missions - even as he helps finance
a massive continent wide Islamic offensive to turn Africa into
a Muslim continent.
A Global Agenda
The multi-national Al-Qa'ida organisation set up by Bin Laden
during the time he was based in Sudan (1991-1996) seeks the "global
radicalization of existing Islamic groups and the creation of
radical Islamic groups where none existed. Al-Qa'ida supports
Muslim fighters in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Tajikistan,
Somalia, Yemen and now Kosovo. It also trains members of terrorist
organisations from ... Philippines, Algeria and Eritrea. Al-Qa'ida's
goal is to unite all Muslims and to establish a government which
follows the rule of the Caliphas
by force
to overthrow
nearly all Muslim governments, which are
corrupt, to drive
Western influence from those countries, and eventually to abolish
state boundaries." (Al-Qa'ida, FAS 17/9/01)
"Africa For Islam"
In October 1995 Muammar Gaddafi hosted a two-week conference in
Tripoli, which was attended by Muslim leaders from 80 countries.
At this Muslim Leaders Conference, strategies to transform Africa
into an Islamic continent were discussed.
Participants openly admitted that their goals were to make Arabic
the official language of the continent and Islam the official
religion. One South African member of Parliament, Farouk Cassim
declared: "It will probably be the biggest revolution to
sweep Africa." The head of the Islamic Propagation Centre
International (IPCI) at that time, Yousuf Deedat, announced afterwards
that South Africa was high on the agenda of the Islamic offensive:
"We are going to turn South Africa into a Muslim state. We
have the money to do it," he said (Sunday Times, 22/10/95).
At present, less than 2% of South Africans are Muslims. About
40% of the population of Africa are Muslims. 17 of the 55 countries
in Africa are officially Islamic states.
Understanding Jihad
What few Westerners understand is that Muslim leaders who call
for the overthrow of all governments and the establishment of
an Islamic superstate controlling all aspects of life, for every
person on earth, are not necessarily extremists on the fringe
of Islam. Jihad, the subjugation and forcible conversion of all
people to Islam and world domination are, in fact, central tenants
of Islam. Jihad is the sixth pillar of Islam.
Jihad was so important to Muhammad that he declared it to be the
second most important deed in Islam."Allah's apostle
was asked, 'What is the best deed?' He replied, 'To believe in
Allah and his apostle.' The questioner then asked, 'What is the
next (in goodness)?' He replied, 'To participate in Jihad (religious
fighting) in Allah's cause.' " - The Hadith, Al Bukhari,
Vol. 1 no 25.
Now, of course, most Muslims are neither terrorists nor terrorist
sympathisers. While many Muslims publicly rejoiced over the news
of the horrific terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C.,
most did not. We need to be careful not to blame all Muslims for
what certain individuals do in the name of Islam. Of course, those
peace-loving, law-abiding Muslims are not being consistent with
the Jihad teachings of the Qur'an. They are probably more influenced
by the Christian ideal of loving your neighbour than the Islamic
doctrine of Jihad.
Quranic Roots Of Jihad
In fact, Muslims are often allies of Christians in the campaigns
against gambling, pornography, homosexuality, abortion, evolutionism
and atheism. Muslims and Christians also agree that God is both
the Creator and the eternal Judge of the whole world and everyone
in it. However, it is important for us to recognise the Quranic
roots which are quoted by the Muslim terrorists to support their
atrocities. If this violent position does not represent Mainstream
Islam, Muslim leaders must clearly denounce the literal application
of these Jihad verses and declare apostate all Muslims who resort
to terrorism as murderers destined to an eternity in hell.
The Quran teaches that Muslims are superior to all others: "Ye
(Muslims) are the best of peoples evolved for mankind
"
Surah 3:110. Muslims are forbidden to befriend Jews or Christians.
"O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for
your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors
to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship)
is one of them
" Surah 5:54
Islam instructs its adherents to fight until all their opponents
submit. Christians and Jews may be spared if they pay "Jizya"
- a penalty tax - with willing submission. "Fight those who
believe not in God nor the last day
Nor acknowledge the
religion of truth, (even if they are) of the people of the Book,
until they pay Jizya (tribute taxes) with willing submission,
and feel themselves subdued." Surah 9:29
"Fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them and seize
them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait (ambush) for them in every
strategem (of war)." Surah 9:5 (also 2:193)
"Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight), smite
at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them,
bind a bond firmly (on them); thereafter (is the time for) either
generosity or ransom: until the war lays down its burdens, thus
(are ye commanded)". Surah 47:4
For those who resist Islam - execution or mutilation is decreed:
"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his
apostle, and strive with might and main for mischief through the
land is: execution or crucifixion, or the cutting off the hands
and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land
"
Surah 5:36
Now, all of these texts appear to be contradicted by Surah 2:256,
which states: "Let there be no compulsion in religion."
But there seems a clear break between the early Muhammad, and
the later Muhammad. The early Muhammad was married to only one
wife, Khadeja, courageously spoke out against idolatry and polytheism
in Mecca and encouraged friendship with the Christians. The later
Muhammad, after the death of his first wife and flight to Medina,
accumulated at least 14 more wives, including 9 year old Aisha,
started raiding caravans, massacred 600 Jews for failing to acknowledge
him as the prophet, and propagated the doctrine of Jihad. In a
sense, there are two Muhammad's and two Qurans. The early pre-Medina
Surahs demonstrate tolerance and respect for Christians, whereas
the later Surahs unleashed Jihad.
The Benefits Of Jihad
In the Mishkat the rewards for participation in Jihad are spelled
out: "the Messenger of Allah said: To, whichever village
you go
its one fifth is for Allah and his Messenger and
the remainder is for you." (Mishkat II, page 412).
"
the soldiers of Islam fought tooth and nail. They
would get Paradise in case of death in a holy war, and booties
in case of conquest, Jihad is therefore the best source of all
acquisitions." (Mishkat II, page 440).
"Jihad is one of the chief meritorious acts in the eye of
Islam and it is the best source of earnings."(Mishkat II,
page 340).
"This is the best method of earning both spiritual and temporal.
If victory is won, there is enormous booty and conquest of a country,
which cannot be equalled to any other source of earning. If there
is defeat or death, there is everlasting Paradise and a great
spiritual benefit. This sort of Jihad is conditional upon pure
motive, i.e. for establishing the kingdom of Allah on earth."
(Mishkat II, page 253).
In the Hadith, Muhammad is quoted as decreeing that Muslims may
not be punished for killing a non-Muslim: "No Muslims
should be killed for killing a kafir (infidel)."
(vol. 9:50)
Those who die in holy war are guaranteed to go to Heaven. "The
person who participates in Jihad (Holy battles) in Allah's cause
and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and his
apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward or
booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (if he
is killed)." (vol. 1:35)
Many assume that the concept of Jihad, or holy war, is an aberration
not truly representative of Islam. Some leaders have stated that
"Islam teaches a God of love just like Christianity and Judaism"
and "no religion condones violence or terrorism." Unfortunately
that is not true. Islam is no ordinary religion.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end
it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
Sharia And The House Of War
Islam divides the world into two sectors: Dar-al-Islam (the House
of Islam) and Dar-al-Harb (The House ofWar). The only countries
considered to be at peace are those where Islamic law (the Sharia)
is enforced. All other countries, as part of Dar-al-Harb, are
considered legitimate targets.
It is significant that the calendar of Islam does not begin with
the birth of Muhammad, nor the onset of his "revelations",
nor the assembling of the first Muslim community, nor the flight
of Muslim refugees to Abyssinia. The 12 years of persecution in
Mecca were not considered the start of their new religion. The
Muslim calendar only begins when Islam became a political state,
under Sharia Law, in Medina.
Islam in Arabic means submission, surrender or subjugation. A
Muslim is one who submits. The Arabic word for peace is Salam.
Islam is the active form of Salam. Muslims see themselves as a
"peace-making force" using argument, intrigue, commerce,
threats, terrorism, warfare and every other means possible to
secure Islam as the only religion worldwide.
"And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression,
and there prevails justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere."
Surah 8:39
In the light of these teachings, it should be no surprise to learn
that since 1948, the 21 Arab countries have suffered 30 wars,
63 successful revolutions, at least 75 unsuccessful revolutions,
and 36 heads of state were murdered. In the Arab world, revolutions
and assassinations have been the most prevalent means of political
expression and attaining power. One out of every three barrels
of oil sold by the Mideast has gone to pay for weapons. (Muslim
Misery in the Middle East, www.frontline.org.za).
The Many Faces Of Jihad
It may be hard for Christians to understand the concept of such
a militant religion, but the primary aim of Islam is not spiritual
but political. (One exception to this would be the Sufi's - mystical
Muslims who re-interpret these Jihad passages to apply to a spiritual
fight against sin). The ultimate purpose of Islam is the establishment
by force of a worldwide Islamic state where Sharia law is enforced
on all. To achieve this is the goal of Jihad. Islamic scholars
identify a multitude of forms that Jihad can take:
There is the Jihad of Words, using oratory, in
a war of nerves, to inspire their own side, and to undermine the
morale of the enemy; the Jihad of Deception to
confuse the enemy; the Jihad of the Sword to
kill the enemy, loot his possessions and take hostages for ransom;
the Jihad of Taxation on non-Muslims and Financial
Reward to provide incentives for converts to Islam; the
Jihad of Slavery as a weapon to subjugate non-Muslims
and as an economic incentive for the mujahadeens (or holy warriors);
the Jihad of Sharia Lawwhich degrades non-Muslims
to a lower status, denied equal access to the law because their
testimony is not valid against a Muslim; the Jihad of
Polygamy which is designed to give Muslims a disproportionate
numerical advantage through having up to 4 wives at a time; and
the Jihad of the Spirits. (For more information
see Jihad - Islamic Holy War on FF' website:www.frontline.org.za.)
Jihad And "The Crusades"
Inevitably when one deals with the contemporary problem of Islamic
Jihad, someone will bring up the historical issue of the Christian
Crusades. Of course, the word crusade does not appear in the Bible
nor is it commanded in Scripture. However, Jihad is both commanded
in the Quran and practised by numerous Muslim groups and governments
today.
To put the Crusades in their proper context, one needs to study
the rapid expansion of Islam, by the sword, across North Africa,
into Spain, throughout Asia Minor and into the Balkans. The Islamic
Jihad of the seventh to the tenth centuries wiped out more than
half of the church worldwide. Prior to this, Christianity was
the predominant religion of North Africa and the Middle East.
The Crusades of the Middle Ages were a reaction to the Islamic
invasion of the Holy Lands (those places where our Lord was born,
lived and ministered, was crucified and raised from the dead)
and centuries of Islamic Jihad. The Saracens (as the Muslim invaders
were called) had desecrated Christian places of worship and were
severely persecuting Christians. Pilgrims were being prevented
from visiting those sites sacred to their faith.
To this day many Muslims continue their "holy war" against
Christians - for example in Sudan. Millions of Christians have
been slaughtered through the centuries by Islamic militants -
such as the over 1 500 000 Armenians murdered in Turkey in 1915.
Jihad And Colonialism
Others have sought to justify the Islamic practise of Jihad because
they were "victims of colonialism"! This is quite a
bizarre argument because the Muslim Arabs have been, perhaps,
the most pervasive colonialists in history. Within the first century
after Muhammad's death, the tribes of Arabia under the Caliphas
had conquered Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain,
Portugal, Persia, parts of Byzantia and even parts of France.
The Muslim conquerors then enforced Arabic as the official medium
of communication throughout North Africa and the Middle East.
Only Turkey and Persia resisted this policy of Arabisation with
any success. Over 3200 churches were destroyed or converted into
mosques during the first century of Islamic Jihad alone. The Muslim
argument that Jihad was only waged in self-defense is therefore
unconvincing. What were Arabians defending in Spain?
The Christian Blacks in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains
describe their conflict as a war of de-colonialisation from the
Arab North.
Jihad And Slavery
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century the practice
of slavery declined throughout Europe. But the spread of Islam
in the 7th century led to a great revival of the institution of
slavery, especially in Africa. Great merchant camel caravans travelled
beyond the Sahara to the vast Savannah, which the Arabs called
the Sudan (or "the land of the Black People"). These
caravans brought back long lines of Black slaves for the Arab
households and palaces on the Mediterranean. Male household servants
were routinely castrated. Most babies born to Black slaves in
the harems were drowned or killed at birth - to maintain Arab
numerical superiority. One Arab writer in the 9th century, justified
this flourishing trade: "the kings of the Blacks sell their
own people without justification or in consequence of war."
(History of Slavery, Susanne Everett, 1996).
The horrors of the Islamic slave trade were well documented by
explorers like David Livingstone, Samuel Baker, and the British
Anti-Slavery Commissioner in East Africa, Sir John Kirk. These
men set thousands of slaves free. The Arab slave market in Zanzibar
sold an average of 200 to 300 slaves every day, even as late as
the 1870's. At one time, seven out of every eight Black people
in Sudan were slaves.
The British Governor, General Charles Gordon, crushed the slave
trade in Sudan, losing his life and being beheaded in the process.
In recent years slavery has resurfaced in Sudan under the National
Islamic Front government.
"Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence
are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to
shed innocent blood
ruin and destruction mark their ways."
Isaiah 59: 6 -7
The Sudan Connection
After the bombing attacks on the United States Embassies in Nairobi
and Dar-es-Salaam on 7 August 1998 (which left over 260 dead and
5000 injured) the US bombed targets in Sudan and Afghanistan,
claiming that those governments supported Bin Laden's terrorist
network. The US State Department's April 2001"Overview of
State-sponsored Terrorism" report states that "Sudan
continued to be used as a safe haven by members of various groups,
including associates of Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qa'ida organisation,
Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the Palestine Islamic Jihad and
Hamas."
"It was in Sudan that Bin Laden built the framework for his
Al-Qa'ida terrorist group, which has branches around the world
and thousands of young warriors willing to die in their Jihad
against the United States and its allies. The Sudanese regime
really gave birth to Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist." (National
Post, Canada, 14/9/01).
"Most drinks contain gum arabic
Much of it is produced
in Sudan by the Gum Arabic Company, in which Bin Laden
has owned a large slice
he has already earned tens of millions
of pounds from the soft-drinks industry - providing years of finance
for his Islamic terrorists. 'It is possible that every time someone
buys an American soft drink, they are helping to fill Osama Bin
Laden's coffers
' " (The Sunday Telegraph, London,
16/4/01).
Despite being forced by American pressure in 1996 to move his
main base of operations from Sudan (whose government remains sympathetic
to him) to Afghanistan, "Bin Laden continues to control millions
of dollars in businesses in Sudan. This includes construction
companies, farming, banking and oil exploitation. Analysts say
that he helped finance the oil pipeline from Khartoum
"
(National Post, Canada, 14/9/01).
The terrorist inclinations of the National Islamic Front government
of Sudan, which hosted Bin Laden, is attested to by the savage
way in which they continue to wage war against the Christian Blacks
of Southern Sudan. "In addition to the air attacks
male villagers were killed in mass executions; women and children
were nailed to trees with iron spikes
soldiers slit the
throats of children and killed male prisoners who had been interrogated
by hammering nails into their foreheads. In Panyejie, last July,
people had been crushed by tanks and strafed by helicopter gunships."
("Sudan - The Human Price of Oil" by Amnesty International,
May 2000).
Governments That Support Terrorism
If the US government is really serious about targeting not only
the terrorists that struck New York and Washington D.C., but all
those who sponsor and support terrorism, then that would have
to include the National Islamic Front government of Sudan. And
as Freedom Quest pointed out: Talisman Energy, China National
Petroleum Corp., Petronas of Malaysia, Lundin Oil of Sweden and
OMV of Austria, by investing in Sudan are not only fueling the
Jihad against the Christian Black South, but they are "partners
with a regime that supports world terrorism." (Sudaninfo,
17/9/01)
Many of the governments which rushed to condemn the terrorist
attacks on the US were being less than consistent. Many of those
leaders condemning the "barbaric", "insane",
"slaughter of innocent civilians" themselves came to
power through terrorist bomb blasts, and random acts of violence
against civilians. Fidel Castro, for example, not only came to
power through terrorism - but he stays in power by state terrorism.
Castro has had 17 000 Cubans executed and 100 000 imprisoned -
for political reasons alone. Not surprisingly, over 2 million
Cubans have fled from his "workers paradise." (The Black
Book of Communism, 1999)
One politician, who at least was honest, was the African National
Congress (ANC) Premier of the Eastern Cape. Makhenkesi Stofile
questioned the term "terrorist" to describe the hijackers
and suicide bombers. Stofile referred to them as "guerillas"
saying: "Even us (ANC members) when we fought in the struggle,
we were called terrorists." Stofile said that he was not
personally shocked by the attacks. The ANC officially distanced
themselves from the Premier's views (Business Day, 14/9/01).
This brings up an important point. Many of the governments with
which the US maintains friendly relations not only came to power
through terrorism, but maintain close relations with terrorist
regimes hostile to the United States. The ANC government of South
Africa has close ties with Fidel Castro (Cuba), Muammar Gaddafi
(Libya), Yassar Arafat (Palestine) and General Al Bashir (Sudan).
All of these men have been welcomed and hosted as state guests
of honour in South Africa.
If the US President seriously wants to deal with all the sponsors
of terrorism, he would also have to look at the United Nations
(UN), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the US State Department.
It is a fact of history that, despite the US Department of Defense
listing the African National Congress (ANC) as a terrorist organisation,
even as late as 1988, the US State Department worked hard to bring
the ANC to power in South Africa. And the UN and World Council
of Churches provided funds to support Marxist terrorist groups
in Southern Africa.
ZANU, ZAPU, Frelimo, SWAPO, ANC and PAC were all beneficiaries
of US taxpayer funds, entrusted to the UN; and a portion of US
church-goers' offerings went to the National Council of Churches.
And then on to the WCC who in turn gave to Marxist terrorists,
who murdered missionaries, burned down churches, shot down civilian
airliners, placed car bombs in public streets, land mines on farm
roads and burned hundreds of people alive in the streets.
The state-sponsored terrorism of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe
is, in large measure, the fruit of UN, WCC and US State Department
policies in the 1970's. However, having succeeded in forcing Mugabe
and his terrorist ZANU upon the people of Rhodesia in 1980, the
UN, WCC and US State Department have seemed loathe to acknowledge
the disaster they helped set in motion. Now, 21 years later, Mugabe
continues to incite his followers with vicious racist tirades
against all Whites and Jews, and to steal and loot farms and businesses,
terrorise Supreme Court justices, bomb opposition newspaper offices,
imprison critics and murder farmers and opposition members. (Cry
Zimbabwe, Peter Stiff, 2000)
Jihad Against Christians
Fresh violence erupted in Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria,
on 11 September, as Muslim youths came onto the streets of Jos,
shouting "Allah Akbar" and celebrating the news of the
successful terror attacks against America. Soon, hundreds were
dead in vicious street fighting between the Muslims and Christians.
Many hundreds of churches have been destroyed and thousands of
Christians killed by Muslim militants in Northern Nigeria. (The
Citizen, 13/9/01)
In the Philippines and Indonesia, Christians continue to be beheaded
and churches destroyed by Muslim terrorists. In Sudan, churches,
hospitals, schools and mission stations have been subjected to
repeated aerial bombardments by the National Islamic Front government
of Sudan.
A Christian Response
So what should be our response to the recent terror attacks and
the ongoing Jihad against so many Christians worldwide?
Firstly, we need to recognise that this terrorism and anti-Christian
persecution is originating from the least evangelised area of
the world - the Middle East. The birthplace of the Church is now
the most needy mission field on earth. If we truly want
to uproot the support bases of such terrorism and implode the
regimes that persecute Christians, we need to get really serious
about the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18
- 20).
This will mean recognising that we are already in a spiritual
world war. And the only reason why the devil is so often
winning is because the Church is so seldom fighting!
We must not just retreat into our barracks to sing our battle
songs - we must attack strongholds. We must not only talk about
our spiritual weapons - we must use them. We must not only praise
our Commanding Officer - we must obey Him. And the best form of
defence is attack.
Now civil government has a ministry of justice. Under God they
have a Biblical duty to protect their citizens, by bearing "the
sword" and being "an agent of wrath to bring punishment
on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4) That is their job.
Our duty in the Christian Church is to be a ministry of grace.
We are to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark
11:17); preaching "repentance and forgiveness of sins
to all nations" (Luke 24:47); making disciples of all nations
and teaching obedience to all things that the Lord has commanded.
(Matthew 28: 19-20).
We have a unique opportunity at this time of crisis to effectively
proclaim the Gospel of Christ to Muslims all over the world. Instead
of reacting with anger or malice, let us seek God's grace to reach
out to our Muslim neighbours in Christian love. This is the time
when we can openly and politely discuss the differences between
the Gospel and example of Christ and the teachings and actions
of Muhammad. We can share our personal testimony and challenge
Muslims to consider the claims of Christ. We can obtain and give
Christian literature or Bibles to Muslims in our neighbourhood
and we should invest in Christian radio programmes specifically
designed to reach Muslims. Then we should wholeheartedly support
missionary work in Muslim countries.
If Bin Laden can invest in translating the Quran into African
languages and finance massive print runs of Islamic literature
- then how much more should we as Christians invest in Bible translations
and Christian literature!
By God's grace, Frontline Fellowship has already distributed over
200 000 Bibles and Christian books (much in Arabic) throughout
Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. We must do much more in
future.
You must also receive more specialised training in evangelism
and particularly Muslim Evangelism. Frontline Fellowship has designed
a Muslim Evangelism Workshop - with manual and
audiotapes to help you be more effective in reaching Muslims for
Christ. We also recommend Evangelism Explosion and SIM's Life
Challenge training programmes.
"The desert tribes will bow down to Him and His enemies
will lick the dust ... all kings will bow down to Him and all
nations will serve Him." Psalm 72: 9-11
In addition, we must rediscover the imprecatory Psalms, the prayers
for justice in the Bible. Many of the Psalms deal with the grief
and trauma caused by treachery and violence. They channel our
anguish and frustration in a positive way by appealing to God
in prayer. Seeking justice from God is not only constructive and
therapeutic, but of immense spiritual power. (See: War Psalms
of the Prince of Peace by James Adams or Praying for Justice from
FF).
"God will crush the heads of His enemies ... of those
who go on in their sins." Psalm 68:21
Since the terror attacks, my family and our staff have been praying
through the Psalms at meal times. The Psalms are the prayer book
of the Bible - I recommend that you pray through at least one
Psalm each day. Make the Psalms the daily prayer of your heart.
It will revive your prayer life.
Terrorist attacks like those on 11 September 2001 should remind
us that even the best security systems fail to prevent such disasters.
We need to rediscover God as our ultimate protection. The United
States, in particular, should recognise its need for supernatural
aid in defending its people and defeating terrorism. The elected
representatives should incorporate respect and obedience to Almighty
God into the constitution and public policy of the nation.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Psalm 33:12
A good place to begin would be to gather everyone for reading
a chapter of Proverbs and praying a Psalm each day (either at
the beginning of the day or at lunch time)in schools, army bases,
businesses and government departments.
Preparing For Eternity
We do not know when, or under what circumstances, our lives will
come to an end. We do, however, know that when we die we will
stand before Almighty God - our Creator and Eternal Judge - and
we will have to give an account of our lives to Him. If you had
died in those terror attacks of 11 September - where would you
be now? And what would you be regretting?
"... it is appointed for men to die once, but after
this the Judgement ." Hebrews 9: 27
We need to work out our priorities in the light of eternity. We
need to invest our time, talents and treasure into those things
which are going to last for eternity: the people of God, the Word
of God and the Kingdom of God. These are what are ultimately important.
You must be ready at all times for that which may happen at any
time. Are you ready?
Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ
will last.
Dr. Peter Hammond, FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS, PO BOX 74, NEWLANDS
7725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA TEL: (021) 689 4480 Check their web
site for more information on the Muslim war against Christians
in the Sudan, http://www.frontline.org.za
CAL THOMAS
One sees many white, Anglo-Saxon, mostly Protestant members of
Congress and others on television today vouching for the "peaceful"
nature and intent of Islam. Oprah Winfrey has done a show on "modern
Muslim women," none of whom would be allowed to dress in
contemporary clothing, be educated, or appear on TV if they lived
in radical Muslim states.
I ask the Rt. Rev. Bullen Dolli, an Episcopal bishop in Sudan,
what he believes about the nature and intent of contemporary Islam.
"It is a militant religion," he explains. Bishop Dolli
was in Washington last week at the invitation of the Institute
on Religion and Democracy. He attempted to warn Congress and anyone
else who would listen of the dangers to his country and the United
States posed by Islam, especially in its militant form.
In Sudan, says Bishop Dolli, the coercive instruments of the state
use brutal force to ensure that no other religion but Islam is
practiced. The congregation of All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum,
a peaceful assembly of Christians, was recently disbanded and
many members were arrested and either imprisoned or punished by
caning.
Bishop Dolli says former Sudanese President Sadiq el-Mahdi has
prophesied that by 2010, the world will be dominated by Islam.
In Sudan, says Bishop Dolli, many Christian church buildings have
been either bulldozed or bombed from the air. Non-Muslims suffer
persecution in employment, and all women are forced to wear the
black chador and veil. The government army has been renamed Jundy
Allah (the Army of Allah) and they fight jihad (holy war) against
those in southern Sudan and non-militant Muslims.
Slavery continues to be practiced by the murahaleen, members of
government-backed militias who regularly conduct raids against
Christians in southern Sudan. The murahaleen have killed thousands,
enslaved children and young women, stolen cattle, plundered and
burned food stores and crops and are reported by various human
rights organizations to have raped both men and women.
Over 2 million Sudanese civilians are estimated to have died since
1983 as a result of the continuing warfare, according to the IRD.
Many millions more have been forced to flee their homes. Bishop
Dolli says radical Islam's goal is to dominate the entire African
continent with its militant, oppressive, dangerous and increasingly
popular brand of religion. So-called "Islamic moderates,"
in the bishop's view, are among the first targeted for extermination
by the extremists, even before they go after Jews and Christians.
If Sudan is too far away to worry about, is Potomac, Md. close
enough? The Washington Post's Marc Fisher recently visited a Muslim
school in that D.C. suburb. What he found ought to send chills
up every American spine. An eighth-grader told Fisher: "If
I had to choose sides, I'd stay with being Muslim. Being an American
means nothing to me. I'm not even proud of telling my cousins
in Pakistan that I'm American."
The school principal said: "Allegiance to national authority
is one thing, but the one who gives us life is more entitled to
that authority. This is the story of religion through all time.
When national laws and values go counter to what the Creator believes,
we are 100 percent against it."
When Christians, Jews and those of most other faiths disagree
with the American government, they have worked within the system
to change it, or in extreme cases (as with Martin Luther King
Jr.) have been willing to suffer government's punishment for violating
our laws for a nobler purpose. It is different with militant Islam,
which seeks to dominate the nation in which it grows and, when
in control, diminishes the rights of all who disagree.
Don't think so? Is there a country controlled by Islamic militants
that guarantees equal rights for all? Why are we allowing Muslim
schools in this country to promote ideas that are seditious? Bishop
Dolli knows better. Why don't the rest of us, especially after
Sept. 11?
Write Thomas c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611, or visit his Web site www.calthomas.com
© 2001, Tribune Media Services. Use by permission. (Indianapolis
Star, October 25, 2001)
Associated Press
September 11, 2001
Despite the recent discovery of West Nile virus in Indiana and Illinois, state health officials are downplaying the likelihood of any widespread outbreak of the disease.
Indiana State Department of Health officials confirmed a few weeks ago that a dead crow in southeastern Marion County had tested positive for the disease, the first reported case in Indiana. Last week, Illinois officials confirmed that two dead crows carried the virus.
So far, however, the virus has not spread to people in either state.
The discovery of the virus in Indiana actually came as little surprise, said Robert Teclaw, director of the state's Epidemiology Resource Center, a division of the Department of Health.
"We knew it was going to come either this year or next because every state touching Indiana has had West Nile activity," Teclaw said. "It was just a matter of time."
This year, infected birds have been found in nine other states, including Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky.
The virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird, killed seven people in and around New York City last summer. It has claimed one life so far this year in Georgia.
Fewer than 1 percent of the people bitten by an infected mosquito will become seriously ill, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the virus can prove fatal, especially to the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Teclaw said health officials believe it's likely the disease will turn up in other parts of the state.
"We expect that the virus would have come through multiple routes, primarily by migratory birds," he said. "There's no reason to think that any part of the state couldn't be infected."
Officials have been testing birds all summer. In the northernmost counties, the samples are being taken weekly because of the greater likelihood for the disease.
Indianapolis Star, September 11, 2001
I was listening to the radio this morning and what I heard
really laid heavily on my heat. The radio show host and his guest
were talking about what medical teams are trained to do when disaster
strikes. The procedure is called "triage," which means
a separation of the living from the dead or dying. The guest on
the show made it clear that whenever multiple casualties occur
the medic is trained to 1.) Determine if the person is alive or
dead; 2.) If alive they attempt to establish an airway; 3.) If
no airway can be established and if the person is dying or dead
they black tag them and move on. The medic has to use his time
wisely and efficiently; otherwise lives may be lost. This routine
is a grim reminder of the times we live in.
I will come to the point. After the September 11'h tragedy we
may very well see biological or chemical warfare used against
us. Even before the threat of biological warfare became a reality
I was convinced that every man, woman, and child on the planet
should be taking this product just for health's sake. Now that
civilization is threatened by deceived criminal's who do not value
human life, I am triply convinced of it. Well, what can we do
to protect ourselves?
We have a shield available to us. Hyperimmune egg is proven to
help the human immune _
system. Over 100 patents and its inclusion in the 22nd edition
of the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) validate its efficacy.
In my mind it stands to reason that we must supply the immune
system with tools that are proven to work if we are to be wise.
Hyperimmune egg is at the top of the list of those tools. My "guts"
tape that I sent you when you first came into the business explained
the reasons behind that statement. My friendly advice is to never
stop taking Hyperimmune egg. The risks are too high to do otherwise.
No other product on the face of the planet supplies the unique
protection and firepower of Biochoice.
Here is the question to ask yourself. Should you continue to expose
your immune system and the immune system of your loved ones to
the present danger that is upon us by not taking Biochoice? It
matters not that you aren't working the business-that isn't as
important as protecting yourself and your loved ones from harm.
So I place myself in the role of the medic. I am checking your
airway and your pulse. I am looking for signs of life. If you
are dead to Legacy and aren't concerned about the risk to your
health and the health of your loved ones by not taking these products,
then these remarks won't matter to you. You will be black tagged
and I will move on. But if there is a glimmer of life in your
being, there just may be hope for resuscitation. Furthermore,
if you have any interest, I invite you to listen to Rick Hagar's
4-minute call at 512-404-2372. Rick masterfully exposes people
to the opportunity and provides a non-confrontive way to identify
the people who are looking for a business to get into. With all
the recent lay offs there are a lot of folks out there who are
desperate and looking for something to do. Rick's call just may
be the very toot you need to share hope and health with others.
Concerned or I wouldn't have written, David A Darbro, M.D. 8202
Clearvista Pkwy, 7-A. Indianapolis Indiana 46256 (317.913.3000)
More information about Immune 26? http:/www.legacyusa.com/needco/
We have been honored to have a young lady from Brazil living
with us since Bettie and I have been married. She returns to Brazil
December 11th. She is extremely outgoing, talks two
miles a minute, and was living with Bettie when we were married.
Bettie was raised on the mission field, the oldest of 6 children
of a Presbyterian missionary. One of her sisters married a Brazilian
man, and they still live there. Her sister's family have some
very good friends who wanted to send their daughter to the US
to be immersed in English. Fay had studied English for six years
in school, but she needed to know how English worked, so here
she is.
Since Jeff's death, Bettie had been taking in young ladies,
teen age, for training in the Christian faith. So when Fay's parents
let their desire be known that they wanted to send their daughter
to the US, Bettie's sister suggested they send her to Bettie.
She came in February 2001. She certainly keeps our household alive,
and we will miss her greatly when she goes home.
I asked her to do an article for the Examiner, so our compromise
was a "question and answer" type of an article. She
turned 17 April 29, the day Bettie and I were married. Christina
turned 16 April 20.
TBE: Tell us a little about yourself. Are you a Christian?
Now I can certainly say that I am a Christian! I grew up in a
Christian family where my parents were always an example to me
of Godliness , faithfulness and obedience! Even though I grew
up seeing all of this, I didn't live as I should! I was always
at church, participating in every single thing , and even calling
myself a "Christian"; but unfortunately, I wasn't living
in righteousness! But God, with His infinite grace, mercy and
sovereignty, brought me to Him in a way that I just can't go back!!!
TBE: What kind of work does your dad do?
My dad is a lawyer. He's actually works with health insurance,
and at the same time he's the lawyer for one of the hospitals
in my city. He worked for years selling cars and motorcycles ,
and that's definitely something that he loves!!!
TBE: How would you compare the US with Brazil? Could you give
us an insight into the differences in the cultures of the two
countries? Of what religion is Brazil?
US and Brazil are two very different countries! Brazil is a third
world nation. This fact makes things harder! For example, you
can't get a job if you are not graduated from high school, and
even if you do get a job, the average salary is monthly and very
low. Just to give you an idea, our money, which is called "real",
is one third the value of one US dollar. One of the most notable
differences that I see between the two countries is the poverty.
In Brazil, unfortunately, you can see very clearly the poverty
on the streets. The teenagers here in the US, also have more liberties
than the teenagers in Brazil. Brazilian teens can't get their
driver's license until they are 18 years old. American teens can
get their license at 16, which gives them freedom. They can get
jobs at 16 without graduating from high school. then they can
get out of their homes to live by themselves very early. Another
thing that is very different is the way people relate to each
other. Brazilians are a very warm people. They are always hugging
and kissing each other. They will see you for the first time and
talk to you as if you were friends for a long time. Brazil is
also a Catholic country. You can see Catholic churches all around,
with many statues of Mary and saints all around. This is something
that I haven't seen here.
[No doubt the poverty is a result of the pagan (Catholic) control
of the country, where the US had Christian control in its early
years. We have about reached the end of that Christian work ethic
and prosperity. As Biblical Christianity wains, good, heavy industry
jobs are being shipped out of the country (NAFTA, among other
things) at an alarming rate. One of our men used to work at Caterpillar
in Lafayette. He is a highly skilled and paid mechanist, but unable
to put up with Cat's new policies, he quit. The new men being
hired, even as machinists, had to have a college degree - they
started at a much lower pay rate, with no hope of ever obtaining
the pay scale of the older machinists. We do not see the true
face of these pagan religions in America, e.g., the Roman religion,
Islam, &c., no doubt because of the Christian influence upon
those religions. Go to countries dominated by paganism. Ed.]
TBE: You went to Atlanta to visit some family friends from Brazil,
going to school with the kids for a week. How would you compare
the American education with what you have had in Brazil?
I can definitely say that the American education is very different
from the Brazilian! When I went to school with my friend in Georgia,(
she is in the eleventh grade), I was surprised to notice that
they were studying things that I studied years ago, and I was
more surprised to hear her English teacher saying that my friend
got the best grade in the class! (And English is her second language!).
From what I've been through and what I know, people in Brazil
really have to study to get what they want. When you finish High
school over there, you can't go straight to college. You're supposed
to take a really hard test called, "vestibular", which
is also a very specific test. For example, if you want to be a
doctor, you are going to take a test for medicine, and usually
there are more than at least 60 people fighting for the same place
and course that you want! Some people spend years trying to pass
the "vestibular". Unfortunately this method is not always
fair. The only options that we have are either study a lot to
pass this test and go to public universities, which are the best
ones, or study a little bit less and pass for a private one. (
But then you'll pay at least R1.500 per month). It's a really
hard system. We can't just stop school and get a job at Mc Donald's
and make a "good money". In Brazil, things are very
tight; people are really looking for jobs, and when you don't
have a diploma , your chances are worse. Just to give you an idea:
my mom works for a fertilizer company in the sales department.
She also helps interview the people that want to work there at
the company. She was telling me that if you want to clean (janitorial
work), you are supposed to be, at least, graduated from high school.
TBE: Why did you come to America?
I always wanted to go to another country, to learn another language
and culture. When I let this "dream" be known to my
mom and dad, the whole family started to pray for it. The first
step was to look for some exchange programs. We filled out all
kinds of papers that these programs required. I even went to a
camp, that served as a "selection" process among the
people who wanted to participate in the program. But I didn't
know that while I was working and looking every where to find
something, God was very, very, very much ahead of me. One day
after the youth meeting, I was sharing with one of the youth leaders
about all of this, and he told me his wife had a sister that lived
in America ,who had been a widow for 4 years. During this time,
she had been taking some young girls to live with her to study.
After that I was just amazed to see how God worked in this "dream"
of mine. My life in America has been an adventure ever since!
The "widow" lady (my mamma Bettie), got married when
I was here, then my life turned upside down. I moved from Virginia
to Indiana, and instead of having just an "American mama",
I ended up having a whole family, including "papa Need",
as all of you know already. God has blessing me tremendously with
this family, and I'm still overwhelmed with the things He has
done.
TBE: Tell us a little of your experience here in the States:
Besides the whole "moving"stuff, I'm also having the
opportunity to work here. Living in a small town made things easier
for this to happen. There's just one restaurant in town, and they
needed somebody to bus tables and help out. The sign, (Help wanted),
was there for quite sometime when Bettie and I went over there
to ask if I could get the job. So, I suppose I was their last
option. But anyway, I guess they got used to the "Brazilian
girl", 'cause I've been there for more than 4 months now,
and I love working there. It's a lot of fun!
TBE: I understand you made a very good grade on your TOEFL (English
proficiency) test, 230 out of 300. What do you hope to do with
your English?
Yesssssssssss!!! I was very excited to get the results. One of
my goals here in America was to immerse myself in English, and
to take this English test that I was studying for quite some time.
English in Brazil, is basically our second language and is required
for a lot of things, and one of them is to take the "vestibular".
I'm a really "dreaming" person, ( I guess I got this
from my dad!), and this experience made me more mature and grown
up (I guess!!!) I would like to do international relations, use
my English and hopefully learn some other language. At the same
time, I would love to have an English school just for kids. It'll
be very nice, because I would put together two things that I love,
children, and English. I could also use my English to translate
for foreign people who go to my country, and maybe work in a travel
agency. There are so many things that I would love to do, I cannot
even say it all. But when I stop thinking of all these things,
and even when I am thinking, I feel a great peace, because I don't
have to worry about making all these decisions on my own. The
only thing that is my priority is God, and he's in control of
everything, my life, my dreams, my future... So I just put everything
in his hands, and I pray that He'll do His will in my life!
TBE: Tell us a little about what you have observed concerning
"family ties," or closeness of families in the US and
Brazil.
One of the things that I noticed and that I mentioned before is
the early independence that is given to American teenagers. The
system that permits 16 year olds to get a driver's license and
a job without even graduating from high school encourages an early
independence from their parents. The Brazilian teenagers are forced
to remain at home longer, even if they want to get out. This fact
gives greater opportunities for families to stay together.
Some time ago on a tape, I head R.J. Rushdoony refer to the
fall of Rome as recorded in The Governance of God, by Salvian,
the Presbyter. (Salvian, of Marseilles, ca. 400-ca. 480. He lived
close to 100 years, "Introduction." ) He was probably
a Roman Catholic priest who witnessed the fall of Rome. Unable
to find this in used book stores, I did obtain a copy through
interlibrary loan. My particular volume came from the University
of Notre Dame Library. It is v. 3 of "Fathers of the church,"
meaning the Roman Church. (The Writings of Salvin, the Presbyter
[The Governance of God] Translated by Jeremiah F. O'Sullivan,
Ph.D. New York, CIMA Publishing Co., Inc. © 1947. Fathers
of the Church, III.68.)
Though a priest in the Church of Rome, his definition of salvation
is better than many pastors today:
And therefore the Apostle, to indicate somewhat the immensity of the divine mercy, said: [38] 'and why did Christ, when as yet we were ungodly, according to the time, die for the ungodly? For scarce for a just man will one die.' In this one sentence he showed us, indeed, the love of God. For, if scarcely anyone takes on himself to die for the sake of the greatest justice, by His death for bur wickedness Christ proved His greatness. Why the Lord did this is taught in the following: [39] 'but God commends His charity towards us, because when as yet we were sinners, Christ died for us. Much more therefore, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.' By this very fact He commends His love to us because He died for the wicked. A benefit is of greater value when given to the unworthy. Therefore, He says, 'God commends His charity towards us.'
How does He commend it? He gave it to those who did not merit it. If He had given it to holy and well-deserving men, He would not seem to have given what was not due them, but to have returned what He owed them...
38 Rom. 5.6. 39 Rom. 5.8-9. (P. 108.)
He blames the fall of Rome on the Christians (defined as those who profess faith in Christ; remember, this is AD 450) enslaved by sin.
Salvian's thesis on the cause of Rome's downfall goes much further than St. Augustine's. The latter is sympathetic to Rome in its hour of misery and reminds the city of its eternity. Salvian has an underlying antagonism to the Roman Empire. Its past glories belong to the past. It was rewarded with world power for its virtues, but, now that it has become corrupt, its power is passing into the hands of the barbarians who are being rewarded for their virtues. He intimates very clearly that the future belongs, not to Rome, but to the barbarian tribes, because they are chaste. They have become the salvation of the Roman Emoire because of their strict morality. Salvian looks to the future and realizes that the destiny of Europe belongs to the Teutonic tribes. (Footnote 45, p 14)
Salvian spoke as though he were living today, speaking against the prevailing evils that we have all been caught up in. His words should speak to every Christian's heart.
Salvian's style is rhetorical and repetitious. The fact that he taught rhetoric may partly account for this. Apparently, he wrote in the manner in which he preached, and, in all probability, his extant writings, at least in substance, originated as sermons. It is quite evident that Salvian wrote with an eye to his audience. He wrote about his own times and, like every commentator on things contemporary, he assumed his audience was informed as to his subjects. His treatise The Governance of Cod might well be entitled A Report on the State of the Nation. The state of the nation, according to Salvian's observations and appraisal, was bad because of the sins of men. Consequently, the calamities which had befallen and were falling on the Roman Empire were God's punishment on man, who was not about to go to perdition, but who had already arrived there. He argued that the ruin of his time was the result of sin and greed.
Salvian wrote his famous and oft-quoted treatise in the ten years [16] prior to 450, when the political and social disintegration of the Empire had reached its nadir. The Emperor was no longer the First Magistrate of Rome, but an Eastern despot. His prowess no longer consisted in leading his armies, but in playing palace politics in Milan or Ravenna, cities chosen less for their tactical military importance than as gateways to escape the ever threatening hordes of barbarians. Within the imperial circle, intrigue and espionage consumed a large portion of the energies of the occupants. Stilicho, of German descent, saved the Empire for Theodosius, but was assassinated with the Emperor's tacit consent in 408. Two years later, Alaric the Visigoth plundered Rome and, on his death in the same year, the Visigoths turned north and took possession of Aquitaine. The Visigoths later became one of Rome's trusted allies and Theodoric lost thousands of his men in turning back Attila in the battle of the Catalaunian Plains (452).
16 He mentions the capture of Toulouse (439) by the Visigoths, but makes no mention of the threat of Attila and the Huns (450-452). In all probability the work was completed between these two dates, 439 and 450. (Pp. 6, 7.)
The Governance of God might well be entitled A Report on the Modern State of Western Christianity at the New Millennium. And his conclusion regarding Rome must be reached regarding modern Christianity: the Lord will either intervenes in a miraculous way to spare us from the results of our folly and sin by calling us to genuine Christian repentance, or we must be seriously judged by God. God's word being true, those who believe God's word must prepare for what surely lies ahead, probably things like, 1) food shortages. 2) power and energy shortages. 3) increased taxes. 4) financial and social collapse. 5) unrest in large population centers. 6) increased subjection to oppressive authorities, whether "home grown," or foreign. Salvian tells us that civil authority became so corrupt in Carthage, which claimed to be a Christian city, that the people,
groaned daily to God, praying for an end of their evils. What is most serious, in the force of their utter bitterness they sometimes even prayed for the coming of the enemy. They have obtained from God that at least all suffer in common from the barbarians the depredations which formerly they alone suffered at the hands of the Romans. (P. 210)
How close are we to just such a point?
Indeed, let us not wonder today that holy men suffer certain hardships, when we realize that God, at the time of Cain and Abel, allowed the first of His holy men to be killed by the worst sort of crime. For what reason God allows such things it is not within the scope of human weakness to know fully, nor is it now the time to discuss this. For the time being, it is sufficient to prove that all things of this sort happen, not because of the negligence or indifference of God, but because they are permitted by His wisdom and dispensation. We can never call Him unjust, in whom we cannot deny that divine judgment exists, because the will of God is the highest Justice. Neither is what God does unjust, because man cannot grasp the force of divine justice. But let me return to my purpose.
(7) We see from what I have said that nothing is done without God's concern, because His divine will regulated some, His forbearance endured others, and His sentence punished others. (Pp. 40, 41.)
GOD blinds those he will judge
What resulted from all this? Through all that I have said they were fallen so low that in them was fulfilled the saying of the Sacred Word: 41 'wine and women make men fall away from God.' For, while they drink, gamble, commit adultery, and are mad, they begin to deny Christ. And we wonder after all these things that they have suffered the ruin of their own property, they who long before have gone to pieces mentally! Therefore, let nobody think that city perished only at the time of its own ruin. Where such things are done, the inhabitants had already [morally] perished long before they [physically] perished.
(14) I have spoken about the most famous cities. What about other cities in other parts of Gaul? Have they not fallen because of similar vices of their inhabitants? Their crimes possessed them in such a way that they did not fear danger. Their captivity was foretold them and they were not afraid. Indeed, fear was taken away from the sinners to obviate the possibility of caution. Thus, when the barbarians were located almost in plain sight of all, there was neither fear of men nor protection of cities. So great was the blindness of soul, or rather so great was the blindness of sins, that, without doubt, nobody wished to perish, yet nobody did anything to prevent his perishing.
Everything was carelessness and inactivity, negligence and gluttony. Drunkenness and sleep took hold of all, according to that which has been written about such men, 'because the sleep of the Lord had fallen on them. [42] Indeed, a sleep flowed in upon them that ruin might follow. For when, as it is written, his measure of iniquities being full and the sinner deserves to perish, foreknowledge is taken away from him, lest he escape perishing. [43] I have said enough about these things. I think I have proved clearly enough what I proposed. This was that the vices of the citizens never ceased, even to the critical moment of destruction of their cities.(15) Perhaps you are saying that these things happened in the past, or no longer exist, or will forever cease. If today any city or province is struck down by heavenly blows, or is overrun, humbled, converted, and corrected by a hostile population, if practically all peoples who bear the Roman name prefer to perish rather than be corrected, it is easy to see they prefer to die rather than live without their vices. This can be proved in a few words by the fact that the greatest city of Gaul was destroyed three times by successive captures, and, when the whole city had been burned, evil increased after its destruction.
41 Eccli. 19.2. 42 1Kings 26.12. 43 Gen. 15.16. (Pp. 176, 177.)
We have recently seen that men would rather parish than seek to know the truth about sin -- we are not hearing calls for general self-examination for sin. In fact, we are hearing calls for American's to continue on in their lust for personal peace and affluence:
Personal peace means just to be let alone, not to be troubled by the troubles of other people, whether across the world or across the city--to live one's life with minimal possibilities of being personally disturbed. Personal peace means wanting to have my personal life pattern undisturbed in my lifetime, regardless of what the result will be in the lifetime of my children and grandchildren. Affluence means an overwhelming and ever-increasing prosperity--a life made up of things and more things--a success judged by an ever-higher level of material abundance. ( Francis A. Schaffer, How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture [Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1976] p. 205. Emp. his.)
Gifts for any occasion, and well worth the money.
I really cannot say enough about the following theological software. Over my past 30 years in the ministry, I have at times scrimped and saved in order to purchase books. The books I now have fill the walls of a small office. However, in recent years, dramatic progress has been made with Bible and theological software -- things we would not have dreamed about 30 years ago.
Some years ago, I took the year to learn to study in front of a computer, rather than with pencil in hand. That time has more than paid for itself. Maybe 7 years ago, someone gave me a copy of Online Bible (5.25 inch floppies, to show how many years ago that was), and I was hooked--I upgraded with every new version. Here on the computer screen was some basic Bible study material that could be viewed along with the word processor.
Mr. Pierce has put a tremendous amount of time and talent into developing the program (Online Bible), all on one CD. The interface between Bible passages and the commentaries and word studies cannot be beat, as well as the search capabilities and the word definitions.
There is another software provider on the market also - AGES Software. I had some copies of the AGES software a few years ago, and it was good. However, their new software is beyond description. There is very little duplication between Online Bible and AGES, so it is well worth while to have them both on the same computer. The AGES material requires Adobe Acrobat to read, and, in my opinion, the interface with Scripture references could be better. On the other hand, those of you familiar with Acrobat know about the "Bookmarks." AGES has done a lot of work to make movement through the research material easy with the bookmarks, e.g.,the dictionaries are book marked at each major heading.
After Carol was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, the Lord
provided a good lap top computer, enabling me to remain at home
or in the hospital with her, and still keep up both my study and
the web site. Now, with Online Bible and the AGES DVD, I have
more than enough serious theological material on my lap top to
do almost all of my study. Being on the lap top also allows easy
mobility of an excellent theological library. However, I do miss
my Hastings' dictionaries, and other speciality books like Rushdoony's
Institutes of Biblical Law, among other things. I now have my
office in our home, which does not leave room for all my library,
so I still must go to the church office occasionally to do some
research.
Though these various commentaries are on different AGES CDs, I have the AGES DVD. The Master Christian Library Ver. 8 (MCL) has an amazing amount of material, which, if bought in hard copy, would cost far more than the DVD, let alone the CD. There is far more material than I can recount here in our limited space. (EVERY PREACHERS library should have Keil & Delitzsch, Schaff's The History of the Christian Church, A.H. Strong - Systematic Theology, Josephus and International Standard Bible, or any good Bible dictionary (I like Hastings). These works alone make the Masters Christian Library (MCL) a very wise investment. I have more money in these few sets of books than what the DVD costs.
The MCL has many volumes that I have valued over the years: Albert Barnes on both the Old and New Testaments (the OT is basically by Pusey. Online Bible has only Barnes on the NT) * Adam Clarke * Selected works by Charles Hodge * International Standard Bible Encyclopedia * Wilson's Bible Types * Keil & Delitzsch (which alone, in my opinion, makes the CD well worth the cost) * * the complete Nicene Fathers set (a very expensive set in hard copy - I have the hard copies) * Spurgeon's Commentary on Matthew * Robertson's NT Word Pictures * Vicent's NT Word Studies * All of Edersheim works * Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire * Schaff's The History of the Christian Church *Selected works by William Law, Martin Luther, John Owen, Arthur Pink, CH. Spurgeon, John Wesley, Dwight L. Moody, Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin * James Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries (which are keyed to a version of the KJV included on the CD). There are far too many more works on the just MCL to list here.
As with a drug store, there is much material included on these CDs with which I cannot agree, e.g., James Arminius (the founder of Arminianism) * Charles G. Finney (a major instigator in the war of Northern Aggression) & John Nelson Darby (though not the founder, the major propagator of Scofieldism, premillennial raptureism). But the good on these CD far outweigh the bad. Christmas is coming up. and The Ultimate Christian Library on One DVD, which has multitudes of works I would have liked to purchase if I had the money, would make an excellent gift for any pastor, or anyone who does more than just read Scripture.
This CD set includes nearly 500 of the most classically acclaimed
Christian books that time has offered. The wisdom that is offered
by Calvin, Luther, Wesley, The Early Church Fathers, Adam Clarke,
and many other writers, all on two CD-ROMs. Version
8 contains, in part:
Barnes' Notes on the whole Bible * Thayer's Greek New Testament
Lexicon * A. R. Fausset's Bible Dictionary * Word Pictures in
the New Testament * A.H. Strong's Systematic Theology * Smith's
unabridged Dictionary * The Fundamentals * An enhanced Map Collection
* Wilson's, A Dictionary of Bibles Types * Gray's Concise Bible
Commentary * Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament
* Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary * The Works of Josephus
(New Updated Ed.) * The Works of Philo (New Updated Edition) *
The Tabernacle (Its Priests and Its Service) * What the Bible
Teaches by R. A. Torrey * Jonathan Edwards' Sermons/letters/writings
* Jameison Faussett Brown Commentary * All of Edershseim's works
* Schaff's History of the Christian Church * Works of John Bunyan
* Intl. Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1915 * Various works by Spurgeon,
William Law, John Owen, and much, much more. (See <http://www.ageslibrary.com/mcl8_2.html>
for a complete list of what is on the MCL.)
The user can now quickly and easily search, print, copy, and move text from over 500 books into your word processor.
$89.95 retail. Your cost: $65 (US) Mac and PC
John Calvin Collection
The most complete collection of Calvin's writings now published
on one CD-ROM. Commentaries (22 Volume Set) * Institutes (Battles
and Beveridge) * Selected Works (treatises etc., 7 vol) * Treatise
on Relics, Secret Providence of God, Sermons on Galatians, Psalm
119, The Deity of Christ, Election and Reprobation, Commentary
on Seneca's of Clemency, History of the Reformation in the time
of Calvin (8 Volumes), Calvin and his enemies, The Life of Calvin
* Theodore of Beza * Works of Augustine.
$59.95 retail. Your cost: $49.00 (US) Mac & PC.
Charles Spurgeon Collection
3550 sermons plus over 70 of Spurgeon's books, lectures and
writings. Included on this one CD are the entire 57 Volumes of
the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 6 Volumes of the Park Street
Pulpit, The Sword and the Trowel (7 Volumes), and John Ploughman's
Pictures. For those who use Spurgeon, the scripture reference
index alone is worth the price. All of his messages are listed
alphabetical and by Scripture. Spurgeon's works are all here,
works that I would have purchased years ago in hard copy, if I
had had the funds. Now, anyone can afford the cost of
a Spurgeon Library.
$59.95 retail. Your cost: $49.00 (US) Mac & PC
Reformation History Library
This is the most exhaustive collection of books written about
this critical time in not only the history of Christianity, but
in the history of the world. Included are the 6 volume Works of
Luther * 8 volume sermons of Luther * 95 Theses * Writings of
St. Patrick, Bale, Cloverdale, Calvin's Institutes, The Works
of Josephus, The History of the Council of the Church. In addition
to all these are works like the 8 volume Acts and Monuments by
John Foxe, The History of Protestantism by J. A. Wylie, The Protector
and History of the Reformation in the 16th Century by J.H. Merle
d'Aubinge; plus over 50 resources from such authors as John Knox,
Andrew Miller, Peter Allix, David Benedict, William Jones, Henri
Arnaud, and Jean Paul Perrin. There are over 50 books and 650+
graphic illustrations depicting the history of the Reformation
era.
$99.95 retail. Your cost: $75.00 (US) Mac & PC
The Pulpit Commentary
By H.D.M. Spence and Joseph S.Exell will soon be released:
over 22,000 pages and 95,000 entries. Great care has been taken
to preserve all of the Greek and Hebrew and footnotes in this
work. Also for the first time, AGES has produced one Homiletical
Index for the whole bible. This will mean that the user will be
able to navigate either by verse, or choosing from the linked
list of homilies.
Pre-Publication Special: 79.95 retail. Your cost: $75.00 (US)
John Gill Collection
"In some respects, he has no superior. For good, sound,
massive, sober sense in commenting, who can excel Gill?"
C.H. Spurgeon,
Exposition of the Old and New Testaments Exposition of Solomon's
Song The Cause of God and Truth A Complete Body of Doctrinal and
Practical Divinity The Prophecies of the Old Testament A Treatise
on the Doctrine of the Trinity Stated and Vindicate A Dissertation
concerning the Antiquity of the Hebrew Language, Letters, Vowels-Points
and Accents Approximately 100 of John Gill's Sermons writings.
$29.95 retail. Your cost: $25 (US) Mac & PC
John Owen Collection
The Works of John Owen, a 16 vol. set plus the 7 Vol. commentary
on Hebrews originally published from 1850-1853. Includes more
than 60 miscellaneous books and writings by Owen as well as the
Life of Owen, by Andrew Thomson.
$29.95 retail. Your cost: $25 (US) Mac & PC
Arthur Pink Collection
Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952) was born in Great Britain and immigrated
to the U.S. to study at Moody Bible Institute. He pastored churches
in Colorado, California, Kentucky, and South Carolina before becoming
an itinerant Bible teacher in 1919. He returned to his native
land in 1934, taking up residence on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland,
in 1940, and remained there until his death. Most of his works
first appeared as articles in Studies in Scriptures, a monthly
magazine concerned solely with the exposition of Scripture. Familiar
with the whole range of revelation, Mr. Pink was rarely sidetracked
from the great themes of Scripture: grace justification, and sanctification.
$29.95 retail. Your cost: $25.00 (US) Mac & PC
Wesley/Clarke Collection
The John Wesley - Adam Clarke Collection contains the Works
of John Wesley - 14 Volumes (Jackson Edition) including his journals,
sermons, essays, letters, music, dialogs, prayers, grammars, writings,
and thoughts. Adam Clarke's complete commentary covering every
book of the Bible and also includes the ancillary data that was
originally included in his commentaries, but left off most other
editions.
$89.95 (US) PC only. (Contact me about this CD.)
The Whole Bible Classic Sermon Collection
Alexander MacLaren Exposition of the Bible (32 Volumes) John
Calvin Lectures on Jeremiah -Malachi * St. Augustine Homilies
on Psalms, John and John 1 * John Chrysostom Homilies on Matthew,
Galatians -Ephesians * Jonathan Edwards Sermons on various subjects
(2 volumes) * Dwight Moody EBible (32 Volumes) Alexander MacLaren
Exposition of the Bible (32 Volumes)
Only $ 29.9 (US) Mac & PC. (Contact me about this CD.)
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical
Literature
by Rev. John McClintock and James Strong
"One of the most exhaustive encyclopedias ever produced in
the English language. Covers virtually every field of religious
knowledge in its 31,000 articles. First published in 1895, but
still of great value today. Few researchers will be disappointed
by what they Find in this work." Cyril J. Barber -- The Minister's
Library
This valuable resource which cannot be purchased new, is rarely
found in print and can range in price from $600 to $1200 for used
complete sets. Over 31,000 articles are contained in this mammoth
collection of Christian knowledge and history. All of the illustrations
and Greek and Hebrew characters are preserved. All of the references
within an article to another article will be "hot" allowing
the reader to move quickly from one article to another, for quick
and efficient study. The two volumes of supplementary articles
are also included. Quite simply, this work is one of the most
valuable additions a Christian reader can add to his library.
$39.95 (US) Mac & PC (Contact me about this CD.)
The Audio Bible Drama
The Audio Bible Drama Brings the Bible to Life in the 21st Century.
Many Features Make the Audio Bible Drama Right for You: Over 250
dramatic character voices bring life to the people of the Bible.
Award-winning original music composed specifically for this production
adds excitement and drama to every Bible verse. Each chapter of
the New Testament has its own track, giving you instant access
to the exact chapter you want to hear. The CD format allows you
to quickly search and locate hard to find verses and to read along
with the dramatized text. Also included are Greek and Hebrew dictionaries
and commentaries by Matthew Henry and Jamieson, Fausset and Brown
to fully enhance your bible study. The Audio Drama Bible will
work in the background on your computer, so you can continue to
hear the inspired Word no matter what application you may be running
on your computer. For Mac and Win
New Testament $24.95 (US) (Contact me about this CD.)
Rembrandt's Bible
History's Greatest Artist Explores History's Greatest Book.
Contains 204 of Rembrandt's biblical prints. For the true art
enthusiast, all states (versions) of the prints have been included.
For the Bible student, a complete King James Bible is included,
with links from the Scripture to the appropriate illustrations.
Easy to use, Rembrandt's Bible comes with a search study tool,
and a glossary to assist in understanding how one of history's
greatest artists expressed his understanding of history's greatest
Book.
A good learning tool for home-schoolers, or a great gift to anyone.
$19.95 (US) Mac & PC (Contact me about this CD.)
The Ultimate Christian Library On One DVD
Master Christian Library * Reformation History Collection * John Calvin Collection * Charles Spurgeon Collection * John Gill Collection * John Owen Collection * Arthur Pink Collection
$400.00 retail. Special - your cost: $275. (US) Mac & PC
Order from:
The Biblical Examiner
PO Box 6, Linden IN
47955 1.765.339.7407 Please add $1.50 for each CD ordered.
http://www.biblicalexaminer.org
Check http://www.ageslibrary.com/
for a complete listing of all of Ages Software.