What's the difference between the Bible and Koran? I have read both the Bible and Koran, and each are equally enlightening.
-The Bible says that Jesus really was the son of God, and if you don't believe that, you will spend an eternity in hell.
-The Koran says twice that Jesus was not the son of God, and anyone who believes that Jesus was the son of God will spend an eternity in hell.
This is the absurd dichotomy of faith, offering as much room for compromise as a coin toss. People choose between the two religions by accidents of birth; if you are born in Afghanistan, you will be a Muslim, and so forth. It is an odd sort of God who created these circumstances, pitting one religion against another. If one of you stood on your soapbox and claimed to be right, and everyone else is wrong, then that's self-evidently nonsense. For this reason alone, all religions should be questioned.
Titus 3:4-7, "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Every religion, true to its name, must teach that man must do everything possible (his own efforts) to be acceptable to God & ultimately, hope for the best. However the Faith that is found in Christ teaches that man can do nothing to please God - God had to take the initiative, from His Great Love for us, to provide the only offering that would be the basis for man's justification in His Sight.
And if God does the work, we can be certain that all who put their faith & hope in Him are guaranteed acceptability & eternity in His Kingdom. When we consider the teachings of both these books, the choice is up to us concerning what is the Truth. I would welcome further discussion on this topic. Blessings, Ron.
This leads me to the second feature. Since no prophet, especially one as esteemed as Jesus, could be put to death (i.e. they had to die naturally & not for reason of crime), it becomes ridiculous to believe that one could die in such manner & also for the sins of mankind. The Quran's teachings regarding salvation are inconsistent. On the one hand, the Quran teaches that salvation is based on purification by performance of good deeds (Surah 7:6-9). A Muslim can become righteous through prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and living according to the Quran. Yet the Quran also teaches that God has predetermined every person's destiny, and one's righteous acts may or may not affect God's decision (Surah 57:22). It teaches that everyone, both the "righteous and the unrighteous", will be led into hell by God, before the righteous will finally enter Heaven (Surah 19:67-72). Therefore no Muslim can know his or her eternal destiny in this life. Even Muhammad himself was unsure of his salvation (Surah 31:34; 46:9).
Therefore according to the Quran, if men have to account & deal with their own sins, hoping to measure up to God's Standards in the Day of Reckoning, then there is certainly no need for a Saviour to give up His Life for the lives of others. So how does the Bible respond to this? Romans 3:9,10: "for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." If none are righteous before God, stained with sin, can the guilty sinner do any works that could impress God to remove his sin? If so, how much needs to be done? Will he ever find complete justification before God depending entirely on his efforts? The Muslim would say, "That he has to keep doing whatever God requires of him & he may or may not find salvation at the last day". God tells us that there is nothing a sinner can ever do that will justify himself before God as the one who is inwardly dirty cannot cleanse himself: (see page 3)
Hello Ron. I believe that Adam has provided you an excellent response, to which I fully concur. And that's why I feel compelled to add to it as well, having spent a few years in Pakistan working (in ministry) amongst both Muslims & Christians. And yes, I too have read the Quran in its entirety & find many Truths therein, especially on the Greatness, Mercy & Glory of God. Yet, in the midst of that, there lies much that is in contradiction to the Bible & essentially based on perceived revelations given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
To prevent this becoming too long an exercise, I would highlight just two important features that distinguish between the two books, hence the two belief systems.
Firstly, the matter on the Sonship of Jesus. It is clear that Muslims, as also Jews, will refute with all vehemence, this Divine connection (what they interpret as 'biological'). Since God can only be One God & there are no other gods bar Him or anything associated with Him, it becomes heresy to believe otherwise. And as you know, Christians also believe this. And according to them, since Jesus was just a Prophet, albeit highly elevated amongst the prophets, the question of being God's Son or of His death for sins becomes absurd. Whereas, their own book in Surah 4:171 says, "O People of the Book, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His WORD which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him." In Arabic, Jesus is also called 'Kalimatullah' = Word from/of God, which resonates with us in John 1:1. So if nothing can be associated with God, there seems to be an exception with God's Word: it being sent out to Mary & who will be God's Message to her & all of us. No other prophet, even Mohammed, was given this title, even as he purportedly brought God's message.
Bible is the most popular book in history of the world and it teaches Christianity which is vastly different from all other religions, because you don't need to work or 'earn' your way into 'heaven', but God instead died for you. So, you just have to accept the gift and follow Him.
In Islam and other religions you have to earn and work your way to their version of heaven.
SAVIOR/PROPHET:
Jesus taught to love each other and turn the other cheek. Jesus willingly died for everyone because he loved us so much. He was a Jew who didn't harm anyone, but even washed strangers feet and healed people.
Muhammad hated Jews and murdered nearly 1 thousand Jews. He didn't heal anyone or perform any miracles.
Jesus stayed pure, never married, avoided immorality, and never sinned.
Muhammad had 11 wives, one girl was only 6 yrs old and he is said to have had sex with her at 9 yrs old. This is considered pedophilia and is illegal in most countries and immoral according to the Bible's old law it is punishable by death. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) 5:58:234, 5:58:236, 7:62:64, 7:62:65, 7:62:88. Sahih Muslim - 8:3309, 8:3310, 8:3311, 41:4915.
Jesus preached love and to turn the other cheek.
Muhammad taught jihad, revenge, and killing. Countless fundamentalist followers have committed mass acts of violence, terrorism, mass murder, and evil and are viewed upon as followers of satan.
SOURCE TEXT:
Bible is 10 times bigger than the Koran and written over a longer period of time, 1500+ years with multiple authors inspired by God.
Koran was written later in AD 610-632 by just one person.
Ask yourself, what is the truth? Have you tried praying to God and asking Him directly? Ask for a confirmation and genuinely seek and ask, disregarding whatever bias you carry, and disregarding whatever false information you've been told. If you really want to know the truth, you will find it.
Hello Ron, I'm not sure if you're genuinely interested in the differences or not, based on your last 3 sentences. But just in case you're actually seeking answers, I will offer one.
First, God hasn't pitted religions against each other. Man has. God didn't invent Islam, Muhammad did.
Second, I disagree that your religion is entirely dictated by where you are raised. At the age of adulthood everyone can think for themselves. Everyone has a right to think, research, and choose for themselves what they choose to believe. The reality is a lot choose not to, or some even don't believe their own religion, but choose to stay in it for other reasons like career, family, etc. Many Muslims go through the motions and don't believe it; same for Christianity.
Third, you said the two religions contradict each other whether Jesus is the Son of God or not. Both aren't true. He either is or is not, and of course the evidence is overwhelmingly that is that He is. Muslims believe both the Bible and their own Koran, so this religion contradicts itself solely on that point.
>If one of you stood on your soapbox and claimed to be right, and everyone else is wrong, then that's self-evidently nonsense.
Do you believe in absolute truth? Is 1+1 always 2? Is it sometimes 3? Is it a matter of opinion or is it a matter of what is true and false? You called yourself Ron, but maybe I instead say your name is Betsy and that is "my truth" and just as valid/true and what you said your name is. Then I could say if you're right and I'm wrong then you're just on a soapbox saying nonsense?
-The Bible says that Jesus really was the son of God, and if you don't believe that, you will spend an eternity in hell.
-The Koran says twice that Jesus was not the son of God, and anyone who believes that Jesus was the son of God will spend an eternity in hell.
This is the absurd dichotomy of faith, offering as much room for compromise as a coin toss. People choose between the two religions by accidents of birth; if you are born in Afghanistan, you will be a Muslim, and so forth. It is an odd sort of God who created these circumstances, pitting one religion against another. If one of you stood on your soapbox and claimed to be right, and everyone else is wrong, then that's self-evidently nonsense. For this reason alone, all religions should be questioned.
Titus 3:4-7, "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Every religion, true to its name, must teach that man must do everything possible (his own efforts) to be acceptable to God & ultimately, hope for the best. However the Faith that is found in Christ teaches that man can do nothing to please God - God had to take the initiative, from His Great Love for us, to provide the only offering that would be the basis for man's justification in His Sight.
And if God does the work, we can be certain that all who put their faith & hope in Him are guaranteed acceptability & eternity in His Kingdom. When we consider the teachings of both these books, the choice is up to us concerning what is the Truth. I would welcome further discussion on this topic. Blessings, Ron.
This leads me to the second feature. Since no prophet, especially one as esteemed as Jesus, could be put to death (i.e. they had to die naturally & not for reason of crime), it becomes ridiculous to believe that one could die in such manner & also for the sins of mankind. The Quran's teachings regarding salvation are inconsistent. On the one hand, the Quran teaches that salvation is based on purification by performance of good deeds (Surah 7:6-9). A Muslim can become righteous through prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and living according to the Quran. Yet the Quran also teaches that God has predetermined every person's destiny, and one's righteous acts may or may not affect God's decision (Surah 57:22). It teaches that everyone, both the "righteous and the unrighteous", will be led into hell by God, before the righteous will finally enter Heaven (Surah 19:67-72). Therefore no Muslim can know his or her eternal destiny in this life. Even Muhammad himself was unsure of his salvation (Surah 31:34; 46:9).
Therefore according to the Quran, if men have to account & deal with their own sins, hoping to measure up to God's Standards in the Day of Reckoning, then there is certainly no need for a Saviour to give up His Life for the lives of others. So how does the Bible respond to this? Romans 3:9,10: "for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." If none are righteous before God, stained with sin, can the guilty sinner do any works that could impress God to remove his sin? If so, how much needs to be done? Will he ever find complete justification before God depending entirely on his efforts? The Muslim would say, "That he has to keep doing whatever God requires of him & he may or may not find salvation at the last day". God tells us that there is nothing a sinner can ever do that will justify himself before God as the one who is inwardly dirty cannot cleanse himself: (see page 3)
Hello Ron. I believe that Adam has provided you an excellent response, to which I fully concur. And that's why I feel compelled to add to it as well, having spent a few years in Pakistan working (in ministry) amongst both Muslims & Christians. And yes, I too have read the Quran in its entirety & find many Truths therein, especially on the Greatness, Mercy & Glory of God. Yet, in the midst of that, there lies much that is in contradiction to the Bible & essentially based on perceived revelations given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
To prevent this becoming too long an exercise, I would highlight just two important features that distinguish between the two books, hence the two belief systems.
Firstly, the matter on the Sonship of Jesus. It is clear that Muslims, as also Jews, will refute with all vehemence, this Divine connection (what they interpret as 'biological'). Since God can only be One God & there are no other gods bar Him or anything associated with Him, it becomes heresy to believe otherwise. And as you know, Christians also believe this. And according to them, since Jesus was just a Prophet, albeit highly elevated amongst the prophets, the question of being God's Son or of His death for sins becomes absurd. Whereas, their own book in Surah 4:171 says, "O People of the Book, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His WORD which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him." In Arabic, Jesus is also called 'Kalimatullah' = Word from/of God, which resonates with us in John 1:1. So if nothing can be associated with God, there seems to be an exception with God's Word: it being sent out to Mary & who will be God's Message to her & all of us. No other prophet, even Mohammed, was given this title, even as he purportedly brought God's message.
SALVATION:
Bible is the most popular book in history of the world and it teaches Christianity which is vastly different from all other religions, because you don't need to work or 'earn' your way into 'heaven', but God instead died for you. So, you just have to accept the gift and follow Him.
In Islam and other religions you have to earn and work your way to their version of heaven.
SAVIOR/PROPHET:
Jesus taught to love each other and turn the other cheek. Jesus willingly died for everyone because he loved us so much. He was a Jew who didn't harm anyone, but even washed strangers feet and healed people.
Muhammad hated Jews and murdered nearly 1 thousand Jews. He didn't heal anyone or perform any miracles.
Jesus stayed pure, never married, avoided immorality, and never sinned.
Muhammad had 11 wives, one girl was only 6 yrs old and he is said to have had sex with her at 9 yrs old. This is considered pedophilia and is illegal in most countries and immoral according to the Bible's old law it is punishable by death. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) 5:58:234, 5:58:236, 7:62:64, 7:62:65, 7:62:88. Sahih Muslim - 8:3309, 8:3310, 8:3311, 41:4915.
Jesus preached love and to turn the other cheek.
Muhammad taught jihad, revenge, and killing. Countless fundamentalist followers have committed mass acts of violence, terrorism, mass murder, and evil and are viewed upon as followers of satan.
SOURCE TEXT:
Bible is 10 times bigger than the Koran and written over a longer period of time, 1500+ years with multiple authors inspired by God.
Koran was written later in AD 610-632 by just one person.
Ask yourself, what is the truth? Have you tried praying to God and asking Him directly? Ask for a confirmation and genuinely seek and ask, disregarding whatever bias you carry, and disregarding whatever false information you've been told. If you really want to know the truth, you will find it.
God bless...
First, God hasn't pitted religions against each other. Man has. God didn't invent Islam, Muhammad did.
Second, I disagree that your religion is entirely dictated by where you are raised. At the age of adulthood everyone can think for themselves. Everyone has a right to think, research, and choose for themselves what they choose to believe. The reality is a lot choose not to, or some even don't believe their own religion, but choose to stay in it for other reasons like career, family, etc. Many Muslims go through the motions and don't believe it; same for Christianity.
Third, you said the two religions contradict each other whether Jesus is the Son of God or not. Both aren't true. He either is or is not, and of course the evidence is overwhelmingly that is that He is. Muslims believe both the Bible and their own Koran, so this religion contradicts itself solely on that point.
>If one of you stood on your soapbox and claimed to be right, and everyone else is wrong, then that's self-evidently nonsense.
Do you believe in absolute truth? Is 1+1 always 2? Is it sometimes 3? Is it a matter of opinion or is it a matter of what is true and false? You called yourself Ron, but maybe I instead say your name is Betsy and that is "my truth" and just as valid/true and what you said your name is. Then I could say if you're right and I'm wrong then you're just on a soapbox saying nonsense?
Will make another comment with differences.
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