Reflections on Life and Spirituality 101

I recently attended a seminar on 'Understanding Islam' and found it fascinating. Isa al-Masih (Jesus) is of course mentioned in the Qu'ran and I had a glimpse of what the Islamic texts had to say about Him.

What I discovered was somewhat surprising and I saw God's sovereign Hand at work in the Islamic world. Between Islam's call to acts of piousness, the September 11 incidents and global terrorism, one can lose sight that Christ is actually a very important figure in Islam.

The following was what I discovered about Jesus in the Qu'ran, which amazed me...

Jesus is referred to in the Qu'ran as a "Word from God" and Messiah

"When the angels said: O Marium [Mary], surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa [Jesus] son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah)". (Qu'ran - Al-Imran 3:44-45, SHAKIR)

Contrast this to Jesus being called the "Word of God" in John 1:1-18

The Qu'ran refers to God killing Jesus

"And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so I will decide between you concerning that in which you differed." (Al-Imran 3:54-55, SHAKIR)

I find it interesting that the Qu'ran has a concept which is so biblically accurate!

God's sovereign plan in Christ is also for the Muslims

Lastly, Christians may be tempted to view Muslims as the enemy, but in actual fact, they are as much the victims of deception, thrown off by lies from the evil one. Millions of Muslims, when they read and find out about the Jesus of the Bible, fall in love with Him. God loves a sincere Muslim seeking for the Truth -- all around the world, Muslims are finding Jesus -- or should we say that Jesus is finding them, appearing to them supernaturally in dreams and visions.

A stat I heard quoted recently:

Since 1991, annually, 2,750,000 people leave their religion to become Christians, and most of these people are Muslims. On the other hand, 750,000 a year leave Christianity -- so there is a net gain of 2million Christians annually (most of them Muslims). Does it make you wonder why there is a jihad against the "enemies of Islam"?

I had not realise the extent of God's hand is already working. I am reminded that we need to pray against the spirit behind the facade of this religious ideology, but at the same time, love the people that are caught under its grasp. Sometimes this is easier said than done -- we ourselves come with so much misconceptions. In all of this, I have come see the revelation of Christ that God is giving to Muslims through THEIR own book. That to me, is totally astonishing -- considering the barriers that their religious and political authorities have put in place to "retain the sheep in the fold".

In the Bible, Isaiah 66:18-20 provides us with prophetic hints as to what is to come. In the seminar, I was informed that almost all the nations mentioned in it (when mapped to current day countries/ regions) are Islamic nations - places like modern day Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Indonesia.

"For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem," says the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.

These are perhaps 'early days' yet to see the Lord's hand unfold, but I am reminded of how sovereign God's plans are. I am reminded of how much he loves even the Muslims, who in many instances are a people under bondage. In Christ, the captives will eventually be set free. And make no mistake, the Truth will set them free. Watch this space.

For more information, see http://www.answering-islam.org/

Labels: Current Affairs, Other Religions, Prophecy, Truth

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# posted by Sal : 3:34 p.m. Join the dialogue: 2 comments - Yours? | Be notified of new blogs | Forward to a friend

Over the past few weeks, I have been exposed directly to the elements in this fierce battle that is raging between intelligent design (ID) and the theory evolution in order to establsh truth. Because of a recent Richard Dawkins documentary, I have now discovered the ID movement and have been on a wonderful journey of (re)discovering science.

Here, I have noted some common misconceptions (both spoken and unspoken), which I stumbled upon in my readings and interactions with various people...

Science is pure fact and religion is pure faith. I am not a scientist, but have studied sciences all my life, and to make that black and white separation is nonsensical. In debates, evolutionists often portray themselves as the purveyor of objective fact and religion as mythical faith. That is as far away from the truth as some may want it to be.

The Devil's Chaplain

"What matters is not the facts, but how you discover and think about them."

"God does not exist until proven that he does, and therefore I can live my life without Him".

arbitrary

"God does exist until proven otherwise",

with

Evolution is the only "scientific way" to think about the natural world. In many ways, especially in developed nations, evolution-based thinking has absorbed itself into our way of seeing the world, so much so that it even operates below the line of conscious thought of an intelligent person. The theory of evolution often portrays itself as the only "fact-based" framework to interpret the data and see the world, whereas in reality, this is not the case.

Intelligent design is equal to biblical creationism. Again, untrue – as someone quoted, ID is a systematic evaluation of observed biological phenomena resulting in the logical conclusion that design is inherent in living systems. And it stands apart from biblical creationism as a non-religious approach to origins. ID does not align itself to any scriptures or holy books. So, let's not make it a religion vs. science debate. Rather, let's look at the merits and worthiness of ID within a scientific framework - one that is open to the possibility of nature being designed by an intelligent agent.

At the very least, the so-called 'debates' will drive more attention to substantiating the claims of evolution based on evidence (and not conjecture) esp. macro-evolutionary type claims. At the same time, the scientific community who have the "evolution turf" to defend, have to move beyond their misconceptions, and give ID a fair hearing instead of the mud slinging clichés that debates often deteriorate into (e.g. ID being a religious idea based on faith, a conspiracy agenda to get religion back into schools, etc).

What are evolution scientists so afraid of? Losing their reputations? Losing face? Losing their jobs? Perhaps all these are at stake, but I suspect that most have a noble desire towards the pursuit of truth, so these hurdles need to be overcome. I personally have been awakened in my interest in exploring some of these avenues towards truth.

In the realm of evolution, the "meme", which Richard Dawkins defines as "words, ideas, faiths, mannerisms and fashions" that can be reproduced, transmitted, and disseminated, almost in epidemic fashion across cultures and between generation (presumably to ensure survival), is an intriguing concept which brings up a thought in me.

Does the formation of the theory of evolution itself constitute a meme? In my understanding, it does. In addition to using this concept as a tool against religion and its origins in general, evolution needs to play fair and apply this concept to itself. In doing so, it raises interesting questions in my mind: Why was the theory of evolution, a meme of sorts, created and propagated by groups of people?

Don't have conclusive answers yet. Perhaps it is to fulfil an intellectual need. Or perhaps it is to avoid needing to face the reality of a Creator God: to run away and hide; to live apart from Him; to be self-sufficient in our own wisdom and reasoning; and to avoid responsibility / accountability for personal sin. Maybe the ultimate reason is not intellectual, but rather moral and spiritual.

Sound familiar? Cause it is not that different from the SELFISH survival instinct (read: ME, ME, ME) of the first man in the Garden of Eden. In this respect, the human race has not evolved very far. As for this meme that is the theory of evolution, it will itself need to evolve to ensure survival, otherwise it may just have passed its time.

[Related post: Richard Dawkins' New Religion]

Labels: Current Affairs, Other Religions, Philosophies, Truth

Continue to read "In Search Of Truth...."

# posted by Sal : 9:11 a.m. Join the dialogue: 1 comments - Yours? | Be notified of new blogs | Forward to a friend

I have now watched both of Richard Dawkins' programs, Religion: Root of All Evil on TV over the past two weeks. What did I discover? I can now say that it is the most lopsided documentary I have ever seen! In it, he makes claims against all Judeao-Christian religions and claims for evolution, both without any shred of scientific rigor or evidence. For those who do not know who Richard Dawkins is, he is the distinguished Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science from the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading institutions where learning is supposed to be subjected to a rigorous process. Instead, I found the approaches he chose to adopt to 'prove' a point to be rather disappointing. Here's why...

For instance, in the 2nd program, Richard interviews a rabbi about what the Jewish kids are taught in school. The rabbi responded that they learn both the creation account of the Scriptures, as well as the theory of evolution. At a point when Richard Dawkins started pushing his views on evolution, the rabbi pointed out that evolution was still a "theory" and not "the Law of Evolution". In response, Richard Dawkins comes with the staggering statement: "I AM now calling it the Fact of Evolution...", and completely ignores the rabbi's statement of fact.

Without any scientific basis - a rigorous discipline he claims to be a proponent of - and without a blink of an eye, he makes the statement:

"I am calling it the Fact of Evolution..." - on what basis?? Again, this is a Professor from the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading institutions where learning is supposed to be subjected to a rigorous process. What do the other scientists think of such a manner?

With this one statement, Richard Dawkins has fundamentally imposed his version of reality on another person and has proclaimed himself as the all-knowing "objective" observer - the person that has the final word on all religions! I am not against science in any way. In fact, the wonders of science are staggering. But there is good science and there is bad science. And unfortunately, the approach taken by this University of Oxford professor, is bad science. In the program, he sounds every bit like the "irrational fundamentalist" to whom his documentary crusades are meant to destroy.

I am sorry to report that this documentary by Richard Dawkins is nothing but philosophical propaganda disguising itself as investigative journalism. Richard Dawkins is propagating his own brand of religion - and it is called the theory of evolution and atheism.

In it, there are statements like: There is kindness, generosity and altruism built in the genes and the process of evolution. These are Richard Dawkins' claims. I do not know much about his personal life, except that he is married with one daughter. In 'practicing' his brand of religion -- I wonder how well he is bringing up his child. I wonder how well he treats his family and what they would say about him. I wonder what life-changing difference he has made in the lives of his dearest friends and loved ones. For these are things that really matter, at least in every individual's personal sphere. Based on a glimpse of what this "religion" of his produces in the manner in which he conducted himself in the program, I am not sure how much how this will amount to. I cannot claim to be wise, but I can recognize desperation in his eyes - trying to defend his arguments, which by the way comes across as hollow in the documentary. I expected more from Richard Dawkins cause I grew up fascinated with some of his books. Now, I have lost all respect for him.

Ultimately, God's greatest foolishness will triumph man's highest wisdom, long after generations of "smart professors" such as Richard Dawkins have come and gone. And history will tell what Richard Dawkins' real legacy in this world.

To Richard Dawkins - whether or not you believe in God, He still loves you. I pray that you have the eyes to see it.

[Related post: In Search of Truth]

Labels: Current Affairs, Other Religions, Philosophies

Continue to read "Richard Dawkins' New Religion...."

# posted by Sal : 9:23 p.m. Join the dialogue: 14 comments - Yours? | Be notified of new blogs | Forward to a friend