Let's Compare

Let’s compare Christianity to Islam and the contributions each have made to civilization. First, let’s look at Islam.

Historical father: Abraham; his son: Ishmael. His title: "Ass of man" (Genesis 16:12, ASV – "His hand shall be against every man and every man’s hand shall be against him." Ishmael founded: The Arab nations. Their prophet: Mohammad; their religion: Islam, their god: Allah

Their document: The Quran; it’s message: "And slay them wherever you find them and drive them out of wherever they drove you out (2:191)." It’s influence: The Eastern world. What it promotes: Sharia law, hate, terror, murder, aggression and global dominance. Contributions to civilization: nothing positive

Now let’s compare this to Christianity.

Historical father: Abraham; his son: Isaac. His title: Son of Promise; his ordination: The Abrahamic Covenant of blessings through his descendants. Isaac’s son: Jacob; he founded: The nation of Israel. His religion: Theism; it’s influence: The Western world. Their document: The Holy Scriptures.

Their prophet: Jesus Christ. His message: The Gospel of grace and salvation (and "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that spitefully persecute you." Matt. 5:44). Contribution to civilization: Hospitals, education, the industrial revolution, the age of science and invention, modernization, medical advancements, freedom, free market, liberty, democracy and technology.

Without Christianity you would have no Rembrandt, no Picasso, no DaVinci, no Mozart, or Bach or Beethoven. No Henry Ford, no Edison — nothing practical or beautiful. Wherever Christianity has taken root, society thrives. All may not be true Christians in the society but the effects of the Gospel and Christian moralism trickle down and have effects on all of us. Thus freedom, liberty and human fulfillment abound. Jesus said, "I come that they might have life and that they might have life more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Which son gave us prosperity? Let’s compare. Prosperity or oppression? We love all Arab peoples of Ishmael but love more the salvation brought through Isaac.

Please send comments and questions to coach@chapelfield.org

W.H. (Coach) Spanjer

Solo Christo gloria

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