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Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Appealing to the Scriptures, those who believe in the doctrines of sovereign grace emphasize the total helplessness of man and for good reason. The Bible reveals the extreme and desperate condition of natural man. That is to say, he is in a terrible state of bondage to sin. By nature men are dead in trespasses and sin. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1).
The eyes of the natural man are blinded to the truth so that he cannot “see” spiritual truth. “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded” (Rom 11:7).
The will of the natural man is enslaved to a harsh taskmaster. Satan takes men captive at his will (2 Tim 2:26). Therefore, Jesus was right when he looked at a group of religious leaders one-day and pronounced judgment upon them saying, “And you will not come to me that ye might have life” (John 5:40). Those who do come to Christ realize that they did not come because of their will but because of Sovereign grace. John speaks of those who are born, “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).
The heart of the unregenerate is as hard as stone. “Yea, they have made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts” (Zech 7:12).
The thoughts of the ungodly are evil continually. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”(Gen 6:5 cf. Rom 1:21).
The emotions are depraved. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Rom 1:26,27).
Every inclination of the un-righteous is away from God. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom 3:11).
By himself a man can do nothing to contribute to his own salvation. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jer 13:23).
The natural man is saved only when God does something for him. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble” (Ps 37:39 cf. Exod 14:13; 2 Chron 20:17; Lam 3:26).
So the great questions remain. “Who is to be credited with man’s salvation? God? Man? Both? Who is it that will get the glory?” In considering these important questions, those who embrace the doctrines of sovereign grace believe that the following gospel principles should be affirmed.
No one can come to Christ except the Lord draws him. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).
Christ has come to call the helpless to salvation. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). And sinners do come to Christ, by faith. They come saying:
“Lo! I come; and Thou, blest Lamb,
O take me to Thee as I am;
Nothing but sin I Thee can give;
Nothing but love may I receive.”
Until a person comes to comprehend the dark side of their soul, they will not repent, nor can they change for they will not to change. Therefore, the doctrine of human depravity is a helpful doctrine, though hurtful to man’s pride and ego.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
One of the grave responsibilities of the Christian minister is to proclaim the whole counsel of God. The apostle Paul fulfilled this vital gospel duty reflected in his words to the saints at Ephesus. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Part of the whole counsel of God is informing people that those who will not change find they cannot change” (Acts 20:27).
The power of the gospel to transform lives is well documented throughout history. The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). With salvation comes a new standing and state in life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 explains, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Whenever the gospel of Christ is fully embraced hearts are changed and others note the difference. A skeptic once mockingly asked a new Christian, “Do you really believe that Jesus turned water into wine?” The former alcoholic was able to answer, “I do believe that for Christ has in my own household turned booze into bread for my children.”
The strongest argument for the gospel of Christ is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been changed by it. Charles Bradlaugh, an avowed infidel, once challenged the Rev. H. P. Hughes to a debate. The preacher, who was head of a rescue mission in London, England, accepted the challenge with the condition that he could bring with him 100 men and women who would tell what had happened in their lives since trusting Christ as their Savior. They would be people who once lived in deep sin, some having come from poverty-stricken homes caused by the vices of their parents. Hughes said they would not only tell of their conversion but would submit to cross-examination by any who doubted their stories. Furthermore, the minister invited his opponent to bring a group of non-believers who could tell how they were helped by their lack of faith. When the appointed day arrived, the preacher came, accompanied by 100 transformed persons. But Bradlaugh never showed up. The result? The meeting turned into a time of testimony and many sinners who had gathered to hear the scheduled debate were converted.
A. B. Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel “Tells rebellious men that God is reconciled, that justice is satisfied, that sin has been atoned for, that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked, the condemnation of the sinner cancelled, the curse of the Law blotted out, the gates of hell closed, the portals of heaven opened wide, the power of sin subdued, the guilty conscience healed, the broken heart comforted, the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone.”
All of this is true. But there is another facet of truth and it is this. “The same sun which softens the butter, hardens the clay.” The gospel not only converts, it confirms people in their character so that those who will not change find they cannot change. Simply put, those who are determined to do evil, engage in self destructive behavior, will find they cannot cease from doing evil. And, those who have a thirst and hunger for righteousness will move from spiritual glory to glory. Revelation 22:11, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
It is true that the gospel changes people and individuals can be confirmed in righteousness. It is also true that people are who they are and can be confirmed in injurious behavior.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
“Why We Exist: Matter Wins Battle Over Antimatter,” the headline on Yahoo News proclaimed triumphantly. The story which followed related that recent scientific experiments between matter and antimatter particles suggest that the former seems to prevail in the end. Physicists have long wondered how life, the universe, or anything else can exist at all since matter and antimatter particles destroy each other on contact.
Unfortunately, despite the newest scientific discovery, the basic questions of life and the existence of the universe remain unanswered apart from divine revelation. Scientist cannot explain why matter exists in the first place or how it came into existence. Scientists have no clue as to the mechanism for matter arranging itself in an orderly manner, nor how life comes from non life. Despite these abiding mysteries, there remains a resistance in the hearts of many intelligentsia to the concept of divine revelation.
It has been noted that if the first four words of the Bible can be embraced, then the rest makes sense: “In the beginning God.” The text of Genesis 1:1 continues. “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.” The Bible commentator Matthew Henry invites four observations to be made.
First, observe the effect produced by the creative power of God—the heaven and the earth, that is, the world, including all things therein, Acts 17:24. “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.”
In the visible world it is easy to observe the greatness and goodness of God. There is great variety in creation. There are men and animals, plants and sea creatures. There are birds for the sky and insects in the bowels of the earth. Each entity is vastly differing in their nature and constitution from each other. The heart looks on in astonishment and exclaims, “Lord, how manifold are thy works, and all good!”
There is also great beauty in creation. The azure or blue color of the clear sky and verdant or green tint in the earth are charming to the eye of the curious spectator. How transcendent then must the beauty of the Creator be!
There is great exactness and accuracy in creation. To those that, with the help of microscopes or telescopes, are able to look more precisely into the works of nature, they appear far more intricate in detail than any of the works of art. Creation displays great power. Life is not a lump of dead and inactive matter, but there is virtue, more or less, in every creature: the earth itself has a majestic power.
There is great order in creation. God has designed a mutual dependence of beings, an exact harmony of motions, and an admirable chain and connection of causes. And, there is great mystery. There are phenomena in nature which cannot be solved, secrets which cannot be fathomed nor accounted for. But from what we see of heaven and earth we may easily enough infer the eternal power and Godhead of the great Creator, and may furnish ourselves with abundant matter for his praises. And let our make and place, as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, which is always to keep heaven in our eye and the earth under our feet.
Second, observe the author and cause of this great work—GOD. The Hebrew word is Elohim, which speaks of the power of God the Creator. El signifies the strong God; and what less than almighty strength could bring all things out of nothing?
Third, observe the manner in which this work was effected: God created it, that is, made it out of nothing. There was not any pre-existent matter out of which the world was produced. The fish and fowl were indeed produced out of the waters and the beasts and man out of the earth; but that earth and those waters were made out of nothing. By the ordinary power of nature, it is impossible that any thing should be made out of nothing; no artificer can work, unless he has something to work on. But by the almighty power of God it is not only possible that something should be made of nothing (the God of nature is not subject to the laws of nature), but in the creation it is impossible it should be otherwise, for nothing is more injurious to the honor of the Eternal Mind than the supposition of eternal matter. Thus the excellency of the power is of God and all the glory is to him.
Fourth, observe when this work was produced: In the beginning, that is, in the beginning of time, when that clock was first set a going: time began with the production of those beings that are measured by time. Before the beginning of time there was none but that Infinite Being that inhabits eternity.
Let us learn from divine revelation that skeptics and atheists are the greatest fools in nature for they see there is a world that could not make itself, and yet they will not acknowledge there is a God that made it. Doubtless, they are without excuse, but the god of this world has blinded their minds.
Let us acknowledge that God is sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right. If He is the Creator, no doubt He is the owner and possessor of heaven and earth.
Let us concede that with God all things are possible, and therefore happy are the people that have him for their God, and whose help and hope stand in his name. Psalms 121:2, “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Finally, let us confess that the God we serve is worthy of, and yet is exalted far above, all blessing and praise. Nehemiah 9:5–6, “… Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
Since God made the world, He does not need not our services, nor can He be benefited by them. Acts 17:24–25, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” And yet God justly requires them, and deserves our praise. Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” If all is of Him, all must be to Him. Why do we exist? Perhaps the Westminster Confession of Faith stated it best when it answered, “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Monday, 17 May 2010
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences” (2 Cor 5:10-11).
One of the great Christian teachings is that there will be a day of divine judgment for all. Such a judgment will be a fitting end to every life as God evaluates the actions of His creation. Without a day of divine judgment many people who did much evil to others in their lifetime will get away with murder, rape, slander, extortion, embezzlement, and genocide without any accountability. This will not be allowed to happen. Therefore, a day of divine judgment is certain. No one will escape. No one will be able to hide. No one will be able to excuse themselves on that great and terrible day.
The judgment will be personal. The Bible says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” I cannot pay for your sins, and you cannot pay for mine. I cannot be judged for your attitude and actions, and you cannot be judged for mine. It is characteristic of the natural fallen human nature to try to blame others when something goes wrong. Individuals do not want to be held accountable, nor take responsibility, for their actions. Still, everyone must and will.
The judgment will be conducted by Christ. It is “the judgment seat of Christ” that all must appear before for to Christ has been given all authority and power in heaven and earth. Men have tried to dismiss Christ. Men have ridiculed Christ. They have mocked and scorned Him and put Him to death. But, up from the grave He arose. He is a mighty victor over His foes. And one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. And then every person must answer to Christ who will be the judge.
The judgment will be extensive. At the judgment seat of Christ, every deed done, every thought entertained, and every word spoken will be brought into the open for evaluation. Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
The judgment will be searching. What the Lord is looking for in particular as He evaluates the totality of a life is repentance. When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door of Wittenberg the first proposition he made was this: In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance. Theologian Charles Hodge helps clarify what is meant by gospel repentance. “The sure test of the quality of any supposed change of heart will be found in its permanent effects. 'By their fruits you shall know them' is as applicable to the right method of judging ourselves as of judging others. Whatever, therefore, may have been our inward experience, whatever joy or sorrow we may have felt, unless we bring forth fruits meet for repentance, our experience will profit us nothing. Repentance is incomplete unless it leads to confession and restitution in cases of injury; unless it causes us to forsake not merely outward sins, which others notice, but those which lie concealed in the heart; unless it makes us choose the service of God and live not for ourselves but for Him. There is no duty which is either more obvious in itself, or more frequently asserted in the Word of God, than that of repentance.”
The judgment will be final. Once Christ has passed ultimately judgment, a person will enjoy eternal life or eternal separation from God. John 5:28-29 explains, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
The judgment need not be feared. The thought of the day of ultimate judgment can be terrifying unless a person standing to be judged has hope for mercy. There will be mercy at the judgment seat of Christ for those who have embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and bowed their knees to His Lordship. Because Christ has borne in His own body the sins of the elect, because Christ has made atonement for sins, because Christ has propitiated the justice of God at Calvary, love and mercy are free to flow. Love and mercy will be extended to all who love Christ. Let the heart rejoice for the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7). Those who pursue a life of holiness by faith in Christ will not be condemned. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Therefore, let every person flee to the cross and there plead the blood. William Cowper did. After surviving at multiple suicide attempts Cowper was able by the grace of God to see that all his could be forgiven by Christ. With love and gratitude in his heart he wrote the following hymn.
“There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.”
Monday, 03 May 2010
The story of Shamgar occupies only one verse in the Bible, and yet his life speaks to every generation of the grace and power of God. The setting for the story takes place in the days of the Judges. The judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors. The work of the individual judges was often initially bloody and violent reflected in Shamgar who took an ox goad and killed six hundred Philistines. “And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel” (Judg 3:31).
Following heroic acts of divine deliverance the judges then administered justice to the people. Their authority was generally recognized and respected until social events dissipated to the point that God allowed Israel to be disciplined again through foreign conquest. Time after time the people of Israel would be put in servitude. Eventually, after about four hundred and fifty years (Acts 13:17-20), the era of the judges would give way to a demand for a king by the Israelites and the nation would move from a theocracy to a monarchy.
Titus Green, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Merritt Island in Florida, offers a concise summary of the story of Shamgar with the following thought. The story of Shamgar is the story of how God will allow people to feel overwhelmed and under equipped.
Shamgar was outnumbered six-hundred to one. He was overwhelmed. Shamgar had only an ox goad or a sharpened stick in order to fight the Philistines. He was under equipped. And yet, Shamgar was victorious because he had righteousness on his side and the power of Almighty God. When righteousness is united to a just cause and empowered by God, mighty and miraculous events take place. Faith is the still the victory that overcomes the world.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Noah who was told to build an ark to the saving of the animals and his family. The ark was to be 450 ft. long, 75 ft. wide and 45 ft. high. It was to have three decks, be divided into rooms and have a door in the side. Noah was to find one male and one female of every kind of animal and bird and take them into the ark. He also had to take food for all those animals. Noah was overwhelmed and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Abram who became Abraham. Abraham was instructed to take his son, his only son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice to God. Though his heart was broken, in gospel obedience Abraham began the journey up a mountain. His son carried the wood. The heart of Abram was overwhelmed and he was under equipped emotionally for the assigned task. But by the power of God he prevailed and won the victory in that he loved God more than anyone else.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Moses who was called upon to go before the Pharaoh of Egypt and declare, “Thus saith the Lord. Let my people go!” Once the exodus was underway, Moses was responsible for the safety and care of more than two million people. He was overwhelmed and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Joseph who was the object of jealousy and sold into slavery by his own brothers. Later, he was falsely accused and placed in prison for a crime he had not committed. Joseph was overwhelmed and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Gideon who was instructed to go against a mighty Midian army with only three hundred faithful men. He was overwhelmed and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of David who stood before a giant over nine feet tall. Facing the enormous champion warrior who had been trained to fight since childhood, David might have felt for a moment overwhelmed and under equipped with just a sling shot in his hand.
The story of Shamgar is the story of Esther who dared to intercede with the king of Persia on behalf of her people. “If I die, I die,” she said. She was overwhelmed with her responsibility and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of the disciples who were told to give five thousand men plus women and children food to eat. All they could find was a few fish and loaves of bread. They were overwhelmed and under equipped.
The story of Shamgar is the story of your life and my life as we find ourselves in difficult situations where we need the omnipotent power of God to be made manifest. And it will be, by faith for God is most glorified when His strength is displayed through human weakness. 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
Sunday, 02 May 2010
A driver did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman behind him went ballistic, pounding on her horn and screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to drive through the intersection with him. Still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit the car with her hands up.
He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.
The office said, “I’m awfully sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the “Choose life” license plate holder, the “What Would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker, the “Follow Me To Sunday School” bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on your trunk. So, naturally I assumed you had stolen the car.”
There is a definite disconnect between Christian rhetoric and reality in the lives of many professing believers. While no one is perfect and few are routinely consistent, there is still a noble standard to strive for and that is Christian maturity. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” His personal example is followed by a pastoral exhortation: “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [spiritually mature], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (v. 15).
The story is told that Alexander the Great once came upon a soldier in battle who was whimpering and cowering in terror. The general called out, “Soldier, what is your name?” The man answered, “Alexander, sir.” “Alexander? Alexander? Soldier, either change your behavior or change your name.” And with that the Warrior-Leader rode off to the fight.
Christ might say the same to someone today. “Christian? Christian? Either change your behavior or change your name!” There is often a disconnect between the rhetoric of a professing Christian and the reality of living the same.
Saturday, 01 May 2010
According to the Koran, Allah’s unity, the tawhid, is stated in both positive and negative terms. That is to say, the Islamic holy book teaches unequivocally as to what Allah is and is not. For instance, the Koran speaks that “Allah is One” (112:1). He is a singular unity that is comprised of only one person sharing one being over against the—from a Muslim point of view—aberrant Christian understanding of the Godhead. To Muslims, the Christian perspective of God is blasphemous and amounts to shirk, idol worship. The Koran goes to great lengths to repudiate the God of Christianity and makes clear references to the religion when it states, “He begot none, nor was He begotten. None is equal to Him” (112:1–4). The reference is clearly a denial of God begetting Christ or the latter being begotten by the former (cf. Ps 2:7; John 1:18, 3:16; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 John 4:9; etc.). Allah is not three, but one. Indeed, the Trinity is clearly antithetical to the monotheistic concept of Allah as revealed in the Koran. “Unbelievers are those who that say: ‘Allah is one of three.’ There is but one God” (5:73).
Jesus Christ, therefore, is not to be equated with Allah as the Christians do. “Unbelievers are those who declare: ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary’ (5:17; 72). Moreover, Jesus is said to be “no more than an apostle” (5:75). The unbeliever, namely, Christians, who continue to equate Jesus with God and refuse to repent, will be “cast into the fire of Hell” (5:73–74). Just as Yahweh was serious about placing anyone or anything before or beside Him, the Koran forbids the same practice. While adherents of both religions claim monotheism, Yahweh, as revealed in the New Testament, has manifested Himself as three persons sharing one being (Trinitarianism), while the Koran teaches Unitarianism. Any other view, as the Koran stresses, abrogates the clarity of the holy book and amounts to polytheism.
In attempting to help believers understand Allah more fully, the Koran reveals some of the attributes or qualities of God. It speaks highly of his mercy and forgiveness (4:110; 6:12; 8:38), though severely of those who fail to submit wholeheartedly to him both in this life and the one to come (8:38–39; 41:28, 40–42). Furthermore, Allah, similar to the God of the Jews and Christians, sees all things (40:20), is omnipresent (2:115; 7:7), possesses omniscience (2:268; 10:61), is omnipotent (6:61–62; 5:19), and created the universe and all its inhabitants (2:29; 3:191; 6:1; 46:33). Without question, Allah manifests all of these attributes and many more. He is not limited by anyone or anything. In fact, he is eternal; he is infinite (112:1). It would seem, therefore, that the Muslim could rightly proclaim as Matthew did that with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).
Allah is also love but not in the same sense as Yahweh is love. In Islam, the greatest act of love Allah accomplished is that he forgives some of their sins. More than this, he also provides sustenance for his creation, gives families and friends, shows mercy to the believing, and gave humanity his divine revelation in the Koran. It could also be said that an aspect of his love is persistence in that Allah does not immediately destroy unbelievers but grants them repeated opportunities to repent of their wrongdoing and unfaithfulness and submit wholly to him.
That Allah is good and righteous means the faithful follower can spend eternity with him in Paradise provided he has fulfilled all the conditions necessary for eternal life. Salvation is granted to all who perform good deeds. “Blessed is the reward of those who do good works” (3:134–139). However, good works are not enough to gain entrance into paradise. Faith must be present and active alongside of deeds. Indeed, Allah promises believers who exercise faith and perform good works will have an eternal reward (5:9). This is not to say, however, that one can earn the forgiveness of Allah. In fact, one must rely upon Allah’s grace and mercy in order to achieve forgiveness and salvation in paradise. The reward of everlasting life with him is based upon his grace. “Allah chooses whom He will for His mercy. His grace is infinite” (2:105; cf. 8:29).
For the wrongdoer, however, his fate is far worse. The one who refuses to submit himself to Allah, believe in him, and fails to perform good deeds, will face unimaginable suffering on the Day of Judgment when his fate will be sealed. Allah prepared a fire for him wherein he will scream out for water in agony, only to receive scolding water and persist in a place where there is no rest (18:30; cf. 3:131; 19:59–61).
Since one’s ultimate destiny will determine whether he goes to heaven or hell, the followers of Islam attempt to placate Allah through their own efforts. This is necessary since there is no intercessor who pleads on the behalf of another, as the Christians with the intermediary, Christ. Therefore, one must continue to be obedient toward Allah, obey his commands as expressed in the Koran, exercise faith, and repent sincerely so that he may be forgiven (3:16).
Those who fail to do all these commands, after having been justly warned by the revelation of the Koran and the prophets, will deservedly be punished for his obstinacy (3:77). In hell, the impenitent and unfaithful will face eternal torment, suffering that will “assail them from every side, yet they shall not die” (14:17). Whether the pictures described in the Koran are literal or metaphorical and much like the Christian view of hell, the reality is that the suffering endured there is unimaginable and far worse than even the human mind can comprehend.
As painful as hell is, however, heaven is the antithesis of perdition. Paradise is a blissful state in a “lofty garden,” replete with fruit to enjoy, to eat and drink to one’s content (69:21–24). Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, believers who enter into paradise—for those who had faith and did good works—will be “wedded to chaste virgins” (4:57). That one receives these promised blessings, therefore, is incumbent upon his continual faith, obedience, and submission to Allah and his word and be accompanied with a sincere repentance of sins. If he does that, he does not have to worry about suffering through an eternity of hell but will receive the loving-kindness of Allah’s mercy and grace (3:135; 7:8-9; 49:14). And if one thinks he will live his life in a self-serving manner, only to repent at his final breath, he is sorely mistaken. For with Allah, he is not to be deceived. “Allah is wise and all-knowing. But Allah will not forgive those who do evil all their lives and, when death comes to them, say: ‘Now we repent!’” (4:18).
When working through the Koran, one cannot help but to reach the conclusion that Judaism and Christianity played an integral role in shaping the thoughts of Muhammad and can be seen through many parallels in his teaching and thinking. That said, however, it is also evident that Islam defines itself in response to the latter and is Muhammad’s attempt at rehabilitating the teachings of which he was aware. The student of Christianity might easily come to the conclusion the prophet Muhammad was confused on a number of Christian teachings and attempted to amalgamate a hybrid between Judeo-Christian beliefs and what he believed to be true concerning the nature of God and what would prove most beneficial to him and the advancement of his own personal agenda. Reading through the Koran, therefore, was truly an exercise in patience in seeing an attempt made to improve upon the doctrine of God, man, sin, salvation—among many others—but failing miserably on the most fundamental level. That which is theopneustos cannot be improved upon as the Koran so amply demonstrates.
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