In her quest for “common ground” and unity with other religions, the Catholic Church assures Muslims that the God of Christianity and the god of Islam are one and the same. Lest anyone say that this is not an actual teaching of the Catholic Church, note these quotes from official sources:
“As I have often said in other meetings with Muslims, your God and ours is one and the same, and we are brothers and sisters in the faith of Abraham. Thus it is natural that we have much to discuss concerning true holiness in obedience and worship to God.” (Address of Pope John Paul II to the participants in the Colloquium on “Holiness in Christianity and Islam” in Rome, Thursday, 9 May 1985)
“Today I would like to repeat what I said to young Muslims some years ago in Casablanca: ‘We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection’.” (John Paul II to a General Audience, Wednesday, 5 May 1999)
"This year is also the 40th anniversary of the conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate, which has ushered in a new season of dialogue and spiritual solidarity between Jews and Christians, as well as esteem for the other great religious traditions. Islam occupies a special place among them. Its followers worship the same God and willingly refer to the Patriarch Abraham." (Benedict XVI, to a General Audience, World Youth Day in Cologne, Wednesday, 24 August 2005)
“The Church's relationship with the Muslims. ‘The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #841)
The above quote from the Catechism is referencing two major documents (Lumen Gentium and Nostra Aetate), both given by Pope Paul VI from the Second Vatican Council (a supposedly infallible Council of the Catholic Church). So, here we have the Catholic Catechism, three different popes, and an “infallible” Catholic council clearly telling us that Muslims and Christians worship the SAME God. But, can this possibly be true? Do Muslims really worship the God of the Bible? No, they don’t.
The Christian Bible teaches that God is a Trinity. The Muslim Bible (the Qur’an / Koran) teaches that Allah (the Muslim god) is NOT a Trinity (Surah 4:171). The God of Christianity has a Son. The god of Islam has NO SON (Surah 4:171). The Christian Bible teaches that God shares His Deity with His Son, Jesus Christ. The Qur’an DENIES the deity of Jesus Christ (Surah 23:91). The Christian Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified and died on a cross. The Qur’an DENIES that Jesus died on a cross (Surah 4:157). And this is only a partial list of key differences. So, they can’t both be right, since they teach opposites. God does not have two sets of conflicting Scriptures.
Muslims claim to worship the God of Abraham, yet they reject God’s chosen lineage through Abraham (it is Isaac who possessed the covenant and the promises, not Ishmael - Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:3-8). It is interesting that the Pharisees ALSO claimed to be children of Abraham (John 8:33), but they certainly were NOT (Matt. 3:7-9). Although the Pharisees THOUGHT they were worshipping the God of Abraham, Jesus told them, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44). Like the Pharisees, true Muslims worship the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and will never truly worship the God of Abraham until they renounce Islam.
The issue is not, “We worship the same God, but it’s just that Christians know God ‘more fully’ than Muslims.” No, the issue is the fact that Christians worship the God Who inspired the Bible, and Muslims worship the god who inspired the Qur’an. Surely, two different Gods.
Dear Catholic friends, this article is more about you than it is about the Muslims. You’re not helping Muslims when you claim that they are worshipping the God of the Bible… you’re deceiving them. As we said before, if Christians and Muslims worshipped the same God, our Bibles would not contradict each other. In your zeal to appease the Muslims, you’re not only deceiving them, but you are deceiving your fellow Catholics and your own selves, as well.
You can give two different people the same name, but that doesn’t make them the same person. Again, Christians and Muslims do NOT worship the same God, as the Catholic Church teaches. We want (and need) to reach out to Muslims, yes, but with the truth… with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Catholics, we sincerely urge you to not let your desire for “unity” override the simple truth.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello again Nick,
ReplyDeleteNo, I wouldn’t. I am saying that the Jews (i.e., those who embrace Judaism) are not worshipping the God of Christianity. Although Christians and Jews have the Old Testament in common, Jews reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. This is more than enough reason to say that their god is not the same as the Christian God.
If you don’t honor the Son, you don’t honor the Father. (John 5:23)
If you deny the Son, you deny the Father. If you have the Son, you have the Father. (1 John 2:22-23)
If you have the doctrine of the Son, you have both the Father and the Son. If you don’t have the doctrine of the Son, you have neither. (2 John 1:9)
It is very clear. You’re not worshipping God (the Father) if you’re rejecting His Son.
Lastly, if unity and common ground are so threatening, one has to wonder what exactly is being protected. A fear of theological dilution? An anxiety over perceived loss of doctrinal purity? How quaint. Embracing the shared heritage of Abrahamic faiths doesn't dilute Christianity; it enriches it. The Catholic Church's efforts to find common ground with Islam are not about compromising doctrine but about recognizing and respecting the sincere faith of billions of Muslims around the world.
ReplyDeleteThe complexity and richness of interfaith dialogue cannot be reduced to simplistic assertions of doctrinal purity. By engaging in respectful and informed discussions, we can deepen our understanding of one another and foster a more inclusive and harmonious world. Rejecting this approach in favor of rigid exclusivity does nothing but perpetuate ignorance and conflict.
In this age of globalization and interconnectivity, the importance of interfaith dialogue cannot be overstated. By building bridges of understanding, we contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world. Rejecting this approach in favor of rigid exclusivity does nothing but perpetuate ignorance and conflict.
So, dear critics, cling to your binaries and your false certainties. The rest of us will continue to navigate the rich tapestry of faith with a bit more grace and intellectual honesty. In the end, it's not about proving one religion right or wrong, but about finding ways to coexist peacefully and respectfully in our diverse and complex world.
Wouldn't you agree that it's high time we moved beyond such narrow-minded arguments and embraced a more inclusive and empathetic perspective? Let's elevate the conversation and strive for a deeper understanding that transcends simplistic dichotomies. Now, if only such a nuanced and enlightened approach could penetrate the fortress of your convictions.
Andrew MacArthur,
DeleteSo, doctrinal purity is “quaint”? False doctrine does not “enrich” Christianity. And the Catholic Church’s efforts to find common ground are indeed compromising doctrine. I’m sorry if my “rigid exclusivity” makes you (or them) feel uncomfortable, but you just can’t seem to deal with Jesus’ words about Him being the only way (John 14:6). There’s no getting around it. All your unbiblical bridge-building and ecumenical talk will be detrimental for both of you.
Why are you deleting my comments, son? Why are you so scared?
ReplyDeleteAndrew MacArthur,
DeleteYou do realize that my life does not revolve around you, right? You get perturbed when you don’t get an answer right away and you assume that I am avoiding you or deleting your comments? Don’t flatter yourself, Andrew, there are times when I am away from the computer for a few, or more, days. I answer comments as I can. You don’t get to tell me how or when to answer. If you pull this stunt again, I will delete you permanently.
Andrew MacArthur, (Part 1)
ReplyDeleteI make it a habit to use only my first name on this blog. In your comments on 1/17/2025, you used my full name. I like a certain amount of privacy and I would expect you to respect that. Since I am unable to edit your comments before I moderate, I am reprinting your comments of that day here (without my name) and I will comment afterward.
[Comments from Andrew MacArthur – 1/17/2025]
Firstly, the insistence that two sets of scriptures must mean two different deities is as simplistic as it is misguided. It's akin to saying that Shakespeare and Dickens cannot possibly describe the same London because their literary styles and focuses differ. Bravo for that limited viewpoint!
The argument hinges on the nature of God as a Trinity versus a singular entity. Yet, this argument misses the point entirely. The theological nuances between Christianity and Islam are deep, yes, but to outright dismiss the commonalities based on scriptural interpretations is to disregard centuries of philosophical and theological discourse. How delightfully myopic!
Let's dive deeper into the essence of this theological debate. The Catholic Church, in its quest for interfaith dialogue, isn't suggesting that Christians and Muslims share identical beliefs. Rather, it acknowledges that both faiths trace their spiritual heritage to the patriarch Abraham. This shared lineage is a foundational commonality that can serve as a bridge for understanding and cooperation. To dismiss this is to ignore the profound historical and theological connections that bind these religions together.
Moreover, the dismissal of the Quranic perspective on Jesus overlooks the rich tradition of Islamic reverence for him. In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is considered one of the greatest prophets, born of the Virgin Mary and destined to return at the end of times. The divergence in beliefs about his nature and mission should be viewed as an opportunity for dialogue rather than a barrier. By acknowledging these differences, we can foster a more respectful and nuanced conversation that moves beyond the binary thinking that characterizes so much of the current discourse.
Secondly, bringing in the Pharisees and likening Muslims to "children of the devil" (John 8:44) is not only intellectually lazy but spectacularly tone-deaf. It’s an argumentative sleight of hand that betrays a lack of genuine understanding or desire for interfaith dialogue. If you must twist scripture to prove your point, then perhaps your point is not worth proving. This tactic reveals an unwillingness to engage in meaningful conversation, favoring instead a divisive and reductive approach that only deepens misunderstandings.
It is essential to understand that theological differences do not necessarily equate to worshiping different deities. The distinctions between Christianity and Islam are significant, but they should not overshadow the shared commitment to monotheism and the pursuit of spiritual truth. By focusing on these shared values, we can build bridges of understanding and cooperation that transcend theological boundaries.
[END of Andrew’s Comments]
Andrew MacArthur (Part 2)
ReplyDeleteI can see you’re trying hard to “wax eloquent” in your responses, but you are only showing a lack of scriptural argumentation. I assume that you are Catholic and it is obvious that the Catholic Church teaches that Muslims and Catholics share the same God. There is no way to dance around that. I know it’s tough to try and reconcile this concept with the Scriptures, while maintaining your faithfulness with the Church.
I’ll make it short.
You admit differences between Catholicism and Islam, but downplay that while trying to focus on “commonalities.” You are giving Muslims a false hope. Sure, I believe in fruitful dialogue, but you are deceiving them. Yes, they believe that Jesus was a prophet and they trace their roots back to Abraham. That’s fine, but that does no good if they don’t go farther and recognize the same Jesus (as Lord, Savior and Son of God) and recognize the biblical lineage of Abraham (i.e., through Isaac, not Ishmael). Catholics are doing Muslims a disservice when they lie to them.