Is Islam a religion of peace? My answer would be much more nuanced than this author's, but I do think that his view point is instructive. It reflects a traditional, unabashed, and forthright assertion of Christ's claims about himself. It is true that modern Biblical scholarship would tend to deconstruct Christ's assertions in a number of ways, but I think that the view presented here is on the ascent.
Another verse that reflects this sort of unvarnished Kingdom-centered thought is in 1 John 5: "We know that are from God, and that the whole world is in the hand of the evil one." I think as Christians are backed more and more into a corner, this will increase. On the other hand, I would treat Buddhism (which is pre-Christian) and Islam (based on a denial of a number of Christian doctrines) very differently.
A short and easy read:
'I get asked this question a lot. This question abounds in Christian circles. While it is a sincere question, I think that it is just based on the fallacy that there is such a thing as a religion of peace outside of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus….
'When asked this question, I always give the same answer: “Nothing outside of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, is of peace. So is Islam a religion of peace? No! Is Buddhism a religion of peace? No! Is Sikhism a religion of peace? No! Is secular humanism, which abounds in America, a faith system of peace? No! Islam pulls people away from Jesus. Jesus said it Himself, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Jesus is the author and bringer of peace: John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” Followers of Jesus are the only ones that live in the Kingdom of Light… everyone else, including Muslims, live in the Kingdom of Darkness, where the Devil is the leader. Jesus Himself called the Jews children of the Devil, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” (John 8:44-45). It’s that clear. “In Christ” there is peace. Not “in Christ” there is no peace. Is Islam a religion of peace? Better question: Do followers of Islam “have the Life” (1 John 5:12)?'
From Shawblog
