The Amazing Prophecy of Methuselah by Chris White

Methuselah: World's longest lived man

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah.  Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.  Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years.  Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.  When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech.  Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters.   Gen. 5:21-26

The birth of a son to Enoch at age 65 had profoundly changed his life.  Prior to the birth of Methuselah, Enoch had conducted his life much like the rest of the world around him, that of increasing moral decay and ignoring God.  But God spoke to Enoch and told him to name his son Methuselah which means “when he is dead, it shall be sent.”  Alternatively, the name could also mean “the man with a spear.”  Either way, Enoch understood that this son was a sign from God that divine judgment was going to fall upon the earth.


Enoch walked with God and watched for the remainder of his life on earth.  He had no way of knowing the length of his son’s life but whatever the length, Enoch wanted to be found by God to be walking faithfully with him.  We know nothing about Methuselah’s manner of living except for the fact that he was the longest lived man in recorded history at 969 years.  We know nothing about his son Lamech either, but we do know about his grandson Noah who alone (Gen. 6:8) found favor in the eyes of God.


But here is the amazing calculus of Methuselah’s life.  He was 187 years old when his first son Lamech was born and 369 years old when his grandson Noah was born (Gen. 5:28).  The Bible says that Noah was 600 years old when the flood came upon the earth (Gen. 7:11).  If you add the 369 years that Methuselah lived before Noah and then the years of Noah, the total comes to 969 years, the exact amount of years Genesis 5:27 tells us he lived.  What this means is that the flood came the exact year of Methuselah’s death.  After his death, it shall be sent.


Why did God wait so long to judge the earth?  1 Peter 3:20 and 2 Peter 3:9 both speak of the flood and remind us that God delayed his judgment because of his longsuffering and desire that all would repent before that day.  In Luke 17 the disciples of the Lord Jesus asked him when will be the final judgment and the day of his return.  Jesus linked the conditions of that day to be like the days when the flood of Noah occurred.  Jesus believed and is our confidence that God has judged before and will do so again in the future.  The only question that remains is whether we like Enoch will take this knowledge to heart and walk with God that we might be delivered as he was from the wrath to come.

Sources:

M.R. DeHaan  In the Days of Noah. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1963)
“Meaning of Methuselah” http://www.abarim-publications.com  web 7/23/2014

 

50 Miles or Faith? by Chris White

There is a great piece of American folk wisdom which states that an expert is merely someone who happens to be more than 50 miles from home.  Mark chapter 6 offers an interesting perspective of this phenomenon in action.  It starts out with Jesus paying a visit to Nazareth where he grew up and where many of his siblings still lived.  He taught as He had done elsewhere but there the people were offended.   He prayed for people as He had done elsewhere but in Nazareth very few miracles happened.  At this point the scripture tells us that Jesus marveled at their unbelief.  After Jesus leaves Nazareth he heads towards the region around the Sea of Galilee where he teaches and miraculously feeds the multitudes with the loaves and fishes, He walks on water, and then ends with multitudes surrounding Him and bringing the sick to lay in his pathway that they might even touch Him or at least His clothing and be healed.  What a difference a few miles makes.  Jesus was more than willing to do these same astonishing things to bless the people of Nazareth but it was they who were unwilling to both believe and receive.  There is a lesson in here for all of us about underestimating and undervaluing those with whom we are most familiar which seems patently obvious.  How often have you written off the advice of a parent or sibling when in fact they said pretty much the same thing as the paid expert you consulted?  But what I find striking is how the unbelief of Nazareth seemed to restrict and hold back what God would have gladly done for them as He did elsewhere.  And this begs a question:  is there a blessing God might be desiring to give you but cannot because of unbelief?  Sometimes it’s not about a lack of asking but a lack of trusting and that’s the main point of the Christian life.  Think about it.

[An expert is] somebody who is more than 50 miles from home, has no responsibility for implementing the advice he gives, and shows slides.
ATTRIBUTION:	NY Times 24 Jan 84

Hinduism and Christianity: Comparison and Contrast by Chris White

Around the same time that the Israelites were serving the kings of Egypt as a slave labor force, the winds of change were blowing across the geographic area we know today as the Ukraine. For reasons that are unknown to us today, a great dispersion of the nomadic Indo-European tribes known as the Aryans was occurring causing them to migrate eastward. While many are known to have remained in Turkey and Iran, a good many continued the trek until they landed in India. While next to nothing of the Aryan civilization remains for the archaeologist's spade, they have left for us their scriptures known as the Vedas or book of wisdom or knowledge. These form the foundation for the religion known as Hinduism, a religion that, while mostly concentrated in India, is practiced by 13.3% of the world's population. As we consider this great world religion, we will concentrate on its major belief systems, its ordinary practice, and finally how it compares to Christianity, a religion it predates by nearly 1500 years.

In the ancient Vedas a picture is painted of the Aryan tribes fighting their way across the Indus and Ganges plains. Their religion consisted of the head of the tribe offering animal sacrifice in much the same way as did the Jewish patriarch Abraham. Once settled, the Aryans developed a regular priesthood that moved from monotheism to henotheism and finally into polytheism: the worship of many gods. However, Hinduism has continued to develop since the time of the ancient Vedas until now. It has become not one religion but rather an entire family of religions with a wide variety of beliefs and practices to choose from. Hindu believers range from monotheists to polytheists to pantheists to agnostics and atheists. Hinduism is, to say the least, very fluid by nature.

Despite the fact that Hinduism has no formal creeds or doctrines, there are some major beliefs that are generally held and readily apparent the cultures where it dominates. Two of their beliefs are ones that remain background most of the time while three of them are often seen in the foreground of Hindu thought.

In the background are monism and Dharma. Monism the the very essence of Hindu philosophy. The self is related to ultimate reality or Brahman and with everything and everyone else. Put another way, all is one and one is all. Dharma is an eternal law which enables all things to function harmoniously. Dharma regulates the life force within plants, animals, humans, and inanimate objects. The law of Dharma also ensures the continuous life of everything even if it is in another form. This reinforces the idea of reincarnation.

In the foreground of Hindu thinking is Karma, Maya, Samsara. Karma is an eternal law of cause and effect. Karma will determine your present lot in life but also your future life as well. Karma will bring good fortune on the person who does good deeds and bad fortune on the person who does bad deeds. Since no one is totally good or totally bad in their behavior, one can only hope that there is more good than bad. Good or bad karma may not effect your present life or the life after that either. But at some point you will receive the benefits of either in determining your status in future lives. Technically, in the Hindu conception of reincarnation you have no memory of your previous lives. This means that you can't really learn from your previous mistakes and therefore will probably never be able to ascend into a higher life form anyway.

Maya is the idea that all of reality is illusory. If something is good, beautiful, tragic or evil, truly it is not. While it is an illusion it is to be taken seriously even as a person takes their dreams seriously while they are asleep. It may be a false reality but its the only one you are experiencing at the moment. Maya is very closely related to karma. If a Hindu person walks by a young man ravaged by disease or a woman being raped, they are only receiving the karma that is due them. As the rainy season in Bangladesh dislocates and kills thousands every year with flooding, it is no concern. It is all illusion.

Samsara is the endless cycle of change in the world. Everything is constantly changing and in the process of becoming something different. This works perfectly with the principles of karma, maya, and reincarnation. It also allows the person living in the squalor of India to adapt more easily to the precariousness of life.

Out of these general beliefs emerge some specific Hindu behaviors. One of these that is particularly hard to understand outside the pale of Hinduism is the caste system or the classing of people on a scale of worth, value, and privilege. In the western world this would be called discrimination or racism because we have, at least as a public ideal, the belief in the equality of persons before God and each other. In the Hindu belief system, Brahman created "Manu" the very first man. Out of him came the many different classes of people, thus the caste system is one that is inspired by the force behind all reality. Two other resulting behaviors of the Hindu belief system are resignation and Ahimsa or compassion. Because Samsara means all is forever changing and reincarnation means a person will have innumerable lives ahead, life can be lived with an attitude of resignation. No privilege, problem, sweetness or sorrow is really of final consequence to the Hindu. Part of this resignation is the importance of playing your part in this life well. If you have been born to a low caste or born to a high one and you do it well, it will produce good karma and elevate you in a future life. As the law of Dharma regulates the life force that is in all things, so Ahimsa is the next logical belief. If everything is alive and has its harmonious place in this world, so we must be compassionate to all things. Live and let live as the saying goes.

Like Buddhism's Nirvana, Hinduism also seeks a final escape from endless reincarnation and embodied existence under the name of Moksha. The goal is to be a spirit being no longer having to endure the pains of this life. It is the responsibility of the Hindu to find his own pathway to Moksha. There are three major pathways to Moksha; the first is the way of action or Karma Marga. This entails rightly doing the rituals and requirements of your caste in every stage of your life. Fulfill these and you are living in the way of action. The second path is Jnana Marga-the way of knowledge. This requires a heavy commitment to the disciplines of yogic meditation. As you meditate for long periods of time you will slowly discover your true self. This will make it possible to attain Moksha even in this life. Bhakti Marga or the way of devotion is the Hindu pathway most well known to westerners because of the Hare Krishna movement. The way of devotion entails finding one of the 3 million gods of Hinduism and learning to worship, love, and bargain with it-him-her. This is usually done with the help of a guru or spiritual teacher.

Hinduism is a highly individual religion. Because, of this worship and rituals may be practiced at home or in a temple or sacred place with equal validity. Before worship can begin the Hindu must go through purification rites. These might entail ritual bathing and foot washing, perfuming, rinsing mouth, dressing in special clothing, bell ringing, hymn singing, and burning of incense. Once purification has been made then the adherent is to offer Puja or worship. This would be showing respect to the god, making requests, offering ritual food, presenting flowers and gifts at the alter, chanting, and reading the Hindu scriptures. While images and statuary are used in Hindu worship they do not believe they are the gods, but rather they are indwelt by the gods.

While there is a chasm between Christianity and Hinduism as religions, there are at least some truths both would affirm albeit from differing trajectories. The Hindu belief that reality is an illusion is one example. Certainly the Christian worldview would affirm that while the physicality of the earth is true, much of life as it is lived here is an illusion and vanity that is to be avoided. While the Hindu seeks release from embodied existence and its miseries through Moksha, there is also the desire and hope of Heaven for the Christian where he will also escape once and for all the sin and death which afflict his earthly existence and be with his God (Rev. 21). Finally there is the belief in the law of Karma. Once again, in Christianity there is a law of cause and effect. If a Christian lives a life of sin he bears consequences for it in this life and possible loss of reward in the next. Conversely, while living righteously is no guarantee of reward in this life (see Job) it is certainly guaranteed in the next.
The differences between Christianity and Hinduism are radical. Hinduism sees the physical realm as more or less one and the same as God. It considers the cosmos of no importance in seeking God. Christian belief sees God as separate from physical realm of earth and yet it is a reflection of His goodness and glory. Though it is under a curse, it still speaks to man about His creator and one day will be redeemed with man.

Christians worship one God whose name is Yahweh. He is infinite, personal, holy, and loving. He is our creator and has made man for His pleasure and our blessing. In Hinduism, God is impersonal and indefinable. Lesser gods are worshipped and known but they are still have a God behind them that is unknowable.

In Hinduism, Man is without self or self-worth. He is of equal value to a rock or cow and of one essence with all of life created by an unknowable and impersonal god or principle. Christianity teaches that Man is created in the image of God and this one fact elevates him above the rest of creation. Though he has fallen into sin, he is so valuable to God that God came in human flesh and paid the penalty for man's sin making it possible to forgive and redeem him.
Finally, sin and salvation in the Hindu conception are defined as not living in accordance with your caste or ignorance and seeking a release from the endless cycle of reincarnation. In Christian doctrine sin is an act of personal rebellion against a perfect and holy God. Salvation is an escape from eternal punishment to an eternal life as a gift from a loving God to all who call on His son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

As Christian thinker and apologist C.S. Lewis once wrote: "If you are a Christian, you are free to think that all these religions, even the queerest ones, contain at least some hint of the truth." Hinduism is one religion that fits such a description. While the culture it is tied to is exotic, beautiful, and to be respected, Hinduism as a religion is not logically consistent and has almost not historic basis. While some of its teachings might have a hint of truth behind them, they are quickly overshadowed by an even greater amount of error.

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Bibliography
Beaver, R. Pierce; Bergman, Jan; Langley, Myrtle S. ; Lane, Tony; Maxwell, Elsie A.; Metz, Wulf; Romarheim, Arild; Walls, Andrew; Withycombe, Robert; Wooton, R.W.F.; Eerdmans' Handbook To The World's Religions, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1994.

Fry, George C. ; King, James R.; Swanger, Eugene R.; Wolf, Herbert C.; Great Asian Religions, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.

Hexham, Irving. Concise Dictionary of Religion, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Jansen, Frank Kaleb, Gen. Ed.; Target Earth, Kailua-Kona: University of the Nations, 1989.

Lewis, C.S.; Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1956.

McDowell, Josh; Stewart, Don; Handbook of Today's Religions, San Bernardino: Here's Life Publishing, 1983.

Wolpert, Stanley. A New History of India 5th Edition, New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Jesus and Muhammad in Contrast by Chris White

Islam is the third largest religion in the world today making it a "spiritual superpower". It has over 450 million adherents and is the dominant force in over 36 countries on 3 continents. The biggest factors fueling its rapid growth today are the huge birth rates in many Islamic countries and huge bank accounts in the oil rich middle east funding the expansion of Islamic culture and teaching throughout the world. Setting most generalizations aside, most Islamic people are not wealthy, not Arab, and not fanatical or violent. Instead they are poor to middle class, largely Asian, and very much wanting to seek God in peace.

For many, Islam is tantamount to an insular and backward way of life but nothing could be further from the truth. Islam produced a rich culture which became the wellspring from which most western science, mathematics, and medicine comes. During the Dark ages of Europe, Islamic scientists were building observatories, working out the principles of algebra, and even making attempts at human flight. Though westerners later came to dominate the sciences, they were building on the foundation of Islamic science.

As we look at Islam, we will focus on its founding, its expansion, its central belief system and its many different branches. Finally we will look at the contrasts between Islam and the doctrines of Christianity.

Islam's founder is known as the prophet Muhammad. Muhammad was orphaned by age 6 and was raised by his grandfather and uncle in the commercial center of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Growing up in Mecca, Muhammad lived among Jews, Christians, but mostly idolaters. In fact Mecca was home to 365 idols one for each day of the year. His contact with Jews and Christians helped him grasp the concept of there being only one God but being totally illiterate he was never able to study or search these things out in the scriptures. Muhammad was very committed to the spiritual disciplines of meditation, fasting and prayer and would often retreat into the solitude of desert caves to seek God. When Muhammad was about 40, he was meditating in the cave of Hira when he heard the voice of the angel Gabriel telling him that Allah had appointed him as the Seal of the Prophets (the final person to receive direct revelation from God for the world). Muhammad's first converts were his wife and a wealthy merchant of Mecca named Abu Bakr. Gradually a small group of followers gathered around Muhammad and his teaching but also there was growing opposition which resulted in him fleeing to the city of Medina in 622 AD. There he built a political and religious power base and eight years later returned to Mecca with an army and conquered it. At the same time Muhammad took the Kaaba which was a shrine for idols and made it into a shrine to Allah, the one true God. Muhammad continued to proclaim his new religion until his sudden death in 632 AD.

Typical of most world religions, the influence of Islam did not expand beyond the borders of its geographic birthplace during the lifetime of its founder. When Muhammad died he had no male offspring and did not designate a successor and so over time the continuation of Islam came under the the oversight of Caliphs. The work of the caliph was much like a governor, but, because there is no spiritual/secular dichotomy in Islam, their duties included upholding Islamic teaching and law and defending the faith against infidels.

Many factors contributed to the rapid rise of Islam's power over the middle east, Africa, and Asia. The first factor is simply historic. The main world powers of the time, the Roman, Byzantine, and Persian empires, were in a state of weakness from constant war. They were easy targets for the caliphs seeking to expand their territory and their wealth. The conquered people of these lands were never forced to convert but the legal and economic system was such that remaining outside the pale of Islam was tantamount to becoming a second class citizen and many simply would take the option of conversion. Another factor was the religious climate of the day. All religion, including Judaism and Christianity had been moving in the direction of greater complexity. Islam offered the appealing alternative of simplicity. It was easy to convert, easy to understand, and easy to practice. It also offered the answers to life that were being asked by the common man . Islam's rise to power in Asia came as the result of a cultural revolution. The people of Indonesia were growing increasingly weary of the Hindu and Buddhist caste systems. As Muslim sea traders came into contact with the people of east Asia, the Islamic doctrine of equality and unity among people found a ready audience.
The final reason for the expansion of Islam was its doctrinal appeals to justice, world brotherhood and peace, temperance, and the elevation of women. . Although Islam was unsuccessful in conquering Europe during the Middle Ages, it was the ruling force of the entire Mediterranean world and Middle East by 1453 AD. Through immigration and a more cosmopolitan society, Islam is slowly but surely making gains as a mainstream religion in Europe today.

The foundation of Islam is a belief in the "..transcendence, the power, and the omniscience of Allah (God).." and that the primary act of faith man must perform is submission to the will of Allah. One becomes Islamic through an act of the conscious will. A convert will simply make the profession of faith in the presence of other believers. This profession is simple but theologically profound: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God."

Followers of Islam believe in a resurrection of the dead by God for final judgment according to their deeds both good and bad and either punishment or bliss will be their reward. Islamic people are responsible to God alone. While there are teachers, there are no real structures or clergy that serve as intermediaries of the covenant.

It is taught and believed that Islam was the original religion which predates Judaism and Christianity. It traces back to Adam by way of Abraham and his son Ishmael. The biblical persons of Moses, David, Job, and Jesus are considered prophets in Islamic thought. Muhammad was the final prophet, appointed by Allah to correct the errors of man that had crept in to the original, heavenly religion.
The most well known of Islamic literature is the Qu'ran. It is not the "Muslim Bible" but rather a continuation of the Holy Bible in a new revelation for the people of Arabia. Islam views the books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Gospels as authentic revelation from God as well. However, the Qu'ran supercedes them and where there is disagreement with the Bible it is to be understood that this is because of corruptions in the biblical text. A central doctrine concerning the Qu'ran is that it was dictated verbatim by God in Arabic to Muhammad. Because of this, translations of the Qu'ran in other languages are called interpretations since it is impossible to translate perfectly the revelation of God. Islamic education in any country stresses learning Arabic as the key to reading the Qu'ran and no matter what the local language, the Qu'ran is always chanted in Arabic. This is a common cultural bond among all Muslims .

Since Muhammad could not read or write, the text of the Qu'ran was assembled by his successors after his death. People who witnessed his teaching did commit it to writing and these fragments were assembled in topical order and by length. Any fragment that was considered unreliable was simply excluded. Once the text was complete and approved, the originals were destroyed. Since that time the Qu'ran has remained unchanged.

The core of Islamic orthodoxy is what are known as the five pillars. "The five pillars are the profession of faith, daily prayer, payment of the zakat (alms-tax), fasting in the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca." These pillars are universally agreed upon by all of Islam no matter what branch, sect, or nation. The pillars are the obligation of every Muslim believer but are not considered the way of virtue. Individual charity and justice practiced in the community are what defines virtue in this religion.

The first pillar is known as the Shahada or profession of faith. The God of the Islamic faith is the God of the Jews and Christians as was taught by Muhammad. The Islamic emphasis on the oneness of God precludes any idea of a trinity or son of God. According to Islamic doctrine Jesus was a great prophet but not God's only son. To believe this would be polytheism which is unforgivable before Allah.

Ritual prayer is the second pillar of Islam. Believers are called to pray 5 times a day, however Muslims are encouraged to be in prayer constantly. While there is no set location for prayer, it is to be done facing east towards Mecca and is not personal prayer but ritual prayers praising God for mercy and declaring His glory. Prayer in a mosque is required on Fridays and on high holy days. In the mosque there are no seats provided and no shoes are permitted. This is a sign of equality among believers. All must find a spot and all must come before God on an equal footing. The minaret or tower on the mosque serves the dual purpose of providing a high place for the call to prayer to played over a loudspeaker or done live by a person and also it is on the east side of the building so the person coming to pray can orient himself correctly.

The third pillar of Islam is the payment of alms for the poor. In some Islamic countries this has been institutionalized into a tax while in others it is still a voluntary. No set amount is prescribed however the Qu'ran and other revered Muslim literature suggests something in the neighborhood of 2.5% of ones savings annually. The main issue is that the Islamic believer cares for those less fortunate for himself.

Pillar four of the Islamic faith is fasting during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan marks the time when Gabriel spoke to Muhammad and told him he was God's final prophet. During this month all eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations, are forbidden during the daylight hours. At night the fast is broken and often a meal is shared among friends. The purpose of the fasts is not aesceticism, but rather a controlling of the appetites. It also builds community within the faithful.

The last pillar of Islam is known as the Hajj or pilgrimage. Every Islamic believer is to take at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia in his lifetime. While in Mecca the Kaaba shrine is visited and many spiritual exercises are done that will enhance one's communion with Allah. Once again, as people from around the world come together in Mecca, it promotes equality and brotherhood within Islam.

Keeping the pillars however must be done from the heart and in a spirit of submission to Allah if they are to be of any benefit to the believer. They will be of no use if they are practiced by someone who does not believe or puts not trust in God.

As a religion, Islam has several main branches. The largest of these are the Sunnis or "way of the Prophet". As a group they represent 85% of Islamic people. Sunni Muslims are very focused on keeping the teachings and rules of the Qu'ran and also are the branch that followed the Caliphs who succeeded Muhammad. Sunni Muslims are known for being very philosophical about life and detached from their passions.

Shiite Muslims are the predominate group in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Lebanon. They derive their name from Shiat Ali who was Muhammad's cousin and the last caliph from Saudi Arabia. Since Ali was murdered this group places a high emphasis on martyrdom and are the ones who are radical and known for putting themselves in harm's way. As a group they have an infallible spiritual leader whom they call an Imam. He has divine right to lead all Shiites in matters of faith and practice.
In contrast to these larger groups are the Sufi Muslims so called because their founders wore dark woolen robes which in Arabic are known as Sufis. This sector of Islam places its emphasis on love and mystical communion with Allah as opposed to submission alone. Sufis organize as brotherhoods and often as secret societies since their beliefs differ so much from Islamic orthodoxy. Within this group are the well known "Whirling Dervishes" of Turkey and Southern Russia who have added ecstatic dancing and chanting to their worship of Allah.

Islam and Orthodox Christianity have several points of commonality and several points of strong disagreement. Certainly the emphasis on submission to the will of God, having a relationship with God without the need of mediating human structures, concerns for equality among the brethren and care for the needy would be points of contact for the Christian and the Islamic believer. There is also the shared belief in the final judgment of all mankind for good or evil by a just and holy God.
The points of disagreement between Islam and Christianity however, are deep and profound. Concerning God, Islam emphasizes the utter oneness of God and His unity. Christianity teaches God is triune; One God known in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Islam, the Qu'ran is God's final revelation to man through the prophet Muhammad. The Holy Bible has some revelation but also many corruptions which needed correction. The New Testament, which predates Islam, teaches that God's final revelation to mankind was His Son Jesus Christ and that messages which teach the contrary are to be rejected. Additionally, Christian doctrine requires scripture inspired by God to be without contradiction or error. The Qu'ran produces no evidence or reasons why the Bible has been corrupted. Jesus Christ is a sinless prophet and not the Son of God in Islam. He will return to Earth one day and make the whole world an Islamic Kingdom. Jesus also was never crucified, buried or resurrected but rather put Judas Iscariot on the cross instead and ascended to heaven. Christianity is built on the uniqueness of Christ as the only Son of God who died to make payment for our sins and was resurrected from the dead. So central is this belief that if it can be proven false, Christianity as a religion cannot stand. Lastly, Islam and Christianity differ greatly on the issue of sin and salvation. In Islam, men are sinners by violating the law of God. They are saved by good works and keeping the pillars of Islam. Christian doctrine teaches that men are sinners by nature and that salvation is a free gift through faith in Christ and given by the grace of God.

Since both Christianity and Islam make exclusive claims to being the fullest expression of God's will for mankind and require complete obedience of their adherents, the argument for or against one or the other comes down to their source--Jesus Christ or Muhammad. Muhammad claimed himself a prophet, set up a religious system which contradicts most of everything God had previously taught, and died suddenly. Jesus Christ claimed He was the son of God and the fulfillment of the Old Testament law. He never claimed He was speaking for God, He claimed He was God. His death and resurrection have been attested to by eyewitnesses and this event has been historically verified many times over. Christ teaches a radically different path to a relationship with God than Muhammad. Only one of them can be true and the weight of evidence strongly favors Jesus of Nazareth.

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Bibliography

Beaver, R. Pierce; Bergman, Jan; Langley, Myrtle S. ; Lane, Tony; Maxwell, Elsie A.; Metz, Wulf; Romarheim, Arild; Walls, Andrew; Withycombe, Robert; Wooton, R.W.F.; Eerdmans' Handbook To The World's Religions, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1994.

Cairns, Earle E., Christianity Through The Centuries rev. ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Fry, George C. ; King, James R.; Swanger, Eugene R.; Wolf, Herbert C.; Great Asian Religions, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.

Hobson, Richard. "Science In The Modern Age," Aramco World, 1986.

Kilada, Kameel. "Islam : A Historic Overview", Gospel Missionary Union Middle East Awareness Seminar Notebook, Portland Oregon, 1991.

Lippman, Thomas W., Understanding Islam, New York: Meridian Books, 1995.

McDowell, Josh; Stewart, Don; Handbook of Today's Religions, San Bernardino: Here's Life Publishing, 1983.