One Thing People Misinterpret about Islam

[Janet1983]

I don’t know if being a slave of God is a misinterpretation of Islam. Personally I could never comprehend this “slave of God” theology of Islam. Maybe by virtue of my Christian baptism, I am graced with the faith of callling God "Abba Father"as a Child of God and not a slave. Maybe someone can explain what it means to be a “slave” of God?

Being a slave of God is not an unknown virtue to Christianity either, even though most translations do not show us.
The Greek word doulos is used quite often throughout the New Testament and as a matter of fact almost all of those passages are translated as “servant”.
It actually said “Well done good and faithful slave.”
In Galatians 1:10 Paul actually says “If I was trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ”. What he is saying is the typical attitude of a slave. He does not care what anybody says about him as his single focus is on his Master, Jesus Christ.
We are slaves of Jesus Christ because He bough us with a price. He owns us.
There is however a magnificent benefit to being a slave of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t only own us, he also loves us and makes us sons and daughters.
Our sole focus is however still Jesus Christ. It is Him alone we are trying to please as Christians and only His word is of importance to us.
Where there is a master there is a slave. A master is not a master without a slave and a slave is not a slave without a master.
Jesus Christ is our Lord, our Master and our God.

In Him,
Janet

(PS: If you are interested in the topic I currently read a very good book on it, that also describes slavery in New Testament times to make the term understandable for today’s reader: “Slave of Christ” Murray J. Harris… I did not quote him, but some of my knowledge concerning the topic can also be found in there.)

(PPS: There is a 1h sermon by John MacArthur on the topic out there and I listened to it on a 14 hour road trip and on the way back… I can’t tell whether I quoted him because some of the sentences are just ingrained in me I guess. I had it in my CD player in the car for quite a while…)

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I now that St Paul used the term. But we have a different interpretation of the phrase. We are slaves of Christ through our spirit for Him. Of course that comes from the Holy Spirit.

So then would it be correct to say that those in a teaching capacity of the faith is considered a servant or slave of God? and those of the laity are children of God? Yet both are Children of God by virtue of ones baptism. Paul and the Popes consider themselves as servants of the Lord or slaves (workers) in the vineyard of the Lord. Does slave then place one as a worker who “slaves”, works for the body of Jesus Christ his Church. Can you separate a slave independently from a Child of God? or can they both be the same? If the same, I see slave then, would be one who “works” for perfecting the members of the body (Church) of the Lord.

From a Hebrew household of the Old Testament a slave could not inherent anything from the owner of the household, only a child recieves an inheritance from his Father. Would not being a slave place one outside of the blood line from the family of God?

I can see being a slave or one who serves and shares his Father’s inheritance with others, but I can’t phantom the idea of a slave member of the household of God, who has not recieved a first installment of my “Abba” Father’s inheritance which is the Spirit.

2Cor.5:5
Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment. Is a slave elgible for an inheritance from the first installment from God? Or are only the Children of God elgible for this inheritance?

 

[father_stallone]

i agree…

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[Gabriel_of_12]

Being a slave of God is not an unknown virtue to Christianity either, even though most translations do not show us.
The Greek word doulos is used quite often throughout the New Testament and as a matter of fact almost all of those passages are translated as “servant”.
It actually said “Well done good and faithful slave.”
In Galatians 1:10 Paul actually says “If I was trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ”. What he is saying is the typical attitude of a slave. He does not care what anybody says about him as his single focus is on his Master, Jesus Christ.
We are slaves of Jesus Christ because He bough us with a price. He owns us.
There is however a magnificent benefit to being a slave of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t only own us, he also loves us and makes us sons and daughters.
Our sole focus is however still Jesus Christ. It is Him alone we are trying to please as Christians and only His word is of importance to us.
Where there is a master there is a slave. A master is not a master without a slave and a slave is not a slave without a master.
Jesus Christ is our Lord, our Master and our God.

Thank you Janet for your gracious response. Can you give an example of what a slave of Christ does or what sort of work does a slave of Jesus Christ do? For to be a slave entails some type of duty or work does it not? If I were to become a slave for Jesus Christ what sort of dutie might I have, and what sort of work would I be compelled to do for the Lord to recieve my inheritance?

How does a Muslim slave of God compares to a Christian slave of God?

 

[Randy_Carson]

I always find that people assume that Islam is a religion of violence. Rather, it is a religion of peace. However, the misinterpretation is caused by militant Islam. Militant Islam is caused by passages within the Koran that warrant violence. The thing is, Muhammad dictated his life experiences. So, in this context, can we truly believe that these passages are correct? One might think that the writer chose to insert passages of his own accord by claiming Muhammad said them himself. Also, looking at history and modern-day, Muslims would rather level a religious tax, or jizya, rather than killing Christians or others of a different faith. That’s just my perspective though. What does everyone else believe?

When in the course of history has Islam ever proven itself to be a religion of peace?

 

[Janet1983]

Thank you Janet for your gracious response. Can you give an example of what a slave of Christ does or what sort of work does a slave of Jesus Christ do? For to be a slave entails some type of duty or work does it not? If I were to become a slave for Jesus Christ what sort of dutie might I have, and what sort of work would I be compelled to do for the Lord to recieve my inheritance?

How does a Muslim slave of God compares to a Christian slave of God?

Well in it’s essence our work for the Lord does not change by realizing that we are indeed His slaves. As a servant of the Lord we are working to proclaim His kingdom and to do whatever pleases Him.
Because He bought us with a price all we try and do is to be to His glory alone and not to ours.
A slave as seen in New Testament times had only one focus and that was the will of the master. Where there was a direct command he would obey it and where there was no direct command he would try to do what pleased the master.
In the same way we as slaves of the Lord are to obey Him in all things and strive to live just as He wants us to live.

In its essence there is not much of a difference between the Christian definition of a slave of God and the Muslim definition of a slave of Allah.
The significant contrast is in what God tells us to do and what Allah tells the Muslims to do.
Allah is wrathful and violent and so are then those who follow him in obedience to his command.
On top of that there is another difference:
As the slaves of Jesus Christ we serve the highest Master. Our Master cares for us, He loves us and He actually adopts us as sons and daughters.
Even in worldly slavery of the antiquity there were differences in the position of the slaves. Some were loved and cared for, were part of the family and some were actually set free and made heirs at the death of their owner. As Christians we are in that position of the good and faithful slave who will inherit according to the will of our Master.
There were however other masters in the world who did not deal with their slaves in a kind and loving way and we do know about those too.
Being a slave of God and being a slave of Allah is radically different because of this.
My Master cares about me and I try my best to obey Him and Him alone. He is my single focus and I only want to please Him. He takes care of me and He shows His love even when He chastises me. As His slave I am totally dependent upon Him in everything and all discipline and reward comes from Him.
Being His slave is radically different from any other slavery because He actually adopts us as son and makes us heirs. He takes us to heaven and lets us reign and ours all the lavishness and all the joy out over us for His own glory. What would be better than being a slave to that Master?
I joyfully and gladly am a slave to the Lord, because He has bought me out of another slavery: that to death and sin.
I cannot tell you what kind of duty you might be compelled to do. It is different for everybody. Just do what He says and try to please Him on everything else.
I hope that helped in any way (and I hope there was not too much repetition in it).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Him,
Janet

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Well in it’s essence our work for the Lord does not change by realizing that we are indeed His slaves. As a servant of the Lord we are working to proclaim His kingdom and to do whatever pleases Him.

Because He bought us with a price all we try and do is to be to His glory alone and not to ours.
A slave as seen in New Testament times had only one focus and that was the will of the master. Where there was a direct command he would obey it and where there was no direct command he would try to do what pleased the master.
In the same way we as slaves of the Lord are to obey Him in all things and strive to live just as He wants us to live.

 

[Janet1983]

I hope you can see the difficulty I have of being called a slave of Jesus Christ above being called a Child of the living God.

Yes, I certainly do see these.
It is not only a Catholic phenomenon to be actually turned away from the thought of being a slave of God.
The verses that you quoted are wonderful and they show that you started looking in the right place to begin with. Being a slave of God requires obedience to Him and as Christians we are not only made His children by Him, but we are first and foremost bought by Him with a price, His own and thereby His slaves.
While being His slave might sound rather strange, the benefits are great. We do not have to worry about a lot of things. All we have to worry about is being obedient to Him in all things and that is a day-to-day task. I see myself failing, not being loving when I should be, getting upset about small things, not reading my Bible often enough, etc.
The thing is that I do not know what will be next. God does not give us a roadmap and tells us to go. He is always at work around us and we are invited to join Him in that.
Starting with the small things of holding the door for someone or talking about Him in a casual conversation to going on mission trips. Most of all our highest desire should be to please Him in everything that we do. That is to love the Lord with all our heart mind and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If pleasing Him and giving Him the glory in literally everything is our strongest desire and if we keep reminding ourselves, then there is no question as to whether or not we will be good and faithful slaves, because we will.
With the attitude of the slave to please the master in everything, we will not run in vain. With this attitude we will hold nothing back from Him because it already is His.
I do not have anything. I am a slave. All that I have is given to me by the Lord through His mercy and His forbearing. Should I loose everything tomorrow it would not be a loss to me because I did not own it in the first place and if God should decide to take anything away from me to fulfill a purpose He wants to fulfill then so be it. All I have is only through Him. Because of Him my husband can go to work. Because of Him my husband came home from Iraq unharmed. Because of Him we found a house, friends and a nice little church in the area. I am not saying that this is easy… It’s through His will that we can please Him at all.

The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.

In Him,
Janet

 

[benidict]

I always find that people assume that Islam is a religion of violence. Rather, it is a religion of peace. However, the misinterpretation is caused by militant Islam. Militant Islam is caused by passages within the Koran that warrant violence. The thing is, Muhammad dictated his life experiences. So, in this context, can we truly believe that these passages are correct? One might think that the writer chose to insert passages of his own accord by claiming Muhammad said them himself. Also, looking at history and modern-day, Muslims would rather level a religious tax, or jizya, rather than killing Christians or others of a different faith. That’s just my perspective though. What does everyone else believe?

interesting. muhammed once he had “received” the koran, went to his jewish neighbors and attempted to convert them. they laughed at him. so he got his band of peacful muslims and slaughtered them. nope no mis interpretation. also look at how they treat their own. if a woman is raped in one of their countries, the perpetrator is not tried. she is. if she is fortunate, she may only get a long prison term. otherwise these peaceful people will stone her to death for adultry. this is not what i believe these are simply facts. also have muslim friends who are peaceful. but at its core it is a very violent and bloody movement. they believe you are either of the house of islam, or you are an infidel. trust me you would not get the same courtesy and open mindedness from these folks if they were in charge. research how and what they did to take over egypt and what they did to the Coptic Christians. God bless you and yours.

 

[planten]

Slave is a lowest grade servant. Muslims are proud to be the slaves of God. I thank God that Gabriel and Janet have come around to admitting that they are also slaves of God and the term slave is used in Catholic terminology, in whatever sense. The Muslims also have some sense. So we are rid of any adverse blame about being called slaves of God.

 

[planten]

I always find that people assume that Islam is a religion of violence. Rather, it is a religion of peace. However, the misinterpretation is caused by militant Islam. Militant Islam is caused by passages within the Koran that warrant violence. The thing is, Muhammad dictated his life experiences. So, in this context, can we truly believe that these passages are correct? One might think that the writer chose to insert passages of his own accord by claiming Muhammad said them himself. Also, looking at history and modern-day, Muslims would rather level a religious tax, or jizya, rather than killing Christians or others of a different faith. That’s just my perspective though. What does everyone else believe?

It is true that Islam is a religion of Peace. But nowadays, the Muslims are not peaceful. It is not the religion but the followers of the religion have misunderstood Islam. The christians are helping them by saying that Islam is a violent religion.

 

[spn82756]

It is true that Islam is a religion of Peace. But nowadays, the Muslims are not peaceful. It is not the religion but the followers of the religion have misunderstood Islam. The christians are helping them by saying that Islam is a violent religion.

Planten…how can you say that the Christians are helping violence in Islam? That’s like saying that someone with no control over you has made you do something that you didn’t want to do!

That’s ludicrous.

Mommy…my brother made me throw the milk all over the floor! He got me mad and since I can’t think on my own I did what he told me to do!

 

[benidict]

It is true that Islam is a religion of Peace. But nowadays, the Muslims are not peaceful. It is not the religion but the followers of the religion have misunderstood Islam. The christians are helping them by saying that Islam is a violent religion.

hi planten. not trying to be rude. but can you specificly point out in their history, when islam has been a peaceful religion. both domestically or foreign policy wise.than you.

 

[planten]

If Islam is a religion of peace…why do almost never hear of widespread condemnation from the Muslim clerics of terrorist attacks? Instead the large majority are either silent or praising the attacks as a fight for Islam against infidels.

spn, Islam is a religion of Peace. If the majority Muslims are quiet on the subject, it does not change the peaceful nature of the religion. The violent muslims are very few. The majority is non-violent.

There is little good that can come from Islam. First of all…how could the Angel Gabriel who told Mary she would have the Christ…turn around and tell Mohammad that Jesus was just a prophet. A lesser prophet that Mohammad. The Gabriel of Islam is the Wolf in sheep’s clothing. That is the only being that craves seeing humanity not believe in Jesus the Christ.

I would disagree with you. May I remind you that Islam is the only religion which talks about Jesus in a Good way. You tell me any other religion in the world, say Hinduism, or Judaism or Budhism or any other religion which even believes in any good thing of Jesus?? Add to those the Atheists too. You will have the whole lot, all too many who disbelive in Jesus. In fact the whole word (except Muslimsa nd christians) disbelieve in Jesus. Only Muslims are with you, partially. Please thinkover and tell me who is with you???

There will be no one except Muslims (outside of your christianity) who would believe in any good thing about Jesus or his mother. Islam and Quran does not say even a single bad word about Jesus. But you are anxious that every one take Jesus as God. You are not satisfied with anything less than that. That is over expecting things, asking for too much. First ask the Jews please who are your seniors and from whom your religion is a by-product.

You have your bibleNT tied up with the bibleOT and you derive much from the bibleOT. Do the Jews admit anything good about Jesus??. Even though Jesus himself was a Jew and belonged to the Jews. Just tell what the Jews say about Jesus and please leave Islam alone. Do not bash or spread bad news about islam. Thanks.

I admit that Muslims are not doing things well in these days. But they are not abusing Jesus and that does not cause blame on Islam.

 

[benidict]

Islam is a religion of Peace. If the majority Muslims are quiet on the subject, it does not change the peaceful nature of the religion. The violent muslims are very few. The majority is non-violent.

I would disagree with you. May I remind you that Islam is the only religion which talks about Jesus in a Good way. You tell me any other religion in the world, say Hinduism, or Judaism or Budhism or any other religion which even believes in any good thing of Jesus?? Add to those the Atheists too. You will have the whole lot, all too many who disbelive in Jesus.

There will no one except Muslims (outside of your christianity) who would believe in any good thing about Jesus or his mother. Islam and Quran does not say even a single bad word about Jesus. But you are anxious that every one take Jesus as God. You are not satisfied with anything less than that. That is over expecting things, asking for too much. First ask the Jews please who are your seniors and from whom your religion is a by-product.

You have your bibleNT tied up with the bibleOT and you derive much from the bibleOT. Do the Jews admit anything good about Jesus??. Even though Jesus himself was a Jew and belonged to the Jews. Just tell what the Jews say about Jesus and please leave Islam alone. Do not bash or spread bad news about islam. Thanks. I admit that Muslims are not doing things well in these days. But they are not abusing Jesus and that does not cause blame on Islam.

actually my friend the Jews mention alot about Jesus in their writings. and nothing negative, they are especially fond of beatitudes. have you read any Jewish literature? it may do you some good. i study the bible, the koran, the torah from a hebrew translation. also study other faiths such as buddhism and hinduism. as far as you taking Jesus as God, that is your choice. i couldnt force you to do such a thing. but on the other hand, when islam takes over an area, the followers of your faith expect the Jewish and Christian believers to give up their beliefs. again. when has islam been a peaceful religion both domestically on their own soil, or toward other countries? is a fair question. i know their have been a few bright spots throughout history, but nothing lasting. why? peace be to you.

 

[planten]

I actually believe that someone who is dedicated to live Islam 100% without westernizing it in any way will have no other choice than to go ahead and live all of it including the violence it spreads. Of course you will find a lot of wonderful people who are Muslims, but these are the ones that are luke-warm. Outside of that group of luke-warm and cold Muslims you’ll find what you rightly classify as “militant” Muslims. The trouble is that those are the ones that take the Qur-an and the Hadith to hart and truly live Islam the way it is written here. They are the ones that live this religion, not the peaceful crowd.

Janet, thank you for taking interest in Islam. I believe that no one is peaceful and no one is following their religion properly in these days. You look at the christians in most countires. Their life style is notanything good, like it used to be for the early christians.

I am posting the right translation of the verses that you have presented. I know the translation is done by an old time translator of Quran who was gentle and he/she did not know that people will take wrong advantage of his/her words. The christian and many Muslims have been misled by the casual translation of verses.

Try to remember that the word kafir is not a simple disbeliever. He/she is an enemy and a harsh, hostile, combatant type of disbeliever whom the message of Islam (and/or message of Moses, Jesus) had reached in good words, he/she had understood the message, but still rejected the message, the teachings and tried to oppose the teachings with full force, that is the Kafir. kafir is not some peaceful non-believer.

Please keep that in mind and then try to understand the verses which seem adverse to you. Also remember that Moses or Muhammad never taught to offer the other cheek to the oppressors, even though that was necessary in the time of Jesus. Moses did that while inside Egypt but not when he out of there.

Quran 2:191-192-193.
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be ] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.

Al-Quran 2:191.
And kill them (Kafirs) wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah (persecution, oppression) is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the hateful combatant hostile disbelieving opponents( enemies). And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah (i.e. oppression, war) and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be and permitted] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors (the hateful hostile comabatant non-believers.)

Please see the above corrected translation if it helps you understand things. Remember that the word **Kafir **is there in the original verse in Arabic, i.e. verse 2:191.

 

[timotheos]

I always find that people assume that Islam is a religion of violence. Rather, it is a religion of peace. However, the misinterpretation is caused by militant Islam. Militant Islam is caused by passages within the Koran that warrant violence. The thing is, Muhammad dictated his life experiences. So, in this context, can we truly believe that these passages are correct? One might think that the writer chose to insert passages of his own accord by claiming Muhammad said them himself. Also, looking at history and modern-day, Muslims would rather level a religious tax, or jizya, rather than killing Christians or others of a different faith. That’s just my perspective though. What does everyone else believe?

To say Islam is “misinterpreted” is disingenuous rhetoric being thrown to historically ignorant Westerners. I have not read anything that significantly detracts from what Catholic writer and historian Hillare Belloc said about Islam decades ago - that it is a heresy, a dangerous one. A heresy conserves many truths of the religion from which it derivates, but mixes in a few lies that serve the interests of those promulgating it. Muslims conveniently argue the “truth” of Islam, citing some of its values shared with Christianity (from which many of its tenets were borrowed), and deny Islam’s condoning of violence with a lot of double-talk (encouraged by the Koran when dealing with infidels).

Our western society does not seem to have retained the necessary Christian faith and identity to call Islam what it truly is at this point in time. Our current post-Christian, “tolerant”, secular-humanist-atheist western world, if it continues to ignore its Christian roots and believe the “religion-of-peace” rhetoric, will crumble as it finds little to fight for.

 

[benidict]

To say Islam is “misinterpreted” is disingenuous rhetoric being thrown to historically ignorant Westerners. I have not read anything that significantly detracts from what Catholic writer and historian Hillare Belloc said about Islam decades ago - that it is a heresy, a dangerous one. A heresy conserves many truths of the religion from which it derivates, but mixes in a few lies that serve the interests of those promulgating it. Muslims conveniently argue the “truth” of Islam, citing some of its values shared with Christianity (from which many of its tenets were borrowed), and deny Islam’s condoning of violence with a lot of double-talk (encouraged by the Koran when dealing with infidels).

Our western society does not seem to have retained the necessary Christian faith and identity to call Islam what it truly is at this point in time. Our current post-Christian, “tolerant”, secular-humanist-atheist western world, if it continues to ignore its Christian roots and believe the “religion-of-peace” rhetoric, will crumble as it finds little to fight for.

hi timotheos, agree with you, im still waiting to hear from planten when islam has ever had an extended period of peace, the only one i can think of is when they controlled a part of spain, their were centers of learning set up. and they did for a time live at peace with their Jewish neighbors. cannot understand what happened to the enlightenment they had at that point. before that brief blip in history to present, they seem to be at war with eachother and everyone else. its sad. even if it is only one percent that are extremist, that leaves us with 10 million extremist. not good. do not know what it would take to bring a more tolerant mindset too this culture. peace be to you.

 

[Randy_Carson]

spn, Islam is a religion of Peace. If the majority Muslims are quiet on the subject, it does not change the peaceful nature of the religion. The violent muslims are very few. The majority is non-violent.

Is that so?

Then I recommend that the majority of you start addressing the cancer within your “religion of peace” because Allah’s name is being blasphemed among the non-believers because of the actions of those who kill indiscriminately in his name.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

Excellent post. You hit the nail on the head, in your first sentence. Knowing that extremists kill those who do not agree with their misinterpreted view, would you stay silent to protect yourself? I know we cannot understand that because most of us are willing to speak out, but I guarantee you they are afraid to. Some do praise it but I believe the majority remains silent to protect themselves.

people rioted over cartoons of mohamed yet were relatively silent about 911. that says a lot about what is offensive to their faith.