I think that John Paul II kissed the book simply to acknowledge that there are some things in Islam are true. Not ALL things, obviously, but some things. For example, Islam teaches that idolatry is wrong, which certainly true. It teaches that there is only one God, which is certainly true. It teaches that there is a heaven and a hell, which is certainly true. It teaches that abortion is wrong, which is certainly true. It teaches that Abraham was a holy man who humbly submitted to God, which is certainly true. That was the Pope’s point in kissing it, to acknowledge that there is some truth in Islam. Now, I will admit that he could have been clearer about why he was doing it, but he certainly did NOT do it to show “respect” for those teachings that go against Christianity. His actions, I would argue, are similar to how St. Paul favorably quoted from a pagan scripture in Acts to prove his point (I forget which chapter and verse this happened in.)
Anyone who would argue otherwise has never read the Pope’s book “Crossing the Threashold of Hope.” He talks about Islam in that book, and is very blunt in saying where it is wrong. In fact, in all honesty, I was quite shocked (pleasantly) at how blunt John Paul II was when I first read it.
In case anyone is skeptical, let me quote what John Paul II himself has actually said about Islam:
"Whoever knows the Old and New Testaments, and then reads the Koran, clearly sees the process by which is completely reduces Divine Revelation. It is impossible not to note the movement away from what God said about Himself, first in the Old Testament through the Prophets, and then finally in the New Testament through His Son. In Islam all the richness of God’s self-revelation, which constitutes the heritage of the Old and New Testaments, has definitely been set aside.
“Some of the most beautiful names in the human language are given to the God of the Koran, but He is ultimately a God outside of the world, a God who is only Majesty, never Emmanuel, God-with-us. Islam is not a religion of redemption. There is no room for the Cross and the Resurrection. Jesus is mentioned, but only as a prophet who prepares for the last prophet, Muhammed. There is also mention of Mary, His Virgin Mother, but the tragedy of redemption is completely absent. For this reason not only the theology but also the anthropology of Islam is very distant from Christianity.”
This is a very blunt, honest assessment of the theological problems with Islam. And this same pontiff also kissed the Koran, so I don’t think anyone can seriously argue that in doing so, he was trying to show “respect” for those religious opinions. Rather, he was simply acknowledging that there is some truth to the Islamic religion. In my opinion, John Paul II did a very good job of balancing respecting and admiring what is true in other religions, while at the same time confronting what is false and contrary to Christ’s teachings in those other religions.
I don’t understand. What are you talking about? Does the Pope fully accept Islam even tho the mulim bible says that The Chrijstion Jesus if a false Jesus and not the son of God and that god is no Father? :tiphat:
