Should christians refer to GOD as Allah

[krokal]

What the Church teaches and what you are saying are two completely different things. Either put a disclaimer at your posts when you say that we don’t worship the same God or stop staying it.

Lumen Gentium is quite clear that Muslims and Jews adore the one creator, along with Christians. Just because Muslims and Jews don’t have the full picture, that doesn’t mean the God they call God isn’t actually God.

 

[fcbv]

“Allah” is the Arabic word for God. So, the Christians only should refer to God as “Allah” when they are speaking Arabic! By this reason, my answer is NO.

 

[palmas85]

What the Church teaches and what you are saying are two completely different things. Either put a disclaimer at your posts when you say that we don’t worship the same God or stop staying it.

Lumen Gentium is quite clear that Muslims and Jews adore the one creator, along with Christians. Just because Muslims and Jews don’t have the full picture, that doesn’t mean the God they call God isn’t actually God.

It is interesting however to note that they, particularly the Muslims, would disagree in the strongest possible terms.

To the Muslims the very idea that Christ was God is abhorrent and blasphemous. To them the Holy Trinity is nothing more than a joke at best and blasphemy at worst.

The fact that they may in some indirect and imperfect fashion have some tenuous connection to the one true God does not in any way justify their beliefs and grant them salvation. That should be what we are really concerned with.

The quest to include ALL faiths, no matter what they believed in, under one banner was, I feel, one of it not the biggest single flaw that Pope John Paul II of blessed memory, made.

Lumen Genitum, I think has been grossly misunderstood and misapplied, as has the entire concept of religious liberty and toleration. For what we have really ended up with is a hopeless mash of pleasing platitudes about love and concern for social justice with precious little truth about eternity or salvation filtering through.

And yes, I will say it before the inevitable barrage of PMS hits me again

PALMAS 85 IS MEAN SPIRITED, UNECUMENICAL, UNCHARITABLE AND HOPELESLY INFECTED WITH A PRE VATICAN II MINDSET

 

[kleary]

For us in the Latin Rite to start calling God “Allah” in order to “promote goodwill between Christians and Muslims” is ABSURD, IMMORRAL and down right shameful.

Officially, the Catholic Churches in the East, as well as the Orthodox, refer to God as “Allah” in their public liturgies when using the vernacular tongue in the Middle East. That is a fact. But for us in the Latin Rite, not in the Middle East to adopt such for “ecumenical reasons” is totally out of line and absurd. The bishop should be banished to Iran, like his buddy who concocted the Novus Ordo Missae, Annibale Bugnini. There he can keep crying “Allah Ahackbah - or something like that”.

Ken

 

[krokal]

It is interesting however to note that they, particularly the Muslims, would disagree in the strongest possible terms.

To the Muslims the very idea that Christ was God is abhorrent and blasphemous. To them the Holy Trinity is nothing more than a joke at best and blasphemy at worst.

The fact that they may in some indirect and imperfect fashion have some tenuous connection to the one true God does not in any way justify their beliefs and grant them salvation. That should be what we are really concerned with.

The quest to include ALL faiths, no matter what they believed in, under one banner was, I feel, one of it not the biggest single flaw that Pope John Paul II of blessed memory, made.

Lumen Genitum, I think has been grossly misunderstood and misapplied, as has the entire concept of religious liberty and toleration. For what we have really ended up with is a hopeless mash of pleasing platitudes about love and concern for social justice with precious little truth about eternity or salvation filtering through.

And yes, I will say it before the inevitable barrage of PMS hits me again

PALMAS 85 IS MEAN SPIRITED, UNECUMENICAL, UNCHARITABLE AND HOPELESLY INFECTED WITH A PRE VATICAN II MINDSET

I think it would be wise for you to spend some time in prayer and perhaps meditate on your hostility towards both Muslims and people who took Vatican II and ran with it.

I would like to point a few things out, namely:

1. It is a mute point whether or not Muslims agree with the Church on how She discusses Islam. If the Church teaches the Truth, then that is all we need to be concerned with.
2. Lumen Gentium does not say that Muslims are necessarily and automatically granted salvation. Liberal interpreters of Lumen Gentium might say that, but they’re wrong.

3)Where do you get this notion that

The quest to include ALL faiths, no matter what they believed in, under one banner was, I feel, one of it not the biggest single flaw that Pope John Paul II of blessed memory, made.

?

I have no recollection of Pope John Paul II doing any thing of the sort, so I’d like to hear where you’re coming from.

4)Every single human being has the possibility of salvation through Jesus Christ. This includes Muslims, Jews, Athiests, and everyone else. I am not saying [and Lumen Gentium for that matter is not saying] that everyone is going to Heaven.

I’ll finish with this key passage from Lumen Genitum. Either you can take it or leave, but I sincerely hope that you take it.
Lumen Gentium:

1. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*) In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126); But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128) Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.(20*) She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator.(129) Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, “Preach the Gospel to every creature”,(130) the Church fosters the missions with care and attention.

 

[bones_IV]

But, under the traditional Catholic approach, that is incorrect.

In Catholic theology, when people worship one God–like the Jews or Muslims–it is considered to be the one true God. In Acts 17:23, St. Paul tells pagans they are worshipping the one true God:

“For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it, that I preach to you.”

Here are some more sources for this idea that Muslims worship the one true God:

Pope St. Gregory VII (11th century) to a Muslim prince: ‘Almighty God, who wishes that all should be saved and none lost, approves nothing in so much as that after loving Him one should love his fellow man, and that one should not do to others, what one does not want done to oneself. You and we owe this charity to ourselves especially because we believe in and confess one God, admittedly, in a different way, and daily praise and venerate him, the creator of the world and ruler of this world.’

Catechism of Pope St. Pius X : 12 Q. Who are infidels?
A. Infidels are those who have not been baptised and do not believe in Jesus Christ, because they either believe in and worship false gods as idolaters do, or though admitting one true God, they do not believe in the Messiah, neither as already come in the Person of Jesus Christ, nor as to come; for instance, Mohammedans and the like.

Catholic Encyclopedia: As in ecclesiastical language those who by baptism have received faith in Jesus Christ and have pledged Him their fidelity and called the faithful, so the name infidel is given to those who have not been baptized. The term applies not only to all who are ignorant of the true God, such as pagans of various kinds, but also to those who adore Him but do not recognize Jesus Christ, as Jews and Mohammedans.

Also see this chapter on Islam in Hillair Belloc’s "Great Heresies."
ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/HERESY4.TXT

Second Vatican Council: The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God.

Allah is not God. There’s a reason why the Second Vatican Council doesn’t mention Allah.

 

[krokal]

Allah is the Arabic word for God. What part about that are we unclear about? Allah is not “another God”, Allah is God, just as much as Dios is God and Deus is God.

Bones, when Chaldean Catholics refer to God both in speech and during liturgy, what do you think they say? Do you think they’re just running along using Arabic and then interject the English “God” into their speech?

 

[bones_IV]

Allah is the Arabic word for God. What part about that are we unclear about? Allah is not “another God”, Allah is God, just as much as Dios is God and Deus is God.

Bones, when Chaldean Catholics refer to God both in speech and during liturgy, what do you think they say? Do you think they’re just running along using Arabic and then interject the English “God” into their speech?

Muslims worship a fallen spirit called “Allah” that is violent, sensual, and the antithesis of our God. Roy Schoeman explains this very well in Salvation Is from the Jews published by Ignatius. Muslims worship a fallen angel. Allah is a name for a pagan god.

 

[krokal]

I can’t see we’re not going to get anywhere with this discussion, especially after seeing the content of your blog about Muslims.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Since “Allah” refers to God the Father and denies the Holy Trinity, “Allah” is not the complete True God. This bishop is ABSOLUTELY wrong.

Pope Eugene IV, Council of Basel, Session 19, Sept. 7, 1434:

“There is hope that very many from the abominable sect of Mahomet will be converted to the Catholic faith.”

**Pope Callixtus III, 1455: **

“I vow to… exalt the true Faith, and to extirpate the diabolical sect of the reprobate and faithless Mahomet [Islam] in the East”

Pope Clement V, Council of Vienne, 1311 - 1312:

“It is an insult to the holy name and a disgrace to the Christian faith that in certain parts of the world subject to Christian princes where Saracens * live, sometimes apart, sometimes intermingled with Christians, the Saracen priests, commonly called Zabazala, in their temples or mosques, in which the Saracens meet to adore the infidel Mahomet, loudly invoke and extol his name each day at certain hours from a high place… This brings disrepute on our faith and gives great scandal to the faithful. These practices cannot be tolerated without displeasing the divine majesty. We therefore, with the sacred council’s approval, strictly forbid such practices henceforth in Christian lands. We enjoin on Catholic princes, one and all… They are to forbid expressly the public invocation of the sacrilegious name of Mahomet… Those who presume to act otherwise are to be so chastised by the princes for their irreverence, that others may be deterred from such boldness.”

**St. Francis Xavier, May, 1546: ***

“The evil [of Islam] was introduced by some Mahometan caicizes (ministers of religion), who came from Mecca in Arabia, where the accursed body of Mahomet is honored with great superstition.”

**St. Francis of Assisi (+ c. 1210): **

[To the Muslims] “We have come to preach faith in Jesus Christ to you, that you will renounce Mohammad, that wicked slave of the devil, and obtain everlasting life like us.”##

There are no words for folk who do what that man did - least of all “bishop”. It would be bad enough if he were alone - but he isn’t.

 

[Tommy_Joe]

If “Allah” is not the Blessed Trinity, I refuse to offend either Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit by referring to God the Father as "Allah.

 

[Greg27]

In a way this touches on what might be called natural theology. If we consider the nature of God and his attributes examined by theologians in the three monotheistic religions, there is not much difference really. God is necessary Being, perfect, infinite, omnipotent, good, wise, etc, as well as being ineffable and incomprehensible because he is transcendent. However, if we consider arguments over certain revealed theological doctrines or issues, we have a lot of disagreement.

I think theists can all agree there is a God, or at least a Transcendent Reality which is One and also infinite, perfect, good, etc. What term we use to name this Reality (Being, Divinity, Godhead, God, Allah, Father, etc) may differ but clearly these different words, as Aquinas noted, name the same thing: the divine nature. In so far as at least ‘natural’ theology is concerned, what everyone conceives of as the First Cause, the Source of All, the Fount of Life and Goodness, Necessary Being, etc (The Divine Essence and its perfections) is the one and same reality. In terms of revealed theology, while the world’s three monothesitic religions do not recognise each other’s scriptures as infallible revelations from the one God which exclude their own claimed revelations, the divine attributes and nature as revealed are very similar, except for the Christian claim that God is a Trinity. However, the other side of the Christian claim is that God is also One, as much so as the God of Jews and Muslims.

From a philosophical viewpoint to me there is no difference in terms of the underlying reality designated by words and concepts as used by the three faiths. As for the Trinity, that is a theological issue and as such not really an issue which concerns the philosopher of religion, at least.

For me the three religions worship the same God, though they disagree on revelation. The Trinity is a doctrine derived from Christian revelation, but the existence of God and God’s attributes is something that can be (and has been) considered by non-Christian religions and philosophers without necessarily positing or relying on a revealed text. The theological musings of Plato, the Neo-Platonists, Aristotle and other Greeks often come to some conclusions about God purely in the light of reason which are very similar to those developed by Anselm, Augustine and Aquinas, and also later by Descartes and Leibniz. There is also some similarity in Asian concepts of the Absolute, though the Asian approach to the Absolute is usually deeply apophatic, impersonal and mystical, rather than personal and prophetic.

 

[alih]

“i am the lord thy god,l thou shalt not have strange gods before me” in the teaching of the catholic church, jesus christ is god incarnate. this is a belief rejected by islam. therefore, their god and ours, in spite of niceties, and are, will not nor willl ever be the same. the difference is they are militant in their beliefs while catholics are not. have a good year. (alih)

 

[danica]

Absolutely no!

For those who know the complete history of the Muslim religion, will know that they worship Nimrod; the Sun god.

Sun (Nimrod) worship occurs in all non-Chrisitan (execpt the original Jewish) religions.

To call Jahovah “Allah” is making the one true and living God one with the Sun god!

Under no circumstances. That is why it’s so important to have fundamental background knowldge, before saying “yes” or “no”.

Hope this helps!

In Christ’s Love,
Danica-Christine.

 

[jedi]

the answer is NO…but the problem is some catholic living in muslime country did refer God as Allah… i don’t understand why use arabic word instead of Latin…

Geo gratias… ti amore yesus christum…