God has given His word to Mohammed, but it's an eternal word. It's not Mohammed's word. It's there for eternity the way it is.
Yes, this is quite important when you talk about "moderating" Islam. Only the most "God's Word" of the Christian fundamentalists take this attitude toward the Bible. But in Islam, that is the way it is for all. I say that with the knowledge that most Muslims are not this Salafi about it. But if you get into a theological disussion with them, this is what the basic outlook of the Koran is.
The other point of difference is in the way you interpret the two books. In Christianity, the New Testament modifies the old. Some versions of Christianity really just run on the New Testament. Since the New is "peace and love," it gentles the religion. As you go from front to back, the Koran does the reverse.
The Koran also is read on the basis that the later part modifies the older part. But here, the newer part is the most fierce. And supercedes the older, gentler part. When an Iman quotes "peace and love" as a defense of Islam, he is quoting from the older part.
With the Muslims, the Koran preaches "convert, dhimmi, or die." I don't know of any modern Christian groups that are this severe.
And the worldwide trend in Islam for the last 50 years has been toward Salafism because of the enormous influence of the Wahabbis. For instance, they own the mortgages and control the selection of the Imans in 80% of our churches. Worldwide, they are restricting their women back to the old ways. |
