Comparing Christianity to the Jehovah’s Witnesses

What the Bible Says About the Bible: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About the Bible:
The Bible is the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God, and is His sole written authority for all people (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The New World Translation is the official Jehovah’s Witnesses translation. It essentially strips out key doctrines such as the deity of Christ and salvation by grace alone through faith.The Bible is authoritative only when interpreted by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, because only the Watch Tower Society receives divine illumination as to its true meaning.During the era of founder Charles Taze Russell, it was stated that his Studies in the Scriptures were necessary to understand the Bible accurately: “They are not mere comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself … if anyone lays the ‘Scripture Studies’ aside … and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness.” (The Watchtower, Sept. 15, 1920)
What the Bible Says About God: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About God:
There is one true and living God, who exists as three distinct, co-equal, co-eternal persons:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; John 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:13; 1 Peter 1:2). The Christian God is, in fact, the devil, according to Charles Taze Russell: “The clergy’s God is plainly not Jehovah but the ancient deity, hoary with the iniquity of the ages – Baal, the Devil Himself.” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 7, p. 410)”The obvious conclusion is, therefore, that Satan is the originator of the trinity doctrine.”  (Let God Be True, p. 101)

 

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are described as deity using similar terms: Omniscient (Matt. 9:4; Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 2:10); God (John 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:2); Lord (Luke 2:11; Rom. 10:12; 2 Cor. 3:17); almighty (Gen. 17:1; Rom. 15:19; Rev. 1:8); truth (John 7:28; 1 John 5:6; Rev. 3:7);  eternal (Ps. 90:2; Micah 5:2; Heb. 9:14);  powerful (Jer. 32:17; Matt. 28:18; Luke 1:35; Rom. 15:19; Heb. 1:3; 1 Peter 1:5). “Jehovah” is the only name by which God rightly may be called.”… the Bible plainly states that in his prehuman existence, Jesus was a created spirit being, just as angels were spirit beings created by God…. The fact is that Jesus is not God and never claimed to be.” (Should You Believe in the Trinity? pp. 14, 20)”… it is logical to conclude that the holy spirit is the active force of God. It is not a person but is a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will.”  (Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 381)
What the Bible Says About Jesus: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About Jesus:
He is the virgin-born Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:35). He is eternal God, the Creator, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Holy Spirit (John 1:1-3, 10, 14; 10:30; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-3). Jesus is the first creation of Jehovah; Jesus then made all “other” things. (See Col. 1:16 New World Translation)”In other words, he was the first and direct creation of Jehovah God.” (The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 47)”… Jesus was conceived by a sinless, perfect Father, Jehovah God … Jehovah took the perfect life of his only-begotten Son and transferred it from heaven to … the womb of the unmarried girl Mary … Thus God’s Son was conceived or given a start as a human creature … Jesus’ birth on earth was not an incarnation.”  (From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, pp. 126-27; What Has Religion Done for Mankind? p. 231)
“… the true Scriptures speak of God’s Son, the Word, as ‘a god.’  He is a ‘mighty god,’ but not the Almighty God, who is Jehovah.”  (The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 47)

 

Jesus rose physically from the dead (Matt. 12:38-40; 28:5-10; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:4-8; 1 Peter 1:18-21). “This firstborn from the dead was raised from the grave, not a human creature, but a spirit.”  (Let God Be True, p. 276)
Jesus is coming back physically and visibly one day (Matt. 24:29-31; John 14:3; Titus 2:13; Rev. 19:11-14). “Christ Jesus returns, not again as a human, but as a glorious spirit person.”  (Let God Be True, p. 196)”Some wrongfully expect a literal fulfillment of the symbolic statements of the Bible. Such hope to see the glorified Jesus coming seated on a white cloud where every human eye will see him … Since no earthly men have ever seen the Father … neither will they see the glorified Son.” (Let God Be True, p. 186)”Jesus returned to earth in 1914, has expelled Satan from Heaven and is proceeding to overthrow Satan’s organization, establish the Theocratic Millennial Kingdom, and vindicate the name of Jehovah God.  He did not return in a physical form and is invisible as the Logos.”  (Walter Martin, summarizing the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kingdom of the Cults, p. 52)
What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the triune Godhead (Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19-20). “… The holy spirit is the invisible active force of Almighty God that moves his servants to do his will.” (Let God Be True, p. 108)”The Scriptures themselves unite to show that God’s holy spirit is not a person but is God’s active force by which he accomplishes his purpose and executes his will.” (Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 1543)
The Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:1-11). “As for the ‘Holy Spirit,’ the so-called ‘third Person of the Trinity,’ we have already seen that it is not a person, but God’s active force.”  (The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, p. 24)
What the Bible Says About the Gospel of Jesus Christ: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
Christ’s death at Calvary paid our sin debt and purchased our salvation so that everlasting life is received by grace through faith in the Person and work of Jesus (John 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 4:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). “The atonement is a ransom paid to Jehovah God by Christ Jesus and is applicable to all who accept it in righteousness. In brief, the death of Jesus removed the effects of Adam’s sin on his offspring and laid the foundation of the New World of righteousness including the Millennium of Christ’s reign.” (Walter Martin, Kingdom of the Cults, p. 52)”Those people of good will today who avail themselves of the provision and who steadfastly abide in this confidence will find Christ Jesus to be their ‘everlasting Father.'”  (Let God Be True, p. 121)
Once believers are justified, their salvation is eternally secure based on the finished work of Christ at Calvary and the faithfulness of God (John 5:24; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:28-39; Heb. 7:25; 10:14; 1 Peter 1:1-5). “We have learned that a person could fall away and be judged unfavorably either now or at Armageddon, or during the thousand years of Christ’s reign, or at the end of the final test … into everlasting destruction.” (From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, p. 241)
All who receive Christ by faith enter immediately and everlastingly into Christ’s kingdom (John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 10:9-10, 13). “Who and how many are able to enter in (the Kingdom)?  The Revelation limits to 144,000 the number that become a part of the Kingdom and stand on heavenly Mount Zion.” (Let God Be True, p. 136)
What the Bible Says About Life After Death: What Jehovah’s Witnesses Say About Life After Death:
At death, man’s eternal destiny is fixed in one of two places: heaven or hell (Luke 16:19-31).Hell is a place of everlasting conscious existence, where the unbeliever is forever separated from God (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10). “… the claim of religionists that man has an immortal soul and therefore differs from the beast is not Scriptural.”  (Let God Be True, p. 68)”Who is responsible for this God-defaming doctrine of a hell of torment? The promulgator of it is Satan himself. His purpose in introducing it has been to frighten the people away from studying the Bible and to make them hate God.” (Let God Be True, p. 98)”Hell is mankind’s common grave.”  (Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Web Site)
“The doctrine of a burning hell where the wicked are tortured eternally after death cannot be true, mainly for four reasons: (1) Because it is wholly unscriptural; (2) it is unreasonable; (3) it is contrary to God’s love; and (4) it is repugnant to justice.”  (Let God Be True, p. 99)
“Would a loving God really torment people forever? … The wicked, of course, are not literally tormented because, as we have seen, when a person is dead he is completely out of existence…. And it is also a lie, which the Devil spread, that the souls of the wicked are tormented …” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, pp. 81, 88-89)
All believers have God’s promise of a home in heaven, will go there instantly upon physical death, and will return with Christ to earth one day (John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 19:11-16). Only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses, chosen by Jehovah, will be in heaven. The remaining faithful Witnesses, after an indefinite length of time in a state of soul sleep, will be raised to populate Paradise Earth.
“So this ‘congregation of God’ is made up of all Christians on earth who have the hope of heavenly life. In all, only 144,000 persons finally make up the ‘congregation of God.’ Today, only a few of these, a remnant, are still on the earth. Christians who hope to live forever on earth look for spiritual guidance from members of this ‘congregation of the living God.'” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, pp. 125-26)
There is no opportunity for salvation beyond the grave (Luke 16:19-31; Heb. 9:27). “Many millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation. (Jehovah’s Witnesses official Web site)

Copyright 2008 Rob Phillips

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An Introduction to Christian Apologetics

What is Christian apologetics?

Christian apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of the Christian faith. More simply put, it is a reasonable defense of Christianity. The term “apologetics” is derived from the classical Greek word apologia and was used in a legal sense: The prosecution delivered the kategoria and the defendant replied with an apologia, or a formal speech to counter the charges. The verb form, apologeomai, means “to make a defense.” The Christian apologist is engaged in defending Christianity’s claims to the truth.

In Scripture, the apostle Paul uses the term apologia in his speech to Agrippa when he says, “I consider myself fortunate … that today I am going to make a defense before you” (Acts 26:2). Paul uses a similar term in his letter to the Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 16). And Peter tells believers they should be ready to give a defense or answer for their faith in 1 Peter 3:15. The term is used in a negative sense in Romans 1:20, where Paul says those who reject the revelation of God in creation are “without excuse.”

Christian apologists throughout the centuries have appealed to eyewitness accounts (specifically having to do with the person and work of Christ), as well as to scripture, history, philosophy, archaeology and other scientific disciplines. Many have suffered martyrs’ deaths, not because they clung foolishly to a blind faith, but because they were fully convinced of the truth of Christianity based on careful examination of the evidence.

 Key passages of scripture

  • 2 Cor. 10:4-5: …since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
  • 1 Thess. 5:21: …but test all things. Hold on to what is good.
  • Titus 1:9: …holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
  • 1 Peter 3:15: …but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
  • Jude 3: Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.

 Why should I care about apologetics?

  • Your faith depends on it. William A. Dembski, research professor in philosophy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of The Design Revolution, comments: “It’s worth remembering that until two centuries ago, most people in the West saw the Resurrection of Jesus in historically the same light as other events of antiquity, such as the murder of Julius Caesar. The Resurrection and Caesar’s murder were both regarded as equally factual and historical. Unfortunately, in the two hundred years since the Enlightenment, Christians have steadily retreated from seeing their faith as rationally compelling. Instead of being apologists for the faith, we have become apologetic about it” (Foreword to 5 Minute Apologist, p. 11).  The Bible tells us to love God with all our “minds” (Matt. 22:37). Emotions and experiences are important gifts of God, but they are not compelling reasons for trusting in Christ, Muhammad, the Buddha, Krishna, Joseph Smith, or anyone else. We should be as the Bereans, who, upon hearing of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, “welcomed the message (of Paul and Silas) with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so…. Consequently, many of them believed” (Acts 17:10-12).

  • Your witness depends on it. Every major world religion and every major cult has a significantly high view of Jesus, yet fails to properly answer the question Jesus asked in Matthew 16:15: “Who do you say that I am?” Islam, for example, teaches that Jesus was a prophet, but denies His deity and substitutionary death on the cross. Many Hindus readily accepts Jesus into their pantheon of 330 million gods yet refuse to accept His uniqueness as the eternal Son of God. Mormonism insists that Jesus was a man who became a god. If we truly believe, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16), we need to know what that means and why it’s true.

  • Your future depends on it. Christianity today is under attack on many fronts – from atheists who mock it (The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens) to charlatans who fleece the flock rather than feed it (see 1 Peter 5:2-3; 2 Peter 2). The apostle Paul warned that in the days before Christ’s return people would “depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). He further warned that a time is coming when people will “not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). In fact, Paul said there would be widespread apostasy (a standing apart from the truth) before the return of the Lord (2 Thess. 2:3). Jesus even wondered aloud whether He would find faith on the earth at His second coming (Luke 18:8).

“Never do we see a call to obedience and worship grounded merely on an appeal to blind, isolated faith,” writes Scott Pruett. “It is always set in the context of historical actions and objective knowledge; and God has given us an ample and defensible testimony of these things in which we are to invest our faith” (What is apologetics? www.lifeway.com/apologetics). William Dembski summarizes well: “Yes, our salvation is ultimately due to the grace of God. But every act of divine grace presupposes the means of grace by which God makes His grace real to us. Christian apologetics is one such means of grace” (Foreword to 5 Minute Apologist, p. 12).

 Where can I learn more?

Suggested resources include:

  • www.4truth.net (the apologetics site of the North American Mission Board)
  • 5 Minute Apologist by Dr. Rick Cornish, NavPress
  • The Apologetics Study Bible, B&H Publishing Group
  • Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Norman L. Geisler, Baker Academic
  • Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics by Doug Powell, B&H Publishing Group

Rob Phillips 12/21/07

Comparing Christianity to Mormonism

“For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus … or you receive a different spirit … or a different gospel …” (2 Cor. 11:4)

What the Bible Says About Jesus: What Mormonism Says About Jesus:  
1.  He is the virgin-born Son of God, conceived by the Holy Ghost (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-5). “Jesus was not the son of Joseph, nor was He begotten by the Holy Ghost. He is the Son of the Eternal Father!” (Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 7. Quoted in the Ensign, April 1997, p. 15)  
  “God the Father became the literal father of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal father.” (Gospel Principles, p. 64)  
  “Jesus is the only person who had our Heavenly Father as the father of his body.” (Joseph F. Smith, Family Home Evening Manual, pp. 125-26)  
  “Jesus Christ is the Son of Elohim both as spiritual and bodily offspring; that is to say, Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh.” (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, pp. 466-67)  
  “Let it not be forgotten, that He is essentially greater than any and all others, by reason (1) of His seniority as the oldest or first born; (2) of His unique status in the flesh as the offspring of a mortal mother and of an immortal, or resurrected and glorified, Father …” (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, p. 426).  
[Satan is a created – and fallen – angel]. “Long before you were born a program was developed by your creators…. The principal personalities in this great drama were a Father Elohim, perfect in wisdom, judgment, and person, and two sons, Lucifer and Jehovah.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 32-33)  
  “The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer … this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind.” (Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel through the Ages, p. 15)  
  “Both the scriptures and the prophets affirm that Jesus Christ and Lucifer are indeed offspring of our Heavenly Father and, therefore, spirit brothers…. Both Jesus and Lucifer were strong leaders with great knowledge and influence. But as the First-born of the Father, Jesus was Lucifer’s older brother.” (Jess L. Christensen, A Sure Foundation: Answers to Difficult Gospel Questions, pp. 223-24. This teaching also appears in other Mormon publications.)  
2.  Jesus did not marry. “Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana – We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into relation whereby he could see his seed.” (Orson Hyde, apostle, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, p. 82)  
  “From the passage in the forty-fifth Psalm, it will be seen that the great Messiah who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a Polygamist…. the Messiah chose to take upon himself his seed; and by marrying many honorable wives himself, show to all future generations that he approbated the plurality of Wives under the Christian dispensation, as well as under the dispensations in which His Polygamist ancestors lived.” (Orson Pratt, The Seer, p. 172)  
3.  Jesus is the foundation of the true church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 4:11-12; Col. 1:18). Joseph Smith: “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him, but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408-9)  
4.  Jesus is the judge of all (John 5:22). “No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith … Every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 289)  
5.  Jesus is the one who resurrects all (John 5:28-29). Joseph Smith will receive the keys of the resurrection. “If we ask who will stand at the head of the resurrection in the last dispensation, the answer is – Joseph Smith, Junior, the Prophet of God. He is the man who will be resurrected and received the keys of the resurrection, and he will seal this authority upon others, and they will hunt up their friends and resurrect them.” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 116)  
6. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the Creator, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-13. A “council of the Gods” created the world. “In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it … In all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods.”  (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 308, 474).  
  “He [Jesus] is the Firstborn of the Father. By obedience and devotion to the truth he attained that pinnacle of intelligence which ranked him as a God, as the Lord Omnipotent, while yet in his pre-existent state…. Inasmuch, however, as Christ attained Godhood while yet in pre-existence, he too stood as a God to the other spirits.” (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 129, 323)  
     
What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit: What Mormonism Says About the Holy Spirit:
1.  The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the triune Godhead (Matt. 3:16-17, 28:19-20). Joseph Smith taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit “constitute three distinct personages and three Gods.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370)  
2.  The Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3-4). The Father has a body of flesh and bones. So does the Son. But the Holy Ghost is “a personage of spirit.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22)  
3.  The Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are two Biblical names for the same person. “The Holy Ghost … is a personage distinct from the Holy Spirit. As a personage, the Holy Ghost cannot any more than the Father and the Son be everywhere present in person.” (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 76).  
4.  The Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is God(Acts 5:3-4). “The Holy Ghost is yet a spiritual body and waiting to take to himself a body as the Saviour did or as the gods before them took bodies.” (Joseph Smith, April 6, 1843; see Discourses on the Holy Ghost compiled by N.B. Lundwall, p. 73)  
What the Bible Says About the Gospel of Jesus Christ: What Mormonism Says About the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  
1.  Christ’s death at Calvary paid our sin debt and purchased our salvation so that everlasting life is received by grace through faith in the Person and work of Jesus (John 3:16, 5:24; Rom. 4:4-5; 1  Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection made it possible for mankind to be resurrected, but “men will be punished for their own sins.”  (Article of Faith #2 by Joseph Smith). Through the atonement of Christ “all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.” (Article of Faith #3 by Joseph Smith)  
  “There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 670)  
  “Baptism … is for the remission of sins … (and) is the gate to the celestial kingdom of heaven.” (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 70)  
  There is “no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith … No man can eject that testimony without accepting most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p. 188.)  
  A summary of Mormon teaching on grace and works:

  • The grace of God provides for resurrection from the dead
  • Works are necessary for a person to achieve exaltation, or goodhood
  • Salvation by grace alone is a pernicious doctrine
  • Perfection is an achievable goal

(Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, Mormonism 101, p. 169)

  
2.  The Bible teaches that at death, man’s eternal destiny is fixed in one of two places:  heaven or hell (Luke 16:19-31). Virtually all men are saved in “General Salvation … meaning resurrection.”  (Contributions of Joseph Smith by Stephen L. Richards, p. 5)Then, based on works, all men will spend eternity in one of three levels of heaven – telestial, terrestrial or celestial. A few “sons of perdition” will not be saved/resurrected.  
  More specifically, Mormonism teaches that a person is destined for one of six places after death:

  • Outer darkness – reserved for Satan and his demons and the extremely wicked, including apostate Mormons
  • Telestial kingdom – the lowest of the three heavens; the wicked will spend eternity here
  • Terrestrial kingdom – the second of the three heavens; honorable people and “lukewarm” Mormons will live here
  • Celestial kingdom – the highest of the three heavens consisting of three separate levels; the top level is where Mormons hope to be exalted
  
3.  All men are sinners by nature and by volition (Rom. 3:23, 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21-22). There is no such thing as original sin. All men are gods in embryo. “God and man are of the same race, differing only in their degrees of advancement.” (Apostle John Widtsoe, Rational Theology, p. 61)  
4.  There is no second chance for salvation after death (Heb. 9:27). Mormons may be baptized on behalf of the dead for their salvation. “If a man cannot enter the kingdom of God without baptism, then the dead must be baptized.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. II, p. 141)  
5.  Once a person is justified, his or her salvation is eternally secure, based on the finished work of Christ at Calvary and the faithfulness of God (John 5:24, 10:27-30; Rom. 4:21, 8:28-39; Heb. 7:25, 10:14; 1 Peter 1:1-5). Believers must do works to earn a level of heaven and risk losing their position in that heaven if they are not faithful in service. For example, failure to marry in an LDS church will “damn” persons so that their eternal progression will be stopped short of godhood. (See Doctrine and Covenants 132:16-20)  
6.  Each individual is a uniquely created person whose beginning came at the moment of conception; after death, that person retains his or her personhood and spends eternity in heaven or hell. Each individual has four stages of life (eternal progression): 1. Eternally existing intelligence. 2. Pre-mortal spirit born by procreation of God and one of his wives. 3. Mortal probation (present life on earth). 4. Post-mortal status that depends on works done in this life. Eternity is spent in one of three heavens: telestial (almost everyone makes it at least this far); terrestrial (good and religious folk make it here); and celestial (only Mormons who have fulfilled the proper requirements make it into one of this heaven’s three levels).  

 

Copyright 2008 Rob Phillips

  

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Yahweh (the God of the Bible) vs. Allah (the god of the Qur’an)

GODIn a 2007 interview with Al Arabiya TV, President George W. Bush said this in response to the charge that the Arab world sees the president as anti-Islam: “Well, first of all, I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That’s what I believe.” The Qur’an seems to support the president’s view:

Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner-unless they transgress-and say, “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters.” (29:46)

While it appears the president’s comments were intended to soothe the minds of Muslim viewers, they had just the opposite effect on me. The god of Islam and the God of the Bible clearly are different. In fact, whether you’re Christian or Muslim, every person can know the difference between Allah and Yahweh by asking three personal questions:

1. Does God know me?

Allah. The Qur’an teaches that Allah is the transcendent creator, all-powerful and all-knowing. He knows who you are; in fact, many Muslims believe he has fatalistically determined your thoughts, words and deeds – good and evil – and even your eternal destiny, which is why Muslims so often say, “If Allah wills it.” So, Allah does indeed know you.

But Allah is not truly personal, knowable, or approachable. The Qur’an depicts him more judgmental than gracious. He exists as a singular unity who has no “partners.” In fact, to call Jesus the Son of God is to commit the unpardonable sin, or shirk. Of the 99 names for God in the Qur’an, Father is not one of them. In Islam, it is considered blasphemous to “presume” that one can know God or claim any sort of close, personal fellowship with Allah. He reveals his will, not himself.

Yahweh, the God of the Bible, also is depicted as is the transcendent Creator. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present. He knows us; but more than that, He is knowable and approachable. He created us in His image – with personality, thought, and will – for the purpose of enjoying an everlasting, unbreakable, intimate relationship with Him. He exists as a Trinity in eternal relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In fact, God is so knowable, He came in the flesh as Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Jer. 24:7 — I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.
  • Jer. 31:34 — No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying: Know the Lord, for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them”-the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin.”
  • John 7:28-9 — As He was teaching in the temple complex, Jesus cried out, “You know Me and you know where I am from. Yet I have not come on My own, but the One who sent Me is true. You don’t know Him; I know Him because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
  • Heb. 8:11 — And each person will not teach his fellow citizen,and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.
  •  John 1:1-3, 14 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created….The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
  • John 8:19 — Then they asked Him, “Where is Your Father?” “You know neither Me nor My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would also know My Father.”
  • John 17:3 — This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent-Jesus Christ.
  • Abraham was called “the friend of God.”

Does God know me? Allah and Yahweh are depicted as supreme beings who know everything and everyone. But … only the God of the Bible is truly personal and knowable.

2. Does God love me?

Allah.The Qur’an teaches that Allah loves those he chooses to love and hates those he chooses to hate. It appears his love or hate is in response to human behavior. “Allah loves not those that do wrong,” says the Qur’an (Surah 3:140), neither does he love “him who is treacherous, sinful” (Surah 4:107). “Those who reject faith and do wrong – Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any way – Except the way of Hell, to dwell therein for ever. And this to Allah is easy (4:168-169). See also 5:49 and 40:10. Other types of people Allah hates:

  • Transgressors (2:190).
  • Ungrateful and wicked creatures (2:276).
  • Those who reject faith (3:32; 30:45).
  • Those who do wrong (3:57, 140; 42:40).
  • The arrogant, the vainglorious (4:36; 16:23; 31:18; 57:23).
  • Those given to excess (5:87).
  • Wasters (6:141; 7:31).
  • Treacherous (8:58).

Yahweh, the God of the Bible, on the other hand, loves all people (John 3:16). His love is not a response to our goodness, but in spite of our lack of goodness. He proved His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). The apostle John wrote, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin” (1 John 4:10). Even though God hates sin, He loves the sinner and takes no pleasure in punishing him (Eze. 18:23). His love for all people is unconditional.

Does God love me? Only the God of the Bible loves all people.

3. Did God die for me?

Allah. The Qur’an teaches that Allah did not, would not, and will not die for you, nor would he send anyone to die for you. In fact, the Qur’an teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross, but was taken up into heaven, and Judas, or someone made to look like Jesus, was crucified in His place. Further, the Qur’an teaches that there is no need for Allah to provide a sacrifice for sin because ignorance of Islam, not sin, is man’s problem. (The possible exceptions are apostasy from Islam and refusal to convert to Islam.) Staying away from major sins (whatever those are) will automatically result in one’s “small” sins being overlooked by Allah (4:31).

Yahweh, the God of the Bible, on the other hand, loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us. This was determined in eternity past, before you and I were ever born and before any of mankind had fallen into sin; Jesus is declared to be the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). But even more than dying for us, God the Son rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and He offers us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by His grace through faith in Him.

A key difference between Islam and Christianity is that in Islam, Allah sends his followers to die for him, whereas in Christianity God sent His Son to die for us.

Did God die for us? Only the God of the Bible sent His Son to die for us, securing eternal life for those who trust in Him.

One God, two names?

So, are Allah and Yahweh just two different names for the same God, as President Bush suggested in his television interview? Absolutely not:

  • Allah is distant and unknowable. The God of the Bible is close and personal.
  • Allah does not love every person; Yahweh does, unconditionally.
  • Allah did not, would not, and will not die for you, nor would he ever send anyone to do so. But the God of the Bible loves you so much He sent His one and only Son to die for you. And He stands ready to grant you everlasting life if you will receive Him by faith.

Download this article as part of a package of articles on Islam (PDF)

Jesus vs. Isa (the Jesus of the Koran)

When comparing Jesus and Isa (the Jesus of the Koran),

we can see clear differences by exploring three questions:

 

Who is He?

 

Jesus

Isa
Virgin born; conceived by Holy Spirit (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:35). Virgin born; created in womb of Mary by Allah; creation similar to Adam’s (Surah 3:59; 19:20-22; 21:91).
Son of God (Matt. 3:17; John 10:30). Son of Mary (called by this name 23 times in Islamic scriptures; for example, Surah 34:45).Allah is not a father and has no sons or daughters; to say so is shirk, the unpardonable sin (see Surah 19:88-92; 112:3).
Eternal (John 8:58; John 17:5). Created from dust, as Adam was (Surah 3:59).
Co-equal, co-eternal with the Father, Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-13). Only a man, a prophet. It is shirk, the unpardonable sin, to ascribe deity to Jesus. Allah is not Triune (Surah 4:171; 5:73, 116).
God (John 1:1; John 10:30). Not God (Surah 5:17, 72-3, 75). Jesus was an apostle of Allah (Surah 4:171); a messenger only (Surah 5:75; 19:30).
Greater than any man (Matt. 12:42). A great prophet; not as great as Muhammad. Jesus was a worshiper of Allah (Surah 3:51; 9:30).
Messiah / Christ (Matt. 16:16-7; John 20:31). Messiah only to the Jews; will proclaim Islam and establish it on the earth at his return.
The way, truth, and life (John 14:6). Preached the truth (of Islam).
Savior of the world (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31). Prophet of Allah; human messenger.
Sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). Righteous; obedient to Allah, as all prophets were (Surah 3:45, 49; 4:158).

What Did He Do?

 

Jesus

Isa
Became flesh, retaining His deity; adding humanity (John 1:14). Was only flesh. Created from dust by Allah (Surah 3:59).
Called God His Father (John 5:18; 8:54; 20:17). Called Allah his Lord and worshiped him (Surah 5:75).
Performed miracles to demonstrate His authority as Messiah and to provide a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven (John 2:11; Acts 2:22). Performed miracles as “signs from the Lord” (Surah 3:49; 5:110).
Died on the cross for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21). Did not die on the cross. Opinions vary as to what happened to him (he hid while one of his companions died in his place; Allah made Judas Iscariot to look like Jesus and take his place; Simon of Cyrene took Jesus’ place). Atonement for sins not necessary (Surah 17:15; 35:18).
Rose physically from the dead (Matt. 12:38-40; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:4-8; 1 Peter 1:18-21). Did not die.
Ascended into heaven after His resurrection and is seated at the Father’s right hand (Matt. 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55-6). Called into heaven by Allah at the time Christians say he was crucified. Opinions vary as to whether he remains in heaven today or was sent back to earth, where he died a natural death.
Will return physically and visibly once day to establish His earthly kingdom (Matt. 24:30-1; Rev. 19:11-21). Will return one day to proclaim Islam and establish Islam on earth. Will defeat Antichrist, kill all pigs, break all crosses, and establish 1,000 years of righteousness. Some expand on this and say he will then die and be buried beside Muhammad.

What Difference Does It Make?

 

Jesus

Isa
Sin is humanity’s problem and results in spiritual and physical death (Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:12; 6:23). People are not fallen by nature. Sin is not humanity’s problem; ignorance of the teachings of Islam is the problem.
Christ’s finished work on the cross provides forgiveness of sin and eternal life by God’s grace through faith (John 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). Allah would never let his prophet die in such a way. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are achieved by submitting to Allah and performing good deeds; atonement is not needed (Surah 11:114; 17:15; 35:18).
Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6; Rom. 3:24-26). Jesus was only a man – a good man, a prophet, and a worshiper of Allah (Surah 3:51; 19:30).
Salvation is offered freely to all (Rom. 10:13). Allah forgives whom he pleases and punishes whom he pleases; from mankind’s perspective, our eternal destiny is fatalistically determined (Surah 11:114).
Believers are eternally secure based on the promise of God to save us and the power of God to keep us saved (John 5:24; 10:28; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Jihad is the only eternal security (Surah 3:157).
God deals graciously with people; worship is never forced (Matt. 11:28-30). Worship may be forced upon people (Surah 2:193; 9:29).

Additional Resources:

Download this chart as part of a package of articles on Islam (PDF)

Copyright 2008 Rob Phillips