Is Allah God?

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Is the Muslim God and the Christian God the Same?

The following is a series of emails between me and the Adventist Muslim Global Center for Adventist Muslim Relations Director Jerald Whitehouse regarding Allah and Muslims. To avoid giving away the plot, i've added a few choice tidbits from the Qur'an and some thots at the bottom of this page. Any comments would be appreciated :)

-----Original Message-----
From: tenkoku1*@hotmail.com [mailto:tenkoku1*@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 5:38 AM
To: 102555.1163*@compuserve.com
Subject: is allah God?

Hello Brother Whitehouse,

I'm seriously considering going to a Middle Eastern country in the future to win souls for Jesus Christ, and just finished reading something you wrote in the Review in March, 2003:

"The fact that Muslims do not describe God in terms of Trinity and deny the divinity of Christ does not negate the foundational belief in the Creator God."

Yet Jesus says: "17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

And John the Baptist said: "36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

And again Jesus himself said: "23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

So if the Muslims do not believe in the name of Jesus, they do not honor the Father - and are of their father - the Devil.

I agree in being at peace as much as possible with all men, but we must give the message clearly, not catering to "political correctness".

Sincerely,
Daniel Winters

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerald Whitehouse
To: tenkoku1*@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 6:47 AM
Subject: RE: is allah God?

Daniel: Thank-you for the response. However, “political correctness” is not the reason for my position. My question to you would be, If Islam is “from their father the Devil”, do you then consider them beyond the possibility of God’s leading them to salvation?? If this is your position, then I simply must politely disagree with you (this is no time for “political correctness”!!). Muslim’s in fact do honor Christ; the Qur’an places Christ in a unique position in relation to the other prophets. I have a good Muslim friend, well educated, say that he believes on the basis of the Qur’an that Christ has a unique nature, different from our simple human nature. Admittedly, the Qur’an denies the divinity of Christ, and His saving death. But to judge Muslims and Islam in general as “of their father the devil” or as “anti-Christ” is not at all helpful to building relationships (the first step to spiritual witness) nor Biblical if one looks at the true teaching of the Qur’an and the mission described in the Bible to spread this “good news” (about God and his loving initiatives for saving mankind) to those who haven’t heard or don’t initially believe. The question is, do we have a mission in the Muslim world or not? If so, then we must lay aside our penchant for theological judgment and look more carefully into Islam, the Qur’an, the historical context in which Islam arose (what was the state of “Christianity” at the time) and get acquainted with Muslims personally. In this process, to be sure, we must be alert for how Satan has corrupted their faith system, but that should not be our primary focus. Rather, if we believe that Jesus is “the light that lighteth every man” then we should look carefully to see where the light of God has been preserved in Islam. Those places where God’s truth has been preserved, become building blocks from which we can begin in building a spiritual growth process with the Muslim. The Muslim’s reaction is primarily against “Christianity” per se, rather than against Christ.

If you are serious about building relationships with Muslims, I could recommend materials for you to read that would assist you in that direction. It is essential that one working in the Muslim setting must become thoroughly acquainted with Islam, the Qur’an and Muslims themselves in a way that considers them as “fellow believers” in the same God (and so they also can learn that we believe in the same God), before one can then begin to lead them in spiritual growth towards saving faith in Jesus. This is possible. As a result of this approach, we now have thousands of Muslims professing a saving faith in Jesus, whereas, before, with traditional methods we had very few.

Remember that Paul, was not being “a Jew to the Jew” or a “Greek to the Greek” just for “political correctness” - but “that I might save some”.

If I can be of any further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Jerald (Please note my new e-mail address: jwhitehouse*@gcamr.org.

Global Center for Adventist Muslim Relations
Servanthood, Salt and Light

Jerald Whitehouse
Director
11245 Anderson St, Ste 220
Loma Linda, CA 92354

jwhitehouse*@gcamr.org
tel:
fax:
(909)558 4563
(909)558 4845

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Winters [mailto:tenkoku1*@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 6:10 AM
To: jwhitehouse*@gcamr.org
Subject: Re: is allah God?

Hello Brother Jerald,
Thank you for your quick, detailed response to my email.

To give you a little more background on the "Whys" of my email:

Last Sabbath i met a Global Mission Pioneer family in Kyushu, Japan. The husband asked me point blank if i thot Islam was of God or of Satan. I replied: "Of Satan". Then i got nearly an hour rant of why i was intolerant, did not know the history of Islam, etc. etc. So when i got back home i looked on the internet for Adventist thinking on this subject, and came across your article in the Review.

I'm not an expert on Islam-Christian relations. But i do know the Bible fairly well, and know the original Spirit of Prophecy books very well. I could find no reference to Muslim, Mahometan, Allah etc. in the early Spirit of Prophecy material. There is abundant material tho, for example in the original 1892 Steps to Christ that i'm currently preparing for the internet, that shows that salvation is thru Jesus Christ - alone.

This seems to be the big difference in our thinking on this subject. I believe there is only one path leading to the heavenly gates, while you seem to be promoting the idea i hear so often in Japan: "All roads lead to the top of the mountain." Is this your thinking too?

The only non-Christian group who has any legitimacy to worshipping the true God would be the Jews. They really did worship the true God for many years, but then officially rejected him when they put his son on the cross. God totally rejected them as a nation then. However, there will some of them saved too.

Chapter 16 in the original 1858 Great Controversy: "Satan rejoiced that the Jews were safe in his snare. They still continued their useless forms, their sacrifices and ordinances. As Jesus hung upon the cross, and cried, It is finished, the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom, to signify that God would no longer meet with the priests in the temple, to accept their sacrifices and ordinances; and also to show that the partition wall was broken down between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus had made an offering of himself for both, and if saved at all, both must believe in Jesus as the only offering for sin, and the Saviour of the world."

And chapter 17: "I saw that God had forsaken the Jews as a nation; yet there was a portion of them who would be enabled to tear the veil from their hearts. Some will yet see that prophecy has been fulfilled concerning them, and they will receive Jesus as the Saviour of the world, and see the great sin of their nation in rejecting Jesus, and crucifying him. Individuals among the Jews will be converted; but as a nation they are forever forsaken of God."

In speaking about the fall of the Protestant churches who rejected the 1844 message, it is written in the same book, chapter 33: "Satan has taken full possession of the churches as a body. "

To think that somehow the Muslims are closer to God than Jews or Sunday-keeping churches today is not warranted by the facts.

To answer your questions: Of course i do not believe they are beyone the possibility of God's leading them to salvation. This is something that no true Christian would ever even think. Just as Jesus called the leaders of his day: "You are of your father the Devil" John 8:44, that doesn't mean he gave up on them. See him speaking ever so eloquently to Nicodemus abuot being born again. Muslims are in a deeper hole than the leaders of the Jews, because they started out with a false God to start with!

Your email seems to have a contradiction in it. It says that "Muslim's in fact do honor Christ". Then two sentences later it says: "the Qur'an denies the divinity of Christ". 1John 2:22 " Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

Yes, we DO have a mission in the Muslim world, that mission is to preach Jesus Christ, and him crucified. It is true that the term "Christian" comes with lots of baggage, so when asked by a Muslim, perhaps it is best to say we follow Messiah "AL-MASIHU ISA". There is no need to give offense when it does not compromise our faith :)

I would be very glad to know where to get instruction on building relationships with Muslims. But if the instruction is of this caliber: "It is essential that one working in the Muslim setting must become thoroughly acquainted with Islam, the Qur’an and Muslims themselves in a way that considers them as “fellow believers” in the same God ", then i must decline, as that would be a denial of our Lord and Saviour - Jesus Christ, and the Father who sent him.

May we lead others to the Matchless One!
Daniel Winters

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerald Whitehouse
To: 'Daniel Winters'
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 5:50 AM
Subject: RE: is allah God?

Daniel: We may not be able to come to agreement since you are operating from a paradigm that apparently sees the need to categorize every other faith group as either worshipping the true God (as you have understood from Scripture) or from the devil. While this may have some use for theological definition, and defending our theology, it is not as useful for mission. If that is your personal attitude towards another group, it will inevitably show through, particularly with the Muslim. It will be very difficult to convince the Muslim that you love him unconditionally (as I understand we are to do, following Christ’s example) when he discovers that you really think his faith and spiritual heritage come directly from the devil. In fact, in certain situations it would put you in physical danger needlessly.

You note that it seems that I believe that “all roads lead to the top of the mountain”. I’m not sure what led you to that conclusion. That is not my position. But I can begin with the Muslim with the understanding that we share the common belief in the Creator God, the One God (Deut 6:4). Islam is essentially an OT religion (in NT times). They refer to Allah as the God of Abraham. That is a commonality that I can share with them. It is subsequently my objective to gradually lead them from that common belief to an understanding of God’s provision for salvation in Jesus, His life, death and resurrection. I have no argument that salvation is through faith in God’s provisions through incarnating Himself in Jesus and sacrificing Himself in Jesus. But I am concerned about the process of how I meet the Muslim where he is in his spiritual understanding and gradually, step by step, lead him/her in a spiritual growth path to a belief in Jesus as Saviour, and related Biblical beliefs.

You might be interested to note that the name for God in Christian Arabic speaking circles is “Allah”. It is THE word for God that is used by both Christians and Muslims who use the Arabic language. Linguistically “Allah” is from the the Syriac “Elah” (used by early Eastern Christians) and from the Hebrew “Elloh” used in the OT first by Melchizedek (El Elyon, which was from a pagan Ugaritic origin, but was used as the “highest God of the gods”). Muslims have not “started out with a false God” but rather they have not been able as yet to accept the fuller revelation of God as provided in Jesus. They have a start on it but it is not complete. But in our work with individual Muslims we are bringing them to this fuller understanding.

I would appeal to you to study carefully Christ’s incarnational ministry ? God becoming one with us. He didn’t unload all He wanted to tell us at one time, He even has much more to tell us but as He says in John 16:12 “I have much more to tell you, but it would be too much for you to bear”. That is my approach with the Muslim. There is much I want to tell them, but I have to first understand where he/she is in their spiritual understanding, how they view spiritual matters. Only then can I meet them where they are and lead them to where God wants them to be.

You point out a contradiction in my e-mail that I say Muslims honor Christ. To “honor Christ” and to “accept Him as divine” are not necessarily the same. But it seems you have a narrow definition of “honor” to mean only the full acceptance of His divinity. I believe I clarified that many Muslims recognize that Jesus has a special nature (they haven’t come to the fuller understanding of His divine nature yet), that he is the only prophet listed in the Qur’an that is sinless (I would consider this as “honoring” Him), that he performed miracles such as giving life to the dead (which no other prophet does in the Qur’an). I would consider this “honoring Him” ? true we must lead them to the fuller “honoring” of Him by a full belief in His life, death, resurrection, ascension and subsequently His divinity. I’ve known several Muslims who have come to a full belief in Jesus divinity and salvation through faith in His death, burial, resurrection, by beginning with a “high” view of Jesus that they learned from the Qur’an. Rather interesting that what you seem to consider a “Satanic book” was the initial impetous to lead them to a full belief in Jesus as given in the Bible!

I find your final paragraph interesting. I am amazed that you can be so definite on your categorizing Islam when you are unwilling to carefully study the Qur’an, Islam, Islamic thinking, etc. To understand that they are “fellow believers” in the same “Creator God” as portrayed in the OT as the beginning point from which I can then lead them to the fuller revelation in Jesus, is being an “incarnational missionary” as Jesus Himself was, and is not a denial of my faith.

Please read carefully EGW’s passages regarding Christ’s methods, how he met people where they were in their thinking, gradually opened to them new truths through things familiar to them, led them slowly as they could accept it, etc.

Remember also, that the disciples of Jesus did not fully understand Jesus “character nor His mission” until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They did not fully understand His divinity until then (see DA 506, 507). It took a process of Jesus presenting the evidence (not through theological presentations but through living with Him, experiencing His miracles, his teaching etc.) over a period of more than three years, and then the special gift of the Spirit before they understood that He was truly God. How long would you allow for an individual Muslim to come to that understanding? I hope at least three years!! Of association with a truly unconditionally loving follower of Jesus. If it took that long with the disciples after being with Jesus Himself, it might take a bit longer for the Muslim associating with one like me who is an imperfect reflection of Christ’s unconditional love and teaching! I challenge you, Daniel, to become that kind of a witness to your faith in whatever setting you find yourself. Also, note further, in Matt 16:17 that Jesus declared that His identity as Messiah, Son of God that Peter declared was not given to Peter “from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven.” My job with the Muslim is to gradually, lovingly provide the evidence of who Jesus is, and then let the Holy Spirit bring that evidence together in his/her mind to realize that “yes, He must be more than I previously thought, He must be God”. That is how I see Jesus working with his disciples (see DA comments on this story). Also note, that in vs. 20 Jesus “ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” Why do you think He told them to keep quiet about this ? the essential fact for salvation?? Again look in DA for help on this in the comments on this story.

You note that you know the Bible quite well. Yes, you have certain things well in hand. But I challenge you to harmonize all of Scripture as you proceed in your understanding of God’s mission for you. Lastly, you have learned the role quite well of theological judgment. However, my understanding of my God assigned role is not to be the judge, but the witness to what I have seen and heard in the Word of God of the good news about God, and His Way of salvation through sacrificing Himself in Jesus (not to my theological judgment on the evilness of the other persons faith). Also, as I carry out my role as a witness, I must be sensitive, as Jesus was, to how I can lead the person one step at a time to a more complete understanding.

I pray that God will lead you into a sensitivity to people, to an incarnational ministry, to an understanding of Jesus’ method of meeting the spiritual heart needs of people. To do that you must know people, know their spiritual heart needs (as they perceive them, not what you think they need), love them deeply and unconditionally, lay down the judges robe and role and assume a teaching/witnessing role, beginning with their perceived needs and moving them to a more complete Biblical understanding of saving faith.

Regards,
Jerald Whitehouse
By the way, the March article you referred to was a critique with my response. The critique was on my Sept 12, 2002 article in the Review which you may want to also read.

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Winters [mailto:tenkoku1*@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 6:09 AM
To: Jerald Whitehouse
Subject: Re: is allah God? - No!

Hello again Jerald,

You obviously spent quite a bit of time answering my email. Thank you very much. However, you politely refused to comment at all on the Spirit of Prophecy or Bible quotes showing that the God of the Christians and the God of the Muslims is very different. Is there a reason you do not wish to believe and follow the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy at this time?

May i recommend that you read the original 1858 Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels?
http://www.earlysda.com/gc/the_great_controversy.html

This book will clear the cobwebs, and get us working hard to spread the 3rd Angel's Message before the door of mercy is forever shut (ie; no 21st century lie of Satan such as "unconditional love").

Daniel Winters

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerald Whitehouse
To: 'Daniel Winters'
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:22 AM
Subject: RE: is allah God? - No!

This didn’t go the previous try. This is a re-send.

Daniel: I notice you apparently have not considered the Bible/Spirit of Prophecy based concepts I tried to communicate in my last e-mail. You seem driven to make a theological pronouncement regarding Islam without taking the time to really understand them. I see little use for such activity in helping me know how to do mission in the Muslim world. If you do not have a love for the Muslim, a sense that God has given you a mission to the Muslims, a willingness to try to understand them before judging them, then you and I are operating in two different paradigms. If you come to the point you have a sincere desire to build relationships with the Muslim to lead to spiritual interaction with them, leading them to saving faith, then I’ll be happy to interact with you. But if you are only focused on trying to convince me that they are of the devil and that Allah is not the same God, then I don’t have the time for further interaction. For myself, I have dealt with those issues long ago. I have tried to share that with you, unsuccessfully. I trust that you will be open to God’s leading in your life and ministry,

Jerald

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Winters [mailto:tenkoku1*@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 5:56 PM
To: Jerald Whitehouse
Subject: Re: is allah God? - No!

Your admission of not desiring to follow the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy is all too common among our Seventh-day Adventist leaders. I knew the Laodicean funk was deeply imbedded in our church, but still surprised to see that leader(s) can not tell the difference between Christ and Satan.

I love the poor Muslims who have never been taught the true God. You have given impetus to my desire to show them the true God, Jesus Christ - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Daniel Winters

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerald Whitehouse
To: 'Daniel Winters'
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 7:53 AM
Subject: RE: is allah God? - No!

Daniel: Are you in your right mind?? There is NO admission in my e-mail of not desiring to follow the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy ? rather I’ve asked you to address the Bible/Spirit of prophecy concepts that I’ve presented to you. You have refused to do so. I do not appreciate your misjudging me, putting “words into my mouth” that I have not said, and subsequently lumping me with the “Laodicean funk” that you perceive is pervading the church. Do you read the whole Bible/Spirit of Prophecy or only those portions that suit your particular agenda? I see you as on very shaky ground in your Biblical exegesis. I have tried to respond to you in an intellectually honest manner, but you have gotten increasingly judgmental and accusative in your responses. Unless you can evidence a bit of humility and non-judgmental attitude I really do not have time to respond further.

Jerald

----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Winters [mailto:tenkoku1*@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2004 7:45 PM
To: Jerald Whitehouse
Subject: Re: is allah God? - No!

I'm praying for you.

There was no reply to this last email.

So what do you think? Is the Muslim God "Allah" and the Christian God - "The Father", "Son", and "Holy Ghost", the same? Or is even "Allah" the same as "The Father"? The evidence from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy is quoted above, and here is some more evidence from the Qur'an: Pickthall's "Glorious" translation at: http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/

Sura 4
89 They long that ye should disbelieve even as they disbelieve, that ye may be upon a level (with them). So choose not friends from them till they forsake their homes in the way of Allah; if they turn back (to enmity) then take them and kill them wherever ye find them,
92 And whoso hath not the wherewithal must fast two consecutive months. A penance from Allah.
103 Worship at fixed times hath been enjoined on the believers.
157 And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.
158 But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise.
171 O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.

Sura 5
51 O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them.
72 They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise.
73 They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God.
75 The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!
97 Allah hath appointed the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a standard for mankind, and the Sacred Month and the offerings and the garlands.

Sura 8
39 And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do.

Sura 9
29 Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
30 And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!
31 They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no God save Him. Be He Glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

Here i make a confession. I have only read the first 10 suras (chapters) of the 114 in the Qur'an (Koran) as of February 1, 2004. Only a few of the more egregious errors and hatred toward Christians have been listed. I do intend to read this whole book, but it is obviously of Satanic origin.