Some people charge Isa Al-Masih (Jesus Christ) with advocating war. This is not true. It is true that Isa Al-Masih’s teachings divided families. They still do. Often it is the case that one family member wants to follow Is while the others oppose their decision. We see many examples of this in the Injil (Gospel). And we still see many examples of this in the Ummah (Muslim world). People wanting to have a personal relationship with God through Isa Al-Masih are persecuted. They are threatened, imprisoned and even killed!
Isa Al-Masih Told His Followers to Love Even Their Enemies!
Following Isa Al-Masih brings peace to the hearts of believers. However, it often brings persecution from those who reject him. But those who choose to follow Isa Al-Masih must also choose to love even those who persecute them. Isa told his followers to love their enemies. Isa said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
The Difference Between Disciples of Isa and Disciples of Muhammad
There is a great difference between the early followers of Isa Al-Masih and the early followers of Muhammad. The followers of Isa Al-Masih were clearly told by him to forgive and not fight with others. Isa did not want his people to be involved in war. Isa said, “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39).
Islam’s Doctrine of Jihad Has Caused Much Suffering
The early history of Islam is a story of bloodshed and war. Even among the nearest companions of Muhammad, wars and murders took place. Caliphs were killed by fellow Muslims. Aishia, the wife of Muhammad, engaged in battle against Ali, Muhammad’s son in law. To this day some Muslims support the doctrine of jihad as a doctrine commanded by Islam. Jihad is killing people in the name of Allah! This is a dark stain on the religion of Islam. It has brought endless grief into the world.
Muslims Confuse Christianity with the Western World
Many Muslims accuse Christians of starting wars and committing acts of aggression. This is because Muslims confuse the Western world and America in particular with Christianity. America or the Western world is not Christianity. They are places run by secular governments. Their agendas are not God’s agenda. And their purposes are not to share the gospel of salvation. Being a Christian is having a personal relationship with God through Isa Al-Masih.
Isa Came to the World to Preach the Love of God and Save Mankind
Isa came to the world, “… not to destroy men but to save them” (John 12:47). Isa Al-Masih is not the author of war. He is “The Prince of Peace”(Isaiah 9:6). His lofty teaching calls us to the highest ideal, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…and love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6) For a deeper understanding of Isa we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha” at this link.]
SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
1.) Why does Isa’s teaching divide families?
2.) What was Isa’s teaching about war?
3.) Why do many Muslims confuse Christianity with the Western world?
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What is Jihad in Islam and in Christianity?
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Dear Luka,
The basic meaning of Jihad is “struggle for the faith.” But the popular interpretation is the act of fighting for the faith against unbelievers.
Christianity has no equivalent of Jihad. In fact, Isa (Jesus) told His followers to [b]”love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” [/b] (Injil Matthew 5:44 ,45).
Following Isa Al-Masih means to choose the peaceful path. To love others and do good to all people. It is a faith anchored in love. We love others because God loves us. [b]“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”[/b] (Injil John 3:16).
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Great, but could you explain the Crusades that came to our lands in the time when the church was the government?
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Khalid,
Although the church was the government, it was not abode by what the Bible says. The church twisted the Bible to say what they wanted it to say in order to go in and take over Muslim lands. The Crusades were in no way a godly thing. The Isa and Islam staff are very saddened by what happened during the Crusades.
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Jesus said, [b]”I did not come with peace, I came with a sword. It is time to sell your coat and buy a sword!”[/b]
In the Gospel of Luke 19:27, [b]”But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”[/b]
On the other hand, the Quran says:
2:190 -[b] “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.”[/b]
2:192 – [b]”And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”[/b]
9:6 – [b]”And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety.”[/b]
4:90 – [b]”So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them.”[/b]
16:126 – [b]”And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed.”[/b]
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Hi Khalid:
Thanks for your comments.
Let me begin with Luke 19:27. This is part of a parable, a story. Jesus is telling a story to teach a lesson. He was not advocating that Christians should kill anyone. This verse has nothing to do with encouraging Christians to warfare.
The verse in Injil, Matthew 10:34 needs to be taken metaphorically. All Jesus means are that there will be divisions in families and communities because some will follow Him and some will not. For an in-depth study of this verse go to http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/matthew_10_34.htm.
Please note that when Peter tried to use a sword, Jesus commanded him to put it away. [b]”Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” [/b](Injil, Matthew 26:52).
Also please note the teaching of Jesus, [b]”If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also . . . Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . . “[/b] (Injil, Matthew 5:44). How can anyone equate these verses with warfare?
Please note the words of God revealed to the holy apostle, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Injil, Romans 12:14). Do those verses sound like words that encourage warfare?
The whole tenor of the Gospel is about peace and not war! So please do not take verses out of context and make them teach warfare.
You are correct. The Qur’an strongly advocates warfare. This verses you quoted are clear about that.
It is obvious that Jesus taught peace while your prophet put a lot of focus on war.
Wassalam.
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I think Muslim terrorism can be stopped in a much lighter way. There is no doubt that the US and the UK want to rule Muslim countries for resources like oil and areas of strategic values. Also there is no doubt in this mission that the US and the UK have killed and tortured many Muslims. They are also making Muslim holy places dirty by employing women fighters in tight and short dresses.
Due to all of these, though, I have described in how Muslims become angry with the US and the UK. They are targeting the common people to teach their governments lessons and to take revenge. This is because some Islamic scholars have stated it is Islamic and justified killing civilians if their kings tortures and kills you. But it is not Islamic or justified, as proved by many Quranic verses.
Always be just. Many Quranic verses are available on jihad and terrorism sanction.
I think if these things are brought to the Muslim terrorist organizations, they would understand their mistakes and they would improve themselves, not to kill civilians again.
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Dear Muhammad,
Thank you for your comment.
As noted in the article, Muslims tend to see Western Countries, such as the US and the UK, as Christian countries. Even though the number of Christians are the majority in those countries, and they took some principles from the Bible as their basis for their law, it does not mean that their country agendas are God’s agenda. These countries run their secular systems which pursue their own interests and gain their positions in the world.
However, civil government is necessary and is divinely ordained by God (Injil, Romans 13:1–7) and it is ultimately under God’s control. Christians are told to be submissive to their government (Injil, 1 Peter 2:13) and to obey civil authorities (Injil, Romans 13:5) in order to avoid anarchy and chaos.
The question that might arises that is how do we respond if the government is unjust towards its citizens? Christians are told to pray to God for their governments because as God ordained them He will be in control. Because Government is part of the order of creation and a minister of God (Injil, Romans 13:4). Christians have a responsibility to work within their government structures. Christians also need to call political leaders to go back to this ordained task by peaceful means. Christians should be the light and the salt of the world in political context (Injil, Matthew 5:13-16), in order to bring about a change.
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