Fr. Zakaria Botros on Christianity and Islam

[J.L. Flores]

[grahame]

Very interesting video. I demonstrates how Islam binds its followers by fear.

[theatheistguy]

Very interesting video. I demonstrates how Islam binds its followers by fear.

Could the religion of Christianity not be said to do the same thing?

[J.L. Flores]

Very interesting video. I demonstrates how Islam binds its followers by fear.

Could the religion of Christianity not be said to do the same thing?

I guess one could say such a thing, inasmuch as there are some Christians who are bound to Christ not by pure love for him but for fear of eternal damnation. In my case, I am a Christian by conviction, not by fear.

[Nomad]

Very interesting video. I demonstrates how Islam binds its followers by fear.

Could the religion of Christianity not be said to do the same thing?

Only when the Law is preached without the Gospel. The Law points out that we're sinners in need of a savior. The Gospel proclaims peace with God through faith in Christ and his work of redemption. Any Christian bound by fear needs to remember the Gospel.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
Rom 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

[grahame]

men have used the name of Christ to carry out persecutions all in the name of Christ. But the gospel is what the name means, "good news". Salvation from sin and death and hell. Strange how men turn that message around into a message of judgment and accuse God of so many heinous crimes. How they blaspheme him. But the message of the gospel is that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life". Now how can you say that Christians are kept by fear?

[theatheistguy]

Now how can you say that Christians are kept by fear?

You'll note I said the religion of Christianity, not the actual 'true' message of Christianity (whatever that may be). I'm sure many people here will agree that the 'religion' is different from what you believe to be the real thing.

[grahame]

Now how can you say that Christians are kept by fear?

You'll note I said the religion of Christianity, not the actual 'true' message of Christianity (whatever that may be). I'm sure many people here will agree that the 'religion' is different from what you believe to be the real thing.

Yes there are many frauds. You will often see that money and power are their driving force.

[theatheistguy]

Yes there are many frauds. You will often see that money and power are their driving force.

What about those who've been tricked either by man or Satan and genuinely believe themselves to be saved?

[grahame]

Yes there are many frauds. You will often see that money and power are their driving force.

What about those who've been tricked either by man or Satan and genuinely believe themselves to be saved?

Well I am a Calvinist and believe that those who will be saved are those whom God chose from before the foundation of the world. So I will answer your question in two ways. First from scripture which says,

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy , we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully ; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid , it is hid to them that are lost : 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

(2 Corinthians 4:1-4)

But as a Christian I would feel it my duty to try and guide them to the truth as it is revealed in the scriptures. The gospel is in fact very simple to understand. Even children can understand. The problem is not in the understanding, but in the heart. Man in his heart does not want to believe the truth. He will make up a gospel which panders to his own affections rather than believe the truth of the gospel, which is a very challenging message.

I recall a time when I was working out in the wilds in this warehouse. The door was shut and as I was working there was a knock on the door. Being curious I opened it and there before me was young man holding a flower. He said, "Would you like to buy a flower to help God's truth find the lost?" I at once had a hunch that he was a Moonie. I saw this as a God given opportunity so I invited him in. To cut a long story short I had a very fruitful conversation with him in which I pointed out to him that in order to be saved he needed to be born again to become a child of God.

He replied, "But we are all children of God". I then pointed out to him that, that is not what the Bible says and I turned to John chapter one where it says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

He seemed genuinely amazed at this and it seemed to hit him like a sledge hammer. He who had at first been quite agressive slowly became enquiring and my heart went out to him. I said to him, "So you see why I can't buy your flower?" "No no, that's alright" he said enthusiastically, "My father is a Catholic and shouts me down every time contradict him. But you have taken the time to sit down with me and reason things out". I told him that though we may not see each other again that I would continue to pray for him and hoped to see him again in glory.

He went away with a genuine joy in his heart. Whether he was saved or not I will probably never know. But the opportunity seemed to open up as if guided by God.
My dear friend the New Testament says,

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

(Hebrews 11:6) I sincerely pray that you will do so.