Does God = Allah

Technically, from a religious perspective, I can see your argument, Faith.This discussion, however, basically boils down to the God I worship is not the God you worship.I can agree with you, Faith, that there is a spiritual dynamic which believers cannot prove to non-believers, and which is itself controversial. We can assert that Moroni was a demon as well as the Moon god that allegedly spoke to Muhammed.Logically, however, we can't be 100% sure if the God that we pray to is any different than the spirit within the Indian who solemnly observes the sacred volcano. The Spirit could well be the same Holy Spirit reaching out to another group of people or an individual.I don't believe that all paths lead to God. I do believe that God reaches all people irrespective of religious rituals and traditions of man.In conclusion, it is entirely possible for everyone to be a conscious or unconscious idolator at any given moment.The One God whom Is, however, may be speaking to anyone at any given moment, however, whether they are a believer or not.We may be talking to the wrong deity, but you must admit that He knows the thoughtsand intents of each and every individual heart and conscience throughout the world.This message has been edited by Phat, 04-26-2006 04:56 PM

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Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart, and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. Even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained; and even in the best of all hearts, there remains a small corner of evil. --Alexander Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago

I can accept that argument based on scriptures...but whats the point of making it?If you and I sat down to pray, would you be wary of praying with me---that perhaps I was praying to a wrong God? Would it not be better to let God work out the details and let the intents of our hearts prevail?

If people had to follow a book or a belief in order to find God, I would agree with you. I also agree that technically you are right from a Biblical literalist perspective.I think (and believe), however, that the God we serve is bigger than just religion and our Bible...no matter how much wisdom that Bible contains!Remember this verse? To me, that indicates that the ways of God exceed the Bible as we know it.

I would hope that others here at EvC who understand me (which is itself quite a feat! ) would say that my thinking is more absolute and less post modern.By being so unbending, you are not being a good witness IMHO, Faith. You, like the Pharisees, may be doctorinly correct but by all measures of common sense wrong.Do you honestly think that, for a science minded atheist, the only way to salvation is through acknowledging the literalness of the Bible???It may have worked for you, but my God is bigger than that! Jesus spoke to a variety of unbelievers and sinners and had no Bible. They were changed by an encounter with His character.If you expect to change people, you are better off allowing His character to speak through you rather than trying to hammer everyone with a stubborn stance on Biblical literalism. It just won't work.

Faith: You and I need to have a fireside chat. Just to facilitate understanding.Forget everything you think you know about me. I am not a strict Biblical Literalist as are you, but I know Jesus! He lives today, and He is quite capable of reaching people where they are at.I went through all of the same church education (indoctorination) as you did. I was in a Charismatic church, later a Pentacostal church, and even a dispensational church.(Learned some useful things from each of them)I take scripture literally when it speaks to the matter at hand.Take Philppians. I believe that God works in us and through us. Notice how it is God who makes the points clear to us...not other people preaching the word to us.(although God can use other people to point out the truth found in the word.)
Finally, I believe that God begins the work in us and that God completes the work in us.It is true that we are witnesses of His presence and truth.You may think that I comprimise my beliefs in order to win favor among my EvC brethren. I think, however, that I represent God as best as I know how. Jesus reserved His sharpest words for those within the religious system----He was never harsh to those who did not yet know Him.Thus---feel free to argue with me and debate spiritual matters, but I would strongly advise you to show a mature, disciplined, and loving side to those who do not know Him yet who challenge and even berate you. By arguing with them, you are not helping the message of the Spirit get through to anyone.He will begin a good work in them. He will finish it.Now...if you honestly believe deep in your heart that your persistant arguments at "defending the historic faith" are what God wants you to do...please don't stop. BUT...if you examine your heart and find that much of this banter is merely an ego that is justifying itself and holding on to self respect---well, thats between you and God!

as long as we can all agree that it is an elephant and not a giraffe!