Sorry, Jego, off-topic, but here's somebody's response to your comment on my blog. Will refrain from blogging on the subject coz I'd rather be kind than be right.:
The main difference between the Christian Scriptures and the Koran is that, in the former, the Old Testament is mediated to us by the New Testament, the Old being read in the light of the New. Therefore, all the violent and seemingly irrational passages of the Old Testament are effectively "filtered out" by the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ who, in fulfilling the prophecies, rendered irrelevant everything in the Old Testament that is incompatible with the Gospel. The passages of the OT that call for violence, cruelty and holy war are as irrelevant and superseded as are the old Jewish laws.
When confronted by the bloodthirsty elements of the Old Testament, we also have recourse to various modes of interpretation. We can read these elements in the context of the "gradual education" of the Hebrew people in preparation for the definitive Revelation of the Word, or interpret these passages as being fulfilled in a completely spiritual manner. For example, according to St. Augustine, when reciting the Psalm passages that speak of the destruction of our enemies, we must mean by this the conversion of our enemies, for conversion is a true destruction of the old and sinful selves of our enemies. Another practice is to mean, by "enemy", not our human 'enemies', but the devils, the sinful flesh and the temptations of this world. After all, in the Christian life, these are our only true enemies.
In contrast, who "filters" the Koran? Who "mediates" the Koran to us? The body of Islamic scholars? All they have is private interpretation of the Koran, and they disagree from one Surah to the next. There is NO element IN the Muslim Scriptures that can be considered as a principle of interpretation, and there is no authoritative body to sift authorized interpretations from unauthorized ones. Islam has no Pope, not even a "Holy Synod" such as Orthodox Churches have, that can at least limit the damage coming from the free-for-all of theological opinions. In contrast, we have Jesus, by whose Person and Teaching, everything is judged -- even in the Old Testament. And we have the Church to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones.
That's very good, Resty. But that wasnt the point we were discussing. The point was that anyone could take a passage from the Koran (or the Bible) and present them out of context to justify anything. The context of the Bible (and the Koran) is the entire book, that's why it is wise to look at passages in light of what the rest of the book says.
On the other points he made:
In contrast, who "filters" the Koran? Who "mediates" the Koran to us? The body of Islamic scholars? All they have is private interpretation of the Koran, and they disagree from one Surah to the next.
That's what we have as well. That's why there are Protestants, gnostics, Unitarians, Iglesia ni Kristos, etc. Not all Christians are Catholics, you know.
In contrast, we have Jesus, by whose Person and Teaching, everything is judged -- even in the Old Testament.
The Muslims have Jesus as well. In fact some Muslims believe he is coming again. Jesus is revered in Islam and his words are respected.
And we have the Church to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones.
Again the Muslims also have the Church (their body of believers) to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones. What's the diff? What Resty and I are praying for is that these voices speak louder. Theyre being drowned out by the extremists.
5 comments:
How disappointing for me. At 3.2% my blog is such a fuddy-duddy.
Haha. I was surprised at my results. I dont think I cuss that much.
you think?? your initials does not mean the Savior, it means Jaysus Cuss.
Sorry, Jego, off-topic, but here's somebody's response to your comment on my blog. Will refrain from blogging on the subject coz I'd rather be kind than be right.:
The main difference between the Christian Scriptures and the Koran is that, in the former, the Old Testament is mediated to us by the New Testament, the Old being read in the light of the New. Therefore, all the violent and seemingly irrational passages of the Old Testament are effectively "filtered out" by the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ who, in fulfilling the prophecies, rendered irrelevant everything in the Old Testament that is incompatible with the Gospel. The passages of the OT that call for violence, cruelty and holy war are as irrelevant and superseded as are the old Jewish laws.
When confronted by the bloodthirsty elements of the Old Testament, we also have recourse to various modes of interpretation. We can read these elements in the context of the "gradual education" of the Hebrew people in preparation for the definitive Revelation of the Word, or interpret these passages as being fulfilled in a completely spiritual manner. For example, according to St. Augustine, when reciting the Psalm passages that speak of the destruction of our enemies, we must mean by this the conversion of our enemies, for conversion is a true destruction of the old and sinful selves of our enemies. Another practice is to mean, by "enemy", not our human 'enemies', but the devils, the sinful flesh and the temptations of this world. After all, in the Christian life, these are our only true enemies.
In contrast, who "filters" the Koran? Who "mediates" the Koran to us? The body of Islamic scholars? All they have is private interpretation of the Koran, and they disagree from one Surah to the next. There is NO element IN the Muslim Scriptures that can be considered as a principle of interpretation, and there is no authoritative body to sift authorized interpretations from unauthorized ones. Islam has no Pope, not even a "Holy Synod" such as Orthodox Churches have, that can at least limit the damage coming from the free-for-all of theological opinions. In contrast, we have Jesus, by whose Person and Teaching, everything is judged -- even in the Old Testament. And we have the Church to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones.
That's very good, Resty. But that wasnt the point we were discussing. The point was that anyone could take a passage from the Koran (or the Bible) and present them out of context to justify anything. The context of the Bible (and the Koran) is the entire book, that's why it is wise to look at passages in light of what the rest of the book says.
On the other points he made:
In contrast, who "filters" the Koran? Who "mediates" the Koran to us? The body of Islamic scholars? All they have is private interpretation of the Koran, and they disagree from one Surah to the next.
That's what we have as well. That's why there are Protestants, gnostics, Unitarians, Iglesia ni Kristos, etc. Not all Christians are Catholics, you know.
In contrast, we have Jesus, by whose Person and Teaching, everything is judged -- even in the Old Testament.
The Muslims have Jesus as well. In fact some Muslims believe he is coming again. Jesus is revered in Islam and his words are respected.
And we have the Church to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones.
Again the Muslims also have the Church (their body of believers) to uphold correct interpretations and condemn dangerous ones. What's the diff? What Resty and I are praying for is that these voices speak louder. Theyre being drowned out by the extremists.
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