Random (non-exhaustive) thoughts on Islam

In preparation for a Sunday School lesson on the religion of Islam, I, of course, had to study and evaluate Islam. Among all I did learn and have yet to learn, two semi-related thoughts struck me.

#1- Comparing Christianity with Islam, or any other religion, for that matter, is possible only to certain extents. Comparing basic doctrine, organization, numbers, etc are all possible, not to say spiritually stimulating, but as soon as we delve into the correlation between belief and action, we are comparing apples and oranges. Or apples and some Arabian fruit. I at first began to compare the devotion of radical Muslims to the lethargy of American Christians, but discovered the uneven ground.

This is because unlike us Chrisitans and the Holy Spirit, Muslims don't actually have the power of "Allah" helping them to accomplish what he requires. Though they believe in him, Allah is as unreal as Darth Vader and the Force. Therefore, everything done by a Muslim is still in the realm of a totally depraved flesh. Even radical devotion to jihad and martyrdom is consistent with their flesh, perhaps mostly due to the well-publicized rewards.

Conversely, we who strive in our sancification are striving for the standard of the Image of Christ with the motive of glorifying God and eternal rewards. Neither the process of change, the actions that manifest that, nor even harboring the correct motives is in the realm of capability of a depraved man. Only with the Holy Spirit acting on our behalf and alongside us is any good done. And it is most obviously difficult. While we strive against every natural urge to display our faith, the Muslim is able to act out his faith entirely in and of himself.

#2- Thankfully, the sinful nature that is at ease in Islam is also its greatest enemy. Not all base, sinful nature is profitable for the religion, such as self-preservation, greed, etc. That there are only %1 of the Muslim population considered "radical," who actually most accurately manifest the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, testifies to this. Too, the greed of the Saudi oil barons is something to be thankful for, lest the whole of their resources be laid against our efforts against terrorism.