Judaism, Islam and Christians all revered Abraham. When Abraham fathered Ishmael by his wife's handmaid, Hagar, the greatest conflict in history begun. We know that Sarah, his wife somehow consented the birth of Ishmael because at first she was barren. But all of these changed when she too bore a son, Isaac. Ishmael's descendants include a large part of the Arab peoples, while Isaac through his son Jacob is the ancestor of the Israelite.The rivalry of these two half-brothers continued down to our generations, aggravated by religious differences.
The Arab-Jewish conflict remains the greatest threat to peace in the Middle East, plus an additional volatile concoction with the Christians. All these faith had a long standing love-hate relationships that at any moment could burst into a major upheaval.
Within these Three Major Faith there are also divided beliefs within their followers Islam is divided into Sunni and Shiite branches goes back shortly after the death of the prophet Mohammad in A.D. 632 and centers on who are the rightful successors. About 85% of Muslims are Sunni, but some countries in the Middle East are predominantly Shiite, notably Iran, Yemen, and Bahrain. While they are at times at peace, centuries of dislike and distrust between the two sometimes breaks out into violence, like we have witnessed in Iraq from recent years.
On the other hand, Judaism had its own differences mainly divided as Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews. Some of these conflict had been around even during the time of Jesus, Remember how the apostle reacted when they saw Jesus talking alone to a Samaritan woman in John chapter 4."The Jews of that time treated the Samaritan’s like outcasts. They even called them dogs. For Jesus to talk to a woman alone was considered improper. Since she was a Samaritan, it compounded the offense. However, that didn’t keep Jesus from this divine appointment." (Woman of the Bible by Diane Sagan) Jewish faith had its own conflict from within the same with those people who call themselves Christians. Christianity in like manner was also divided into various denomination. There are those who call themselves Orthodox, Catholics, Protestant, Baptist, Mormons and so on and so forth. Catholics on its own is also divided which are considered break-away Catholics like Apostolic Catholic Church, Philippine Independent Church, Old Catholic Church, etc. The same with Protestantism like Baptist, Methodist, Lutherans and etc.
Now perhaps you are confused already, and that is why there is conflict in the world today. Not to mention other faith such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Scientology and Atheism (It is a form of Faith too) who in their own confines have differences needed to be resolved too.
We can further classify differences base on how they see God. Their form of practices and traditions.
Polytheist--these are people who believed in MANY GODS. They are also called Pagan. Like Druids, Hinduism and Catholics are considered pagan because they worship idols like Mary and the Saints (including fictional Saints).
Monotheist--these are people who believed there is only ONE GOD. Islam and some Christian Churches. But what Muslim did not know is the origin of Allah is from Arab paganism too.Not many Muslims want to accept that Allah was already being worshipped at the Ka'ba in Mecca by Arab pagans before Muhammad came.
In fact, he did not at first intend to establish a new religion, but rather to reform the belief in Allah which already existed, and to show what this belief truly signified and rightfully demanded. (Mohammed: The man and his faith, Tor Andrae, 1936, Translated by Theophil Menzel, 1960, p13-30)
Atheist--Who believe there is no God. This too are divided into many form of beliefs and more often base their reasoning on academic stance. We know for a fact that science are now discovering the truth of the Bible but some academics avoid to tie-up these discoveries from the Bible stance.
Further to this line are the Agnostics who is at the same time may believe there is a deity but largely follow certain human reasoning. The view of those who do not claim to know of the existence of any deity, but still believe in such an existence. They are sometimes classified as hardcore or soft-core agnostics.
Lukewarm (Religious Tolerance) are those who believes that all faith have good and bad in it. They believe there is a God but are not sure. They believe that all religion should join together...They are those who cries "Peace and Unity" through religious tolerance. This is to me the most dangerous of "Theology" for it does not stand on anything. It is the closest one to "Satanism". Why is that? Because here Satan can enjoy worship without them knowing. They are worldly in concept which God hated so much. That is why this form of faith has special mention in Revelation 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
The conflict in INTERPRETATION
I would like to focus on the Christian faith division since I am a Christian...some interprets the Bible according to their own religious practices, even goes to great length to modify the Holy Scripture to justify their error. Worse of these are considering part of the Bible as Allegory and myths like what (Saint?) Augustine do where most of Christian errors begun. Catholics was trapped in the error of Augustine who copied his reasoning from Greek philosopher rather than the Holy Bible.
There are some Christians too who claims that the Bible is not the complete instructions from God therefor aside from Old Testament and the New Testament they still have additional teachings or creed book. Catholics have their Canon Law while The Mormons had the Athanasian Creed.
A number of passages speak of the completeness of God’s word:
Jude 3 speaks of contending, "earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." The expression "once for all" could properly be written, "one time for all time". In other words, the text indicates that there will be nothing else.
2 Peter 1:3 tells us, "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue...". According to this verse, we now have all things we need for (eternal) life and (how to live in) godliness.
Galatians 1:6-9. Paul wrote with great concern to the churches of Galatia about the gospel. He wrote, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another;" (Galatians 1:6-8) Clearly Paul points out that there is only ONE gospel and at the time he wrote this text, that gospel had been revealed. Note his warning concerning accepting anything other than that gospel. He said, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you that what you have received, let him be accursed." He was so serious about this, that he repeated the warning of verse 8 again in verse 9.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 speaks of all inspired scripture being profitable and able to make the man of God "complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.". For this to be true, we must have the completed word of God. And we do!
Revelation 22:18-19. The book of Revelation concludes with these words, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will ad to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book."
So All three Major Religion somehow got it all wrong....that had been the reason why Jesus was crucified before. They misunderstood our Lord for fulfilling the scripture. I am sure that if Jesus would return today He will still be rejected. Abraham will NOT recognized the kind of worship his children are performing. The apostle will marvel at all the wrong traditions we are now following.
You don't believed me that Jesus second coming will be received with hostile response?
"Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him." (Rev. 17:14)
Are you among them who will welcome Jesus Christ on His return, because you recognized HIM? Now put aside your Religion and seek the scripture. I have proven to you from my earlier blogs the authenticity of the Bible, that without doubt it is the inspired word of God. Do not be ignorant and Let us all be filled with the Holy Spirit to recognized Jesus.
Jesus said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;" -- John 10:27
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