The Islamic religion differs from Christianity and Jews, by the way you get into heaven. The Islamic religion believes that they must live a life of good. There good actions must outweigh their bad actions to get into heaven. Believing in the Muslim religion is not enough they must live it out in their everyday life. While Christians believe that as long as you have asked the lord for forgiveness and have accepted Jesus as your lord and savior you will be able to enter into the gates of heaven. Both religions share the same idea of hell. I noticed that the Islamic religion mentions hell and Satan much more than the Christian and Jews bible. Which is interesting, it seems as every story of The Koran, Satan and hell is mentioned this differs from the Old Testament.
To a Pagan audience hearing the story of the birth of Jesus is nothing out of the ordinary. For Achilles is said to be half god, half human. Demi-gods and the gods having sons was commonly seen throughout Pagan literature. Sacrifices also were common in Pagan literature. Therefore the birth of Christ and the sacrifice he made should be fairly familiar to the Pagan’s literature.
The gods found in Gilgamesh and The Iliad take sides. For instance in the Iliad they choose their favorite mortal and help that mortal to succeed. The mortal they picked is because of his strength and characteristics not because they have prayed and trying to be a righteous person. As for the god in the Old Testament he could very easily choose a side. He could pick the more righteous man over the sinner but he chooses not. He sees greatness in both the Sinner who has repented for his sins and the righteous man. The gods found in The Iliad and Gilgamesh are selfish and share many negative characteristics it seems as if there not there to help their people. As for the god in the Old Testament, he answers the prayers of his people. He sent his only begotten son to die for our sins. There is nothing selfish about this god. Human relations change because the god in the Old Testament is accepting and merciful. He accepts all shapes and sizes. Whether you have sinned most of your life and you lie on your death-bed asking forgiveness, he will forgive you. He forgives everybody and anyone as long as they ask him for forgiveness.
5 thoughts on “Lesson 5: The New Testament and The Koran”
Mary Filbin
I can see the light of your passion for the Christian faith in this discussion. I found it interesting that the Muslim religion requires the faithful to walk the path and in essence be righteous all their lives where the Christians say its ok to whatever you please as long as you repent and ask forgiveness on your death bed. I know there are commandments to follow and I love the idea of being able to make a mistake repent and be forgiven, but what we are calling mercy might also be a big loophole to sneak through. Just a thought. Can you tell I am taking an ethics class that is anti-religion (maybe they all are even if I am not) and it rattling my brain? Have a blessed day!
hkreutter
You did a great job on answering these questions. I like the way you went about answering #3. It was a very insightful thoughts. Thinking back on the way The Illiad and Gilgamesh portrayed Gods kind of disappoints me now. They really went about it the wrong way I think, but it was probably just because of the time they were written in. To each his own I suppose, haha. Nice job on your answers!!
*Side note: I like the picture you chose. I used the same one and I didn’t even realize it until I was scrolling through finding posts to comment on! 🙂
Jennifer Popa
Blasphemer! Thou shalt avoid redundant google images! I like that so many add these images every now and again, because it helps me remember what everyone wrote.
Jared
That is an interesting point about the gods taking sides. I did notice that you could gain favor with these gods as though they were regular people with personalities. As opposed to a god that could turn their back upon those who serve them, a Hebrew/Christian God could be favorable as a more reliable god that is not as moody :/
swhoke
I agree about the gods of Gilgamesh taking sides, they all had their own agenda and would chose to help mortals only if it somehow benefits them. I enjoyed reading you post, it is very interesting to read other peoples takes on the answers to these very subjective questions,.
I can see the light of your passion for the Christian faith in this discussion. I found it interesting that the Muslim religion requires the faithful to walk the path and in essence be righteous all their lives where the Christians say its ok to whatever you please as long as you repent and ask forgiveness on your death bed. I know there are commandments to follow and I love the idea of being able to make a mistake repent and be forgiven, but what we are calling mercy might also be a big loophole to sneak through. Just a thought. Can you tell I am taking an ethics class that is anti-religion (maybe they all are even if I am not) and it rattling my brain? Have a blessed day!
You did a great job on answering these questions. I like the way you went about answering #3. It was a very insightful thoughts. Thinking back on the way The Illiad and Gilgamesh portrayed Gods kind of disappoints me now. They really went about it the wrong way I think, but it was probably just because of the time they were written in. To each his own I suppose, haha. Nice job on your answers!!
*Side note: I like the picture you chose. I used the same one and I didn’t even realize it until I was scrolling through finding posts to comment on! 🙂
Blasphemer! Thou shalt avoid redundant google images! I like that so many add these images every now and again, because it helps me remember what everyone wrote.
That is an interesting point about the gods taking sides. I did notice that you could gain favor with these gods as though they were regular people with personalities. As opposed to a god that could turn their back upon those who serve them, a Hebrew/Christian God could be favorable as a more reliable god that is not as moody :/
I agree about the gods of Gilgamesh taking sides, they all had their own agenda and would chose to help mortals only if it somehow benefits them. I enjoyed reading you post, it is very interesting to read other peoples takes on the answers to these very subjective questions,.