Stan Guthrie weighs in on A Common Word, claiming that “All Monotheisms Are Not Alike.” His argument is that Christians ought to keep the Apostles’ Creed at hand when engaging in interfaith dialog, otherwise we lose our most basic confessional foundation from which to distinguish ourselves from other religions.
Aside from the obvious disappointing fact that due to Evangelicalism’s tepid theological context such articles have to advocate (instead of presume) the most basic of Christian creeds (a disappointment, BTW, which ought to cause the Evangelical world at large to ask itself, How did we get to the point where we have lost our most basic understandings of foundational Christian doctrines?), perhaps Guthrie’s thought allows reflection and expansion in other related directions.
For example, contrary to popular stereotypes which claim Reformed theology is “dead” or results in “frozen chosen” mentality, Reformed churches are the most suited to interfaith dialog, evangelism, and missions in our pluralistic world; for, to further Guthrie’s thought, if the Apostles’ Creed is so necessary and helpful for confessing our basic beliefs (i.e. within the context of interfaith dialog surrounding A Common Word), does it not follow that the more robust confessional riches of the Reformed tradition (i.e. the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity) are even more necessary and more helpful for filling in the picture of what the whole Bible teaches within the give and take of such interfaith dialogs?
Continuing this thought with a hypothetical, imagine the advantages in terms of clear and concise communication a Reformed believer will have in answering the following basic questions from the confessional standpoint of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (as opposed to Christians who have no such confessional moorings): What is man’s purpose (WSC 1)? What does the Bible teach (WSC 3)? What is God (WSC 4)? Do you believe in one God or three (WSC 5-6)? Is Jesus God or man (WSC 21-30)?
Like trained athletes ready to run the race, Reformed churches with confessions in hand ought to be first to the interfaith fray, eagerly seeking opportunities to confess the person and works of our Great God according to the Scriptures. In spite of (yea, in the very face of) “hyper-Calvinism” and “dead orthodoxy” stereotypes, Reformed believers ought to rejoice (with trembling, of course–Psa. 2) in their preparation for engaging wholeheartedly in interfaith dialog, evangelism, and missions amidst today’s pluralism with a confession that is worthy of the whole Gospel which it proclaims from the whole Holy Bible in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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What’s the difference between trinitarian faith and idol worship? Nothing! Who to believe? Jesus says “Hear O Israel the Lord your Ilah is One!” a confirmation of the message Moses came with. Islam is an investigative religion, Muslims do not follow or believe anything blindly. Where’s your proof so we may investigate it ourselves, that is the motto, that is what the Almighty Allah tells us to ask those who differ. I believe in what Jeus the son of Mary says not in that which trinitarians claim. Who to believe a mere naromal man, a prophet, or even better the Almighty Self. I’ve gone through this debate already and there’s many people out there, I ask myself how many times will I have to repeat the same debate just to prove a point but I will not be weak as it is my duty to shed light on the Haqq (Truth) and destroy the Baatil (Falsehood) visit my site all answers are there already.
search for united muslim nations international or simply visit thetruereligion.wordpress and browse around, feel free to ask questions and give some constructive critisism.
Hello Alfaa,
I wasn’t quite sure whether you comment was a serious invitation to dialog, or simply a declaration that you’ve already won all the debates. If you are interested in my thoughts on the Christian doctrine of God vis-a-vis the Muslim doctrine of God, here are a few places to start:
My paper on A Common Word
My sermon on Psalm 42-43 (noting especially the Christology and Pneumatology in the sermon)
My blog archive on posts relating to Islam.
What sources have you used in your search for truth regarding the Christian doctrine of God? And what sources do you recommend for non-Muslims to read regarding the Muslim doctrine of God?