Allah or Jesus?

[COMMENT: The author, Rick Mathes, is a well known prison ministry leader.  This little dialogue shows how persistent presentation of the truth, the hard truth, and nothing but the truth, will win.  If not right now, usually not too far down the road, and, in the end, always.  Pray that Christian clergy will become of that caliber, e.g., in the struggle for sexual sanity. 

You can be sure that the imam below did not "feel good" about this dialogue.  But if speaking the truth (clarity of fact and logic, yes, in love) cannot be done without causing pain, then pain there will be.  Christians should never aim at persons.  We aim at falsehood, deceit, evil, ignorance of all sorts.  But if anyone clings to his ignorance or his sin, then he is putting himself in the line of Godly fire. 

The 2-edged Sword of the Spirit -- reason wedded back to back with revelation -- is an invincible weapon.   As in, "Come, let us reason together" -- the Sword wielded by God like a surgeon's scalpel.  Deo Gratia!    E. Fox]

By Rick Mathes

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief systems.
 
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.
 
The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
 
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:
 
"Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
 
There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation he replied, "Non-believers!"
 
I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
 
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
 
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Pat Robertson or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"
 
The Imam was speechless.
 
I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and wants you to be with me?" 
 
You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.
 
Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me these 20 years of prison ministry.
 
He said to me, "Rick, remember that the truth will prevail."
 
And it will!
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