In Him we have - Ephesians 1:7-10

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:7-10)

Even the intervention of sin was not enough to derail the plans and purposes of God, that is to bring about our adoption and to deliver us to Himself in holiness and perfection. However, the remedy for sin would cost God greatly and dearly. Our redemption from sin was at such a high price that it meant the shedding of Jesus blood for our sins. Death was the just reward of our sins and our release from it required someone who would pay a like price for us, Our freedom from death required the death of the only begotten Son of God to free us from its grasps and to free us from our condemnation. Paul reminds us that our redemption was through His blood; a rare and exceedingly precious commodity which alone could pay the price for our release. Peter writes, "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

This redemption not only brought about our release from death but also the forgiveness of our sins and trespasses. God was under no obligation to save and forgive us. He could have left us in our sin to face our certain punishment and our just reward. However, out of love for His creation and through His super-abundant favor towards us, He set about a plan to redeem us, to forgive us, and to restore us back to His original plan to make us sons and daughters of God. Such love from God! Such grace and favor towards mankind.

Here is another case where it is hard to determine the correct sentence order; was it in all wisdom and insight that he lavished His grace upon us or was it in wisdom and insight that he made know to us His mystery? I am assuming the latter.

In former times, God taught mankind through religion and moral laws, yet all the time held in His own secret purpose a hidden plan which mankind did not discover until its coming to light. There were some here and there who came close to understanding it, but its full revealing was not made known until Jesus appeared to begin His public ministry here upon the Earth. Through His redemption and salvation, God had given us new wisdom and understanding that we might know and understand His previously hidden mystery that, one day, all things will be summed up in Christ. Christ is the end of all things for us, He is the end of all religion and all righteousness of men. Paul writes, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4) Christ is the end of all human works in an attempt to please and pacify God. In Christ we are invited to cease from our own human works and enter into His finished work which, on the cross, he declared, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) Jesus is the end of the tyranny of death, bringing to light the availability of eternal life to all mankind. Paul reminds us, "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death." (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) Finally, He is the end of all things of this creation and the summing up of all things unto Himself that He might deliver all things to God. "When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:28) Jesus is not the end of all things and the beginning of all things new.

This Jesus did, not begrudgingly, but out of His kind intentions of His heart towards us. Jesus was under no obligation to save us, it is not something He did because He had to, He saved us because He wanted us, He wanted us to be with Him when all things were summed up into Him. How great is the love of God towards us! How great are His kind intentions towards us!

David Robison

Predestined for adoption - Ephesians 1:5-6

"In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-6)

The original Greek text of the New Testament was written without punctuation and word capitalization. Therefore, in some places, it makes it hard for the translators to know where one sentence ends and another begins. Such is the case here. The opening words, "in love" could either be the ending of the previous verse indicating that we are to one day stand holy and without defect before Him in love, or with the present verse meaning that in love He predestined us to the adoption as sons. Either way, it does not change the underlying import or meaning of Paul's message.

It is my belief that predestination is not irresistible. We have all, as part of the human race, been predestined to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ. However, while many, that is all, are called, not all will embrace the call and not all will find the will of God productive in their lives in produce within them the adoption as sons. Jesus tells the story of a great wedding feast where those who were called we not found worthy. So the man send out his servants to go into the highways and byways and to compel others to come in so that his wedding feast might be full. However, while many were called, not all made themselves ready. "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:11-14) While we are all called to be sons and daughters to God, it is up to us to receive that calling and to let that calling transform our lives that we might be ready when the time comes. The calling is from God and predestined for our benefit. However, the choosing depends on us; on what we do with the call. Will we accept the call? Will we receive Christ? Or will we render the call powerless and empty in our lives?

The calling of God is not that we would merely be holy and without defect, for He could have secured that through His holy might and the limitless power of His will. After all, are there not myriads of angles already around the thrown who are holy and perfect? But God desired something even greater than this. God did not create us that we would be but holy and perfect creatures, He created us that one day we might become sons and daughters, just like our elder brother Jesus. "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30) God did not create us merely to be good, He created us to be His! In our transformation from men and women into sons and daughters of God, we need the instruction, help, support, and agency of Jesus. Even had Adam and Even not sinned, we would have needed Jesus to teach us and to help us to become something we have never been before, sons and daughters of God. It is through Jesus that we learn of the Father. It is through Him that we learn of a life that is worthy of our calling in God. And it is through Jesus that we find our resurrection from this lowly life we have been born in and unto the the new life we shall have eternally with God. Jesus Himself said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." (John 11:25-26) There can be no adoption as sons without the resurrection and there can be no resurrection without the only begotten Son of the Father, Jesus Christ.

In understanding God's plan for us, we are drawn to see that God's every will and purpose for our lives is kind and is good. God is not like those ancient Greek and Roman gods who were malevolent, irritable, and temperamental. God never has bad days, He is never angry without cause, and His every intent towards us is kind and good. No matter what we have done, or where we have been, we can always trust in the goodness and kindness of God.

It is from this benevolent disposition of God towards us that He bestows on us one of His greatest gifts, and that is the gift of His favor. Grace is the favor of God that is directed towards us irrespective of our merit or worthiness to receive such grace. Sometimes, we fall into the "But as for me!" crowd. "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart! But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped." (Psalms 73:1-2) We readily acknowledge God's goodness to others, but are often unsure of it when it comes to ourselves. We see God's favor all around us, but often doubt that God is, or can be, gracious towards us. The truth is God loves us and His favor is always shinning down upon us. Even when we don't think ourselves worthy of such favor, it is His over-abundant favor that shows us, and others, our true worth and acceptance in His sight. The Greek phrase "freely bestowed" can also be translated, "made accepted." God's favor is both that which changes us and that which marks us as accepted and loved by God.

All this is for one purpose and end. That God might receive the praise and glory due to Him and Him alone. Everything good we find in our live, or the lives of others, is a result of the grace and favor of God. While we can celebrate the works and ends that God's favor has caused in our life and others, we must reserve all true praise and glory for God. In the end, who and what we are are the results of His purpose, choosing, predestination, and favor. Our part in all this is to believe, receive, and yield to God's will and purpose. It is only in this way that we too might inherit the promises made to us by God.

David Robison

Chosen that we might be - Ephesians 1:4

"just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4)

This verse is the conclusion of the previous verse where we are told that we have been blessed by God with every spiritual blessing available in the heavens. In this case, the first verse follows from the second. In other words, we have been blessed in as much as we have been chosen, Our blessing is not according to our merits or our achievements in righteousness, rather it is in accordance with His selection. Throughout history, God, at times, does things for no other reason than to demonstrate to us His ability to choose. Consider the case of Esau and Jacob. Paul writes, "for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" (Romans 9:11-13) One son was chosen, not for any merits he had over the other, but simply that God's choice in choosing might stand. However, in our case, our choosing was not for one man against another but the choosing of one creation over another. Of all of God's wonderful creation, He has chosen mankind for his marvelous blessings, incomparable gifts, and inexpressible love. This should encourage us even through the difficult times in knowing that the blessings of God we enjoy and depend upon are not based on our own worthiness or the degree to which we deserve them, but upon God's willingness and generosity through His own choosing.

In this choosing we find the grand and eternal plan of God for mankind. Paul does not say that we were chosen to obey God or to serve Him through religion, although we most certainly do so, but we were chosen that we might be with Him; that we might stand in His very presence; enjoying Him as He enjoys us. From the very beginning of time, God chose to create mankind, out of all of creation, to be those who would eternally stand before Him in His presence in both holiness and perfection. This was His plan from the beginning and, although sin has entered to mar His creation, this is but temporary for, in the end, He will not be denied and will have what He purposes. This is the purpose for mankind: holiness and perfection before God.

In saying we shall be without blame, Paul is not referring to those scandalous acts we have performed in the past that we shall feel sorry and guilty for when standing in His presence. Rather, the Greek word for "blameless" could probably more accurately be translated "unblemished" or "without disfigurement." Paul is not talking about transactional blame, blame for something we have done or not done, rather he is speaking of a defect that is more fundamental, structural, and personal. Paul is saying that on that day we will know no shame or guilt for who we are in ourselves and in our person, for we will be perfect and whole in every way. Certainly, such confidence is not know by anyone presently who still lives on in the flesh of this life, but the plan of God is that one day, in the resurrection, we shall be resurrected to new life, a life without blemish or defect, and to stand before Him perfect in every way. This was His plan even before sin entered the world and it is still His plan even knowing all that had gone on in the interleaving millennia. Paul writes, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'" (1 Corinthians 15:52-54) This is both our hope and our joy. This is the joy set before us that we too might endure our cross; that we too might find new life through the resurrection power as demonstrated by Jesus. What hope and comfort this should offer to all believers regardless of present circumstances or station of life. What a grand plan for all of us!

David Robison

Every spiritual blessing - Ephesians 1:3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3)

One of the translations for the word "blessed" is to be adorable. This verse could be read, "Adorable be the God and Father..." Paul is trying to get us to re-envision God. When we only know God through His laws and commands, then "adorable" is not often how we see Him. Because of His demanding requirements, exacting rituals, and His rigid standard of righteousness, we often view God as being harsh, austere, and impersonal. For many enslaved by religion around the world, this is the image they retain in their minds of God; a God who demands their obedience, but who does not elicit their love. However, when we know God for who He really is and come to understand the plan He has planned for us, the work He has worked for us, and the benefits with which He has benefited us, then God begins, once again, to become blessed and adorable in our sight. Our cold and impersonal obedience to God begins to be replaced by warn and open affection and love for our heavenly Father. We begin to desire and relate to our Father who is God rather than to a God who claims to be our Father,

One of the things Paul urges us to do to effect a change in our esteem and appreciation of God is to consider our new found position with God and the benefits that such a relationship accrues towards our lives. Paul says that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. This word for "bless" means to "speak well of". It speaks of the verbal blessing as well as, by extension, the blessing received when the verbal pronouncement is realized. Thus, a blessing is when one speaks well of the good qualities and praiseworthy traits they see in someone else's life. However, and even more importantly, a blessing can be used to speak and impart to someone's life the good intentions and plans that God has for them. The second part of the Greek word for "blessing" is the word "logos" and it refers to both thought, reason, and a verbal message. God blesses us when He extends his thoughts, reason, and words over our lives to create in them good things emanating from Himself. When God says to us, "You are mine!", "Your are loved!", or "Your are righteous!" His words not only comfort and cheer us by their warm greeting, but they also produce something within us; some real change and transformation, that causes the reality of those words to be birthed, nurtured, and brought to fruition in our lives.

The practice of speaking a verbal blessing over a child for his or her future was not an uncommon practice in the Scriptures. We see God blessing our first parents, "God blessed them, saying, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.'" (Genesis 1:22) We also see Abraham mistakenly blessing Issac over Esau, "he blessed him and said, '... Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and an abundance of grain and new wine; may peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you; be master of your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.'" (Genesis 27:27-29) And, later on we see Jacob blessing the two sons of Joseph, "He blessed them that day, saying, 'By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!"' Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh." (Genesis 48:20-21)

One of the most important aspects of blessings that must be understood is their often prophetic nature and the need for patience and faith to receive them. In the blessings sited above, and many more in the scriptures, the blessings pronounced took years of faith, patience, and endurance to see their fulfillment. Even in this verse we are considering, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, yet much of that blessing is in the form of a promise which we have yet to receive. That's why the writer of Hebrews encourages us not to be, "sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12) It should also encourage us that, just because we don't always see the reality of the blessings of God in our lives, doesn't mean their not present. They are just as real as you or me, but merely faded away from our view, thought not from God's view for us.

Furthermore, it is important to realize that, these blessing from God, are spiritual. While God does often bless us with material things for our sustenance and enjoyment, far greater are those spiritual blessings that benefit us both here, in this life, as well as in the life to come. They are eternal blessings whose benefits start now and last for eternity. They are blessings that effect the very nature of who we are and touch us at the deepest levels of our soul. As such they don't often manifest themselves immediately but their reality is often shown over time as our life is being continually changed and perfected by the force and working of these blessings in us. Therefore we must not be too willing or quick to give up for, as Paul encouraged us "[do] not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9)

Finally we must remember that these blessings are heavenly. This should first remind us of the source of those blessings;  that all good things have one source in our life, our Father. James reminds us that, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) When we look for blessings from anywhere other than heaven, we are looking amiss. While this world has many things to offer us, they all pail in comparison to the blessings of heaven. In our need, in our wants, and even in our dreams, we should look up and seek them from our Father in heaven who is able to give us the things we need and want rather than looking for them in the world which only has disappointment to offer. In addition, we must be careful as to the things for which we are solicitous for and desire to obtain for ourselves. If we are desiring the things of this Earth, then we are desiring the wrong things. Certainly they can provide a measure to temporary pleasure and satisfaction, but it is short lived and often comes with a price. It is those blessings found in heaven that are of real and of lasting value, pleasure, and enjoyment in our lives. We must be careful when looking at others not to desire the outward things of their lives, their riches, position, and power, but to look deeper to the real condition of the soul. We must learn to desire the things that can truly satisfy us and that can truly heal and nourish our souls. These are those spiritual and heavenly blessings that really matter.

David Robison

By the will of God - Ephesians 1:1-2

Ephesus was a city within what is now modern day Turkey. In its day it was an important city of commerce as it stood on the junction of busy trading routs from many different parts of the world. It was also where Paul spent three years of his life endeavoring in his evangelistic and apostolic work. Later, during his two year imprisonment in Rome, he writes to them to remind them of the richness of the blessings that are theirs in Christ. He begins his letter by greating them in a manor common to many of his letters,

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:1-2)

Paul never refers to himself by a title, such as, the Apostle Paul, but always by his function: Paul, an apostle. What was important to Paul was not his position within the Church but rather the service he was call to perform on her behalf. To Paul, it was not about the praise, the accolades, or even the deference to be shown him due to his elevated status as an apostle. No, to him, it was all about the work. God had called him to serve the church through an apostolic work, and it was to this work that he committed his life and labored by the grace of God. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10)

We live in a culture that is very particular about titles. We prefer the the acknowledgement of our position when addressed by others, such as "Pastor Bob," rather than simply "Bob." I have been to conferences where some were quite particular that the title that precedes their name on their name tags. Sometimes we even refer to such people simply by their title, such as, "Didn't pastor have a great sermon today!" or "When will pastor be back from vacation?" In both cases, we place an elevated view of titles over and against the person the title represents. Jesus warned us explicitly about titles when He said, "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:8-9) There is nothing wrong with being a teacher, Rabbi, leader, or spiritual father to others. The problem is when we begin to identify more with the position than the work. I know someone who once confessed that they liked being a writer more than actually writing. The same can happen with titles within the church. We can become so focused on the position, and the deference and honor we expect from the position, that we neglect the actual work we were called to. I think it is time, as believers, that we dispense with all titles within the church and learn to be, as Jesus taught us, "all brothers."

Paul says he was made an apostle by the will of God. This particular Greek word demotes and active choosing rather than a passive acquiescence. It's not like, one day, God thought, "I would be nice if Paul was an apostle," rather, with determined will, thought, and activity, God both willed, purposed, and orchestrated events that, in the proper course of time, Paul would accept his calling to the work of an apostle. God has a plan for each of our lives and it is a plan that He is actively involved in. God's interest in us is not passive but it is active and working tirelessly, often unnoticed, to bring about the will of God in our lives. God purposes, plans, and brings about what His own mind conceives and, for Paul, this meant an apostolic ministry.

Paul did not come into his apostleship by regular means. He was not part of Jesus' original disciples, he was not with the disciples in the upper room when the Holy Spirit was released, he was not part of the established churches whom he was hell-bent on destroying, and he had not received any sanction, ordination, or commission from any church, bishop, presbytery, or apostle. Paul's calling was quite extraordinary and quite different from any that resided within the church at that time.

One of the interesting lessons of history is that we are a people who like order and, while many times our present order was the result of irregular actions, such as revolution, revelation, or reformation, we often forget our turbulent past in our love of our present peace and order. That is why, even today, when God brings forth people in an irregular order, yet still according to His will, we don't often know what to do with them or how to make them "fit in" to the regular order of things. For example, if God were to suddenly raise up a Paul within our midst, what would we do with him? We already have a pastor, we already have elders, we already have people who teach Sunday school; all who have come in the regular way. So what do we do with one who is so irregular? Often times our only resort it to push them out to find their own ministry where they can exercise their gifts without compromising our present peace and order. However, in doing so, we often rob ourselves of what God Himself has placed within our midst. In all our order, we need to make room for the irregular order of God. We need to become like Ananias who reached out to Paul and welcomed him into fellowship. We need to be like Barnabas who sacrificed his own ministry to partner with Paul, taking on an inferior role to Paul, to both nurture, strengthen, and help Paul in his ministry. And we need to be like the churches he ministered to who saw in Paul a gift and a blessing from God. God's will and purpose are not always executed according to our own will and purpose, but if we learn to recognize it and embrace it, we will often find and extraordinary blessing that is not often found in the ordinary and regular.

David Robison

The Koran - In conclusion

Our journey through the Koran has taken us eight months and has covered one hundred and thirty six posts. I began this project to better understand Islam, its teachings and its followers. I also wanted to see for myself what the Koran had to say and to make my own determination pertaining to Muhammad and his Koran. Through this series we have looked at the similarities between Islam and Christianity, considered the historical context through which this new religion was born, examined the historical record as contained in the Koran, and finally compared the teachings of Muhammad with the teachings of Moses, Jesus, and His disciples. Still the fundamental questions remain: Was Muhammad a prophet of God and is the Koran the inerrant, word-for-word copy, of the divine book of God?

To answer best this question, let's first consider who Muhammad was and who he claimed to be, Muhammad claimed to be a prophet in the likes of, and in succession to, Moses and Jesus. However, and more importantly, he claimed to be a messenger, and apostle, bring a new revelation, a new message from God, and a commission to establish anew the pure religion of God to mankind. As an apostle, he demanded strict and absolute obedience and fealty to himself and his message, but should we accept his claim of being a divine messenger from God?

Historically, the apostles and messengers who  brought with them a new message and a new religion from God did so with signs and wonders to validate and succor their claim of their divine mission. Moses performed many miracles before Pharaoh and the Israelites. Jesus also performed miracles, even the raising of the dead, for which He challenged the people, "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father." (John 10:37-38) Finally, the Apostles of Jesus also demonstrated the reality of their message with signs and wonders of which it was written, "After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." (Hebrews 2:3-4) However, Muhammad gives us no miracles, no signs and wonders, no evidence of his apostleship other than his own word, nor is there anyone who can corroborate that God actually spoke to Muhammad as those did who heard God speak to Jesus. "So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, 'An angel has spoken to Him.' Jesus answered and said, 'This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.'" (John 12:29-30)

Similarly, we must consider the nature of Muhammad including his morality and inclination for war. Muhammad was a man of an intense sexual appetite. He has fourteen wives including an unspecified number of concubine and slaves at his disposal, including one wife who was only nine when he married her. While Muhammad was not the first to have multiple wives, he was the first to use his prophetic claims to justify his many wives and to rebuke the jealousy of one wife who complained against his preference for another. He was also the first in the Abrahamic stream to claim a direct word of God justifying and pronouncing polygamy both normal, permitted, and divinely inspired. How different is Muhammad's idea of marriage from that of the first marriage instituted by God. "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth'" (Genesis 1:27-28)

Muhammad, while starting out as a reformer, ended up being a man of war, a man of conquest, and the sheder of much blood. His method of evangelism and the conversion of the infidels was through force, compulsion, and open war. Again, Islam is not the only religion to resort to force to convert the unbelievers, but it is unique among other Abrahamic religion to claim God's sanction on such methods. While Israel did use warfare to claim their inheritance from God, they claimed no commission from God to concur the world and the surrounding nations to the faith of their God and to force them into compliance to their religion and laws. How different was Muhammad's motives and methods to those of Jesus when, in response to a city of Samaria refusing Him entrance and His disciples request for His permission to call down fire upon them, He said simply, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:55-56)

Finally, we must consider the Muhammad's greatest contribution to Islam, the Koran. Muhammad's claim of being a prophet rises and falls upon our estimation of the Koran and whether or not we believe it to be the word of God or merely the words and imaginations of Muhammad. In judging the Koran, we first must judge it based on what it has to say about itself. The Koran claims to be the continuation of the revelations given in the Law and the Gospel. It claims to both conform and confirm what was written before. This gives us a simple test as to whether or not the Koran was divinely inspired of or mere human origin. Any deviation or contradiction of the Law or Gospel is enough to condemn the Koran as a mere human production, as not being the very word of God, and as proving that Muhammad was not the prophet as he claimed to be. In judging the Koran, we have looked at the historical accounts recorded in the Koran and the various doctrines it teaches. In almost every case where the Koran recounts a historical event that is also recorded in the Jewish scriptures, the Koran gets it wrong! Similarly, there are many doctrinal teachings that differ and contradict the teachings of Moses, Jesus, and His apostles. Clearly the Koran fails at its own claims to be consistent and conformant to the ancient Jewish and Christian writings. Clearly, based on this evidence alone, we can conclude that the Koran is not the word of God and Muhammad was not the prophet of God he claimed to be.

This is my final conclusion of the evidence provided against the claims of Muhammad and the Koran. I hope you have enjoyed this series and have learned something that will help you better understand the world we live in, the Muslim religion, and the Muslim people themselves. I would very much enjoy hearing your thoughts and comments on this matter as well. Feel free to comment here, like my Facebook page and comment there, or e-mail me directly.

David Robison

Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - The Houris

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

Probably the most interesting creatures of all of Paradise are the Houris. The Houris are beautiful maidens created for the pleasure of men. Rodwell simply translates them as virgins with large dark eyes! Muhammad writes that, as we sit and enjoy the pleasures of our desires, there will not only be beautiful young youths serving us, but also beautiful virgins to attend to our more sensual and intimate needs.

"with them wide-eyed [large-eyed] maidens [with modest] restraining their glances as if they were hidden pearls [sheltered egg]." (Koran 37:46)

"and for the godfearing is a fair resort, Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates [portals] are open to them, wherein they recline, and wherein they call for fruits abundant, and sweet potions [drink], and with them [shall be virgins] maidens restraining their glances [modest retiring glances] of equal age [of their own age]." (Koran 38:50-52)

These women are not only provided for our visual enjoyment, but are also to become our spouses (assuming your a man, not sure what women get).

"Surely the godfearing [pious] shall be in a station secure among gardens and fountains, robed in silk and brocade [rich robes], set face to face [facing one another]. Even so; and We shall espouse them to wide-eyed houris [the virgins with large dark eyes], therein calling for every [kind of] fruit, secure." (Koran 44:51-55)

"Reclining upon couches ranged in rows; and We shall espouse [wed] them to wide-eyed houris [damsels with large dark eyes]." (Koran 52:20)

As to their appearance, we have already seen how they will be created as the same age as we are (Koran 38:52). The Koran further describes them as the most beautiful of all women.

"lovely as rubies [jacynths], beautiful as coral [pearls]" (Koran 55:58)

They are also described as being virgins, untouched by men or Djinn.

"therein maidens good and comely [in each, the fair, and beautiful ones]... houris [with large dark eyeballs], cloistered [kept close] in cool pavilions... untouched before them by any man or jinn... [their spouses] reclining upon [soft] green cushions and lovely druggets [carpets]" (Koran 55:70-76)

Notice also the intimation of this description: They are hidden away in a cool and inviting places, reclining on, and surrounded by, sensual furnishings, waiting for their spouses. Pure, perfect, spouses, waiting to spend their virginity upon those whom Allah has blessed. 

As to their feminine features, Muhammad simply describes them as "swelling".

"Surely for the godfearing awaits a place of security [a blissful abode], [enclosed] gardens and vineyards and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age [their peers in age], and a cup overflowing." (Koran 78:31-34)

What is most amassing is that, these Houris, are created for this very purpose; to meet and serve the sensual and sexual desires of those who were chosen to inherit the resurrected life in the Paradise of God! They were created for the sexual pleasures of resurrected men and to meet their every need, whim, and fantasy.

"The Companions of the Right (O Companions of the Right [Oh! How happy shall be the people of the right hand]!) mid thornless lote-trees [sidrahs] and serried acacias [talh tree clad with fruit], and spreading shade and outpoured flowing] waters, and fruits abounding unfailing, unforbidden, and upraised [lofty] couches. Perfectly [of a rear creation] We formed them [created the Houris], perfect, and We made them spotless [ever] virgins, chastely amorous [dear to their spouse], like of age [of equal age] for the Companions [people] of the Right [hand]." (Koran 56:26-38)

You can see the not so subtle rebuke on men's current wives and spouses. These women are created by Allah to be perfect, spotless virgins, and deeply in love with their new husbands. How can any woman or wife upon Earth compete with such perfect women? How could any man or husband not long more so for such heavenly women than he does for his present wife, knowing she is inferior and can never be as good, as beautiful, or as loving as the wife awaiting him in heaven. Is she not just a starter wife or a practice wife until Allah gives him that perfect spouse waiting for him in Paradise? 

I ask you, are these the words of a divine prophet of God, or the words of one fully overcome by sexual appetites and desires? Is all we have to look forward to in Paradise is having great sex? Is that all they have? Did Jesus come to save us for nothing more than perfect virginal spouses created for us in Paradise? 

Jesus told us, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Jesus saved us, not that we might one day enjoy the company and services of the Houris, but that one day we might be with Him in heaven for all eternity. He saved us that we might enjoy the unbroken presence and fellowship of God as we stand before Him for ever more. How much greater shall this pleasure be over and against any sensual, physical, or sexual pleasure that Muhammad can offer us in his Paradise? How much inferior is Muhammad's paradise to God's heaven and our eternal citizenship there? For me, I choose heaven!

David Robison

Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - Perfect spouses

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

The Sensual pleasures Muhammad promises in Paradise are not limited to food, drink, an other material wants and pleasures, but is also extended to the pleasures of human flesh. In that day there will be a vast hoard of beautiful youths serving the elect of God.

"And We shall succour them with fruits [in abundance] and flesh such as they desire while they pass therein a cup one to another wherein is no idle talk [no light discource], no cause of sin, and there go round them [beautiful] youths, their own, as if they were hidden [imbedded] pearls." (Koran 52:22-24)

"Immortal [aye-blooming] youths shall go about them; when thou seest them, thou supposest them scattered pearls, when thou seest them [this] then thou seest bliss [delights] and a great [vast] kingdom. Upon them shall be green garments of silk and [rich] brocade; they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord shall give them to drink a pure draught." (Koran 76:19-21)

It is a very odd picture in deed; that God would create and entire race of youth to serve us night and day for all eternity, and that He would create them "beautiful" and of such an appearance as to engender bliss and the sense of a vast kingdom of which we are to be a part of. Their purpose is not just to server, but to serve as a focal point of beauty to arouse pleasure in the minds of those whom they serve. This is very odd when we consider the scripture where David says, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalms 16:11) True pleasure in our life comes from the Lord and are dispensed from His right hand. They do not come from the beauty of a race of youth who parade themselves around as they move to serve us.

More than this, Muhammad promises that, in Paradise, we shall dwell with our spouses.

"See, the inhabitants [inmates] of Paradise today are busy in their rejoicing [joyous in their employ], they and – their spouses, reclining upon [bridal] couches in the shade; therein they have fruits, and they have all that they call for [whatever they require]." (Koran 36:55-57)

However, these are not our spouses from Earth. These are perfect spouses, created for us, that we might enjoy them throughout eternity,

"whensoever they are provided with fruits therefrom they shall say, 'This is that wherewithal we were provided before'; that they shall be given in perfect semblance; and there for them shall be spouses purified [of perfect purity]; therein they shall dwell forever." (Koran 2:23)

"And those that believe, and do deeds of righteousness, them We shall admit to gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein dwelling forever and ever; therein for them shall be spouses purified [wives of stainless purity], and We shall admit them to a shelter of plenteous shade." (Koran 4:60)

In Paradise we will not have our wives from below, but we will be wedded to perfect wives; wives of unquestionable purity and fully surrendered. It is unclear what women will receive, but men will get to trade in their old and imperfect spouse for that model and perfect wife they truly desire and deserve. How demeaning to women and to marriage as a holy institution! This is a slap in the face to every woman and wife and serves only to sow into the minds of men discontent for their present wives, especially in the light of such womanly perfection that awaits them in heaven. Such teaching cast all women as imperfect, flawed, and something less than desirable. So far beneath are they from what their men really deserve that God will have to create perfect souses for their husbands in Paradise to reward them for their service to God. To Muhammad, the Koran, and Allah, women are at best, second rate citizens; women to be replaced by something better when their men get to paradise.

Even more so than this, as we have previously spoken, Muhammad failed to understand the words of Jesus when He said, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:30) In heaven there will be no marriage and no being wed to some perfect race of women. There our focus will not be on each other, on physical delights, and sensual lusts, but our focus will be on our Lord and God who loves us with an inexhaustible love.

David Robison

Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - Gardens of Eden

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

Of all the descriptions the Koran offers of Paradise, the most common is that of a desert oasis.

"God has promised the believers, men and women, gardens underneath which rivers flow, forever therein to dwell, and goodly dwelling-places in the Gardens of Eden" (Koran 9:73)

"Blessed be He who, if He will [pleases], shall assign to them better than that -- gardens underneath which rivers flow, and he shall assign to thee palaces [pavilions]." (Koran 25:11)

For those living in arid and desert places, such an image would be inviting, refreshing, and familiar to them. It would be easy for a desert dweller to see such an oasis as being the very paradise of heaven. Additionally, the Koran provides more detailed pictures of Paradise including our participation in its enjoyments. Here are some of the more interesting ways the Koran depicts the blessing of Paradise.

"and they high-honoured in the Gardens of Bliss [delight] upon couches, set face to face, a cup from a spring [fountain] being passed round to them," (Koran 37:41-44)

The Koran depicts paradise with the elect reclining on couches, facing each others, and sharing a drink from the rivers and springs which richly supply it. However, John describes heaven in this manner, "There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads." (Revelation 22:3-4) Muhammad promises that in Paradise we will see each other, face-to-face, while the scriptures promise that, in heaven, we will see Jesus face-to-face. Paul similarly makes this promise, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) How much greater is the Christian promise than the promise of Muhammad. As much as I like my brother's and sister's in Christ, on that day it is not their face I wish to see, but Jesus'. My life is spent here on this Earth, not that I might be reunited with my loved ones, which I will be, but that I might finally, in the resurrection, be able to behold God's face plainly, clearly, and intently. For me, the goal of my life if God, not merely the eternal fellowship of mankind. Let them have their dinner party in Paradise, I want to stand before the very presence of God!

"Gardens of Eden they shall enter, underneath [their shades] which rivers flow, wherein they shall have all they will [all they wish]." (Koran 16:33)

"Therein they shall have whatever [all] they will [desire]; and with Us there is yet more [and ours will it be to augment their bliss]." (Koran 50:34)

"whatsoever they will [desire] they shall have with their Lord; that is the great bounty [boon]." (Koran 42:21)

Like everyone else, I am sure that I am able to desire many great things, but what I've learned of desires, especially those for material things, is that the joy of their satisfaction is often short lived. Yes, in Paradise, we might be satiated with every sort of desirable food, drink, and pleasure, but then what? Is that all they have to offer? The desire of things, even great things, will in the end always leave us empty again. Paul said that he had "the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better." (Philippians 1:23) The truth is that, in that day, I will have had enough of the desires and pleasures of the flesh. What I truly desire is not more good things, but one good person, and that being Jesus. My desire is not to finally make it where I can have all my wishes and dreams come true, but that it might be granted to me to spend the rest of eternity enjoying the presence and fellowship of Christ. When compared with the unfathomable riches and depths of Christ, what can mere pleasures have to offer?

"Enter Paradise, you and your wives, walking with joy [delighted]!' There shall be passed around them platters of gold, and cups, therein being whatever the souls desire, and the eyes delight in." (Koran 43:70-71)

Muhammad obviously did not understand the true nature of lust. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." (1 John 2:16) It is this same lust of the eyes that led, in part, to Eve's sin. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." (Genesis 3:6) Why then should we expect the desire of our eyes to be sanctioned in Paradise? Such desires, and our need to satisfy them, led to the downfall of all mankind. In that day, it will not be the desires of our eyes and souls we will be listening to but rather our spirits who long after God. It is His presence that will fill our every desire and satisfy our every care.

Furthermore, Muhammad misunderstood the institution of marriage as it pertains to our life to come. When the Jews tried to trap Jesus by asking him to comment on a hypothetical case regarding a woman who married all seven brothers in succession, Jesus answered them saying, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." (Luke 20:34-36) Muhammad was wrong in his view that in Paradise we would remain married or that there would be marriage and/or sex.

"those -- theirs shall be Gardens of Eden, underneath which rivers flow; therein they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they shall be robed in green garments of silk and [rich] brocade, therein reclining upon couches [thrones] -- O, how excellent [blissful] a reward! And O, how fair a resting-place [pleasant couch]!" (Koran 18:30)

"Gardens of Eden they shall enter; therein they shall be adorned with bracelets of gold and with pearls, and their apparel there shall be of silk." (Koran 35:30)

"reclining upon couches lined with brocade" (Koran 55:54)

The Koran describes Paradise as a place of sensual pleasures; the gold, the silk, the reclining. All these things are designed to lure and entice the flesh. They appeal to the baser nature of us rather than to our reason or our spirit. Paul warns is of those "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things." (Philippians 3:19 NKJV) How could God, who came to free us from our baser desires and the lust of the flesh, then turn around and release us to them once again in Paradise? Having "escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Peter 1:4) how shall we then find ourselves once again enslaved by it in the resurrection? How can we even begin to consider eternal subjugation to lust and desire a blessing and something to live for in the life to come? Having been then raise from the dead, should we once again be debased and reduced to mere desires and lust all over again? I think not, for I believe in better things for us on that day more than just a mere satisfaction of the desires we had while living.

David Robison

Doctrine - The paradise of Islam - The first shall be first

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here. You can also find the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

Muhammad assigns first place in Paradise to those who had first place on Earth, among whom, he was one.

"and the Outstrippers [they who were foremost on the earth]: the Outstrippers [foremost still] those are they brought nigh the Throne [to God], in the Gardens of Delight (a throng of the ancients [former] and how few of the later folk [latter generations]) upon close-wrought [inwrought] couches reclining upon them, set face to face, immortal [Aye-blooming] youths going round about them with goblets, and ewers, and a cup [of flowing wine] from a spring (no brows throbbing [from it], no intoxication [nor fails the senses]) and such fruits as they shall choose [please them best], and such flesh of fowl as they desire, and wide-eyed houris [with large dark eyes] as the likeness of hidden pearls [pearls hidden in their shell], a recompense for that they laboured." (Koran 56:10-23)

In Muhammad's view, those who were first on Earth will be first in Paradise, those who were mighty on Earth will be might in Paradise, and those who were leaders on Earth will be leaders in Paradise. However, this runs counter to what Jesus and His disciples taught. Consider what Jesus said concerning John the Baptist. "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:11) The issue is not whether or not John was a great man, but simply that, even the least of those in the Kingdom of God are greater then the greatest of men ever born on the Earth. What matters. both now and in the life to come, is not how great we are in this world, but our standing in the Kingdom of God. This is why Jesus taught, "And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last." (Luke 13:30) Contrary to what Muhammad taught, there will be many on that day who were among the outtrippers and the foremost upon the Earth who will find themselves last in Heaven, God even selecting those who are lowly and base to overthrow those who are mighty and strong. "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) Our present condition among men does not determine our future standing in Heaven, rather it is our relationship to God, to His Son, and to His people that determines our future status in Heaven.

David Robison