GlocalNet

I hear all the time that Islam needs a reformation like Christianity did.  The statement is made flippantly, like, just do it, any religion can reform.  I can’t speak to Islam on whether that is possible or not - I’m not part of the Islamic religion.  But I believe there are some unique things that allowed Christianity to reform that Islam doesn’t have in its arsenal.  If Islam does reform, it will not be for the same reasons or from the sane theological basis of Christianity.  Why?

First, Islam has the Quran which is from one author and is viewed as the literal words of God coming down to one person.  The Bible, we believe as Christians, is a book God inspired like no other book - but it involved multiple authors all divinely inspired by God.  In some places it was the exact words of God, and in other places it was stories, morals, theological explanations that were inspired and written.  This is critical, because what that did was cause multiple authors to be inspired and also caused people to look at context and multiple meanings which allowed space for interpretation.  You don’t get that same space with the Quran since it is viewed as the exact words of God. 

Second, you also see in the bible in the Old and New Testaments how things changed over time, which keeps open the reality of context and God’s plan throughout history.  The Quran is a book written in the span of one man’s life from one man’s revelation. 

Third, because we believe in the Trinity - and revelation is given through the Spirit both special and general - that led to the ability for personal enlightenment that the Holy Spirit could give.  Christians call that “The Priesthood of the Believer” - it’s the concept that when you pray, read God’s Word, study, then God speaks and reveals things to you directly.  You don’t have to have a priest or someone above you.  You don’t have to go to seminary for God to speak to you. 

Fourth, research using scientific methods has been able to help us verify earlier documents or question some in the canon through comparison of the Dead Sea scrolls and other fragments.  The message of the Bible stays the same, only a fraction of details that deal with numbers, etc., are in question.

How do you argue with one book, the Quran, that one man, the Prophet Mohammed, gave revelations of?  One thing that is happening, that is interesting, until the early 1900’s, the Quran was only in Arabic - that is viewed as Gods’ divine language by Muslims over against all other languages.  But now, there are multiple translations of the Quran in multiple languages.  I have 3 copies of various English translations, 2 on my iphone, - however, it’s important to note that these translations aren’t viewed as inspired - only the Arabic is inspired.  No doubt literary scholars will begin to examine the Quran, much like the Bible, whether it wants it or not, invites it or not - - invited or not.  The implications and revelations from that - just like Christians - will involve refuting from similar scientific fact, or calling into question certain parts.  I’m glad my faith isn’t hinged on one human man, to me that’s scary.  It’s hinged on the God-Man, Jesus Christ. 

All my Muslim cousins and friends - feel free to challenge and refute me.  I love you all.