Ghosts of Aaron

by Steven Harper

Once again, a religious leader from the world's largest 'Christian' denomination has conceded to the pagan religions of the world in an effort to appear all-inclusive, non-confrontational, and "loving." According to the Associated Press, a Roman Catholic 'Bishop' from the southern diocese of Breda [the Netherlands] "has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to foster understanding." The article quotes 'Bishop' Tiny Muskens as saying, "Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem."

First, let me point out that the official creed book of the Roman Catholic faith teaches that even those in the Islamic faith can obtain eternal life, though they certainly do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church plainly states, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims." (Paragraph 841, pp. 242, 243.] According to official Roman Catholic doctrine, those who teach Jesus is a created being, just like Adam [The Qur'an, Sura 3:59], that Jesus did not really die on the cross [Sura 4:156-157], that Jesus is not the Son of God [Sura 4:171; 19:35], and that Jesus was "but a messenger, [like other] messengers [who] have passed on before him" [Sura 5:75] can be saved! Such are the claims of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church!

While the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, found within their Catechism, claim that those who deny Jesus is the Son of God, who deny He died on the cross, and who say He was nothing more than a messenger [no better or more important than Abraham or Moses] can be saved, this is not the teaching of God's word, the Bible. The Bible teaches, "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:31), and "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The one who would deny Jesus is the Son of God is guilty of charging God Himself with lying, for this is His testimony (I John 5:10). Since God's word tells us He does not lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), then the only logical conclusion we may draw is that Islam is a false religion and that Roman Catholicism is promoting gross error by preaching such doctrines as we have just considered.

Second, to claim that "Allah" is "a very beautiful word for God" and implying God doesn't "care what we call Him" is patently absurd - and blasphemous! The name "Allah" was not originally a name for the one, true God at all, but a pagan name for any "god" of one's own tribe or nation. Since Mohammed was of the Quraysh tribe, who worshipped the moon god, it would follow that their god would be named "Allah" and this has been proven by the historical record. In fact, Mohammed's father was named Abd-Allah [servant of Allah] and his uncle was Obied-Allah; they were dedicated servants of the moon god, and many symbols of the moon [particularly the crescent] were to be found in and around their dwellings. [The crescent moon is the obvious symbol of Islam even today.] The very fact Mohammed's older relatives bore names that included "Allah" should indicate the name pre-existed the religion of Islam, but it was never applied to the one, true and living God!

For this Dutch priest to declare God doesn't care what He is called demonstrates a willing ignorance of history and, sadly, of even the Bible! When Aaron took the gold from the people and melted it down and formed the golden calf as an idol for the Israelites while near Sinai, he stood back and declared, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:2-4). Was God pleased with that? Would He have been happy if the Israelites had taken the name of the Philistine god, Dagon (Judges 16:23) - literally translated: "fish god" - and applied it to Him? What about Baal or Ashtoreth (Judges 10:6) or Zeus or Odin? How about just calling Him Darth Vader? If not, why not? You see, God would not be happy with just any name, for He demanded that even the names of these false gods should be destroyed (Deuteronomy 12:3) and that His people should not even mention their names (Joshua 23:7)! God said, "I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other" (Isaiah 42:8). To suggest God would be "happy" with the name of a pagan god is despicable and a shame, especially since it comes from the mind of one who claims to be a disciple of Jesus Christ!

This latest declaration by a Roman Catholic priest is but another of the confusing and blasphemous statements coming from the mouths of men and women who have leading roles in supposed 'Christian' religious groups. [I say 'supposed' because no true believer in Jesus Christ would make such uninformed and profane statements.] Not long ago, an Episcopal priest declared she was "both Muslim and Christian. 100% both." Sadly, her 'bishop' was quoted as saying "the interfaith possibilities are exciting." Meanwhile, she claims this was by invitation of God Himself and ignorantly says she is now "praying to the same God."

While this may be exciting to some men and while some may think this is pleasing to God, please understand this is not acceptable to God! If anything, this is reminiscent of the idolatrous Israelites who would sacrifice their children to the pagan gods in the morning and then come to worship God in the afternoon (Ezekiel 23:38-39) - and God was clearly not pleased.

What we are witnessing is a further apostasy from the truth of God's word [the Bible, not the Qur'an] for the sole purpose of appearing to be more intellectual [to the world], more inclusive [to those of other faiths], non-confrontational [to those who think the gospel is all about peace and devoid of conflict], and more "loving" [to those who know Christ]. What is most disturbing about these latest blasphemous acts and statements is that it is obvious they are cowing to the perceived threat of Islam and its adherents, some of whom would just as soon cut your head off as listen to a sound, reasonable discussion about the false tenets of their faith. I have yet to hear any mainline denominational leaders argue for calling God "Zeus" or "Brahman" or some other more obscure god's name; this is being done to make the more contentious [violent] adherents of Islam think they are near to the point of conceding altogether. Friends and brethren, that is what they are seeing!

More than ever, we must be willing to stand firm on the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the necessary conclusions that come with it. We should not be afraid to boldly say that salvation is through Christ and Christ alone, for that is truth (cf. Acts 4:12); we should not be afraid to declare that those who do not obey will suffer eternal punishment, for that is truth (II Thessalonians 1:8-10); we should not be afraid to declare there is only one true church that Christ built, for that is truth (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians. 4:4); and we should not be ashamed to call these other religions "false" because that is also truth (John 14:6).

When we consider man's past history and his service to and worship of God, we find that there have been periods when men got further away from God and times when men got closer; it seems now that we are in a time when men are moving further away. Now is the time to stand firm and not compromise for fear, a desire for acceptance, or for material gain. Only those who have obeyed the Father's will l (Mathew 7:21-23) and who are willing to confess Christ will be accepted by Him in Judgment (Matthew 10:32, 33). Stand for Him now, and He will stand with you then.