Thoughtful Engagement

The Good Muslim

12/8/2015

One day, a Christian of America made up in his mind to test Jesus, saying, "Teacher, remind me on how I am to inherit eternal life." Jesus said to him, "What is written in the New Testament? How do you read it?" And he answered, "I must have faith in him whom God has risen from the dead. It is a living faith which leads me to love God and my neighbor." And Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."

But the Christian of America, didn't fully appreciate the answer. He straightened his back. Cast a smirk of a smile and said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, "A man was going from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia, and he was car-jacked by several persons, who stole his clothes, seized his smartphone, broke his ribs, cracked his skull, leaving him unconscious on the side of the road. Now it happened to be the time of a great conference and a pro-life group was passing by, and when they saw the man, they passed on by. Likewise a missionary group who just returned from India, when they came to the exact same location, they too passed on to the other side.

But a Muslim, as he traveled to work, saw the man on the side of the road, and when he saw him, he entered into his suffering. He pulled out his first aid kit, tended to the man's injuries and then called 911 for emergency assistance. He followed the ambulance to the hospital and sat over night with the man in ICU. Next morning he told the hospital billing office, "Here is my credit card. Take care of him and whatever he needs."

Jesus looked at the Christian of America and with strong eyes asked, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man carjacked?"

The Christian of America clenched his fist. He looked around fumbling with the keys in his pocket. He finally looked up to Jesus and said, "The one who showed him mercy."

And Jesus says to the Christian of America,

"You go, and do the same."

This retelling of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was inspired by my friend Jared Wilson who tweeted on Monday December 7, 2015:

"If Jesus were telling the parable we call The Good Samaritan to many evangelicals today, it might be known as The Good Muslim."

This year has proven we need to revisit this parable and others like it to recover how we are to live as Christians in this current climate. We are seeking to justify ourselves and how we treat others on the basis of our citizenship, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Such justifications lead us only to love those who are like us. This parable demonstrates the power of transformative love when those who are in conflict share in each other's suffering. This parable is spoken to those who ask the question, "What must I do to inherit life?"

Jesus is speaking to us today.

Jesus is telling us a old story in a new way.

Jesus who has showed us mercy now says,

"You go, and do the same. It will cost you time. It will cost you resources. It will cost your life. But because I have give you the power of an indestructible life. You go, and do the same. Show mercy as an act of gratitude for the mercy you have received."

Jay Runyon

12/8/2015 01:27:37 pm

Excellent perspective!

Now to this I give an Amen,

12/11/2015 01:42:11 pm

Sam

12/11/2015 04:50:48 pm

Profoundly connected!

Alan Mowle link

12/12/2015 07:12:46 am

When Jesus made this known, it would be another 800 years before the first Muslim existed.

Steven

12/12/2015 09:16:57 am

Alan, I am not sure that I understand the thesis/claim of your commentary. As for me, the "Good Samaritan/Good Muslim" analogous theme is timeless. I mean, if we are only going by chronological relevance, humans (with evolving critical thinking abilities + more) did not appear on Earth until 2 million years ago; our 'civilized' version - 6 thousand years ago.

Nadiah

12/12/2015 07:04:35 pm

Alan, the word Islam means "Submission to God" and a Muslim is one who "Submits to God". We therefore believe ANYBODY who truly follows God...i.e. Adam, Moses, Abraham and all of the other Prophets mentioned in the Bible, ARE Muslims.

Rev. Wendy Taylor link

12/13/2015 01:21:22 am

And so? It is a rewritten parable. Whoever we are NOT MUSLIM we must see the picture and go doing likewise.

Mustafa Mohamedali

12/13/2015 02:12:40 am

600 years actually. but since it is a parable, it is a lesson for all time.

John

12/13/2015 06:03:03 am

What is your point? It is a made up story meant to open your eyes to something. It like the bible is not actual history.

Hass

12/13/2015 07:19:57 am

Muslims existed since the time of Adam pbuh....The Last Prophet was the iliterate one who Jesus pbuh.referred to him as The Comforter...Without him you have a Synogogue and a Church....Those that adhere to the Commandment's but stopped at Mosed pbuh.....And those that brake the Commandment's and took Jesus pbuh.as Lord
.....The Helper came to unify Synogogue and Church....The Kingdom of God is on the Earth.....Isiah 35 and 60 Tells you where it is...Saudia Arabia or Paran...

Crystal

12/14/2015 07:10:47 pm

Cars and credit cards didn't exist either and they're in this story too. Your point is?

Joy De Meta

12/15/2015 10:54:27 pm

Alen, you don't completely get it. Where do you think the word Samaritan comes from? Samaritan was a way of reffering to Arabs, as in the people of Sumerria (sp) migrated north to establish Baghdad and Jerusalem.

Stvwve

12/21/2015 12:46:39 am

what troubles me is that in the original parable that the others merely walked past... rather than walking over and cutting the victim's head off... I suspect that Jesus would oppose the beheading of those who were apostates... much less those who were bystanding muslims or non-violent christians.

Alan Mowle

3/23/2018 11:13:13 am

Great perspective. It has been shown that the greater the number of people, who pass somebody in distress, the more it will continue. To break the pattern, it takes great fortitude. Reading this has fortified me, even though I am 86 I will remember, I hope To appreciate how Jesus did ‘not pass me by’.

David Brayton

12/12/2015 05:42:42 pm

LOL. Nice try but a false perspective and straw man galore. Funny how the religious left gets it wrong every time.

Eleni

12/12/2015 10:34:35 pm

Totally agree. As if we are not already helping with people supplies on the shores of Lesbos island in Greece and also with money pouring in from individuals in the USA. No, we are not putting them in our bedrooms. Most of them are rejecting the Gospel and the Bible tells us to avoid those types. Some people try to put the guilt trip on Americans and it is not working. These are the sons of Ishmael after all.

Rev. Wendy Taylor link

12/13/2015 01:23:35 am

Are THE REPRESENTATIONAL MUSLIM--right?

presterjohn

12/13/2015 06:05:09 am

The bible really is wasted on you isn't it? Sure you can find plenty of hate and bigotry in it but you really have specialised in only applying those bits to your life haven't you?

Kermit Kittleson

12/13/2015 11:40:10 pm

Its a good thing to think about -- to ponder. But, I don't really know of any Samaritans that go around cutting off heads, burning people alive, killing Christians because their "bible" (the Koran) tells them too do it.

I don't know of Samaritans that blow themselves up in order to kill people of other faiths. I don't know of any Samaritans or Christians for that matter that kill their own children for "honor."

I do know that lots of Muslims are total bypocrits, and as soon as they leave Saudi Arabian air space, they order alcoholic drinks.

Sure, there are some good Muslims around, but don't ask one if he is good or not. He is authorized to LIE TO YOU.

bill

12/23/2015 04:20:39 pm

Well said - and concise!

john Burns

12/12/2015 07:24:04 pm

Actually I don't think this can be called the Good Muslim . First of all to underpin a lot of Comments here God and Allah are not one in the Same. Also agree that we should love our enemy and Neighbour. Not an easy task in today's world . So to label this parable as it has been done so is a very pointed and narrow use of this parable .

Theodore Cox

12/12/2015 09:18:09 pm

The 2 million year time table, leads me to believe someone yields to the ideas of evolutionary accent of man?

presterjohn

12/13/2015 06:07:52 am

God and Allah are exactly the same. You little do you know about other religions? The only difference between the three main religions are a couple of people. Christians added Jesus and the Muslims added Mohammed. What came before them is broadly the same.

Marcia Kay

12/14/2015 06:12:05 pm

The word Allah is Arabic for God.

Joyce Kelley

12/15/2015 07:06:24 pm

Truth. But who wants truth.. Each wants to judge + label others where they don't even have a clue to God's holy word. Thanks.

Bill

12/13/2015 02:15:15 am

Very good. Now here's how we should apply this parable on the international scale: Carve out a piece of Syria for a refugee enclave. Form a coalition of NATO and Arab allies to destroy anything that tries to violate its perimeter with UNHCR contracting with humanitarian NGOs to address the needs of the refugees while preparing to defeat Islamist terrorist groups with the largest force necessary to eradicate them in the least time possible. The refugees will be safer in that they won't have to cross dangerous sea routes and hostile lands to arrive in countries in uncontrollable numbers where patience is already running very thin. Instead they'll be closer to their homelands to where they can return as soon as the war effort has achieved its aim of destroying the enemy. Remember, compassion without reason is as damaging as reason without compassion. A wise response seeks a balance of the two.

Joshua S. Spell

12/13/2015 10:08:27 pm

Welcome to World War 3 if we tried that.

George and Suzanne Cook

12/14/2015 11:28:00 am

George and I strongly agree with your comment Bill. Indeed we MUST be about helping the Syrians (and all people) who suffer as they are. We also MUST be obedient to God's mandate that we stay on HIS level path (Psalm 27:11; 143:10; Isaiah 26:7; Luke 3:1; Hebrews 12:13)....which is the very balance of which you speak...Thank you for this very wise response. George and Suzanne Cook; GASMinistries

Sodbuster

12/13/2015 10:57:51 pm

Please explain how this modern paraphrase relates to San Bernadino?

Eric

12/14/2015 02:55:48 pm

The final point is fair, but the parable falls short of Jesus' for a few reasons.
1. It appears Jesus' parables were not hypothetical fictions; he told parables as actual occurrences.
2. The neighborliness of the Good Samaritan crosses racial and cultural divisions, not religious or idealogical. So, though unexpected, nothing prohibits the Samaritan from being a neighbor to a Jew. Meanwhile, the audience knew the likelihood of a priest or Levite not wanting to get dirty.
3. This story is possible for a Good Atheist, but not for the 'Good' Muslim, because a Muslim ceases to follow Islam if he befriends a Christian. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/.../009-friends-with...

Of course these technicalities don't prevent the Christian from being sacrificially kind to a Muslim, even if it is impossible for a Muslim to serve a Christian for the Christian's sake.

Edwin Tait

12/14/2015 04:07:20 pm

You and a lot of other people responding to this seem blind to the first-century context. Jews thought just the same things about Samaritans that you think about Muslims, and with reason. There was a history of religious violence between the two communities. There were stories of Samaritans deliberately desecrating the Temple. With every post saying "this doesn't apply," you are condemning yourselves.

Repent. That's all there is to say.

Marcia Kay

12/14/2015 06:15:35 pm

No, Jesus did not tell parables as actual occurences. A parable is a fictitious story told to teach a lesson or moral.

Kurt Hill

3/21/2018 09:45:45 am

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

Kim

12/8/2015 04:00:28 pm

Susan Goad

12/8/2015 10:02:15 pm

Silly!!! Muslims don't believe in the same God as Christians!!!!

Cameron

12/8/2015 10:32:11 pm

You missed the point. It doesn't matter what the Muslim believes. It doesn't matter what your neighbor does with their life. Our job as Christians isn't to judge your neighbor, but to do right by them. To help those who need help regardless of who they are. You should show EVERYONE mercy, because God has shown you mercy for your sins. Go and be a good person, without fear of what might happen. You shouldn't have fear because a christian believes in eternal life.

Emma

12/11/2015 11:29:36 am

Amen

Becki

12/11/2015 11:36:12 am

Thank you for the necessary reminder.

johfc

12/11/2015 04:07:34 pm

Amen

Shirley

12/11/2015 04:10:50 pm

You are so right, Carmeron. I admire your response.

Sally

12/11/2015 04:33:47 pm

Well said.

Jenni G

12/11/2015 04:38:54 pm

Absolutely!! Above all - Love one another!!

Deirdre

12/11/2015 05:52:08 pm

Amen, indeed!

Jeanne

12/11/2015 08:04:14 pm

Great comment, needs a love button over a like button. So worth sharing.

sar

12/12/2015 02:36:31 am

This is an excellent response. Thank you for sharing your Godly wisdom.

Christian

12/12/2015 05:50:54 am

I agree we should love our neighbour, whoever they may be. Jesus even told us to love our enemies. One can just read the current news and see how some Christian in Iraq or Syria are loving and even forgiving some of their ISIS persecutors. That's what Daniel and his 3 friends did with the King of Babylon, who in turn converted to Faith in the real God of Heaven, because of their example.

Steven

12/12/2015 09:18:42 am

Amen/ahmeen

Diana Wescoupe

12/12/2015 01:05:31 pm

Put First Nations people in that parable. The big log in your eye is First Nations People! What mercy have you given them? You worry about other people but fail to do what is right in your own back yard!

Josh

12/12/2015 04:18:17 pm

Okay Cameron so go and do it. Just don't selfishly put everyone else's lives in danger because you think you're earning something from God by trying to prove to others that you're a great person. When Jesus tells us to do these things, he wants us to do it out of love because we truly care and want these people to know Jesus and come to Him. Not make ourselves look good in front of others. If you truly care about Muslims and want to do Jesus' will, then you go over there and go to them in person and do it yourself. Spread and preach the Gospel like we were called to do so those Muslims can gain salvation like you have. Not hide behind your perfectly little world in America and hide behind your computer and try to get politicians (who don't even believe in Jesus) to do what God has called you to do yourself! God can't be fooled. I bet you wont even take a group of Muslims into your home and teach them about Jesus and take care of them. I bet you wont even go over seas to Muslims and spread the Gospel and love of Jesus will you? If you truly wasn't afraid, you'd do that..God didn't call the government and politicians to do our job, He called us! And it's the government's job to protect the American people and keep us safe so we can go our and spread the Gospel. Don't be a pawn to the politicians. Go out and do what Jesus as called you to do yourself, put your own life in danger for God's kingdom, not anyone else's... Because if you truly loved your neighbors, you wouldn't selfishly put your neighbors in America live's in danger

Jayant

12/12/2015 09:31:54 pm

Although there are certain comments i dont agree with, Cameron's interpretation by far is the most accurate. Point is to love and show mercy regardless of anything else.

Theodore Cox

12/12/2015 10:10:29 pm

In the big picture, it matters what your neighbor does, because it will bear witness to what their relationship to Christ is. Our response should always be concern for the souls of non-believers. All through scripture, we find a concern for others with an overshadowing of maintaining separation from sin. Our responsibility is to love them as ourselves.
To do "right" by your neighbor requires an effort to assess the need. This is a judgement that is made based on the evidence presented. Mercy is a judgement by a sovereign God, it is an attitude or character trait for man.

Rev. Wendy Taylor link

12/13/2015 01:27:15 am

Agreed--lets get the point as Cameron delineated it--love your neighbor as you love yourself. Pray to be truly loving/healing/selfworthy so we allcan love neighbors!

Bill

12/13/2015 08:47:51 am

A good Samaritan will protect his neighbor from a terrorist threat using deadly force if necessary. In the case of terrorism, deadly force is really the only viable option.

Charlotte Holtry

12/14/2015 09:25:43 am

Yours is the only correct answer.

Jon

12/14/2015 06:17:06 pm

Josh, I don't know how you figure Cameron to be such a hypocrite from what he said. Was there something written between the lines I couldn't discern? Personally, I had been thinking maybe we should do as Trump suggests but after Cameron's plea I felt softened, inspired. No, I think you must be one lacking in spirituality, unable to discern spiritual things. Please pray that your eyes may be opened to see as God sees, to know and to feel true happiness. It's obvious you are angry. Lighten up!

Victor J

12/15/2015 02:22:43 am

Quite correct Cameron!

Norma

12/12/2016 08:27:58 pm

Josh, Who said Cameron wasn't doing what he proposes?
My belief is that because the gospel cannot be proclaimed openly in most Arabic/Muslim countries, God has brought them to our 'shores' i.e. whichever western country you lin in, so that they can be exposed to he good news of Christ. It is often by 'our deeds that we are known'. And Jesus also told us to love our enemies. It is not sacrificial love is we love only those who are like us . . . .

Ann link

12/13/2016 08:37:17 am

Exactly. Thanks Cameron.

Edward

12/8/2015 10:44:34 pm

Muhammad calls Allah the 'God who appeared before our Father Ishmael.' Just a thought to ponder. But according to Genesis 21, that was Jehovah. The Muslims have perverted the true God for centuries, just like some Christian faiths do today.

John

12/10/2015 01:03:08 pm

And let us not forget that Ishmael was Abraham's son and Isaac's half-brother

Jenell Brinson

12/11/2015 04:58:05 pm

There is only one God. Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Even Arabic speaking Christians use the word Allah for God.

Judy Hill

12/11/2015 05:58:05 pm

not your call - because, Edward, YOU ARE NOT GOD. and only God knows who actually loves him. you don't.

Sam

12/11/2015 11:54:17 pm

Actually the true pronunciation of name of God is not really known by man of today...all we know is the tetragrammic spelling...which did not include the letter J or other vowels and consonants in the word Jehova...in fact tetragrammic scholars could never come to a consensus...but I digress...the point is...we should reflect Christ in our love of our neighbors regardless of how dissimilar or similar they are in belief or behavior

DAVID

12/12/2015 04:12:54 am

Personally, I call Muslims "the other sons of Abraham" because, unfortunately, and as this timely modern analogy of a scandalous parable tries to point out, they are the "hated religious group" of the day as the Samaritans were in Jesus' time - a "half-breed" religion which knew part of the truth, but had suffered from syncretism.

DAVID

12/12/2015 04:18:41 am

And as far as YHWH is concerned, that is only one of God's names used in the OT. Many Arab Christians (and non-Arab Christians who work in predominantly Muslim countries) use the word "rab" for God to avoid the deep-seeded misconceptions. For me, it is not important exactly which name you use, but to know the character of the One upon Whom you are calling....

Mark Thompson

12/12/2015 05:14:02 am

1 Jehovah was a bad mis-translation of Yahweh. Allah is the Arabic translation. God is the English translation plus many other languages have different names as well. Get your facts correct before making a fool of your self!?

Steven

12/12/2015 09:33:20 am

So, you are claiming that humans have perverted "God" for as long as we have enjoyed an evolved critical mind -- I mean as humans shifted from millions of years ago to the present. Writing/communicating humans began to appear 25 - 30 thousand years ago. First writings about a deity were not about Jehovah, nor any resemblance to the images we usually associate with the Christian-Judaic faith. So, I wonder which community of humans FIRST 'perverted' the original perceptions of a deity? Just look at the Native/Original Peoples making the western continent their home. Their view of the Creator was different from that of the invaders (Christians) just 400 - 500 years ago.

RPLaeder

12/12/2015 12:59:31 pm

And their Allah will be merciful to anyone who "submits" to Islam. That is certainly not the message of the Triune God, Father Son and Holy Spirit who is clearly revealed in Holy Scripture and has Himself declared His Word to be Truth and Everlasting. There is no truth beyond Jesus Christ, Hebrews 1:1-2. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the point Jesus is making is against the self-righteousness of the religious elite. That is, those who claimed their status because they were Jews. But, in the parable, it is a Samaritan, considered a half-breed at best by the elite, who does what is right when he sees a person in need. Nevertheless, not even the good Samaritan is justified by his deeds. He simply showed how mercy behaves. That is how God behaves toward us, in Christ.

Margaret Snow

12/12/2015 02:34:06 pm

Edward--if you have children, do they call you Daddy? or Pop? Or Dad? or Father? If one calls you Daddy and another calls you Father, are they both not still your children? If one child tells the other he doesn't belong to you because he you by a different name, how angry will they make you?

Mustafa Mohamedali

12/13/2015 02:22:01 am

please give your reference for this claim.

Wyatt

12/8/2015 11:24:59 pm

Neither did the Samaritan...

Melody Nick link

12/9/2015 10:36:28 pm

There is only one God, so who they do or do not believe in does not matter but who you believe in does.

Rick

12/12/2015 10:37:05 am

There is only one god is your opinion because you believe in "Christianity". Prove it and I will believe it. Please do not Quote the bible as proof because you must prove that what is written is true.

Lakina

12/10/2015 10:38:28 am

That's the point of the original parable as well...the Jews & Samarians had different beliefs. The Jews in the parable are too busy being religious to live out their faith while the Samarian (someone of a different religion) is the one who does what they should have. This post presents an excellent parallel...and I'd guess the people of that day likely had similar arguments against the Samarian being the good person in the parable.

Rev Rob

12/11/2015 07:21:40 am

Wow...obviously this parable is beyond your self righteous attitude and your lack of biblical literacy....

DAVID

12/12/2015 04:21:43 am

Wow! Who is the "you" you are referring to? The writer or one of the comments? I would have to say it analogy of this parable is ripe for our time!

Linda

12/11/2015 08:37:09 am

Says who, Susan?

Rodney

12/12/2015 11:07:01 pm

Allah or more correctly al lah is an Arab moon god. The star in the moon was his sign.

John Eldredge

12/11/2015 08:59:11 am

Jews, Muslims, and Christians all believe in the same God, but differ in regard to Jesus' status, and whether or not Mohammed was a prophet. Allah is the Arabic word meaning God, and is used by Arabic-speaking Christians as well as Muslims.

Tom

12/11/2015 09:38:21 am

John, the Muslims do not believe that Jesus was actually God, with flesh, who came to earth to carry out His plan of salvation. They do not even believe he died on the cross.

So because Jesus was God, sent here in human form, to die for us in place of our sins which could never be done any other way, then how can anyone, who doesn't believe Jesus was God, worship the same God?

If the Bible is true, and it is, then in order to believe in the one true God, Jesus Christ Himself, you must believe Jesus was and is the one and only Messiah and the only way to heaven is through being born again by His plan of salvation.

You might want to rethink your viewpoint if you claim to be a Christian, because no, not everyone believes in and worships the same God if they don't believe Jesus is God.

Jeff link

12/11/2015 05:00:38 pm

The principle of non-contradiction disproves this notion, for while the word 'Allah' is indeed Arabic for 'god', that does not mean that the god referenced is the Triune God revealed to the world through the deposit of faith given by Christ to the Apostles.

In fact, many people refer to 'god' but explicitly reject the trinity and Christ. Among these are the Jews and Muslims. In fact, a devout Jew will tell you that killing Jesus was right and proper, because he blasphemed. Hard to say that person worships the one true God, isn't it?

Judy Hill

12/11/2015 06:01:18 pm

cannot believe that both Tom and Jeff cannot see that they are the hypocrites praying in the synagogue and not the "pious" they believe they are.

they may need to reconsider what THEIR faith actually says, and stop commenting on whether or not someone who doesn't believe exactly as they do is a Christian or not. That's God's call; we have been EXPLICITLY told not to do that.

12/12/2015 09:29:48 am

When Arabic-speaking Christians use the word Allah, it is usually used in combination with the word al-Ab. Allah al-Ab means “God the Father,” and this usage is one way Arab Christians distinguish themselves from Muslims. got questions.org

Rodney

12/12/2015 11:09:45 pm

That is incorrect. Allah or more properly Al Lah was an Arab moon god. The star in the moon was his sign. So Allah is not Yehweh.

Brandon

12/16/2015 06:33:39 am

I understand that Allah is the Arabic word for God. But why do they still say Allah when they speak English instead of God? Could it be because they don't want us to confuse their God with the Christian God?

Shawn

12/11/2015 11:53:19 am

The Jews had the she reaction when Jesus told the story of the good Samarian. Who is the better neighbor? The one who does good to or avoid because of danger?

Korte

12/11/2015 12:12:30 pm

Um, actually they do,as do Jews.

KiM

12/11/2015 12:45:27 pm

They do actually believe in the same God. In Arabic his nae is
Allah, in Spanisj his name is Dios, in English he is God. Same one and only.

Ken link

12/11/2015 09:50:34 pm

They call their god by the name of God, but he demands of them things totally foreign and contradictory to the one true God of Christianity. He, their god, told their prophet, things that are the opposite of the teaching of Jesus.

Definitely not the same God.

Jim

12/12/2015 11:07:55 pm

As I understand Islam, Allah was actually the name of the moon god whom Mohammad elevated to the supreme god. That is why the national symbol of all Muslim nations has the image of the moon.

Joe

12/11/2015 01:05:52 pm

I asked a devout Muslim coworker who his God was and he said "The God of Abraham, Isaac,& Jacob,""So that is the same God I worship" I said... He said "Exactly" oh BTW I am a Lutheran... Not all Muslims are militant or radical and there were radical Christians during the crusades to that killed non Christians just saying

Jeff link

12/11/2015 02:04:27 pm

Joe, more telling would be to ask your coworker this, "Do you accept Jesus Christ as the divine son of God, through him alone man have hope of salvation?" Otherwise you are asking a question with no meaning, since neither the Jews nor the Muslims can be saved if they reject Christ (as they do).

Claire

12/11/2015 02:29:00 pm

Finally! Someone who gets it!
We are ALL God's children!

Brandon richardson

12/11/2015 02:14:25 pm

They do believe in the same god. they do not believe that Jesus was the son of God they believe he was a prophet.

Ken link

12/11/2015 09:58:02 pm

Sadly, they say they believe He was a prophet, but they do not accept the things He taught. "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. Can you really believe in a prophet and not believe his words? I think not.

Diana

12/12/2015 06:39:32 am

So that would include those of the Jewish profesion as well because they do not honor Jesus at all.

Norma

3/23/2018 07:01:23 pm

How can one say that Christians worship the same God when the Bible tells us that 'God is Love' i.e. love with a capital L. Muslims have 99 names for God and 'Love' is not one of them! I rest my case . . . .

sharie

12/11/2015 03:39:40 pm

Muslims believe in the God of Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob. But does that make any difference who they put their trust in? Those who choose to follow Jesus are to follow his example and does He not model loving all of humanity?

Layla

12/11/2015 03:41:53 pm

What does that have to do with it? YOU are silly. You missed the whole point.

An Enlightened Atheist

12/11/2015 05:16:53 pm

Of course it is the same God! Islam is one of the three Abrahamic religions that recognize Abraham as the first prophet. Abraham established a convenant with God - same prophet, same God.

Jon

12/14/2015 07:00:15 pm

You are right. He is the same God. You must be able to see though that Jews, Muslims and Christians perceive Him differently. In the mind of he or she who thinks of this God as something He is not, is He not a different God even though He was the same one in the beginning? Same God but different.

KEVIN OMALLEY

12/11/2015 05:43:12 pm

They do so: the God of Abraham, YHWH, Jehovah, the God of monotheism and Creator of all. Same God as the Jew and the Christian. Educate yourself.

Charlie

12/11/2015 06:00:02 pm

That's exactly what the Jews would say about the Samaritans.

Julie Sutton

12/11/2015 07:42:53 pm

Silly! Yes, they do. Allah is just another name for God, as is Jehovah.

Pamela Altmeyer Alvey

12/11/2015 09:29:20 pm

There is but one God worshipped in many ways by many different peoples. We are all brothers and sisters.

Bini

12/11/2015 10:21:57 pm

Of course they do. There is only one God!

Aysh

12/11/2015 10:30:03 pm

Erm.....yes we do!!!

Hamza

12/11/2015 11:02:48 pm

Actually, we do. Allah is the God of Abraham. Jesus spoke Aramaic, which is a closer cousin of Quranic Arabic, in daily life. In that tongue, God is "Ellah". When Jesus spoke about God to the common people of his time, he basically used the same word that we use.

Peace

cynthia

12/11/2015 11:51:38 pm

Yes, Susan, they do. I hold an M.A. in Christian Theology from George Fox evangelical Seminary. God is God.

Rosalind Irving

12/11/2015 11:58:37 pm

It is the same God.......a different name.

Fern

12/12/2015 01:17:56 am

You silly girl :}, yes they do....Go back and read your religious studies. The God of Abraham is the God of the Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Salha

12/12/2015 01:48:50 am

Muslims DO believe in the same God! Christians who speak Arabic also call Him "Allah". We also believe in the Virgin Mary, Moses, Adam and in the second coming of Jesus the Mesiah. Did you know that?

Jim

12/12/2015 11:13:52 pm

I've never heard a Muslim profess that Jesus is the Messiah. And if Muslims, Jews, and Christians all worship the same God, why are Christians and Jews referred to by Arab Muslins as "infidels"?

Debbie

12/12/2015 01:56:12 am

Yes they do. It is a Abrahamic religion same as Judaism, Judaism Christianity,Judaism and Islam. They all believe in the one God. The same One God. Muslims also have Jesus as a Prophet.
You can get the Torah,Bible and Quran written in English you should read them. Many of the same stories are written in each, and you will many of the same people.
Silly Susan ! Or do you think there is more than one God ? Silly

Jeanne

12/12/2015 02:52:46 am

Neither did Samaritans

Jennifer

12/12/2015 03:35:28 am

Wow. You completely missed the point.

Zsuzsanna Gál

12/12/2015 04:42:00 am

Actually they do. Allah is our God as well they just say "god" in Arabic. I say "Isten" cos i am Hungarian, but it's still the same God.

Stephen

12/12/2015 04:56:19 am

Actually, their religion doesn't matter... in fact, that's the point... in the original parable, the Jewish people ignored the wounded person. The Samaritan I'm that parable was not Jewish. Although Samaritanism is related to Judaism, it *is* a different religion and that was why Jews hated them so much.

In this case, Muslims are the perfect replacement for a Samaritan. ... he is not the same religion as the car jacked man and would be expected to do nothing, whereas the Christians who walked by would be expected to help but chose not to.

Victor J

12/15/2015 02:42:00 am

That's exactly the point Stephen. The religion does not really matter in the parable! The question is: 'Who is my neighbour?' Jesus gives the answer with this parable, and that is what we should ponder!!

Donna Babbs

12/12/2015 07:40:38 am

Muslims believe in acting on their faith through practice of the 5 Pillars. I am not so sure they worship a different God than ourselves. They just honor God in tbeir own way. Muslims are totally separate from Isis. Those a part of Isis are not practicing their 5 Pillars which is very similar to inactive Christians or those whom stop their own practice of faith.

Valerie

12/12/2015 07:44:20 am

Actually, Muslims, Jews, and Christians DO all believe in the same God. Islam is an offshoot of Christianity, just as Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. Look up the actual history and you'll see. Incidentally, "Allah" is not a name; it's just Arabic for "God."

jenny

12/13/2015 12:23:16 am

AS an Maroccon Muslim said when they ask him how many Gods ae there? He said only one, but he has soooo many names

Judy Dishong

12/12/2015 07:49:05 am

Yes they do. In fact, they believe that Jesus was a great prophet.

Mike

12/12/2015 08:51:14 am

You are quite right Susan. The difference are clearly delineated in what the Bible says about God and what the Koran says about Allah. A careful reading of both books enumerates many differences.Now with regard to the modernized parable given above, the Muslim is clearly the better neighbor. The story enjoins all Christians to be likewise. In the end, the indwelling of Christ makes the critical difference as to whether a person is saved or not. Many a high principled and "good man" will go to hell. We are not saved by works lest any should boast -and yet, let us strive to be doers, not just hearers, of the word.

Steven

12/12/2015 09:07:47 am

Susan, I do not agree with you. As far as I am concerned, there is just one superior being - the Creator - who put "it all together." Further, it is clear that you are not a follower of Jesus - you missed the whole point of the "Good Samaritan/Good Muslim" analogy-rewrite......

Zee Vee

12/12/2015 09:42:32 am

Oh hon, you missed the point... On both the original and this adapted version.

Rhyschenda

12/12/2015 10:20:33 am

Uh, yes they do. Muslims, Jews & Christians all worship the God of Abraham. That's why it's known as the Judeo-Christian-Islamic Tradition. The name varies, but the God is the same. Jews wait for their Messiah, Christians found theirs in Jesus, Muslims believe Jesus & Muhammad were prophets of God. The Qaran retells many Old Testiment (Talmud) stories. Think you need to look up church history. Jehovah, Allah & Adnonai are different names for the same Middle Eastern God.

sheila smith

12/12/2015 11:02:48 am

There is only one God.

Jim Chaffee

12/12/2015 02:01:06 pm

Doesn't matter.

Waheedah Toure

12/12/2015 03:12:20 pm

When the Bible is read in Arabic which is a Language that does not belong to just Muslims...The Bible Reads Allah with is interpreted in English GOD. ..It is apparent you have never been to church in Israel...

Dan

12/13/2015 04:21:41 pm

I don't understand the arguing, that's a missing of the point that's being made here in tThe parable. Regardless of "who" is right, Jews,Muslims, and christiansUse the same word for God, that does not mean they are worshipping the same thing. That's like one person saying I like cars, and another person agreeing, one is thinking of a corvette and the other is thinking ofThe word God is like a title, father, president, king. So. Person can say do you believe in the one true king, but be serving two different ones.

Miranda Jolsteen

12/12/2015 04:26:38 pm

Correction: Muslims don't believe Jesus is the son of God. They worship God never praying through anyone else.

Bill Davis

12/12/2015 04:49:22 pm

Actually they do . The God of Abraham (Ibraham)

tamera

12/12/2015 05:27:55 pm

What does believing in the same God have to do with this?? How do we reach others for Christ. OR ETERNAL LIFE>.

Yara El Masry

12/13/2015 03:05:36 am

Muslims believe in the same God as Christians, in fact they believe in Jesus, Moses, and all the previous prophets/messengers. Silly, go read a book.

Edward S. Gault

12/13/2015 04:45:42 am

Neither was the Samaritan a Jew. He did not worship the same God as the man he assisted and cared for. Yet he did it.

presterjohn

12/13/2015 06:09:07 am

It is the same God and even if it was not it would not change the parable or its lesson.

Lady Russell

12/13/2015 12:18:53 pm

Jew, Christian, or Muslim, we are all children of Abraham. However, God did say that there would always be enmity between Abrahams two sons. But, God did give man freedom of choice, and we can choose to be good Samaritans, or not. It's up to you and me to follow our conscious.

Victor J

12/15/2015 03:56:39 am

That's the point Lady Russell. All this argument about what God one believes in is unnecessary!!

denny

12/13/2015 01:19:41 pm

susan you are totally right .

Tim

12/13/2015 09:41:58 pm

Well in the Bible the Samaritans didn't believe in the same god as the Jews did, the ones who Jesus told the story to, that is what highlighted the point of his parable.

Ray Thomas

12/14/2015 10:26:08 am

That is where you are quite wrong... We believe in Moses and Jesus as our Prophet. We do believe all the messages are from the same God. Please ask a Muslim, not Trump on education about Muslims =)

Pottergreen

12/15/2015 08:50:01 am

At best, we share a common category of "God", monotheistic - superlative, and most of the derived attributes (omnipotence, etc). However, the Christian conception of God is Triune (as Father, Son Jesus and Spirit), Jewish is as a Father/King and in Islam, the attributes. Very different concepts with some overlap.

Michael link

12/8/2015 10:07:49 pm

Excellent. And I would say that just because people do not call God by the same name I call God does not mean we don't believe in the same God. In fact, there is no name for God.

Jonathan

12/9/2015 06:32:04 am

In the Christian faith, Jesus is the name of God, and there is no other name by which we must be saved. Even the Demons believe and shudder but they don't love and serve others. The good Samaritan story tells of the right heart condition that a person should have. It is not, however, the whole Gospel. It is simply a telling of right actions.

Judy Hill

12/11/2015 05:57:18 pm

please stop think you speak for all Christians. believe it or not, there are CHRISTIANS who do not believe Jesus is God, "Jesus" is not the NAME of God, and DOING what Jesus told us to do is what He wants, not saying some stupid "Sinner's Prayer." not all Christians believe in the Trinity, either.

Kim Cooper

12/11/2015 09:12:23 pm

Jonathan -- It is irrelevant whether or not "your neighbor" believes in the same God as you, or any god at all. That is the point of the story -- according to Jesus you are to love and help your neighbor, without judging him or her, to be a real Christian. What your neighbor believes Jesus to be is not relevant to whether or not you should love. Jesus also acknowledged that it is harder to love your enemies than your friends, but just as necessary.
Also, even in Christianity, Jesus is not the name of God. Jehovah is the name of God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are parts of Jehovah (if you are a trinitarian, which you obviously are.).

Danielle

12/11/2015 12:18:25 am

I disagree, God has many names!
"ELOHIM" (or Elohay) is the first name for God found in the Bible, and it's used throughout the Old Testament over 2,300 times. Elohim comes from the Hebrew root meaning "strength" or "Power"
"YHVH" is the Hebrew word that translates as "LORD". Found more often in the Old Testament than any other name for God (approximately 7,000 times), the title is also referred to as the "Tetragrammaton," meaning the "The Four Letters". YHVH comes from the Hebrew verb "to be" and is the special name that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. "And God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM; and He said, thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you... this is My eternal name, and this is how I am to be recalled for all generations'" (Exodus 3:14-15). Therefore, YHVH declares God's absolute being - the source of everything, without beginning and without end. Although some pronounce YHVH as "Jehovah" or "Yaweh," scholars really don't know the proper pronunciation. The Jews stopped pronouncing this name by about 200 A.D., out of fear of breaking the commandment "You shall not take the name of YHVH your God.

James H

12/11/2015 08:38:03 pm

Minor addendum/correction to your last line. Jews stopped pronouncing the Name of YHVH because they were being KILLED for doing so. At least one Rabbi at the time was wrapped in a Torah scroll and burned alive for speaking His Name.

As I recall the word Elohim is also sometimes used in ancient Hebrew when speaking of other Pagan deities (Ba'al et. al.)

DAVID

12/12/2015 04:35:58 am

EL was used by the Canaanites and other peoples for god. "Elohim" as many others is a combination of "El" and another word.

Lori

12/9/2015 06:41:13 am

Love that all of you are wanting to be witnesses for Christ! The Good Samaritan story is about a man who helped someone out where he lived, his home town. We, Americans, have given 1.2 billion dollars to aide the crisis in Syria with the refugees. I believe that is 10x the amount all other countries have given. I am not afraid of anything because I am saved and have not been given a spirit of fear. However, not everyone in America is saved. Why would we open our "city gates" when we know the enemy wants to destroy and annilate? When is the last time you traveled in your own city searching for someone in need of help on the side of the road? When is the last time you shared how Jesus has changed your life with your neighbor. The harvest is plentiful in our country...Jesus is returning sooner than you can imagine...I pray He gives you all a sense of urgency to witness to those He has already placed in your life.
FYI the god of Islam is Not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Peace and blessings to each of you.

Bob

12/9/2015 11:12:51 am

That's where you are wrong. The God of Abraham is the same God of his sons Isaac and Ishmael. If you read that story, it goes to tell you that Ishmael cried in the desert and God heard his cry and spared his life and declared that he would be the leader of many nations. Just as Eve and Adam's lack of faith brought about sin, Abraham's lack of faith brought about Islam which is the greatest threat to Israel and Christianity.

Lori

12/9/2015 01:54:30 pm

I completely agree with you and the story of Abraham and his sons Ishmael and Isaac. However, the god Muhammad writes of in the Koran is not the same God of the the Holy Bible. He in fact took aspects of different religions to create Islam. Study the Islamic end times and you will see a complete mirroring of Christianity end times.
I'm not sure that Abraham's "lack of faith" brought about Islam. I believe that Satan will use anyone to deceive the world and it sure does seem like he is using their religion. Why else do millions of Muslims wan to wipe Israel off the face of the planet? What is so special about that small piece of land?

Meredith Indermaur

12/11/2015 05:01:58 am

The Samaritan was traveling from one city to another when he came upon the crime scene. The victim wasn't from the Samaritan's home town, which is an important point in the parable. Of course we need to help those in our own borders, and if the church were doing its job, we wouldn't have 1 in 5 children under age 3 living in poverty; yet we are also called to help ALL who need us. ALL. We don't get to pick and choose.

Anna

12/11/2015 01:15:04 pm

Oh Lori, your attitude makes me sad. We should feel compassion for those who live in our homeland, but not the same compassion for those who don't? I pray that God give you a sense or urgency to recognize your need to see people the way HE sees them. Because right now, you're kind of far away from that. Example: For God so loved the WORLD ( which means all ethnic groups, not just the special one you belong to in whatever country you live in) that he GAVE his only SON, so that whoever believes in Him would not die eternally, but have everlasting life. That word WORLD means yes, you have an obligation, as a child of God, to share God's love with all ethnic groups.

fran stanfirld

12/12/2015 03:29:02 am

Thank you.

Lori

12/12/2015 09:45:49 am

No reason to feel sad. I do love everyone. I have traveled into the slums across the globe. I open my home weekly and feed the bellys and souls of those that do not know Jesus. I have studied Islam and have experienced the deception first hand. So please do not waste any of your time feeling sorry for me and cheering on the so-called "under dogs" of the world. This is a spiritual battle we are in and until you are fully dressed in God's armor and ready for war than please stay tucked away safely at your local coffee shop talking about what Christians "should be doing". Get out of the way for those that are trying to save lives and have a burning sense of urgency. The King is coming very soon!

James H

12/11/2015 08:44:46 pm

The "Jesus" that is worshiped today isn't the Yeshua of 2000 years ago either. Constantine took Mitraism and wrapped it up in new clothing to quell unrest in the Roman Empire of the day. The teachings of Yeshua didn't survive his IMMEDIATE followers deaths before they were being perverted. Remember the Laws that Yeshua followed, NOT the Talmudic traditions that caused Him to expel the moneylenders from the Temple. Yeshua followed the Torah being the Word of YHVH as given to Moses and the other prophets

Mustafa Mohamedali link

12/13/2015 02:45:48 am

if a person does not believe the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jesus, is the same as his God, he CANNOT, by definition, profess to be a Muslim.

Syd Doyle link

12/9/2015 07:53:59 am

So can I look forward to 500 American Christians Caroling on the doors in Immigrant communities next December rather than the 150 ( Thank Allah for them), we had last week?

Jeff link

12/10/2015 12:02:16 pm

The problem, of course, isn't whether doing good is appropriate; this is a red herring. The issue is whether Christ's parable (which had as it's primary meaning a Christological story, per Augustine and others), can be twisted today to malform Christian consciences to act imprudently and against the common good in the hope of 'doing good'. (Merely having a good intention is hardly sufficient, and may in fact have as an end, evil).

Most recently this has been used against Christians who oppose open border policies which might encourage our enemies to murder, rape and enslave.

Scripture is a guide to knowing, loving and adoring God and neighbor, not a partisan weapon to subvert the common good. This is why we must always interpret it as it was understood by the apostles and their successors.

12/10/2015 09:40:42 pm

I think you might need to read that last paragraph again. We are not called to help only when its prudent, and welcoming/aiding refugees, even those who may be "enemies", is hardly "encouraging" them to commit evil. I don't think this modernization of the parable is the one doing the twisting here...

Jeff link

12/11/2015 10:44:46 am

Hi CJ. As I mentioned in my first post, the issue isn't whether helping others is good (or prudent)...this is just a way to distract from the primary issue, viz., whether what some propose (the mass importation of 'refugees'), is a) actually helping them (the wives and daughters they've left behind don't seem to think so), and b) whether to do this is consistent with other moral obligations, e.g., the common god.

This is the problem when people abuse scripture.

Adrian

12/10/2015 10:17:03 pm

Who is your enemy? We are called to love our enemies. When we love them, they are no longer our enemies. Jesus told us to welcome the stranger. He didn't say "under certain conditions."

fran stanfield

12/12/2015 03:32:48 am

Thank you. So many readers seem to be missing the point or in denial of the challenge of this story. No doubt Jesus' listeners gave this mixed reaction too.

Brian Considine link

12/10/2015 10:17:22 pm

"Scripture is a guide to knowing, loving and adoring God and neighbor, not a partisan weapon to subvert the common good." That seems to be the point of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The author didn't talk about borders in this post so your argument is the Red Herring. The fact is there are millions of Muslims already in this country. Many living outside the love of a Christian and the knowledge of the Gospel. Many living in as much fear of us as many Christians have of them. It if you're going to follow the Scriptural example found in that parable, then we need to answer the question "who is my neighbor" and be sure we are loving them as you suggest, even Muslims.

Jeff

12/11/2015 01:26:23 am

Best post and response I have read so far. Thank you for not picking and choosing which of Jesus' words to follow and leaving others out. Jesus didn't say "for God so loved America" he said the world. It's an Even scale across the board. I am blessed to be born in this country and love it but I am a follower of Jesus first.

Jeff link

12/11/2015 10:50:32 am

Brian,

You wrote, "That seems to be the point of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. "

Actually, the primary point of the allegory was a Christological argument about the relationship between Adam, Satan, man, Christ and the Church. This was taught as early as Origen and Iraneus. There is a full explanation here: http://sunesispress.com/2015/11/20/islamic-hijra-and-abuse-of-scripture-by-open-borders-advocates/

That doesn't preclude it being understood in the common, modern way, i.e., "we should help others regardless of race or religious difference", but this is why authentic exegesis is important, because it is so easy to interpret contrary to the essence of the teaching.

You wrote, "The author didn't talk about borders in this post so your argument is the Red Herring"

He didn't explicitly mention it, but the modified narrative with the Muslim as the victim, in the larger context of the use of this parable by some Christians to advocate an open borders policy re: the "refugees" is obvious. (At least it seems so to me and the others who have posted). Perhaps the author will clarify if I have misunderstood his implication.

Adrian

12/10/2015 10:20:22 pm

Not to mention, are we going to deny help to people who need it because we're afraid of what one bad person may do? Are we going to live in paralyzed fear? Are we the home of the brave or aren't we?

Kim Cooper

12/11/2015 09:30:31 pm

We aren't. We are the home of the cowards. Things have changed since we were a liberal country. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Personally, I hate that we are no longer a brave and ethical country. I would much rather we welcomed the stranger and dealt with each "bad guy" as an individual criminal, using our laws to decide guilt and punishment. This is not to say we let just anyone in, but we should be deciding on the individual record, not on their membership in a religion or ethnicity. But that's a classically liberal way of thinking and is going out of fashion -- along with bravery. The right wing has been preaching fear and cowardice for many years, and it has finally caught on with many Americans and many "Christians". I weep for our country.

fran stanfield

12/12/2015 03:35:07 am

Love is greater than fear.

Anna

12/11/2015 01:23:34 pm

And, actually, Jeff, this parable has a direct correlation in the way that Jews thought of Samaritans, and how the (average) American Christian thinks of any Muslim, terrorist, radicalized, or otherwise. So the parable is very, very applicable to today. Jesus knew that we would have a propensity to love those who love us...Matthew 5:43-47 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[q] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![r] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[s] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Jeff link

12/11/2015 02:10:22 pm

Hi Anna. Helping people is a wonderful thing. So help your neighbor. But do not advocate for public policy which would import a people who are historically hostile, who oppose the Constitution and desire to replace it with Sharia law, and who (as a majority), support violence against non-Muslims. This is not charity. Authentic charity would be to go to them, where they are, and call them to conversion. This would be authentic charity, for what would it profit them to gain residency in the US but spend eternity in hell?

As an alternative, support a missionary work that does these things, but don't confuse that with what is being actively advocated by Christians who've adopted radical leftist platitudes.

Cameron

12/11/2015 05:14:41 pm

I have to agree with Jeff
Jesus does not call us to have our enemies move next door, pay them with medical care for life, free education, subsidized housing etc. Then listen as they denounce our beliefs, remove our scriptures and enforce their own legal system.

DAVID

12/12/2015 04:49:53 am

Jeff, I think the generalization of all Muslims (a billion people which speak dozens of languages and come from dozens of countries) "a people who are historically hostile, who oppose the Constitution and desire to replace it with Sharia law, and who (as a majority), support violence against non-Muslims." is not proper. Yes, there are such, but those who are seeking to live in the West (especially the refugees I see in my work as a missionary in Bulgaria) are running away from those types of Muslims because that is NOT what the majority of them believe.

Sam

12/10/2015 10:46:50 pm

Beautiful Story. Every Chrisrian
Must definitely pause , think, and
Pray and ask God to help us apply
That in our own life.

adam

12/11/2015 12:16:41 am

you might want to learn about a thing called historical context. a samaritan and a jew are the same religion. just different towns and lineage.

Meredith Indermaur

12/11/2015 05:08:17 am

There's more to it than that. The Samaritans ascribed to only the five books of Moses and rejected the writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions. There are parallels for today's Christian and Muslim faiths, are there not?

Cameron

12/11/2015 05:16:42 pm

No, there are no real parallels here. You need to get educated on Islam and the dualistic nature of this satanic religion. It preaches peace on one hand while it holds the sword, literally made of metal, in the other.

Brian Considine link

12/11/2015 06:29:14 am

Adam, you do understand the reasons that Jesus choose the Samaritan for the person doing good, right? They were despised and avoided Jews as the "other." To see another example of a Samaritan that Jesus encountered see the Women at the Well (John 4). Samaritan and Jews were not only culturally different but their religious practices were different, not unlike Muslims and Christians.

Jeff link

12/11/2015 10:54:37 am

Meredith and Brian are correct; there was a wide cultural and religious difference between the Jews and the Samaritans. However, the chasm between Christians and Muslims is far greater today, because there is an active war by the latter against the former. It is a continuation of the call by Mohammed to dominate the world and enslave the non-Muslims. The modern age is a continuation of what was started in the 7th century, grew through the middle ages, and was waning until recently. There is no historical parallel with the Samaritans. Perhaps with the Egyptians or Babylonians.

Eightoften

12/11/2015 01:00:22 am

Nice try but Samaritans didn't rape and torture non Samaritans and swear by their god to kill everyone not like them in very horrible ways. This is a false comparison on so many levels. You clearly don't know Christ nor the spirit of what he was teaching. I agree that we must love everyone, but even Christ didn't spend time with Pharisees because he knew their potential for harm and the waste of time it would be to try and teach them. That whole not casting pearls before swine meme, did you conveniently forget that?

Brian Considine

12/11/2015 07:59:46 am

The vast majority of Muslims don't do so either so bearing false witness against others is most unChristlike. Your glaring ignorance of Scripture unfortunately leads to such a hateful rant and your ad hominem is also most unChristlike nor a valid argument. Sorry, it's obvious you don't agree that we must love everyone. You only want to love those like you, which is exactly one of the things that Jesus condemned the Pharisees for. Your post is not unlike the example of the Pharisee who beats his chest and thanks God he is not like others. Ironic that the name of this blog is Thoughtful Engagement and you offer this tripe.

Jeff link

12/11/2015 11:04:15 am

"EightOften" is right, of course and the ad hominem reply by Brian demonstrates what happens when a flawed hermeneutic is employed.

The first rule of charity is "do no harm". This rule helps to prevent the often predictable adverse outcome of good intentions unhinged from the virtue of wisdom.

This false dichotomy of "import the Muslim 'refugees'" or else you are not a true Christian, shows the moral bankruptcy of the argument.

The first question should be, "Are these truly refugees, or are they soldiers in a Hijrah?". The next question, assuming for a moment they are authentic refugees would be, "How can we best help them?" Those on the left presume that helping them means mass importation, but this has not been proven to be the proper way to help. Why not help them in place? Why does 'helping' mean financing the travel, feeding, housing and health care for all these young men? What about the wives and daughters they've left behind (as has been widely reported)? And if they are authentic refugees, why are only 2% Christians, when it is the Christians who are being slaughtered by ISIS, and they represent 10% of the population?

And finally, why is it considered 'good' to force someone else to pay for this? The Good Samaritan (who BTW is representative of Christ), personally aided the victim on the road and personally paid for his care at the hotel (which is symbolic of the Church). What those on the left today are advocating is that someone else do these things-someone else should pay for them and care for them. I know this because I work with real refugees-and Christians are the worst when it comes to actually doing something personally. It's always a duty they want to outsource to the government, or an NGO, or someone else-anyone but themselves.

DAVID

12/12/2015 05:08:57 am

Jeff, Let me comment again as someone on the ground and who has worked with refugees from Syria the last two years, but has also had many conversations with many muslims over more than two decades. The majority of those being killed by ISIS are NOT Christians. Yes, they are victims, but the ISIS extremists hate and attack Sunni muslims and Yazidi (a separate, ancient Persian religion linked to the "wisemen" who visited Jesus after his birth) as much as the Christians and due to the numbers, they are the preponderance of victims. Of the refugees I have seen more than two thirds are families! Those who are young men without families are running from forced inscription. Many who are married, but are without their families have not left them in Syria/Iraq, but rather in Turkey because they left together, but the "fees" the traffikers are demanding now are above their ability to pay. I have met many Christian Syrians, but most of them are nominal (cultural) Orthodox or Neophysitic Christians. As far as the debate in America about taking a (relatively) small number (20K?) of refugees out of the more than FOUR MILLION in the middle east and Europe, I think the discussion should not be "do we take them or not", but rather "what is our attitude toward them and whether that attitude would resemble Jesus' own".

Brian Considine link

12/16/2015 09:50:40 am

@JEFF - Sorry, brother, but "EightOften" is not right at all and doesn't understand demonstrate the love of Christ or love for others but very much a Pharisaical approach to the other who is culturally different. But more to the point I had made previously, your argument about helping Muslims somewhere else in the world is a logical fallacy since there are 3 million Muslims here who are legal residents of the USA, Washington DC is a US city, and the point of the blog does not mention Muslims elsewhere in the world. To your point about the Christological nature of the Story of the Good Samaritan, there is no reasonable basis to limit a teaching of Jesus to a parable about his nature in the context of this story as he listeners certainly would not have understand what he was talking about. Your point is another logical fallacy that is curious as to why you, as a professed follower of Christ, would not look to the life lesson that Jesus is teaching in this story to an "Expert in the Law." You might want to explore what's behind your xenophobia, as that is the clear lesson Jesus is addressing in this story. Shalom.

John

12/11/2015 01:03:02 am

I weep for all the "Christians" posting here who cannot see and cannot hear Christ's clear message of unconditional love. That message, of Christ loving even those who tortured Him on the cross, is the full content of our Christian religion. We are called to be as Christ-like as we can. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. If we have faith then we must trust in God. Our own limited calculations of "common good", or who our enemies are can never be trusted in the face of this clear commandment. We are fallible, each and every one of us. The real risk here is not that evil may occur, but that we lose our souls by turning away from Christ to follow our fears. If I am murdered tomorrow but treat all with love, then my place in Christ's Kingdom is assured. But if I save my life but in doing so turn away from love then I risk falling down Satan's rabbit hole of fear and hate.

Meredith Indermaur

12/11/2015 05:10:51 am

Amen. This is why our decision to follow Jesus is not to be made lightly or flippantly. This is why we are told to "count the cost." It is not an easy, politically correct road.

Swjenn

12/11/2015 05:35:17 am

Exactly. Those who fear that helping a stranger will somehow threaten them have a weak and paltry faith. This is what we are told, the He gives us life so that we need not be fearful and go bravely into the world and love as he did. To repudiate that gift by refusing to act as if we were given this eternal life is a slap in the face to God.

Jennifer

12/12/2015 03:57:49 am

SWJenn, I agree that as Christians we are to go forth and help people. But I disagree with saying that people who fear a viable threat have a weak or paltry faith. A person new to the faith, or even an "older" Christian may struggle with fear and be hesitant to move forward to help. But if they seek God's face and His teaching and strength, I don't consider that weak. Jesus did say we should not fear, as the sparrows are provided all they need, so we will be, also. That's a HARD lesson to let sink in and live 24/7/365. It's a walk, with some small steps, and some larger ones. We all falter and balk at times. It's called being a human being. Please don't diminish someone's struggles by saying their faith is weak. I believe God honors my pitiful attempts at obedience and forgives me when I fail. Encourage, lift up, teach, and love one another. I do ask you to please know where this admonishment comes from. My mother was very sick towards the end of her life and a "Christian" friend told her if she had enough faith she wouldn't be sick. This may have been a knee-jerk reaction, but blanket judgements are hard for me to accept sometimes.

Nathan

12/11/2015 08:17:57 am

My prayer for all is this: give us your eyes Lord, that we may see things as You see, for when our hearts are connected to You, the veil is removed and we begin to understand what it means to be a follower of yours. For You have said many are called, but few are chosen. I pray that those who love You will hear Your words well done good and faithful servants.

Natasha

12/11/2015 10:42:14 am

I think if you read this and then decide to start arguing about Muslims and Christians then you need to read this story again. And then read it agin after that.

Ali Khadivi

12/11/2015 10:47:04 am

That'll preach! Racism and judgmentalism are two sides of the same coin! Just like repentance and faith.

Dan

12/11/2015 11:55:51 am

When Jesus died on the cross He said forgive them for know not what they do.He did not say forgive only the Christians.
Jesus came to save the world not condemn it.

Dan link

12/11/2015 03:05:51 pm

Dan, Our Lord here wasn't referring to the Jewish leadership, who DID know who He was and DID know what they were doing, but rather, for the Romans, who were crucifying Him, who had no reason to know who He was, and therefore are not guilty of the Deicide of the Sanhedrin.

Equally important, although Our Lord heroically begged for the Romans to be forgiven, but this doesn't preclude that first, necessary step for forgiveness; repentance. Whether those who participated were later aware of what they had done and had the opportunity to repent, we do not know. (Although of course there are legends about the conversions both of Pilate and Longinus.)

As it regards condemnation, Our Lord does not condemn, we do, through our sins. He saves, but only for those who conform themselves to Him.

Tim link

12/11/2015 12:03:27 pm

Interesting to note that April Kelsey wrote the Parable of the Good Muslim (taking the injured person to the doctor and paying the bills) two years ago. http://revolfaith.com/2013/02/13/the-parable-of-the-good-muslim/ . Great minds thinking alike?

Kathleen S Ellison link

12/11/2015 03:59:02 pm

I don't think that anyone who has had prolonged contact with Muslims in our country will deny that there are good, friendly, peace-loving Muslims. That's not the point. We can help the refugees in many ways without letting thousands of them come into this country during this time of war. Do not think that there is not a war being waged by radical Islam against anyone not Muslim, especially Christians and Jews. They have no problem killing other Muslims who are of a different sect, and killing Christians and Jews is what they're duty-bound to do! It would be naive to think that these radicals will not infiltrate the refugees. We need to be smart and not operate on emotions alone. Just look at the Old Testament where the Lord wanted to keep the Children of Israel separate from the pagan nations. They were even ordered to slaughter the pagan people. The Lord did not want His people to mix with the pagan world. I am not implying that the Lord is telling us to do the same. But there are times when it's ok to be prudent and discerning, and yet not" walk by on the other side of the road." We can support the refugees by sending food, supplies, and by helping to put an end to those radicals who created the conflict and terrorism that lead them to flee their country. It appears that the rest of the world is ready to deal with the terrorists, even Russia is committed to do so. It's time that we unite with them and with God's help, put an end to this evil.

Ray

12/11/2015 03:59:35 pm

From GotQuestions.org: "The Samaritans occupied the country formerly belonging to the tribe of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The capital of the country was Samaria, formerly a large and splendid city. When the ten tribes were carried away into captivity to Assyria, the king of Assyria sent people from Cutha, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to inhabit Samaria (2 Kings 17:24; Ezra 4:2-11). These foreigners intermarried with the Israelite population that was still in and around Samaria. These “Samaritans” at first worshipped the idols of their own nations, but being troubled with lions, they supposed it was because they had not honored the God of that territory. A Jewish priest was therefore sent to them from Assyria to instruct them in the Jewish religion. They were instructed from the books of Moses, but still retained many of their idolatrous customs. The Samaritans embraced a religion that was a mixture of Judaism and idolatry (2 Kings 17:26-28). Because the Israelite inhabitants of Samaria had intermarried with the foreigners and adopted their idolatrous religion, Samaritans were generally considered “half-breeds” and were universally despised by the Jews.'

Peter Johnson

12/11/2015 06:05:54 pm

Another group also ignored the injured person. They were too busy arguing about the requirements for salvation to be of any use to anyone. They argued endlessly.

Kelly

12/12/2015 12:50:54 am

Yes!! Exactly!!!!

Tami Hooker

12/11/2015 06:25:24 pm

I have actually preached "The Good Muslim" in the past- but I didn't do it the justice this work does. I retitled it The Good Muslim to show how Jews felt about Samaritans and what Jesus thought of that. And hopefully to convince the listeners to think about what Jesus would think of our feelings toward those of other faiths. Thank you! This is beautiful.

Phillip Fletcher

12/12/2015 10:20:50 pm

Thank you Tami

Sandra

12/11/2015 07:50:59 pm

We can help others including Muslims in lots of ways which don't put our country and the lives of innocent people, at risk...in the old testament God did not want His people mingling, marrying evil countries....lots of lessons in the bible!!!

Brandx

12/11/2015 07:55:19 pm

http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-woman-who-was-raised-muslim-just-dropped-truth-bomb-about-islam-every-lib-must-see/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=PostSideSharingButtons&utm_content=2015-12-09&utm_campaign=websitesharingbuttons

Eric Brooks

12/11/2015 08:57:39 pm

It is amazing how quickly the comments degenerated into "they/we believe/don't believe the same things" and completely missed the point of BOTH tellings of the parable. Lord Jesus, have mercy on your church in North America. Forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.

Jim

12/11/2015 09:08:15 pm

Very well done. However, it would be better if proofread and edited for clarity/wording. Thank you for posting!

Gavin James Campbell

12/11/2015 11:34:14 pm

Expresses something I have thought for a long time.

I started thinking this when I was walking by a Tim Horton's and I saw a Muslim guy out of his car and leave it still running in order to give alms to a homeless guy in the parking lot. "Even the Muslims can be righteous, too," I thought.

Ian Chai link

12/11/2015 11:53:22 pm

This brought tears to my eyes.

Siddhi

12/11/2015 11:56:24 pm

Why write something like missionary from India!! If you have to write Hindus, Buddhist..you should write it, just like you wrote Christian from America and the Good Muslim!!

God doesn't differentiate among neighbours, he would treat them equally, with love

Izza

12/13/2015 12:15:25 pm

Because he was talking about Christian missionaries who had been to India.

Gtminc

12/11/2015 11:57:24 pm

I thank everyone for sharing about this one the key to it all is to see where things are the same rather than where they are different a child of God by any name is the same. We all help According to our own understanding of what help is. Some people fully understand what it means when God says without you there is know me! GTM Inc there are times when we need to leave people where there are so they might call God and gather their own evidence of the power.

Ann E.

12/12/2015 12:19:39 am

We are commanded 365 times in the Bible to "fear not" or "be not afraid." A year's worth. Coincidence? I think not.

Jeanne

12/12/2015 03:04:09 am

If you read Bible carefully, You will find Samaritans also believed a somewhat different God, just like us and Muslims.

Cora

12/12/2015 03:12:25 am

Sorry , a Muslim will never do this , in the best case he will cut his head

Zsuzsanna Gál

12/12/2015 04:53:24 am

Of course they would. ANY of my Muslim friends would do it and actually faster, than most of the so called Christians I know... And I am Christian and YES I CAN trust my Muslim friends.

DAVID

12/12/2015 05:18:21 am

Actually, "charity" or good deeds are one of the major pillars of Islam. So much so that many "receiving" aide don't feel "thankful" because their need gives the other person a chance to "earn points" with Allah. I know many Muslims that are sensitive to those in poverty and want to help.

Oracle Sage

12/12/2015 03:54:31 am

Were the carjackers Christians?

Truth

12/12/2015 04:44:22 am

A great reminder not to judge but to love SACRIFICIALLY!

I need to say ALLAH is NOT Yahweh and its easy to prove in the Quran he is described as "Khayrul-Makereen" - "Allah is the Greatest of all deceivers"..this theme is repeated throughout

Who is the greatest deceiver? Who is at war with mankind as we are created in Gods imagine and seeks the destruction of mankind? Any fallen angels spring to mind?

Baboi george link

12/12/2015 04:56:00 am

\\o// Respect for fellow human-being means ... "Loving God and all his creation"--- All faith teaches this doctrine !!

Diana

12/12/2015 06:34:53 am

For those commenting that Muslims don't worship our God because they don"t believe Jesus is the Son of God, then the same holds true of those of the Jewish faith as well.

Tomas

12/12/2015 07:56:45 am

Interesting twist.

However, none of the pro life people or missionaries that I know would have ever walked by leaving the man unconscious. The premise itself is flawed. A true believer in Christ would not leave a beaten and dying person in the parking lot to just slowly perish.

If this story were more accurate then the pro life people and missionaries would have taken care of him and gotten him help. The truth has to be skewed to make the point in this story.

It seems to me that the actual point in this retelling of the good Samaritan story is to put guilt upon those who would have actually helped in the first place. Nothing new to see there. More condemnation upon good folks simply because they are Christian Americans. The very ones who do the vast majority of benevolence giving and helping of others in the world today.

Unfortunately it has become far to typical and predictable.

Sandy

12/12/2015 11:22:08 pm

But wasn't one of the people who past by in the Biblical parable a priest? One would think he would not have past by either.
I think the point is that in light of "today" and what some are saying about Muslims, is that they would be the last to love a person not Muslim. And hoe perhaps those we would think would help,. perhaps would not. We don't know. A good thought for today anyway. Sadly there are Christian extremist who would kill homosexuals and murder abortionists.
I am a Christian and I don't see it as condemnation. But I would hope make some Christians to think who are negative about Muslims and the whole refugee situation.
Just my take on it...but I respect yours :)

Michael

12/12/2015 08:12:17 am

There is a reason why the Scriptures warn of extreme penalties for modifying the word of God. A most condescending misinterpretation of the parable of the Good Samaritan. A parable you are clearly unqualified to utter.

Ken link

12/12/2015 08:27:33 am

Saying we are serving and worshipping the same God as the Muslims because we both address the one we follow as God is like saying that I am the same person as my neighbour who is also named Ken. We are called by the same name, we know some of the same people, but we are definitely two different individuals. The god of the Muslims is definitely not the God of the Christians. Their characteristics are different, and they require different, sometimes opposite things from their followers.

Frank E Holmes

12/12/2015 09:19:37 am

Ah yes but the good Muslim, the good Sikh the good Hindu to inherit life must have turned to Christ for there is no other name given under heaven given by which they can be saved.

Abimbola

12/12/2015 09:42:11 am

Read Qur'an 285 surah Al baqarah..The Muhamed believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord,and(so do)the believers.each one believes in Allah,His Angels,His books,and His Messagers,(They say),""We make no distinction between one another of His Messagers""""and they say,We hear, and we obey.(We seek) Your Forgiveness,our Lord,and to you is the return (of all) .

Victor

12/12/2015 09:58:59 am

Muslims have nothing good to offer to the world except sword to those who don't subscribe to their believe . It was really amazing to see and read this kind of write-up about muslims who are infact responsible for committing genocide in the name of allah and causing mass exodus of their own people (muslims and others) 4m Syria and Iraq seeking refuge in Christian country . have not the Christians done enough for you ? You still have the audacity to chip in your brazen claim about being messenger of peace and weave yourself into the parable spoken by JESUS . where is the end of your hypocrisy ?

Roger Crassi

12/12/2015 10:01:40 am

When GOD provided the ram for Abraham's sacrifice in place of his son, HIS words to Abraham were also spoken prophetically of God the Son whom the Father would provide for the sins of all mankind; every nation, tribe, language...unto ALL mankind, for "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16" God has not excluded the Muslims of this world. Jesus died to save them, too! All they need to do is "confess that Jesus is LORD" and "believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead."

Nice Try

12/12/2015 10:17:58 am

The main problem with this laughably stupid, unscriptural parable is the fact the Samaritans were not bloodthirsty pedophiles bent on establishing a world-wide caliphate. The Samaritans did not follow a religion that teaches murder, slavery, or rape. The Samaritans did not believe that Jews, Christians, or Idolaters should be brutally tyrannized or crucified.
Christ condemned the Pharisees for behavior not even a 1/10th as evil as the repulsive things Muslims believe and practice every day. The Islamic treatment of children alone, the abuse, the rape, the slavery, would earn their entire repugnant community a one-way trip to the bottom of the ocean with stones chained around their perverted necks.
Whoever wrote this mess of stupidity is intensely ignorant of history, Islam, and Christianity, and should be the first person to receive the "neighborliness" of Islam.

Concerned

12/12/2015 02:58:34 pm

He who is without sin can cast the first stone.

David Brayton

12/12/2015 05:45:01 pm

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Pete

12/12/2015 10:36:55 am

Seems a little simplistic to make a like for like comparison to Jesus' parable here. There are many Muslims who are decent people. The larger issue is whether it is a good thing to import large numbers of another culture and religion and expect it to work out. Ideas are powerful, assuming friendliness and charity will tame the ideology of Islam is naïve at best. Look at Islamic countries. Look at European countries with large populations of Muslims. Islam is an ideology that strives to dominate by violence and intimidation, this is evidenced in all cases where Islam is supported by significant numbers of a population.

Nasim

12/12/2015 01:11:00 pm

All religions of the world preach Peace Love Mercy to all brethren All Scriptures talk of ONe GOD ? Does this make sense to consider of all humanity bowing to One God for their Supplication ? Would this concept be simple to accept the fact & Truth & Move on towards peaceful life for all the generations to come

Warren Hicks

12/12/2015 03:03:38 pm

Whist agreeing with the basic philosophy of this one must not forget that the parable was told to a Lawyer who was out to test Jesus on the question 'How good do you have to be to get to heaven" the parable indicated that since there is no-one who could be as good as the Samaritan we can only get to heaven by God's grace.

Nancy

12/12/2015 03:25:36 pm

So what would happen if we plugged ISIS into the equation instead of Muslim?

eddie

12/12/2015 03:37:02 pm

Why bring gods and race and everything else that are different among us . We are humans and have brains . Use it

Anthony

12/12/2015 05:06:10 pm

This banter is exactly what would have happened among the audience of Jesus telling the original parable.

Chris Holt

12/12/2015 05:52:56 pm

Hi you are all children of god why bicker and want to be the favourite

Michael McLain

12/12/2015 06:10:36 pm

There is a lot of "taking apart" going on here. I for one just want to say that you did a great job on this and that it means what it says. Any attempt to over-analyze any metaphor, illustration or parable destroys it's original intent. "Go and do likewise" is all we need to hear from this. Less talking more doing.

Phillip Gosper

12/12/2015 08:38:45 pm

Romans 13:1-6 NIV

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Sandy

12/12/2015 11:12:27 pm

I think some people are missing the point of this story. Basically we are to love our neighbor no matter who we are. And love is an action!
Don't get caught up in the "political Correctness" of the story:)

rodney

12/12/2015 11:16:49 pm

Why don't you just use a satanist or a Wiccan or a Buddhist. Allah was an Arab moon god. Satan helped Muhammad write that evil book.

Leisa

12/12/2015 11:48:13 pm

All this banter and disagreement....isn't that enough said. Give some of these commentators a weapon and look out. No religion is the superior religion. Take the 'mysticism' and 'symbolism' out of all religion and you have humans attempting to make sense of the world. We need to look back at the ancient indigenous creation myths and stories before making judgement on anyone. Where do ancient indigenous cultures fit in this banter? European man and his imperial attitude and beliefs desecrated these sophisticated cultures.

Leslie

12/13/2015 12:29:22 am

This isn't really about loving a stranger, it's about being unable to be fully righteous before God, and being in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, Every parable is really a salvation story reaching out to those who have ears to hear.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXmKQ52ByUM

Neil Stipp

12/13/2015 02:24:27 am

Who wrote this ridiculous story? One Phillip Fletcher? Why are you putting Christians in a bad light and Muslims in a good light? It is the Muslims who kill, terrorize, and behead Christians because they don't believe or think the way a Muslim does. Christians have shown to be the current peace-loving people. Muslims have been the ones to terrorize. Yes, the religious left always get it wrong. Get out of your bubble and see the real world and what is going on.

Leisa

12/13/2015 02:47:02 am

Has no one heard of the Christian Crusades and more recently the Bosnian-Serbian war and ethnic cleansing of the early 1990s?

Vinieux

12/14/2015 04:23:34 am

Why do these current peace-loving Christians sell weapons and arms to these godless war-mongers and escalate an already out of hand situation which they are partially responsible for? Got an answer for that?

Kenaniah

12/13/2015 04:28:15 am

There is point to the "Good Samaritan" story, that the author of this...piece is twisting the meaning of that story, either on purpose, or he is a blatant ignorant to the context in which Jesus spoke those words. Both the priest and Levite were heading to the Temple, so touching a bloodied corpse (for all they knew) would have rendered them ritually unclean, thus unable to perform their duties in the Temple. Both were bound by a ritual law given by God. That story would no longer be relevant today (in the way Jesus said) because we are no longer bound by a ritual law, so we'd not have to make the choices the Priest and Levite had to make. So the pro-lifers and the missionaries had no excuse for helping.

PS: In His story Jesus makes no reference to the Samaritan's religions affiliation, whereas the the whole point of the guy's retelling rests on the fact that those groups have Christian values.

Abdi Gabit

12/13/2015 04:36:18 am

My fellow American who claimed Muslims believe the moon god, here is the GOD we Muslims believe according to...well GOD himself.

"Say(When Muhammad was asked about who GOD is);

He, Allah, is One.
Allah is He on Whom all depend.
He begets not, nor is He begotten;
And none is like Him" Chapter 112 of Quran(Muslim Scripture)

Do you still think HE is the moon god?

Chris VA

12/13/2015 06:20:27 am

This post lacks creativity. A pro-life group "passes them by"? Ok. Here's the deal: Muslims have a 1,400 year history of persecuting Christians and others. Want to live as a Christian in a Muslim country?
Go to Open Doors USA and see what it's like: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/

presterjohn

12/13/2015 06:31:16 am

How you have managed to live as long as you have without understanding what a parable is stuns me. Ignorance like hate is obviously something you were brought up with. I wonder what religion you follow because it clearly is not Christianity.

presterjohn

12/13/2015 06:27:54 am

I find it hysterical how so many so called Christians refuse to accept this parable or its teachings because a Muslim features as the person closer to God in it. It tells you all you need to know about how far away they truly are from the teachings of the Bible and how truly unchristian they actually are. All you who have posted comments like Allah is not God or this is a straw man argument or even the comical Islam was not around then (as if that matters in a parable) You all need to actually read the book so many of you would happily kill others over or change your priest/pastor to one who can actually teach what the books say and not what right wing bigotry he happens to believe himself.

Doc

12/13/2015 08:29:18 am

1. In the parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats (Judgement Day) we are judged individually, not by national policy. 2. If you want to invite the people who beat and robbed the man into your home, don't forget to pack heat

Spencer Kasten

12/13/2015 09:21:14 am

What is the perspective from (The House of War )&(The House of Islam ) fit in?

Nathaniel

12/13/2015 10:12:32 am

I think the article suffers from a fundamental category error. We must not overlook or minimize the fact that the word Samaritan refers to a genetic people group. Their genetics was beyond their control. The word Muslim refers to people who voluntarily hold to a particular global ideology. It's like trying to compare Irish people to Rotarians, or comparing people of any religious persuasion to being Scottish. An invalid comparison leads to all manner of confusion. Obviously, we should love all people--whether they are Irish or members of Rotary Club--but that does not mean both terms are equally valid for insertion into the role of Samaritan in the parable. Maybe it would help illustrate my point if we replace the word Samaritan with the word Nazi. Are the phrases, "Now, a certain German," and "Now, a certain Nazi" equally valid for replacement in the parable?

Lisa

12/13/2015 12:06:59 pm

Great critique and well spoken. Actually any person from any group, depised and demeaned would work here, be they the KKK, Nazi, or Jihadist all extremist groups from the greater sub group of Christian or Muslim. Yet, I would not equate an extremist from the KKK as a Christian even though many of them identify with the Bible. I heard one KKK member, and devout Christian claim the Bible was misinterpreted and that Jesus did not say on the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do", but "Father forgive them not for they know that they do." Extremist Muslims jihadist who similarly use the Quran to justify their hate and misinterpretations are similar to those of the KKK who for centuries used their biblical interpretations to enslave, kill and marginalize others. And to all of these misguided souls I would seek to extend forgiveness. It may be a stretch to find good jihadist (who consider themselves devout Muslims), but it is not a stretch to find Muslims. It is also a similar stretch to find good KKK's (who consider themselves devout Christians) but it is not a stretch to find a good Christian.

Lisa

12/13/2015 12:16:42 pm

It is not a stretch to find good Muslims I live and work around many beautiful souls who embrace the Muslim religion and I call many of them friend.

Pottergreen

12/13/2015 10:16:16 am

The parable does not tell us how to respond if the Samaritan attacks civilians using a worldwide terror network supported by national governments whose objectives are widely supported by a majority of Samaritans. I suppose there is a version that could feature...say... an apostate, woman or a homosexual pedophile for other areas of the world but as we all know the problem is with Christians in advanced economies.

Nathaniel

12/13/2015 10:38:26 am

Love this comment, but I think you meant to say that the wounded traveler was a member of a group which attacks civilians using a worldwide terror network.

Nathanel

12/13/2015 10:40:33 am

Never mind, my mistake. I got confused for a moment. On the other hand, Jesus did say, "a certain" Samaritan, suggesting that things should be approached on a case-by-case basis.

Pottergreen

12/13/2015 11:42:20 am

We are to identify our neighbour by their actions, so the parable goes; Jesus choose to identify a religious affiliation rather than name the person. Do we conclude that all Samaritans are neighbours from this parable? The OP seems anxious to interpret it this way. I tend to think "love your enemies" implies we identify our enemies as such; they are still a threat to you, they remain your enemy. Do we permit an enemy to kill our neighbours? If we do not defend our neighbour, are we no better than the "Christian American" (the BAD GUY) in this sophomoric re-telling of the parable?

lisa

12/13/2015 11:48:15 am

This is such a beautiful wise and timely analogy. The author of this adaption to our modern situation is wise beyond words. Thank you. To the many critics of this article, I implore you to take a moment set aside bias, fear and any other impediment and really just see this story in the context of God's redeeming love. We are all God's children, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, Agnostic... ALL... Jesus did not come to redeem the saved, he came to redeem the lost. If we truly believe our Muslim brothers and sisters are in darkness, we must be the light of love, grace and mercy that transforms them. We must not allow fear to win over perfect love grounded in the blessed assurance and hope we have in Jesus. Even the Jews who rejected and even crucified Jesus were and are a part of the hope of salvation and purpose of redemption, for while we ALL were yet sinners, Christ came and died. The beauty of the gospel is not to exclude, demean or malign others, to the contrary. ""For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." —John 3:17. We have a duty and divine mission to let the love of Christ not only change us but to allow that love to be felt and known by those who do not now know it. I pray we all will continue to be transformed by the love of God and be the light of love that this world so desperately needs.

Martin Dyer

12/13/2015 02:00:28 pm

Very good indeed - thank you for this

Rhana True

12/13/2015 02:09:28 pm

Hersh, my husband said, "A made up story, doesn't necessarily reflect reality. Any group's name could be substituted in to support a writer's belief system." I, for one, cannot imagine passing someone lying on the road. Once again, we are on opposite poles! :)

C.M. Phillips

12/13/2015 03:05:44 pm

Incredibly lame to take a Christian Bible story, insert a Muslim and pretend it is profound.

Here is a story about a conservative Doctor and a liberal Psychiatrist on the road to Samaria.

They find a man beaten, burned and stabbed - holding on to life by a thread.

The Doctor begins immediately to tend his wounds - tearing off his shirt to make a bandage.

The Psychiatrist starts to walk away.

The Doctor says, "Where are you going? We need to help this man!"

The Psychiatrists says, "I am going to find the man who did this... He needs help."

Nena

12/13/2015 06:05:31 pm

Dont forget that the original story is a answer to a question 'what must I DO to inherit the kingdom?' Me personally who call myself a christian. Not what must the samaritan believe. Not what must the priests do. The answer is simple: when you see the need - help! And do it sacrificially. Do not ask who is the reciever and what does he believe. Yes, he might never 'convert'. But, in helping you will be doing God's will and you will be saved. You, the christian who already believes in Jesus. Not to mention that one act of kindness is greater than a thousand sermons to the reciever.

Abdi Tabit

12/13/2015 08:14:36 pm

I am American Muslim now living in the Middle East and I have a message for my fellow Americans... No not to THE extremists - There is no point with them - If it wasn't for the rule of law, they probably would have attempted to kill others starting with the Muslims (currently hated) first and then the Sikhs, Hindus and .... Finally the Jews just like in the past. To me No difference between extremists whether ISIS or the extremist Buddhist monks in Burma that have been killing the minority Muslims for years now or Hindu extremists killing a Muslim because he slaughtered a cow😦.
So I want to direct this message to those that are perhaps just mis-informed by this massive misinformation about Islam and Muslims that the world has been subjected to.
---
Some of my neighbors here are Christians and some are Hindu while most (rest) of us are Muslims. No one seems to care of what their religions are. Honestly, many of us actually appreciate these differences! It is like little small melting pot and we really love it. I have never heard of anyone directing hatred (shameful word) toward them. So Muslims just like everyone else got financial or family problems to address in addition to dictatorship or wars that they don't really care of what others are worshiping.

I THANK ALLAH that when I think of Christians, I do not think of:

1. The Christians that invaded Iraq on a FALSE premise and killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims and destroyed whatever balance of power that existed in this part of the world and created such a cults like ISIS of which intentionally is being associated with main stream Islam and Muslims
Or
2. The Christians that keeps invading nations or using drones to kill families where young 5-6 year old children can't sleep at nights due to fear from these drones.

3. The Christians that started WWI and WWII and now dragging us to WWIII from what I can see...
4. The Christians that killed millions of Jews or the ones that want to-gather the JEWS to the "promised land" just so they can be converted or perhaps worsened...
5. The Christian neighbor that treated me badly and called me and my kids names where I had to call the police....

Contrary when I think of a Christian, I choose to think of:

1. Dr. Mark who delivered me while he was on a missionary trip.

2. My friends in Olympia and in other cities across the States who wish me happy EID during my holidays

When I think of a Christian, I think of Wendy Taylor or Phillip Fletcher or all the other Interfaith members who live by the message of Christ
or Moses or Muhammad where peace is not just encouraged, it is
demanded!

GOD gave us all free will unlike all the other creations...

So my fellow American at the end of the day, you have two choices: think of ISIS every time you think of a Muslim or think of billion + Muslims who are peaceful or go meet a Muslim next door or the ones in the closest Mosque which will be attended 5 times a day for prayer.

Always know that you can either choose to be part of the SOLUTION by choosing to think positively of others like I do or be part of the PROBLEM by choosing to think negatively of others like you have been doing. Whatever choice you make though, just let it be your own and not one directed by others whether it is the mainstream media Or a right wing or KKK affiliated groups.

Choose wisely for you or worse your children will have to live with the consequences of your decisions

bryan

12/13/2015 09:00:35 pm

How to read the words of Jesus;

http://escapetoreality.org/2013/11/19/how-to-read-jesus/

Tim W. Callaway

12/14/2015 12:35:54 am

And they all, in one accord, and in keeping with the true North American religion - rationalization - began to make excuses, and dug relevancies, and comfort themselves into believing that the poignant parable did not apply to them. Selah.

Sam

12/14/2015 01:50:31 am

It comes across a made up story to make us believe muslims can be good people and there are good people in every group. In true life I don't believe any of those in the story would have driven past an injured person laying by the road. Eternal life (if they mean Heaven) should have been left out because all our works don't get us there, if they could, Christ died for nothing.

Cheryl

12/14/2015 08:40:41 am

I think that it would be more culturally relevant in today's world to have the Muslim be the victim here and the Christian be the one who acts as Jesus would. Makes more sense to me at least. Because in this version, it backhandly claims that all Muslims are 'bad' and that a 'good' (ie kind, compassionate Muslim) is a really rare thing. I think confronting a Christian who has biases against the Muslim (or LGBQT person), whether conscious or unconscious, with a dilemma such as saving the life of someone he vehemently disagrees with (or hates, in some cases) is an excellent 'update' to the biblical version...

Jared

12/14/2015 11:55:22 am

Unfortunately, the original parable wasn't intended to teach a moral lesson. It was to bring judgment upon the person asking the question. No matter how "good" the Samaratin (or Muslim or Christian) is, they cannot be good enough to inherit eternal life. That was the original point, Jesus was showing the man that he had indeed NOT kept the law from his youth.
John MacArthur has a good series on the parables. If you are truely interested, you would benefit from checking them out.

Jon

12/14/2015 04:14:33 pm

I pray a simple prayer all the time, when I'm worried, when I'm scared (rarely) when I'm stressed; Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. I believe in him. I know him. He knows me.

Tim

12/14/2015 07:32:45 pm

So much for that nonsense Jesus once prayed about "...that they all may be one." Our responses sure showed him what he can do with that malarkey!!!!

Ruth Andrieux

12/14/2015 08:49:58 pm

This is So unbiblical. The New Testament was not written at the time when Jesus spoke these words. The answer, which was given to the young ruler, was that he should keep the Commandments. The Ten Commandments are a summary of Jesus character: if we love Jesus, we keep HIs commandments: John 14 verse 15.

Victor J

12/15/2015 04:36:56 am

This post has generated so much reaction from so many different quarters, that I believe the true essence of the parable was lost when the arguments were degraded to religiousness! Act as Christ would act!! That is the duty of every Christian!! Leave religious bigotry out of Christianity. As Christ himself said. Not all who call upon me will be saved! For he is likely to say, 'I know ye not!' It is by grace ye are saved, not by works! But the one who is Christ-like needs no prompting to do good. It becomes natural!!!

gary

12/15/2015 11:59:23 am

Good to hear this

Todd

12/17/2015 09:20:14 am

Umm, yeah sure, let us all become Christian Missionaries and go to these Muslim lands, preach our values . . . express train to heaven, while the radicals take over the world . . . no thanks . . . let the peaceful Muslims rise up with their love to change their hating brethren, but they are not so we must kill, or be killed

Brian Considine

12/17/2015 03:30:16 pm

Todd, let me help you to find Jesus because your post demonstrates that you don't really know his or his Word. I will pray for you to know his love and his ways. Repent of such hate and fear and come to the knowledge of his redeeming grace for all people, including you.

Ginny Bain Allen link

12/17/2015 10:35:42 am

Jesus' first words spoken in his public ministry were, "Repent and believe."

Ben

12/20/2015 11:57:29 pm

Clearly she knows nothing of the true nature of Islam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlNVfIuObS8&sns=fb

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