The Islam religion began some 600 years after Christ when Muhammad proclaimed himself a prophet of Allah. Since that time Islam has become a way of life for one-fifth of the world's population.

The same god?

Islam and Christianity have one thing in common that other major religions do not have. Both teach that God wants their message spread to all people. The result has been controversy and clashes between Islam and Christianity.

Today, many are working to do away with this ancient animosity. Governments and religious institutions are attempting to foster mutual tolerance and a healing of relations. In May, Samuel R. Berger, assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, said before the American Muslim Council, "Our relationship with the Islamic community is vital to almost everything we are trying to do. . . . The President has made a conscious effort to dispel the old stereotypes of Islam."

In the official view of the Roman Catholic Church, the Islam religion is acceptable. "The plan of God's salvation includes those who acknowledge the Creator, and in the first place among them the Muslims" (2nd Vatican Council, L.G. 16).

Even in Malawi, Africa, where I live, both government and the general public make the same comment, "We all worship the same god."

But do we worship the same God?

Different God

Islam is an attractive religion. Its followers have a strong sense of belonging and clear direction for every aspect of life. Joining this community is simple. A person must say one short sentence in Arabic--"Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammadun rasulu'Llah" ("I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his Apostle")--and he is a bona fide Muslim. He should follow that with praying five times a day, giving 2.5 percent of his income to the poor, fasting during Ramadan, and making a trip to Mecca. If he doesn't do these things, he will simply spend a bit more time in hell before going to paradise.

Islamic teaching contains many regulations. Some are foreign to us such as forbidding playing chess, eating pork, or drinking alcohol. But Islam's core message is that if a person does good things, he will be rewarded with paradise.

Our God is different. He demands much more than five prayers a day and 2.5 percent of our income to the poor. He demands perfect obedience every minute of every day. The one who fails will go to hell, permanently. However, if a person has Christ, he is freed from judgment. Christ's life and death has redeemed him from any punishment in hell and awarded him a pass into heaven.

God has saved people in spite of their evil hearts. The Bible makes it clear that the reward of paradise is a gift of God that cannot be won--even by 50 prayers a day.