The First Sin (The Cow vs 34-39 and Book 20:112-125)

[jadenson]

This corresponding section of the Bible lays out the primary need and provision for salvation, that which is of first importance to Christians. The Koran tells a very different story, for all that the summary seems similar. “The devil is in the details,” they say, and in this case that is pretty nearly literal.

Comments

[nathanomir]

Judaism is very similar to Christianity in this aspect (if none other) -- both see the need for a Messiah. We simply see him as already come, and they don't. Yet. But as far as I know, no other religion recognizes man as needing help in doing good.

[jadenson]

Looking at it from the perspective of those who believe Christianity is the truth, it is interesting to note that God-given religions claim that God is needed for salvation, while man-made religions claim that man can do it himself. In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that this may be the Great Difference, the one that we should all memorize and consider.

Islam appears to recognize a need for Allah's aid in doing good, but it is through knowledge and direction. They have repentance, but nothing so 'God-only' as the Jewish and Christian forgiveness.

I suspect that the Jews are not looking for a Messiah to die for their sins. I suspect they are still looking for the military leader to bring them to full physical-world victory. Still, even though they no longer bring sacrifices to temples, they have a very real system of asking God's forgiveness for their sins.

[pyro_ike]

The "series of prophets" bit seems pretty out-of-place, but I suppose that's to be expected when you write the origin story after the prophet has arrived (Or was this part already written by Mohammed when he introduced the religion? In which case, it's "when you're trying to foreshadow your own arrival"). Either way, it seems weird for God to say "I'm going to inspire some people to tell you more of my wisdom here and there down the line", rather than just doing it; also because there are only two people in existence, so how can they know what a prophet is? It reveals a plan to have a lot more people, which will only occur after Adam and Eve have died, resulting in A)giving them unnecessary knowledge of the far future, and B)breaking the fourth wall of the story. Even if it's an allegory, at very least the characters should act as though the story is a current happening!

The emphasis on divinely revealed wisdom is interesting though, even if it is more of Mohammed trying to set himself up as divinely inspired.

[jadenson]

The reason why it interests me is because salvation through revealed knowledge is an idea that comes from Gnosticism.

According to my little commentary, this part of The Cow came early, before Mohammed started preaching openly.

[vesta_venus]

This is really interesting. Have you considered using tags and tagging all of your Koran posts with a "Koran" tag (or something similar) to make it easier for you and your readers to go back later on and read them as a series?

[jadenson]

Actually, I'm double-posting to my Google Blog and that's where I'm tagging them. :) I'm also doing the initial writing of them into a Word document, as if I'm making a book.

I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[33shadow]

I'm reading some of this to Dave; it's very interesting! I think it's very important to know & understand how Christianity differs from other religions. I remember in my very late teens asking my Mom how she knew Christianity was the right religion. She said it's the only religion in which God came to earth & became one of us so that we could have a right relationship with Him. That was enough for me!