Duke University professor Bruce Lawrence discusses understandings, and misunderstandings, of Islam in an "Office Hours" webcast interview April 30, 2010. Learn more at jhfc.duke.edu/disc/
He is one of a kind western professor that I would not have a slight hesitation to tell that he is a great professor that I’ve ever encounter, see and hear even virtually. GBU Professor 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank so much for making available this great religious scholar. His knowledge and his ability to teach is very enlightening. I hope all American University integrate Islamic knowledge as a course of study in an interest creating and/or discovering common ground..
Sin - consists evil, crime - is universal problem, is ubiquitous. Humanity contaminated by sin. Sin in us by default, not learnt, not taught. Sin manifests in many forms. Sin is the opium. The origin of sin is unanswered. Sin is pre-existing in all. Nobody taught us to sin. Sin pre-dates The Bible. The Bible explains origins of sin. The Bible provides remedy for pre-existing sin, through Jesus Christ death and resurrection. The Bible is best selling book in the world for this reason. Sin is real, The Bible is relevant. Satan is the enemy, came to steal, kill and destroy. Misleads us to blame good loving God. God is not the author of evil. Media, Police, Defense, Judiciary, Penitentiary, Security, Contracts confirm sin exists. The origins of life, natural laws, sin, morals, purpose, meaning, conscience, music, creativity, intelligence, beauty, color, nature, water, air, light and amalgamation, remain unevidenced - elsewhere. God created universe, placed natural laws, made man in His image, gave talents, instructed man to multiply and explore - The Initiation of Science. Science is the legitimate child of natural laws. We are made with good purpose and meaning. We are good. Then sin entered and we all fallen. Disease, despair, deformities, deficiencies, depression, stress, guilt, greed, hate, anger, rebellious spirit, spiritual death entered. Sin plays spoilsport. Unloose the Soul from the tight knot of sin. Soul outlasts death. Sinners cannot save themselves from sin. Jesus Christ, the Holy God, intervened, willingly died on The Cross and resurrected, for remmissions of our sins, to save us from sin and hell. Unable to find any motive any reason for Jesus Christ to die willingly on Cross and resurrect - except His love to save us from pre-existing sin and hell. Nobody died for our sins and resurrected - except Jesus Christ. Exclusivity. Religion says "Do". Jesus Christ says "Done". Salvation from sin and hell is not earned through works or deeds or pilgrimages or rituals or ceremonies or traditions or cultures or public displays or making personal sacrifices or making animal sacrifices. Salvation from sin and hell is free, but not cheap. Because Jesus Christ laid His life on The Cross, and resurrected. God loves the sinner, but hates the sin. Just like a mother loves child, but hates disease in child. We are saved by God's grace, not by our works. GRACE: Getting what we don't deserve - i.e. forgiveness of sin, eternity in heaven. MERCY: Not getting what we deserve - i.e. punishment of sin, separation from God, eternity in hell. God offers grace and mercy for free through Jesus Christ death and resurrection. Jesus Christ suffered, ridiculed, spat-on, humiliated, crucified on The Cross, and therefore He understands our pain. He raised victorious, we will too. Those who endure till end are victorious. Jesus Christ coming again to judge all. The doors will be closed. Jesus Christ answers every mystery, every question. He is The Alpha and The Omega. One day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The First Coming of Jesus Christ - He is Lamb, slaughtered for remission of sins to save us from sin and hell. And resurrected. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ - He will be Lion, The Judge. The Lion and The Lamb. Jesus Christ forgave all who crucified Him, and now forgives all, even who reject and ridicule Him. He loves all unconditionally. Believe, trust, repent of pre-existing sin in Jesus Christ that He died for remission of our sins and resurrected, and coming back to judge, accept Him as Lord and Saviour, and be saved from sin and hell. Any time, any where. Even now. Simple. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. I found God loved me regardless of sins, weaknesses and rejections by others. As sinner I cannot save myself through deeds. He believed me and has faith in me. God loves you all, individually. (My journey to life journal - after testing all 'isms' and religions, after failing to find origins, purpose and meaning of life, after swallowing pride, egos, anger, hate.)
Sin is an intangible concept. How can an intangible be erased by a tangible physical action of killing (Jesus). If i forgive someone for swearing at me, i forgive them. I dont need to kill a goat so that person can be expiated.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father(יהוה-YHWH-Allah) except through me. Ephesians 2:18 because through him(Jesus) we, both peoples, have free access to the Father(יהוה-YHWH) by one spirit. John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown out like a branch and dries up. And men gather those branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. Acts 4:12 Furthermore, there is NO salvation in anyone else, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST GET SAVED.” (APOCALYPSE 7: 10 And they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation we owe to our God(Jehovah, , יהוה, YHWH. Yahweh, Allah), who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb(Jesus).”
Every Prophet AS in his time is the truth and light path to God. So when Jesus AS said to the children of Israel to come and believe in him as Messenger or God, he was right. Same was Moses AS in his time, hence powerful Pharaoh perished. You and I are now in the time of Holy Prophet SA. Ignoring Islam of now is same as those that ignored Moses in his time, Jesus in his time. To be a believer, you must follow the Prophet AS of your time. Again Muhammad SA who is the Holy Prophet SA is the prophet SA you must follow. Best wishes
