Islam, a Christian heresy?Thank you

Discussion in 'Non-Anglican Discussion' started by Aidan, Jan 10, 2018.

  1. Aidan

    Aidan Well-Known Member

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    In his book on heresies, Hilaire Belloc, posits the notion that Islam is in fact a Christian heresy. Apparently Mohammed consulted an Arian cleric prior to making his "revelation" public. I'd be interested in reading others' takes on this.Thank you
     
  2. Stalwart

    Stalwart Well-Known Member Anglican

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    That seems to basically be right, theologically it is Arian, and was inspired by those who
    professed that heresy in Arabia of the time.

    Another clear proof that it isn't inspired is that it quotes from the Gospel of Thomas for what constitutes Christian doctrine. Mohammed says the Christian trinity consists of Father, Jesus, and Mary.
     
  3. Shane R

    Shane R Well-Known Member

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    I have read various sources that claim some contact between Muhammad and Arian or Nestorian missionaries. I find the Nestorian link more probable based on the missionary activities of the Church of the East in those days, especially in the area in question. The Arian church found its strength in Europe. In any case, there is no doubt that Muhammad forged his teaching from a defective understanding of Christianity and the folk religion of the Arab tribes. In that regard, Islam is not so unlike certain native corruptions of Catholicism that have been allowed to continue for long periods of time until they have come to be the de facto common practice of whole dioceses. And Islam is not so different from Pentecostalism, which is also a defective understanding of Christianity married to folk religion.
     
  4. Lowly Layman

    Lowly Layman Well-Known Member

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    I heard it was the fruit of Nestorianism, which is why Mary is featured so prominantly in the Koran.
     
  5. Botolph

    Botolph Well-Known Member

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    I did some reading on the Byzantine Empire a while back and it became clear that maybe for much of the first 50 years of Islam it was thought to be a new expression of Arianism, and sometime thereafter the understanding became clear that it was indeed not a heresy but a different monotheistic religious tradition.
     
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  6. Aidan

    Aidan Well-Known Member

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    Whose understanding? The Nestorian church of the east and Islam are attempts at "rewriting" Christianity
     
  7. Aidan

    Aidan Well-Known Member

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    “There is also the superstition of the Ishmaelites which to this day prevails and keeps people in error, being a forerunner of the Antichrist. They are descended from Ishmael, [who] was born to Abraham of Agar, and for this reason they are called both Agarenes and Ishmaelites… From that time to the present a false prophet named Mohammed has appeared in their midst. This man, after having chanced upon the Old and New Testaments and likewise, it seems, having conversed with an Arian monk, devised his own heresy. Then, having insinuated himself into the good graces of the people by a show of seeming piety, he gave out that a certain book had been sent down to him from heaven. He had set down some ridiculous compositions in this book of his and he gave it to them as an object of veneration.”
    This quote from St John Damascene (John of Damascus) considered to be the last of the early fathers , supports the idea of Islam being Christian heresy.