================Our Recommendation================

A contemporary mystical Islamic philosopher offers clarification about common misconceptions of the Islamic concept of God.

Hulusi is an Islamic scholar whose writings mirror the mystical dimension of Islam known as Sufism, made well known in the U.S. through translations of the Sufi poet-theologian Rumi. But many who read the English translations of Rumi fail to realize the complexity of the system of spiritual thinking that Sufism represents. Hulusi explicates one of the most difficult concepts in mystical Islam--the notion that "Allah," commonly misunderstood in the West and even in parts of the Muslim world as "God," encompasses more than the word "God" can illuminate. Drawing upon his interpretations of the Quran, Islam's most sacred scripture, Hulusi claims that nowhere in Muhammad's transmission of the Quran is there the assertion that Allah is a god. Instead, Hulusi writes that Allah is "an infinite, unlimited, whole One, in which case...there is nothing in existence other than Him." The consequences of this assertion are that individual lives are fated by Allah, predestined to heaven or hell after physical death. The point of religion, writes the author, is to gain nondualistic awareness of Allah, which is realized through essential self-knowledge and the rejection of illusionary dualities in daily life. The author relies on short paragraphs to frame his beliefs and uses abstract language to describe consciousness, but the gist of these abstruse ideas is helpfully noted in bold throughout the book. One can only imagine the difficulty translator Atalay faced in converting the author's esoteric Turkish style into readable English. Yet it does read clearly as a kind of Sufi manifesto of faith. Get the Book NOW

=============================================================

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

MANY OF PAUL'S FOLLOWERS LATER DESERT HIM

Do your best to come to me soon. Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke Is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring my coat that I left en Troas with Carpus; bring the books too, and especially the ones made of parchment. Alexander the metalworker did me great harm; the Lord will reward him according to what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he was violently opposed to our message. NO ONE STOOD BY ME THE LAST TIME I DEFENDED MYSELF; ALL DESERTED ME. (2 Timothy 4:9-16)


In Paul’s own words, there is sufficient evidence that many people took exception to his version of Christianity. This occurred more and more as men from James continually pursued Paul and un-did what he was teaching. I challenge you to read the New Testament and follow these “blood hounds” on the sent of Paul.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)