To Shaji, more about the prophet of doom and the alternative provided by Jesus Christ "The Prince of Peace"

Submitted by Lactantius Jr (United Kingdom), Apr 1, 2009 at 17:03

To Shaji

Thank you for your carefully thought out and expressed response to me, I appreciate the good-mannered way you have written. I wholeheartedly agree with your saying that "criticism does not mean slandering or mockery," and whilst I may write hard-hitting critique of Islam, I do so not to slander nor mock, and in all my writing, as a deeply committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I write conscious of the New Testament command to,

"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15

and by the grace of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I will.

As the author and distributor of peace, the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ doesn't need peace invoking on Him, saying of Himself,

"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

John 14:27

(and Jesus said) "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

The New Testament affirmation and teaching being,

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"

Matthew 11:28

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by trusting Him, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."

Romans 5:1

"For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross."

Colossians 1:20

Any born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will affirm this to you as their experience Shaji, and tell you of that marvellous nine-flavoured fruit they have received,

"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Galatians 5:22-23

All this can be yours Shaji, and instead of me and people like me telling you of it, you can experience it all for yourself, all you have to do is to ask the Triune God to come into your life as His Son Jesus Christ, and give you what only He can give, you are then assured of getting the very best out of the rest of your earthly life, enjoying what the Lord Jesus Christ said He came to do,

"I came that you might have life, and have it in all its fullness"

John 10:10

and assured of being part of that,

"vast crowd (in heaven), too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb."

Revelation 7:9

Your posting to which I first responded contained 23,712 words, my response containing 7,651 words, your response to that containing 14,029 words, and as before, I make no attempt to respond to all your many, many comments, since to do so would take even more than your 14,029 words, and I limit myself mainly to my contention that violence was foundational to Islam and remains deeply embedded in it, being commanded to Muslims 'when the military means are available' to subdue and overcome non-Muslims, until the whole world submits to Allah, Muhammad the prophet of Islam saying,

"I have been commanded to fight until they testify there is no god but Allah and I am his messenger."

Sahi Muslim C9B1N33

Before examining the use of violence to impose and extend Islam, I mention the sword the Lord Jesus Christ referred to, this not being a sword of steel used for killing, unlike the swords that Muhammad had, some of which he gave nicknames to, and which he wielded in battle, the Lord Jesus Christ never wielding a sword, nor commanding His followers to do so.

Here are some very detailed publications by James Arlandson, which clearly demonstrate the difference between the Lord Jesus Christ's sword and Muhammad's sword.

Jesus, Pacifism, and the Sword

http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/pacifism1.htm

Pacifism and the Sword in the Gospels

http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/pacifism2.htm

The sword of Jesus and the sword of Muhammad

A comparative study of Quran 8:12 and Luke 22:36

http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/sword2.htm

and before moving on, I believe it important to reject the claim that Adolf Hitler was a Christian, stressing that wherever he received his 'inspiration' for 'the final solution of the Jewish problem' from, it was not from the Lord Jesus Christ's teaching, nor that of the Bible.

Hitler completely rejected Christianity, here is what he had to say about it.

The book Hitler's Secret Conversations 1941-1944 was published by Farrar, Straus and Young, Inc.first edition, 1953, and contains definitive proof of Hitler's real views. The book was published in Britain under the title, Hitler's Table Talk 1941-1944, which title was used for the Oxford University Press paperback edition in the United States.

All of these are quotes from Adolf Hitler:

Night of 11th-12th July, 1941:

National Socialism and religion cannot exist together.... The heaviest blow that ever struck humanity was the coming of Christianity. Bolshevism is Christianity's illegitimate child. Both are inventions of the Jew. The deliberate lie in the matter of religion was introduced into the world by Christianity.... Let it not be said that Christianity brought man the life of the soul, for that evolution was in the natural order of things. (p 6 & 7)

10th October, 1941, midday:

Christianity is a rebellion against natural law, a protest against nature. Taken to its logical extreme, Christianity would mean the systematic cultivation of the human failure. (p 43)

14th October, 1941, midday:

The best thing is to let Christianity die a natural death.... When understanding of the universe has become widespread... Christian doctrine will be convicted of absurdity.... Christianity has reached the peak of absurdity.... And that's why someday its structure will collapse.... ...the only way to get rid of Christianity is to allow it to die little by little.... Christianity the liar.... We'll see to it that the Churches cannot spread abroad teachings in conflict with the interests of the State. (p 49-52)

19th October, 1941, night:

The reason why the ancient world was so pure, light and serene was that it knew nothing of the two great scourges: the pox and Christianity.

13th December, 1941, midnight:

Christianity is an invention of sick brains: one could imagine nothing more senseless, nor any more indecent way of turning the idea of the Godhead into a mockery.... .... When all is said, we have no reason to wish that the Italians and Spaniards should free themselves from the drug of Christianity. Let's be the only people who are immunised against the disease. (p 118 & 119)

14th December, 1941, midday:

Kerrl, with noblest of intentions, wanted to attempt a synthesis between National Socialism and Christianity. I don't believe the thing's possible, and I see the obstacle in Christianity itself.... Pure Christianity-- the Christianity of the catacombs-- is concerned with translating Christian doctrine into facts. It leads quite simply to the annihilation of mankind. It is merely whole-hearted Bolshevism, under a tinsel of metaphysics. (p 119 & 120)

9th April, 1942, dinner:

There is something very unhealthy about Christianity (p 339)

27th February, 1942, midday:

It would always be disagreeable for me to go down to posterity as a man who made concessions in this field. I realize that man, in his imperfection, can commit innumerable errors-- but to devote myself deliberately to errors, that is something I cannot do. I shall never come personally to terms with the Christian lie. Our epoch in the next 200 years will certainly see the end of the disease of Christianity.... My regret will have been that I couldn't... behold it ." (p 278)

Was Islam Spread By the Sword?

Islam was spread by proof and evidence, in the case of those who listened to the message and responded to it. And it was spread by strength and the sword in the case of those who stubbornly resisted, until they had no choice and had to submit to the new reality. (Question No. 5441: Was Islam spread by the sword?;

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/5441/was%20Islam%20spread%20by%20the%20sword)

These next quotes candidly admit that Islam cannot be established without military, offensive Jihad:

Undoubtedly taking the initiative in fighting has a great effect in spreading Islam and bringing people into the religion of Allaah in crowds. Hence the hearts of the enemies of Islam are filled with fear of jihad…

The orientalist Thomas Arnold wrote his book The Preaching of Islam with the aim of killing off the spirit of jihad among the Muslims and proving that Islam was not spread by the sword, rather that it spread by means of peaceful preaching, free from any use of force.

The Muslims fell into the trap that was set up for them. When they heard the orientalists' accusations that Islam was spread by the sword, they said: You are mistaken, listen to a refutation from one of your own people, this Thomas says such and such.

The defeatists among the Muslims come out to defend Islam, and they want to disavow Islam of this so-called lie, so they deny that Islam was spread by the sword, and they say that jihad is not prescribed in Islam, except in the case of self-defence. There is no such thing in Islam as taking the initiative in fighting in their view. This goes against what the Muslim scholars have stated, let alone the fact that it goes against the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 28/263.

The purpose is that all religion should be for Allaah alone, and that the word of Allaah should be supreme. The word of Allaah is a comprehensive phrase that refers to His words that are contained in His Book. Hence Allaah says [quotes Q. 57:25; 27:25]…

So whoever deviates from the Book is to be brought back with iron, i.e. by force. Hence the soundness of the religion is based on the Qur'aan and the Sword. It was narrated that Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to strike with this, meaning the sword, whoever turns away from this, meaning the Qur'aan.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Faroosiyyah (p.18):

Allaah sent him – meaning the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – with the guiding Book and the conquering sword, ahead of the Hour, so that Allaah alone would be worshipped with no partner or associate, and his provision was placed beneath the shade of his sword and spear. Allaah has established the religion of Islam with proof and evidence, and with the sword and spear, both together and inseparable.

This is some of the evidence from the Qur'aan and Sunnah. The evidence clearly indicates that the sword is one of the most important means that led to the spread of Islam [quotes Q. 22:40; 2:251] …

2 – Allaah has commanded us to prepare the means of fighting against the kuffaar and frightening them. He says [quotes Q 8:60] …

If Islam was only spread by peaceful means, what would the kuffaar have to be afraid of? Of mere words spoken on the tongue? In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have been supported with fear as far as a month's journey." Would the kuffaar be afraid of being told, "become Muslim, but if you do not then you are free to believe and do whatever you want"? or were they afraid of jihad and the imposition of the jizyah and being humiliated? That may make them enter Islam so that they may be spared this humiliation.

3 – When the Messenger called people to Islam, his call was accompanied by the sword, and he commanded his leaders to do likewise, so that when the people saw the serious of the Muslims in calling people to their religion, that dispelled any confusion…

So this call to Islam was accompanied by the force of arms…

So the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told his commanders to call the kuffaar to Islam whilst wielding their swords over their heads. If they refused to become Muslim then they should pay the jizyah with humility. If they refused then there was nothing left for them but the sword – "If they refuse then seek the help of Allaah and fight them"

4 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have been sent ahead of the Hour with the sword so that Allaah will be worshipped alone, and my provision has been placed in the shade of my spear, and humiliation has been decreed for those who go against my command, and whoever imitates a people is one of them." Narrated by Ahmad, 4869; Saheeh al-Jaami', 2831.

The fact that the sword and power were means of spreading Islam is not a source of shame for Islam, rather it is one of its strengths and virtues, because that makes people adhere to that which will benefit them in this world and in the Hereafter. Many people are foolish and lacking in wisdom and knowledge, and if they are left to their own devices they will remain blinded to the truth, indulging in their whims and desires. So Allaah has prescribed jihad in order to bring them back to the truth and to that which will benefit them. Undoubtedly wisdom dictates that the fool should be prevented from doing that which will harm him, and should be forced to do that which will benefit him.

Al-Bukhaari (4557) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: " 'You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind' [Aal- Imraan 3:110 – interpretation of the meaning]." He said: "You are the best (i.e., the most beneficial) of people for mankind, you bring them in the chains that are around their necks until they enter Islam." Can people be brought in chains except in the case of jihad??

This is something for which Islam deserves to be praised, not condemned. The defeatists should fear Allaah lest they distort this religion and cause it to become weak on the basis of the claim that it is a religion of peace. Yes, it is the religion of peace but in the sense of saving all of mankind from worshipping anything other than Allaah and submitting all of mankind to the rule of Allaah. This is the religion of Allaah, not the ideas of any person or the product of human thought, so that those who promote it should feel ashamed to state its ultimate goal, which is that all religion (worship) should be for Allaah alone. When the ideas that people follow are all produced by human beings and the systems and laws that control their lives are all made up by human beings, then in this case each idea and each system has the right to live safely within its own borders so long as it does not transgress the borders of others, so the various ideas and laws can co-exist and not try to destroy one another. But when there is a divine system and law, and alongside it there are human systems and laws, then the matter is fundamentally different, and the divine law has the right to remove the barriers and free people from enslavement to human beings…

Fiqh al-Da'wah by Sayyid Qutb, 217-222. (Question No. 43087: Was Islam spread by the sword?; source; bold and underline emphasis ours)

And:

Al-Jihad (Islamic Holy War) in Allah's Cause [with a large number of Muslims (union), equipped with the latest modern weapons)], is placed at the top in Islam, and is one of its pillars. Islam CANNOT be established EXCEPT with Jihad and with it is made high (superior) the Word of Allah (La ilaha il Allah – None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, Islam, etc.), and with it – Jihad, is propagated Allah's Religion (Islam). And by abandoning it – Jihad, [And we seek refuge with Allah from it], there is the DESTRUCTION of Islam and its people (Muslims), with the loss of honour and their country and a severe decline in their rule and kingdom. Jihad is prescribed (as an obligatory duty to Allah), on every Muslim, and he who does not fight in Allah's Cause and does not (even) speak to his personal-self for fighting in Allah's Cause, then he will die (as a hypocrite), while committing one of crime [sic], items of hypocrisy. (Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud Din Al-Hilali & Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an: With Comments from Tafsir At-Tabari, Tafsir Al-Qurtubi and Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Ahadith from Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and other Ahadith Books [Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh, Lahore, Houston, New York, First Edition: January 2000], Part 2. From Surah 6 to 9, Q. 9:24, fn. 1, p. 338; capital and underline emphasis ours)

Again:

Al-Jihad (Holy fighting) in Allah's Cause (with full force of numbers and weaponry) is given the utmost importance in Islam and is one of its pillars (on which it stands). BY JIHAD ISLAM IS ESTABLISHED, ALLAH'S WORD IS MADE SUPERIOR, (His Word – La ilaha illallah – none has the right to be worshiped but Allah), AND HIS RELIGION ISLAM IS PROPAGATED. By ABANDONING Jihad (may Allah protect us from that) Islam IS DESTROYED and the Muslims fall into an inferior position; their honor is lost, their lands are stolen, their rule and authority vanishes. Jihad is an obligatory duty in Islam on every Muslim, and he who tries to escape from this duty, or does not in his innermost heart wish to fulfill this duty, dies with one of the qualities of a hypocrite. (Ibid., Q. 9:44, fn. 1, p. 383; capital emphasis ours)

In light of this honest admission it shouldn't come as a surprise to readers that Muhammad is reported to have made the following statements:

LXXXVII: What is said about spears

It is mentioned from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "My provision has been placed under the shadow of my spear, and abasement and humility have been placed on the one who disobeys my command." (Bewley, Sahih Collection of al-Bukhari, Chapter 61. Book of Jihad and Military Expeditions;)

In saying "Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur'an says in 2:256 – 'Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error'. So Qur'an says no compulsion in religion,you quote a Surah which, with all the other 'nice-sounding' tolerant Qur'anic verses has been abrogated by "sword verses," revealed later in Muhammad's career, the changing commands regarding the use of violence against non-Muslims being certainly the most threatening for non-Muslims.

The Islamic doctrine of abrogation (Surah's 2:106; 13:39), where an earlier verse is said to be cancelled, nullified or set aside by later verses is problematic for Islam for various reasons, with every instance of abrogation being a problem for the doctrine of an unchanging deity, and should trouble thinking Muslims, because if the Qur'an really is the actual Word of Allah, Islam holds it to be eternal and thus incapable of change, abrogation suggesting that the Qur'an was created, thus being incapable of being the uncreated Word of Allah, and if the Qur'an really is the Word of Allah, it should be perfect, with no verse being superior ("better") than another, and with the Qur'an claiming to be "a glorious Qur'an (inscribed) in a tablet preserved Surah 85:21-22 this means that the "tablet preserved" contains both the abrogated and the abrogating verses!!

Compare and contrast Qur'anic abrogation with the Words spoken by the living, loving Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ,

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

Matthew 24:35

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord endures forever."

1 Peter 1:24-25

So let's take a closer look at Surah 2:256 and its abrogation by the 'sword verses.' I do so by drawing heavily on "Quran Contradiction Compel them or not" by Sam Shamoun, which is posted at,

http://www.answering-islam.org/Quran/Contra/compulsion.html

The Quran repeatedly warns Muhammad against compelling or forcing people to believe in his message since his only responsibility is to preach to them and let Allah handle the rest:

Surah's 13:40;16:28;17:54;24:54;39:41;42:6,48;88:21-22;

These and all the other Surah I quote, can be referred to using the online Qur'an browser at,

http://www.quranbrowser.com/

The reason the Qur'an gives against compelling people to embrace Islam is that it is not the will of Allah for everyone to become Muslims. The Islamic scripture testifies that if Allah wanted to he could have caused everyone to believe in Muhammad's religion; but this is not what he desires since he has determined that many shall never believe in order that they may end up in hell:

Surah 4:88;6:107;10:99-100;14:4;7:178-179;16:93;32:13-14

But then the Qur'an proceeds to contradict these teachings by commanding Muhammad and his jihadis to fight the people for not believing in his religion:

Surah 9:29-33;9:73;9:123

And according to the Muslim expositors, Allah ordered Muhammad to force and compel the idolators to embrace Islam or be killed. For instance, according to Muslim expositor al-Qurtubi the injunction of Surah 2:256 that there is no compulsion in religion, does not apply to the pagans on the grounds that Muhammad and his followers forced the idolators to embrace Islam:

Scholars disagree and hold various positions regarding the legal status and meaning of this ayat.

· It is said that it is ABROGATED because the Prophet FORCED the Arabs to adopt the din of Islam and fought them and was only pleased with Islam for them. Sulayman ibn Musa took the view, saying, "It is abrogated by 'O Prophet! Do jihad against the unbelievers and the hypocrites.' (9:73)" That is related from Ibn Mas'ud and many commentators.

· It is not abrogated and was sent down about the people of the Book in particular and means that they are not forced to adopt Islam when they pay jizya. THOSE WHO ARE FORCED ARE THE IDOLATERS. Only Islam is accepted from them, and they are the ones about whom 'O Prophet! Do Jihad against the unbelievers and the hypocrites.' (9:73) was revealed. This is the position of ash-Sha'bi, Qatada, al-Hasan and ad-Dahhak. The evidence for this position is related by Zayd ibn Aslam from his father, "I heard 'Umar in al-Khattab say to an old Christian woman, 'Become Muslim, old woman, become Muslim. Allah sent Muhammad with the Truth.' She replied, 'I am an old woman and close to death.' 'Umar said, 'O Allah, witness!' and he recited, 'There is no compulsion where the din is concerned.'"

· Abu Dawud reported from Ibn 'Abbas that this was revealed about the Ansar. There was a woman, all of whose children had died. She made a vow that if she had a child who lived she would become a Jew. When the Banu'n-Nadir were exiled, among them were many of the children of the Ansar. They said, "We will not leave our sons!" Then Allah revealed this. One variant has, "We did what we did and we think that their din is better than what we have." When Allah brought Islam, they denied it and this was revealed. Whoever wished remained with them and whoever wished, entered Islam. This is the position of Sa'id ibn Jubayr, ash-Sha'bi and Mujahid, but he added that the reason that they were with the Banu'n-Nadir was through suckling. An-Nahhas said, "The position of Ibn 'Abbas regarding this ayat is the best position since its isnad is sound."

· As-Suddi said that the ayat was revealed about a man of the Ansar called Abu Husayn who had two sons. Some merchants came from Syria to Madina with oil and when they wanted to leave, his sons went to them. They invited the two sons to become Christians and they did so and went back with them to Syria. Their father went to the Messenger of Allah to complain about this and asked the Messenger of Allah to send someone to bring them back. Then, "There is no compulsion where the din is concerned" was revealed. He had not been commanded to fight the People of the Book. He said, "Allah has put them far. They are the first to disbelieve." Abu'l-Husayn felt annoyed that the Prophet did not send someone after them. Then Allah revealed, "No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their judge in the disputes that break out between them" (4:65). Then "No compulsion" WAS ABROGATED and he was commanded to fight the People of the Book in Surat at-Tawba. The sound view for the reason behind the words, "No, by your Lord, they are not believers …" is the hadith of az-Zubayr with his Christian neighbour about water as will be dealt with in Surat at-Tawba, Allah willing.

· It is said that it means "do not call those who have submitted through the sword compelled and forced".

· It is said that it was related about the captives who were People of the Book. They are not compelled when they are adults. If they are Magians, young or old, or idolaters, they are COMPELLED to adopt Islam because their captivity does not help them when they are idolaters. Do you not see that their sacrifices are not eaten nor their women married. That is what Ibn al-Qasim reported from Malik. Ashhab said that children are considered to have the din of those who captured them. If they refuse that, they are compelled to become Muslim. Children have no din and that is why they are COMPELLED to enter Islam so that they do not go to a false din. When other types of unbelievers pay the jizya, they are forced to become Muslim, whether they are Arabs or non-Arabs, Quraysh or otherwise. This will be dealt with in Surat at-Tawba. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi – Classical Commentary of the Holy Qur'an, translated by Aisha Bewley [Dar Al-Taqwa Ltd., 2003], pp. 659-661; bold and capital emphasis ours)

Moreover, the Islamic law, based on specific Qur'anic texts and ahadith, commands the death penalty for anyone who apostasises or abandons Islam

Surah 4:89-90

The above data not only introduces a gross contradiction within the Muslim scripture, but also, in view of the plain statements of the Qur'an that it is not the will of Allah for everyone to believe, demonstrates that there is a major problem with Islamic theology itself. Muhammad clearly stated in the Qur'an that Allah could, if he wanted to, guide everyone to faith, but instead has chosen to mislead a great majority of people away from the so-called truth of Islam so that he can fill up hell. Why, then, did he order Muslims to fight the disbelievers when they cannot embrace Islam unless Allah causes them to believe? And why kill apostates when it is Allah who has turned their hearts away from Islam in the first place?

More importantly, why not simply cause all people to become Muslims, and thereby prevent all of the bloodshed and violence that is committed in the name of Allah?

And turning to the "sword verses," Sam Shamoun concludes his "Historical and Contextual Exegesis of Q 9:5 and 29" by saying,

"Moreover, these passages are part of the many texts which form the basis for offensive jihad, encouraging Muslims to fight and kill the disbelievers, and subjugate Jews and Christians, in order to bring the entire world under the control and rule of Islam, provided that they have the power and the military means to do so. Otherwise, they must bide their time and deceive people into thinking that Islam is a peaceful and tolerant religion by focusing on the texts of the Qur'an which encourage peace and forgiveness, the ones composed during the time that Muhammad was outnumbered and couldn't do anything to kill and control his opponents. Yet as soon as the Muslims have the upperhand, as soon as they have the money and weaponry to mount an offensive strike, then we will see the true face of Islam, its prophet, and its god. "

"Kill those who Associate Partners (Mushrikun) Wherever You Find Them!"

http://www.answering-islam.org/authors/shamoun/q9_5_29.html

Much violence is found in the pages of the Qur'an, and in the life of Muhammad the prophet of Islam, and whilst many, many Muslims seek to live in peace with non-Muslims, in doing so, they are living very much better lives that their prophet lived, with someone saying so very well, that the nearer one gets to Muhammad, his teaching and the example of his life, the more violent and murderous you will be, and the further away from Muhammad, his teaching and the example of his life, the more peaceful and peaceloving you will be, whilst the nearer you get to the Lord Jesus Christ, His teaching and the example of His life, the more peaceful and peaceloving you will be, whilst the further away from His teaching and the example of His life, the less peaceful and peaceloving you will be, and that's some comparison/contrast isn't it?

I commend the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace to you Shaji, and I wish you His peace, that peace which passes all human understanding.

With kind regards and best wishes

Lactantius Jr

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