Same God?

That's a Theological Statement:

Larycia Hawkins an associate professor of political science
                              at Wheaton College.

In the last few days there has been an enormous uproar over the fact that Wheaton College's professor, Larycia Hawkins, carefully articulated the notion that Christianity and Islam share the same God.  This statement alone, theologically, carries a gigantic weight and should not be perceived with passing ease or careless wonder.  Though I do not seek to comment on the governmental or institutional right in suspending the professor (I think the Chicago Tribune does a remarkable job in hitting on this subject -- the link is below), I do hope to assist in helping our young people think through this statement with biblical clarity and a Gospel lens.

In a pluralistic society it can become quite confusing when these types of issues come to surface, and even more disheartening when a small community like the Hmong people have an immediate connections to Wheaton College through youth events such as HLUB and SALT.  The Hmong District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) has forged a great relationship with the institution while their parishioners, mainly the younger generation, have cemented affectional ties to the school.
Through these endeavors there comes to surface a multitude of theological questions that begin to posture the Christian faith in a particular perspective.  And without the proper guidance and biblical scope, our young people can fall into syncretistic or integrative fallacies without even realizing it.

Trinitarian Issue:

Much of the questions that may arise surrounding this story is the legitimacy of Hawkins' claim.  Is the god of Islam and the God of Christianity the same?  Blog comments and FaceBook statuses have been filled with support for Hawkins and the surprising thing is not necessarily the support — because I understand the pluralistic state that America is in — but rather the evangelical support!  Most comments that I have come across are from evangelical believers who, for the sake of progress, don't see the theological fallout of the professor's claim.  How are we to understand the theological error of Hawkins' statement?

God — Three in One:

Clearly it can be understood that Christianity does not share the same God as Islam.  The vagueness to the descriptive nature of the term "god" doesn't help the issue at hand, but with a deeper look into Christian theology, in particular the doctrine of the Trinity, we can come to a definitive answer on the matter.  By looking at the intrinsic nature of the Christian God (intra-Trinitarian) we can begin to see that Jesus plays a central role in how we understand the differences between Islam and Christianity.

Scripture, Christianity's final authority, illustrates Jesus as not merely a good teacher, a moral guide, or a charismatic leader; but rather the incarnated Word of God that is distinct in personhood but is of the same essence as God the Father (John 1:1-2; Phil. 2:6).  In His very nature He is God; the exact imprint and image of the invisible God (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15).  Jesus Himself claims unity with the Father (John 14:7, 9: 15:24) and yet places Himself subordinate to the Father (John 5:19-29; Phil. 2:6).  Ultimately, Jesus "and the Father are one" (John 10:30 ESV, italics added).

Islam and Christianity clearly do not serve the same God, because if they did the Islamic faith would cease to exist and those who claim Allah would be praising, worshipping, and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus in the Beginning:

The claim for sameness of God in worship between Islam and Christianity is often linked to the origin of the respective faiths.  This claim can also be proven valueless if we view Scripture through the lens of biblical theology.  Johannine theology would lead us to conclude that Jesus was not a plan B for God following the fall nor was Jesus, according to Pauline theology, a created tool to clean up the mess of Adam.

John in his Gospel states that Jesus is the Word that brought forth the created order which encompassed the entire universe (John 1:3; Heb. 1:2).  It can be conceived, then, that Jesus' introduction into the narrative of redemptive history does not start at the break of the New Covenant with the book of Mark (the first of the Gospels to be written), but was evident in the opening sequence found in the book of Genesis.  On the account of John, Jesus was active when "God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 ESV).

Hebrews 1:2 ESV, "2 but in these last days He has spoken to
us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also He created the world."

The Apostle Paul affirms John's theology in that Jesus was not an afterthought to the created order.  Jesus, in the words of John, "was with God and . . . was God" (John 1:1 ESV).  Paul articulates this reality by conveying the notion that "He (God) chose us in Him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV, italics added).  In Paul's mind Jesus was prior to creation and, therefore, was present during creation in which God's redemptive plan was put into motion.

Islam and Christianity clearly do not serve the same God, because if they did the Islamic faith would cease to exist and those who claim Allah would be praising, worshipping, and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ!

Centrality of Christ:

Christianity and Islam do not share the same God because Christianity is centered and focused upon Jesus Christ who is the God-man in the flesh.  He is the last Word from God in which all things conveyed by God will be known and understood (Heb. 1:1-2).  There can be no unification between Islam or any other faith based religion if Christ is not elevated to being supreme, ultimate, and only.

Though there is great sympathy for the followers of Islam and any other community that is contrary to Christ, we believers of Jesus Christ can not belittle our God in order to satisfy the pluralistic thirst of our day.  The call of the church is to be holy set apart (1 Pet. 1:16) and to be a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).  The distinction of the church from the world is to center around the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Jesus commends His followers to be known by their love (John 13:35), and yet that love is to be defined by abiding in His Word (John 14:21; 15:5, 7) which is the wellspring and source to life (Ps. 1:1-3).

*** the link below to the Chicago Tribune ***
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-wheaton-college-islam-christian-larycia-hawkins-edit-1218-20151217-story.html

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McYoung Yang is the husband to Debbie Yang and the father to McCayden (7), McCoy (6), McColsen (4), and DeYoung (6 months).  He graduated from Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, MN with a Youth Ministry degree and has served as a Youth Pastor in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota for over 8 years.  He is currently studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY for his Masters of Divinity.  He hopes to use his training to serve the local church in living life through the Gospel lens.