God's Malevolence Exposed in the Clementine Homilies - Essay Sample

Introduction

Clementine literature tries to expose the romance in the scriptures resulting from translation from oral to written words. In the Clementine Homilies, the apostle Peter claims that Scripture contains certain false passages. In the book of Genesis 1-3, 6, and 22 portray god as a malevolent who tests people to do evil as a way of examining their faith (Ellis 121). The passages describe that although God created Adam after His image and likeness, he was not ranted the ability to acknowledge what is good or evil. The scripture poses God as a tester and examiner of people faith and obedience. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were thrown out of Eden. Moreover, He also cursed them and their lives became miserable. God is all-knowing and in control of everything but when he wanted to destroy Sodom he said “I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to me. If not, I will find out” Genesis 18:21. This scripture demonstrates that God is ignorant because he sees everywhere. God tested Abraham when he asked him to sacrifice his only son as a sign of his faith. This experiment portrays God as wicked because he wanted Abraham to kill the only son and had no chance of giving birth due to old age (Batten 11). Peter claims that these scriptures were corrupted by Satan interference to portray God as malevolent. Apostle James received a letter from Peter concerning the false scripture and he also added that no one should say that his sufferings or temptations come from God. Apostle Peter stated that scriptures written against God are false and should be rejected because they are the satanic trial of faith (Ellis 122)

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In the Clementine Homilies, a true prophet speaks the truth despite the magnitude of his message. He does not alter the message to please people but speaks confidently respecting the fore coming events such as limitations, and sufferings. A true prophet knows everything and he reveals it to the people wisely. Moreover, he knows the minds of people and also their heart desires (Knight Para. 5). A true prophet does not predict issues but declares those in the present. Moreover, the foreknowledge of the true Prophet not only knows hidden thins in the present but also in the future. Another key characteristic of a true prophet is that he does not speak in an ambiguous language that cannot be understood. He speaks in a clear language so that there is no need for interpretation because these cold alter the message. A true prophet has a constant knowledge and spirit because if one prophecy without the Holy Spirit can deceive people (Knight Para 10).The homilies regard Jesus Christ as a true prophet with an over-flowing and inborn Holy Spirit. He was all-knowing and set forth behaviors, sufferings, tribulations times and appointed times. For instance, he prophesied about the stones of the temple and stated that he could rebuild it in three days. Although the people failed to understand what he meant about its destruction I came to pass when he resurrected on the third day. As a true prophet, Jesus spoke in simple words that everyone could understand to strengthen the faith of the hearers. The homilies emphasized that true prophets discourage bloodshed, sacrifices, and liberations. Jesus did not come to destroy the Law of Moses to strengthen it by making people understand god will.

3 The life of the Prophet Muhammad is divided into Mecca and Medina phases. He was born in the city of Mecca and he was raised by his uncle after the death of his father. The Quraish controlled most trade routes but, he became a rich merchant after marrying Khadija (Schirrmacher 9) When Muhammad was called by Allah, the city was immoral activities such as tribal wars, murder, and economic instability among others. However, the people observed noble deeds such as hospitality and keeping covenants. In 610 A.D. Mohammed founded the Islam religion after receiving several divine revelations from God. The first verses stated that human beings were created by Allah and he is a generous supreme being that should be worshipped. Those who received his message believed it and became his first followers. Muhammad and his followers were encouraged by Allah to be patient and believe in Him because he would make them powerful among nations. His first teachings also included warnings of the judgment day to those who do evil. Allah commanded him to preach the Islam religion to his family members and close friends for three years. However, he received another revelation that he should preach monotheism to the Meccans. When he started to preach publically, the Quraishi leaders realized that he has a different mission and became hostile to the Islam believers. He attracted several followers in Mecca but the situation became dire after the death of his life. When opposition, harassment, and assault blame severe they fled to Medina. Islam is a monotheistic religion which acts as a unifying feature. People from different cultures come together to worship one God (Allah). The Quran teaches that people are governed by the rules of Allah who determines every event according to the guidelines. This means that individuals are free from feudal sieges and divine authority (Eren 155). Moreover, it teaches that people create their connection with Allah without his interference hence it is a secular religion that offers people freedom.

Muhammad migrated to medina after various attempts on his life in Mecca. The entry into Medina was a turning point to Islam because many people were converted. The religion became strong and spread around the Arabic countries. The main events that took place in Medina marked the foundation of Islam. One of these major events was the construction of the first mosque. It served as a center of worship, a school where they were taught the Quran and also a headquarter for the followers to receive instructions or messages from Muhammad. The followers were free to meet without fear of persecution like what happened in Mecca. They performed daily prayers led by the Prophet and discussed issues affecting their daily lives. Muhammad also prepared them for Jihad (Holy struggle) where he persuaded them to remain patient in the Lord. Another event is fraternization where local Medinans were initiated to the Islamic brotherhood. They all recited the Quran on verses that talk about new converts. Muhammad established an Islamic state that describes how Islam should co-exist with one another. Arabic society had no government to deal with legal issues such as tyranny and oppression (Faiha 4).

Another important event that took place in the Median is the introduction of Jihad to secure the state. The un-believers resorted to the use of firearms the Muslims and stop them from their expansion. The conquests brought power and courage to the Muslims and facilitated the spread of Islam and monotheism to the farthest reaches of polytheist Arabia (Akhter Para. 4). Moreover, the conquests brought the end of Jewish plots and teachings. The Jewish leaders believed that the only prophet sent from God was Jesus Christ and therefore they rejected Muhammad. He also conquered mecca and destroyed all idols and preached monotheism to the people that rejected him.

The followers of Muhammad believed that he was an authentic messenger from Allah because he received direct revelations. The Quran indicates that he spends most of his time in the mountains where God communicated to him through voices or visions. He prophesied that God would make their religion to spread to the other countries and it came to pass. The followers believed in his true prophecy because he could warn about future occurrences that came to pass. Muhammad regards Allah as the creator of mankind and the universe at large. He is also the master of power but it is used by people in administrative authority. These people include the prophets he sends to pass his message (Akhter 4). Moreover, Muslims believe that Allah has laid out the basic codes for the structure of society and the improvement of mankind. The method by which the principles are implemented is found in the case-law. The political idea is viewed not only as ontological imagination established between man and Allah but a complete relationship. He is a peacemaker as he mediates disputes politely and unites the two parties as friends. His main mission was to bring the nations together and enhance corporation through social equality, hospitality and the worship of one true god (Akhter 10). He advocated for monotheism and destroys the worship of idols. He also wrote that only Allah should be worshipped. His courage to defeat other states proves that he is an authentic messenger who is confident in the help of a supreme being.

Works Cited

Akhter, Javeed.The Seven Phases of Prophet Muhammad's Life. 2018. <https://www.islamicity.org/6411/the-seven-phases-of-prophet-muhammads-life/

Batten, Alicia J. "The Hermeneutics of Divine Testing: Cosmic Trials and Biblical Interpretation in the Epistle of James and Other Jewish Literature By Nicholas Ellis. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament, II, 396. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2015. Pp. xiii+ 275. Paper, Є79. 00." Religious Studies Review 42.1 (2016): 48-48.

Ellis, Nicholas. The Hermeneutics of Divine Testing: Cosmic Trials and Biblical Interpretation in the Epistle of James and Other Jewish Literature. Vol. 396. Mohr Siebeck, 2015.

Eren, Ahmet Yasir. "A Critique of Political Islam: The Turkish Model Case." 一神教世界= The world of monotheistic religions9 (2018): 151-166. Web http://www.cismor.jp/uploads-images/sites/2/2018/03/759bebd91c2e676e016c38671fe3f707.pdf

Faiha, Umm. Meccan Era of prophet Muhammad. 2014. Web https://www.academia.edu/26587038/Meccan_Era_of_prophet_Muhammad

Knight, Kevin. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 8. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) 2017. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/080803.htm>.

Schirrmacher, Christine Political Islam When Faith Turns Out to Be Politics. (2016). Web https://www.bucer.de/fileadmin/dateien/Dokumente/Buecher/WEA_GIS_16_Christine_Schirrmacher_-_Political_Islam.pdf