“Jesus Didn’t Preach Christianity, but Islam!” - British Ex-Christian’s Revert Story!

Towards Eternity・2 minutes read

Paul Williams shares his journey from Christianity to Islam, critiquing core Christian beliefs and highlighting the similarities between the two religions regarding Jesus. He overcame initial Islamophobia post-9/11 and found answers in Islam to profound questions, aligning with Western scholarship's views on Jesus and emphasizing the importance of accurate information about Islam through credible sources like books.

Insights

  • Paul Williams' journey from atheism to Christianity to Islam highlights the evolution of his beliefs based on critical analysis of core theological concepts like the Trinity and the Incarnation, emphasizing the importance of scholarly examination in religious exploration.
  • The discrepancies between the core beliefs of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus in the gospels, as well as the historical evolution of Christian concepts like the atonement and Trinity, underscore the complexity and challenges within Christianity, urging believers to engage in deeper understanding of their faith beyond surface-level interpretations.

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Recent questions

  • What led Paul Williams to embrace Islam?

    A spiritual experience in late teens.

  • How did Paul Williams overcome Islamophobia?

    By engaging with Muslims and reading the Quran.

  • What core beliefs of Christianity did Paul Williams critique?

    Atonement and Trinity.

  • What similarities did Paul Williams find between Islam and Christianity?

    Regarding Jesus and Mary.

  • What recommendations did Paul Williams offer for learning about Islam?

    Books like "Misquoting Muhammad" by Jonathan Brown.

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Summary

00:00

Paul Williams: Journey from Christianity to Islam

  • The speaker, Paul Williams, shares his journey from being born in Essex to producing content on blogging theology, focusing on Judaism, Islam, and Christianity from a scholarly perspective.
  • Raised in a nominally Christian home, he studied Christian theology and philosophy at university before embracing Islam.
  • Initially an atheist in his late teens, he had a spiritual experience that led him to Christianity, where he believed in the Trinity, Incarnation, and read the Bible carefully.
  • He noticed discrepancies in Christianity, such as Jesus not preaching Christianity, the Incarnation, Trinity, or atonement, which led him to explore Islam.
  • Williams highlights that Jesus' teachings in the gospels focus on God, sincerity, love, and a spiritual renewal movement within Judaism, not the core beliefs of Christianity.
  • He points out that the idea of God becoming a man in Jesus is a late concept found only in the Gospel of John, not in the earlier gospels.
  • Williams discusses his initial Islamophobia post-9/11 but overcame it by engaging with Muslims, reading the Quran, and discovering the similarities between Islam and Christianity regarding Jesus and Mary.
  • He found answers in Islam to profound questions like the problem of suffering and the nature of Jesus, aligning with Western scholarship's views on Jesus.
  • Williams critiques core Christian beliefs like the atonement and Trinity, highlighting the evolution of these concepts over centuries and the lack of biblical support for the Trinity.
  • Despite discrepancies in scriptures and beliefs, many people continue to follow Christianity due to a lack of advanced understanding of their own scriptures and teachings by church leaders.

14:19

Christianity and Islam: Beliefs and Misconceptions

  • Christianity faces challenges in communication and understanding, leading to doubts and uncertainties among believers.
  • Despite complexities, Christianity holds truths like belief in one God, angels, the day of judgment, and the creation story.
  • Many Christians, while officially believing in Jesus as God, often pray to God the father, resembling Unitarian beliefs.
  • The Quran mentions Jesus prophesying the coming of the last prophet, hinting at Muhammad's arrival.
  • The speaker found Islam's truth in the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, noting his absence in Western historical narratives.
  • The Prophet's forgiveness towards enemies upon conquering Mecca showcases his mercy and contrasts with Western misconceptions about Islam.
  • Islam's growth in the UK, especially among youth, contrasts with declining religious trends, offering a deeper connection and purpose in life.
  • To learn about Islam, the speaker recommends books like "Misquoting Muhammad" by Jonathan Brown over general internet searches for accurate information.
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