www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Vatican II and Muslims

Hello, I'm concerned with some of the teachings in Vatican II (and not just the ''Spirit of Vatican II.'') For example, Vatican II seemingly taught that Muslims worship the one true God? Not only do Muslims deny the Trinity, however, but The Koran says this about God:
Koran 3:54 ''And they (the unbelievers) planned to deceive, and Allah planned to deceive (the unbelievers), and Allah is the best of deceivers.''
Jesus, on the other hand, described Satan as the father of lies:
''You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.''

Did Vatican II teach that Muslims worship the one, true God? If so, how do you justify this according to scripture and the church fathers?

Christ is in our midst!!

Bishop Titus,

Here is a link you may paste in your browser. It takes you to a portion of a refutation of Islam by St. John of Damascus who first argued with Mohammad about his new religion.

http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx

As far as Vatican 2 goes, ISTM that there was an attempt to open up to dialogue with everyone in the world with the goal of ending wars between people over religion. I don't buy the idea that Muslims worship the same God that we do. Elsewhere I have read that the God we worship is Trinity and to deny Trinity as He has been revealed through the Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ shows that we are unique in our worship of God.

I agree with you! I will check out the link. Can a Catholic disregard this teaching or this binding?

Christ is in our midst!!

B T,

The answer to your question is beyond my pay grade. However, Vatican 2 was (and is) billed as a "pastoral council" so it appears that the teachings are not dogmatic and binding. But you need some of our clergy members to weigh in for a better answer.

Vatican II created substantial spiritual confusion. That is not a sign of a healthy, prudent council.

Love it for the liberation of the Eastern Churches, obviously.

Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium 16, November 21, 1964

“But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate 3, October 28, 1965

“The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men. Yet she proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (Jn 1:6). In him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself (cf. 2Co 5:18-19), men find the fullness of their religious life.

“The Church, therefore, urges her sons to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, also their social life and culture.

“The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth (Cf. St. Gregory VII, Letter III, 21 to Anazir [Al-Nasir], King of Mauretania PL, 148.451A.), who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.

“Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.”

“Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion. Accordingly, following the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the sacred Council earnestly begs the Christian faithful to ‘conduct themselves well among the Gentiles’ (1P 2:12) and if possible, as far as depends on them, to be at peace with all men (cf. Rm 12:18), and in that way to be true sons of the Father who is in heaven (cf. Mt 5:45).”

This is correct and, being conciliatory, stresses the common belief in "God. who is one." And this is good but must be put in the full context of our faith as Christians. As we say the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, affirmed by all at every Divine Liturgy, how far do we get with regard to other monotheistic religions? Not very far indeed.

"I believe in one God." That's it. Only Christians know God and name Him explicitly and exclusively as "Father." Sure there is in the Hebrew scripture e.g., Jeremiah 31:7 For thus says YHWH... 9 I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born. But that in the one God of Israel, YHWH:

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel! YHWH is our God, YHWH alone.

We believe in the All-Holy Three, one God, but our Trinitarian faith sets us apart.