MSI Press Blog

  1. The Question Are Allah and God the same? It sounds simple. It isn’t. Because behind the question is another one: When two people use the word “God,” are they ever talking about the same reality? 2. The Human Angle You hear a Muslim say “Allah.” You hear a Christian say “God.” You hear both speak of mercy, justice, creation, prayer, forgiveness. And you wonder: Is this one God described differently? Or two different understandings of the Divine? 3. What the Word “Allah” Actually Means In Arabic, “Allah” simply means “God.” Arabic‑speaking Christians use the word Allah in their Bibles, hymns, and liturgy. It is not a separate deity. It is the Arabic word for the One God. So the linguistic answer is straightforward: “Allah” = “God” in Arabic. But the theological question is deeper. 4. How Islam Understands Allah In Islam, Allah is: One — absolutely singular, without division Merciful and Compassionate — the two names that begin every chapter of the Qur’an Creator of all thi...

It takes time — and a few life lessons — to understand the quiet difference between being pleased and being proud . Children and young adults often feel both without distinction. Something goes well, and the feeling is simply good. But as we grow older, we begin to notice why it feels good — and that’s where maturity begins. Being pleased comes easily. It’s a response to success, kindness, or beauty. It’s light, immediate, and external. It says, I like what happened. Being proud takes reflection. It’s rooted in identity and effort. It’s deeper, internal, and enduring. It says, I like who I am becoming. Maturity teaches us that both feelings have their place — but they serve different purposes. Pleased brings gratitude and calm. Proud brings strength and direction. Together, they create balance — the foundation of inner peace. When we’re young, we chase pride for validation. When we’re older, we find peace in being pleased — and pride becomes quiet, humble, and steady. That’s the ...

  This week's editor's choice is  A Theology for the Rest of Us  by Arthur Yavelberg. This book is a highly respected book, well reviewed, and recipient of some excellent awards. For seekers, skeptics, and spiritually curious readers who want depth—not doctrine—this book offers a path worth exploring. Book description: Why does evil exist? Does God? Do we have free will—or are we shaped by forces we barely understand? In an age of disillusionment with organized religion and frustration with shallow “spirituality,” more and more thoughtful people are searching for a path that is honest, coherent, and intellectually alive. A Theology for the Rest of Us offers a clear, rational exploration of the deepest questions humans ask, drawing on wisdom from both Eastern and Western traditions—including Buddhism, Taoism, Hindu philosophy, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Instead of defending dogma, the book invites readers into a cross‑cultural conversation about meaning, suff...