Many of the verses are fine, with which we can have consensus. I list ideas rather than just verses, as most are repeated frequently. Some are ones where we can sympathize, though not commiserate.
Why won't they believe? We tell them and tell them of the greatness of God, of His power and mighty works, but no one will listen.
The problem is he lists reasons to know there is a god, and says therefore, serve Allah and His Messenger. It's a necessary but not sufficient point. We may believe in God, but how do we know it's Allah? (And if the Messenger isn't included, it doesn't count.)
Other prophets too have been rejected. We've already discussed this, but you really get the feeling of self justification and near martyrdom-not necessarily in a self-righteous tone, but heartfelt. Then he discusses his followers. Those who suffer for the sake of the kingdom of God (Christian term, but equivalent-for the cause) are not equal to those who come in without paying a price for commitment.
Though he speaks of those who have killed Christians, still I understand. Losing houses, going into banishment, or moving to avoid persecution purges one. It requires the examination of the depth and cost of commitment. Thus to continue following means fully embracing the value of the issue.
Similarities in theology exist. The afterlife awaits us, whether heaven or hell. We will have to answer for our choices, behavior, and beliefs. God is merciful. Only God can forgive sins or create life.(There are many differences, as well.)
God is worthy of being served. Nothing else is as important. Those are fools who pursue this world's approval or its riches, other than what is necessary to provide for themselves and their families. The faithfulness of God to His people is one of the subjects mentioned in the Psalms that we are to recount to our children, to others, and to sing about. So we have no objection to Suras that remind us of these.
Except of course the small problem of claiming all the work God has done with the Jews or Christians as work for Islam. I think the rest of the world understands these folks as Jews or Christians, or both. Taking these parts of other's history and claiming it as God's faithfulness to Islam is truly distressing, revolting, humorous, and bewildering.
If you want to prove God's faithfulness to you, have evidence of His work with you. Thus, the complaint of the Unbelievers- Where are the signs? Our own holy men, prophets or not, had miracles done for them, if not by them.
Were these verses we agree with not strewn with insults to Christians (or those who add partners to Allah, or claim intercessors for them) and dire threats for insulting God by claiming He had a Son, we would find it easier reading. Also they claim that holy people should pray, fast, do good to the poor. We agree with this, except that the Koran says that those who do all this without accepting "the Messenger" are wasting their time. To those who think they can earn their salvation, we say "likewise."
One other question I had, was that sometimes to avoid a problem, Mohammed would say no one could be an intercessor for someone else without God's permission. Now, if the Koran admits Jesus was sinless, and was one of the five prophets sent by God, why would God turn him down? Especially if God was tolerant enough to accept someone who was not sinless- like Mohammed.
