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Measuring the Cloth with the
Yardstick Dont believe anything
Rather, Question, get evidence and establish facts
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For everyone who believed
and everyone who helped
In the name of God
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preamble ............................................................................................................................... 6
Holy scripture ....................................................................................................................... 10
THe holy Bible ...................................................................................................................... 11
75, 73 or 66 books? ......................................................................................................... 12
The New Testament .......................................................................................................... 13
Who wrote the Gospels? Were they inspired? ...................................................................... 14
Human additions in the New Testament ............................................................................. 16
Calculated mistranslations .............................................................................................. 21
Do you follow the Scripture? .............................................................................................. 25
Jesus according to scripture ................................................................................................... 29
Jesus according to the Quran .............................................................................................. 36
Jesus, Mary, Christians and Muslims .................................................................................. 39
People of the book ............................................................................................................. 42
Christianity ....................................................................................................................... 44
Quran and its teachings ......................................................................................................... 47
What does Quran say about itself? .................................................................................. 48
Defining Islam, Muslim and Allah ..................................................................................... 50
What is Islam? ................................................................................................................... 51
O Muslims, open your eyes ................................................................................................... 54
Quran, men and women .................................................................................................... 62
Women and men are equal in Gods eyes ............................................................................ 63
Dress Code for Women ..................................................................................................... 65
Must women wear the Veil? ............................................................................................... 67
Are women to be beaten? ................................................................................................... 71
Polygamy .......................................................................................................................... 74
Divorce ............................................................................................................................. 81
Living the Muslim life ........................................................................................................ 84
Islam Religion of Peace or Tyranny ..................................................................................... 85
Jihad Holy War .............................................................................................................. 86
And kill them wherever you encounter them Quran 2:191 ................................................. 87
Terrorism, suicide bombers and killing the innocent ............................................................ 88
true teachings in the Quran ................................................................................................ 90
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PREAMBLE
Religion is not what it seems
It has almost been fifteen years since I was introduced to the scriptures, Bible
and Quran. The irony is I have called myself a Muslim from the day I was
born and it took me almost half my life to be simply introduced to scripture
of my own religion.
Paradoxically, this happened at a place where scripture should have been the
cornerstone of everything that goes around, but not. It was at a Jamat
(Muslim evangelical camp) that I had taken part in.
For those who do not understand what a typical Muslim evangelical camp is,
it is a retreat that Muslims take part in, a minimum of a 3 day stay in a mosque
somewhere away from your normal metropolis where we sleep, eat and pray
according to the teachings of the leaders with us. We are taught stories of the
prophet and his companions, we recite the Quran in the Arabic language,
mould ourselves to a humble life with no contact with the secular world. In
the evenings we would visit Muslim homes in the vicinity of the mosque and
our leaders will show us how to preach to Muslims.
On one of these camps while we were having an unwound chat after a
fabulously cooked dinner, my younger brother who was always an intelligent
individual who would not have been more than ten years old at the time
happened to mention a quotation he had heard of the bible. This was when
the conversation had evolved into a light discussion on religions and
scripture. Our leader (Ameer) who I had eternally respected as a very patient
man shut my brother up by saying When you speak of darkness you will
only end up going towards it, he said those words as if it was a revelation of
God, as if its a quotation from the scripture.
It was precipitous illumination. I was stunned. You cannot have an open and
intelligent conversation about scripture with these guys.
I realised that though we are told to read and memorise the Quran in Arabic,
we are never encouraged to understand what it says. Almost every other word
that comes out of our leaders are extra Quranic stories. I started to wonder
why, the foundation of the religion I follow, the Quran is not understood.
Rather it is discouraged. The sole focus in our learnings are reciting the book
as if it is mantra written in some divine language, how to perform prayer,
dress code, sleeping posture, etc.
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This led me to get a Quran and a bible and study them, and when you do that
independently, everything changes.
Very soon after that incident I was travelling in a public taxi to college and
the taxi driver was a staunch Muslim as I judged by the clothing and the
fullness of his beard. As soon as he found out I was a Muslim, being clad in
jeans and shirt started preaching me about the way of the prophet. I listened
to him intently not letting him know that I have heard almost everything he
said with one question I wanted to ask him when he finishes his sermon,
where could I learn to understand the Quran? This question made him turn
around and scan me up and down as if I am a woman in a two piece roaming
Afghanistan.
His answer shocked me further, Why do you want to understand the
Quran?
As my exploration began I used to examine other religions. I have not at the
time met a single Jew but many Christians and Buddhists. My country has a
majority population of Buddhists, then Hindus, Muslims and Christians and
I used to try studying them. I have always been told that Muslims will lead a
happy life on earth and beyond if they follow the prophets way or Sunnah.
But I truly cannot see a difference in the happiness index, if there ever was
such a thing, between any of these guys. All my Christian friends are happy
too. I was told of Barakath or God-given luck or blessings if I may interpret
it as, that Muslims receive due to following the prophets way. Hence, what
happened to all the happiness and Barakath that Muslims are supposed to
monopolise?
I started studying what Christianity was all about. The first book I read was
written by a Jehovahs Witness and was so tantalising. It had great pictures
and charts and I have never seen a Muslim publish a book like that. The name
Jehovah was strange to me. Where did this name come from? Does that mean
God has a proper name? Why would God need a name if he was the only
one? Even in Islam, Muslims tend to understand that Allah is a name. Only
Christianity doesnt have a name for God, therefore is there truth to the
religion?
Two most persistent questions I had in my mind were polygamy and the role
of females in the Islamic society. Since most women have been born into this
system they naturally accept most of these teachings but I asked all of them,
no matter what excuse is given by men regarding polygamy, no woman can
share her husband with another woman and accept it entirely.
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I had found a great idol called Ahamed Deedat, a Muslim apologist who
used to know the bible better than most Christians he debated. He used to
insist that Christian apologists quote the biblical verses in context of
surrounding verses. Christians almost always fail in this task and he seems to
know the context at all times. But against a question about polygamy he
quotes a verse from the Quran Marry women of your choice, 2, 3 or 4.
When I checked up the verse in concern, I realized he does not quote a full
verse at all, but a fragment of it. The verse is talking about orphans under
your protection and has a completely different position if you read it in
context. Why would someone who insists Christians to quote with context,
quote this particular verse from his own scripture, completely out of context?
Consequently I continued my study of scripture in order to understand these
questions I had in my mind since answers were meek and biased.
All human beings have a belief system and that system governs actions,
morality and the hope of salvation. Hindus believe in the Bhagvath Geetha,
Smrithis, Upanishads, Puranas and most importantly the Vedas. Christians
believe in the divinity of the bible which is a collection of 73 or 66 books
depending on the denomination, Roman Catholic or Protestant. Jews believe
in the Torah, Tanakh and Mishna while Muslims believe in the Quran and
the historical records they call Hadith or narration (Stories). This book
explores the faiths, the scripture and belief systems of the bible and Quran
followers.
All adherents of the above faiths firmly believe in their religions, just like you
and I. Could everyone else be wrong? If you did not make an honest
exploration how would you know?
Have you ever explored the possibility that you do not follow your own
scripture or other documents your ancestors have used to create the belief
system you were born into or turned into? This book attempts to shed light,
explore openly and try and establish an honest awareness. I am not clergy or
what you may call a religious person but an ardent student of the bible and
Quran, with an appeal to not believe in anything but see the evidence and
make your assessment.
If my prayers are answered I will win every war, every battle and every
satisfaction. Where do all our prayers go? Why arent they answered? How
do I know God exists? Am I in the right faith? Why do my fellow evangelists
have quite poor knowledge in the scripture but they speak for hours on
religion? I greatly realised that our religions are not based on scripture at all,
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but conjecture and concepts that defy the scripture itself. We have been
measuring the yardstick with the cloth and judging the book by the movie.
Reading in context
One premise that I would like to begin this book is the premise of reading in
context.
1. Context of language and relevance to the time it was written in
translation and interpretation.
2. Context of preceding and surrounding texts of a verse quoted.
3. Context of the book in concern.
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HOLY SCRIPTURE
The earth is resonant with over seven billion people, out of them 3.7 billion
(53%) individuals believe in either the Bible or the Quran. That is the
influence scripture has on earth.
Taking to account the major religions in the world, adherents of the bible and
the Quran are the latest additions to the consortium of those who follow
scripture. The impact of these two books cannot be unerringly calculated or
grasped by any study because it is just too extensive.
Though different in language and nature of narration, these two books claim
to be revelations given to us humans by the almighty creator of the universe
and both books speak of common prophets or messengers. Though
throughout history there have been numerous conquests, wars and slaughters
using the banner of religion the same number of wars occur within the
religions as well. There are more serious divisions within the religions than
between. Its a true wonder how with one scripture, such divisions could
occur. It is a more compelling wonder how with one scripture, theres more
discrimination, oppression and violation of human rights, than between.
It is a widespread assertion that Islam is a tyrannical, oppressive religion or
system. Well, an honest scrutiny of some Muslim regimes does portray the
fact. Women are forbidden to drive in Saudi Arabia by the state, adulterers
are stoned to death, the Taliban banned female students from education,
polygyny is allowed by law, and women are forced to be subservient. But are
they done by Islam or Muslims?
Most Muslims believe that only they can attain salvation by walking in the
footsteps of the prophet via stories inherited through lines of narrators.
Christians believe that only they can attain salvation by believing in Jesus
being God and his death and ascension as the Lamb of God.
What does the Holy Scripture say? Do they teach us what we believe, about
ourselves and others? Do we know and follow our own scripture?
No, we do not.
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THE HOLY BIBLE
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75, 73 OR 66 BOOKS?
Throughout the past decade or more, I have observed that the regular person
I meet refers to the bible they have at home as THE BIBLE. Most adherents
of the Christ I have experienced are Roman Catholics but I am yet to find an
average Roman Catholic home to possess a Roman Catholic bible. With the
exception of one or two homes I have seen only the protestant bible in
Catholic homes. I find it curious that most are unaware of the differences or
even the existence of something called the Catholic Bible.
The Roman Catholic bible or (e.g. Douay Version) is a collection of 73 books.
7 of these books were taken out as Apocrypha or doubtful by the protestant
Christians and the protestant bible was developed. The earliest bible
manuscripts contain all of these books which fetches the question, if the bible
is Gods word, how could mortals decide some books are doubtful? A study
of the codex Sinaiticus which is known as probably the oldest and
comprehensive bible manuscript clearly shows that the older bible has all 73
books including those shunned as Apocrypha along with two more books,
the Gospel of Barnabus and Shepherd of hermes, which makes a total of 75
books. The Codex Alexadrinus has 75 books as well. But no translation of
the bible has all. Thus, it is clear that all books or one book as a whole could
not be deemed Gods word because the bibles in circulation in modern times
have nine books lesser than the oldest bibles.
There could have been valid reasons for these books to have been called
doubtful and to be omitted, but the dispute remains in a prime question, Did
God dictate the evolution of the current bible?
According to the Quran, Muslims are supposed to believe in previous
scripture, not only the Quran.
Injeel - Gospel revealed to Jesus
Taurat - Torah revealed Moses
Zaboor - Revelation to Dawud or David
Quran - Revealed to Muhammed
Thus, scrutinising the bible, which is the only book that could contain the
books herein, is to understand the teachings in its context and in its
legitimacy, not to condemn the book altogether.
As per the Islamic contention, Islam (Peace and Submission) was the religion
or system preached by all prophets beginning with Adam. If Jesus was a
prophet of God, his followers were Muslims. Thus, if any error entered the
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bible, on purpose or by error, were done by our ancestors. Not some strange
aliens who we cannot take responsibility for, and it is the duty of all Christians
and Muslims alike to explore the Holy Bible openly.
THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament has the four canonical Gospels and 23 other books
which were written later. The New Testament was originally accepted to be
written in Koine Greek which was commonly used in the Eastern
Mediterranean from 330s before Christ. The 27 books eventually collected
and bound as the New Testament are believed to have been originally written
before 150 AD.
This collection of books that devise the bible was not according to divine
ordain but roman emperor Constantines at the council of Nicea in the year
325 A.D. The agenda of the council was to bring all scriptures and through a
show of hands, decide which ones are in or out, and the question of whether
Jesus Christ was divine or human. The most powerful man on earth decided
what Gods word is, not God nor Jesus.
The word Gospel is derived from the Anglo Saxon words meaning Good
News or Awesome News. The four Gospels canonized in the New Testament
are Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus preached the Gospel, thus the
books above are named by humans. Matthew, Mark, Luke or John do not
claim the title as Gospels, nor do the books claim to have been written by
them. They are only speculation.
The following verse talks of the Gospel (Good News). Did Jesus carry one of
the canonical Gospels or was he preaching the coming of Gods kingdom?
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the
good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the
people. Matthew 4:23
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and
sickness. Matthew 9:35
Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind
receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy d are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Matthew 10:4-5
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah Mark 1:1
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After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good
news of God. Mark 1:14
A careful analysis of the verses concerning the Good News translated Gospel
portrays that Jesus did not have a book up his sleeve, but rather he was
preaching the good news of Gods word to the people. But when a reader sees
the word Gospel instead of Good News it connotes something else. It
sounds like a book called by the name Gospel not as the Good News
advocated by Jesus. This enquiry begets doubt that these books were called
Gospels by the original authors. The fact is, none of the canonical Gospels
called themselves by a name, it was so named by people.
WHO WROTE THE GOSPELS? WERE THEY
INSPIRED?
The Gospel according to Luke begins in a peculiar manner that breaks the
premise of divine inspiration. The author very clearly establishes that he
wrote it of his own accord.
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled
among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully
investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account
for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things
you have been taught. Luke 1
The writer claims to have written this on his own accord because he is aware
of Jesuss story and accounts as handed down to him, that he has investigated
and understood the historical account of Jesus and wishes to write the book
for our knowledge. Moreover, the writer does not claim to be St. Luke.
Therefore, it is impossible to believe the book was inspired by God or any
divinity after this explicit statement in the beginning of the Gospel of Luke.
Furthermore, this author is claiming to have inherited the knowledge of the
accounts he writes from those who were eyewitnesses and servants of Jesus.
He is humble enough not to claim to have been an eye witness of Jesus and
his ministry.
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Did Matthew write the Gospel according to Matthew?
If a man called Matthew writes a book about his own experiences he would
use the words I and me in reference to himself rather than the word He
which is used by a secondary person.
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax
collectors booth. Follow me, he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him
Matthew, Chapter 9.
It is plain and clear that a third party writer has written this as depicted above.
Thus the writer is definitely not Matthew indicating that the book was named
by people later on, breaking the belief of divine inspiration. It is impossible
that this book was written by Matthew himself. This assertion is in no way
to prove that Gods words do not exist in the New Testament or to prove they
are all falsehood. Rather, to make intelligent analysis and portray the truth.
The four canonical Gospels have no authentic source or author. It is from the
language it is written that scholars at large agree to their time frame of
literature. The world at large call these books by the names given by scribes
who probably had to name them with something. It is common knowledge
amongst scholars that there were many Gospels under scrutiny at the council
of Nicea where the agenda was to structure the religion of Christianity to be
installed as the official state religion. These four were the books chosen by the
emperor of Rome, not God.
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HUMAN ADDITIONS IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT
The story of the adulterous woman
Any Christian or anyone who has at least watched TV would recollect the
woman of adultery and the wisdom of Jesus Christ that saved her from being
stoned. This appears in the 7th and 8th chapters of the Gospel of John. This
story was not in the bible but added later by human intervention.
Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.
This is probably one of the most known quotes from the bible and it is not
easy for anyone to believe that this whole story (John, Chapter 7:53-8:11) was
never in the older bibles but added later on by some scribe. In the earliest
manuscripts of the bible the verses depicting the story of the adulterous
woman is not available. A simple comparison between the King James
Version and the New International Version (NIV) of the bible would portray
this fact.
Why would any scribe need to insert a story of this nature to the bible? Yes,
that is a pertinent question.
Though through time the world has forgotten the importance given to Mary
Magdalene in the early periods of Christianity, Mary Magdalene was known
to have been Jesus partner. This is a debated fact but the story above is
attributed Mary Magdalene, probably with the purpose of turning her into a
reformed prostitute. This was probably done by scribes intentionally to phase
away the idea of Jesus having an earthly partner.
One of the Gospels thrown away at the council of Nicea was the Gospel
according to phillip which has a verse that indicates Jesus to have coveted
Mary. In fact, Gospel of Peter, Mary Magdalene and Thomas are all of this
claim.
A woman who has not given birth to children may become a mother of angels. Such a
woman was Mary Magdalene, a companion of the Son. The Lord loved her more than
He loved all other disciples and oft en kissed her on her mouth. The other disciples,
seeing Him loving Mary, said, Why do You love her more than us?. Answering
them, He said, Why do I not love you as her?. Phillip verse 55
The four canonised Gospels in the bible does not directly voice Jesus to have
a relationship with Mary but does not negate it either. She was the one most
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concerned about him, first to meet him upon his return after the alleged
crucifixion and she leads the female disciples.
Be it fact or fiction, the question naturally raised is, why would scribes add
such a story by hand? Biblical scholars largely concur with the reality of this
story being a concoction.
Speaking in new tongues and performing miracles
The famous declaration of Jesus that people will perform miracles in his name
and speaking in new tongues etc did not happen. It was not in the bible
originally but added later and used by many Christians to justify their
evangelistic missions, miraculous healing and other practices.
He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out
demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and
when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands
on sick people, and they will get well.
The above verses and the surrounding story of Jesus going to his 11 disciples
were human innovations not contained in the old manuscripts (Mark, chapter
16, verses 9-20).
Jim Jones, the founder of a group called Peoples Temple and followers
drank cyanide and perished due the belief in these verses. It was entered into
the Guinness book of world records for the largest mass suicide with 909
people including 300 children dying in belief of a scriptural passage concocted
by scribes with agendas, verses that never existed in the bible.
The Trinity creed
The most important doctrine in Christendom is the doctrine of the Trinity,
Father, the word and the Holy Spirit. People will find it impossible to believe
that this is not in the bible.
But then again it is there in the 1st epistle of John, chapter 5, verses 7 and 8.
This is human addition.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
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And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. King James version
This was an erroneous and probably an intentional addition to promote the
doctrine of the Trinity. The actual text according to Codex Sinaiticus which
is probably the oldest manuscript found has the following.
For they that testify are three,
The Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three are one.
The verses also differ in the New International Version which was also
translated according to ancient manuscripts.
For there are three that testify:
The Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
I believe any reader could easily comprehend that the trinity verse was
concocted in the King James Version and later taken out by Christian scholars
after identifying the concerned verse as a fabrication.
The Ascension
The ascension verses are contained in the Gospel according to Luke 24:50-53
as printed below (King James Version). The answer to the question where did
these verses come from? Why were they added intentionally to what is
deemed to be Gods word? Why have false verses entered into a bible a Billion
people or more will look to for salvation, are questions you as an intelligent
reader could answer after giving it a little thought.
Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 24 King James Version
50. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed
them.
51. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and
carried up into heaven.
52. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53. And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Will it be too much of a tremor if it was stated that the early manuscripts stop
at verse 23 of the chapter 24. The ascension verses are in none of the old
manuscripts that count for anything while the oldest and most pure
Manuscripts, including those preserved in the British Museum for anyones
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perusal has 30 verses lesser which means the King James Version has thirty
verses more than it is supposed to. The ascension verses are a complete
fabrication and we humans are expected to blindly read a bible we expect to
be Gospel truth, with human concoctions to fulfil an agenda of some order.
Summary of the fictitious text (Luke 24:24 53) with
context
The chapter 24 begins with the women (including Mary Magdalene) were
going to the tomb of Jesus. They see two men glistening like lightning and
fall on their knees. The men tell her that he has risen and he was in the tomb
for 3 days (Indicating that he fulfilled the sign of Jonah).
Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James tell the 11 disciples
of the events but the disciples dont believe the women. They think its
nonsense. Peter goes to see the tomb, finds the linen that Jesus was wrapped
in and wonders away doubting what had happened.
Two of them were walking towards the village called Emmaus and Jesus
himself approaches them and walks with them without being recognised.
Then Jesus asks the two what they were talking about and they ask Jesus Are
you visitor? Dont you know what has been happening? Jesus asks them
what they were and they reply saying About Jesus of Nazareth, they
replied. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all
the people. They go on to tell him that the Jews handed him to the Romans,
they crucified him, they hoped he was the redeemer of Israel and that they
did not believe the account told by the women of them going to the tomb of
Jesus.
Thats where the book older bibles end. But the modern bible continues
with the following faux addition.
Some of our disciples went to the tomb later and found it empty. Then Jesus
(still not recognised) calls them foolish, did not the messiah have to suffer
and enter into his glory and Jesus goes on to explain biblical prophecies
about himself to the two disciples. When they reach the destination, Jesus
keeps going and the two men urge him to stay to which Jesus agrees. When
sitting for dinner, Jesus broke the bread and gave them some, which is when
they recognised Jesus. Jesus disappears.
They immediately go to Jerusalem and meet the 11 disciples and others with
them proclaiming that Jesus has risen and that its true. At this juncture Jesus
appears to them and says Peace be unto you. They were startled, and Jesus
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puts a full stop to their doubt by telling them to touch him and be affirmed
that he is not a ghost or a spirit. Then he eats broiled fish.
Jesus tells them, that all of his prophecies in the Old Testament must be
fulfilled.
The following scripture is below
Suffering and rising from the dead for the forgiveness of sins
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them,
This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third
day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send
you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with
power from on high. Luke 24:45-49
The Ascension of Jesus
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed
them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then
they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed
continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-53
Four central concepts attributed to Jesus are forgeries added to the Gospel
of Luke
Appearance to his disciples
Jesus dying for the sins of humanity
His ascension to heaven
Disciples worshipping him while he ascends
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Jesus visit to his disciples after the crucifixion
The world has seen Jesus story where he visits the disciples after crucifixion.
These circumstances are visually remembered. The Gospels do record his
visit, but two of them are forged.
Mark16:9-20 and Luke 24:24-53. These interpolations are already discussed
above.
CALCULATED MISTRANSLATIONS
Isiah 7:14, the virgin will give birth to a son
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and
give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isiah 7:14
This verse is famous to be a prophetic prediction of the birth of Jesus Christ
through Virgin Mary. Prophecy or not this verse is mistranslated to read as
virgin. Hebrew for Virgin is Betulah () wherein the word here is Almah () which means young woman or damsel. This word is no rocket science and anyone who knows Hebrew would know the true
meaning, thus most bibles have intentionally mistranslated this word.
The dispute here is not about a prophecy but the mistranslation.
1 thimothy 3:16 God in the flesh
The King James Bible says that God was manifest in the flesh with
reference to Jesus trying to prove the divinity of Christ wherein as the old
manuscripts it is cited as He who was manifested in flesh
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached
unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1
Thimothy 3:16 (King James)
And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness: He who was
manifested in flesh, was justified in spirit, seen by angels, preached
among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 1
Thimothy 3:16 (Codex Sinaiticus)
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The church has again and again tried their best to portray the divinity of the
Christ by subtle and mostly not so subtle insertions of concocted text but with
time, honest Christian scholars emerge and old bibles are found and these
innovations are exposed. This is obviously an intentional mistranslation.
Both Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus testify to this fact.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the word
Greek for the almighty God or THE God is Ho Theos, whilst Ton Theos
means Little God or Gods representative. The translators have not
translated it this way.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. John 1:1
In order to portray Jesus the Messiah as God, the translators have gone to the
extent of mistranslating this as God.
Greek -
Phonetic - En arch n ho Lgos, kai ho Lgos n pros ton Then,
kai Thes n ho Lgos.
In Greek Theos or Theon means divinity. When you give a nature of
divinity to something or someone you say Theos. God himself is Ho Theos
(The God or the Divinity) which is not mentioned in this verse at all.
Logos () means the word (Jesus), therefore it is evident that the
Almighty God is not mentioned in this verse. Only the representative of God
is cited (Ton Theos).
Christ (Christos) means Messiah, the anointed one, the one who has been
sent on behalf of God. Thus, he cannot be the Messiah and the God at the
same time. It is simple logic, you and your hired employee cannot be the same
person. Either its you or its your representative, both cannot be one. Jews
were waiting for the Messiah and they never accepted Jesus as the Messiah
(Masaha), it is the church that converted the Messiah into God incarnate. The
grave error they made is to call him Jesus Christ, if they did not add the
Christ word it would have been more productive in making him God.
If theon or theos is to connote that Jesus is God then Moses was called God,
by the almighty God himself and if calling someone theon it is to pronounce
him God as the current belief is of Jesus being God, Moses is God too.
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Exodus 7:1
Greek -
Phonetic - ka epen krios prs Mo ysn lgon ido ddok se then Farao
ka Aaron o adelfs sou stai sou profti s
English - And he said unto Moses, saying, Lord, behold I send you as God
(Theon) of Pharaoh, and Aaron thy brother will be your Prophet
Thus it is clear that the reference god here is used to express that Moses is a
representative of God to the pharaoh while Aaron is a representative of
Moses.
The lost Gospels
There are many Gospels written in the early years of the evolution of
Christianity that have gone completely flouted. A very significant book
written probably by Thomas himself as claimed in the book (None of the
canonised Gospels claim for authorship) exists and is studied extensively. The
bible contains 27 books of those who were not more significant than the
names Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdalene, Phillip and isnt it perplexing why
these documents attributed to the closest disciples of Jesus are not canonized.
Moreover, these Gospels were persecuted and forced to be destroyed. Peters
name was never Peter, but Simon and Jesus calls him Petros in Greek or
Rock in English where we have changed the Greek word Petros into Peter
and decided to call him by a nickname created by the English translators.
Every Christian knows the importance of Peter and yet his Gospel is rejected.
This is probably due to the fact that these Gospels depict Jesus as more human
while Mary Magdalene was his mate and partner. Thus, it is humans who
decided what Gods word should be.
It is strange that all Gospels or books that have not entered the bible, e.g.
Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Phillip etc. portray Mary
Magdalene, not as a retired prostitute but as Jesus partner. The canonical
Gospels are tampered with to allege that she is a prostitute.
The only books that have been retained and canonized are the ones that do
little to portray Jesus as more human than divine. By the looks of it, the older
church did their best to hide documents that explicitly prove him to be human
and further attempted textual additions in what they included in the bible to
suit their agenda.
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Gods words or mortal work?
You shall have no other gods before me
That sounds like Gods words. - Genesis 20:3.
Yet she became more and more promiscuous as she recalled the days of her
youth, when she was a prostitute in Egypt. There she lusted after her lovers,
whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that
of horses. So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your
bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled.
Now that does not sound like Gods words. This is from Ezekiel 23: 19 - 21.
It is highly doubtful that God would go to the extent of describing the size of
a mans genitals and the quantity of his seminal fluid. It is evident that mortal
influence is rampant and we as readers must derive whats positive and omit
what is not for our moral and intellectual progression.
There are five incidents of incest in the first book of the bible, which you will
find difficulty in being more explicit. These passages were probably written
by the scribes themselves though the true author of the Old Testament is a
mystery. It certainly cannot be Gods inspiration to write such explicitly
perverted texts.
Who wrote the Pentateuch?
Pentateuch is a name given to the first 5 books of the bible also referred to as
the Torah. This is the scripture of the Jews and the most important book of
the Old Testament for the Christians. The Torah contains most of the stories
we have seen in movies, heard of and relived all our lives.
It is a general contention of most Christians that Moses wrote the Torah
himself. But a simple read through the scripture will show otherwise.
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Can a dead man write?
The most significant verse that breaks the contention of Moses authorship is
one of the last verses in the Torah.
And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He
buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one
knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he
died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for
Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning
was over. Deuteronomy 34:5 - 8
It is impossible for Moses to write his own eulogy as above declaring that his
body was never found. This in fact clearly indicates that a third party wrote
the book and also that it was long after Moses passed away. In fact recent
studies show that there could have been at least 4 different authors of the
Torah due to the textual style, reference to God etc. Yahweh, Elohim and
Adonai are some of the significant words used to refer to God and the writers
completely differ in reference to God, nature of God and agenda. It is a basic
argument that if it was God who dictated all texts in the bible, the style of
writing, his own nature or name will have the same nature.
This analysis is very basic and deeper studies have been made which would
take a whole report to elucidate. The bible is one of the most important books
in the world which is dear to any theologian or any Christian. But the
acceptance of its nature is important because it is then, that humans could
make intelligent choices and understand the fact that that the books do
contain Gods word but every passage cannot be accepted as Gods direct
word.
DO YOU FOLLOW THE SCRIPTURE?
Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Ead
This is a well-known passage in the bible. The Jews recite this in their prayer
and Moses and Jesus used it in the Old and New Testaments respectively.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, Verse
4.
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One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had
given them a good answer, he asked him, Of all the commandments, which is the
most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The
second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater
than these. Mark, Chapter 11, Verses 28-31
You could easily see that the catechism taught in the church contradicts this
teaching imparted by Jesus himself as the most important doctrine.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spirits Sancti (Latin) - in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
This Trinitarian concept is cited in the King James Version of the bible as a
doctrine in the 1st epistle of John, chapter 5 which was taken out by Christian
scholars of the bible as a later addition. This phrase was not a part of the
original bible manuscripts. The bible vehemently commands a monotheistic
doctrine though throughout history, the church teaches the Trinitarian
concept.
To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no
other besides him. - Deuteronomy 4:35
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I
am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. - Isaiah 44:6
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have
chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before
me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. - Isaiah 43:10
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. - Deuteronomy 6:4
I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you,
though you do not know me, - Isaiah 45:5
Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,
the Lord is one. - Mark 12:29
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom you have sent. - John 17:3
One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. -
Ephesians 4:6
Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.- Isaiah 41:4
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The Greatest Commandment
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One
of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is
the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Very similar to the Old Testament
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you todayto love the
LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul
Deuteronomy 11:13
Also very similar to the Quran
Say: He is God, the One, Quran 112:1
God, there is no god except He, the Living, the Sustainer. Quran 3:2
Why doesnt Jesus himself tell us that the greatest commandment is that I
am God, Worship me or the doctrine of trinity?
Do we follow our own scripture?
The Gospels themselves challenge the universally accepted nature of Jesus.
Greatest commandments in the majority of the Christian world are
Jesus is God Incarnate (Jesus himself never claimed to be)
Jesus is the biological or begotten son of God (Forged verses)
The doctrine of Trinity (Forged Verses)
Ascension (Forged Verses)
But Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul and mind.
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Inherited nature of Sin
The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of
the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of
the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be
charged against them. Ezekiel 18:20
There is no inherited nature of Sin as the bible teaches. The propagators of
original sin and the concept of inherited nature of sin in us humans will use
some verses from Corinthians, Romans etc of the New Testament, written by
self-proclaimed prophets, and they will use concepts and ornamental words,
with teachings that contradict Jesus and God himself.
God is not the creator of confusion and Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed
one, the exalted, sinless Christ. What more could be placed over their
teachings.
But we will question God and Jesus himself because we cannot believe what
we have grown up with is of no foundations. We have been taught of concepts
all our lives and we will judge the book by what we have been taught and
born into, thus we measure the Yardstick with the Cloth.
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JESUS ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE
Jesus is not his name. A man born a Jew named Yeheshua or Yashua as
commonly known claimed to be the messiah or Masaha in Hebrew. Jesus is
a non-Hebrew version invented for ease. There are many explanations to the
reason for adopting the word Jesus as his name. Some believe it is a derivation
from the name of the mythological god Isus while others explain it to have
been derived from Zeus. But it is true if one explains that a name does not
matter, it is the person it refers to that matters, and Jesus being a most exalted
name in the world does not need any introduction.
The word Christ is a short form of the Greek word Christos () which is a translation of the word Messiah, the Arabic word being
Masih. The New Testament is in Greek, thus the common question is, if
the bible is translated into English, why is the word Christos not translated?
Jesus Christ means Yashua the Messiah or Jesus the anointed one. But again,
if anyone understand what it truly means it poses no problem. Though many
you will meet on a daily basis would not know the meaning of the reference
Christ or Messiah.
It is manifestly believed by the majority of the Christians that Jesus is God
and Son of God. When a child is born into a Christian family he or she grows
up hearing this formula and never questions it. There are many arguments for
and against it but most of them are non-scriptural. If the bible is accepted as
Gospel truth, or at least to contain some truth, it is an epic question why
scripture is not adopted for this doctrine!
From a Quranic point of view Jesus is a man, he is the messiah, he was born
to the Virgin Mary by Gods will. But there is a big difference between the
Christian teaching and the Quranic teaching, where in the Quranic teaching,
God performed a miracle and the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus while
Christians believe he was begotten by God and that Jesus is the begotten son
of God.
The Quran cites the name of Jesus 25 times, five times more than Muhammed
himself who is supposedly the author of the book, where Muhammed
mentions his own name only five times. This portrays the importance the
Quran gives Jesus. He is called Isabna Mariama or Jesus the son of Mary
plenty of times in the Quran. The Quran quotes the name Mary almost twice
as much as the bible, 32 times, while the bible mentions her name 18 times,
which shows you the importance of Mary in the Quran.
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O people, a messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; that
is better for you. And if you reject, then to God is what is in the heavens and the earth.
And God is Knowledgeable, Wise. O people of the Book, do not overstep in your system,
nor say about God except the truth. Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a
messenger of God and the fulfillment of His word to Mary and a Spirit from Him.
So believe in God and His messengers, and do not say three (Trinity). Cease, for it is
better for you. God is only One god, be He glorified that He should have a son! To Him
is all that is in the heavens and the earth; and God is enough as a Caretaker. Quran,
4:170
Though the Christian belief is that Jesus is the God incarnate, Jesus himself
speaks a different creed.
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has
come upon you. Luke 11:20
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just,
for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before
him. Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why
do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is goodexcept God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not murder, you shall not commit
adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not
defraud, honor your father and mother Mark 9:17-19
It is clear by the above verses that Jesus proclaims himself as Gods Messiah,
the anointed one, born to carry out a task by the finger of God and that he
could do nothing by himself. He does not even permit a follower to call him
Good Teacher much less God.
It is a fact that there is a verse that says God sent his begotten son, found in
the King James Version whilst the original manuscripts of the bible does not
have this word. It was again a concoction.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his
only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John
4:9 (King James Version)
Later bibles took the word out and the corrected translation is below.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into
the world that we might live through him.
Thus, it is a more probable contention that the scribes who were copying the
bible developed the theory of Jesus being a begotten son (Possibly an enforced
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development after the the council of Nicea in 325 AD) and the Trinity over
time and somehow tried their best to insert it into the bible. The verse in John
5:7 is also accepted by many scholars and Sir Isaac Newton himself wrote
about it, that Erasmus, a renowned scribe inserted it into his Greek translation
where before him this verse did not exist. As intelligent beings one must ask
the question; why are all these verses, deemed as interpolation, always the
ones that support the current doctrine of the Trinity and Jesus being the
begotten son? The answer is simple, people began a new theory and tried their
best to insert it into the Gospels of the New Testament. Would not God be
very specific and explicit in telling us humans his exact doctrine? Thus most
Christian apologists talk of a belief and explain theories with no biblical
references and sometimes one verse ignoring context.
I and my father are one John 10:30
Countless apologists and evangelists quote a common verse from the bible
(John 10:30) to prove Jesus was God incarnate. I and the Father are one.
It is like taking one word out of a long poem to prove your agenda. The
context paints a completely different picture.
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in
the temple courts walking in Solomons Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered
around him, If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered, I did tell you,
but you do not believe. The works I do in my Fathers name testify about me, but you
do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,
and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will
snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than
all, no one can snatch them out of my Fathers hand. I and the Father are one. -
John 10:22-30
It is very clear that Jesus is having a conversation with some Jews who
confronted him and telling them that he is the Messiah and that God and
Jesus are together in his resolution. But apologists generally only quote the
last verse cited above. I and the father are one. A simple reading of the
following will elucidate further.
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, I have shown
you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me? We are
not stoning you for any good work, they replied, but for blasphemy, because you, a
mere man, claim to be God (ton theon- ). Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I have said you are gods (Theoi)? If he called them gods, to
whom the word of God cameand Scripture cannot be brokenwhat about the one
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whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you
accuse me of blasphemy because I said, I am Gods Son? Do not believe me unless I
do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe
the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the
Father. Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. John 10:30-39
Note the highlighted portions of the above verses. Ton theon has a different
denotation to the almighty God who is Ho Theos. In the eyes of the Jews
it is blasphemy for someone to claim he is divine or that he was the messiah
that they have been waiting for. And they have clearly misunderstood Jesus
to be merely a man who is claiming to be the Messiah. English readers must
realize that the New Testament is written Koine Greek and Jesus spoke
Aramaic (A Hebrew vernacular). The Greek word for god is Theos from
which theology is derived from. The word god could be Tong Theos and
Ho Theos. Little God and Big God. Jesus is justifying himself by
proclaiming himself to have called the Jews Little Gods.
In my country, Sri Lanka, we have these references that we call big boss and
small boss (Loku Mahattaya and Podi Mahattaya) where the small boss is the
representative of the big boss. The reference here is the same when Jesus says
I have said you are gods which is why the bible translators have used the
lower case g. The reader must know that Greek or any sematic language
does not have upper and lower case letters.
Jesus is claiming that he is the Messiah, and that he represents God which is
not taken well by the Jews and they try to stone him. Jesus tells them I and
the father are one in order to make clear that they are one in resolution or
purpose. Later Jesus tells his disciples that they are one with him and the
father. If you measure with the one yardstick that claims Jesus is proclaiming
to be God here, then even the disciples are all Gods.
Readers could misunderstand the words Father is in me and I in the Father
in Greek it simply means together or with each other. Examine the verse
where Jesus tells his disciples that as long as they are with him they will bear
much fruit. Thus he is in no way claiming God-ship, rather he is saying he
did not.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you
will bear much fruit John 15:5
When Jesus says I and the father are one he means they are one in
resolution or purpose and that when he speaks, he speaks for God.
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Jesus calls his disciples as one with God and himself
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through
their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am
in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I
have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are oneI
in them and you in meso that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the
world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23
That does not mean the Father, Jesus and the disciples are all Gods.
Is Jesus the biological son of God?
As cited earlier in this book, the only verse that quotes Jesus to be the begotten
son is taken out as a fabrication. There is not a single verse in the bible that
says Jesus is the begotten son of the almighty god. But the bible does call him
the son and he does refer to god as the father.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven
was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased. Matthew 3:16
Some would find it incongruous that the bible also calls him Son of Man
many times in the bible.
Jesus replied, Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has
no place to lay his head. Matthew 7:28
Jesus also refers to God as your father in the bible. The word Abba and bene
(Father and Son in Hebrew) biblically does not mean to claim that either you
are the begotten son of God or God is your biological father.
In the Gospel of Matthews Jesus refers to God as Your Father thirteen
times before he calls God by the words My Father for the first time. But
people completely ignore all the verses except the one where the words My
Father is contained. Thus, when Jesus tells you Your Father does that
make you also God or that you are biological sons of God?
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Other Sons of God in the Bible
There are other sons in the bible. It is a generic term for Godly person (Bene
Elohim or Son of God in Hebrew).
The sons of God saw that these daughters were beautiful, and they married any
of them they chose. Genesis 6:2
For those who insist that when Jesus is referred to as son it is a biological
relationship, here is some news, God has older sons and he calls them first
born. Does that mean they are more important than Jesus?
Then say to Pharaoh, This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son -
Exodus 4:22
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead
them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because
I am Israels father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. Jeremiah 31:9
The New Testament proclaims that anyone Godly is a Son of God.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God Romans 8:14
This is why some bible scribes inserted the begotten word only to be removed
later due to it being recognised as fallacy, because the scripture does not have
solid evidence that Jesus is the begotten son of God though the church teaches
it.
Children of God
The bible explains that it is possible for all of us to be children of God.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
The scripture goes on to explain that the righteous are born of God and his
seed remains in them
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is
right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of
the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the
Son of God appeared was to destroy the devils work. Those who are born of
God will not continue to sin, because Gods seed remains in them; they
cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know
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who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Those
who do not do what is right are not Gods children; nor are those who do not
love their brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:7-10
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JESUS ACCORDING TO THE QURAN
Is it irony or providence that Jesus is mentioned five times (25) more than the
prophet Muhammed (5) in the Quran? The Quran confirms, affirms and with
no compromise establishes the importance of Jesus. Following are quotations
from the Quran that speaks of Jesus and his nature.
Jesus was a Messenger who was given scripture
And We gave Moses the Book, and after him We sent the messengers. And We
gave Jesus, son of Mary, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Holy
Spirit. Is it that every time a messenger comes to you with what your souls do
not desire, you become arrogant? A group of them you deny, and a group of
them you kill! Quran 2:87
You must believe in Jesus and he is exalted as any prophet, including
Muhammed
Say: We believe in God and in what was sent down to us and what was sent
down to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and
what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from
their Lord; we do not make a distinction between any of them and to Him we
submit. Quran 2:136
God distinguishes Jesus as superior, amongst others. He was given the
Injeel (Gospel)
Such messengers, we have preferred some over others; some of them talked to
God, and He raised some of them in rank, and we gave Jesus, son of Mary, the
clear proofs and we supported him with the Holy Spirit. And had God wished,
the people after them would not have fought after the proofs had come to them,
but they disputed, some of them believed and some of them rejected. If God had
wished they would not have fought, but God does what He pleases. Quran
2:253
Jesus is the Messiah or the Christ
And the angels said: O Mary, God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him.
His name is the Messiah (Christ), Jesus, son of Mary. Honorable in this world
and in the Hereafter, and from among those who are made close. Quran 3:45
Jesus performed miracles with Gods permission
God said: O Jesus, son of Mary, recall My blessings upon you and your
mother, that I supported you with the Holy Spirit; you spoke to the people in
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the cradle and middle-age; and I taught you the Book and the wisdom, and the
Torah, and the Gospel; and you would create from clay the shape of a bird,
then blow into it and it becomes a bird with My permission; and you would
heal the blind and the leaper with My permission; and you would bring out
the dead with My permission. And I have restrained the Children of Israel from
you, that you came to them with proofs; but those who rejected among them
said: This is clearly magic! Quran 5:110
The above verse confirms the biblical passage where Jesus says he performed
miracles by the finger of God.
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has
come upon you. Luke 11:20
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just,
for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30
The biblical narrative is generally conceived to be completely different but the
fact is if a close inspection of the Gospels and the Quran is made, it is more
similar than different. The differences are in current Christian belief system
and the Quranic narrative, not really in the scriptural narratives.
None of the following belief systems have appropriate evidence in the four
Gospels.
1. Jesus is the begotten son of God
2. He is God incarnate
3. He is part of the trinity, father, son and the Holy Spirit.
Thus the Quranic narrative is more similar to the biblical narrative than
dissimilar.
But most Christian apologists will say that these teachings do exist in the bible
and that the Quran is completely different in preaching Jesus while Muslims
would say another version of the story, but an intelligent listener will ask for
evidence from the scripture for what they are proclaiming, not just belief
statements. What is the scriptural proof you can provide? Without that
question, we are like parrots repeating what we hear without comprehension.
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Jesus is not God
And God will say: O Jesus, son of Mary, did you tell the people to take you and your
mother as gods other than God? He said Glory to you, I cannot say what I have no
right of. If I had said it then you know it, you know what is in myself while I do not
know what is in yourself. You are the Knower of the unseen. I only said to them
what you commanded me to say, that you shall serve God my Lord and your Lord;
and I was witness over them as long as I was with them, but when you terminated my
life, you were watcher over them. You are witness over all things. Quran 5:116-117
The irony in the eyes of those who believe Jesus to be God incarnate is that
in the Gospel, the same claim similar to the above Quranic verse exists.
Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many
will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and
in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?
Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!
Matthew 7:21
As in the Quranic verse above Jesus says he is not God in the biblical scripture
above. The following verse goes on to confirm the same, Jesus commands
you not to even call him God, not even dreaming of being called God .
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before
him. Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why
do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is goodexcept God alone.
Mark 10:17-18
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JESUS, MARY, CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS
Mary, the mother of Jesus chosen above all women of the world
And the angels said: O Mary, God has selected you and cleansed you, and He
has selected you over all the women of the worlds. Quran 3:42
O Mary, be dutiful to your Lord and prostrate and kneel with those who
kneel. Quran 3:43
This is from the news of the unseen that We inspire to you. You were not with
them when they drew straws as to which one of them will be charged with Mary;
you were not with them when they disputed. Quran 3:44
Mary is told that Jesus is the word of God
And the angels said: O Mary, God gives you glad tidings of a word from Him.
His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary. Honourable in this world and in
the Hereafter, and from among those who are made close. Quran 3:45
Jesus will speak from the cradle
And he will speak to the people from the cradle and to middle age, and is from
among the upright. Quran 3:46
Mary, the virgin mother of the Christ. God just wills it, and it transpires
She said: My Lord, how can I have a son when no human being has been with
me? He said: It is thus that God creates what He wills, when He decrees a
command, He merely says to it Be, and it is. Quran 3:47
Jesus will be of wisdom and scripture
And He teaches him the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel.
Quran 3:48
Jesus will come as a messenger to the Israelites
And as a messenger to the Children of Israel: I have come to you with a sign
from your Lord; that I create for you from clay the form of a bird, then I blow
into it and it becomes a bird with the permission of God, and I heal the blind
and the lepers, and give life to the dead with the permission of God, and I
prophesize for you what you shall eat and what to store in your homes. In that
is a sign for you if you are believers. Quran 3:49
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Jesus authenticates the previous scripture, he calls people to obey God and
him
And authenticating what is between my hands of the Torah, and to make
lawful some of that which was made unlawful to you; and I have come to you -
with a sign from your Lord, so be aware of God and obey me. Quran 3:50
Jesus calls you to serve God
God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him, this is a straight path. Quran
3:51
He was rejected by some Israelites, but his disciples were with him
So when Jesus felt their rejection, he said: Who are my supporters to God?
The disciples said: We are the supporters of God, we believe in God and we
bear witness that we have submitted. Quran 3:52
Our Lord, we believe in what you have sent down, and followed the messenger,
so record us with those who bear witness. Quran 3:53
People plotted against Jesus
And they schemed and God schemed, but God is the best schemer. Quran 3:54
God terminated Jesus life and raised him to himself
For God said: O Jesus, I will terminate your life, and raise you to me, and
cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you
above those who have rejected until the Day of Resurrection. Then to me is your
return, all of you, thus I will judge between you in what it was that you
disputed. Quran 3:55
Jesus was not crucified nor was he killed
The Quran proclaims that Jesus was not crucified but it was made to appear as he
was. Not too much explanation is needed to justify that Jesus did not die on the
cross, God merely wills it and it occurs. God made it appear as if Jesus was
crucified, whether it was someone else or it was just an illusion is not a question,
but it is clear that it appeared as such.
The Gospels in the bible is claimed to have been the narrations of those who
witnessed the crucifixion. But they are not statements made by God. Quranic
version of the story is different but will coincide with the bible story since the
Gospels are written by human witnesses whilst the Quran says that it appeared as
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if he was crucified, thus even if the Gospels were written by true witnesses, there
is no dispute between the two narrations.
And their saying: We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, messenger
of God! And they had not killed him, nor crucified him, but it appeared to
them as if they had. And those who dispute are in doubt regarding him, they
have no knowledge except to follow conjecture; they did not kill him for a
certainty. Quran 4:157
Instead, God had raised him to Himself; and God is Noble, Wise. Quran
4:158
Those who rejected Jesus will be punished
As for those who have rejected, I will punish them severely in this world and
in the Hereafter, they will have no supporters. Quran 3:56
Those who followed Jesus will be saved
And as for those who have believed and have done good works, we will pay
them their recompense; God does not love the wicked. Quran 3:57
Jesus is similar to Adam in creation.
Adam created from dust and Jesus was born of a Virgin. This is Gods will
and whatever he wills just occurs. It is also a phenomenon that Jesus and
Adam are mentioned exactly 25 times each in the Quran.
The example of Jesus with God is similar to that of Adam; He created him from
dust, then He said to him Be and he was. Quran 3:59
Jesus was a messenger of God and he is not part of a trinity
The bible does not contain the word trinity, but the Quran does. While the
bible does not have a verse with the trinity doctrine as God, Jesus and the
Holy Spirit being one but three, the Quran negates the concept because it is a
concept made by mortals.
O people of the Book, do not overstep in your system, nor say about God except
the truth. Jesus, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of God and the
fulfillment of His word to Mary and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and
His messengers, and do not say: Trinity. Cease, for it is better for you. God
is only one god, be He glorified that He should have a son! To Him is all that
is in the heavens and the earth; and God is enough as a Caretaker. Quran
4:171
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PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
Christians, Jews, Sabians and Muslims are all people of the book and all are equal
in the prospect of salvation.
Say: O people of the Book, let us come to a common understanding between us and
between you; that we serve none except God, and that we do not set up anything with
Him, and that none of us takes each other as patrons besides God. If they turn away,
then say: Bear witness that we have submitted. Quran 3:64
Abraham is a commonality to consider
Abraham is a common Messenger between Christians, Jews and Muslims. We
are urged to unify under this banner. Jews believe in the Torah and Christians
believe in the Gospel. Abraham thrived in this world before both of them, thus
we have Abraham as a common understanding between Christians, Jews and
Muslims.
Contrary to common belief of Muslims and Christians, we are urged to unite.
O people of the Book, why do you debate with us regarding Abraham when
the Torah and the Gospel were not sent down except after him? Do you not
comprehend? Quran 3:65
Here you have debated in what you knew; so why then do you debate in what
you do not know? And God knows while you do not know. Quran 3:66
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a monotheist who
submitted; he was not of the polytheists. Quran 3:67
Some people of the book know the truth but they hide it
If you are not biased in your perusal you will notice that these verses are common
to Jews, Christians and Muslims, though its hard for Muslims to accept. Yes, it
is perhaps time to wake up and smell the coffee, the Quran speaks to everyone
here.
O people of the Book, why do you confound the truth with falsehood and
conceal the truth while you know? Quran 3:71
And a group from among the people of the Book said: Believe in what was sent
down to those who believe during the beginning of the day, and reject it by the
end of it, perhaps they will return. Quran 3:72
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Among Christians, Muslims and Jews are those who are honest and those
who break promises
And from among the people of the Book are those whom if you entrust him with
a large amount he gives it back to you, and there are those whom if you entrust
with one gold coin he will not return it to you unless you are standing over him.
That is because they said: We have no obligation towards the Gentiles. They
say about God lies while they know. Quran 3:75
Indeed, anyone who fulfils his pledge and is righteous, then God loves the
righteous. Quran 3:76
And those who lie, give false teachings pretending it is from the scripture.
And from among them is a group who twist their tongues with the Book so that
you may think it is from the Book, while it is not from the Book, and they say
it is from God while it is not from God, and they say about God lies while they
know. Quran 3:78
We are servants of God, not the messenger
It is not for any human being that God would give him the Book and the
authority and the prophet-hood, then he would say to the people: Be servants
to me rather than God! Rather: Be Devotees for what you have been taught
of the Book, and of what you have studied. Quran 3:79
Nor does He order you that you take the angels and the prophets as patrons.
Would He order you to rejection after you have submitted? Quran 3:80
Muslims are commanded not to distinguish between Messengers, Be it
Muhammed, Jesus or Moses
Say: We believe in God and what was sent down to us and what was sent
down to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Patriarchs, and
what was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We do
not make a distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit. Quran
3:84
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CHRISTIANITY
The word Christianity is born from the root word Christos (Greek) which
means Messiah or the anointed one. Christians ( -Christianos) are basically followers of Christ and his teachings. The dispute arises because it
is a self-proclaimed name to a religion born after the advent of Jesus whilst
Jesus in the bible never calls his people Christians. But if argued, it is a name
and we have a right to call ourselves by it, it is correct because it simply means
follower of Christ and the adherents are followers of Christ and they have
every right to call themselves by that name. The Quran refers to Christians as
Nasara, having two implications, Nazarene as Jesus is called in the Bible from
the source Nazareth where he is from, and the Arabic word Nasara means
followers or adherents.
The word was first used in reference to the early Christians in the book of
acts.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought
him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and
taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:25-26
The word Christian repeats in Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. As you can see
clearly, the word Christian is used by a third party to refer to followers of
Christ. The more appropriate and original word is Nazarene derived from
the city Nazareth. Jesus is called the Nazarene in the bible as follows.
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But
when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew
to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So
was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: He will be called a
Nazarene. Matthew 2:21-23
When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. You also were
with that Nazarene, Jesus, she said. Mark 14:67
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Christians in the Quran
The Qurans citation to Christians is by the term Nazarenes
Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish, and the Nazarenes, and the
Sabians, whoever of them believes in God and the Last Day and does good works; they
will have their recompense with their Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor will
they grieve. Quran 2:62
Yes, it does say that Christians have equal chance of salvation as the
Muslims, defying all claims of many Muslims that only those who call
themselves Muslims, believe in a God NAMED Allah and reveres the
prophet Muhammed above all will attain salvation. Quran says otherwise
though.
The messenger believes in what was sent down to him from his Lord; and the believers, all who believe in God, and His angels, and His Books, and His
messengers: We do not make a distinction between any of His messengers; and they said: We hear and obey, forgive us our Lord, and to you is our destiny. Quran 2:285
The verse above (2:285) explicitly states that the reader is not to distinguish
between any of the messengers, but the readers do. If it is one who calls himself a Muslim he will elevate Muhammed to the level of veneration whilst
a Christian will elevate Jesus to the level of God.
And we gave Moses the Book, and after him We sent the messengers. And We
gave Jesus, son of Mary, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Holy
Spirit. Is it that every time a messenger comes to you with what your souls do
not desire, you become arrogant? A group of them you deny, and a group of
them you kill! Quran 2:87
Jesus was given the revelation (Injeel or Gospel) whilst Moses was given a
revelation (Taurat or Torah) which is the similitude to Muhammed who was
given a revelation (Quran) and those who are supposed to be following in the
footsteps of the prophet Muhammed himself reject these Quranic verses
which he is supposed to have uttered from his own mouth.
And Mohammed is but a messenger, like many messengers who have passed
before him. If he dies or is killed will you turn back on your heels? And whoever
turns back on his heels, he will not harm God in the least. And God will
recompense the thankful. Quran 3:144
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The above verse (3:144) states that Muhammed was but a messenger like any
other messenger who came before him.
Those who said: God has pledged to us that we should not believe in a messenger
unless he brings us an offering which the fire will devour. Say: Messengers have come
to you before me with clarity and with what you have said, so why did you kill them
if y