Dear Readers:
Christians and Muslims claim to serve the same God. However, Christian and Muslim teachers have convinced their adherents that God had rejected the other group. This has led to an acrimonious and sometimes violent relationship between Christians and Muslims over the past 1,300 years. Both of these groups believe that they will stand before the God of Abraham at the end of the age. Can these brothers, who have been kept apart for far too long, be reconciled before that time?
An Honest Look at Mohammed
Mohammed was born in 570 AD. He was an orphan and was raised by his uncle who was a trader. Mohammed also became a trader where he traveled from his home in Mecca around the Arabian Peninsula.
When Mohammed was 25 years old, he married a widow named Khadīja and took no other wife during her lifetime. When Mohammed was 40 years old, he reported receiving revelation from an angel. The message was that the Ishmaelites should reject their idols and submit to the One God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who was the God of the Jews and the Christians. His wife believed him, and she called her Christian cousin, Waraqa, who encouraged Mohammed that he was God’s prophet to the Ishmaelites, but to expect persecution.
Before Mohammed started preaching, Mohammed was financially well off, and he belonged to an influential family of the descendents of Ishmael. However, he risked it all and preached an unpopular message.
Mohammed’s Message
Mohammed started preaching in Arabia when he was 40 years old, and he preached a message of non-violence for the next 9 years. His message included:
- return to the religion of Abraham, and worship the One God, who is identified as the one God of Abraham, the Jews and the Christians;
- adopt responsible cultural practices;
- believe God’s revelation sent to the Old Testament prophets, and recorded in the Gospel;
- believe in the Messiah Jesus, who was born of the virgin Mary;
- believe that there is a resurrection and a judgment where everyone’s eternal future would be determined;
- believe that the Holy Sprit was sent to strengthen and guide believers;
- reject the ways of satan; and
- avoid the penalty of eternal hell fire.
Mohammed interacted with several Christian and Jewish religious leaders during his lifetime; however, many of them rejected him and his message. Mohammed’s message of returning to the One God of Abraham was very unpopular in the polytheistic region. It resulted in many family divisions, and severe persecution of those who forsook the dominant polytheistic religion. Many of his followers fled to Ethiopia in 615 AD to escape the persecution in Arabia. However, Mohammed remained in Mecca under the protection of his uncle.
From a Message of Peace to the Sword
Mohammed’s uncle and wife both died in 619 AD and to escape persecution, Mohammed fled from Mecca. Mohammed later declared that he was sent to humanity to call them to serve God alone. Later, he claimed that God had given him permission to defend his followers, and then to execute God’s judgment on the surrounding nations.
Mohammed sent letters to: Roman Emperor Heraclius, Persian king Khosrow II, Ethopian king Negus, the Egyptian king Muqauqis, and the kings of Uman, Yamama, Yaman, Bahrayn and Ghassani, warning them to submit to God or to face the consequences. After Mohammed’s death in 632, the Islamic armies would go on defeat most of these kingdoms, including the Persian and Roman armies. The Islamic army’s victories during the first approximately 100 years were as impressive as those undertaken by the Israelite army under Joshua approximately 1,000 years earlier. (See the Open Letter to Muslims for further information)
The Compilation of the Qur’an
Mohammed did not write the Qur’an during his lifetime, but his scribe had written the dictated messages on hundreds of stones, bones, and leafs. Approximately 24 years after Mohammed’s death, the final written compilation of the Qur’an was completed. However, rather than order the compiled chapters chronologically, they were ordered generally from the longer to the shorter chapters.
Of all of the books ever written, in any civilization of this world, and at any time in recorded history, the Qur’an is perhaps the easiest book to misunderstand and to misinterpret for three principal reasons:
- its non-chronological ordering;
- the end of the ‘Period of Judgment’ is not recorded in the Qur’an;
- the Qur’an contains responses to various questions, teachings, and behaviors of Jews and Christians, but it rarely includes the questions.
Unverified Assumptions
These issues have led to Islamic teachers making the following unverified assumptions.
- Since the initial 9 years of non-violent teachings appeared to conflict with the later retaliatory and ‘Period of Judgment’ instructions, then some later “violent” verses permanently replaced or abrogated some earlier more “peaceful” ones.
- The ‘Period of Judgment’ or ‘Holy War’ is to continue until the end of time.
- Since the Qur’an is responding in a negative way to Christian religious traditions that had developed at the time, then the Bible had to have been corrupted.
Understanding the Qur’an
These assumptions actually damage the integrity of several verses in the Qur’an. However, they have become entrenched in Islamic religious tradition for the past 1,300 years. Given these challenges, the proper interpretation of the Qur’an requires a working knowledge of the following:
- the Qur’an read in chronological order;
- the Books of the Bible, to which the Qur’an refers the reader;
- the historical biography of Mohammed;
- the development of Christian and Jewish religious traditions from the time of Jesus to the time of Mohammed;
- a history of Rome, Persia, and Arabia, whose activities are recorded in the Qur’an;
- the Islamic commentaries, in order to understand the Islamic traditional interpretations.
Brothers Kept Apart
After undertaking this research over the past 30 years, I have found that there is harmony between the principal teachings of the Bible and the Qur’an. Given that both Christians and Muslims claim that the same God was the principal author of their Book, then why should anyone be surprised that there is harmony between both books?
Regards.
Brothers Kept Apart 
Peace be unto you / Sallam Alaykum
You have a great site, with your permission I would like to add a link to mine.
Building bridges is very important for those of the believers.
Jazak Allah Khayron, May God reward your good actions.
Dear yrumuslim:
Thank you for your kind words. Permission granted for the link.
Best regards,
Walter.
This is the clearest description of Islam and the Koran that I have ever seen.
Has anyone printed a chronological version of the Koran? Do Muslims agree with you that they should read the Bible to understand the Koran better?
Thank you Marcus:
1. I would not advise trying to locate an English language translation of the Qur’an written chronological order, since the translator may not be recognised. I would recommend using the order guide in the link that follows.
http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Chronological_Order_of_the_Quran
2. I have found that few Muslims will actually read the Bible, since they would first need to overcome the Islamic religious tradition that the Bible has been corrupted and can therefore lead them astray. Christians must overcome a similar religious tradition before reading the Qur’an.
Regards,
Walter
assalamalaikum ,
I think you have done a tremendous job in taking out the traditions from what is explicitly in the Bible and/or
Quran.
Couple of comments :
1. Page 167 – Prophet Muhammad (saw) words are not
included in the Quran. He merely recited
what has been revealed to him. His words
are in the hadiths.
2. Page 44 – Muslims lacking in candor about the original
Bible as it was the muslims who destroyed the
original manuscripts in Egypt. However has
there been an original Bible to begin with?
There has never been the original bible in
any course of recorded history. The earliest
bible has always been a copy of a copy of a
copy. Ingeel is what has been revealed by Allah
to Prophet Isa (as) and taught via oral tradition
but have never been complied in the lifetime or
the ministry of Prophet Isa (as). The Bible is
a compilation of works by a third party , most
of it by people who have never met , walked
and talked with Prophet Isa (as).
Your comments please. I will also like to touch upon the issue of crucifixion but at a later date.
thanks & regards
Hi Sam:
Thank you for your comments.
1. According to Islamic tradition, Mohammed simply recited the revelation that he received, and it is this revelation that is recorded in the Qur’an without any of Mohammed’s personal comments.
The challenge that Islam has with this teaching is that only one error needs to be found in order to prove that either God made a mistake, or Mohammed did not recite it accurately. Since either of these being true will damage Islam, Islamic teachers will feel compelled to interpret the Qur’an in a way that avoids these possibilities.
2. There were sufficient copies of manuscripts around to allow the Biblical books to be adequately verified. However, as assumed in Brothers Kept Apart, the authenticity of both books must be the starting point. Why? Well, because regardless of the evidence provided, neither side will compromise on this.
Regards,
Grenville
Hi!
Thank you for all your research, and for writing this marvelous book. I am about halfway reading it now.
Every time you begin to tackle a new apparently “impossible to solve” issue, I wondered how you were going do it. And knowing that only divine inspiration can do it, I am happy to see that God-Allah has indeed giving you surprisingly harmonious solutions.
Lately -before I found out about your book- I was thinking of finding a way to prove that the Quo’ran actually confirms and supports the Gospel, and found the writings of Nicholas of Cusa that also do that, called Cribratio Alcorani -Scrutiny of the Koran.
I suppose you are familiar with them, but in any case -also for the other readers of this post- here they can be downloaded as 3 PDF files for free:
Click to access CAI-12-2000.pdf
Click to access CAII-12-2000.pdf
Click to access CAIII-12-2000.pdf
But although very helpful, while I was reading them I still got the feeling that besides them it would be very good to have a -for the majority of us- easier to read text . And right then -still in the middle of reading them- I was somehow guided to your book… and found that my prayer had already been answered.
If I may contribute some ideas, maybe it would also be helpful to realize that Christ has come “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Ro. 8:3), but that obviously that is not what He really is. Reason why it is written: “Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.” (2 Cor. 5:16)
This could very well be interpreted as meaning that God-Allah being immortal, He could not have been killed. But that by taking on the “likeness” -appearance- of mortal flesh, as such He could – in that sense- “die”. But obviously not as Himself; only by taking on His human appearance. And since He is not really that “likeness of sinful flesh”, as such those of us who understand can say: “yet now we know Him thus no longer.”
As an example to make this clear, suppose I met you today while you were wearing a gorilla suit -which looked so realistic that I mistakenly believed you were really a gorilla- and a mutual friend would introduce you to me saying “This is Walter Phillips who wrote a marvellous book.” Would I not burst out laughing?
Of course that gorilla suit would not be Walter Phillips. But would it not be true at the same time that in reality the one introduced to me is Walter Phillips?
In that sense Christ is God. But only in that sense. Yet that does not diminish His divinity at all, just as that gorilla suit would not diminish in the least who Walter Phillips really is behind that disguise.
So also in that sense the Quo’ran is confirming and supporting the Gospel by stating:
“That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- ” (Sura 4:157[156])
Again, I thank Allah-God that He through you has given Muslims and Christians a way to begin to understand each other better, eventually ending all hostility by replacing it with His mercy and love for one another.
Hi Lodewijk:
Thank you for your comments. I look forward to your views when you have completed reading the book.
Regards,
Walter
PS:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit,” (2 Cor. 3:17)
“God is Spirit,” (John 4:24)
To get a better understanding of God being one with His humanity, yet not the same as it, here is a letter by Thomas the Aquinas explaining this -and clearing up other points of misunderstanding- especially for Muslims:
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/islam/rationes.htm
Oh, and Protestant Christians, yes Thomas was a Catholic. But you could also have been born in a Catholic family, and then you would likely have been a Catholic now. Let’s rather judge whether what the man says is true or not.
I am not a Catholic, but am glad to be educated by anyone who speaks inspired by God.
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.” (Ro.10:12)
And shall there be a distinction among Christians?
Hi Lodewijk:
Thomas makes a number of unverified assumptions, including what Christians must believe. Christians should believe what is explicitly stated in the Bible. They can also believe their religious traditions provided that they do not conflict with the Bible’s principal teachings.
Regards,
Walter
I expected to read a biased bashing of one side or the next, but you have presented your evidence and given me the responsibility to reach a conclusion.
Thank you for that refreshingly respectful approach.
Hi Jeff:
You are welcome.
Regards,
Walter
Dear Walter,
I read the following in your book, and would like to comment on it:
“The explicit Biblical evidence for Jesus being God is based on the testimony of the Pharisees who repeatedly stated, for the purpose of indictment, that Jesus was making himself equal with God.
We should remember that when the Pharisees accused Jesus in that manner, Jesus
did not agree with them but corrected them and said, “I am the Son of God”.
Let me state that Jesus may indeed be God.”
He did indeed say that. And I am glad to see that you are open to the idea that Jesus is God.
He was accused of making Himself God while being a mere human creature by those who did not know yet that God’s love for us is so great that He would even be willing for our benefit to experience being that human creature, even though descending to earth would be hell and a cross to God in comparison with His heaven. In that sense He made Himself completely poor of His previously enjoyed glory, to make us rich, by giving us Himself, that one day we would enjoy His glory also.
I understand that the Son of God is God’s Extension of Himself, so that Jesus is not a God separate from God, but God Himself in human appearance. And in that sense -as a human individuation of God- He could also be called a god. Reason why He began His answer with:
“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said you are gods’? If He called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
(John 10:34)
This He also says in a Psalm: “I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.”
(followed by the statement that not believing this, having a merely human spirit [understanding] is death, even though we are Sons of the King.)
“But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.” (Psalm 82:6-7)
therefore
“Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136:2)
and:
“All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship Him, all you gods!” (Psalm 97:7)
with which He is referring to His words in the law:
“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,” (Deut. 10:17)
But because we are all extensions of God Himself, Paul writes:
“For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (1 Cor. 8:5-6)
And this is directed at us, for children of God can rightly be called “gods.” How else could we “be partakers of the divine nature”?
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,”
(2 Peter 1:2-4)
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.'” (Acts, 17:26-28)
So what about admonitions not to worship false gods and idols, both in the Bible and the Quo’ran?:
“Say: I am forbidden to serve those whom you call upon besides Allah. Say: I do not follow your low desires. for then indeed I should have gone astray and I should not be of those who go aright.” (Sura Cattle, Livestock 6:56)
“And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.”
(Gen. 35:2)
This is what a contemplative says about all those “foreign gods”:
“Of this we have another very striking figure in Genesis, where we read that, when the
patriarch Jacob desired to ascend Mount Bethel, in order to build an altar there to God whereon he
should offer Him sacrifice, he first commanded all his people to do three things: one was that they
should cast away from them all strange gods; the second, that they should purify themselves; the
third, that they should change their garments.
By these three things it is signified that any soul that will ascend this mount in order to make of
itself an altar whereon it may offer to God the sacrifice of pure love and praise and pure reverence, must, before ascending to the summit of the mount, have done these three things aforementioned perfectly.
First, it must cast away all strange gods — namely, all strange affections and attachments; secondly, it must purify itself of the remnants which the desires aforementioned have left in the soul, by means of the dark night of sense whereof we are speaking, habitually denying them and repenting itself of them; and thirdly, in order to reach the summit of this high mount, it must have changed its garments, which, through its observance of the first two things, God will change for it, from old to new, by giving it a new understanding of God in God, the old human understanding being cast aside; and a new love of God in God, the will being now stripped of all its old desires and human pleasures, and the soul being brought into a new state of knowledge and profound delight, all other old images and forms of knowledge having been cast away, and all that belongs to the old man, which is the aptitude of the natural self, quelled, and the soul clothed with a new supernatural aptitude with respect to all its faculties. So that its operation, which before was human, has become Divine, which is that that is attained in the state of union, wherein the soul becomes naught else than an altar whereon God is adored in praise and love, and God alone is upon it.
For this cause God commanded that the altar whereon the Ark of the Covenant was to be laid should be hollow within; so that the soul may understand how completely empty of all things God desires it to be, that it may be an altar worthy of the presence of His Majesty.”
(John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, book 2, chapter V, paragraphs 6 and 7)
“For slavery can have no part with liberty; and liberty cannot dwell in a heart that is subject to desires, for this is the heart of a slave; but it dwells in the free man, because he has the heart of a son. It was for this cause that Sara bade her husband Abraham cast out the bondwoman and her son, saying that the son of the bondwoman should not be heir with the son of the free woman.”
(John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, book 1, chapter IV, paragraph 6)
“Here it must be pointed out that, among all the creatures, the highest or the lowest, there is none
that comes near to God or bears any resemblance to His Being. For, although it is true that all
creatures have, as theologians say, a certain relation to God, and bear a Divine impress (some more and others less, according to the greater or lesser excellence of their nature), yet there is no essential resemblance or connection between them and God — on the contrary, the distance between their being and His Divine Being is infinite. Wherefore it is impossible for the understanding to attain to God by means of the creatures, whether these be celestial or earthly, inasmuch as there is no proportion or resemblance between them. Wherefore, when David speaks of the heavenly creatures,
he says: ‘There is none among the gods like unto Thee, O Lord’; meaning by the gods the angels and holy souls. And elsewhere: ‘O God, Thy way is in the holy place. What God is there so great as our God?’ As though he were to say: The way of approach to Thee, O God, is a holy way —
that is, the purity of faith. For what God can there be so great? That is to say: What angel will there
be so exalted in his being, and what saint so exalted in glory, as to be a proportionate and sufficient road by which a man may come to Thee?”
(John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, book 2, chapter VIII, paragraph 3)
I know that this has been a very long post. If you have read it all the way to here, good for you! God-Allah is attracting you toward Himself.
I posted it here with the intent that it will be helpful towards the emergence of a new perception, because I share the same concern with you Walter;
That the divine love and peace of God-Allah that He wants to share with us may be welcomed by us all.
Hi Lodewijk:
Your basic assumption appears to be:
“I understand that the Son of God is God’s Extension of Himself, so that Jesus is not a God separate from God, but God Himself in human appearance.”
I have sought to verify the assumptions upon which the interpretation of the verses in support of and against this position are based. Please identify the specific explanations that you find challenging.
Regards,
Walter
PS:
By “it must cast away all strange gods — namely, all strange affections and attachments; secondly, it must purify itself of the remnants which the desires aforementioned have left in the soul, by means of the dark night of sense whereof we are speaking, habitually denying them and repenting itself of them; and thirdly, in order to reach the summit of this high mount, it must have changed its garments, which, through its observance of the first two things, God will change for it, from old to new, by giving it a new understanding of God in God, the old human understanding being cast aside”
John of the Cross means: “No longer identify with all those things.
As Paul says: “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (Ro. 7:17)
He dis-identifies with the sin in his flesh, and Identifies with Christ instead: “I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” (Ga. 2:20)
The word “sin” is a translation of the Hebrew and Greek expression “missing the mark”.
So to “sin” is not to hit -make contact with- the centre in yourself or a neighbor. Therefore it is also said that someone can sin against you, and you against someone else. It is not recognizing God in yourself or in a neighbor, and thus not being just to God in yourself or that neighbor.
But that also means that to be just to God, you recognize that it is God Who now accepts or rejects this recognition as you.
It is God Who thinks “I” as you when you think “I”.
And it is God in Christ -and therefore in us- Who at first feels completely separate from Himself [as] we, even feeling like “a worm” and despised by human nature, not worthy of such a lofty recognition. (Psalm 22:1 and 6)
This believing is the work God is doing as you, to come to Himself in you, by believing in Himself as being the One as Whom He send Himself to earth. This believing is thus an activity -a work- that takes place in God as you:
“Then said they unto Him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God: that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent.” (John 6:28-29)
This is “hitting the mark” in His Name. For God’s Name [is] His awareness of His Identity.
This body and spirit you have are the body and spirit (awareness) God is having as you:
“For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:20)
This is the meaning of “the second coming”; this time He is coming as each and every one of us.
If anyone would say “I am Christ” excluding his neighbors, he would be a false teacher. If he would say “There He is”, excluding himself and his neighbors, he would also be a false teacher. That leaves only one possibility to be a true teacher; whoever acknowledges that He is come as every one of us:
“Then if any man shall say unto you, `Lo, here is Christ,’ or `there,’ believe it not.” (Matth.23:24)
“For many shall come in My name, saying, `I am Christ!’ and shall deceive many.” (Mark 13:5-6)
“”The Kingdom of God comes not with outward show. Neither shall they say, `Lo, it is here!’ or `Lo, it is there!’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
The Day of God’s Judgment of His humanity is the last day. He has left it up to us whether we accept of reject the truth that He has given us His Self.
Today is the last day of all the days that have been…. and you decide for Him, as He decides for you. As you.
“But now after ye have known God, or rather are known by God…” (Ga. 4:9)
I was not going to post again, taking up even more space here, but still felt that I should share this with you who are reading this now.
May you have the peace of God, meaning:
“May God have His peace as you.”
Thank you Lodewijk:
Please note that I believe the Bible, and uncompromisingly so. We must be careful to separate what is explicitly stated and what is our religious traditions. We must also remember that Jesus was most angry with religious leaders who promoted their religious traditions that conflicted with Scripture.
Regards,
Grenville
I found two small but maybe confusing errors:
“And it is God in Christ -and therefore in us- Who at first feels completely separate from Himself a we…”
Should be “as we”.
“This is “hitting the mark” in His Name. For God’s Name His awareness”
Should be “God’s name is His awareness”
Appologies… : )
(Tiny part of the cross of experiencing yourself as a far from perfect creature.)
Hi Lodewijk:
I [updated] your post.
Regards,
Walter
And again!
Not “name” but “Name”.
(Self-accusing thoughts are like painful wreath of thorns encircling our poor head…)
Hi Lodewijk:
I [updated] your post.
Regards,
Walter
Impossible, this creature!
Even more so now:
(Self-accusing thoughts are like painful thorns on a wreath encircling our poor head…)
; D
And this is only a minuscule example of what God was willing to experience for us, even now, as each one of us. Only to give us the knowledge that in reality we are the One Who was willing to do that for someone else -each of these creatures- that they would know that Who they really are is Someone completely unselfish. Pure Charity!
Hi Lodewijk:
We are in agreement.
Regards,
Walter
God is One. For a while because of His human disguises and characters as each one of us He might seem not to be in agreement with Himself -seeming to be Brothers in Arms- but in truth He is in complete agreement with Himself once having matured in them and come to Himself.
As an example for us to follow, here we have God increasing in wisdom, stature and favor with Himself as a human being:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
(Luke 2:52)
Even some people who claim to be christians say Jesus and the Holy Bible said, when very clearly what them people say is not there, and they are in error.
The Scriptures tell us Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away but my word’s will never pass away. So no matter how much the ones in error try to distort it, they cannot stop it cause God’s Word prevails. The Lord God Almighty is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
muslim teachings do not worship or know the one true living God.
No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknoledges the Son has the Father also. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
We have a choice, freewill to listen to what people say, or what God says
Jason,
do you believe that God’s Love for you is great enough that He would be willing to appear here as you now? That also you would have the Happiness God has, because He did not want for you to have less than He has?
As the inner voice of who do the following thoughts of God as a human being sound in your head now while you read them?
“Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.”
John 18:37
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18&version=KJ21
Hi Jason:
I think that Muslim teachings acknowledge the one true living God. However, they do not acknowledge the Son and Messiah in contradiction to the Qur’an. Remember, there is a wide gulf between Islamic teachings and the teachings of the Qur’an.
Regards,
Walter
The king james is in error, and has added to and taken away from the Holy Bible. It does not hold to the teachings of Jesus. Them who claim to be christians and falsely say Jesus is God, the Holy Bible and Jesus say, Jesus is the Son of God, God himself has testified that Jesus is His Son.
Jesus said the day and hour unknown, known only to the Father. God loves us and wants all peole to come to the truth. God has made Jesus both Lord and Saviour to the glory of God the Father.
Even some who claim to be priests still dont accept the Word, and contiue to say things that Jesus did not say. In them is a prophecy of Isaiah – ever hearing, but not understanding, ever seeing, yet not percieving, or they might turn and I would heal them
The qur’an or koran is not from God. Like the king james and even a lot more so it picks and chooses from the Holy Bible, adds and subtracts to it. It contradicts the truth of Jesus, and Jesus is from God.
It changes just about all of it. It says worship adam instead of Jesus , and Jesus did not die for us, mohammad then cannot be from God. Jesus died but God raised him back to life.
people do you keep on the wrong path or go on to the right Way
Hi Jason:
Let me suggest that you read the New King James Version of the Bible, which contains, what appears to be a complete set of footnotes describing any modifications to later manuscripts. Actually, if you are a student of the Bible, I not only suggest it, but recommend it. You can access it on-line at BibleGateway.com.
Best regards,
Walter
May I recommend the 21-Century King James Version?
(Just my personal preference…)
http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/21st-Century-King-James-Version-KJ21-Bible/
Hi Jason:
Please be advised that the Qur’an refers the reader to the Bible for theological beliefs. It also gives a version of historical events from an Ishmaelite perspective.
Regards,
Walter
Hi Lodewijk:
Thank you for the link. Unfortunately, the 21st Century KJV does not have the footnotes describing modifications from earlier and later manuscripts. This information is critical when making conclusive statements about Biblical teachings.
Regards,
Walter
Thank you, I didn’t know.
A Deist see nature as proof God that exists. (Being careful not to confuse …. Servetus’ theory makes Jesus Christ a kind of prophet, and in this way …. His verily is all creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds ! … While Mohammed at first seemed a decent man, he is still just a men. …
http://www.sullivan-county.com/id2/
Hi Cindy:
I reviewed the information about Deists that is linked to your response. Can you explain what Deists think about Jesus? Is He more than a prophet as the Bible and Qur’an claim?
Regards,
Walter.
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Walter: “Is He more than a prophet as the Bible and Qur’an claim?”
I thought the Qur’an claims that Jesus is but a prophet, not the Son of God, while in the Bible there are examples that can be easily interpreted as meaning that He is indeed God in human appearance.
“Bible verses that show Jesus is Divine”:
http://carm.org/bible-verses-show-jesus-divine
PS:
Walter,
I know you know this, but it might be interesting for Muslims to read the quotes from the Bible I gave a link to.
The suras in the Qur’an referring to the Bible are generally understood as meaning that the Bible texts -and especially in the NT- were altered.
But it is my understanding that what is really meant is that the interpretations were distorted, not the actual text.
This must be the case, because there are many very old Biblical manuscripts on display in museums, written in the time the described events took place, or only a few decades later. And those ancient text are not different from the currently printed ones, although some versions vary slightly in their translations to other languages. But same is the case with the translations of Qur’an. And the texts of the latter book were written down considerable time after the events they describe, as is also the case with the Hadith.
: )