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7t,it6! tf,;re RESERVED LET LET THEBIBLE THE BIBLE SPEAK SPEAK by All AD Muhsln Muhsln FOREWORD FOREWORD Being tota...

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7t,it6! tf,;re

RESERVED

LET LET THEBIBLE THE BIBLE SPEAK SPEAK by All AD Muhsln Muhsln

FOREWORD FOREWORD Being totally totally convinced convincedthat (Let the that this this book Being book (Let the Bible Bible Speak) speak) contains contains good infonnation informationabout aboutThe Thc Bible Bible and good andThe TheHoly Holy Qur'an, The Dammam Dammam Qu/aq The IslamicDaWah Dabah and andGuidance center decided GridanceCenter Islamic decidedto to reprint reprintitit again. again.But But as aswe we job we prepareto to do do the thejob we have havenoticed noticcdthat prepare thatthe the copy copythat that was was available availablewas was too blurred blurredand good enough andnot not good enoughfor for reproduction. reproduction. too Due to this probler4 Danunam this problem, DamrnamDawah Dabatr and Due and Guidance GuidanceCenter Centerwork it out out review, retyped, retlped, annotates andcorrects arulotatesand to review, correctsthe thc whole whole book, book, such suchas~ as; l. Some Somereferences referencesare aremissing missing 1. 2. Some quotation Some quotation 2. 3. Misspelling Misspelling 3. 4. Typing Typing errors errors 4. 5. Some Somechapters chaptersand andverses versesare arenot not accurate. accurate. S. have tried our utmost reproduce the utmost to reproduce the book as We have as it is is with some some mirurtechanges changesto ensure the book will not lose ensre that that the minute lose its internal internal beauty beauty the benefit read it. benefitof of all who who read for the To the author, author, Ati Ali Mutrsiq Muhsin, We pray pray that the Almighty Almighty Allatr Allah showers His l9Iercy and Grace Gracc to him and Mercy and continuously showers rnd add add the virnre of this book to his scaleof of good decds. virtue of his scale deeds. We ask ask Allah's Allah's pardon pardon for any any mi$skes mistakes that we commit unlcnowingly, unknowingly, as preparing it. as itit has has becn been for us in prcparing

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

are due My My thanks due to Kingsley Kingslcy Green, an Australian Australian biology teacher thanlcsare tcacher Grecn, an Mazengo Secondary Tanzania"who as a lay in the Mazengo inthe Dodoma" Tanzania, SecondarySchool, School, Dodo~ payus preacherused prison. From him I learn learn to study preacher usedto pay us visits in prison. shrdy the Bible systematically. systematically.

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preachersat College prisorU fellow To the many many Christian Christian preachers College and and in priso~ students and fellow inmates, inmates, with whom I used have fruitful fruitful students and used to have grstitude. discussions I owe gratitude. discussionslowe also like to express Amncsty International I would also thank to the Amnesty International for expressthanks keeping me me supplied reading matter which supplied with reading whioh enlarged cnlargcd my present-dayChristian knowledge of present-day knowledge of Cluistian thinking. thinking. Eg;ptian friend of mine, To Zainab Zainab Sabri, of mine, Sabri, daughter daughter of of a very good Egyptian you ! for typing Mr. Fathi Sabri, Thank you! Sabri, I must must say tlping the first say : Thank manuscript. manuscript,

To my dear indebted for her her courage courage to sustain dear wife, Azza, sustain flzra\ I am am indebted grve me peacc of shegave difficulties me and and which difficulties and of mind which she and for the peace writc all have enabled me in prison prisonto study, meditstg and and to write dl that thEt I have enabledme study,to meditate, aftcr rcct€d the burden burdcn of written . On her of looking after her lonely shoulders shouldcrurested yearswhile whilc she livfug as as herself was living tcn long years shewas herselfand and our six six children children for ten a refugee refirgeein Egypt. Eg1pt. gulded me hasguided me along dong the thc right Over and and above above all I thank Allah who has p a th . path.

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PREFACE PREFACE publication of this The this essay essayis is not not intended intendedto be and publication The writing and an be an polemics. Rather is it motivated motivated by exercise Rather is by the the desire desire to exercisein polemics. to Muslims who in many parts of enlighten and Muslims many parts enlighten both both Christians Christians and the of the wrirld have as fellow countrymen counfirymenand world together as and neighbors. have to live together neighbors. Their enlightenment Their regarding the the original enlightenmentregarding original fundamentals fundamentalsof of each each would, it is other's other'sfaith faith would, makethem them appreciate appreciatethe is hoped, hoped,make the basic basicunity. unity that that binds bindsthem them as the same asadherents adherentsof the faith, the the Universal sameoriginal original faith, Universal Religionwhich teaches Religion teachessubmission the one oneTrue submissionto to the the will of the as True God God as the basis the basison which man's man'smoral moral behavior behavioris founded. founded. unfortunate that It is unfortunate that Jesus Jesus Christ Christ has has left for us us nothing as nothing as authoritativeas authoritative as the the Prophet ProphetMuhammad Muhammadhas hasdone. done.In the the Qur'an are Qur'anare the teaching teaching of Islam Islam in their unsullied purity. We do the unsullied purity. do not fmd find the the (Injeel). The the Gospels slrme in the Gospels(Injeel). same The latter latter may comparedto the may be be compared the (the Hadiths traditions of traditions of the the Prophet Prophet(the Hadithsor Sunna). Sunna).Of Of the the sayings sayingsand and the actions of Jesusas asreported reportedin the the actionsofJesus the Bible there areadmittedly admittedly many thereare many are spurious, which are just as spruious,false, false,jr:st asthere therewere were established establishedand and the the weak weak were weeded and false falsewere weededout. and out. It is undeniable undeniablethat attemptswere were made, that attempts made, sectarianand andother otherdivisive divisive reaso.ns, for sectarian to fake reaso.ns, fake sayings sayingsand and attribute attribute them them to the the Prophet. Prophet. Impartial criticism would Impartial would have have to admit, admit, however, however, that that there there was was much scientific methodology methodology when much more more scientific when the the Prophet's Prophet'straditions traditions came cameto be collected and and shifted shifted than beenat the be collected than there there has has been the adoption adoption great scholars (Imams).who devoted of of the canonical Gospels.The The great scholars(Imams) canonical Gospels. devoted collecting the the traditions their lives collecting raditions of the the Prophet Prophet made made their thcir best best endeavors using strictly scientific standards veriff the srictly scientific endeavors(Ijtihad) using standardsto verify the genuinetraditions. eventheir best genuine bestendeavors endeavorsand traditions.But even and their scientific scientific methods after all human humanand and not infallible. Fortunately Fortruratelythere there is wereafter is methodswere questioned the whose authenticity has never been questioned by friend or whose has fribnd authenticity never been the Qur'an Qu/an the tenets tenets foe. Islam on which the is the the unshakable unshakablefoundation foundationof Islam foe. That That is genuinenessof of are based based. It is the the genuineness of the faith are the final criterion of of the of the any the structwe has been and the the rock on which the stnrctureof of Islam has been any tradition, nadition, and built. built.

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pages itit will will be be seen seen that II have have tended tended to to reproduce reproduce In the following pages many quotations. quotations. This is my way of of dealing dealing with with the the subject subject many as seriously, a subject of such transcendent importance as importance particularly transcendent of such subject seriously, religion. I do not want to be be among among "Those "Those who woald would argue about religion. guidance and without knpwledge, and without without guidance without an wilhout knpwledge, God without as the Qu'an Qur'an puts puts it. enlightening book, " as enlightening bookr" Studying the Bible in the the long long solitude solitude of of my prison prison cell II attcmpted att~mpted Studyingthe the tnre true teachings teachings of of Jesus Jesus and and the Hebrew Prophets Prophets who to search searchfor the had preceded years and and five months months of of imprisonment imprisonment preceded him. Ten years had became years and months of of intensive intensive Bible study. study. and five months ten years became ten Painstakingly kept removing removing bit by bit the the hard har4 encrustation encrustation which PahstakinglyI kept had what I knew must must be be a lustrous lustrous lying beneath. beneath. had piled up on what

I found found it. I would appeal brothers and and sisters sisters who know both my Muslim brothers appealto both very 10 my Christian next andto Christianfriends friendswho know next Christianity,and very little of Christianity, (and true tnre Christianity Christianity for that to that matter) matter) to Islam (and true Islam abouttrue to nothing nothing about pagessearch searchfor the come the truth. truth. andin the the following pages me, and alongwith me, comealong founded upon housethat has We the house has been been founded tnrth is the the truth We will will fmd frnd it, for the the house house the winds shall shall blow, but the and the the fall , and rain shall shall fall, and rain the Rock, Roclq and and whenceboth Muhammadand both Muhammad shall Jerusalemwhence Therein Holy Jerusalem not fall. fall . There shall not symbol HeavenlyPresence Presenceis aa symbol to the the Heavenly Jesus ecstasyto spiritual ecstasy rosein spiritual Jesusrose and Muslim and trrlth that bids the truth bids both Muslim of glaring glaring significance, denotingthe significance,denoting equal fervor worshipped with equal who is worshipped Christian God who to the the same sameGod bow to Christian bow of the the and in the the Church Chr.uchof upon the the Rock Rock and and Mosque upon the Mosque dcvotion in the anddevotion taditions of the of us ourselves Holy Sepulchre. That Truth bids us rid ourselves of the traditions of bids That Sepulchre. us That Truth bids us of God. God. That men the commandments commandmentsof follow the men and and follow the and uphold the sectsand Rcligion into sects relinquish tendencyto divide Religion the tendency relinquish the us together. together. Unity binds us that binds Unity that

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Allah say's say's in in the the Holy Holy Qur'an Qur'an :: Allah haplythey might "And We We verilygave gave Moses Moses the Scripture, might go go Scripture,that haply "And portent, a And We made the son of Mary and his portent, aright. mother of Mary arighl And We made and We We gave place oftlock offlocks and and watergavethem a refuge on oa height, a place good do righl Lo! Messengers! ofthe things, right. Lo! springs. 0 things, and ye of the Messengen ! Eat springs,O religion is one religion aware of ofwhat do. And And lot lo! this your religwn religion thisyour whotye do. II am oware your Lord, so keep keep your your duty unto Me. But But they and II am your sects,each (mankind) have broken their religion into sects, each religion among them inlo (man*ind) havehroken So leave leave them in their their error error lill till a time." time. " sect tenets.So its tenets. sectrejoicing in its Qur'an 2J:49'54 23:49-54 Qur'an Let us us not not keep keep on wandering wandering in enor error when when the the Straight Straight Path Path is clear clear another's appreciateone before us. us. Let us us understand understand one and appreciate one another's anotherand one another before honesty in seeking the truth. truth. seekingfor the honesty

Ali Muhsin Muhsin

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Table of Contents Table Contents Foreword Foreword Acknowledgement Acknowledgement Preface Preface Tableof Contents Table Contents TheTeaching Teachingof the The the Church Church TheBible Bible The Original OriginalSin Sin Paul St. St.Paul TheOnly The Only Son Sonof God God God and andJesus God arethey they one oneand andthe Jesusare the Same? Same? Miracles,But Miracles, But Whose WhoseAuthority? Authority ? The Virgin Birth The Birth Jesus ProphetFrom From Nazareth NazarethThe Jesus-- Prophet The Servant Servantof God God ProphetTo A Prophet To Israel Israel Salvation SalvationBy Blood Blood Faith or Works? Works ? Paul PaulOr Jesus, Jesus,Faith The Truth Truth Guide GuideInto Into All All The The Qur'an The The Bible And The Qur'an Death The Cross Cross DeathOn On The Not" "They Him Not" "TheyKilled Him License The TheLicense andThe The Law and Proper ProperPerspective Perspective Pagan PaganSources Sources Prophecy Of Jesus Jesus Fulfilled Prophecy Counselor, Admirable Comforter,Admirable Counselor,Comforter, Conclusion Conclusion

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"II PIETY PIETY BASED ON ERROR IS INDEFENSIBLE INDEFENSIBLE " ERRONT,S Father Father John John L. Mackenzie Mackenzie

THE TEACHING TEACHING OF THE THE CHURCH CHURCH THE By the the term tenn "the lithe chuch" church ll is meant meant thc the body body of more of Christians, Christians,or more precisely, precisely I the the professional professional priesthood priesthood which has taken upon upon itsclf itself the hastaken as well task of doctrines and well as rendering certain task and rituals as as rendering of formulating doctrines what are believed to be be the the are believed religious services accordancewith what servicesin accordance teachings of Jesus Christ. liThe church" may also mean the the sect also mean sect to Christ. "The chtuch" may teachings of Jesus belongs. which an an individual Christian Christian belongs. following as teach the following All the main Christian Churches,or sects, as the sects,teach All Christian Churches, principal dogmas, articles of of faith to be be believed believed in without dogmas, or articles question: question: 1. God. is One OneGod. l. There Thereis and the Persons,th~ thq Father, Father,the the Son Son and 2. thereare are three divine Persons, the 2. In God God there threedivine the Holy Ghost, threePersons Personsare called the Ghost, Holy Spirit. Thesethree arecalled Spirit. These blessed They are andthey areeternal eternal i.e. they have have areequal they are i.e. they Trinity.They €qualand blessedTrinity. gods,but One One God. no and no are not not three threegods, beginningand no end. end.They They are God. no beginning 3. the frrst of the the blessed blessedTrinity. Fatheris is God God and and the Personof The Father fust Person 3. The of the the Trinity. He Jesus 4. andthe thc second Personof He is Jesus Son is is God God and secondPerson 4. The The Son of the the Christ form. He was born born of who is is God the human human fonn. He was Christ wl}.o God who who took the yearsago was ago in Palestine, Palestine,was Virgin Mary about abouttwo thousand thousandyears and crucified, d€ad.His death and rose rosc again fiom the the dead. crucificd, died died and againfrom deathand the suffering on the was intended bc aa sacrifice sacrifice for the the cross crosswas intended to be and forgiveness Atonement, and This is calledthe~ thc-Atonement, of men. is called forgivenessof the the sins sinsof men. This he cntitled the the Savior Saviorand andthe the Redeemer. Rcdecmer. he is entitled After the the blessedTrinity. After 5. thc blessed Pcrsonof of the is the thc third Person 5. The Thc Holy Spirit is thc Apostles Apoitlcs (or upon the death the Holy Spirit descended dcscendcdupon deathof of Christ the lead the the continuesto lead early and the the Spirit continues of Christ, Missionarics) of Christ, and early Missionaries) Church. Church. the what is called called the 6. the stain stain of of what human child bears bearswith him the 6. Every human Adam. "Original Sin" inherited the transgression tarugression of Adam. inherited from the

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7. BAPTISM, BAPTISM, the theceremony 7. c€remonyof sprinkling sprinkling somebody somebodywith water, water,or, or, accordingto to some according somesects, sects,immersing immersinghim in water, water,as asmaking making his his beingaccepted acceptedas asaa member memberof the being theChurch, Church,and andbelief belief in Christ's Christ's atonementis is the the only means atonement meanswhereby wherebyman man shall shall be be saved. saved. Let us us examine examinethe the sacred Let sacreddoctrines doctrinesof of the the Church Church in the thc light of the the writings of the the Bible Bible which writings which the the Church Churchaccepts acceptsaa canonical, canonical,that that is is to to say,as asthe the authoritative authoritativeWord Word of God. say, God.

THE BIBLE word Bible The word Bible comes The comesfrom from the the Greek Greek..hihIiL biblia meaning meaning"books". "books".It collectionof many is aa collection is many books bookswhich which form form the the foundation foundationof Christian Christian belief. Admittedly have been belief. Admittedly they they have written by been written by aa large large number number of authors,known known and andunknown. authors, unknown.But those thoseauthors authorsare arebelieved believedto to have have inspiredby God beeninspired wrote the Godand andthey they wrote the books been the supervision Dooksunder underthe supenision guidanceof and guidance of God; God; hence hencethe the Bible is and is referred ret-enedto to as as The The Word of of The Catholic Catholic Bible, however, God. God. The however,is is somewhat somewhatdifferent different from from the the ProtestantBible. Bible. The The former formerconsist Protestant of 73 consistof 73 books, books,while the the latter latter has has only 66 66 books. books. only general the portions, The In general the Bible is is divided divided into two main main portions, The Old Testamentwhich was was written written before Testament beforethe the advent adventof JesusChrist, of Jesus Christ, and and the New Testament was written after Testament which was after Jesus the Jesus Christ Christ and and describesthe the life and of Jesus JesusChrist describes and teachings teachingsof Christ and and the the activities activities of of his his disciples, disciples,or apostles, apostlcs,in spreading spreadingthe the Christian Christian faith. faith. The The New groups Testarnentcontains lettersaddressed various Christians Testament containsalso also letters addressedto various Christiansgroups written mostly who individuals.These Theseletters werewritten and mostly by Paul, Paul,aa Jew Jewwho andindividuals. letterswere converted to Christianity and became exponents of converted Christianity and becamethe the chief exponents of the the as it known Christian known today. today. He has has at at times times described described the the true true Christianfaith as founderof modern Christianity. of modern founder Christianity,

The books books of the Old Testament Testament in their present present form were were probably probably of the The the Jews Jews from the Babyloniur Babylonian captivity i.e. written written after the retum return of afterthe of the from the captivity i.e. after B.C. Those Those of the the New New Testament Testament were were collected 536 B.C. after 536 collected and and 8

accepted as as legal legal in the the fourth fourth century century after after Christ Christ (about (about 367 367 A.D.). accepted (describing of Christ) Christ) Besides the Four Gospels (describing the and teaching the life and teaching of Four Gospels Besidesthe are in the the Bible Bible there there are are a number number of of other other Gospels Gospels which which are the Church Church elders, elders, and and some some of of them them are are were not accepted accepted by the were of the the available even e'/en today. today. The The books books which could could have have formed fonned part part of available Bible, and and indeed indeed were were and and are are accepted accepted by some some Christians, Christians, but Bible, which the the main main body body of the the Christian Christian Church Church rejected, rejected, arc are called called the the which Greek word word meaning meaning "Hidden", "Hidden", but which now has has Apocrypha, a Greek wrongly been been understood understood as as meaning meaning "felsc, "false, not genuinc". genuine". The The wrongly these canonical canonical officially accepted accepted books books are are called called "Canonical". "Canonical". It is these the Bible Bible which which are are regarded regarded as as THE WORD WORD OF GOD. GOD. books of the books

ORIGINAL SIN SIN

In the hasthe the story of creation crcation the first book, Gencsis,has story of the Old Testament Testamentthe book, Genesis, grace. and Adam from grace. Thus is described describ€dthe the fall of of Adam the fall of of man. man.Thus and the gardcn ofEden "The Lord God otEden to took the nan and put him in the garden Godtook the man thc man, manDSaying, till Saying, God commanded commandedthe keepit. And the Lord God it. And till it and keep of tree of "You freely eat hut ofthe olthe tree tree of of the lhe garden; but eat ofevery of everytree mayfreely "Yott may yau daythat thatyou theday knowledge eat,far in the shallnot noteat,for of gaod and and evil evilyou shall knawledgeofgood eat " die." shall die. eat of it you shall 2s :15-16 Genesis Ge n e s i2:15-16 God's wife, Eve, transgressed Adam, God's persuadedby Eve, transgressed his wife, by his however,persuaded Adam, however, God cursed crrrsed command knowledge.God tree of knowledge. forbiddentree and ate the forbidden commandand ate of the them themboth. both .

To the greatly multiply multiply your pain in will greatly He said; said ; "1 the woman woman He "I will desire childbearing; in pain painyou shall shall bringforth hringforth children, yet your desire you" rule over your husband, and he shall rule over you. " shall he shall ond hwband, shatlbe befor for voiceof ot lhe voice to the listenedto And to havelistened said ; "Because to Adam Adam He He said; "Becauseyou have you, comnunded which your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, wde, and have eatenof the fiee oJ in of you; in ground because bccatueofyou; "you is the the ground cursedis not eat of it", il", cursed shallnot eatof "you shall 99

toil you shaO toU shall eat of of it all all the days life; thorns and thistles daysofyour otyour life; thistles it it you; andyou shall bringforlh bringtorth to you; planF ofthefield. shall and you shaH shall eat eot the plants of thefteld. In In the sweat face you shall sweat ofyour of your face shall eat bread till till you return return to the groundrfor il you were ground,jor out of of it weretaken; taken; you are dust, dust, and to dust dustyou shall shall return." Genesis Ge n e s i3: 3:16-19 s 16-19

On account account of On of their their sin, the Church sin, the Church teaches, teaches,Adam Adam and and Eve Eve lost lost grace,the sanctiffing grace, sanctifying the right of of Heaven Heavenand and their special special gifts; they they subjectto death, became becamesubject death,to suffering suffering and and to aa strong inclination to strong inclination gardenof they were were driven from the evil and and they the garden of Paradise. Paradise.On account accountof of Adam's sin sin all human Adam's humanbeings grace beingsare areborn born deprived deprivcdof of sanctifying sanctiffing grace and inherit his punishment. punishment.This and This is what is called THE ORIGINAL called THE ORIGINAL SIN. St. Paul's 8t. justify Paul'stheology theology developed of Original developedthe the doctrine doctrineof Original Sin Sin to justiff anotherdoctrine, another doctine, REDEMPTION REDEMPTION by the of Jesus Jesuson the the cross. cross. the death deathof letter to the wrote: In his letter the Romans Romanshe he wrote:

"Therefore sin came into the world assln carfieinto twrld through death through one man and death "Therefore as through sin, sin, and so spreadto all nun sinned so death death spread men because aII men becauseall all men given,but sin sk indeed wasin the •- sin indced was thc world rwrld before sh is not before the law law was wasgiven, Adsm to counted where there is no law. from Adam Yet death deuth reigned trom law. Yet Moses, Moses,even over those those whose evenover whosesins were not not like lransgression sinswere like the transgression otAdaa who who was wasa type ofAdam, wasto come. But thefree typeofthe otthe one one who comc. But who was gtft is not like gift the trespass. died through one one man's like the trespass.For if il many nany died gilt in the graceofGod trespass, free gift much more tresposs,much rrurrchave thetree otGod and the havethe grace grace ofthat of that one many."" grace one man Jesus JesusChrist aboundedfor many. Romans Romans5:12-15 5:12-15 die, so so all die, To the Corinthians Coriuthiens St. St. Paul Peul wrote: "For as in Adam aU " For as also " aho in Christ shall all bc made made alive. alive." Christ shall aII be 15:22 1I Corinthians :22 Corinthians15

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The Pauline Pauline doctrine doctrine of of Original Original Sin is, however, however, contradicted contradicted by The other passages passages from the the Bible. Bible. In DeuteroRomy, Deuteronomy, for example, example, which other of the the five books books of of Torah, Torah, Moses Moses say's: say's: "Thefathers shall one of is one put to death death for for the children, children, nor nor shall the children beput put to not beput own his put dealhfor be to death for thefatlters; every be put deathfor his man shall deathfor thefathers; every sin. " sin." Deuteronomy 24:16 24: 16 Deuteronomy Jeremiah we read read:: "In days they they shall no longer say; say,' thosedays In Jeremieh "In those ."TheIllthers have eaten eaten sour grapes, grapes, and the children's teeth teeth are "The Jathers hsve set on edge." edge. " But every every one one shill shall diefor diefor his each man who who hisown sin; sin; each set eats his teeth teeth shall be set edge. " grapes,hk shall be seton edge." sourgrapes, eatssour Jeremiah 31:29-30 31 :29-30 Jeremiah And in Ezekiel stated : categoricallystated: Ezekiel it is is more more categorically of the the iniquity iniquity ofthe ""Yet Yet you say, should not the son son sufferfor sufferfor the Why shoulil say,Why has father? When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has what done lawful When son has ? father the been for tlte my statutes, he shall shall not sufferfor observeall my statutes,he been careful to observe the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of of the sufferfor thefather thefather, of the himselJi shall upon ofthe righteous shall be upon himself, and son; the righteousness righteorc be the of son;the righteowness himself."" the wickedshall be upon upon himself. shall be wickednessofthe of the wicked lhe wickedness l8:19-20 Ezekiel 19-20 Ezekiel18: himself Jesushimself evidenceof Jesus In the is the the evidence too there there is Testementtoo the New New Testament sin : contradicting theory of inherited inheritedsin: the theory contradictingthe and his birth, birth, and (Jesus)saw "As manblindfrom blindtrom his he (Jesus) sswa4 man passedby, hy, he he passed "As he parents, his man this his who sinned, this man or his parents, sinned, who asked,"Rabbi, disciplesasked, hb disciples "Rtbhi, 'ilt was man wasnot this lhis man that answered,';It ?" Jesus Jesusanswered, blind 7" wasborn born blind he was ftat he made be made of God works of God might be sinned, porenls, but the works hut that the hisparents, sinned, or his manifest hin " nunifest in him." 9:l-3 John John 9:1-3

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to the Contraryto the teachings teachingsof Contrary of the the ChW'Ch Church,, which goes goesunder underhis his name, name, that all all children children are are born bom in sin, sin, Jesus that Jesus Christ confirms their innocencein the pes$rgefrom the Gospel the following following passage innocence nccording to Gospelaccording Matthew: Matthew: sayto you, unless unlessyou turn and become "Truly, become/ike like children you "Truly,II say neverenter enter the the kingdom will never " kingdom ofheaven. of heaven." Matthew Matthew 18:3 l8:3 Thus we we see seethat that the the doctrine Thus doctrineof inherited inheritedsin proporrndedby Paul sin propounded Paul as as letter to (quotedabove) his first first letter to the the Corinthians in his Corinthians(quoted above)is contradicted contradictedby and Moses God and Moses in more God more authoritative evidence from authoritative evidence from the the Bible, namely in Deuteronomy, (all of the namely Deuteronomy,Jeremiah Jeremiahand and Ezekiel Ezekiel (all the Old Testament)as as well as the Gospels Testament) as by Jesus JesusChrist Christ in the Gospelsaccording according to to Johnand andMatthew John Matthew (in the Testament).The the New Testament). The Church Church however however is is inclined to disregard inclined disregard the evidence of the categorical categorical evidence of the the Torah, Torah, the the Prophetsand and the parts of Prophets the Gospels, Gospels,which which form form the the main main parts of the the Bible, which for no 'of 81. and and rely on the the letters letters'of Paul which earthly reason St. Paul no earthly reasonwere were appended appendedto and andthen then incorporated incorporatedin the the Bible. Bible.

But who is Peul ~i is this this Paul

ST. ST. PAUL was aa Jew St. St. Paul was born what is now Turkey. Paulwas Jew whom whom was Tarsusin what born in Tarsus Turkey. When he he was was born When born the was part part of Roman the country country was RomanEmpire, Empire, and and thus thus yet enjoyed privilegeof although althoughby race raceand and religion religion aa Jew, Jew,he he yet enjoyedthe the privilege of beingaa Roman Romancitizen. was not being citizen.St. St. Paul not one oneof the the disciples discipleschosen Paulwas chosen -time. Indeed by by Jesus Jesusin his Indeedthere no indication that he his life -time. thereis is no indicationthat he ever ever What is was fanatical met Jesus.What hatred for is known known is is that that he he was fanaticalin hatred met Jesus. Christians, and engaged engagedhimself himself in hounding Christians,and houndingout from out Christians Christiansfrom presentat was present hiding hiding and to be torturedand killed. He He was at and bringing bringing them them to be tortured andkilled. the the stoning St. Stephen, Stephen,the the first first Christian martyr. stoningof St. Christianmartyr.

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While on on his his way way to to Damascus Damascus hc he is is reported reported to to have have experienced experienced aa While Christianity propagatorof vision ofChrist, and thus became a staunch propagator ofChristianity staunch a vision of Christ"andthusbecame This visions. in Jesus to him by had been revealed to him by Jesus in visions. This which he claimed had been revealed which he claimed from different was of Christianity was fundamentally different from "revealed" version fundamentally version Christianity of "revealed" of Jesus Jesus knew knew to to be be the the teaching teaching of of the the what the the chosen chosen disciples disciples of what Master, so that there there was a serious serious conflict between between Paul Paul and and the Master, of Christ who like Jesus Jesus had never never deviated deviated from original followers of of Moses Moses and and the strict Judaic Judaic monotheism. monotheism. the law of

THE ONLY ONLY SON SON OF GOD THE Gospels of of the the Bible there there are are a number number of of references references to In the four Gospels examples: few a are as the "Son of God". The following are examples: Jesus Christ asthe "Son of Cod". The Jesus thus thst he thus sawthat him, saw "And who stood stoodfacing whenthe centurion, centurion,who lacing him, "And when olGod!" Son was the this man was the Son of Godl" breathed man this said."truly hislast, ltsl, he said. breathedhis "truly 15:39 Mark 15:39 Mark upon you, comc upon And Spiril will come her, "The said to her, the angel said And the "The Holy Spirit the ofthe Most High will overshadow you; therefore the and the power wiII ovenhadow of the the of God," the Son SonofGod. " child holy,the will be be called holy, be born horn will chitd to be l:35 Luke 1:35 Luke t'Areyou the he said to lo and he ?t' and And they then ?" the Son of God,then SonofGod, all said, said,"Are theyaU " them, afir." saythat 1I am. Yousay them, You 22:70 Luke 22:70 Luke he said, said, desires;for If he he desires; He for he now,If him now, Godthliver deliverhim let God in God; trustin God;let He trust "/ am the Son ofGod. " of God-" Son am the "I 27:43 Matthew27:43 Matthew before down before theyfe[ down hittt'theyfeU And spirits beheld hcheldhim, the unclean unclesnsplrilr wheneverthe And whenever strictly he And of God" him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." And he strictly Son the ure onl, him and cried "Yon known. ordered him known. tomake nake him notto themnot orderedthem 3:l l-12 Mark 3:11-12 Mark l3 13

And when when he he came camc to to the the other other side, And side,to to the the country ofGadarenes, of Gadarenes, mct him, hit4 comiilg two demoniac met comiag out ofthe of the tombs, tombs,sofierce softerce that no ltlfhat have possthat way. one could pass way.And behold, one hehold,they they cried cried out, out, "What have you to lo do do with us, us,0O Son Son0/ of God? God 7 Have Have you come cotnehere here to torment beforethe rc be/ore the time? time?"" us

Matthew Matthew 8:28-29 8:28-29 the Gospels Gospelsof Matthew, Mark In the Merk and rnd Luke there therc are are about rbout 22 22 referetrcesto Jesus such references esthe such Jesusas the Son Sonof God, God, but in all rll of them them not once did he he call himself so. so. Matthew quotedabove once Matthew27:43 2l:43 quoted aboverefers refersto to priestwith the the allegation allegationof the the chief priest the scribes the scribesand andthe the elders elderswho who mockedhim. him. It was was not not fIrst first hand handreporting reporting of Jesus's mocked Jesus'sown statement statement the author author of the wasnonna1ly by the the Gospel. Gospel.It was normally either eithermadmen, madmen,the the so so called demoniac demoniacand paganRoman and unclean spirits, or pagan called uncleanspirits, Roman soldiers who soldierswho refenedto preference was to him as as the the Son of God. referred Son of God. His own owu preference wrs for the Ben Adam, which which just meant title of Ben man or son meantman sonof man. man. That Thrt title is repeated rbout 80 is repeeted about E0 times persecutors times in the Gospels. Gospels.His Jewish Jewishpersecutors allegcdthat out out of of malice malice alleged he claimed claimed to that he to be be King of of the the Jews Jewsthat that he he the wrath wrath of might incur the of the the Roman Romanrulers, rulers, and and that he hc claimed to be be people. the the Son Son of enragethe Jewishpeople. of God God to to enrage the Jewish Frsncis Young , Lecturer Francis Lectuer in the the New Testament Testament Studies at Studies at Binningham Birmingham University, University, writing in The Incemrte The Myth Myth of of God Incarnate says:"Apart/rom says: John where whereinterpretive material is clearlyplaced clearlyplaced naterid if "Apartfrom fohn upon the the lips lips ofJesus, of fesus,the upon portray not Jesus the Gospels Gospelsinvariably kwriably portrcl fesus but as using phrares others as phrases like the"Holy the"Holy One of of God", or "Son of of nSon of David", or Son Son 0/ David", of God". Alone of of all all the titles titles rISon of Man" as used regularly appears appearsas usedby Jesus Jesushimself.••.• himsef.....""

It should was be remembered remembered that that at at the the time Jesus it was should be time of of Jesus invest with divinity not only non-existent commonplace non-existent commonplace to invest mythological fIgures historian mortals mortals as Laertus, thc the pagan pagan figures but historian mythological as well. Laertus, of the Lives Lives of the Philosophers, Philosophers, writcs writes of number of of aa numbei Author of of the of the philosophen of philosophers as being sons Plato was was described being of as being describedas as being sonsof of God. God. Pleto divine parcntage; parentage; and was PJrthagor$ Pythagoras who was was supposed be the the and so so was supposedto be incarnate son the god god Hermes. Hermes. Empedocles Empedocles was was also be allegedto be incamate of the alsoalleged sonof 14 l4

animmortal immortal god godwho whohealed healedthe thesick, sick, and andhis hisfollowers followers worshipped worshipped an Alexender that beyond him and prayed to him. Plutarch regards it as beyond that Alexander it as regards him and prayed.tohim. Plutarch ancestor legendary the was ofdivine descent and Romulus the legendary ancestor the Great and Romulus descent was of divine the Greet was supposed He war. god of of the Romans was the Son of Mars, the god of war. He was supposed of Mars, the was the Son of the Romans to have have been been raised raised to to heaven heaven in in aa cloud. cloud. An An inscription inscription of of48 48 B'C. B.C. to refers to to Julius Julius Ceesrr Caesar as as "god "god manifest manifest offspring offspring of of Ares Ares and and refers of human human life"' life". Another Another inscription inscription Aphrodite and and common common savior savior of Aphrodite referring to to Augustus Augustus caessru Caesan says: says: "The "The Emperor Emperor caesar Caesar,, son Son of of refening God, god god Augustus, Augustus, overseer overseer of of land land and and sea." sea." God, These titles titles of of "god" "god" ,, "son "son of of god" god" ,,and being common common and and and "lord" being These could Jesus the time of about widespread Mediterranean region about of Jesus region in the Mediterranean widespread not but but influence influence the the general general public public who who were were not deeply deeply infused infused with with not the Judaic Judaic monotheism. monotheism. They They were were terrns tenns loosely loosely used used by all and and the sundry. sundry. The myths myths around around those those other other personalities, personalities, mythological mythological and and The Christians adoptedby Christians historical, later adopted to those thoselater similar to were strikingly strikingly similar historical,were Young peace.Francis FrancisYoung be peace. in the whom be on whom Jesus,on the Prophet ProphetJesus, the case caseof the writes inter inter alia: alia: in his a Tanrled Mass? writes TangledMass? or.a Rootsor TwoRoots essay,Two his essay, thatsomething something theview view that "Moreover, handthe out of hand dismissout onecannot cannotdismiss "Moreover,one takebut but are, to There Jesus. of the same kind happened in the case of Jesus. There are, to take case of of the samekind happenedin the of Romulus account one example, general similarities between Livy's account of Romulus Livy's between general similarities oneexample, conception virgin birth, birth,conception and Jesus:aa virgin aboutJesus: narrativesabout synopticnarratives andsome somesynoptic an death,an after death, remainsafter his remains by of his tace of no trace care€r,no god,aaremarkable remarkablecareer, by aagod, of offering of theoffering successors, appearance the hissuccessors, to commission commissionhis deathto afterdeath uip*.r*.. after case for a convincing prayers to make makea convincing case for impossibleto wouldbe beimpossible him. ItIt would pr"y"rr to to him. seem doseem timedo sametime thesame direct atroughly roughlythe peopleliving living at butpeople influence;but iiti"t influence; parallel motifs." with to have produced mythological accounts with parallel motifs." accounts to have producedmythological the beforethe wasbrought broughtbefore To whenJesus Jesuswas Bible,when theBible, ofthe thetext textof tothe Toreturn rcturnto the.Son Son bethe tobe heclaimed claimedto thathe court chargethat thecharge toconcur concurtotothe herefused refusedto courthe him: And abouthim:'And propagatin$ of had about hadbeen beenpropagating pagans andpagans madmenand asmadmen Godas ofGod the high priest stood up and said; the high priest stooduP and said;

l5 15

you no answerto no answer lo make? nuke? What Whatis "Have "Have you is itit that that these thesemen nun testify testify you ?" againstyou ?" But But Jesus Jesw was wassilent against silenl And And the priestsaid the high high priest said to to you by him, "] adjureyou hythe the living living God, him, "I adjure God,tell tell us usifyou are the the Christ, Christ, ifyou are the Son son of of God. God"" Jesus Jesussaid said to to him. the hittt "You havesaid said so. so.But] But I tell tett "you have hereafteryou will will see seethe the son you hereafter sonofman otman seated seatedat at the the right right hand hand of Power,and and coming coming on on the ofPower, " the clouds cloudsofheaven. o! heaven.,,

Matthew Matthew 26:62-64 26:62-64 The three threeGospels Gospelsof Matthew, Matthew,Mark The Mark and (called"synoptic" and Luke Luke (called "synoptic" meaningcommon coffrmonview view because becausethey meaning theyagree agreein in fonn form and andcontent) content)do do not refer referto to Jesus Jesusas asthe the"only" "only" Son not son of God. God.It It is is the theGospel Gospelof John John whichlays laysspecial specialstress stresson and which on the thedivinity divinity of Jesus, Jesus, andcalls callshim, him, the the Only Sonof God. God. Only Son the Word Wordbecameflesh becamefleshand "And the and dwell dwell among among us,full us,full ofgrace of grace and truth; we we have have beheld glory, glory as truth; beheldhis hisglory, as ofthe otthe onlySonfrom only Sonfrom the Falher."" Father.

John J o b n1:14 l :14 God so so loved loved the world that "For lhat he gave gave his "For God his only Son, Son, that whoeverbelieves believesin him should not whoever nol perish but have have eternal life. hfe.""

John J o hn3:16 3:16

What What is special special about about the the use use of of the the term tenn "Son "Son of of God"? God"? Going Going through through the the Bible we find fmd such such terms tenns being being used used in reference reference to many many others others besides besides Jesus Jesus Christ. Christ. In the the Old Testament, Testament, all of of it having having been been written before before the birttr birth ofJesr:s ofJesus we find fmd the following examples: examples:

"When men began began to multiply multiply on the face face of of the ground ground and "71/hen daughters were born to lhem, them, the sons of God saw daughters were sons of saw that the daughters daughters of of men were werefoir; fair; and they took wives of them as as wivessuch such of they chose." they chose. " Genesis 6:l-2 6: 1-2 Genesis

l16 6

"On what whatwere werei8its hasa bases sunk,or orwho whobA laidiE its cornettlonc, cornerstone,when whenthe the "On of shouledfor God the sotts morning stan sang together, and all the sons of God shoutedfor aII and morning slarx songtogcthcr, joy?" joY?" Job Job 38:6-7 38:6-7 ,,Yet the sandof li*c tIP shallhe Isrocl shall " Yet the number of ofthe people of o/Israel be he the sand ofthe thepeoptc fhenumher sea, be neithet neither ncasured measured nor nor numheted, numbered, end IUIdin in the theplace place sea,which can be where ilit ncs was saidto to then, them, "You "You arc are not not my myPcople" people."ItIt shsll shallhe besaid said where them "Sons ofthe living God." to tothcm"sonsotthelivinSGod" Hosca Hosea l:10 1:10 Apparently itit was quite common practice befqfc before the time time of of Jcsus Jesus Apparently suQiects to usc use thc the tcnn term "sons "sons even for for Hebrew writers on religious zu\iccts even of God" God" in in referencc reference to thosc those who wcre were bcloved beloved of of God. An An Italian Italian of I Thc rcsrc. wrote who Biblical authority, Marcello Craveri, The LV< IlI/fSus. craveri, ifc of Biblicat authority, changes undergone history in however, believes that has undergone changes has term the however, believes through mistranslation. mistranslation. He writes: through

Yahweh' cbcd Yahwc!J. phras€(bed the phrase "Actually, contain the doescontain Testamentdoes the Old Testament "Actually, the of God", "th€ slave of God", of God", God", "the slave which, scrvantof means"the "the servant howevcr, means which, however, it translates Septuagint God's liege subject. The Greek text of Septuagint translates it God's liege subject. The Gre€k L*;n the asItEI" much equivocally as fJzais TheON, in as much asJJlli,t, like the LatinI1J«L in as Us' equivocaliy as (poblheoil, quite was quite it was can subscquently,it or "slave", "slav€", subsequently, either "little "little boy" or mgan either can mean nboy"with ufrich mcalut with simple to replace llJli,t in the sense of "boy" tlaJW, which means of scnse , in thc &I4,t replace to simple lerh nson'. "son". been havebeen to have seemsto term "god" Indeed theterm eventhe "god" seems literatureeven in Hebrew Hcbrewliterature Indccdin and Moscs addlcssing of God used. In Exodus we read of God addressing Moses and rather loosely rcad we rattrcr looscly uscd.In Exodus and him bcnveen bc would ufrich telling him about the relation which would be between him and relation thc tetling him about Aaron: Aaron: nnulhfor bcaa1IIOIIthfor hcslid shailbe pcoptc; andlie "He slid SJHlfIk/or you to tile people;""d "Hc shallsphfor Jnu to thc Gd'"" lOll, osGod. himtIS tohim bcto shaltbe at dyou Youslid ,vr4 ",,4 Exodus4:4:16 Exodus 1"6

17 17

Noteagain: egain: Note say, "You "I say, arc gods, gods, sons "l sonsof of the "You are the Most Most High, High, all all of of you you neverthelus,you you shall shalldie dielike likemen nevertheless, " menandfall andfall like liheany anyprince. prince,i Psalm Psalm82:6-7 EZ:6-7 All those quotationsare thosequotations from the arefrom All theOld restamentlet old Testament letus usnow now see seewhat what theNew New Testament Testamenthas hasto to say. say.Luke Lukereports the reportsJesus Jesuspreaching: preaching: your enemies, loveyour etumies, and good and "But and do dogood, II But love and lend, lend expecting expectingnothing nothing in return,' r&rrn; andyour and your reward renard wiU will be great,andyou hegreat, in and you wi/I wilt be besons sonsofthe of tie Most High; High; for he is kind to is kind to the the ungrateful ungrateful and Most and the the selfish." selfish" for he Luke Luke6:35 6:35 In the theGospel Gospelaccording accordingto to Matthew MatthewJesus In Jesusis is reported reportedto to say: say: are the thepeacemakersfor peacema*asfor they "Blused are "Blessed they shall shallbe becalled sons sorc ofGod" of God.,,

Matthew Matthew 5:9 5:9 Paulin in his his letter letterto to the the Romans Romanswrites: writes: Paul uFor

aII who are led by the Spirit "For all of God are Spirit ofGod arc sons sorc ofGod of God,II

Romans 8:14 8:14 Romans The The two men men who are are said said to have have done done their utmost utmost to ascribe ascribe divinity to Jesus Jesus christ Christ are are John John and and paul; Paul; and and yet from the above above quotation Paul of Paul definitely definitely admits admits that resus Jesus was was not the only son son of God, God, but "all "all who are led by the Spirit of ofGod ofGod" God are sons sorrsof God." Let us us see see what what John John has has to to say, say, he who who has has coined coined the the phrasc, phrase, ,rthc "the only son of God". only son ofGod". In In the the course course of ofan an argument argument Jenrs Jesus had had with with the the rews Jews who who wanted wanted to to stone stone hinr, him, he he asked asked of ofthem them for for which which of ofthe the good works that they stoning stoning him? him? good.works that he he had had shown shown them them werc were they

l18 8

The Jews allswered him, ulfe "We stone stoneyoufor you for no no good good wor*s works butlor butfor The Jewsanswered yourself Jesus God" blasphemy,' because you being a man, make yourself God. " Jesus you a mon, make being btasphemy;because gods! you your are I said, it not written in your law, I said, you are gods! answered them, "Is in law, it not wriflen them, answered "Is he called called them them gods to whom whom the the word word of of God God came came (and (and the the godsto IfIf he whom the him of do yoa you say ofhim ofwhom the Father Father scripture cannol cannot he be broken), broken), do sayof scripture world. "You are are blaspheming" blaspheming" consecrated ond and sent sent into into lhe the world, consecraled "1 am the son of God?" because II said said "I sonof hecouse JJohn o h nl10:33-36 0 :3 3 -36 In other other words words Jesus Jesus was was pointing pointing out to his Jewish Jewish persecutors persecutors that that t'godsl' tetm "gods" tenn Son Son of of God God was was no more more blasphemous blasphemous than than the the tenn the term the had been been used used in respect respect of of others others previous previous to him. At At least least which had that is what what the the writer of of John's John's Gospel Gospel implies. implies. Jesus's Jesus's own personal personal that tenn "son rIson of of man", man ", in Hebrew, Hebrew, Arabic and and preference was was for the the term preference nBen just Adam", which means "man". "man". This This is rep€ated repeated no Swahili: "Ben Adam",which means Swahili: less than than 80 80 times times in the the New Testament, Testament, mostly mostly spoken spoken by Jesus Jesus less the Son call himself. Not once is he reported to categorically call himself the Son categorically he reported once himself. of God specialsense. sense, any special God in any

to was about about to when he he was words when Finally last words Christ'slast us consider considerChrist's let us Finally let John: ascend the Gospel Gospelof John: asrelated relatedin the to heaven heavenas ascendto to my God God and Filher, to "J to my my Father Fother and your Father, am ascending ascendingto "I am 20:17 John your God. " John 20: 17 God-" single by this this single meant by what Jesus Jesusmeant It understandwhat clear to to understand very clear It is is very sonship thesonship from the way different differentfrom sentence, no way wasin in no sonshipwas his sonship thathis sentence,that of all men. men. of all Pqnonol hisbook, book, "A saysin in his The Sinclair,says writer,Upton UptonSinclair, " A Pmonal TheAmerican Americanwriter, he his Father Fatherhe Godhis in calling calling God "And think that: that : in " And lest lestanyone anyonethink called hecalled clearthat thathe madeclear was let itit be bemade Son,let theSon, himselfthe proclaiminghimself wasproclaiming New the New in the times in God eighrcentimes said itit eighteen He said too. He Father, too. your Father, God your meant He meant andso soon. on.He K1oweth",and Testament: FatherKnoweth", "Your Heavenly HeavenlyFather Testament:"Your them." of them." wasone oneof that hcwas andhe sonsof of God, God,and wereall all sons wewere thatwe

~ :: Jeuus"

t9 19

GOD AND AND JESUS (arethey JESUS (are GOD theyone oneand rnd the rhesame seme?) ?) christianChurches Chuchesteach teachthat Christian thatJesus JesusChrist christ isisnot notonly onlythe theSon sonof of God, God, butthat that"he isvery veryGod". "heis God".The TheFather, but and the Holy Spirit Father,The TheSon son andthe Holy spirit are are one.Three Three in in one, one,and andone one in one. in Three. Three.They They are areco-eternal co-etemaland andcocoequal.Jesus God,and andGod Godis equal. Jesus isisGod, isJesus. Jesus.That Thatis is the thcChristian christiandogma, dogm4 to to whichthe themajority majorityof of those thosewho Christians whocall which callthemselves themselves christianssubscribe. subscribe. St.Paul Paulin in his his first first letter letterto St. to the the Corinthians Corinthianswrote: wrote: areeven evenfound to be bemisrepresenting misrepresenting "We found to God, "we are God,because becausewe wetestified testfred of Godthat he he raised raisedChrist. chrisL whom whomhe ofGod he did 1I0t not raise raiseif tf it rt is ir true that the dead deadare are not nol raised. raised'l the " 1Corinthians I Corinthians15: t 5:15 t5 spite of of Paul's Paul'salleged alleged belief that In spite that Christ christ was was the the same samebeing being as as he could God, he could not not but but say: say : "God "God Raised God, RaisedChrist". Christ". If If Jesus Jesusand and God God were one one and and the the same sa,mewould would it not were not have have been beenmore more appropriate appropriateto speakof of the the operation operationin the the following terms speak raised terms : Christ Christ raisedhimself If God God raised raisedChrist, christ, the the two could ? If possibly be be the could not possibly the same strmebeing. being. was definitely One was definitely the the perfonner performer and One and the the other other upon upon whom the the operation operation was was performed, performed. John, of the the divinity of of Christ" Christ, reports reports in his John, the the other other strong strong advocate advocate of Gospel Gospel that that Jesus Jesus said: said: "Let not not yoru your hearts hearts be be troubled; troubled; believe believe in God, me." The The word "also" "also" emphasize emphasize the the distinction distinction God, believe believe also also in me." between between God God and and Christ. Christ. In the Acts of of the Apostles Apostles we read: read: ,,And "And he (Stephen) (Stephen) said, said, heavensopened opened and and the Son of ofman standing at at "Behold, II see see the heavens man standing the right right hand olGod" ofGod. " 7:56 Acts 7:56

20 20

TheSon Sonof ofman, man,as asJesus Jesusprefened preferredto tocatl callhimsctf, himself, isissecn seenby by Stephen Stephen The the same at he cannot Hence to be standing at the right hand of God. Hence he cannot at the same of God. hand at the right be standing to time be be God; God; and and this this is is aa description description of ofaa situation situation in in heaven, heaven, He He is is time no longer longer the the Jesus Jesus of ofthis this world world described described in in Hebrew Hebrew 22 as as having having no been ',made Il made like like his his brethren brethren in in every every respect, respect, so so that that he he might might been of become aa merciful merciful and and faithful faithful high high priest priest in in the the service service ofGod". God ll • become On the the Mount Mount of of Olives Olives to to which which Jesus Jesus fled fled hunted hunted by by the the Jews, Jews. he he On in seclusion there and took occasion to withdraw from his disciples, and there in seclusion his disciples, from withdraw took occasionto prayed to God: God: prayed

"Father, ifif thou remove this cup/rom rfl'e; me; nevertheless nevertheless this cupfrom willing, renurve thou art wHling, "Father, not my will, but thinc thine he be done-" done." And And there appeared appeared to him him an not my angel/rom heaven, strengthening him. " hiruu angelfrom hetven, strengthening Luke 22:4243 22:4243 We thingr: three important things: herc three note here We Dote they are are two Hencethey 1. God- Hence worship God. Jesusworship praysto God, God, Jesus Jesusprays L Jesus

pray has to pray one has extent that that one the extent separate statusto the unequalstatus beingsof unequal separatebeings to the other. to the othcr.

man' the son sonof man, will of Jesus, Jesgs,the 2. the will butthe separatewills, but havetwo separate Thcy have 2. They prcvail. mustprevail. is God'swill must of God. God.God's thatof to that is subordinate subordinateto as Almighty, as God Almighty. andGod 3. weakens,and andweakens, heartand loscsheart mar\ loses Jesrs,being beingman, 3.Jesus, Jesus. to strcnghen the source of all strength, sends an angel to strengthen Jesus. the sourceof all strength,scndsan angel In categorically: sayscategorically: Jesussays John,Jesus of John, theGospel Gospelof In the It' "For grcater than lhan !" is greater the Father Father is "For the

l4:28 John14:28 John

cried hoat Jesus Jesrtscried ninth hour theninth aboutthe And cross: "And thecross: onthe "And about finalty on And finally t'My is' ?r', that sabach+hani ma la ItUI sabach-thani ?", that is, "My with a loud voice, "EIi, Eli, la Eli, with a loud voice,"Eli, nte?t' God, lhouforsaken me?" hostthou/orsaken whyhast God,why myGod, God,my 27:46 Matthew27:46 Matthew

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clearfrom fromthe theabove abovequotation quotationthat ItIt isisclear and thatJesus Jesus andGod Godare arenot notonly only separate entities but their will are separate entities but their will aredifferent differentand and could could be be even even contradictory;the the superior superiorwill contradictory; will must must however howeverprevail. prevail. What what isis shocking, however,isisthe thedespairing despairing shocking, however, tone toneof of Christ's christ'ssupplication supplicationon on thecross. cross.Far Farfrom frombeing beingthe theonly the onlybegotten begottenSon sonof of God Godor orGod, God,we we couldnot notexpect expectsuch suchweakness weakness could even evenfrom froman anordinary ordinarymortal mortalwith with trustin in God. God. aatrust MIRACLES : But But in in whose whoseAuthority MIRACLES: Authoriry ?? Among the proofsadvanced the proofs advancedby Among by some someto to substantiate substantiatethe thedivinity divinity of of Jesusare are the the miracles miracleswhich which he Jesus he is is reputed reputedby by the the Gospels Gospelsto to have have performed.Examples Examplesof of such suchmiracles performed. miraclesare arethe the turning turning of of water waterinto into wine, thehealing healingof the the leprous leprousand wine, the andthe the paralytic, paralytic,the the exorcising exorcisingof possessed, thepossessed, theraising raisingof the the the thedead, dead, and andwalking walking on water.But on water. But the the verysame sameGospels Gospelstell tell us usthat thatJesus very those miracles Jesusattributed attributedall all thosemiraclesand and everythingthat that he he ever everdid did to to the the God everything God who who had hadsent senthim. him. Hence Henceare are few examples: examples: aa few have not spoken "For I have "For spoken on my own own authority; the Father who who sent me has himself given me commandment himselfgiven commandment what to say sayand and what what to speakhis commandment speak. And And [I know that his commandment is eternar eternal life, life. II say, say, therefore, sayas the Father has hasbidden therefore, II say bidden me.,, me. " John l2:49-50 12:49-50 John

"1 can do nothing on my own authority; as II hear,I hear, [judge; and my judge; and "I judgement just, because judgement is is just, because I[ see* seek not not my my own own wilr will hut but the will will of of him !lim who who senl sent me." me. " John 5:30 5:30 John Jesus Jesus takes takesjustifiable justifiablepride pride in in speaking speaking and and acting acting on on God's God's authority authority in and and in obedience obedience to to his his command. command. In In the the story story· of of the the raising raising of of Lazarus Lazarus from from the the dead dead as as related related by by John John we we read: read:

2? 22

"Then Jesas, Jesus, deeply deeply moved moved again, came to to the the tomh; tomb; ItIt was aa cave, cave, again,canv "Then lhe away and a stone lay upon it Jesus said, "Take away tile stone't. stone". Martha, Martha, and o stonelay upon it Jesussoid,"Take ofthe the dead dead mon, man, said to to him, lIim, "Lord, "Lord, by by this time time lhere there the sister the sisterof her, to said days. will be an odor,for he has been deadfour days. "Jesussaid to her, deodfour has been he an odor,for witl he "Jesus glory the you would see you not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory "Did [ believe you would that if tell I "Did eyes Jesuslifted o/God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up up his eyes stane.And awaythe of God?" So always,hut "Father, II thank thee thee that that thou hearest hearest me always, but IJ and said, said,"Father, hy,that ofthe people people standing that they may have standing by, havesaid said this on account of believe " hear me. me." didsthear thau didst helievethat thou John :38-44 Iohn I11l:38-44 From the the above above we note note three three things: things: I. Jesus Jesus tells tells Martha Martha that that she she "would "would see see the the glory glory of of God," God," and and not not L of Ood God who sent sent Jesus own glory, glory, for Jesus Jesus always always seeks seeks the the glory of Jesus him. him. God for thanksGod 2. Jesus prays to God and dutifully thanks miracle,and God for miracle, Jesusprays answering his prayers. prayers answeringhis God indeedGod that it is indeed 3. the spectators spectatorsthat painsto convince convincethe takespains 3. Jesus Jesustakes God's doeswith God's he does who doeshe what he he does that what him. and andthat who has has sent senthim, authority. authoritY.

so called called the so the dead, dead,the Much from the rising from own rising Jesus'sown madeof Jesus's is also alsomade Much is clear makeclear theBible Biblc make in the to the theevent event in resurrection. all references refcrencesto But all resurrection.But volition. his own not rise of his own volition. that it was God who raised him. He did not rise He did that was God who raisedhim. Indeed theact. act. uniquein in the washe he unique neitherwas Indeedneither dead. thedead. from the wasraised whowas raisedfrom In weread childwho readof of aa child 4:32-35we In 22 Kings Kings4:32-35 of tells of alsotells Bible also The Bible . The Another 17:22. Kings 17:22 in II Kings reportedin is reported caseis Anothercase people heaven. who went wentup upto to heaven. peoplewho and oflire and chariot offire hehold,aa chariot "And talked,behold, cn and and talked, wenten rheystill stillwent asthey "And as by up went Eliiah And horses offire separated the two ofthem. And Elijah went uphy aa of thenttwo thc septroted horsesof lire whirlwind " heaven," intoheaven. whirl*ind into 2:l I Kings2:11 22 Kings

23 23

nEnoch wslked with God: and "Enoch walked with God: and he " hewas was1101,/0' noglor God Godtook too* him. hlmn Genesis Genesis5:24 5:24 suchlegends legendsabout aboutoutstanding outstandingpersonalities personalitieswere Such wenereplete rcpletebefore beforcand and atthe thetime time of of Jesus. Jesus.Josephus Josephuswriting in Ant;quitie$ says writingrnAntiquities at saysof of Moses: Moscs: cloud suddenly "a cloud suddenlystood stood over "a over him him and andhe he disappeared disappearedin in aa certain certain valley,although althoughhe hewrote wrotein in the valley, theholy holy books booksthat thathe hedied, died,which which was was doneout out of of fear, fear, lest lestthey they should shouldventure ventue to done to say saythat, that, because bccarrseof of his his extraordinary virtue, virtue, he he went went to extraordinary to God." God.uJosephus Joscphusalso also mentions rncntionsthat that peoplethought somepeople thoughtthat thatMoses some Moses"had beentaken takento to the thedivinity." "hadbeen divinity.', ,tThqe went According to to J. J. Jeremias Jeremiasin in JIlQ)BI: moyrcr: "These According wentup up to to hellVen: hcavcn: Moses and Elijah. Elijah.t," Enoch, Moses

VIRGIN BIRTH BIRTH THE VIRGIN The virgin virgin birth birttr of of Jesus Jesusis regarded, regarded,perhaps, The perhaps,as as the powcrful the most powerful of all miracles miracles supporting supporting the claim for his divinity. ofall di"i"ity. Maurice Maruicc Wiles, wilcs, Regius Professor Professor of of Divinity Divinity and Regius and Canon canon of of Christ christ Church, church, Oxford, oford, and Chainnan chairman ofthe ofthe Church church ofEngland Doctrinc and Doctrine Commission, commissioq writes in his article article_Gfuitlignifitwithout Incunation ? Christianity without Incarllation 7 in the book, .Itc Ik Incarnate: il{ilh Myth of fit God Incarnate: "when "When around around the beginning of of this century, doubts doubts were expresscd expressed about about the literal truth of of the virginal conccption conception of of Jesw, Jesus, these these werc were "itginal upon frequently treated treated as as direct attacks attacks of incarnation. incarnation. the doctrine of The virgin virgin birttr birth was so firmly finnly regardcd regarded as as the msans means by ufrich which the incarnation incarnation was was effected that that the the two two weri were widely widely regarded regarded as as standing standing or falling togethcr." together." strong and irrefutable inefutable argumcnts arguments have have down down thc the pagcs pages ofhiistory of hiStory been been Strong and presentcd presented against against thc the doctrine doctrine of ofincarnation, i.e. the bcticf beliefttrat that,God God incaroatioq i.c.thc Almighty Almighty took took thc the human human form form as as Jesus Jesus ofNazarcth" ofNazareth. The The arguments arguments range range from from the the Quranic Quranic ufrich which draw draw the the parallel parallel of ofthc the creation creation of of Adarn Adam from from no-fathcr no-fatherand and no no mother, mother, and andthe the conccption conception of ofElizabeth, Elizabcth 24 24

the wife wife of ofZachariah, Zachariah~who who barren barrenand andhaving having passed passedmenopause, menopause, did did the says: the yet give birth to John. In the case of zachariah, the Qur'an says: Zachariatr, of the case Qur'an yet give birth to John.In

"Thus doth doth Allah Allah accomplish accomplish what whathe he willcth." wUleth. " "Thns

Qur'an 3:40 3:40 Qur'an

And in in the the case case of ofMary Mary the the Qur'an Qur'an says: says: And ,,Even "Even so: Allah createth createth what what He He willeth: wUleth: When When He He hath hath decreed decreed so:Atlah ttBett !" He but saith to it "Be" and it is /" Qur'an 3:47 3:47 a plan, and it h Qur'an a plan, He but saithto il But these these are are scriptural scriptural arguments; argwnents; they are are for a people people who have have faith. There There are are those those who have have dismissed dismissed the whole thing as as purely faith. of virgin birth mythological, and and have have presented presented many many similar claims claims of mythological, pagan divinities prior to Jesus Jesus Christ. Christ. Persus Persus of of Greece Greece was was for pagan Rhea virgin supposed to have have been been born born by a Danae. Danae. The The Rhea Silvia gave gave supposed birth to Romulus Romulus of of Rome. Rome. The The Egyptian Egyptian Horus Horus was was bom born by Isis, Isis, the the birth these that argument The of heaven. The argwnent is that these immaculate virgin queen heaven. queen virgin immaculate of the time time of about the region about legends the Mediterranean Meditenaneanregion were current culrent in the legendswere Jesus legendary. equallylegendary. likely equally most likely wasmost Jesuswas the current current fault with the found fault Rationalist havefound theBible Bible have interpretersof the Rationalistinterpreters is believe what they place translations, and have sought to place on record what they believe is record on translations,and havesoughtto Craveri Mafcello text. the more correct rendering of the original text. Marcello Craveri original the rendering the more correct every for every searchfor into aa search accuses launchinginto of launching Fathersof ChurchFathers the Church accusesthe foretell way to to foretell in any any way seenin passage beseen couldbe which could the Scriptures Scriptureswhich in the passagein example an example birth. As As an virgin birth. the throughvirgin God" through of God" of aa "Son "Sonof comingof itrecoming prophecyregarding regarding quotedprophecy Craveri themost mostquoted asthe 7:14as Isaiatr7:14 to Isaiah refersto Craverirefers the birth: virgin birth: thevirgin 'tThereforethe virgin Beholdaa virgin you aasign. sign,Behold "There/ore giveyou himself will give Lord himselfwill theLord ImnruueL"II narnellllnUlnueL hisname shall callhis shallcaU andshaH son,and hearaason, andbear conceive,and shallconceive, of thebirth birth of with the todo dowith Craveri nothingto hadnothing prophecyhad theprophecy thatthe arguesthat Craveriargues of a but a Jesus. The original text speaks, not Q.(a "vier;n" but Q.(a "vouor "young of nol speaks, "virgin" Jesus.The original text with agreeswith Biblc agrees theBible of the woman". Versionof StandardVersion RevisedStandard TheRevised tryoman".The prophecy the of meaning Marcello Craveri in this respect. The actual meaning of the prophecy actual The respect. this in Craveri Marcello 25 25

admittedto to be bedifficult diffrcult by isisadmitted who by the thesame sameChristian christian commentators cornmentators who ',sincethe claimthat thatitit refers refersto toJesus. Jesus.Craven Craverisays claim saysthat thatisisas asexpected expected"since the excerpthad hadnothing nothingto with the to do dowith excerpt thebirth birthof of Jesus. Jesus.ItIt isisthe endingof theending of discussionthat thatIsaiah Isaiahsays aa discussion sayshe hehad hadwith with King King Ahaz, Ahae,in which the in which the prophetreassured reassured theking king of prophet the of the the imminent imminentdestruction destructionof of his his two two enemies,the theKings Kingsof of Syria Syriaand enemies, andIsrael". Israel". Anotherrationalist rationalistG. vermesin G. Vennes Jew argues in Jesus resusthe Another thgJew iuguesthat that"virgin" "virgin" evenas as applied applied to to Mary well have even Mary could could well haveoriginally originally meant meantone one too too young for for chi~d-bearing, child-bedng, just as young asSarah, sarah,Hannah Hannahand and Elizabeth Elizabethwere were old, or or barren. barren. old, Lastly we we have havethe the opinion opinion of aa scientist Lastly scientistand and aa medical practitioner medicalpractitioner regardingthe generalquestion questionof conception the general regarding conceptionby by aa virgin. Dr. Dr. T.H. T.H. Van de Velde M.D. de Velde M.D. writing uniting in his Van his best bestselling selling book book on on sexology, sexology, Idcal Marriqre. Marriage, says: says: "There Ideal are numerous numeroui though; "Therre are though; of of course, course, exceptional instances instanceson record of exceptional on record of impregnation imprcgnation or conception conception penetrationof spenn the penetration following the sp€rm cells cclls into the genitaria the female female genitalia completejAanUlC.pCa& without complete jmmissiopenis or entrance entance of of the the male male organ. organ.Such Such are of great practical casesare of great cases practical importance. prove two importance.They They plainly prove things; ~ Firstly, that that under wrder certain certain circumstances things; circumstancesimpregnation impregnationcan can evenwhen when the..b.mJm resulteven thebt4nremains secondlY. that a result remains unbroken. unbroken. And Andsecond(urthat qtennatozoon spermatozoon can can reachthe reach the female female orgarur organs indirectly, e.g. e.g. through through the the contact contact of of a finger..." finger..." The profundity of of all thesc these speculations, speculations, medical, medical, scientific or rational, the Qru'an Qur'an which spells spells out the truth rational, is undoubted; undoubted; but it is the in words words simple simple enough enough for babcs babes to urderstand: understand:

of Jesus before Allah Allah is as that of of Adam: Adam: He Jesus betore "The similitude of created dust, then said created himfrom him from dust, him.' "8e,,: "Be": and he was. was. The soid to him: truth ofthose doubt." truth (com*) (comes)/romAlloh so be nol not of thosewho doubt" trom Allah alone; so Qur'an 3:59-60 3:59-60 Qur'an

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JESUS -- Prophet Prophet from from Nazareth Nazareth the the serryant servant of of God God JESUS

"Christ disdaineth worship God" serveand worship disdainethnot to serve "Christ

Qur'an 4:172 4: 172 Qur'an

bears out this Quranic Quranic truth. In number number of of places places we note note The Bible bears with pride that he has has been been sent sent by God, and a number number Jesus saying saying with Jesus of times times he is referred referred to as as the "servant "servant of of God" of

"And this tr is eternal life, that they they nay nuzy know thee thee the only true God, God, "Andtlrir and whom thou has " senl." hassent. Chrkt whom lesus Christ and Jesus John John 17:3 17:3

Thus Jesus Jesus in befitting befitting humility humility addresses addresses God God as as "the "the only true true Thus God", and he himself himself has has been been sent sent as as a messenger messenger of of God. God. and he God", lo bless blessyou ht.tt to youtirct, "God up his servant sent youflrst, to senthi~ hissenant raisedup "God having raised in turning from yoar your wickedness. " wickedness." of youtrom everyone one ofyou turning every 3:26 Acts 3:26 Acts of our God ofour "The of Jacob, Jacob, the God of Isaac Isaacand of of Ahraham and of God ofAbraham "The God and fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and whom delivered his semant Jesus, fathers, release decidedto release denied he had decided presenceof when he Pilate, when ol Pilate, denied in the presence him." hittt " 3 :1 3 A c ts3:13 Acts setl'ants to thy servants "And threa&, and grant to Lordr look upon upon their their threats, now,Lord, "And now, lhy to stretchesout thy while thou stretches with all all boldness, ward with holdness,while thy word ta speak speakthy the through the perforped through hand to are performed wonder$are sign and wonders heol, and sign to heal, name " sertant Jesus. Jesus." of thy holy servant nameofthy 4:30 Acts4:30 Acts does performed:who who does are performed: The wonde6 are signsand healed,signs rnd wooden ere healed, sick are The sick invoked, may be beinvoked, all Jesusmay qf God The nameof of Jesus Thename handQ,fGod is the thq hand this ? It all this? It is only bestisis only at best for he heat but as aninterceder, interceder,for asan instrumental, only instrumental, thatisis only but that "the God." of God." holy servant servantof "theholy

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nwhoever receives Jesnsisisreported rcportedto Jesus tosay sayaccording accordingto to the theGospels: Gospels:"Whoever receives nu, receives receivesnot not me mi but " me, hutHim whosent Him who sentme. me.rl Mark Mark 9:37 9:37 rrtrIe The Qur'an express€sthe The the same samesense s€nsein in the the following following words: wonds: "He Qur'anexpresses -saws)obeys whoobeys obeysthe theApostle (Muharunad -saws) Apostle(MuhanutUld who oheysAllah. Allah.,," Qur'an4:80 Qu'an 4:80 in the And in thefollowing following verse versethe And theProphet ProphetMuhammad Muhammadis is told told by by Allah: do love If ye do "Say: love God,foliow God,follow me: me: God God wil/love will loveyou andforgive ",Scy;Ifye andlorgive youyour sins:for you your sins: God is oft-forgiving, Most MercifuL God oft-torgiving, is Mercful" " for Qur'an 3:31 Qut'an3:31 In the the Gospel Gospelof John JohnJesus In "Myfood is to do Jesussays: nys: "Myfood do the will wiII ofhim of him who sent sentme, me, and to to accomplish who accomplishHis His work. work"" John 4:34 John4:34 That is is indeed indeed the the literal literal translation translation of That of the the word word ISLAM, ISLAIVI, which means, "Submission thc will will ofGod. af Godn" means, "Sabmissian to the teachms is ir not not mine, mine, but bw his "My IIUln's will hit who sent sentme; rru; ifany tf artyrffin,s will is "My teaching do His to do His will, will, he shall shall know whether the teaching isfrom is from God or or amspeakhg whether I am speaking on nV my own amhorigl authority. He who who spealcs spca*son his his seehshis his own glory; hat but hc he wha who seeks glory of of own aathority authority seeks seeksthe glory Him senthim is true, trae, and in him Him who sent him therc there is nofalsehoodt, nofalsehood. " John 7:14-18 7:14·18 John receivesyou receives receivs me, tsu, and he who receives "He who receives me receives receivg nu "He recciva Him Him who sent me. me. He who receives receives a praphet prophet beca~e he is is aa . hecausche prophet receives a prophet's and hc he who who receives prophet receives prophet's reward, reward, and reccives aa righleous becausehe ls righteor.s man man' because is a righteous IrUJn shall receive righteous mtn recclvc aa righteow IIUln's reword" reward. " righteous manb Matthew 10:40-41 10:4041 Matthew

28 28

thus see the strength of Christ's Christ's own testimony that he We thus strength of see on the he is Iia righteous prophet sent by God, apostle. Time and Go4 aaprophet sentby Go4 an anapostlc.Time righteousservant scrvantof God, and time that he he has hasnot come comc on his own authority, that again he hc repeats repeatsthat timc again he act or speak he does does not even speakon his own authority; but that he he says even act says and acts in fulfillment ofthe commandment and the will of God who acts fulfillment of the and commandmentud ttre will of qualitiesof prophet and arethe has senthim. These Thescare the true true qualities mcssenger hassent of aa prophet and messenger indecdis what what his followers of fuid that that indeed followers who saw and lived of God. God. And saw him and with him took him to be. be.

Read the Gospels: Gospcls: Read the nThis 'tlfhen the people done,they "When people saw sawthe sign which he hc had done, sai4 "This signwhich they said, world.'l" is indeed the prophet prophet who is to come come into the world. John John6:14 6:14 multilude, "But feared the multitude, hin they feared when they tried tricd to arrest arrest him, "Bttt when prophet. " because becaruethey they held him to be be a prophet" :46 Matthew 21 2l:46 ttAndthe "And the crowds prophet Jesusfrom Nazareth of laustromNazlreth of crowdssaid, saidr"This thepruphd "This is the GaIUee." Galilee." 2l:l:11I Matthew Matthew21 )'What things hiry "And then4 "What And they they said sald to him, things ?" ?'t And "And he said to them, k deed deed rtghQ in "Concerning Jesus Nazareth, who otNazareth, who as as a prophet mighty fesus0/ and word before God people. " God and aU aII the people.?l Luke 24:19 24:19 be also refused refirsed to be Jesus was God, but also he was denied that he Jesrrsnot only denied good: considered evengood: consideredeven and knelt hnclt s man ,run ran run up uP iUld "And as he was wassetting hisjournqr a sfrhg out on hisjourney, "And as nGood Teacher, whu IlUlSt must 1I do to Tcachcr, what be/ore ashcd him, hhn, and and asked hittt, "Good betore him, nWhy do yOIl you caB nu call me inherit sald to him, httt+ "Wlly And Jesus fcsrc said inherit eternalli/e?" eternal lite?" And good but God good? No one alona'l" good? one is good God alone. Mark Mark 10:17-18 10:17-18

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A PROPHET TO ISRAEL ISRAEL We have have seen seenfrom the We the extracts extracts we have~eproduced havereproduced from the thc Bible that that Jesus Jesuswas was sent sentby God. God. h.esent? senlLTo theWorld? lforld? •- Let the Bible speak: To whom was To the sperk: Tq:phom Wgshe Jesuswent went away awayfrom "And from there there and withdrew withdrew to the district of dhtrict of "And Jesus Tyreand andSidon. Sidon.And And behold, Tyre A Cannnanite the region behold,A twnmnfromthe CannnanitewoltllUlfrom region cameout oat and cried, came cried, "Have mcrcy on me, mc, 0O lord, Son Soi ofDavid; of D.avid; my "Hsve mercy possessed daaghter is severely daughter by severelypossessed hy demon. demon."" But cnswer Bul he did not answer word And dbciplescame her a word. And his his disciples cameand begged heggedhim saying, saying, "Send (Jesw) answered, away,for her away, for she " He (Jesus) sheis crying after us. us." answered,"1 ntas "I was sent sent only tothe lo the lost lostsheep sheepofIsraeL" of Israel" Matthew Manhew 15:21-24 15:21-24 When Jesus Jesuswas was despatching When despatchinghis go out his twelve twelve chosen chosendisciples disciplesto go and spread spreadthe going into non· and the Gospel Gospelhe he instructed instructedthem them to avoid nonavoid going Israelite Israelitetowns. towns. 'tGo reports: "These Matthew reports: twelveJesus Jesussent sentout, them, "Go out, charging charging them, "These twelve (ie non-Jews), nowhere among amrrngthe Gentiles Gentiles (i.e. nowhere non-fews), and enter no town of of Samaritans,but go rather to the lost the Samaritans, lost sheep sheepof of the house honre of of IsraeL" Israel" Matthew Matthew 10:5·6 l0:5-6 whcn "Jesus said to them, you, in then+ "Truly, sayto yot+ ncw world, twrl4 when h tile thc new "Tralyr I say gloriotu throne, have the Son Son of who have of mIIn nan shall shall sit lhronc, you who sit on his his glorious tihs thc twelve nu will wi// also thmna, judging the ttucttv tr~ alsosit sit on twelve tvclve thrones,judging tollowed -followed me ofIsraeL" of Israel" Matthew Mattlrcw 19:28 l9:2t

The rcdeemcr of JesusChrist Ctuist is aa redeemer of the thc world from sin is The claim that Jesus rebutted categorical statement rccordcd in the the Gospel Goryel rebutted by his own categorical statementrecorded prayer to God according he declares John. In prayer dcclareshis own limitations according to John. God he generalspirit of consistent the general of his mission. missionconsistentwith the 30 30

praying for praying for am praying "1 the world world butlor not praying hut for them; II am am not "I am for the for them; lhose whom givenme,lor whom thou thou hast hastgiven are thine. thine.'r those " me,for tl.ey theyare John l7:9 John17:9 judgefrom If we we allow allow ourselves oursclvesto If tojudge thestatement from the statementofJesus of Jesu as asreported reported by Matthew Matthewand andMark Mark that by thathe hewas wassent sentonly only to to the thelost lostsheep sheepoflsrael, of Israel, andhis his clear clearinstructions instnrctionsto to his go nowhere and his disciples disciplesthat thatthey theyshould shouldgo nowherc amongnon-Jews non-Jcwsbut but rather ratherto among to the the lost lost sheep sheepof the the house houseof Israel. Israel, prophecythat and his his prophecy that he he and andhis and twelve disciples his twelve discipleswould would be bejudging the twelve nrelve tribes tibes of Israel Isracl in the the the hereafter, we would not be hcreafter,we be wrong to to conclude that the people referred the people refened to in Jesus's prayer quoted conclude quoted above Jesus'sprayer above must be the same, same,the bethe the Israelites. Israclites.It is aa historical must historical fact fact that that Cluistianity Ctuistianity was preachedto not to non-Jews non-Jewsuntil after was not preached aftcr the the conversion Paul. It conversionof Paul. was he who insisted he who insistedon was on doing doing that that in the the face suong opposition face of strong opposition the chosen chosenapostles apostlesof from the of Jesus. Jesus.They regardedsuch They regarded as action as such action of the the explicit instructions practiceof the violation of instnrctionsand and practice the Master. Master.Dr. Thc Life r ife gfJesUSi Marccllo Craveri Craveri writes rryritesin his qf fesus: Marcello his book book The "Mcanwhile, Paul picturc. With his Paul had hadcome his over-whelming "Meanwhile, tlre picture. comeinto the over-whelming personalityand and his ambition, personality ambition,he he lost lost no intcrjecting himself himsclf no time in interjecting amongthe the "pillars" ofthe of the community, among community, as hc himselfrather himsclf rattrerironically ashe spoke of James Jamesand spoke and Peter. Peter.Quarrels benveenthem them and and conflicts between and Quanels and Paul soon soon arose, aros€, especially especially.over Paul over the new converts sonverts outrageous outageous the new proposalto carry proposal carry the the religion beyond the borders of Judaism." beyondthe bordersofJudaism." rncndiblc Tharsc'''credible Dr.Hugh scholar,Dr. Schonfiel( in his his book, Biblical scholar, Hugh Schonfield, book, Thou Cirirtian+ writes thus of Chrittigll$, of Paul's Paul's conllicts conflicts with with he he genuine genuine original followers of Christ: Christ: followers of

"The Saul Saul of of today, who uscd used the Roman Roman name name of of Paul, Paul, was was soen seen alr as demon-driven encmy enemy of of the new David. When eventually hc he the demondriyen became aprisonerof a prisoner ofthe Romans, thc the Christians Christians ncither neither of ofJerusalem Jenrsalcm bccarnc thc Romans, lifted a fingcr finger to aid him. None of of Paul's Paul's efforts, including Rome liftcd nor Rome funds forthe for the poorsaints poor saints of of Judca, Judea, bad had mitigatcd mitigated opposition opposition to raising funds more inhansigent intransigent of of the legitimarc legitimate Church Paul was a him. For the morc dangerous. and disruptive influencc, influence, bcnt bent on enlisting a large dangerous. 31l 3

following from among Gentiles in order to provide himself himsclf with among the Gentiles with the support of of which he a numerical superiority superi-oritywith the support he could set sct at defiance the Paul had defiance the Elders had been Elders at Jerusalem. Jerusalem.Paul bcen the enemy enemy from the beginning, beginning, and formcr open and because becaus€he he had had failed in his former open hostility hostility he hc had craftily insinuated had insinuarcdhimself hims€lf into the fold to destroy desEoyit from within. within. was doing by setting This he was sctting aside aside the sacred sacredTorah and and recruiting anyone willing willing to join professionof anyone join him on the the merest mercst profession of belief. belicf. He should never never have have been should been received; received; but there were those thosc who were were so so there were innocentand and unsuspicious that they had innocent unsuspiciousthat was up had not realized he was realized what he to. And see seeto what a state to. of affairs their misplaced statc of had confidence had misplacedconfidence led! The The whole Nazorean led! Nazoreancause, was in cause,the the cause causeofMessiah of Messiahhimself, himsclf, was jeopardy being utterly utterly discredited jeopardy of being discreditedin Israel. Israel.Because BccausePaul Paul seemed seemed be on of of its chief spokesmen to be spokesmenand the Torah and was was announcing Toratr announcingthat the was invalid as as a means meansof pious was of salvation salvationit would be be believed believed by pious that the the followers Jewsthat followers of Jews were the of Jesus Jesu were worst kind ofrenegades. the worst of renegades." It

The wisdom wisdom of The J6susin restricting of Jesus resnicting his his teaching teachingto Israel Isracl lay in his preservc the desire to preserve desire the monotheism monotheism of Abraham being Abraham from being pagan influences contaminated by pagan prevailed all around contaminated influences which prevailed around him rms concerned amongthe110n-Jews. thenon-Jews.As far as among he was concernedthe of humanity ashe the rest rest ofhwnanity was not yet ready was ready to receive receive the mor€ the whole truth. His fears fears became becamemore than fully realized realized when, than Paul'sconversion when, with Paul's conversionand and consequential consequential missionary activities, missionary activities, not only was was the the sacred sacredLaw of of God branded brandeda cursed,but the pagancults of cursed, the pagan of Mithra, were Mitlua, Orpheus, Attis etc etc were Orpheus,Osiris, Attis systematically absorbed part and parcel of systematically absorbedand became part and became and parcel of official offrcial Christianity. Christianity. propagateChri.¢anity The Church's The Churchs alleged allegedauthority authority to propagate Chri-stianityto non-Jews non-Jews (apart from Paul's passagesof (apart Paul's assertion) assertion)derives derives from the the following following passages of the the Gospels: Gospels: t'Go there/ore "Go therelore and IIIJIk,z disciplesofaU natioru.,baptking baptizing them thcm in nale disciples of aII nations, the thc name Fathcr and of of the the Son of the lhc holy Spirit Spirit nanu of of the thc Father Son and of lo, I teaching teaching them thcm to observe corrrntandedyou; and 10, obsenv all all that I have hovc c01lUlUlndedYOu; of thc age. am sn with you always, thc close aga"" alwalnr to the clascollhe Matthew 19-20 28:19-20 Matthew 28:

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"And that repentance rcpentanceandforgivellesJ udforgivencss o/sim should be pnuhcd a/sirs should bc preach. "And that aII naliotts,beginning in his narneto alilladom, ill Jt!I'IlSakllL " his name beginrtng from Jazsalem" fum Luke 24:47 tuks 24:47 prcach tlte thcr4 "Go rwrW andpl'tUU:h "And IE said saidto tIaenr, aII the tlreworld tlu Gospel Gospd "Arrd he "Go into all to whole creotioIL who believes is baptir.ed will be to the tlrcwhdc dfrion He Hewlp arrdir bqdqnwiW belicl,6 and savcd; bc saved; but he who does but does1I0t not believe wiII be bcliarc will be condemned. condemacd.""

Mark Mark 16:16 16:16 passagesrefer the three threeabove-quoted above-quotedpassages not to the All the refer not the historical historicalJesus Jesus preachedand when he he lived. lived, preached and walked walked with his when his disciples. disciples.They They refer to the so the "risen" after the resurrection, when the Christ after so called called resurrection, when he he appeared appeared "nsen" Christ chosenfew. fEw.It is the chosen is known knownthat amongthe to the that among the four Gospels Gospelswhich are are be written was in the Bible the earliestto be was that thc earliest th&t of of Mark. ldark. The others The others based on Mark, being based lvlarlq but with embellishments were written later being embcllishments accordingto the the writers' writers'tastes. added tastes. It is known also addedaccording also that the the whole pas$agein Mark about about Jesus's fezus'srising from the dead. passage dead,which includes includes instruction" contradicting previous ones, his previous the the instruction, contradicting all his prcaching on€s, of of preaching non-Jews,is is a later later addition. addition. Christianityto non-Jews. Christianity EncyclopediaBritannica vol. 17 The TheEncyclopedia Britamica 11th I lth edition edition vol. page730 l7 page 730 says that saysthat passagewas possiblyearly later, possibly was added addcd later, early in the second the passage ccnhry to sccond century place of missing words or words which were the place of missing take the werc regarded reglrdcd deficient. deficient. llarper's Bible Commentary William Neil writing uniting in Harper's Commentarysays: says: ulfthere poiff in "If there is any gospel criticism ingoqpel aboutwhich aU anypoint criticisfirabout dl the thc experts orpcrts are are gospcl ends. agreed, it is that at this MarHs gospel agreed, this point Mark's ends. The rest rest of of the (19:9-20)is gospel which does longer Ending to the gospel chapter ctnpter (19:9-20) b so-called so-calledlonger does appearin the oldest manuscripts. and not appear oldest manuscripts, rnd which is a second sccond century oentury pastiche pastiche of Matthew, Luke and Acts..... the orccrpts from lvlatthew, of added added excerpts thc and Acts..... gospck but of ilrc ~II rrg,trrcrlion is ir IIOt etIl'Iiat written evidence ill tIu! efrlirrir+,t#crr ariilctuc o/the nal in tlu lOIpe& ill St. Ptull'sjint ir,Sl Paul's ftnt letter thc Corinthians I 5:3-tn, lda to the Codnthiou 15:J-8".

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(verse9 to 20) passagein the If l6th chapter Mark (verse 20) is is an the 16th chapterof Mark an lf the the passage proven and interpolation, herebyproven and admitted admittedto to be, be, then then the the as it is is hereby interpolation,as thedead andordering whole wholestory risingfrom from the deadand his disciples disciples Christ'srising orderinghis storyof Christ's to go go and preachto the name and preach to all all creation creationbaptizing baptizingin the nameof the the Father, Father, addition.The the andthe the Holy Holy Spirit, Spirit,is is aa later laterday The author authorof the the theSon Sonand day addition. legend as can tracedfrom from the far as can be be traced the reading readingof the the Bible, Bible, is is St. legendas as far St. Paul, for the the earliest earliestrecord recordis is not not in the the Gospels Paul'sletter Paul,for Cospelsbut letterto but in Paul's to putsit in Tile the the Corinthians. Corinthians.As Craveri The Life qfJesusi of Jesus: Craveriputs

"Paul "psul convinced convincedhimself that though had really died, he he must must himself that thoughJesus Jesushad really died, have risen, leaving leaving his have risen, his earthly earthly body body behind behind in order take on on aa order to take "spiritual" one.... blending his own semi-pagan conception of the the one.... his own conception blending semi-pagan "spiritual" assumption vlrtues with assumptionof Jesus Jesusinto aa new new life as as aa reward rervardfor his virtues the the necessity Jewishdoctrine doctrineof the necessityof aa reconciliation reconciliationwith Yahweh, Yatrweh, the Jewish "secondcovenant", and covenant",Paul taughtthat Paultaught that exactly exactlythis this had had been beenthe the and aa "second task and these had been his merits the eyes eyesof of Jesus, Jesus,and thesehad beenhis merits in the of God: God: aa task of vicarious sacrificethrough and innocence vicarioussacrifice throughhimself himself in his his saintliness saintlinessand innocence guilts of all." that the collective thatexpiated expiatedthe collectiveguilts all." Iftherefore whole story frcm the dead If thereforcthe the basis basisofthe of the whole storyofJesus's of Jesus'srising rising from thedead palpably false, is question,if if not not palpably then there no at its best open to to question, false,then there is no is at bestopen ground groundfor the historicalmoment that the belief that that Jesus Jesusat at any any historical momentordered ordercdthat gentiles.Equally gospel should Equally the his the gentiles. the reference be taught taughtto the referenceto his gospel should be attributedto Jesus Jesusis baseless. baseless. the Three Persons the Trinity attributed the Three Personsof the

SALVATION OF BLOOD forbidden fruit. The and Eve eatingthe frtit. that Adam Eve sinned sinnedby eating the forbidden The theory theory is that Adam and and Eve. Eve. Adam and Their transgression childrcn of of Adam transgressionis inherited inherited by all children part of what what is due there is Since depriveGod due to Him, there thusthey God of of aa part they deprive Sincethus punistrmentof the no exc€pt by restoring rcstoring the God except the just punishment of God no way to escape escapethe loss The argument argumentwould have haveit that men have haveimposed God. The lossthat that men imposedon God. gained goodthat nothing is is gained since God, nothing canbe owed to God, the good that can be done doneis owed sinceall the perfect being, being, by undoing wrong once Hence only aa perfect once committed. undoing aa wrong conmitted. Hence molliff who punishedfor the the sins of other other men, men, can Ganmollify who agrees sins of agreesto be be punished 34 34

God's wrath. wrath. Since Since only God is perfect perfect itit must be He then who must God's take the the human human form, form, come come forward forward and and allow himself to be tortured tortured take be killed for the the faults faults of of his creatures. creatures. and be and enter the the truly staggering staggering vicious circle of of a Craveri notes: notes: "Thus "Thus we enter Craveri order to be be able able to forgive the the men men and and god who punishes punishes himself in order god women who have have offended offended him!" womei "And called them them to him and said tl,em, "You know that saidto lhem,"You Jesuscalled "And Jesus those who are supposed supposed to rale rule over the Gentiles lord itit over thery them, Gentileslord those men exercise But itit shall over them. thetn But shall not uercise authority over and their great men you; but whoever would be great amt be so so amrrng among YOUi among you must be ng you mtut he he your servant, whoever twuld would befint be first arrurng among you must be slave must hc slave your selr'ant, and whoaryr serae, 0/ For the Son served but of man also also came came not to be be sened hut to serve, of aiL all For Son 0/ many." and to give ransomfor many." givehis as a ransom/or his life lde as Mark 10:42-45 l0:42-45 as an an quotationsput forward as The passageis one of the Biblical quotations one ofthe The above abovepassage us argument the blood of of Jesus. Jcsus.Let us doctrine of of salvation salvation by the the doctrine argument for the examine passage: the passage: examinethe troserve". 1. be.servedbut to senre". In the declaresthat he he "came "camc not to be.served l. Jesus Jesusdeclares was proud previous previoru pages pageswe dcedJesus we have haveseen seenhow by word and and deed Jesuswas passagche to serve worship God. he would not have havc anyone anyonc serveand andworship God In this passage worstrip$. believe cameto be be served, scrvd far less lessto be bc worshipped. he came believe that he

2. many is obviously aa give his life as phrasc "to give as aa ransom ransom for many 2. The phrase nWhoeverwould be among figure bc first among as "Whoever the same samevein as speechin the fignre of speech Jesus you must be suLgcstthat Jesus Surcly no no one one would suggest slave of all." Surely be slave propsrty to be bebought and means boughtand thatone onebecomes bccomesproperty by "slave" mearuiby "slave" literally that sold-. asaa ransom" ransomn is abswd absurdto to interpret int€rpr€t"giving one's onc'slife as sold Similarly it is thc atonemcntfor the physicaldeath as the atonement ssificc for the dcathbeing bcing aa sacrifice ag of physical asthe the ~ being of life being sins We often hear of leaders leadersin all walks of oftcn hear others. We sins of others. people.It ncver occur oecur It never ttreir people. referred themselvesfor their racrificing themselves referred to to as as.sacrificing way confers confers in any any way thcir death deathin to ptuascthat thattheir that phrase by that to us usto to understand understandby is that tlut amountsto is what itit all all amounts benefit contrary what pcoplc. On the contrary On the to their their people. benefitto

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such leaders leadershave have spent spenttheir their lives lives working such working for good of for the the good their of their followers. followers. This reminds remindsme meof of aacartoon cartoonthat thatappeared appearedin This in the theEgyptian Eglptian daily, daily, AIAlAkhbar, of of 19th l9th October october 1976. 1976,The The cartoon Akhbar, cartoondepicts depictsaa mock mock funeral funeral processionfor parliamentarycandidate. for aa parliamentary candidate.A procession A sprawling sprawlingbanner bannerover over thebier bier reads: reads: the I'THE MAN WHO WHO EVERYDAY DIES ~'THE DIES FOR FOR YOU" ribbon round round aa wreath wreath carried carriedin front A ribbon front of of the the solemn procession solemnprocession reads"TO "TO YOUR LAST RESTING RESTING PLACE reads PLACE -- A SEAT SEAT IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY" ASSEMBLY' someone someoneintones NATIONAL "VOTE FOR intones'VOTE FOR HIM !" l. Among the the "mourners" "moumers"is is one who sheds Among onewho shedsaa tear, tear,but but his his friend friend beside bcside reminds him: him: "Control him reminds vourseif. man. (orpubU, man. this this is is only ohlylor puhlic "Control WurseV. relalions I" !tl relations 'If thereforeJesus Jesusdid die 'If therefore die on on the the cross crossfor the the sins sinsof men, men,and and if if it was was was God, he was processwas God, then then the true that he the whole process was stage-acting, stage-acting,for God could could not really suffer suffer the the tortures, God tortures, and and his death deathmeant meant nothing actually he he did not die, to him, for actually die, being being God. procedrue God. The The whole procedure takes the the form of of outrageous outrageonscheating. cheating. And if takes if the the exercise exercise was was predestined, and Jesus predestined, and Jesus knew itit as as we are made to believe, believe, and are made and that it was of prophecies was in fulfillment of prophecies and the mission mission of Jesus, then then those those and the of Jesus, who inllicted inflicted punishment punishment on him and and killed him, should should be hailed as as benefactors of of mankind mankind and and the the beloved beloved of of God for their fulfilling fulfilling to benefactors the the letter letter God's God's own desires. desires. quotation which is used used as as further argument argument to strenglhcn strengthen the Another quotation doctrine doctrine of of salvation salvation by blood is this from Luke:

"Blessed be the Lord Lord God of of kraeffor Israelfor he has and redeenud redeemed has visited and "Blessed has raised rabcd up a horn and has horn of ofsalvation for us in in thc the house hispcopk, people, snd hb salvatbntor honsc prqphctr ofhis servant David, 6as he spok spoke by the moulh nwuth othit ofhis holy prQphets othis servantDayi4 aU who hates hales us. us."" old, andfrom from of ofold, andfrom thc the hand hand of ofaU trom 1:68-71 Luke l:68-71 3366

prophecy of when his son lbis This is the prophecy of Zachariah Zachariah when son John John was was born. born. But people, by it is clear that he he says says it is God who has has redeemed redeemedhis people, raising raisingamong them "a hom horn of salvation," salvation,"which is the amongthem the Messiah Messiatrwho was being was expectedby the the Jew Jew to deliver them them "from their enemies", being expected enemies", the the Roman rulers. The The coming of of the the savior, Romur rulers. savior, says says Zachariah, Zachariatr, is in prophecies. It ancient prophecies. fulfillment fulfillment of of ancient of It is distorting the meaning meaning of words to interpret words intcrpret this expected e:qccted deliverance deliverancc from the thc enemies enemiesof the of the were the Jews, the Roman Roman rulers, rulers, as Jews,who were as meaning meaning salvation of salvation by blood of Jesus. 'Another alleged allegedtestimony Jesus.'Another testimony for the the doctrine doctine of of atonement atonementby blood: blood: day, He (John the Baptist) "The next day, Baptbt) saw sow Jesus Jesru coming toward "The next him, sin hb4 and said, "Behold, ofGod, who takes tahesaway away the sin "Behold, the Lamb ofGod, ofthe John John1:29 l:29 of the world!" world!" words were were not the Granted thesewords the invention ofthe of the inventive inventive John John Grantedthat that these the they are any other the evangelist evangelist(for they arenot borne borneout by any other Gospel) Gospel) is this not much the the same same thing as as when we speak of any any earthly earttrly leader: leader: speak of "Here bearsall our otu burdens burdensfor us" us" ? or when when we advise advise he who bears "Here is he ging to heap yourself, man, someone: witl kill kill yourself, man, trying heap on your someone: "You will problemsof shoulders the problems of the the world!" The The taking taking away away of of sin is not not shouldersthe necessarily the same samething thing as as the the forgiveness forgivenessof of sin sin by the thc death dcath of necessarilythe Jesus; is it by living up up to his his teachings teachingsand and treading treading on his his Jesus;rather rather is (againaa figure footsteps attain salvation. figure of of speech) speech)that that men men shall attain salvation. It footsteps(again will of God his servant, Jesus,as as aa is through~doing sent his servant,Jesus, the will God who sent through-doing the be prophet prophet and he himself so sai4 that that men men shall shall be messenger,as as he so often often said, and messenger, tighq saved. of what is morally right, though righteousness righrcousnessthe the doing of saved.It is through according to God's laws, that everyone will save savehimself. Credit is, God's laws, everyonewill thus and indeed indeed he he thus however, the way, and however, reflected rcflcctcd on him who points the pcople. becomes the people. of the becomesthe the savior of his suffering sutlering in the The of Jesus Erc what what is essential, cssential, his fesus are Thc teaching tcaching of sttesson in course laying stress nu justified *vrk is hcidaual Are Are we b incidentIIL aounscofhis of hit work Justifud laying cssentfuI'!? the incidentIJI ignorhg, or even evcn belittling, Minling,thcthe essential hcidental and ignoring,

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The following following passage passage from the Gospel Gospel according according to John John is believed believed The doctrine of of vicarious vicariOlm atonement atonement more more forcefully forcefully and and clearly to put the docnine than any any other: other: than

"For world tha that he gave his only Son that whwr whoever his only Sonthst "For God so loved the world perish but have believes For God helievesin him should not not perish haye eternal life. lifa For sent the Son world, not condemn the world, but that wnt Son into into the world, not to condemn world, bU tha the thc might be be saved him. " world might sdvedthrough himn John 3:16 John 3:16

Here we we have have to appreciate John's Gospel Here appreciatethat John's Gospel is very different from the three. three. It was was written much much larcr. later. It was was not intended intended to be be a factual factual the narrative, but rather rather subjective propaganda highly highly charged charged narrative, subjective religious propagurda push definite with with sentimentalism. was obviously intended intended to push defurite sentimentalism. It was the time this Gospel Crospel doctrines the writer. By the doctrinesfanatically fanatically adhered adheredto by the quitc prevalent prcvalent was was being being written Pauline PaulineChristianity must must have havebeen beenquite writer more faithftl adherent. and more than a faithful adherent. In this Gospel thc and the writer Gospel the absolute absolutedivinity and Jesus Jesusis referred rcfened to as as "The divinity of of Christ is stressed, stessed,and only Son even in this Son of of God." God." The The doctrine doctrine of of salvation is however even glanccdat. at. Gospel Gospelnot definitely asserted. asserted.At At best, best,one one might say, say,It is glanced ufio will will interpret the It is only one one whose whose mind is already already made made up who condcmn the thc sentence the Son sentence"For God sent sent the Son into the world not to condemn him.o to mean meanthat world, worl4 but that the the world might night be savedthrough him." be saved nufrocverbelieves it is by his death himn to mean mean deattron the the cross: cross:or "whoever believesin him" people'ssins." "believes deathas as expiation for other othcr people's sins." "believes in his death rnercdiblc Chrqtjpns Christians presents prcscntsto us us Thos( Incredible Dr. Hugh Schonfield Schonfield in inThosc in graphic graphic terms an John as as an the value of of the Gospel Gospel according according to John terms the says: authentic and teaching teaching ofJesus of JesusChrist. He says: authentic record record of of the the life and Churches, "Thus in the the letters letters to the the Seven SevenChurches, Gospel,as as in the the Fourth Gospel, speaking it is not the John the the Elder who is speaking real Jesus Jesusspeaking, speaking,but John the real the becauscthe in his howevcr,not only because detecte4however, The fraud fraudcan canbe bc detected, name.The his name. so himself in aa manner maurer which so Christ expresscshimself Fountr Gospel Gospelexpresses Christ ofthe of the Fourth the of evidence of the first often is unJewish, but far more because the evidence thc far morc because unJewish, of his crcator of ulay the the creator epistle speaksin the the way ttratJesus Jesusspeaks epistleof of John Johnreveals rcvealsthat

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supposed utterances utterances writes. writes. We We have have to to be be very very thankful thankful for for the the supposed ofthat that epistle. epistle. There There is is no no call call for for us us to to be be honified horrified at at the the existence of existence idea that that aa gifted gifted and and even even spiritualty spiritually minded minded Christian, Christian, whose whose work work idea inspired hold to be of what many hold to be inspired has a place in a collection what many of has a place in a collection be guitty guilty of ofsuch such gross gross deception. deception. ItIt should should be be clear clear documents, could could be documents, bogus bools books in in the the New New to us us by by now now that that there there ars are scv€ral several bogfrs to Testament, and and others others which which are are purposefully purposefully misleading. misleading. Orrr Our own own Testament, applied to to the the literary literary productions productions of of moral judgment judgment must must not not be applied moral where itit was was not not considered considered at all improper to to forge, forge, antiquity, where in agood a good cause. cause. Johnwould John would certainly interpolate and slantdocuments slant documents in interpolate have believed believed that his design design was was righteous righteous and and God-guided. God-guided. He have would not doubt for a moment moment that he [1a1l had been been specially specially raised raised up by was bcing being led by the Spirit. God for the task task to be be performe{ performed, that he was remarkable way in which evcrything everything was working with with him at The remarkable every stage stage confirmed confirmed it." it. 1\ every

WORKS? PAUL OR WORKS? JESUS? FAITH OR OR JESUS? PAUL OR the Sermon Jesus SermonJesus early in the Consider the Mount. Mount. Quite on the Sermonon the Sermon Considerthe Quite early made mission: his mission: clearhis madeclear propheb; andthe theprophets; law and the law "Think to abolish abolbh the corneto havecome notthat thatI have "Think not truly,I say them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say I have come not to abolish them hut tofu{il havvcorne not to abolish them will a dot, not iota, an to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will awo!, earth and you, till heaven to Pass relaxes then relaxes Whocvcrthen from the pass all is is accomplished. accomplished"Whoever until an law until thelaw passfrom mcn so, so,shall shall 1aachetmen andteachu one comnundnun$ and of th6;ccommandments leastofthese of theleast onc ofthe and them and who40es hut lie he who be of heavcn;bill thekingdom khgdom ofheaven; lcastin in the loa them calledleast hccalled For hcaven of grcat kingdom teaches them shall be caUed great in the kingdom ofheaven. For II in thc teacha thcm shall bc callcd and scrihes thc of lhat you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and tell ucecds your rightcousncss you unlcss tcll of heaven"' thekingdom *ingdom ofheaven. the you " neverenter cnterthe you will will never Pharisecs, thcPharisees, 5:17-20 Matthew5: Matthew 17-20

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Tbe sermon sermonon on the thc Mount Mount consists The consistsof the most of the most important important teachings tcachings of Jesus JesusChrist. We can Christ. We can say of saythat that here lies true herelies tnrc Christianity; Christi*ity; that that is is if if we believe that it believethat it is is Jesus Jesuswho we ufuo is is the the founder founder of of Christianity Christianity and and not not St. Paul. Paul. St. quotcdpassage pat;sageJesus In the the above abovequoted In Jesussays saysthat that itit is is impossible impossible to to enter enter the kingdom kingdom ofheaven of heaven"unless your righteousness the righteorsnessexceeds "unlessyour exceedsthat that of the the scribes and and the the Pharisees." Pharisees." Now what scribes what is is the the righteousness righteousnessof the the and Pharisees? scribesand Pharisees? It is scribes is to follow the the law to to the the letter, letter, and and what what prophets taught. the prophets taught. lbat the That is is why Jesus Jesussaid: said: "Think not not that that Ihave I have them but cometo abolish abolishthem come but to fulfil fulfil them." them." His task taskwas was not to replace replace the law by something somethingelse, the else,but rather"to ratherto combat combat the the purely legalistic extemalization of of religion among extemalization among the the Jews Jews by the the addition of the the of religion. He He laid emphasis spirit ofreligion. emphasison on lEACHING TEACHING and andDOING when when Whoever then he said: said: " Whoever he then relaxes rclaxes one one of of the the least lcast of of these these andl.eJl.d1.Q. commandmentsand commandments teachesmen men so, so, shall shall be be called called the the least least in the the heaven;but he dacsthem kingdom of of heaven; he who dJlU. them and and~ teachesthem them shall shall be be greatin the the kingdom called great kingdom of called of heaven." heaven." Thoseare the lhe teachings teachingsofChrist Those of Chrbt himseV,· hintself; but hw what whot does doesPaul PauI say? say? nEat whatever is sold in the "Eat thc meat mcat market nurhet without raising rahing any qucstionon the ground of corlr'ciencetl question grolUld ofconscience. " 1I Corinthians Corinthians10:25 10:25 'tYon are severedfrom "You severedfrom Christ, you who would woald bejustUled bejustifud by IIlw; law; you gruca For you hnefallen havefaUen awayfrom awayfrom grace. For through through thc the Spirit, byfaith, $phit, byfaith, we waitfor waitfor the hopc hope of ofrighteousness. " righteousncss." Galatians 5:4-5 5:4-5 Galatians outxelves,who arc "We ourselves, are law Jews by binh birth and and not not Gcntilc Gentile sinners, yet shnctx, yet that a nan man is 1I0t justified by works of the law but who know hnow that not jtutifud worhs of law bu through faith faith kin Jesus even wc we have believed in in Christ through fcsus Christ, havc bclicved Chriltt evcn Jesus, in ordcr order to bcJttstifud bejustified bylaith byfaiIJI in in Christ, of Chdst, and not not by works twr*s of fesru, h becatucby worles the law, ofthe IIlw shall bejustifletL " law, because works of thc bw sholl no one orrcbcJusfifreil" Galatians 2:15-16 2:15-16 Galatians 40

nLi*ewise, you haw died "Likewise, nry mybndhrtn, bretllnn, YOIlIuzve tlkdto to thc tile law IJIw through tIIl'OlIg1l the tile hody body who has bccn to hirn to onothcr, 0/Christ, so Mat yOIl 1tIIIY belon, to IInother, to him who hIlS been you bclong nry o! Chrisqso that WTrlIc M. wc nry bcutruitlor raised/ro", the dead in order tIIat we 1IfIIY bear/ruit/or God. WIlik ordcr that h thc dcd roisedlrom law, passbns,amrccd we wcrc were living in thctlah, thejlDh, ow DIUshtul sinfulJ1IISSions, IUOlISedby by thc tile "'w, we tivittgin Bat now were at at work work in in our ollr IMmMrs to hcarltaitfor bellr/r"it for deulu deatlt. Bill now wc we nuallhento wcre that whtch are dischargedfrom discharged/rom thc the 1IIw, dead to to that which held held rc lIS copfrvc, captive, so so law,deod arc that wc we serw old wrifrcn written code code bN bill hin thc the ncw lIew lifc life ot 01 thcold not undcrthe serrr€1I0tll1lder theSpiriL" s'iri'.u thc Roma$r Romans 7:44 7:4-6 "For wc we hold that mIIn b ifiustifud justified bylsith by/Ilith apailfiom aput/ro", wor*s worts ot 0/ lhat oII nan "For law." Igw.n Rornans Romans 3:28

The teachings teachings of of Paul Paul creatcd created controvcsy controversy carly early in the history of of thc the ufro objcctcd Church between party and of Jewish Christians who objected Christians of Jcwish and that his Church bctween ercndles(i.e.' teaching of the rrncircrrmsiscd uncircumcised Gentiles of the new religion to tbg to the tcaching the disciples disciples of the non-Jews) Some of as unclean. unclean. Some regaldcd as non-Jews) whom they regarded 'uncirpumciscd" who utho did not would not even with the the "uncircumcised" table with even sit at table was held bchrpcn the hcld between keep mecting was LftilDttcly aa meeting Isracl. Ultimately of Israel. the law of keep the qgfod was agreed atwhcrcby uas two factions, and a compromise was arrived at whereby it was anivcd two frction+ and a wtre ufio placcd Gentiles thc that no heavy burdenS should be placed on the Gentiles who were bc sbould no hea*y burdens paganisn: converted to Christianity from paganism: to convertcd nThcnit whole . wilh tile the wit_ clden, witlt "Theil IUUI thcelders, and tile goodto thc tIpOSt1a aNIs to tile it seemed sccttudgood AnMt b AIIIiodI scrrdthca to E .d sendtilem chruch, fro", IIIIIDllg thcn IIIUl atmag diem n*nftom chouc men b choose chuteh,to witlt Barnafur-'" with PlIlIllllld Psnl andBlll'llalHu. 15:22 Acts 15:22 Acts nFor ilhllS upoa tayIIpDII b lily to ttsIII snd to. "For Sptrit and Holt Spirit gnd to b tile thc Holy secnud good it hasseemed t*dyot thlngs:tIud nwoty 11I111gs: YO" YD" IJbstJJiII thrrlclI«eSSary then tlleu gwter blUYielt bttdcn t1uIII yoalUI nogntIIN ry endfioa j* bln'g, IIIIII/ro. andtmm 6IiNNl, /rolll wi. to UlDlr, ldols,11114/ro", srcfificcd to hasbeelt bccnsacriJked *not illS -things younctvalrcn you *ecp If dings strtIIIgkd IIIId/rolll IUIchastity.lfyoll uep YOlII'Seha/rolll nchutity. andlroa s,tungkd dlt!Se, " Farctryclln ttcll FtuewelL yor will wiII do do welL thac, YOII l5:2t-29 Acts15:28-29 Acts 4l 41

How comes How comesitit then thenthat thatPaul Paulwrites unites to to the theCorinthians: Corinthians: Ed whatever whateverisissold inthe "Eat soldin meatmarket themeat marketwithout without raising raisingany question anyquestion grord ofconscience"? onthe theground ofmnsciencc"? Paul appointed on Paulclaims claimsto to have havebeen beenappointedan an apostle of in aa revelation of Jesus Jezusin rErelation and apostle and that that he he continues continuesto to receive receive instructionsdirectly , instructions directlyfrom from the the Master Mastereven eventhough thoughthose thoseinstructions instructions mightbe becontraIy contraryto might to what whatthe thedisciples disciplesreceived receivedfrom from Jesus person. in person. Jesusin Let us us examine examinefrom Let from Holy Holy Scripture Scripturethe the basis basisof Paul's Paul'sclaims. claims.This This from the stemsfrom the incident incidentof stems of his hisconversion conversion to to Christianity Christianityon his way way on his to Damascus. Damascus.It It should to should be be remembered rememberedthat that S1. St. Paul Paul who who was was prerriouslycalled calledSaul. saul, had previously had been beenan an implacable implacableenemy enemyof Christians christians thisincident. incident.Which beforethis which is before is referred refer-redto three times in the three times the Acts of the of the Apostles,and andeach time it is is differently Apostles. eachtime differentlyrelated. related. The first version version of the the story The story runs runs like this: this: "Now as as he lrc jwrneyed he approached "Now journeyed he Dsnqsans, and ud suddenly wddenly a ryprmched Damascus, Iight from heaventlqhed light flashed about wound and ahout him. him. And he he fell to the the Eound ail fiom heaven l*sd aa voice xice sqying savinsto him. heard persecute me?" him "SauI, why do you persecute "fuA Saul, fut{ why me?" Arrdhe lE said, dd "Who And are you Lord?" said, "I tIl am Jesus. Lord?" And "Wlp&e Ard he wi4 Jesus,whom vu are utoa ating.bllt butris VOll DmeCIlting. rise and enter the you will be told andankr the city, andlou citv. and will he whal lou atE to ,o do. do."" Then men who who were were travelling TIrcnmen travelling with him std what VO! 4« stood speechless hearing the the voice wicc but seeingno one." speechless hearing one. " but seeinr Acts 9:3-7 9:3-7 Acts

version the incident related by the the author author of of the Acts. Acts. The In this version incident is related points worth noting are: are: a. a. The The light light which which Paul Paul saw saw "flashed "flashed about about him". him". ItIt is not related related that others others saw saw the light,Sut light•..but they they did hear hear the voice. voice. b. b. It It was was Paul Paul who fell to the ground. ground. c. c. He and and the men men who were were with him heard heard the voice, voice. but they they saw no one one d. The voice of of Jesus Jesus ordered ordered him to enter enter the city and and there there he he he was to do." "would be told what he 42

The second second version version of ofthe the story story runs runs litc like this this as as reported reported in in the the same' same' Thc book, The The Acts Acts of of the the Apostlcr. ApostkL But Butthe the word word arc are ptrported purported to to be be book, ofJews Jews as as he he was was spoken by by Paul Paul before before the the tribune tribune and and the the crowd crowd of spoken of preaching preaching against against the the law law and and defiling defiling the the answering charges charges of answering temple by bringing Greeks into it. templeby Greeksinto it.

"As I[ made made myjourney journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a Damascus,ahout "As me. Ard And IIfell fell to the great lightfrom light from heaven heaven suddenly suddenly shone great shoneabout me. saying to me, Saul, wlry me, "Saul, "Saul, Saul, why do you you voice saying ground and heard a voice persecute me?" And I[answered, "Who are you, you, Lord?" Lord?" and he said persecute answered,"Who me, "I "[ am Jesus of Nazareth Nazareth whom whom you are persecut@." persecuting. " D[98 l:iJH£. to me, Jesusof t!rose were with me me SaW but did did not not hcar he" the wicc vo;« qf ()j [igh! hut sawthe light thosewho were ?" slru,llII do, one who Wat to . And II said, ~'What shall do, Lord Lord?" said, q'lfihat wasWeakinr speakingto. the one and there into Damascus, Damasctts, And the the Lord Lord said to me, me, "Rise, there 1nu you "Rise,and go into do." to YOJ.l do. " will be told all is appointedfor all that willbe Wu Acts Acts 22:6-10 22:6-10 of : This version version in respect respcctof the first version version agrees agreeswith the were thosc who were and not those (a) grourd was was Paul Paul and the ground (a) The The one onc who fell to the with him. him. be he would be and there there he (b). the city crty and was to enter enter the was told was (b) What What Paul Paul was told what to told what to do. do. thaf saysthat the first says that the version in that It however ftrst version the first disagreeswith the however disagrees that say not voice. but docs those who were with him the heard the ~ but it does not say that heerd him those who were who that those is stated it they saw the light. version In this second version it is stated that those who In this second the light. they saw voicc." the yojce. herr tbe not bear were It did Dot light but did the IiKht with Paul Paul"saw werewith "sew the also is also history is in Christian Christianhistory The vial incident incident in versionof this vital of this third version The third The holy book salnc in the :ru. contained in Paul's own words as related in the same holy book rclated as words own containedin Paul's Acts Apostles: of the the Apostles; Actsof ,,Thus[journey of commissionof andcommission authorityand "Thus with withthe theauthority Damascus to Damascus I journbyto IE$tIrom wry a the on the way a light from sawon the King,1I saw middry, 0O King, At midday, chief priest.At thechiefpriest. who thosewho and those meand round me heaven. shining round sun.shininr thqsun. thanthe irighter than heaven.brizhter 43 43

jowwywik me.And '4ndwlun wehad journey with me. when we fallen to had all Fround.II heard all.fallen to the thc rrourul, heud voice saying stying to to me in Hebrew mein Hebrqt language, aa voice language, "Saul, wltydo fuul, why yott "Sau4Saul, doyou perseafie me? me?It It hurts lrurtsto to kick kick against persecute " AndI againstthe goads." thegoads. Atrd I said, sid, "Who "Who Me you ,, Lord?" Inrd?" and md the the Lord Inrd said, are ffii{ "/ "I am un Jesus Jesaswhom whom you are are perseafiing. But But rise riseand md stand stmd upon yourfeet; for persecuting. uponyourfeet; lwve appeared qpeared for II have toyoufor this,to qpint you yott to toappoint to serve to serveand and bear witnessto beu witness to the ltoulor this, the things things in which whichyou llaw seen me std to to those in have seen me and which I will tlnse in inwhich qpear to wirl appear 1mt to you. 1nu. deliuvringpufro^ peopleand tIrcpeople mdfrom delivering you from the from the whom I send the Gentiles towhom Gentilesto send yvtt to to open opentheir tlnir eyes, eyvs,that that they theymay from darkness you mry tum urnfrom dorlarcssto to light light and md tln power pwer of of Satan to God, tlnt they futn to from the M, that they may receiveforgiveness may receive o! forgiveness of sinsand and a place among among those thosewho who are sins " we sanctified wnctified byfaith byfaith in me. me.,'

Acts A c ts26:12-18 26:12-l g Nmr here we we see seegreat divergences divergenceswith Now with the statements statementsin chapter chapter 22 0/ very same of this this very 9 and chapter samc book. hook (a) According According to this this third version (a) versionit is is Ilot ..ot Paul Paul alone alonewho who saw saw the the as related relatedin the first version, thi first light- as version,but relatedin the but all, all, as as related the second second version. version. (b) Here HerePaul Paulsays theyall (b) saysthat thatthey fell to the ground.This This contradicts all fell the ground. contradictsthe the and the secondversions first and the second versions which which relate relate that that it was was Paul Paul only who fell. fell. (c) Instead Instead of of being being instructed instructed by the the mysterious mysterious voice voice of of Jesus Jesus to enter enter the the city where where Purl Paul would be be told what to do, do, this this version version gtves gives detailed detailed instructions instructions as as imfarted imparted to Paul Paul there there and and then then of of being being appointed of fesus Jesus who also also promises promises him that he he will will appointed as as the Apostle Apostle of appear appear to him again; again; and and violating violating all of of Jesus's Jesus's teachings teachings to his his disciples disciples when when he he was was alive, alive, sends sends Paul Paul as as a special special messengcr messenger to preach preach the gospel gospel to non-Jews; non-Jews; and, and, also also contrary contrary to Jesus's Jesus's teaching teaching during during his life-time, life-time, teaches teaches justification by faith done. alone. Why should so ocparuive expansive in this third version? version? ItIt is because because he should Paul Paul be so is here here addressing addressing King Agrrppa. Agrippa. But But we may pause pause to wonder what we of witness witness who who relates relates onc one story to to the the police, police, we would would think think of 44 44

changing itit aa little little uftGo when he be faccs faces thc the nasistrdc, magistrate, and and givcs gives aa changing completely diffe,rc,nt different version version ufi€n when thc the casc case rcarhcs reaches tbc the High High Coun Court. complercly no one one can can dcscribc describe Paul Paul b€ffief better thm than tbc the dcscription description he be has has glven given But no But ofhirnself himself in in his his lettet letter to to thc the Corinthisns. Corinthians. He He says says andl andI quote: quote: of slsveto "For tlnugh though II onfreefromall am free from all ncn men, II hsee have nndc mi1de myselfa slave to all, all, "For that rI rtght mjzlrt win thc the mora more- To thc the Jews Jews II becane became as a Jew, Jew, in in order order Jews; to those under the the law became wder under tIP the lav'tlnugh law - though lav I becune thoseundcr to win winJews; law. tlla law. tlnse wdcr not being nryself myselfunder the law win those under the lav, -- that tlnt I might win under thc rct outsidethc Those became as onc one outside the Imt'rct law - not being lmt I became Thoseoutside outsidcthe law tlnt II might win ofChrist -- that without law towudGodbut toward God but utder under the law lav o/Christ all thal oII men. to thinls ali thin" qIl ""n, Ih,t It rtffu I havc beconu the weak. 1 beeo"" 'a mirbt bl 10' ,II the weah I that r qlf gorycl nqt thc sahc means s,ve spmc, I it all (or the s,ke 'lithe roll1fl. I "'4Y it thc alltor sena do means save share itt b1gsin., blasings."" sharc in iE 1I Corinthians Corinthians 9:19-23 9: 19-23

Ir,"

til.

Thc of St.Paul. StPaul. The and end all- of To win converts be the be-all and the bc-all convcrts seems secmsto bc carricd to hert to bc ssemshere doctrine of justifying the means be carried meansseems of the end justiffing the end extreme absurdity. exhcme absurdity.

St,Paul styt: St.Prul says: (thal is, is,tile thc yor.t heart hcart (tiltIt in your "The lW od andill yoq 011 on your ncar yo", lottr lips "The word is near your with your contan willi prcuh) - bectluse, bcctuse, i/YO" word offaith wcpreach) which we offaiih which f you confess hfim ruhcd lIim thd God M t'Glsed hcart dtlt lips h your bclicrlain arrdbelieH frat Jesus tipsthaJ farc is Lord IIIId Jnw heart dead, you wUl be savel! " from the youwill bc savcd.n from the dead, l0:8€ Romans10:8-9 Romans about Jesusabout of Jesus the brother hothcr of But James,the epistlc of of James, rx read thc epistle from the readfrom But let let us PIot sPirit tnrc writes: "The Ptssov* Plot writes: "The true spirit which Ik P4f.StJYCr inThc wtrich Hugh Hugh Schonfield Schonficldin Tcstament.n thc New in of Jesus is manifested in the epistle ofJames in the New Testament." of Jamcs of Jesusis rnanifestedin the epistlc

Says Jeucs: Sryr James: nlrhot does but lra hlU hosfllitll nwt says sqyshe "WllaJ profq my nrltbredrell, brcthrcn, if tatfi bill docsittt prOfit, { aa IfIIJII

irrsistcris it Ulot sister brothcr or hIlS 1 Co hitn|. If e brother savcIthn1lfa hisfaith SIlVe Canhisfaitlt no works nnrhs? hosno h thcm, says to olpu onc ofYO" stJYS to tIIem, "Go clad food, od andone dtilyloo4 lockof of dIIily "Go ill andin in lack cM IIIId

...

45 4S

peace, be he warmed warmed and andfilled," peace, without giving givingthem them the the things things filled,,, without nudedforthe hody,what whatdoes doesititprofit? neededfor the body, faith by profit? So sofaith byitself, itsetf,if if itit has hh ,,you have works, ;s no works, is dead dead But Butsome someone no onewill will say, say,"You havefaith and II faith and worhs." have works. Shon,me yourfaithfrom meyour have " Show faith from your your works, works,and andII by hymy mt worlrsltJill will show you myfaith. showyou myfaith. You works Youbelieve heline that thatGod Godisisone; one;you you do do well. Even Even the the demons dcmons believe-and believe-and shudder. well. shudder. Do you want Do you want to to be be shown,you you foolish tharfaith shown, apartfrom work is is barren? harren? foolish fellow, fellon, that faith apart Irom work not Abraham justifrcd by was not Abraham ourfather ourfether justified Was by works, works,when when he he offered offered his son Isaac Isaac upon the altar? You his IlplJn the altar? You see thatfaith was active see thotfsith was activealong olong ,soy with his his works, works, and and the the scripture scripture was with was fulfilled which says, says, fuffilted which believed God, Go{ and and it "Abraham it was wa' reckoned "Abraham believed rechoned to to him him as c$ rigldcousnes$r"'and you see and he he was wascalled calledthefriend righteollsness;" thefriend ofGod of God You that seethat isiusdfrd by mnn isjustified twrlcsand hy works and not notbyfaith aa man byfaith alone. alone And And in in the the same same waywas wasnot1lJlhab not Rahab the theIuulotjustified harlot justified by way by works workswhen when she she received received messeng*s and sent sentthem them out another ~",Jay? the messengers way? For as as the body body apartfrom spirit is dead, fud, so sofaith apart from the spirit faith apart from works is dead " apartfmmworks dcad",,

James 14-26 James2: 2:14-26 Thesedoctrine doctrine which which truly depict depict the These the teaching teachingof of Jesus Jesusare are in direct direct paul conflict with those those propounded conflict propounded by by St. st. Paul. Paul. No wonder wonder does doesPaul insist in undisguised undisguisedwrath: wrath: insist will continue continue to do, "And do, in in order to undermine undermine the "And what II do II will tlwsewfiwv,ould chimof claim ofthose who would liketo like to claimtlut chUm thllt in in their their boasted boasted mission mission worh on the samc they work terms as we do. same terms do. For are false false For such such men arc apostles,deceitful of apostles, deceitful worhmcn, workmen, disguising themselves thcmselva as apostles apostlesof CfufsfArrd Christ And no rwnda, wonder,for for eten even Saan Satan dsgliler disguises himselfas an angel angel himself as an of Eglrt ^9o stangc rf hir servants snants also ofHght So iris it is not strange if his olso disguise disguisethemselves themselves as ser1,antrof of rtghuoasness. righteousness. lTrcir Their end wiII wiU correspond to their their as servants corre:fpond to dceds" deeds. " Corinthians I11: 12-15 22 Corinthians l:12-15

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even clear. wantsto Paul's motive thus madeeven He wants to win converts convertsby Paul's motive thus made clear.He by hook andto to undermine Christ'sdiscipleship discipleship hook or by crook,and underminethe theclaim claim to to Christ's by crook, who studied of all worthy companions companionsof Jesus studiedat his feet feet and all those thoseworthy Jesuswho at his and with him. we to when weare w e are shared What are to do do when sharedall tribulationswith him. What arewe all the thetribulations faced contradictionsbetween betweentwo contending contending obvious contradictions faced with such such obvious partiesboth representingChrist? parties to be Christ?The The wise wise thing claiming to be representing thing to do do both claiming which go to andstudy thoseof his is himself and studythose his sayings sayingswhich is to go to the the Master Masterhimself plainand generallyreflect enoughto andwhich which generally are areplain clearenough to be be credible credibleand reflect andclear preachingis his teachingand and life. life. Jesus's Jesus'smost most sustained sustainedpreaching overall teaching is his overall is called Mount. His most embodied what is the Sermon Sermonon on the the Mount. embodiedin what called the most and works works is contained in categorical regardingthe the law and is contained categoricalstatement statementregarding With regard Matthew regardto to Jesus's own view on on those chapter5. 5. With Jesus'sown thosewho who Matthew chapter claim to be him while while at the same claim representinghim at the same time time distort be representing distort his his Jesus is reported to saYi teachings. teachings.@tgyi lo me. "Not sqys10 me. "Lord, Lord't shall enter the cvery one one who who says "Lord- Loar' "Not evCO' who does doesthe the will ofmy Kinrdom of heaven.but of my Father who is Kinpdom qfheaven. but he who sayto me, wiII say in heaven. day milny ,nany will nlr' "Lord, Lord, did we heaven On that that day we not prophecy in oat demons demonsin your your name, your name namc, and cast castout h yout narrE and did milny your name?" wonderfut works work in your name?" And And then many wonderful wiII I declare then willI declareto from me, " Every them, departfrom me, you evildoers. them, "1 neverknew evildoers." hnewyou: depart "I never wordsofmine lhen who thesewords otmine and does one will be who hears hearcthese doesthem like one then themwill be like fell, a wise who built his house upon wise man who his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and thefloods the winds winds blew heat upon upon the house, hotue, thefloods came, come,and md the blew and beat but it did not fall, because founded on the rock. roch And And becauseit had been beenfounded notfall, do them every wordsofmine docsnot not do them will thesewords of minc and does who hears hean these everyone one who his house upon the lhe sand: sand: and the the be wha built huilt his houseupon be like ft&n who like a foolish foolbh man the winds windsblew rain fell, and thefloods blewand beat heat against against cann, and the roinfell, thefloods came, wasthefall thefall a/it" that house, howe, and it/eU; itfcll; and great was of itn

Matthew Matthew 7:21-27 7:21-27 Mount. They They words in the the Sermon on the the Mount. These Sermonon Theseare concludingwords are the the concluding "evildoers", these these are these "evildoers", unambiguous.Who are are these and unambiguous. are forthright forthright and are foolish will not not follow the the teachings teachingsof Jesus Jcsuswhich are who will foolish men men who prophetsand the the prophets doing the based of the the law and and the and doing basedon on the the fulfillment of perform miracles prctendto perform miraclesand will Who are thesemen men who pretend and will ofGod? arethese of God? Who

47

to be be apostles apostles of ofChrist. and yet yet contradict contradict his his teachings teachings by by prcaching preaching to Christ, and justification by faith faith in in the the salvation salvation by by blood blood without without doing doing what what justification by Jesus ordered ordered them them to to do, do, nameiy nameiy to to live live to to the the law law and and thc the teachings teachings Jezus prophets? Who Who are these these men men who who usc use Jesr,rs's Jesus's name name and and yet yet will will ofthe of the prophets? be d€nied denied by him? He that has has understanding understanding let let him him understand. understand: La Let us not be like the foolish man man who built built his his house house upon upon the the sand sand lest lest for great will will be the fall of ofit. it. we fall, for

INTO ALL ALL THE THE TRUTH TRUTH GUIDE INTO Jesus Christ's Christ's teaching teaching is quite substantial, substantial, but his short life life and and the Jesus immaturity of of his people people prevented prevented him from completing the mission mission on which he he had had been been sent sent into the world. ItIt is possible possible also also that his for pave way the mission was by necessity ofa limited nature, pave for what to nature, limited missionwas necessityofa had confess he to was to come. Under either circumstances he had confess "1Have circumstances "f eithcr come. was now. Whcn many yOIl, bllt When cannot bear them now. but you callnot saryto !ou, things to say mtrny thillgs trutht' " the Spirit gllide yOIl illto all the trllth. into all will guidcyou hc wiD cornes,he Spifi comes, of a speech speech as part of The the following as gospelaccording rcpore the Johnreports accordingto John The gospel Supper. the Last Last Supper. which during the his disciples disciplesduring madeto his fesusmade which Jesus you asks nu, asksme, yd none 0/ of yOIl nu; yet "But who sent santme; himwln b him ttow1I am going to "fltt now thing to thesething said these havesaid "Where becaasc1I have going?" But But because "V4here are you going?" truth: tell you the trllth: yOIl, filletl YOllr hearts Nevertheless1I tell hcartsNevertheless you, sorrow hasfiIledyour somowlaDs thc mwy, d" if I awoy4for It is to your advantage that 1 go away, for if 1 do not go away, the I your to advantagc is yo* go, 1I wiD wiII send scndhim to you. but if Counsellor not come b yu: but willta cor7rtoYOll: C.outtsclbrwiD d 1I go, and of sin and of of sin convince the world 0/ Alld wiII convillce he will he comes, comcs,he when he And when not bdieve fu they hecanse of sin, sin, because they do not believe righteousness 0/judgment: 0/ andofiudgmtnl: righteounas and will see sec and you will go to the Fath!!r, Fath-er,alldyoll to the me; becusc 1I go of dghteousnas, because ,r-.^ o/righteouslless, isiudgcd of this world is the ruler rub ofthis me judged becausethe ,ro nwre,· ofiudgnert, because ,none;oljlldgment, ttg 110 them now. now. beat them you call1lot cannotbear you, but 1I have sayto hutyou toyou, things to to say havemallY many thillgs jfhcn the he truth; lor thc truth; you illto all the guidc you into all he will Jf1ae1l will gllide comcs,he theSpirit Spirit comes, for he spcah' wiII hc hean Iu whdctw but will not speok 011 his authority, bllt wluztever he hears he will speak, aatlnrity, on his wilt twt rycth will glorify glorify He will to come. cotmeHe arc to you thillgs that are and thingsthat wiII declare toyou dularc to he will andhe yo*" " toyou. and declare fuclarc itlt to what is is mine rtne and me,/or wilt take talrcwhat nn, lor he hc will 5-14 16:5-14 John16: John

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By this this fesus Jesus is is informing informing his his disciples disciples that that he he is is about about to to leave leave the the By will his mission, that anothcr but world, that he has not accomplished his mission, but that another will not accompliShed hrs he urorl4 that come after after him him to to tcach teach the the whole whole truth. truth. That That othcr other one one is is called called by by come various nam€$ names according according to to the the vrrious various versions versions of of the the Bible. Bible. The The various have bcen been u*ing using throughout throughout this this Revised Standard Standard Version Version which which II hrve Revised essay calls calls him him Counsdlor.King Counsellor. King fanrcs's James's Authorized Authorized Version Version calls calls him him ex$ay title, the 'Counsellorn "Counsellor" was described described by by Comforter. Whatever the title, Jesus as the person person who: Jesusas after him (a) would come aftcr right@usnessurd convince the world world of of sin and and of ofrighteousness and of of (b) would convince judgment; . guide mankind mankind into all the tnrth; truth; (c) would gurde speak on his his own authority, authority, but whatever whatever he he would hear hear (d) would not spcak he would speak; speak; he prophesy; (e) would prophcsy; (f) would glotify Jesus woutd glorify JesusChrist. Christ. rePortedby John's Gospel lohn's Gospel Let us prophecy of 8s reported lezus as of Jesus us examine exflnine this prophecy perfect objectivity. Many tvlany preconceived notions, without any notions, and and with perfect anyprecorccived authoritics take Christians Chttrch authorities indoctrinatcd by Church minds fully indoctrinated Christians with minds thc Holy C{osg or the it for granted prophecyrefers rcfen to the thc Holy Ghost, grEntedthat the prophecy that the incomprebensiblcTrinity". Spirit, the "ever blcss€dincomprehensible ofthc Personof Spiril the thethird Person "evs blessed of the title, parenthaical insertion This belief is inscrtion ofthe thc parenthetical is strengthened strenglhenedby the accumtrlated the 14:25.with "the John14:25. Spiriqafter afterCounsellor Counsellorin John "the accumulated theHoly Spirit, editors of rs the the editors copying", as errors manuscriptcopying", cenhries of manuscript elrors offourteen centuries imagine is.easyto imagine the themsclvesadmit, admig itit is.easy Versionthemselves StandardVersion RevisedStandard theRevised ss an an Spirit either eithcr as the as the thc Holy Spirit titlc as of such such aa title interpolation of the interpolation numcrous thc by any of rrritcr, or explanation believed by the original writer, or by any ofthe numerous original erqlanationbeliwed byttrc intention ofChrist. of Christ. likely intention manuscript asthe thc likely thc centuries cennrriesas downthe copyrstdown manuscriptcopyist filled the the to have havefilled belietfedto The that is is believed is the the one onethat or Spirit Spirit is Ghostor TheHoly Holy Ghost gme,ration urthorities, generation disciples the Church Churchauthorities, them the after them andafter of Jesus Jesusand disciplesof is thFough through saysis rnd says docsand after Whatthe thcChurch Cturrchdoes generationuntil today.What urniltoday. aftergeneration prophesied by Iecnrs rs Holy the guidance and inspiration ofthe Holy Spirit as prophesied by Jesus Spirit of the guidtnce inspir*ion and ttre in psssage. quotedpassage. abovequoted in the theabove

49

since Christianity Since divided into Christirnity isisdivided into countless countlesscontradictory contredictory Church church or sects, or difncuft to sects,itit isisdifficult to see which one seein in which one of ir the the Holy of them thcm is Holy working. Every Spirit working. Everyone Spirit oneof of these theseChurches Churchesclaims that itit alone claimsthat aloneis is thetrue of the by the true inheritor inheritor of the Church Churchalleged allegedto to have havebeen beenestablished established whenhe Christwhen hecalled calledPeter Christ Peter"the rockon which he "therock on which he built built his his Church." Church." EachChurch church has hasfundamental fundamentaldifferences Each differcnceswith other other churches. churches.Even Even within the the same samechurch, church,say within saythe the Roman RomanCatholic catholic Church, church, the the best best organizedand andthe themost organized mostmonolithic monolithic of of them them all, all, we we fmd find different and differcnt and contradictory doctrines doctrines and contradictory and commandments commandmentsissuing at different differcnt issuing at periods.Men Men and andWomen Womenwho periods. who at period have at one onehistoric historic period have been beenexexcommunicated,condemned communicated, condemnedand andeven evenburnt burnt at have by the at the the stake, stake,have the sarne infallible infallible Holy Church same Chruch been bcen not not only reinstated, reinstated,but also also canonized as as saints, saints, at canonized at other periods. The other historic historic periods. The history history of of Christendomis is full fult of such Christendom such examples. examples.And all this time we are are to believe that that it is is the believe the Holy Spirit, who, according Spirit, who, according to the the Church Church teaching,is is God God who who never nevererrs, teaching, errs, is guiding all these thesc conflicting conflicting men men issueconflicting doctrines doctrines and who issue and rulings through the centuries cennuies ! The "Co~llor", "Counspllor", Jesus Jesrusaid, said would.speak would speakon God's The God'sauthority and and not own. That statement statementalone on his own. alone is enough enough to demolish the theory that the prophecyrefers the prophecy refersto the that according the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Spirit according to Christian Christian teaching, teaching,is God. God. He could not be to be speaking speaking on be said said to bc an authority not his own. This could only bc an be said said of of mortal maq ~a man inspired, inspired, aa prophet. prophet. That man man man would bring clear tcachings teachings as as to sin, righteousness righteousnessandjudgemcnt. sin, and judgement. His teachings teachings would would be universal, sheep"of not for the "lost sheep" of ury any particular Eibe, tribe, but for the world. world. To be universal universal and and complete be complete thdse those teachings teachings must be clear and precisc, precise, and and should be be on a pcrmanent permanent record which is not subject to interpolation interpolation orchange, or change, so that all differences differences that migbt might arisc arise down the the centuries centuries could be rcsolved resolved by rcfcrcncc reference to that impeccable impeccable record. record. Finally, Jesus Jesus said, said, the Corurscllor Counsellor would glorif glorify him. Since Since the \he deparhue departure of of Christ fiom from mortal life, life, itit is a historical fact that that no no one one has has appeared appeared in in any part of of the globc globe who closcly closely fits fits in in with with the the qualifications enumerated enumerated in in the the above prophecy prophecy of ofJesus Jesus exccpt except the the 50 SO

Muhammad. ItIt is he ufro who has has claimc4 claimed, and indccd indeed has has Prophet Muhammad. achieved, the completion ofthe ofthe mission of ofJesus all thc the previotts previous Ja$a and all achieved, him nThe "The Most Most prophets. The Encyclopedia Britannica calls him prophets. of all prophets." prophets." ItIt is hc he who bas has convinccd convinced thc the world of of successful of successful of righteousness righteousness and and of of judgement. judgement. ItIt is he who has has guided guided us sin, of the Spirit of of Truth" Truth. Indeed Indeed even as as a youth into all the truth -- for he is thc of his future mission hc he was known by his became aware aware of before he becamc fellow-citizens of of pagan pagan Mecca as as Al-Amin, AI-AmiD, i.e. the Truttrfirl. Truthful. As an fellow-citizcns elderly man of of over sixty, thr€€ three months months beforc before his dcatb, death, having completed his God given task he told the assc,nbled assembled multitudc, multitude, now complercd own (for he spoke spoke not on his orrn all Muslims, quoting Allah's words (for authority): authority): uToday I have "Today completed and perfectedfor petfectedfor you yolr your rcligbtt" nligiolL" havecompleted 5:3 Qur'an Qfan 5:3 guided the world into all the truth Having guided tnrth he recited recitcd Allah's own words: words:

And perished: lor and Falsehood Falsch@d pc*hcd: Ard say: say: "Truth hos arrived, antvcd, IUId "Truth has lor pcrbh.n Falsehood Qur'an 17:81 Fslschoodis b bound bund to u perish." Qu/an 17:81

THE BmLE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN QTTR'AN bttrthat Jesus he had that saidall that that he hc wanted wantcd to say, say,but thathc had not said Jesusconfessed confesscdthat he that .was to come would do so and complete the work. The The do so and complste was come he and on onjudgemcnt judgement teachings srn,on righteousness righrcousncssand of Muhammadon sin, tcachingsofMuhammad tbc world in its uniqtle in the are that is unique thc Qur'an, are embodied embodied in the Qrt'an, aa book that itg purity, lack of ininica6ility. Since Sircc its End in its inimicaSility. of contradictions contradictions and ycan ago revelation to the int one onc word bas bas 14ffi years ago not the illiterate illitcralc Prophet hophst 1400 graccof of till the tbc day day of changed, will not change, changc,by the tbc grace of Allah, till andit will changed,and **ritbg in judgncnt Sir Wtlliam Islam, writing judgment urell known of Islam, William Muir, aa ~ll knowu critic of rllan i.r t Vc qfMub"",.", plro,lr,blyill ttr tile qIJWuhamud. says: ls pro1HllJly thc Thc Ul< his says: "1'IIue his book, booh The wlth $0 ccrrt utrs witJI so world which hat NlIIIIlaed runalncd tweh¥ trxuclwCDltIll'ia othcr 11001 fu* wlliclllla trdd no otller two centmics cc'lrtrnics pure wrotc that anothertwo Willian wrote that another purc aa text." Sincc Sir Sir William td.tt Since have hasremained. rcmained. andthe the truth tnrth has have rolled by and 5l 51

there is With regard is not and and carmot cannot be however, there be regard to the the Bible, however, consistency, one book book but aa collection collection of many consistency,for the the Bible is of many is not one books many of are not even books written by numerous numerous writers, many of whom are even known. known. There Therp is even amongthe the Christian Churchesas evendisagreement disagreementamong Ctuistian Churches as to the the books as canonical canonical Le. authorized by books which are are accepted i.e. authorized acccpted as r*ealed as elders as as to have have been inspired- not church not revealed as the the Qur'an chnrch elders been inspired. Qudan w€ was. was. The writings even even in single book may as we may be be contradictory, contradictory, as ,recorded in IIH. have notedthe the example exampleof the conversion conversionofPaul as,recordednThe havenoted of the of Paul as of the APostles. Acts althe &tostles.

Hugh his book, ThoseIncredible Christians ChrbtiansHugh Schonfield Schonfieldwriting in his book, Those says: says: we can can meet "Within the thc Bible we meet with forgeries, the covers covers of of the forgeries, manipulations and deliberate dcliberateinventions inventionsjust as as much much as as outside outside it. manipulationsand when aa biblical work, especially Scholarship awareofthis; of this; but when especially Scholanhip is well aware personclaiming to be in the Testament,is evidently not by the person be the New Testament, using the the the word forgery. forgery. The done to avoid using the author everything is done Jesus and same attributed to Jesus and know not to be tnrc of of sayings sayings attributed be same is true as by someone someoncof genuine. books as the Pauline Pauline or genuine. We speak of such such books of the speakof Petrine changed or invented invented sayings sayings as of thought, thoughq of of changed as sqhool of Petrine s«hool appearthat that the "secondary". we did not employ employ evasions evasionsit would appear the If we "secondary".If fraud. Holy Spirit was was an an accessory accessoryto fraud. of the the fmal the "It is on record, however,that that down to the final detennination determination of record,however, were canon are in the the Bible were of the the books books which are Scripture some some of canon of of Scripture the early of the disputed. Christiarp of was argued argued by quite orthodox Christi8QS disputed. It was productions genuine of the centuries that certain books were not genuine productions of werc certain books centuries purported to have have been been written. apostolic authors they purpo~ authors by whom they mcntions that in Occasionally was suggested. Paul mentions forgedsname namewas suggested.Paul the forger's Occasionallythe his own lifetime name were were in circulation. What falsc letters lctters in his name lifetimc false of the the the interest interest of had decmed to be be the was deemed was what was had to be be suited suircd was wcFe wittr truthfulness tnrthfulness were Church. do with Considerationshaving nothing to do Church.Considerations sentiments the sentiments at work givcn to compositions and in the compositions and work in the thc slant slant given were note were of various persons contrary of attitudes which various conffiry to their own attitudes P€nions note the was aa commonplace commonplacefor the made of thing was All this kind of express.All made to express.

52 52

Christians as as well. This 1bis was the way the game game ofpromotion ofpromotion and early Christians indoctrination was was played. played. For those those without scruples, scruples, who believe believe indoctrination ends justiff justify means, means, itit is so so still." that ends of the books books of of the the Bible are are absent absent and and unknown, unknown, The originals of present hence the the numerous numerous versions. versions. Admittedly the books books as as at present hence of ordinary ordinary human human writers. writers. However some some available are are the the works works of available are of of divine origin may may be be discernible. discernible. But so so mixed words which are are these, these, and and so so much much interpolation interpolation has has taken taken place place that itit is now are almost impossible impossible to tell the the divine divine from the the human. human. You cannot cannot tell almost of probability probability which is the the word of of God, God, and and which any degree degree of with any the word of of a a mere mere man man who had had a a particular particular school school to uphold uphold or is the a particular particular ure axe to gnnd.Not grind. Not so so the the Qurtan. Qur'an. Every Every word is Allatr's Allah's a own. just inspired, the Prophet Prophet as revealed, revealed not notjust inspired, to the speechas own. It is in direct speech it straightaway and Muhammad, recited it suaightaway and as the the Prophet Prophet recited Muhammad, and and exactly as faithful immediatelyand and others othersmemorized memorizedit. A down immediately faithful scribes scribesput it down Islamic Studies Studiesin the the Selly Sclly Christian, Readerin Islamic Taylor, Reader Christian,Dr. John JohnB. Taylor, Ahout Thinking About Oak writes in his his book Thinkinr Birmingham writes Oak Colleges, Colleges, Binningham l.s.1Jlm;, Islam:

not speak speakof of Muhammad's Muhammad's "We hav~ do not that Muslims Muslims do establishedthat havF established reciting it. Just Just as as of his receiving and reciting it. writing the but and but of his receiving the Qur'an, Qu'an, thc very special characterof Muhammad was conscious consciousof of the special character Muhammad himself himself was preserve pqins to preserve the after him took pains thoseMuslims after so those the Quranic Quranic text, so with the fragments fragrnentsof the the Qur'an. with complete accuracyall the complete accuracy Qudan. Only two of years the further furttrer loss loss in the thc battle battle of death,with the years after Muhammad's Muhammad'sdeath, various some of those who had already memorized the Qur'an the various memorized the the already who had some of thosc Qut'an years later, later, in the the reign reign of fragments few years were collected......"A collected......"A few fragments were deatb, Uthman the Muslims Mulims after after Muhammad's Muhammad'sdeath, caliphto rule rule the thethird caliph Uthmanthe the Qur'an. We can can tell how aa final check the text of the was made madeon the check was Qut'an. We werc by the the fact fact that tbat even cven careful the early early Muslims were and scrupulous scrupulousthe careful and partof Muslim world to to another another variations from one onepart pronrurciationfrom variationsin pronunciation the and so sothe were the Qur'an; context of reciting the the context weredisapproved disapprovcdof in the Qut'an; and Mecca, withthc dialect of Mecca, the dialect official accordanccwith wasestablished establishcdin accordance tcxt was ofhcial text thc caliph. caliph. and by command commandof of the were destroyed destroycdby vesions were othcr versions and most most other as is as wtrich we we have havctoday todayis Thus that the thc Qur'an confidentttrat feel confident we can canfeel Thu we Qlrdanwhich

53 53

a.sis humanly possiblethe far as humanly possible was established the text which was establishedwithin aa few yearsof of the the Prophet's years " Prophet'sdeath. death." views of Those Thoseare are the the views of aa Christian Christiancritic of Islam. The the of Islam. The Qur'an Qu/an is the what Jesus unsullied unsullied word of of God. when he said ofhim of him God. That is what Jesusmeant meantwhen he said was to come: who was will not whatever who come:"He will not speak speakon his his authority, authority,but whatever he he will will speak." he hears hearshe speak." was insulted insultednot only by his Jesus Jesuswas his avowed avowedenemies, enemies,the the Jews, also Jews,but also unwittingly by those thosewho considered consideredthemselves themselveshis followers. The followers. The Jews accused accusedhim of Jews of being being aa child born born out of wedlock, and and aa of wedlock, prove that that he was accursed charlatan. charlatan.To prove he was accursedthey causchis they endeavored endeavoredto cause death death by crucifixion, crucifixion, aa mode mode of of execution execution considered consideredby them them to be be (see Deuteronomy :22-23). damnatory the soul soul of of the the victim. (see Deuteronomy 21 2l:22-23). damnatory to the promisedMessiah. They was their promised deniedthat that he he was Messiah. They denied part, in their overzeal, The Christianson their part, overzeal,and subtle The Christians and deluded deludedby subtle wolves wolves in sheep's sheep'sclothing, clothing, swallowed swallowedthe the teachings teachingsof of Mithraism, Mithraism, Greek and other other contemporary contemporaryMediterranean Mediterraneancults, and and Greek mythology and pagangod. god. Jesus pedestalofa placed placed Jesus was the thc son son Jesuson the the pedestal of a pagan Jesuswho was ofman. as he Adam,as wasfond and he was fond of of calling calling himself, himself, aa Prophet Prophetand of man.Ben 4en Adam, god, and pseudopolytheistic god, and aa servant was debased of God, debasedinto aa pseudo servant of God, was became surrounded with legends of propitiation by blood, legends legcnds legends of became surrounded which were were current within the the cults of of Osiris, Attis, current at at that time within Adonis and Mithra. Mithra Adonis and was nothing nothing new There was new in salvation salvation by hy blood. blood. All All these these doctrines doctrines pagancults prevalentin the were the pagan cults in the were prevalent the eastern eastemMediterranean Mediterraneanregion was before the coming coming ofJesus of JesusChrist and lfhat was and during druing his lifetime. What beforethe grafi these ond revolting r*olthgwas new, strange and was to graft on the very 1IUUI nun thesemyths thevcry newrsfronge Whs abolishthem. who came thetn cameto abolish

54 .54

DEATH ON ON THE THE CROSS CROSS DEATH was the the Prophet Prophet Muhammad Muhammad who who came came and and glorified glorified Jesus. Jesus. He He ItIt was pagan the and tore down Jews, countered the accusations of the Jews, and tore down the pagan of thc accusations the countered trappings with with which which Jesus Jesus vras was errshrouded enshrouded by by misguided misguided adherents. adherents. Fappings proved that Jesus Jesus was no more illegitimate than Adam. His He proved a prostitute Jews castigated castigated as asa prostitute was given a mother Mary whom the Jews place of of great great honor in the Qnr'an Qur'an than than in the Christian Christian Bible. To a place people who believed believed in the crcation creation of of Adam with with neither father nor people mother why should should it bc be difffrcult difficult to believe believe in the creation creation of of Jesus Jesus mother Without a father? without father? raisc up childtcn "God ablefrom these children to Abrahamtl Abraham. " stonesto raise thescstones "God is ahlelrom Matthew 3:9 3:9 was the thc Christ Jesuswas To the confirmed that Jesus Mutrammad confinned JewsMuhammad the hostile hostile Jews werp ttrat the Jews Jews were foretold in the Jews own scripture. scriptrue. He taught that the Jews an have speaking an untruth when they claimed to have inflicted an ignoble when claimed speaking an cross. death the cross. hanging him on the Jesusby hanging death on Jesus 'r&ul they wes made nmde but so so it was hin+ bllt "Bllt not, nor nor crllcifled him not, cruc{rcd him, hilled him thqt killed wilh of doubh, wiUr arcfull ofdoubts, appear thcreh arefull diffcr therein thoscwho who differ thcm,and those appcarto them, For IIa surety surety totollow. For no (certain) conicctarc tofollow. only conjecture (cerUin) knowledge, hU only knowkdgc, bill " they noLn him nOL thq killed hillcd him 4:157 Qur'an Qut'an4:157 that is known knoum that truth. It It is Modem prcYcsthis this Quranic rescarchproves Biblical research Modern Biblical Quranic truth. Christ's of Christ's versioru of different versions there wtrich have have different Gospels which other Gospels are other therc are other The other Ctospcls.The canonicalGospels. passion four canonical the four narratcdin in the that narrated passionfrom from that the Bible urten Church by the Gospels were not approved officially by the Church when the Bible Gospelswe,rpnot approvedofficially light ucw light c€ntrr'y.Lately Latcly new was sccondcentury. of the tbesecond eodof thc end towardsthe wascompiled compiledtowards discovcry thc discovery by the Christisnsby has early Christians of the thc early bcliefs of on the the beliefs caston bccncast hasbeen iiDr. Thcdiscoverer dircovtcr iiDr. of Istanbul.Tbe ofan tbcarchives archirrcsofIstanbul. in the lv{anuscriptin old Manuscript of anold tt hoo*tt tIS rrrdyCIui.rtIIuu Auffians boWJI Samul 7'1Iese..v Unincrsity .I*x of Odord University. StcrnofOxford SamulStem nanufot (whtch r+,ilL tht NtlSoMIIIS or NtlQlnllD (wAIeA tIIIlia wlt1I tU QIII'IJIIk ,..,. for talli6 Qr1rstdc Nosorxottsor Nqsxna nNzsoamn) were Tbe with" The predominant to to start start with. Christiturs: urcre predominant Chrtstians: "NtlSaartI") 55 55

Nazareneswho whoclaimed claimeddescent descentfrom Nazarenes from Jesus's Jesus'sfirst first disciples disciplescame cameinto into conflictwith with Pauline PaulineChristians (whofollowed christians(who conflict fotlowedPaul) Paul)and andwere weredriven driven out of of Palestine Palestineinto into Syria syria around out arowrd62 62 A.D. A.D. The TheNazarenes Nazarenesregarded regarded paul of greatprophet Jesusas asaagreat prophetand andrighteous righteousman. Jesus man.They They accused accusedSt. st. Paul of heretically substitutingRoman Romancustoms heretically substituting customsfor for the theauthentic authenticteachings teachingsof of Jesusand proclaiming him and proclaiming him to Jesus to be be God. God. They They refused refirsedto to celebrate' celebrate Christmaswhich which they they regarded regardedas paganfeast. Christmas asaa pagan feast. versionof Christ's The version christ's Passion Passioncontained The containedin the the manuscript manuscriptis is that that Judastricked trickedthe theJews Jewsby by substituting substinrtinganother Judas anotherman placeof Jesus. manin place Jesus. pilate the This other otherman manvehemently vehementlydenied This deniedbefore beforeHerod Herodand andPilate thecharge chargc thathe he claimed claimedto to be (christ). According bethe the Messiah Messiah(Christ). that According to this this version version it was wasHerod Herodand andnot not Pilate, who took aa basin Pilate,who basinofwater of wuer and andwashed washedhis his handsof the the accused accusedman's man'sblood hands blood to show show that that he he did not fmd find any any him. Then Then Herod Herod locked locked up guilt in him. up the the supposed supposedJesus Jcsusfor the the night; but the the next next morning he hc was was seized but seizedupon upon by the the Jews Jews who tortured tortured and ultimately ultimately crucified crucified him. him and him. The version version of the story of the story of The of crucifixion makes pathetic makes the the pathetic lamentationsattributed attributed by the lamentations the canonical canonicalGospel Gospelto Jesus Jesuson the the cross cross more sensible. sensible.For an an ordinary ordinary unknown more unlnrownman man to behave behavein such sucha way excr.rsable. the man tnan of is excusable. But for the of God declareat the God to declare the time oftriaI, of rial, or even for a leader of a people even leader of people with with guts guts in him, to cry out aloud in front of crowd: "My of a crowd: "My God. God, my God hast thou thou forsake front God why hast forsakeme ?" ?,' is to say of a leader. leader. say the the least least below the the dignity of If If the the crucified crucified man man was was Jesus, Jesus, and and ifif Jesus Jesus was was God who knew that He had come come down to earth in order to be crucirfredlor crucifiedfor thc the sins of sins of hunanity. hU11Ulnity. the absudity absurdity would would be shattcring. shattering. Upton Sinclair Sinclair writes in his bookA book A Penonal Personal JesHS: fesrc:

"You perceive perceive ttr,at that those those wtro who tcll tell thc the story cannot cannot make make up their mind "You whether Jesus Jesus is God or or whcther whether he is man. Truly Truly ifit is diffrcutt difficult problem, the possibility possibility that God may problem. onc€ once you admit sucha thing as ths take on the form of a man and comc ofa come down to cafih" earth. Whcn When he bccomes becomes man, he man man or or is is He He still still God? And And how how can He He be be betrayed, betrayed, man, is he

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when whcn He knows He is going to be be betrayed legend never nevcr betrayed ?? The The legend answers an absurdity and there aruiweniclearly, for basically it is an abstudity and there can can be be no no answer, even any any rational thought on such subject. answer,nor even such aa subject. "If Jesusis God, He knows knows everything everything in advance. case God, He advance.But in that that case "If Jesus procedure means the" means nothing to Him; He is like an the procedure an actor actor going through and it must must have have been rather tedious through aa role, role, and been aa rather role to tedious role Omniscience. entertainmentof If so, Omniscience.Is Is He He doing doing it for the the entertainment of children? children ? If so, why not encourage face the and'fac€ encouragethe the children to grow up mentally and" ttn truth? On the If he is aa man man and and has has the of a man, mar\ the other hand, hand, Ifhe the mind ofa possesses longer possesses then the then he he no no longer longer knows knows the rutll he no longer the comfort the truth, he no legendrequires of of Omniscience. The legend requiresthat tlrat we shall strall believe both these thesc Omniscience.The things things at at the the same time, but manifestly, man cannot cannot know same time, manifestly, aa man grope half-blindly as something as we human at the the same same time time grope human something and and at beings are doing through our lives." lives," beingsare doing all through

perplexeshonest readersof of the the The riddle which perplexes honest and and intelliBent intelligent readers The riddle version of Gospels the Nasorean Nasoreanversion Upton Sinclair is resolved resolvedby the of Gospelslike Upton Sinclair is the of crucifixion. that version Jesusis absolved absolvedfrom the the the story story of crucifixion. By that vcrsion Jesus cowardice, shallownessof of faith in God God so so shamefully ficklcnessand andshallowness shamefully cowardice,fickleness and cowardly demonstrated the crucified man. man. The The fickleness fickleness and and and cowardly demonstated by the defection the disciples disciples as the Gospels also fall into defection of of the as reported reportedin the Gospelsalso was not their Messiah. position if that the man was Messiah. if we take the crucified crucified man take it that The chargesof of cowardice, disciplcs are are therefore the charges cowardice, The disciples thereforecleared clearedfrom the leader at the most most treachery. and laek laek of faith in their leader at the treachery, falsehood of faith falsehoodand was truly doubled was critical time. they sold. denied or doubled time. The The man sold, denied man they was not their Master. unknown them. He He was not their Master. ur*nown to them. who wasJudtu The of Barnabasreports reportsthat ttrat it was fufus who Tbe "apocryphal" GospelofBamabas "apocryphal" Gospel thc early carly plac€of was the Basilidon sect of the Bssilidonrcaof wascrucified of Jesus, Jesus,and andthc crucifud in the the place wss c,ucif~d, who was crucifud, Simon the Christians was.firran thc Cynne believed that that it was Ctuistiansbelieved Qrenc who was this man man Crospcls not Jesus. According to all the three synoptic Gospels it was ttuec synoptic the Jesus.According makes.Icstts who was Jesus Jesus.Only John Johnmakes carry the crossfor Jesus. was made the cross madc to carry point. carry cross.This significant point. his cross. This is aa significant carry his

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scholars basing Other scholars basing their research researchon the the canonical canonical Gospel Gospcl have have versionsofthe differcnt versions different of the crucifixion. cnrcifixion. One One such such is Biblical Biblical scholar scholar Dr. Schonfield, who has Hugh Schonfield, has forwarded forwarded his findings in his highly highly conboversial book The PassoverPlot. He maintain that it was controversial The Passover was Jesus Jesus was nailed nailed on tde cross, ,,who who was cross, but that he did not die there; there; he only appcared dead appeared dead by taking a drug drug which is described describcd in Matthew's Matttreu/s Gospel vincgar. as vinegar. Gospcl as

the

ahul.the ninth "And nkth hour hour Jaus with a &ras cried cricd with o loud voice, wice, "Eli, Eli, "And about.the "Eli, Eli, uMy God, Ia IIUl ma sabach-thani?" my God, why hast la sabach4hani 7" that is, is, "My rnl Godr God, hast thou nu ?" fonaken me ?" And And some sorncofthe of the bystanden bystanderchearing hcadng it it said, stid, "This lorcalun "This man is calling calling Elijah". Elijah". And man And one one of thcm at once of them oncc ran run and took a s pw it spongc,Slkd gwe it sponge, filled it tt with vinegar, vinegcr, and pili it on a reed, rcc{ and und gave it to nVa$ let him him to. n drink. drdnh But But the thc othen othen said, soid, "Wait, ttssee sccwhether kt us whcthcr EUjah Ehjah him And wUl will COIM conu to save savchim. And Jaus fcr,rc cried crhd again agaunwith a loud loud voice wlce and yhlded hir spirit. r.p his sphitn" ylelikd up Matthew 27:45-50 27:45-50

That tbc description whocver wrote Tbat is the dcscription by the evangelist evangelistMatthew, or whoever in his name. Schonfield claims that was was merely a plot to save namc. Schonfield saveJesus Jesus givcn from as vinegar was The drug dnrg described describcdas was given· tom death death by crucifixion. crucifixion. The to induce inducc a deathlike dcathlike state. statc.According to the Gospel Gospel Jesus Jcsusremained remained on the cross hours only, crcss for three ttuee hours nfrile it was was normal for a man to ody, while take take days of lingering agony bcfore his death tbat type tpc of days of sgony before dcath in that of plan, a rich disciple, execution. according to plan, cxecution. Then Thcn according disciplc, Joseph Joscph of of Pilatc and Arimathea, Arinathca, appeared apecarcd before bcforc the Roman Roman Governor and Crovcmor Pilate requested the body, rcquestcdfor forthe body, which was wastwned ovcr to him. hin" Anthropologist hmed over Anthmpologist J. Hamer Michael Micbael J. I{smcr ofCalifomia of Califomia University corroborating cormborating Schonfield was used says rnadefrom the mandrake mandrakcplant was uscd in Palestine saysthat wine made Palestine pcrsons who were to induce statein persons were being crucificd. inducc a deathlike dcathtikc state bcing crucified.

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''THEY "THEY KILLEI} KILLED HIM HIM NOT'' NOT" , It is a fact fact that that arry any careful careful impartial impartial rcader reader of of the the fou four Gospels Gospels which show that that the man man who are in the the Bible will will derive derive sfiong strong evidcnce evidence to show are the cross cross did not die on the the cross, cross, but only appeared appeared to was put on the .In those have died. died..In those same same Gospels, Gospels, therc there is also also overwhelming overwhelming have evidence, in spite spite of of thc the writers' own belief belief to the confrry, contrary, thst that it was was evidence, possible, and and indeed indeed likely, that that the the crucified man man was was not Jesus Jesus possible, Christ at all.

It a fact that Jesus Jesus was was not a a well-known well-known pcrson person at that time in It is a was a a stranger, stranger, Jerusalem. To the the people people who wers were hunting hunting for him he he was Jerusalem. had been been preaching preaching his faith for only two or a nrstic rustic from Galilee. Galilee. He had a place with no fixed abode. abode. years, wandering three place to 'place three years, wandering from from place (Manhew 8:20). visited Jerusalem havevisited Jenrsalem (Matthew time he During that not have thattime he could couldnot 8:20).During he had more been sayshe had been times.The earliestGospel, more than than aa few times. The earliest Gospel,Mark says there timcs. So So little latest, John, says four times. there only once, once, while the the latest, John, says known was would-bc was he is related Judashad he that that it is relatedJudas hadto point out to his would-be pretendingto kiss unusual captors kiss him. Thus Thus it would be bc nothing unusual captorsby pretending us that that if The Gospels else for Jesus. Jesus.The Gospelstell us mistook somebody somebodyelse if they they mistook auay. when he alone and and ran ran away. was arrested disciples left him alone he was anestedall his disciples Even his closest any knowledge of him, dcnied any knowledge of closest disciples, disciples, Peter, Peter, denied (Matthew 26:74). difficult to saying: It is 26:74).It is difficult man." (Matthew know this this man." do not not know saying: "I do espccially himsclf had especially believe that among he himselfhad amongall his disciples disciples whom he believethat beenaa single one who selected have been single one there could not have care,there due care, selectedwith due was in say that that this was even that he he knew him. To say acknowledged that even acknowledged rcasonto strctch reason and to stretch fulfillment faittt, and prophccy is to bow to faith, of aa prophecy fulfillment of breaking breaking point. garc in court cross Moreover court during cross thc accused accuscdgave that the the answers answersthat Moreover the nt was Jesus JesusChrist. Christ At tluthe e~on he was indicalc that werc not asto indicate not such suchas examinationwere Gospels synoptic Gospels three synoptic best prevaricated. All All the the three the accused accgsed prevaricated. best the evidencc piecc of evidence produce one one piece describing failed to produce scenefailed describing the'court scene rrhen that when saysthat which thc accused. rcused. Luke says prcve the the identity of the wtrich would prove was answer his you ru," he answer was Christ, tell us," tbc Christ, are the was ordered: "If you are ordered: "If he was you yog' will ask if I and merely: "If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask you, you will yot\ you believc; will not mercly: "If I tell not not answer." answer."

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When he was asked he was asked aa point point blank question:t'Awt When "Are you YOU the blank question: the Son of Son of 'tYou sl{V God?" he he retorted; relorted: "You saru lhar1f am." am^tl God?" that Matthewreports: reports:''Andthe pricst stood Matthew stoodup np andsaid, ond said, "Haveyou "And thc high priest "Hm,e you to make? no answer an:iwerto mahe ? What l{hat is is it no it that yonl ' that these thescmen nun testify testifyagainst againstyou. ,f But Jesus was silent Jesus WQS silcnt And And the thc high priest stood up and said, said, "1 hy the the living adjure you by tell us if you are the Christ, I1u.SJm. living God, God, tell us if Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus Jesussaid to him, hint, "You o.Lfi..u.Jl..' have said said so. Bul I tell you so. But "You have hereafteryou will will see the Son seethe Sonerman of man seated hereafter seatedat the the right hand of of Power, and coming on the Power, " coming on the clouds cloudsofheaven. ol heaven." Matthew 26:62-64 26:62-64 you, these thesenarrative even in their Mind you, narrativeeven their original form were were written written original form decadesafter afterthe events,and arerelated decades the events, who sincerely relatedby men andare menwho sincerelybelieve believe that it was was Jesus JesusChrist who was yet even that Christ who was crucified, crucified, and and yet evcn they they have have producedthe the evidence produced evidenceof only one oneman, marLJudas, Judas,aa shady shadyinformer; and and given under thatevidence evidencewas wasinot underoath that not given oath in open opencourt, court, but merely merely by implication, aa kiss purportedto indicate kiss purported indicateJ~sus implication, JesusChrist Christ from among among aa crowd to aa frenzied frenziedmob fanatics. crowd mob of fanatics. When we we take take into serious considerationthis reasoning, When seriousconsideration reasoning,together togetherwith previously relatedversions nanatedby the previously related versionsnarrated the Gospels those Gospelsother than those other than include in the the Bible and and the include the ancient ancient manuscripts manuscripts recently discovered recently discovered which tell of of early which beliefs that early Christian Christianbeliefs Jesuswas that Jesus was not Crucified. Crucified, the the of the the Qur'an truth of becomes crystal crystal clear: clear: Qur'an becomes

"But they killed killed him him not, nol, nor nor crucifud crucified hin4 him, bat but so itit HIllS made 10 wosmode to "But thqt appeilr appear to ther4 them, and those those who dilfer differ therein arefall arefull of ofdoubts, with doub&, wilh knowledge, but but only conjeclurelofollow. conjecture--tofollow. For For a sarcly surety no (certain) knowledge, they not" they killed him nol" Qur'an 4:157 4:157 Qur'an the Qut'an Qur'an was was rcvealed revealed to an an unlettered W1lettered man fourteen fourteen centurics centuries And the ago. Modem Western Western scholars scholars now accept accept thc the Quranic Quranic venion version of of the ago. story of Jesus. Jesus. story of 60

THE LAW LAW AND ATID mE TIIE LICENSE mE When Jesus Jesusforetold foretold the When thecoming coming of of the thc Counsellor Corurselloror Comforter who who convincethe the world of would convince sin because of sin becausc"they did not believe believe him", himn, he was wasonly speaking he speakingthe the truth. tnrth. For he had For he hadcome cometo to the the Israelites Israelircswho wtro werc strict strict in the the observance were observanceof the the letter letter of the the law. law. Try as as he he would he failed failed to convince convincethem he their obsession them ofthe need needto temper tempertheir obsessionwith themechanics mechanicsofreligion ofreligionwith with some tried to the somespiritual spiritualvalues. values.He Hehied to make make themappreciate appreciatethe the difference differencebetween them betweenman-made man-maderestrictions resridions and andthe the eternal laws of etemallaws of God. God. leavethe the conuntlndment comrundnunt ofGod, "You of God, and holdfast holdfost the thc tradition tradition "Yott leave of nten " ofmen." Mark 7:8 7:8 Jesusdid Qot Jesus npt bring brine any any new new law. law. His mission mission was was to fulfil fulfil the law of of Moses.But when wtren he he offered Moses. his interpretation offered his inrcrpretationof the law controversy of the controversy arose.A party of arose. of his disciples disciplcs thought thought that since was an he was Israelirc since he an Israelite naniota, kept the and would not alter even who kept the law and evcn "an iota" not aa dot" as he as he himself used was absolutely usedto say, himself say, it was absolutely necessary necessaryfor his. his followers to the law, even evenas stick to the asto circumcision, circumcisiorUthe the forbidden forbidden foods foods such such as as andblood, pork and blood" observance observanceof of ritual slaughtering slaughteringand and the the sanctifying sanctifring of Saturday party, St. of Saturday as as the the Sabbath. Paul at their head. Sabbath.Another party. St. Paul hcad, arguedthat Oratsince since Christ had had brought brought no no law they were free argued they were fr,eefrom the the requirementsof requirements of the the law, law, for the the blood of Jesus blood of Jesuson on the the cross cross had had liberatedthem them from "that "that slavery". what was was necessary was merely liberated slaveryn,what mercly necessarywas believe that Jesus had died ruassalvation to believe Jcsushad died for them. salvation enough. enough. them. That was impress the To impress the belief of the procedure bclief in mind and and soul soul of the believer believcr a procedure wasevolved evolvedcalled thc Eucharist, . was called the EuctrarisLthe Communionor the tbc Mass. the Communion tvlsss.In this solemn ceremony. ceremony, tenned termed Holy Sacrament, of solemn as an an outward sign of Sacramen! as qpiritual grzrce, (i.e. made inward inward and grace. sanctified and spiritual madc holy) bread brcad and and wine sanctificd (i.e. Jaus: are partaken thc bo@ as the are partaken as hotlY and blmd blood qf gflausi

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The Gospel Gospel of of Matthewrelates: The relates:

"Now as they were were ealing, eating, fesus Jesus look took bread, bread, and blessed blessed and broke "Now os nTake eati gaveitit to the disciples it, this iris my body, body, said, "Take, it, and gave disciplcsand said, , eat; tftir 'tAnd he took o "And a cup, und and when he had given thank thanks he gave itit lo to nDrink of them, them, saying, for this this is my blood 01 of the saying, "Drink it, all oll ofyou; of you; for of it, covenant, oultor nunyfor covenant, which is poured outfor ItUlnylor theforgiveness theforgivenets ofsins. of firlr^'l" 26:26-28 Matthew 26:26-28 book A Pst:ronalJerrrs Personql Jesus comments the above cornmentson the above Upton Sinclair in his bookl quoted verses quoted verses thus: thus: "From this has has come come a procedure procedure called the Eucharisf Eucharist, the called the of unimaginable Communion, the Mass: Mass: aa ceremony unimaginable solemnity. Communion, the ceremony of Instead helplesslamb, lamb, it is the of sacrificing the body of Jesus Jesuswhich Insteadof sacrificing aa helpless body of washed, and was was sanctified on the cross, it is his blood which washed, and by the cross, and and wine winc become supernatural the bread breadand becomehis body and transfomrationthe zupematuraltransformation pricst do it for you. you. blood, the priest eat and lct the and drink, or let bloo{ and and you reverently revenenflyeat Billions argtrmengand and thousands thousandsof of spent in argument, bcen spent bave been Billioru of of words have just question prinrcd of tomes have been printed over that question of just how this been have tomes metamorphosis place. There and there there is tansubstantiation and Therc is transubstantiation metamorphosistakes takes place. consubstantiation impanation. The called impanation. there is aa third variety called consubstantiationand and there say Real Presence; they say Catholics thcy call the the Real Prescncc;that is, they Catholicshold for what they physical body and and blood, bloto4 that the actual that the breadand and wine become bccomethe actual physical the bread even and wine. the same sameas as bread bread and appearanceremains remains the even though their appearance go once act All witncss'\is this act oncc aa week week and asd witness Catholics have have to go All devout devout Catholics priest, and are safe safe thcir souls souls are performed performedby the and then the priest, then they know that their and so so I content content from feslings, and anyonc'sfeelings, dont want to hurt anyone's ftom hell fiie. fire. I don't any had any myself with saying have had thst I donlt don't believe believe Jesus Jesuswould have saying that proccdute." interest inter€st in the procedure."

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Marcello Cravery Cravery says says on the the same same subject subject in in his his boolq book, Thc The ILife qf Marcello ife qf Jmu;. Jesus.' "No great great effort is required required to recognizc recognize thc the affrnities affmities bctwccn between the "No stages of of Orphic initiation initiation (catcchiss, (catechists, fhsting, fasting, ptuification) purification) and those stages of the Christian Christian novitiate: novitiate: preparation preparation for the 'mystery' 'mystery' of of thc the of sins. thc Eucharist, fasting, confession, and absolution of sins. the of But ffid absolution fasting, confcssion, Eucharist, of the sacred sacred animal with with the vcry very Pcrson person of of Christ replacement of replacement makes the the ceremony ceremony grotesque grotesque ud and honiffing. horrifying. If If Jesus Jesus is to be makes considered ra human human being, being, the Lord's Supper Supper assumcs assumes the considered of a cannibal cannibal ritul; ritual; ifif Jesus Jesus is to be be considercd considered the Son Son characteristic of charactcristic of God, God, the the pure pure and and exalted exalted idea idea of of God God held by Jesus Jesus dcgencrates degenerates of ruthless god god who demands demands the the savage, savage, perpetually perpetually into belief in a ruthless renewed sacrifice sacrifice of of his chosen chosen Son. Son. renewed

eventhe agapeof of thc "Once Paul's innovation innovation had had gained gained acceptance, the agape the acceptancc,even "Once Paul's (gratitudeto the Apostles the eucharistic the deity) cucharistic(gratitude mcanings,the Apostleslost both both its meanings, pafi of of the the'mystery' and 'mystery' becomingpart the commemorative Jesrs)by becoming and the commemorative(of Jesus) thc of the werc made symbolsof of wine were madc symbols the wine The bread and the of Communion. Comrnunion.The breadand blood. and his his blood. person his body body and personof mor€ specifically Jesus:more specifrcallyof his of Jesus: made liThe additionsmade the additions out with the wasthen Gospclswas then filled out text of the the Gospels "The text thcological by Paul, to meet meet aa theological tnrth to who, violating violating historical Paul, who, historical truth had exigency, that that everything everythinghad greatshamelessness shamelcssncss anddeclaring exigency,and declaringwith great say, Jcsusto say, been causcdJesus himsclf, caused to him by Jesus Jesushimself, beendirectly reportedto directly reported is broken broken which is after my body, body, which this is is my eat;this bread:"Take, afterbreaking breakingof bread: "Take,eat; is cup is wine: "lbis the wine: for "This cup you, and the libation libation with the when he he makes makesthe andwhen for you, the blood." (covenant)in in my my blood." tbe new new testament testament(covenant) was Suppcrwas Lord's Supper The or the thc Lord's the Eucharist Eucharistor of the the story story of that the Thc proof that and Luke Luke 14:22-25and added (Matthew 26:26·29, Mark 14:22-25 26:26-29,Mark the Gospels to the Gospcls(Matthew addedto thc to the letter to own letter 22:17-19) in St.Paul's St.Paul's own is contained contained in by Paul Paul is 22:l?-19) by Corinthians: Corinthians: ttForII receive/rom thc that the to you, that "For delivercd to also delivered whU II also Lord what thcLord receivelrom the and bread,and too* bread, Lord betraycdtook wosbetrayed whcn he he was thenight night when on the Jesrs on Lord Jesus 63 63

whenhe giventhanks, he had hadgiven when thanlcs,he il, and hc broke broke it, and said, said,"This is my ntybody hody "This is you Do which is/or isfor you. Do this thisin which cup is the tn re~mbrance renumbranceo/me." of ma" "This cup is the "Thir new covenant covenant in in my new my blood. this, as blood" Do this, as often os you drink it, it, in often as in renumhranceof1tU!." remembrance of mc," For as asoften oftenas osyou eat eatthis this bread breadand and drink you proclaim proclaimthe the cup, cup,you " the the Lord's Lord's death deathuntil until he he comes. comcs." II Corinthians :23-26 CorinthiansII I l:23-26 We have haveto to remember remembertha We tha St. St,Paul wasnot not Jesus's whenhe Paulwas Jesus'sdisciples he discipleswhen wasalive. alive.He He does doesnot personally. was not even evenclaim claimto to have haveever evermet methim him personally. He bases baseshis his right right to He to speak speakon his behalf behalfon visionswhich which he on his on the he the visions claimsto to have haveexperienced, experienced,and claims Acts andthat thatexperience relatedin the experienceis is related the/cts of the Apostles Apostles three ofthe th'reetimes, eachtime times,and andeach time it is is differently differently narrated. nanated.

PROPER PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE PROPER the coming comingof the put in their With the the Prophet ProphetMuhammad wereput their Muhammadmatters matterswere proper perspective. perspective.The pure Judaism proper The pure was reinstated, Judaismof Moses Moseswas reinstated,and and Christianity was was cleansed Christianity cleansedof Paulinism. were recast Paulinism. Both were recastin their imperishable mould original imperishable mould of Islam. Mutrammad taught taught with Islam. Muhammad absoluteclarity clarity on absolute and judgment. He on sin, sin, righteousness righteousness andjudgment. He removed removedthe the many rabbinical rabbinicalrestrictions many He restictions under groaning.He which the Jewswere were groaning. underwhich the Jews madeit clear that some clearthat made been imposed because thesehad someof these had been imposedon on them them because of their own own obstinacy of been the obstinacyand and transgression, transgression,and and others others had had been the creation of their their priests creation priests who who had had invented invented such such laws laws and and commandments commandments for the sake of a more more effective effective control control over over their their the sake lives. lives. On On the the other other hand hand he he did not not leave leave the the people people to grope grope in darkness do by merely merely referring referring them them to some some darkness not knowing what what to do ancient ancient scriptrue scripture whose whose authenticity authenticity as as open open to doubt doubt because because of of numerous nwnerous additions, additions, subtactions subtractions and and changes. changes. That That would would have have made made confusion confusion wor$e worse confounded. confounded. He came came with the the QUR'All QUR'AN whose whose other other name name was was "FIJRQAI.I" "FURQAN" or the the "Criteriotr" "Criterion" which distinguished distinguished truth from falsehood. of God, which falsehood. He brought brought a law, thc the True True Law of gave gave man man freedom freedom from the Jewish Jewish restictioru restrictions but did not grant the license license which Paul Paul hsd had unleashed; unleashed; 64

"For hrve been been another rnother type typc of slavery, rlrvcry, indeed indccd ae "For that would have wone was mental license worce type, because bccruse that rpiriturl slavery, thrtwes mentrl and rnd spiritual rhvcry,liccnre the body but imprisonment to the intellect and end the roul". imprisonment of the thc intellect thc soul"• Allah says seyr in the thc Qur'an: Qurrrn: nWilh my punishment punishnrcntI visit "With visitwhom mcrq extends efrendsto whom I will,· wiII; but burmy mercy (mercy)I shall all thlngt That Thet (mercy) those who who do do right, all things. shcll ordainfor ordaintor those tlght, and practiceregular practice thosewho sigzs,'those rcgular charity, andthose who believe those charity, and helievein our signs; who follow the find who tollow unlettercd Prophet, they tind lhe Apostle, Apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they (scriptures),in the Torah mentioned Torah and the Gospel; Gospel; mcntioaed in their own own (scriptures), jnst andforbids for he comnuznds commondsthem what is cvil; them what what is just andlorbids them them what b evU; for goad and prohihils them he allows from themlrom allows them lhem as as lawful lawful what what is good and prohibits heauyburdens what is bad; burdens andfrom andtrom had; he releases releasesthemfrom lhemlrom their heavy yokesthat are upon ir those who believe hin4 the yokes them So ^Sait i, is believe in him, upon them. those who with which is honour h sent down with honour him, help him, htu+andfollow the the light which sentdown hiq help prosper." him, it " il is they who will prosper. they who Qur'an 7:156-157 Qu'an 7:156-157

greatestemphasis the The The Qur'an God, the emphasison faith, faith, faith faith in God, the greatest Qur'an laid the grace. Compassionate unboundedgrace. Compassionatethe andtrust trust in God's the Merciful, Merciful, and God'sunbounded ?'Andwhere grace and mercy one ofyou otyou "And of God where it not/or lhe grace mcrcy of God not one notfor the would pure. " would ever everhave havebeen beenpure." Qur'an 24:21 Qur'an24:21 leave his his camel camel to Someone he should whetherhe should leave Someoneasked askedthe Prophetwhether the Prophet him." tnrstin him." God's her,then thentrust God'scare. care.The The Prophet replied;"Tether Prophetreplied: "Tetherher,

PAGAN PAGAN SOURCES SOURCES is a·lopa'lopthe other otheris without the Faith One Onewithout works are complementary. andworks arecomplementary. Faithand Prophet the teachings of the Prophet sided monstrosity. Faith, according to the teachings the sided monstrosity.Faith, according you bearyour shallbear anothershall Muhanunad, ttratanother consistin believing bclievingthat doesnot not consist Mutrammad,does guide and and an an exceptas as aa guide burden anotherexcept you. No one saveanother one can can save burden for you.

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inspiration. For every every one one holds holds in his his own hands hands the the means means of of inspiration. salvation, "No bearer bearer of of a burden burden shall shall bear bear the the burden burden of of another," another," salvation, says the the Qur'an. Qur'an. "Whoever "Whoever does does an an atom's atom's weight weight of of good good shall shall see see it; says and whoever whoever does does an an atom's atom's weight weight of of evil shall shall see see it." That That again again is is and the Qur'an. Qur'an. No priest, priest, not not Jesus, Jesus, nor Muhammad Muhammad can can bear bear sins sins for us. us. the is a doctrine doctrine of laziness laziness and and self-deception self-deception to belicve believe that that someone someone It is else's death shall Jesus did not teach teach else'ssufferings sins.Jesus sufferingsand atonefor our sins. anddeath shallatone that. that. These These were were the the teachings teachings of the pagan pagan cults cults prevalent prevalent in the the of the (later Meditenanean olPhrygia (later Mediterranean region region long long before before Jesus Jesus came. came. Attis Afris ofPhrygia calledGalatia otSyrfu, called Turkey), Adonis ofSyria, Galatiain Asia Minor ofpresent-day ofpresentday Turkey),Idonis and Osiris and or Bacchus of o/Greece, MiJhra ofPersia Dionysius or Dionysius of Persia and Greece,Mithra about redemption. Egypt were were paganjods pa2an 20ds with legends le2ends about redemption. Horus of of Egtpt ascribedto Jesus. atonement resurrection very veO' similar those ascribed Jesus. for siFilar to those atonementand andresunection example; example; was and was (a) ATTIS namedNana, Nana, and (a) virgin named of Phrygia - was was born bom ora of a yjr2in ATTIS ofPhrygia was bled death Savior. He He was bled to death regarded the Only Be20tten Sonand and Savior. regardedas as the BegottenSon votariesbelieved on the foot of pine tree, and his votaries believedthat atthe hee, and on March March 24th 24th at of aa pine hrought aa thus brou2ht his renewedthe the fertility of the earth, and thus bloqglhad had renewed of the earth,and his blood dead, and his death death and and new from the the dead, ild his new Hfe He rose rose from life to humanity. humanity. He resurrection were celebrated his followers. followers. celebratedby his resunectionwere was born (b) ADONIS the Savior, born of aa virgin (b) Believeto to be Savior,w~ olsyria - Believe be the /-DONIS ofSyria He of Mankind. mother. the redemption redemptionof Mankind. He He also suffereddeath deathfor the mother. He also suffered rose the dead rosefrom from the deadin Spring. Spring. god ofthe (c) DIONYSIUS of the (c) tuiother demi demi god otGreece -- Another DIONYSIUS or BACCHUS ofGreece washQm Son He pagans. tenned The Only Be~tten Son of Jupiter. He was pagans.Was Jupircr. Was termedThe Begotten bon his 25th! to his on ,December of .a a vjr2in December 25th! virgin mother mother named Demeter 00 named Demeter the and Savior. Savior. He He called called himself the followers Redeemerand was the followers he he was the Redeemer passionwas was celebrated celebratedevery every Alpha and of his his passion and Ome2a Omega.The The story story of and hell and dcscent into hell death- descent year, year, and similarly consisted consistedin death and it similarly resurrection resurrection.

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OSIRIS -- the Egyptian god -- was was born born on Zfth 29th Decembelof December of a (d) OS/ffS Egptian god by one one Typhen Typhen and and was was slain. slain. He He was ~ virgin mother. mother. He He was was betrayed betrayed by virgin buried remained remained in the the hell hell forlwo for two or three three davs days and and nights. nights. He He then then buried. rose from from the dead dead. rose god-- His birth MlTHRA the Persian birth, also also of of a virgin virgin mother, (e) MITHM Pgltian sun sun rod place pn on the the 25th 25th of of December. December Christmas Christmas and and Easter Easter were were the took place most important important festivals festivals ofthe Methraists. Methraists. They They had had seven seven sacraments sacraments most most important important of of which which were were baptism. baptism confirmation confirmation and and The most Eucharistic supper supper at which the communicants communicants partook of of the divine divine Eucharistic of Mithra under under the species species of of bread bread and and wine. wine. nature of nature these historical historical facts facts in mind mind one one may may well wen wonder wonder whether whether St. St. With these Paul and and other other Church Church leaders leaders of of his his brand brand derived derived their doctrines doctrines of of Parrl 'by blood, atonement, death of fesus, salvation resurrection of Jesus, the the and resurrection atonement,death and salvation'by blood, Eucharist, Trinity, baptisnr, baptism, Christmas Easter celebrations celebrations from and Easter Christmasand Eucharist, Jesus (on be peace) peace) and and the the Holy Spirit or rather rather from the the (on whom be Jesus preccded had preceded pagan and Persia Persia which had Eglpt, Syria Syna and pagan cults of Greece,Egypt, of Greece, merely be merely Christianity. The remarkable to be are too remarkable The similarities similarities are joutney coincidental. starting its return journey movement of of the the Sun Sun starting The movement coincidentd. The at the and at depicting birth, btrth and northwards December,depicting of December, the 25th of northwards about about the natrlre of back equinox (Easter) heralding spring and a coming back to life of nature a coming spring and equinox(F:ster) heralding thc awe in the but strike awe that could not but blast"could killed by by the thc wintry blast. that had hadbeen b€enkilled annning and their cunning hemisphere;and untutored northern hemisphere; the northern of the untutored barbarians barbariansof due which in due legendswhich and legends priest myths and createmyths well enough enoughto create priest knew knew well Church. course the Christian ChristianChurch. adoptedby by the be adopted coursecarne cameto be

'rniting in to the thc in his his Appeal Appcal to Leo Tolstoi, honestChristian Christianwriting and honest Tolstoi, aa true tnre and 'If the and the the conception, and Clergy immaculateconception, an immaculate Trinity, and and an says:"If the Trinity, CIag says: possible-- then then are possible salvation of Jesus, Jesus,are the blood blood of by the of mankind mankind toy salvation of not obligatory." obligatory." arenot anything of reasonare possibleand the demands demandsofreasen andthe is possible anythingis

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PROPHECYOF PROPHECY OF JESUS JESUSFULFILLED If Jesus Jesusdid guidancein did not not leave leave for us If us enough enough guidance in matters matters of sin, sin, judgrnentit is righteousnessand good reasons righteousness andjudgment is for for very very good reasonswhich which he he himselfstipulated. (seeJohn stipulated. quoted.)But himself (see John16:5-14 l6:5-14already quoted.) But then thenhe he said said "lteady himwho who was of him wasto "When he to corne.. come,."When hecomes hewill convince comeshe convincethe the world judgment... sin,and andof righteousness righteousness guideyou you into of sin, and .. he andjudgment. he will guide into all all the thetruth." truth." Jesussaid said that that he he that was to come Jesus that was comewould would teach teachthe the world world about about judgment He judgeshipbeing He himself himselfcould no example judgment. couldset sgtno exampleto judgeship beinghimself himself justice. throughout his his life life aa fugitive passedas throughout fugitivefrom from what what currently currentlypassed asjustice. History tells tellsof no no spiritual History spiritualleader leaderafter afterChrist who held heldthe the reins reinsof Christwho judicialpower powerother peace.Shepherd, judicial Muhammad,on otherthan thanMuhammad, on whom whom be be peace. Shepherd, husband,father, citizeq husband, citizen, father,warrior, warrior, administrator, administrator,legislator, legislator,statesman, statesman, judge, saint prophetthe saintand judge, and prophet the last last of them them all, all, with with aa message messagedirect direct justice - but from Allah, Allah, God from justice Almighty, Muhammad Muhammaddispensed God Almighty, dispensed his but his justice was judged on was tempered temperedwith with mercy mercyas justice asbefitted befittedone onewho who judged on the the authorityof the authority the All-Merciful. All-Merciful.His His chequered chequeredlife which which consisted consistedof of as as phasesas possiblein variedphases is humanly varied asis humanlypossible in one's one'slifetime lifetimeis is an inspiration an inspiration guidanceto and guidance pursuit.He to all dl of us, whateverour and us, whatever our pursuit. He thus thus taught taughtby by preceptand andexample. example.He He was was no no mere mereutopian precept utopiantheorizing theorizingrecluse recluseout out touchwith realities realitiesof life, but practicalman of of touch of life, but aa practical manof of affairs, affairs,and and at at the the time of sametime of such suchsublime same sublimespiritual spiritualstature statureas as to warrant warrant God's God'sown tributewhen tribute whenHe said: said:

(O, Muhammad!) standest "And standeston an exalted *alted standard standard of of "And thou (0, character," character. " Qur'an 68:4 Qur'an68:4

the Prophet; Prophet; Oncehis Once his wife, wife, Aisha, Aisha, was was asked the character character of askedabout aboutthe of the shereplied is the the Qur'an" what a tribute! what she replied laconically: laconically: "His character is a tributel "His character Qur'an" This This man man lived lived his his religion, religion, the the injunctions injunctions which which from his Maker. Maker. from his No wonder wonder Christ had said that he he would would convi;rre convi;v~e the the world Christhad saidoflum of him that of nghteousne$. of righteousness. 68 68

The man that Ctuist Christ foretold was to be a universal messenger; messenger; his mission was to convince convince the world. not merely to save save lost members members of his trib€, tribe, Says Says Allah to him, and and of of him: of

"We have not sent thee but but us as a universal messenger to nen, men, giving wriwnalfie&r,enger sentthee "We most mcn men them glad things, hut most warnhg them against sin, bllt thkgs, and warning them glad understand noL understond nol"" Qur'an 34:28 34:28 Qut'an "We thee not mercy all creatures. " aII but rn'ercy to creatures.tl not a sent thee "|/e 2l:107 Qur'an 21: 107 Qudan Jesus said said that that he he had had many many things things to say, say, but that that his people people could could Jesus bear them them at the the time. time. They would be guided guided into all the tnrth truth by not bear was to come come the the Spirit of of Truth, Troth, whose whose privilege it was was to him who was of his declare, after the the successful successfulcompletion of declare,for all eternity hear,after eternity to hear, mission: mission:

"There prophet after me" after me" "There is no prophet It was as"The Seal Sealof of all was described God as was he, he, Muhammad, describedby God Muhammad,who was sealed and sealed the When aa document signedand documentis signed the Prophets and Apostles.", Apostles.",When Prophetsand Life of the nothing more and the Life of the the added to it. The Qur'an and be added it The morc can can be Q,r'an guidance and and Prophet available for our guidance are there there available Prophet Muhammad Muhamrnad are this finality of inspiration one has has claimed times. No one claimed this inspiration for all times. What wasjustified. What Prophethood his claim was and his Muhammad,and Prophethoodexcept exceptMuhammad, What terms. What was and simplest simplest tenns. the clearest clearestand was his his due duehe he laid claim to in the he was Consistently did he forbade to be be confused confirsed with. Consistently was not he forbade not his his he ?" was was than aa mortal disclaim more than mortal ?" anything more disclaim any divinitlr. "Am I anything any divinity. him: often instnrctshim: lips. The The Qur'an often on on his his lips. Qudaninstructs r'I am hascome come r*elation has Say: yourxelves,but the lhe revelation lihc yourselves, man like Say: "[ am but aa ItUIn his lo mtet me that your God is on£ God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, to who*er expecb God: is onc God thatyour to me admil Lor( admit of his Lord, let him worship ofhis the worship wark righteousness, righteousness,and in the him work partnentl no " ospartner. oneas no one 18:110 Qur'an Q u l a n 18:110

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His duty, duty, he he declare andso His declare-- and sodid will of did Jesus Jesus-- was wasto of Him to do do the Him the will who had hadsent wasIslam, who senthim. him. And fuid that thatwas will ofGod. submissionto to the of God. Islam,submission thewill Muhammad did not claim Muhammad did not claim that that he he was the founder founderof was the of aa new new faith, faith, ratherwas washe hemerely rather merelycontinuing wasof continuingto to aa completion completionthe taskthat that was of the task Jesu. Moses, Moses,Abraham Jesus. Abrahamand andof of all theProphets Prophetswho all the who had hadsubmitted submittedto to thewill will of of Allah. Allah. Indeed Indeedthe the people the Qur'an says:"And thereis not aa people "And there is not Qur'ansays: but that that it had hadan but anApostle." Apostle." He He however howeverwas wffi final final and anduniversal, universal,for the time time had had come come for the for finality and and universality, ruriversality,and and thus was the thus was the prophecy of Jesus Jesusat the Last at the prophecy Last Supper Supperfulfilled. fulfilled. The The teachings teachingsof Muhammad'spredecessors predecessorshad Muhammad's had been been corrupted comrpted by by time time and and man. man. Their holy holy books books had had been polluted by Their been polluted by numerous numcrous additions, additions, substraction and and alterations. substraction alterations.The The historical historical time time arrived arrived for, for the the all tribal tribal and abolition of all andracial racial faiths. faiths. One One faith faith for all men, men, for all times was was now called times called for. for. God God in His infInite infinite wisdom wisdom sent sent Muhammadwith such Muhammad suchaa faith: faith: thosewho "Verily those and the who believe, believe,and the the Jews the Christians Jet+,s Christiansand the Sabeanswhoever whoever believes Sabeans believesin Allah Allqh and the the Last Last Days Days and acts acts " aright their reward is with their Lord, neither shall they gricve.,, they grieve.

Qur'an 2:62 Qu/an 2:62 The world at at the the time time of The of Christ was was not yet in a position to accept accsptthe the full implication implication of teachingsof of the the teachings full of aa universal udversal faith. It It would have havc been change to demand been too violent aa change demand what wbat later lafer could be b€ commonplace. Jesus commonplace. Jcsru had had to tread tread the narow path of the narrow he of tribalism if if he were to get get aa hearing were hearingfrom his Israelites Israclircslisteners. lis eners.Consider Considerwhat he he told told the the Canaanite Canaanite woman woman (Matthew (Matthew 15:21-28), and the the instructioru instructions l5:21-2E),and he he gave gave to his twelve twelve disciples, disciples, (Matthew (Matthew 10:5-8) as well as as his 10:5-8) as promise promise to them them (Matthew 19:28). Any other @urse course would have have 19:28). Any likely likely courted courted total total faihue. failure. The The circurnstances circumstances were were not auspicious. auspicious. If If you read read the the Old Testament Testament you will will sce see the the difficulty difficulty of of persuading persuading such such a racist racist community community as as the the Israelitcs Israelites to accept accept God as as the the God of of all the the peoples. peoples.

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The Israelites Israelites regarded regarded themselves themselves as as the the chosen chosen children children of of God, God, who The had been been granted granted the the privilege privilege to take take other other peoples peoples lands lands and and had force when when they properties, by trickery when when they they were were weak weak and and by force properties, were strong. strong. (Genesis (Genesis l7:8, 17:8, Exodus Exodus 3:22 3:22 and and Joshua Joshua 6:21,24). 6:21,24). were

Legends were were created created under of the which theguise guiseof theHoly HoIy Scripture Scriprurewhich anderthe I*gends granted to the the Hebrews Hebrews the the status status of of Herrenvollc" Herrenvolk, Hitler, most most likely, likely, granted of South South Africa" Africa, most most certainly, certainly, have have Reformed Church Church of the Dutch Reformed received their their irupiration inspiration from the Old Testament. Testament. They They believed believed that received God was was the the Inrd Lord of of Israel IsraeL and and are are they they the the beloved beloved chosen chosen children children God of God God destined destined to lord lord it over over the the rest rest of of mankind, mankind, particularly particularly the the of Arabs and and the Africans, Africans, the the Ismaelites Ismaelites and and the the Hamites. Hamites. Arabs Zanibar in Okello the hireling hireling who brought death death and and terror to Zanzibar John OleIIo he when he 1964 the Bible when he was was inspired inspired by the his book that that he 1964 says says in his ordered of everything that breathed breathed"'". Massacreofeverything ordered "The "The Massacre forms of of Zionism is the Apartheidand and all other other forms ancestorof of Apartheid the spiritual spiritud ancestor the Ham, the Fascism. legend of Noah Noah cursing cursing his his son is the son Ham, Fascism.There There is the legend (and the through the ancestor the Canaanites, Canaanites, Africans (and the Arabs Arabs through the Africans ancestorof of the his the the Egyptians) Egyptians) and and his and the the Phoenicians Phoenicians and the Philistines, Philistines, the Europeansfor descendants, to aa status underthe the Jews fews and and Europeans statusof slaveryunder of slavery descendants, the eternity. 9: 18-27). By further (Crenesis manipulationthe 9:1E-27). further scriptural scripturalmanipulation eternity.(Genesis enhancedby by Jewish branch of the of Shem its status had its statusenhanced the descendants descendants Shemhad Jewishbranch Ishmael having Isaac,as opposedto Ishmael his covenant coyenantwith Isaac, asopposed establishhis havingGod God establish pride of peopleto whom whom pride who Could such bigoted people who begot fuabs. Could suchaa bigoted begotthe theArabs. virtues vilest of crimes were virtues race the vilest crimes were whom the race was was everything, evcrything,to whom perpetuation and in sanctified by God so long as they resulted in the perpetuation and the as resulted long they sanctified by God so people-- I domination others, could rac€ovec could such suchaa people their own own race ovetothers, dominationof their humbly universal message message?? Most carriers of aa universal the carriers humbly ask ask - be be the peoplewith by aa people emphatically tackled by task could only be be tackled emphaticallyno! no! That That task could only others of international peoplecapable interminglingwith others internationalties, capablcof intermingling ties, aa people whom from whom fuabs from diverse pcople were were the the Arabs racial origins. Such aa people diverse racial origins. Such claiming Muhammad, ofHamitic sprang Semiticorigin, origq traditionally claiming ofllamitic / Semitic sprugUutramnu4 Egtrrpt, from Egypt, wornsn from descent African woman trimsdf born of of an an African Istrmad,himselfborn descentfrom from Ishmael, Hematic various Hematic Muhammad the strains of various hsd in in him him the strainsof Arab had Muhammad as as an ur Arab and poopleswho had wtro had and Semitic Semiticpeoples 7l 71

beeninhabiting inhabiting Arabia Arabia even evcnbefore been bcfore Abraham Abrahan came camefrom from Chaldea. Chaldea.It It is from from such such Hematic Hematic / Semitic is migratory Semitic ancestors ancestorsthat that migratory waves waves crossedinto into Africa Africa at at various various historical periods and crossed gave birth to historical periods and gave to most of inhabitantsof of the the inhabitants most of the the continent continentof of Africa Africa of of today today and andthe the peopleof Black people of America. America.It It was wasthis Black this man manMuhammad put an Muhammadwho who put anend end to the the notion notion of ties ties of blood blood as to asbeing beingthe the most most important importantthing thing that that mattered and and bound bound man man together. together, He mattered He abolish abolish tribal tibal and and racial racial discrimination,and andinstituted institutedaa new discrimination, new brotherhood, brotherhood,the the brotherhood brotherhoodof faith, and andthe the brotherhood brotherhoodof man. man."The faith, aristocracyof old, old, I trample tample "The aristocracy urder my foot, foot, " he he said, said,although althoughhe under he himself came carnefrom from the the noblest noblest family of Arabia. Arabia."He who advocates family advocatesracialism racialismis "He who is nothing nothingamong amongus," us," heannounced. announced.When Whenhe liberatedMecca he he liberated the pagans pagaffihe Meccafrom fromthe hedeclared: declared: men are "All men are equal equal like the the teeth "All teethof aa comb. comb. The The Arab Arab is is no no better better non-Arab. The than aa non-Arab. The white has hasno no superiority than superiority over over the the blacl,c. blac[. All All are are children of Adam, Adam, and and Adam children Adam is from from dust." dust." aresome Suchare someof his his sayings sayingson Such on the the subject subjectof race, race,aa subject subjectwhich which plaquesmany partsof the until today today plaques many parts the world. world. Islam no no duty duty is is more more estimable estimablethan In Islam than the regular congregational the regular congregational prayers; and them two most and in them prayers; most important important functions functions are thoseof the the are those prayers, and leadsthe Imam who leads the prayers, and the the muezzin muezain who calls the the faithful worship. It was was the practice of thc nonnal normal practice to worship. of the the Prophet Prophet to lead lead the the prayers himseli while he prayers himself, he assigned assignedthe the task task of Muezzin to BiIal, of Muezzin Bilal, an an ex-slave. The Ethiopian ex-slave. Ethiopian The Prophet Prophet found found nothing nothing incongruous incongnrous in marrying he hesitate hesitate in marrying his cousin cousin to Zaid, fonner slave. slave. Nor did he Zud, his former appointing appointing Usama Usama a youth of ofeighteen born of ofaa black African mother mother eighteenbom as as corilnander commander of of a Muslim army army to meet meet the the treat treat of of invasion invasion from the ofhis suitability for the the post. post. Of Of the Romans Romans when when he he was was convinced convinced ofhis Salman, Salman, the the Persian, Persian, the the Prophet Prophet said: said: "Salman "Salman is a member member of of my family." It It may be be of of inrcrest interest to note note that both Zaid laid and and Salman Salman were were converts converts from Christianity. Christianity. The first two martyrs martyrs of ofIslam chose Islam who chose death torture rather rather than than give up their new faittr faith werc were Yassir, YasSil, a death under under torture Yamanite Arab, and and his wife, wife, Sumayya, Sumayya, an African.

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A ruriversal universal Go4 ~ a universal universal religio4 religion, a universal universal brotherhood brotherhood could A only be be taught taught by such such Ia man man and and accepted accepted by such such a people people at such such time. No wonder wonder Islam Islam spread spread like flarc flare fire. fire. a time. Thomas Carlyle Carlyle said said in his his classical classical lecturc lecture on Hero rs as e a Prophet: Prophet; Thomas liThe history history of nation becomes becomes fruitful, soul-elevating great so so of a nation soul-clevatingand and great "The one soon as believes. Those Arabs, the man Muhammad, and the Mutnmma4 and that one as it Those man soon believes. fuabs, had fallen, centwy what seemed as ifif one spa* had falleq one one spark seemed c€ntury- is it not as one spark sparkon wtrat the sand proves explosive powder, dark unnoticeable unnoticeable sand? explosive powder, sand?But lo! the sandproves blazes heaven-high, heaven-high, from from Delhi to Granada!" blazes Granada!"

was not mere mere belief beliefthat the rick; trick; it was was the the tpe type of belief, bclief belief that did the It was of belie{, in works, belief in the of the brothcrhood brotherhood of the universality universality of works, belief man and and the of man God's Caucustxto the Atlantic the Pacific, Pacific,from the the Caucusus God'sreligion. religion.From From the Atlantic to the atl the Comores,from Senegal Indonesiq all the Comores, SenegElto Sinkiang. Sinkiang from Istanbul Isanbul to Indonesia, fac€d became ideolory, all faced becameone onebrotherhood, brotherhoo4 all had htd one one all-embracing all+mbracing ideology, differences towards towardsMecca. thcir bloods culturesso that differenceS Mecca, all mixed their bloods and and cultures so that The in race, meaningless.The race, colour and tongue became becamecompletely completely meaningless. and tongue one. youngest youngestof geat religions religions became tuly universal ruriversalone. tlre great becamethe ttre only truly of all the those groupsresisting havebeen The only racial racial groups resistingthe attractionofIslam of Islam have beenthose the attraction purity and and racial purity maintaining their racial which at all cost on maintaining cost would insist insist on greatestcontributors the alleged the greatest contributorsto the havebeen beenthe thus have allegedsuperiority, superiority,and urd thus are fighting today.They They are racial bedevil the the world of today. racial animosities animositieswhich bedevil aa rearguard rearguardaction. action.

COUNSELLOR-COMFORTER-ADMlRABLE COUNSELLOR. COMFORTER . ADMIRABLE is the the Let Counsclloror Comforter, Comforter, which is rs now examine examin€the the word word Counsellor Lct us givcn by Jesus pcrsgn who was aftcr him was to come come after alleged the perspn allcgedtitle given Jesrs to the havealready gutdcmen and already seen, sc€n,this word the truth. andguide mcn into all sll the tn$h. As we have The has versioruofthe of thc Bible. The hasbeen variously rendered rerdcred in the the different different versions becnvariously are also also originals They are non-existcnt.They bool6 of the the Bible are arc non-existen1. the books originals of of the narrate. yearsafter they narrate. the events known rrriucn many aftcr the evcntsthey havcbeen tnanyyears lmown to have becnwritten whioh we we extract extract For thc Gospel John from which Gospclaccording accordingto 81. St. John aramplc the For example quoted above abovc is prophecyof Christ quoted the passrgpwhich deals the prophecy dealswith the tle passage oldest the oldest A.D. But the said 100 A.D. roundabout 100 have been ben written roundabout to have said to 73 73

centuies after the manuscript was written at least least two centuries available was manuscript available Version was was original. The ,Greek text text upon the Authorized Authorized Version The.Greek upon which the preface to the based the preface the Revised has been been described describedin the Revised Standard Standard based has version version as mistakes, containing the as having having beC?n b"qn "marred containing the "marred by mistakes, accumulated centuriesof of manuscript manuscript copying." copying." accumulatederrors fourteen centuries errors of fourteen (Protestant)and Biblical scholars as Rudolf Bultman and Father Father scholarssuch such as Bulftnan (Protestant) (RomanCatholic) pans of the John agreethat that parts LawrenceMcKenzie McKenzie (Roman Catholic) agree of the John Lawrence Gospels true, and and that that certain certain sayings of Jesus Jesus are not historically historically true, sayingsof Gospelsare were were created can be one createdby the the early church.Hence Henceit can be seen seenhow easily easily one early church. word could could have various renderings. renderings.It is believed that St. John's have various believed that St. John's Gospel was written originally in Greek, the spoken language Greek,although althoughthe spokenlanguage Gospelwas of Jesus was Aramaic was Hebrew. Jesuswas Aramaic and his scholarly scholarlylanguage languagewas Hebrew.The The and his variously translated Greek which has Greek word which has been been variously translated"Counsellor" and "Counsellor" and possibility of "Comforter" is PARACLETOS. the possibility PARACLETOS. Because Becausc of the of "Comforter" is confusion asexplained aboveit is is not surprising surprisingthat the copyists explainedabove that the copyistsof of confusionas the misspell the the actual actual word used used in the the original the Greek text misspell original which Greek text was Admirable, that that is to say was PERICLYTOS. meansThe Admirable, say in PERICLYTOS. This This means Arabic: Ahmed or Mahmoud. Muhammrd or Ahmed Mahmoud. Arabic:Muhammad remember Jesus, "And Jesru, the son son 01 of Mary, said: said: "0, of "O, children 01 "And remember Israel! the apostle IsrueMI am the aposile 01 of God God sent sent to you confirming confirrtng the Law giving glad glod tidings which came cetne before belore me, tidings of me, and giving of an apostle apostle to afler me, whosename come comc after me, whose nane shall shall be Ahmed"" be Ahmed. Qur'an 6l:6 Qru'an61:6 prophesyingthe The of St. coming Gospelof St. Matthew Matthewalso the coming The Gospel also reports reportsJesus Jesusprophesying of Muhammad, the the rejected rejected Ishmaelite stone, and and the the rising rising of of of Muhammad, Ishmaelite stone, (nation) to whom Muslim Ummali shall be be Ummah (nation) whom the the Kingdom of God God shall Kingdom of granted: granted:

Jesus thetn "Have readin thc scriptllTes: scriptures: "The fesus said said to them, neverread k the "Havc you never "The very hesd ofthe very stone which the thc builders rejectedhas haisbecome heconu the head olthe stone which buildersrejected the Lord's our eyes eyes? 7 corner; wusthe Lord's doing, dohg, and and it is IIUIrvelous mamelow in h OIlT this was corner; this

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Therefore I tell you, the Therefore the kingdom kingdom of of God will be he taken takenaway awoyfrom God will from you and givento and given fruits of falls to aa nation nationproducing the it And whofalls thelruits of iL And who pieces;but will be on on this thisstone stonewill to pieces; bebroken hro*en to when itfalls itfalls on but when on anyone, any one, niil crush crush him." him." itil will Matthew Matthew21: 42-44 2l:42-44 Prophecyregarding regardingthe the coming Prophecy the Prophet coming of the ProphetMuhammad Muhammad is also is also found in the the Old Testament. Testament.Moses Moses is is reported found reportedto to be by be addressed addressedby following terms: God in the the following God in terms: will raise ruise up Jor "1 for them from among them a prophet like like you from amt ng their "I will brethren: And r4y words And I will put words inlo mouth, and he put my jnto his his mouth. brethren; he shall shall speak speahto to them them all that I command hittt And give comnand him. And whoever whoeverwill will not give words which he shaO heed to my ffiy words shsll speak speak in my name, nama, I myself tnyself will will prcr,umeito speak othittt But Bul the prophet who who presumes require it ofhim. speaka word nord in havenot comnumded my name him to speak, narne which I have himto corrrrrrlandcd spcah,or who speaks spcals th. name gods,that sameprophet shall dk. in theprophet shall of other gods, that same narre ofother die And And if f you your heart, hea$ "How we say mIly we know the word which the Lord has siryin h your msy hnow thc twrd l-ord has "How Whcn a prophct spohen?" not spoken 1" When prophet speaks speak in the name norrrcofthe otthc Lord. Lord If If passor come doesnot nol come the the word does cotne to pass comc true which truc that is as word which the thc Lord Inrd has hasnot spoken; spohcn;the prophet has hasspoken spokn itpresumptuously, it ptesunptwnsly, you mIly be afraid ofhim. Deuteronomy rrrsynot be othim" " Deuteronomy18: l8: 18-22 18-22 prophet will A prophet will be among "the brethren" of be raised raised from among the of the "the brethren" promised Israelites, and and not not from frorn the Israelites themselves. themselves.The Israelites, thc Israelites The promised prophet must thercforecome prophet come from frorn among among the the Ishmaelites, Ishmaclites,Le. the must therefore i.e. the were the the brethren of the the Israelites. Israclites. Abraham Arabs, who were brethrcn of Abraharn begot begot Ishmael Ishmaeland Isaacof of the the Jews. Jews. and Isaac "I words into his his mouth", says God.That sys God. That is the exact the exact "I will put my words description of description of the the Holy Qur'an, the only book which claims to be the be the Qut'aq the direct Muhammad was was only God's mouthpiece, direct speech speech of God's mouthpiece, of God. God. Muhammad uttering uttering the the words words as they were were revealed revealed to him directly, as thcy directly, while faithful scribes them down down immediately immediately as as thcy they wer€ were transmined, transmitted, scribesput them and others memorized memorized them them for later later transcription. transcription. God instructs him: and others God instnrcts

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,Scy; "1 sm no bringer bringer of Say: of a new-fangled doctrine among the "I am apostles,nor do do I know what apostles, what will will be you I be done done with with me me or with you. which is is revealed revealedto follow lo me me by hy inspiration. inspirotion I am am but a follow that which Warner open open and clear. clesn"" Warner Qur'an46:9 The Qur'an challengesthose The who entertain thosewho to its entertainany doubt as as to Nry doubt its Qur'anitself challenges divine authorship: authorship: divine are in doubt douht concerning "If concerning this this which which We reveuledto We have have revealed "If you are Our servant forth one servantthen then bring torth one chapter chapter composed by man man like composedby godsother this, this,and callyour callyour gods other than than Allah to witness witnessif if you speak speakthe the And if if you do do not do truth. And fear do it - and you will will never never do do it - then thenfear the fire fire whose fuel is men for the whose tuel men and stones, stones, kept kept ready ready for unbelievers. " Qur'an unhelievers." 2:23-24 Qur'an2:23-24 yeEusthat yet been that challenge For 1400 1400years challengehas has not not yet beentaken taken up up by man man or is the standing miracle of Muhammad. It is not The Qur1an is miracle spirit. spirit. The the standing is not aa Muhammad. Qur'an is reported reportedto place,about miracle that is to have havetaken takenplace, miraclethat aboutwhich which men men could could whether it really argue really had had happened happenedor not. ilgue whether not. This This is is aa miracle miracle for inscribed,aa Guidance read it eternity, etemity, aa book book inscribed, Guidanceto to mankind. mankind. You can can read pure,unspoiled, today, today,tomorrow tomorrow and andforever, forever,in its its pure, unspoiled,inimitable inimitable Arabic Arabic will be grandeurof as as spoken spokenby God Himself. You will God Himself. be inspired inspiredby the the grandeur of which it embodies, its its style, style,by the the wisdom wisdom and and learning learningwhich andby the embodies,and the loftiness Ioftinessof its its moral moral and andspiritual spiritualteachings. teachings.

of the faith may may be My faith be accused accruedof of influencing influencingmy assessment assessmentof the Qur'an; Qut'an; great historian, so let let the the impartial impartial pen pen of Edward so Edward Gibbon Gibbon ~ as aa great historian,aa distinguished judge. man of of letters, be the thejudge. distinguishedman letters,and and an an English EnglishChristian, Christian,be He He writes: writes: such aa "There no book book in the the world in which God has been been made made such God has "There is no the Holy Qur'an. Qur'an. discourseas theme themeof of discourse as in the

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It is impossible impossibleto conceive conceiveaught aughtholier, nobler, purer, more nobler, purer, more sublime, sublime, more supreme and more worthy of the Godhead perfect, more more perfect, more suprcm€and more of Godhead than the the God God whom Muhammad worshipped. The Muhammad worshipped. The ideal carmot cannot be be improved perfection, upon:one improvedupon: oneattribute attibute taken takenfrom from it would mar mar its perfection, and and not addedto it would not be not one one could could be be added be superfluous. supcrfluous.Such Such is the conceptionof prcscntedin the of Muhanunad's the lofty conception Muhamrnad'sGod God as as presented the Qur'an. Qu'an. He He has and indelibly impressed impresscdthe has boldly and the notion the strictest notion of of the strictest pages of history notion monotheism upon the the pages history and monotheism upon and towards towards this notion rational cannotbut rational man man cannot but drift surely surely if if slowly." It was was this this Book, the Muslims through Book, then, then, which made made the through their universities universitiesofCordova, of Cordov4 Cairo, Cairo, Damascus Damascusand and Baghdad Baghdadthe the founders founders of Algebra, Algebr4 Chemistry, and Modem Astronomy and Modern medicine medicine at aa time Chemistry,Astronomy when whenChristian ChristianEurope Euopc was was busily br.rsilyengaged engagedin the the futile controversies contoversies the Immaculate over blood and a over Trinity, the Immaculateconception, conccption,salvation salvation by blood and a god incarnate. god incarnate.To aa man man who knew not how to read read or write, born in community almost aa community almostcompletely completelyilliterate, the first verses versesever illiterate, the ever to be be to him commanded: revealed revealedto commanded: lhe name nan 'e ofthy "Read in the IIUln out of of thy Lord Lord who created - created creotcd nun of congealed blood; Readl Readt and congealed ond thy nllzlstbountiful, hountiful, - He who lhy Lord Lord is most pen, taught IIUln the pen, that which he knew by the taught by nan that hnewnot. noltl" Qur'an 96:1-5 Qu/an 96:1-5 this Book the leaming of the learning Without this of Greece, Greecc,of of Persia, Persi4 of of India, Indi4 of of and of Egypt, Egypq would forever China and forever have have remained remained in the limbo of of preserved,enriched oblivion, instead insteadof being being preserved, enriched and and bequeathed bequeathedto the today. lIDs was the that urged of today. This was the Book that urged individual effort, the world of the the seeking knowledgc aa compulsory that made made the seekingof knowledge compulsory religious Book that religious male and and female. female. It is the the Book that changed every male changedthe sun, sun, duty to every and the starsfrom of worship worship to objects of the stars from being being objects objectsof objects of the the moon moon and terms the man, as asthe the Qur'an them. subservientto man, study, rightly terms them. It is the study,subservient Qut'an widened his scope scopeof of that liberated intellect of man, and and widened liberatedthe the intellect of man, Book that into realms hitherto undreamt enquiry into realmshitherto rurdreamtof. enquiry

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passbeyond "If earth, ca'npass beyond the the zones of the heavens heavensand the earth, zonesof "If you can pass! pass!No/without Not without authority authority will you be pass.,l be able able to pass."

Qur'an 55:33 Qur'an55:33 prose and and the the Before Before the incomparablesymphony the incomparable symphonyof its poetical poetical prose of its the profundity of its its reason gushed forth from the reason and and logic logic which gushed Hejaz stood illiterate Muhammad, Muhammad, the the haughty haughty eloquent eloquent Arabs Arabs of of Hejaz stood aghast. nothing aghast.They could only utter utter in amazed They could amazedimpotence: impotence:"This is nothing but jugglery, exorcising of but magic!" magic!"Magic? witchcraft,jugglery, exorcisingof Magic?from from now now on on witchcraft, peny stuff may mentally may be be personsfrom mentallysick from evil spiritsand sick persons evil spirits and such suchpetty alright on and on an an entertainment entertainmentstage. This is the the era era of of science stage.This scienceand knowledge, God knowledge,and the uncorrupted uncomrptedand incomrptible Word of of God andit is is the and incorruptible spoken Jesus, that prophesiedby Moses and Jesus, spokenby God's God'sholy servant servantas asprophesied Mosesand ushers the standing around us ushersthe the new ear. This and all nature naturearound us are are the standing new ear. This and ponderand miracles, miracles,the and meditate. meditate. the signs signsfor those thosewho who ponder

"Behold! of the the creation the heavens heavens and the earth; in the creation of "Behold! In the alternation of of the ships ships night and the the day; day; in the sailing sailing of of the night nmnkind; in the rain rain which God through the Ocean for the protit profit 0/ of mankind; Oceanfor givestherewith sends the skies, lherewith to downfromthe skics,and the the life which He gives sendsdown/rom an the beasts all kinds kinds that he scatters scatters dead; in the beastsof of all an earth earth that is dead; winds and chonge of of winds ond the clouds clouds which through the the earth; in the change sky and ond the earth; (here) they li*e their betweenthe sky they trail trail like lheir slaves slavesbetween ftere) are wise. wise." indeed for a people people that are " indeedare signs signsfor Qur/an 2: 164 Qur'an2:164 if the word name of the Lord, if "Wben speaksin tbe the name "When ae prophet speaks whicb the Lord passor come thet is is a word which cometrue, that does Lord cometo pass docsnot come presumptuouslyryou prophet bas has spoken the propbet spoken it presumptuously, bas spoken; the hrs not spoken; Moseswas was told by God him." That That is what what Moses need God be afraid rfrrid of him." need not be was to come. prophet who was come. the prophet about aboutthe pronouncedthan another it was than another had any more pronounced If was any quality more Muhammadhad If Muhammad whether as as rcvealed what he he foretold, foretold, whether of all what revealed the fulfillment ofall wonderful fulfillment the wonderful his own capacity. capacity. It was the Qur'an, form of of the to was a a the fonn to him in the Qur'an,or in his his enemiesat even by and feared fearedeven acknowledgedand characteristic enemies at his characteristicacknowledged 78 78

times.Of of all all the thefounders times. founders of religion religionhis his life life is is the the least leastentangled entangledin in cobwebsof legend. thecobwebs legend.His the His foretelling foretellingof the thevictory victoryof the the Romans Romans over the the Persians, Persians,and and that over that of the the fledgeling little community fledgelinglittle communityof Muslims,hounded houndedand andoppressed, Muslims, over of oppressed, overthe mighty super-powers the mighty super-powers Rome and and Persia, Persia,are Rome are but but aa few few examples examplesof the the devastating devastating exactitudeof the the fulfillment prophecies.All this exactitude fulfillment of his his prophecies. while this while vehementlydenying denfingthat vehemently thathe he knew knew the thefuture, future,being beingmerely merelyaa Warner Warner guideimparting and aa guide impartingGod's goodof mankind. and God'smessage for tne messagefor the good mankind.For For indeedit was was not not he who spoke, indeed he who spoke,but the Knower-of-all-things but God God the Knower-of-all-things who spoke spokethrough throughhim. who him. l

prophet like you," raise'for your" Moses "I for them them aa prophet Mosesis is told. told. What Whatwas was "I will raise prophetwho Moseslike? like? A prophet who was wasalso political leader, Moses alsoaa political leader,an an organizer organizer men, aa legislator, legislator,aa fugitive, yet led of men, fugitive, who people out who yet led his his people out of Hasthere oppression. oppression.Has therebeen beenin history historyany like him, any body him, apart body like apartfrom from Muhammad?Moses Moseshad the Torah, Muhammad? had the Torah, Muhammad Muhamrnadthe the Qur'an. Moses Qur'an.Moses judged over" judged over the Israelites, Israelites,Muhanunad judged over the Muhammadjudged over the the Muslim, Muslim, Christian, Jew Jew and and Pagan. people out Christian, Pagan.Moses Moses led led his his people Egypt, out of Egypt, Muhammadled his out Muhammad led his out of Mecca. Mecca.The The similarities are striking; similaritiesare striking; the ttre differences differencesare aremainly mainly in degree. degree. prophet who prcsumesto speak who presumes "But the prophet speek ae word in my name Dtme "But the which I have havenot commanded commandedhim to speak, speek,or who which who speak the speekin the gods,that prophet shall name name of other other gods, thet same sameprophet shall die." die." That That divine divine threatis repeated threat the Qur'an: repeatedin the Qur'an: namc, We lfe "And apostle were were to invent any sayings sayings in Our name, if the apostle "And if should certainly seize seize him by his right hand, hand, and we we should hb right lrcart; nor olIthe artery ofhis nor could any certainly then cut cut offthe of his heart; any ofyou af you withhold himfrom himfrom our wrath." Qur'an 69:4447 Qu'an 69:44-47 of woman. Death is is the the inevitable inevitable end born of woman. What What is then then endof Death of everyone everyoneborn the special meaning of Moses that that if ifaa prophet prophet was was God'sstatement statementto Moses the of God's specialmeaning false he would would "die" means meeting meeting an untimely end an untimely falsehe Obviouslyit means end "die" ?? Obviously or aa violent violent death. death. 79 79

is aa historical historical fact fact that that the the Prophet Prophet Muhammad Muhammad in in spite spite of ofinhuman inhuman ItIt is persecutions to which he was subjected, and the numerous attempts attempts and the numeroui persecutionsto which he was subjected, of those those on his his life, managed managed with with God's God's help help to to escap€ escape every every one one of Wltil finally fmally he he died died peacefully peacefully on on his his bed bed at at the the ripe ripe age age of of attempts until attempts It was after the the completion of of his his mission mission which which had had taken taken him him 63. It he passed passed away away to to his his maker. maker. Three Three three full full years years that that he twenty three months before before his death death he could echo echo God's God's own own words: words: months

"Today II have have completed completed and pertectedfor perfectedfor you you your your religion; religion,· and and "Today will II have chosen for you Islam Submission will ofGod to be be the to ^SsDtttirsion havechosenfor dGod -- to the religion. religion."" Six centuries centuries before before this Jesus Jesus said: "My food is to do said: "Mytood ofhim his work" work. " accotttprtsttits sentme and to accomplish him who sent the will of They both met met in Islam. Islam. (submission (submission to the the will will of of God) God) the the religion religion Thcy both nahue.God's the religion religion of ofnature. God's that end, for it is the andno end, beginningand hasno no beginning that has own handiwork the pattern pattern on which he he has has made made according to the handiwork according mankind. mankind.

handiwork according to "So thefaith, God's God's handiwork stetdily to thefauh, setthyface steadily "So set change in lhere is no change the trun*ind; there pafrern on nude mankind; which He has hasmade on which thepattern men most men But religion. the most standard religion. the standard is the ol God: wor* of God: that is the work understand nol"" understandnOL 30:30 Qurtan Qur'an30:30 lies this lies and in this man, and duty of man, To eternalduty is the the eternal the will will of of God God is To do do the to come come the life to for the salvationfor and salvation righteousness life and mortal life for this this mortal righteousnessfor which which knows knowsno no mortality. mortality.

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CONCLUSION CONCLUSION startedthis thisessay essaywith with aaquotation quotationfrom II started from Father FatherJohn JohnMackenzie. Mackenzie.II cando dono nobetter betterin inconcluding concludingitit than thanto quotefrom can toquote fromanother anotherChristian Christian writer, Geoffrey GeoffreyParrinder Parrinderwho who wrote writer, wrote in in his his book: book: Jesus Jesusin in the the Our ta n : OUf'an: tooeasily easilyassumed assumed thatall all traditional ItIt isis too that traditionaldoctrines doctrinesare arefirmly firmly based based on the the Bible. Bible. The The Semitic view of semitic view on to be of God God may may need needto becleared clearedof of some Greek Greek theories theoriesthat that overlaid overlaid it. it. Then some Then if if theology theology is is to to make make contactwith with the themodem modemworld world itit must mustexpress contact expressitself itself in in aa meaningful meaningful way.Tenns Termslike like Son son of of God, God,Trinity Trinity and andSalvation way. salvationneed needto to be beshaped shaped given new and given point. Concepts new point. prophecy, inspiration and Concepts of of prophecy, inspiration and and revelationmust mustbe be re-examined re-examined in view view of the revelation in theundoubted undoubtedrevelation revelation God in in Muhammad Muhammadand and in in the of God the Qur'an. Then much much more real more real Qur'an. Then charity and generousunderstanding and generous understanding charity must members must be shownto be shown to membersof faiths.The otherfaiths. Theexample exampleofIslam of Islamtowards other towardsother peopreof the otherpeople the Book Book puts us often puts us to to shame. shame.Christians christians always always need often need to remember remember the the words of of Jesus, Jesus,"Why call call me, words me, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, and md do not do do the the things things do not which I say?" say ?" which

For more more inforuetiou information rbout about hhn, Islam, vislt, visit, write or or celh all: . Irlauic Islamic lle'wrh Da'wah & & Guidrnce Guidance Center Center Dnmmrm, 31 -• ILS.A Dammam, Poctrl Postal Codc Code 31f 31131 K.S.A. Tel.: Tel.: t263$l5 8163535 -- 8272772 8171771

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