A Monad Muslim claims he can refute the Trinity…guess what happens next?

On May 10, 2021May 3, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Muslims claim they know what they’re saying when they try to refute the Godhead (Trinity), but they can’t, I like to challenge Muslims to respond to what’s written here if they are able? A blog called The Quran and Bible Blog the owner of the blog also called “Mr. Q” has put forth this challenge.

Yep, here we go again. Christians throw their hands in the air and say “you just don’t understand!” Hey Trinitarian, can you explain the trinity. Maybe use an analogy?

I’m going to answer this question with the analogy he asked for, let’s see if he’ll be able to refute this. All Christians believe in 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are the 1 God collectively, fully and completely, the Trinity is found throughout creation.

Analogy: Time is composed of Past, Present, Future all 3 are time yet all 3 (Past, Present, Future) are distinct one from another but all three still remain as time.

It’s very disappointing when Christadelphians, a non-Christian cult visits a Muslim blog in order to refute the Trinity. Here’s a conversation between one of the Christadelphian pages here on WP and the owner of the said blog.

Christadelphians: Please do know and let others be aware that not all Christians do believe in the false human doctrine of the Trinity.
quranandbibleblog: That is true, but the vast majority are Trinitarians.
Christadelphians: Shamefully yes!
mr.heathcliff: what are your arguments against the trinity, thanks
Christadelphians: The Trinity is a false human teaching which entered Christianity, bringing division and a chaotic Christendom where many other dogma’s had to be created to have the trinity theory working. God clearly declared Jesus to be His only begotten beloved son, His sent one and authorised one.

It seems Muslims and Christadelphians have become bedfellows, strange that a group who claims to believe in the Bible would agree with Muslims who deny the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Notice the Christadelphian didn’t gave any biblical references to prove his point, he only gave his opinion. Lord willing, I’ll continue to write more on the Christadelphians cults teachings. If you’d like to read some articles on the erroneous doctrines of the Christadelphians in the meantime feel free to read these older post.

1.) Why The Christadelphians Are A Cult.
2.) Christadelphians “Doctrines to be Rejected”
3.) Christadelphians “Doctrines to be Rejected” 2
4.) Christadelphian “Doctrines to be Rejected” 3

Let’s look at some passages in the Bible and wait for any Muslim to respond.

Trinity In the Old Testament

The Trinity is found in the Old Testament scriptures, in Genesis the very first verse in the Bible says “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) the word for God there in Hebrew is Elohim which is a plural word which means Gods. Remember in the beginning I mentioned “All Christians believe in 1 God”, I say this again because Muslims love to use straw-man arguments claiming Christinas believe in 3 gods; when we do not and shows a lack of knowledge and genuineness on their part. From the beginning this verse is telling us that God is complex in His unity with a plurality in the Godhead.

Another classic verse is when God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” (Genesis 1:26). Note the words “us” and “our” this suggest a plurality. Again this is used later in Genesis 11:7 in the case of the tower of babel the LORD says “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

Again we see the words “let us”, surely if God created communication He can convey the thought that God is complex in His unity.

Genesis chapter 18 says the LORD appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre, in this account God shows upp with 2 men and sits down with Abraham even having a meal which Sarah prepares.

Genesis 18:1-2 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Two of the men are sent to Sodom and Gomorrah to witness the lewd abominations they were committing. God planned on judging those cities for their sinful ways. But one of the men stood behind with Abraham which was the LORD Himself, and He prophesied to Abraham that Sarah will give birth to a son (Isaac). Sarah laughs because she knows that they were not able to bear children, especially now that they are old. But the man sitting before Abraham who reveals Himself as the LORD says:

Genesis 18:13-14 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

The LORD and Abraham are face to face during this time discussing the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, as the LORD planned on destroying those cities. Abraham tries to intercede for the cities asking if God would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if any righteous men were found in those cities.

Genesis 18:22-23 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

The two men who went ahead to Sodom turned out to be angels, “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;” (Genesis 19:1).

The men of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted to have sex with the two men “Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” (Genesis 19:5) Lot then tells the men of Sodom not to commit this sin and offered his two virgin daughters to the men of Sodom (Genesis 19:6-8).

After the men would not hear the words of Lot, the 2 angles pull Lot back into his home and proceeded to blind the wicked men of Sodom (Genesis 19:9-11). The angels then tell Lot to gather his sons in law and daughters, because God will destroy the city.

The interesting part is how God destroyed the city in verse Genesis 19:24 we read:

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Notice there are 2 individuals here called LORD, one was on the earth and the other in heaven. If you read closely it says “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;”

Can Muslims explain how this verse says the LORD rained down fire from the LORD out of heaven? There are other verses which can be brought up just from the Old Testament to prove the plurality in the Godhead, but for now this is sufficient enough evidence to prove Muslims and Christadelphians are in gross error and don’t know who God is.

Trinity In the New Testament

Moving unto verses in the New Testament that proves the Trinity, I draw your attention to a passage found in the synoptic Gospels concerning the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (See also Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29–34 ).

This passage clearly makes a distinction between 3 Persons, we have (1) Jesus in the water, (2) the Spirit of God descending in Luke saying “in a bodily shape”, (3) we have a voice from heaven which is obviously God the Father saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. This sounds like the Trinity to me.

A few critical questions need to be asked at this point. Is Jesus talking to Himself saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”? Obviously not because Jesus is in the water and the voice is coming from heaven, unless this was the first instance of “ventriloquism” which the Bible doesn’t teach this and therefore, there’s a clear distinction between Jesus Christ and the voice from heaven (God the Father).

The same question can be asked about the Spirit of God, is the Spirit of God, Jesus Christ? Again Christ is in the water and the Spirit of God is descending (coming down) upon Jesus Christ. That means Jesus is not coming down upon Himself, again we have a clear distinction of 2 Persons.

I’d like to hear how Muslims and Christadelphians would reconcile this passage? The Muslim will most likely say that the Bible is corrupted which is what they say when they don’t have an answer. But in saying this they prove Muhammad is a false prophet because according to the Hadith told Christians to judge by the Gospel, why would Muhammad direct Christians to judge by a book that’s supposedly “corrupted”?

Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. — S 5:47

Muhammad even went as far to say that he believed in the Torah which was revealed by “Allah”.

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar: A group of Jews came and invited the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to Quff. So he visited them in their school. They said: AbulQasim, one of our men has committed fornication with a woman; so pronounce judgment upon them. They placed a cushion for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who sat on it and said: Bring the Torah. It was then brought. He then withdrew the cushion from beneath him and placed the Torah on it saying: I believed in thee and in Him Who revealed thee. He then said: Bring me one who is learned among you. Then a young man was brought. The transmitter then mentioned the rest of the tradition of stoning similar to the one transmitted by Malik from Nafi'(No. 4431). — Sunan Abi Dawud 4449 Grade: Hasan (Al-Albani)

Non-Christian cults which are bed fellows with Muslims

It just goes to show that the enemies of Christ will become partners just to try to go against what Christians believe. We have Muslims jumping in bed with the Christadelphian cult, Jews and anyone else to form a coalition against Christians. But that’s ok, truth stands and prevails in the face of falsehood. Christians only need to stand on what Christ has done for us, and His death burial and resurrection has stood steadfast since the first century.

The resurrection of Christ has been under attack ever since the beginning when the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the apostles had to endure harshness from unbelievers when preaching Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23), and we as believers today have to endure the same. May we continue to preach Christ to the lost, and keep Muslims and Christadelphians as well as all those who haven’t been saved.

Dialoging with Black Hebrew Israelites

On May 3, 2021April 30, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Black Hebrew Israelites2 Comments

If you’re familiar with this group you’ll know that they claim to be the “true Hebrew Israelites”, perhaps you’ve seen them on the street corner yelling out random Bible verses mostly from the Old Testament. And if you listen closely at some point you’ll hear verses that aren’t so familiar, that’s because they are reading verses from the Apocrypha. At his point you might be wondering what is the Apocrypha?

Unfortunately, most Christians are unaware of the teachings from this cult because they aren’t interested in learning on how to defend their faith from these groups, and sadly there are people falling victim to this racist cult which is only concerned with the colour of their skin. It’s my intention to bring some light to the body of Christ. Black Hebrew Israelites use the books of the Apocrypha in conjunction with the Bible to prove that Blacks are the “real Jews”. They are especially well versed when it comes to the Old Testament scriptures and deceive people into thinking they are Israelites. The Lord Jesus Christ said:

Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

The Apocrypha is comprised of the following books: 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasseh, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees.

The word “Apocrypha” means “hidden, concealed, obscure” and the Black Hebrew Israelites believe these books are on the same level of inspired scripture, even though these books are not inspired scripture and riddled with contradicting doctrines such as necromancy, divination, witchcraft and sorcery. Clearly the Bible is against such teachings found in (Leviticus 19:31; 1 Samuel 28:10-20; Isaiah 8:19; Jeremiah 27:9; Malachi 3:5; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15).

Let’s look at some of the teachings from the Apocrypha and how that contradicts the Word of God.

The Apocrypha Endorses Magic

Tobit 6:7-9 “Then the young man questioned the angel and said to him, ‘Brother Azariah, what medicinal value is there in the fish’s heart and liver, and in the gall?’ He replied, ‘As for the fish’s heart and liver, you must burn them to make a smoke in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or evil spirit, and every affliction will flee away and never remain with that person any longer. And as for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes where white films have appeared on them; blow upon them, upon the white films, and the eyes will be healed.’”

In Tobit we have a story which takes place in Ninevah, Tobit is wanted by the ruling authorities because of burying Jewish bodies (Tobit 1:17-19). Tobias (Tobit’s son) is to be married to a young woman named Sara. Tobit becomes blind from bird feces falling into his eyes (Tobit 2:10). Then an angel by the name of Raphael helps Tobit to concoct a magic spell to help heal his father’s eyes, as well as drive away a devil from his soon to be bride Sara.

Every child of God recognises that magic is an abomination to Yahweh and should not be practiced. In the OT God tells the nation of Israel in the book of Leviticus “Regard not them that have familiar spirits” if the children of Israel did they would “be defiled by them” (Leviticus 19:31). In the book of 2 Kings we have the account of Hezekiah’s son Manasseh king who did “evil in the sight of the LORD”, he brought back the idolatress high places of worship which his father Hezekiah had destroyed. It says that he “wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.” (2 Kings 21:6).

Praying for the dead

2 Maccabees 12:46 “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”

The book of 2 Maccabees is a historical account the first book covers the Maccabean Revolt the book is dated to 100 BC. A Jewish elder by the name of Mattathias leads a campaign against Antiochus Epiphanes IV. The problem with this book is that it promotes prayers for the dead, this teaching meshes with the teachings of the Roman Catholic church promoting the concept of purgatory.

A teaching which is alien to scripture, additionally reading the verse again we see that 2 Maccabees 12:46 also teaches a person who is dead can be loosed from sins. The Bible never tells us that we can pray away someone’s sins, in-fact we see the opposite found in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Once a person dies they are subjected to judgement, its this writers hope that the individual has Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Otherwise they will face God not as their Saviour but as their judge at the Great White Throne found in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Apocrypha gives the false notion that a person can change their standing before God after death, this simply is not the case and therefore we must reject this as the word of God.

Views of the body and soul from a Neoplatonism perspective

Wisdom of Solomon 9:15 “A perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind”

The Wisdom of Solomon 8:19-20 “As a child I was naturally gifted, and a good soul fell to my lot; or rather, being good, I entered an undefiled body”

Definition of Neoplatonism: Platonism modified in later antiquity to accord with Aristotelian, post-Aristotelian, and eastern conceptions that conceives of the world as an emanation from an ultimate indivisible being with whom the soul is capable of being reunited in trance or ecstasy.

The view found in The Wisdom of Solomon is that the soul preexisted before before the body came into existence. This cannot be true because our souls had a beginning we are not eternal, only after the soul was created will it live on forever in either of one of two places, heaven or hell.

The thought of a preexistent soul is a foreign concept neither found in the Old Testament or the New. When God created Adam He formed him out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils making him a living soul (Genesis 2:7). It was at that time that man became a living soul and not before, we are not an “emanation” from God as Neoplatonism teaches.

Salvation by works

Tobit 4:10 “Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness.”

Tobit 12:9-10 “For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life, but those who commit sin and do wrong are their own worst enemies”

In Tobit these two particular verses of giving alms teach a works based salvation by giving alms “Because that alms do deliver from death” (Tobit 4:10). This is in clear contradiction to what we know from the Scriptures.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are powerless to save ourselves from death or to purge away our sins. In Romans we’re told that the law cannot save us but shows us that we’re sinners.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

The Bible also says that the law was powerless to save us in Romans chapter 8, we read:

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

It’s only through the sinless Lamb of God that we can have our sins purged and we delivered from death through the second birth. This is what the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:1-8. John the Baptist when he saw Christ exclaimed that it was through Him sins would be put away.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Conclusion

As shown the Black Hebrew Israelites not only twist the scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16) but they also incorporate erroneous books into their teaching and claim the Apocrypha is the word of God. This can’t be true as we know there are no contradictions in the Bible, therefore, we must reject the teachings of the Apocrypha and Black Hebrew Israelites.

We will continue to dive into other teachings from the different camps of the Black Hebrew Israelites, Lord willing, as their doctrines change from camp to camp. And it’s not my intention to use any straw-man arguments when identifying certain teachings, as I acknowledge that not all Black Hebrew Israelites have the same beliefs.

Answering Muslim Objections (7) Was Christ Crucified or not?

On April 4, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Merriam-Webster definition of conjecture

1a: inference formed without proof or sufficient evidence
b: a conclusion deduced by surmise or guessworkThe criminal’s motive remains a matter of conjecture.
c: a proposition (as in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved
2 obsolete
a: interpretation of omens
b: SUPPOSITION

Muslims believe that Jesus Christ was not crucified according to the Quran, we read in Surah 4:157 which says:

Pickthall: And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger – they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

Muslims claim that Allah didn’t allow Jesus to be crucified but saved him before he was crucified and made someone else look like Jesus and that person was crucified instead. This raises serious questions, (1) according to the Tafsir (commentaries) we have different opinions about what happened.

al-Jalalayn: And for their saying boastfully ‘We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary the Messenger of God’ as they claim in other words for all of these reasons We have punished them. God exalted be He says in repudiating their claim to have killed him And yet they did not slay him nor did they crucify him but he the one slain and crucified who was an associate of theirs the Jews was given the resemblance of Jesus.

Here we have al-Jalalayn claiming the Jews said “We slew the Messiah” how can this be when the Jews in the time of Jesus until today don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah yet they are calling him the Messiah? He also says they didn’t crucify him but another person was crucified who was an associate. If Allah allowed an innocent person to die this would make Allah unjust and a murderer, in addition Allah was also a deceiver as he made another person to resemble Jesus and that person was killed. This makes Allah a liar.

Ibn ‘Abbâs: (And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger) Allah destroyed their man Tatianos. (They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them) Allah made Tatianos look like Jesus and so they killed him instead of him; (and lo! those who disagree concerning it) concerning his killing (are in doubt thereof) in doubt about his killing; (they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture) not even conjecture; (they slew him not for certain) i.e. certainly they did not kill him,

Here we have Ibn ‘Abbâs saying the Quran says they killed the Messiah, he even goes as far to name the individual who was killed a follower of Jesus called Tatianos. There’s no one in the Bible who goes by this name so where are they getting this information from? This once again brings Allah’s morals into question as an innocent man named Tatianos was killed and not Jesus, thereby, Allah deceived people into believing something false in which he would have created Christianity because we believe Jesus Christ was crucified.

Al Qushairi: It is said that God caused the one who slandered [Jesus] to resemble him and he was killed and crucified in his place. … It is [also] said that Jesus said “Whoever agrees to have my resemblance cast upon him so that he is killed in place of me will have the garden” and one of his companions agreed.

Here we have a blasphemous statement, the commentator Al Qushairi comments that “God” made someone who slandered Jesus to be killed, but also that Jesus said whoever has this done to him will have the garden? One can come to the conclusion the “garden” means paradise. So not only did was this man killed because he slandered Jesus which would be a sin, also is given paradise because he was killed in the place of Jesus? So Allah rewards people for committing sin according to this tafsir.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi: This verse is explicit on the point that the Prophet Jesus Christ was rescued from crucifixion and that the Christians and the Jews are both wrong in believing that he died on the cross. A comparative study of the Qur’an and the Bible shows that most probably it was Jesus himself who stood his trial in the court of Pilate, who sentenced him to death, but they could not kill or crucify him, for Allah raised him to Himself. … “Those who have differed”: the Christians. They do not agree in their versions of crucifixion. The very fact that they offer so many different accounts of the matter is by itself a proof that they possess no definite knowledge of it and are, therefore, in doubt about it. One version is that the person who was crucified was not Jesus but someone who bore his likeness, whom the Jews and the Romans had disgracefully put on the cross, while Jesus was standing nearby and laughing at their folly. Another version is that the one who was nailed to the cross was Jesus, but he did not die on the cross and was alive when he was taken down from it. Some others say that he died on the cross but came to life afterwards and met his disciples more than ten times and talked to them. Still others say that death due to crucifixion occurred on the physical body of Jesus and he was buried but the Divine Spirit within him was raised. There are still others who say that after his death Jesus came to life with his body and was raised with his body. Obviously, if the Christians had any knowledge of the truth, they would not have given so many different versions of it.

Here we have Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi claiming that Jews and Christians don’t agree about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Both Jews and Christians affirm that Jesus was crucified. All Christians believe Jesus Christ was the one on the cross, he died and was buried in a sepulchre and rose from the dead physically in the same body after 3 days.

Shabir Ally: You will notice in some of my recent interfaith dialogues that I have suggested the scenario in which Jesus was taken down alive from the cross and assumed into heaven from the tomb–a scenario which my dialogue participants seem hard-pressed to deconstruct.

Muslims even try to claim that Jesus was taken down from the cross alive, this is called the swoon theory, they make a huge mistake in claiming this. They forget that Jesus was suffered a enormous scourging.

Mark 10:33-34 [Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

The Romans also plunged a spear into His side and blood and water came out. This is recorded in the book of John.

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

The Jews agree that Jesus was crucified on the Jews for Judaism site we read “How would the Jewish authorities have treated Jesus’ corpse?” They said in response to this question “To bury the body of a crucified individual (or anyone else) was a matter of obeying God’s commandments. Joseph of Arimathaea (or whatever his name) was probably the Sanhedrin burial agent whose task it was to take care of the crucified once they had died. The approach of the Sabbath and the concern that a corpse not be left hanging after sunset (Deuteronomy 21:23) added to Joseph’s concern to get the body of Jesus (and the 5 two victims) buried before sunset. Perhaps there was a Roman concession to local religious custom concerning a corpse hanging overnight, especially at the onset of the Sabbath or a festival. Joseph complied with the Torah’s requirement even though he may have had no personal reason to honor the crucified individual. One may assume that if it is true that two other individuals were crucified along with Jesus and died that same day that Joseph also asked for their bodies and buried them as well.”

The Jews don’t deny that Christ was crucified, they believe he was killed; they only reject Jesus as their Messiah. Therefore, going back to out definition of conjecture which means according to the definition “inference formed without proof or sufficient evidence”. The Muslims are the ones who are confused (conjecture) as to if Jesus was crucified, who was the one killed was it Tatianos or someone else, and why would the Jews call Jesus the Messiah when they clearly teach otherwise? This proves the Quran is a false book.

Lastly, we have surmounting evidence outside of the Biblical narrative confirming the crucifixion of Christ for those who are not sympathetic to the Christian faith. Those would include:

Quotes proving the crucifixion of Jesus as historical fact

(1) Tacitus (Jewish historian) written c.116 C.E The founder of this name, Christ had been executed in the reign of Tiberius by the procurator Pontius Pilate.
(2) Gerd Ludemann (atheist) Jesus’ death as a consequence of crucifixion is indisputable.
(3) Marcus Borg The most certain fact about the historical Jesus is his execution as a political rebel.
(4) Pinchas Lapide (a Jewish scholar) Jesus’ death by crucifixion is “historically certain.”
(5) Paula Fredriksen (another Jew) The single most solid fact about Jesus’ life is his death: he was executed by the Roman prefect Pilate, on or around Passover, in the manner Rome reserved for political insurrections, namely crucifixion.

The biggest one is by the Muslims favorite New Testament scholar who they like to use his material in attacking the Bible, Bart Erhman on the crucifixion of Jesus says:

“The crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans is one of the most secure facts we have about his life.”

We close with this conclusion from the Bible in the words of Jesus Christ Himself:

Matthew 17:22-23 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Happy Resurrection Day

Answering Muslim Objections (6)

On March 23, 2021March 24, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Muslim argument: The Injeel, Torah and Jabur are indeed sent by god. Unfortunately they have been corrupted. Jesus is God’s Son as the Christians believe. But how come you pray to Jesus when you’re the ones that claim Jesus to be God’s Son? God is totally overshadowed by Jesus. Jesus this, Jesus that. What role does God play in Christianity? Bible was a Hebrew book and all you came up with a Greek version of it. And Jesus is said to have died for your sins. So, you mean to tell me God killed his Son for the sins you committed? Why and how the killing of Jesus resolved you of your sins? And why was he sent to earth in the first place?

Response: “they have been corrupted” If the Bible is “corrupted” as Muslims claim why does the Quran direct Muslims to ask “the people of the book (Jews and Christians)” in Surah 10:94. How can Allah direct people to another group (Jews and Christians) to ask for guidance if the book they believe in is corrupted? That makes no sense! In saying the Bible is corrupted Muslims are attacking their Quran because the Torah and Injeel (Gospel) is “Allah’s words” according to the Quran.

Torah: And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture … (Surah 2:87)

Psalms: … and as We imparted unto David the Psalms; (Surah 4:163)

Gospel: He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel. (Surah 3:3)

And Allah says no one is able to “change” or “alter” his words (Surah 6:34; 6:115; 10:64). Therefore, we must come to the conclusion either the Quran is correct in saying the Bible cannot be corrupted which means Islam is false because it contradicts the Christian faith, or the Quran is wrong and the Bible was corrupted which means Islam is false because Muslims believe in a book which wrong.

“how come you pray to Jesus” Let’s look at this from a logical standpoint every individual has parents. For example a father and son. A father and son are the same in regards to nature? The son is just as much human as the father is human? Christian’s don’t believe Jesus Christ was born the same way we humans are, and we don’t believe Jesus was created because He’s eternal. We pray to Jesus because (1) Jesus is God and deserves our worship (Revelation 5:12). (2) He told us to ask Him anything in His name to pray in His name (John 14:13; 14:14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; John 16:26). Prayer is communication, therefore, if we claim to have a relationship with Christ why wouldn’t we pray to Him? If you love someone then you will be willing to communicate with them. But a more direct response is we pray to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“Bible was a Hebrew book and all you came up with a Greek version of it” This statement proves the lack of understanding of how the Bible was composed. The New Testament is not a “Greek version” of the Old Testament which is written in Hebrew. Both the Old and New Testament agree to who God is as He revealed Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Quran comes a lot later and then contradicts the Bible.

“And Jesus is said to have died for your sins. So, you mean to tell me God killed his Son for the sins you committed? Why and how the killing of Jesus resolved you of your sins?” Yes, Jesus died for my sins and the sins of the world (1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:4; 1 John 2:2). God sent His Son into the world (John 3:17; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9) but God didn’t kill His Son, it was wicked men who put Christ on the cross (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44; Acts 2:22-24). The Lord Jesus was the perfect atonement for the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 10:1-4) just as we see in the Old Testament how God commanded the children of Israel to sacrifice animals for the sins of the nation of Israel as a temporary atonement for sins found in the book of Leviticus.

Muslim argument: That would mean since Jesus is God’s Son. So he is as much God as his Father is? Okay, understood. But God is totally overlooked in Christianity. Jesus is worshipped instead of God. I mean, did God retire? Is it monarchy? Let’s just say Jesus is God for argument’s sake. If he was indeed God then why didn’t he just forgive all of humanity without having Himself killed. And if it was indeed God’s plan to forgive humanity by killing off his Son, then were the killers of Jesus good people since they helped God in executing his plan?

Response: “So he is as much God as his Father is? Okay, understood. But God is totally overlooked in Christianity. Jesus is worshipped instead of God.” Christians worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Hols Spirit. We believe in 1 God and only 1 God. The Bible says there’s only 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8). If we as humans are just as much human as our father then Jesus Christ being the Son of God is just as much God as the Father is God. In the Bible we see a distinction between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit yet all 3 are called God.

And because Jesus is just as much God as His Father that would make Jesus God because He shares the same essence as the Father.

In Genesis 19 Abraham is visited by 3 men, 2 of them turn out to be angels which are sent to Sodom and Gomorrah. The 1 man who stays behind turns out to be God and He tells Abraham that Sarah his wife will have a son. Sarah was barren she was not able to bare children and laughed. The man then said “is there anything to hard for the LORD?” Later Sarah gives birth to Isaac. Later in the chapter it says that when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because it was a place of evil. The verse says the LORD rained down fire from the LORD in heaven.

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Here we have 2 persons called LORD, 1 on the earth who is before Abraham, and 1 in heaven.

“If he was indeed god then why didn’t he just forgive all of humanity without having himself killed.” If Muslims are familiar with the Torah, we see that God commanded Israel to build an altar in order to do sacrifices. The reason why they had to do this was for the atonement of sin. It was a temporary atonement for sins, so they sacrificed animals in the temple for this reason. The issue is that as humans we are more valuable than animals because we are made in God’s image, animals are not. Therefore, the blood of animals couldn’t atone for anyone’s sins. In the OT it says a life for a life etc. Meaning if a man killed another man, he could be punished by his life being taken away. Life for life.

Exodus 21:23-25 And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In the Quran we see Muhammad plagiarized this from the Bible and passing it off as his own teaching when it was not.

And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers. — Surah 5:45

This is why there’s an issue animals do not have the same value as a human, so the blood of that animal cannot atone for sin. God’s purpose in telling Israel to do it was a constant reminder of their sins so that when the Perfect Man Jesus Christ came who is also God He would be the perfect sacrifice. He (Jesus) had the value beyond measure because He is without any sin, and because He’s God His blood would be powerful enough to atone for the sins of the entire world.

Also, the reason why God cannot forgive you without the death of Jesus is because if He did that would make God unjust. He must serve justice and destroy all evil in the end, therefore, God made a way out of the judgement by sending His Son to be a propitiation for the whole world (1 John 2:2).

Muslim argument: God is one. Yet you mentioned God the holy father, God the son and God the holy spirit. Who is bigger God here? What are the functions assigned to these three gods? The whole analogy is vague and invalid. God doesn’t have to answer to anyone for his actions. But He has to kill his Son because He is just?! That would mean killing an innocent for the actions of the criminals which I reckon are us. Also, if our sins are indeed forgiven then we don’t need Jesus or God for that matter. We are innocent and therefore we’ll take our seats in heaven after our death. God is just so He killed an innocent and spared the lives of the culprits!

Response: “You said God is one. Yet you mentioned God the holy father, God the son and God the holy spirit. Who is bigger God here? What are the functions assigned to these three gods?” There’s no such thing as a “bigger God” all 3 Persons are the 1 God, they are co-equal. Christians do not believe in 3 separate gods. We believe in 1 God.

“What are the functions assigned to these three gods?” The Father is in heaven, the Son comes into the word to redeem mankind, the Holy Spirit indwells believers thereby placing them in Christ making them spiritually alive (born again).

“But He has to kill his son because He is just?!!!!! That would mean killing an innocent for the actions of the criminals which I reckon are us.” God didn’t kill Jesus Christ, the Romans killed Him, but Jesus gave His life willingly Jesus said:

John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus Christ was innocent and He gave His life for guilty sinners. Those who are saved willingly received the free gift of eternal life that we don’t deserve and cannot earn. If someone offers a gift it’s accepted freely you don’t have to pay for it. There’s no forgiveness of you sins without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. When a criminal commits a crime do you not agree that justice must be served?

The book of Isaiah written 740 BC speaks about the death of Jesus saying:

Isaiah 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

“We are innocent and therefore we’ll take our seats in heaven after our death.” No one is innocent, a lie, anger, using God’s name in vain, lust, these are all sins, therefore 1 sin is enough for a person to end up in hell for all eternity.

Muslim argument: Why didn’t God save his Son when wicked men kill him? And God could have pardoned all of humanity without the death of Jesus since He has no one to answer to. So, a bigger God divided into three different entities just to take up different roles? Jesus died for our sins but we are not forgiven! Then what He died for? Bible is the God sent scripture which tells us about Jesus. Without that we have no connection to him whatsoever. What did He do for me? He didn’t wipe out my sins. He didn’t wipe out the sins of our ancestors who lived during his time since it would mean helping the sinners and blasphemous people. Then why He died for? Do you see the irony?

Response: “Why didn’t God save his Son when wicked men kill him?” That would be called universalism and Islam teaches only Muslims will enter Jannah, therefore, to say why can’t God just forgive everyone goes against the what Islam teaches. Because God decided since eternity past that the Son of God would come into the world to redeem mankind (Revelation 13:8). It was God’s provision in sending the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14).

“God could have pardoned all of humanity without the death of Jesus” No. Because if God arbitrarily forgave people that would make God unjust, God cannot do anything against His own character, He’s Holy, Righteous and Just. God must punish all sin and, therefore, He cannot turn a blind eye to sin (Isaiah 59:18; Romans 2:3-6; Revelation 22:12).

“a bigger God divided into three different entities” Here’s a straw-man argument, Christians do not believe God is “divided into three entities”. We believe God is 1 in Being and within that 1 being there are 3 Persons, God is complex in His unity from the beginning in Genesis we have a plurality when God says “Let us make”, “Let us go down there” (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 11:7). In the NT we have Jesus Christ forgiving sins (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21), and we have scriptures which has all 3 Persons present at the same time (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).

“Jesus died for our sins but we are not forgiven! Then what He died for?” We’re told in the Bible that Christ died for our sins to save us from the wrath of God. This is easily explained by apostle Paul in Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

In Galatians we also have this verse telling us what Christ did for us:

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Lastly, John the apostle also told us:

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Muslim argument: If someone commits the crime then that “someone” should be punished. The judge will not sentence the best man because his blood will purify him, in this case that is whole of the humanity. How is this even justice? Would it be justice if my brother says okay I will go hang for my brother because I love him very much? And will the judge punish an innocent man for the crime of another even though He wanted to face the sentence in exchange for the freedom for their loved ones?

Response: “if someone commits the crime then that “someone” should be punished.” Exactly! Someone has to be punished, God must dish out justice against all evil. What Muslims don’t understand is that Jesus Christ took the punishment we deserve upon Himself. Isaiah chapter 53 explains this. God can forgive the sinner on the righteous basis of what Christ has done and remain just and righteous because He sacrificed Himself and removed the wrath of God from those who place their trust in the real Jesus Christ who is God.

For example, picture the wrath of God as a truck speeding down a road. And someone was crossing the street but didn’t see the truck coming. A stranger runs and pushes them out of the way saving their life but instead he got hit by the truck. That’s what Jesus Christ did on the cross. He took the wrath of God on Himself, so that we didn’t have to be condemned.

As long as Muslims reject the Son of God, they can’t be saved because they’re rejecting God’s provision in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

“And will the judge punish an innocent man for the crime of another even though he wanted to face the sentence in exchange for the freedom for their loved ones?” That’s exactly what happened! A family member who would risk even give their own life for those they love. That’s a picture of the amazing love of Christ, that He would sacrifice Himself for guilty sinners. What amazing love that the Father has bestowed upon those who would come into the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Answering Muslim Objections (5)

On March 15, 2021March 15, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

More arguments from Muslims which proves they are sadly mistaken as to who Jesus Christ is, the Christian position is we believe Jesus Christ is eternal but He’s also a real Man through the virgin birth. He always existed eternally with the Father in heaven as the Word of God (John 1:1) and came down from heaven (John 3:13; John 6:38, 51, 58). Therefore the straw-man arguments Muslims bring as you’ll see below prove they don’t understand that Christ has 2 natures and we can explain both sides as Jesus Christ being the Son of God and Jesus Christ the Son of Man. [Muslim Statement] [Christian Response]

1. Christians say: “Jesus being born without a father proves he is God:” The first mistake is Christians don’t believe Jesus Christ is biologically born in the same sense as us humans are, we had a moment in which we started to exist but Jesus Christ always existed. Muslims falsely claim this as a “Christian belief” and putting it out as what they think we believe but get it completely wrong. Jesus is the Word of God and He always was with the Father before creation ever existed (John 1:1), the Word of God (Jesus) made/created all things (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalm 102:25; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10).

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Here’s a preposterous statement from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir: “(How can He have children when He has no wife) for the child is the offspring of two compatible spouses. Allah does not have an equal, none of His creatures are similar to Him, for He alone created the entire creation. Allah said;”

Muslims claim that Christians believe God would had sexual intercourse to produce a Son! This is complete blasphemy on Islam’s part and grossly wrong. A non-Christian cult like Mormons believes this but not Christians, and to further prove the point that Islam teaches this is found in in the Quran.

[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing. — Surah 6:101

1. Muslims say: “Adam was born without a father & mother does that make him God too?” Actually Adam was not “born” he was created from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), this makes Adam a creation but Jesus Christ is the same God who formed Adam from the dust of the ground.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

2. Christians say: “Jesus is God” Amen! He is God the Lord Jesus said He was God in the book of Revelation calling Himself the Alpha and Omega the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). In Isaiah it says that Immanuel would come through the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) and this name means God is with us (Matthew 1:23). Where also told in Isaiah that the child born through the virgin birth is called God (Isaiah 9:6). So the prophets call the child God and Jesus Christ who is the child born through the virgin birth calls Himself God.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

2. Muslims say: “But Jesus made it very clear telling us to believe in only one God – If Jesus was God for sure he would of made it very clear by saying to the people me & God are your two Gods. Jesus, said “Hear, O Israel the Lord Our God, the Lord is one. (Mark 12:29-31)” Does a car have 1 door or more than 1, and if more than 1 door is it still 1 Car? The problem Muslims have is that they cannot grasp the concept that God is complex in His unity as demonstrated with the car analogy. The three Persons of the Godhead are of one essence that no one else shares that essence outside of God therefore all 3 Persons are the one God. Yet they are distinguishable from each other. The word Being is what you are, while the word Person is who you are they don’t have the same meaning.

3. Christians say: “Jesus is God” According to the Bible yes He is God (John 1:1-3; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:8).

3. Muslims say: “Jesus said why do you call me good?” “No one is good—except God alone (Luke 18:19)” It’s quite sad that Muslims use a verse like this and say Jesus was not claiming to be God and they accept that, even though that’s not what the verse is saying. Why is it they believe Luke 18:19 and say “Jesus is not calling Himself God”, but ignore other words from Jesus saying He is God like Revelation 1:8 calling Himself the Almighty? That’s called having a double standard. There’s not just one verse in the Bible but many, if you “accept” Luke 18:19 as Jesus claiming not to be God then by that same standard you must also accept Revelation 1:8 when Jesus says He is God.

4. Christians say: “Jesus is human & God” Correct Jesus Christ is both fully God and Man, it’s called the hypostatic union which refers to the two natures of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:8-10).

4. Muslims say: “But the Bible says God is not human (Numbers 23:19) Muslims partially quote the verse out of context, the entire verse says Numbers 23:19 God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? As we can see God is not saying He’s cannot become a man, the verse is speaking of God’s character that He will never lie like man does.

5. Christians say: “Jesus is human & God” See response in #4

5. Muslims say: ”But the bible says For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5)” Quoting the verses which highlight the humanity of Christ don’t refute the Christian position, Christians have always believed Jesus is both God and Man and we have verses which speak to both natures of Christ. As Mediator Christ fulfills this role as a real Man, in the Torah the position of high priest could only be held by a man of 30 years age or older. Jesus was a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Leviticus 8; Exodus 29; Numbers 4; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6). Oil (anointed) was applied to the individual, and a verbal blessing was given, lastly water was applied (baptism).

6. Christians say: ”We only believe in One God, Jesus & God are one” The Lord Jesus Christ is God, but yes Jesus says He and the Father are one. That doesn’t mean God is unipersonal but consist of three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). In the Gospel of John we have Christ Jesus saying “I and [my] Father are one.” (John 10:30) and “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” (John 17:22). In these statements we can see both a plurality and singularity using words such as “I”, “and”, “we”, “one”.

6. Muslims say: ”Christians please explain why Jesus was begging God for help if Jesus is the only God?” The Son of God is distinguished between the Father and the Holy Spirit but as explained in #2 all 3 share the same divine nature. When Jesus Christ was on the cross He was quoting from Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring? Also known as a Messianic prophecy which Jesus fulfilled when He was on the cross of calvary (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).

He was not “begging God for help”, the Lord Jesus said: John 10:17-18 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father”. This means that Jesus Christ gave His life willingly and was not forced.

7. Christians say: ”Jesus has willingly died for our sins” See response #6

7. Muslims say: ”Christians please explain why Jesus was begging God to save him if he was on a mission to save mankind. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)” See response #6

8. Christians say: “Jesus has paid the price for our Sins but we must repent” This is correct Jesus Christ paid the price in full and when someone comes to Christ for the forgiveness of sins they’ve already repented at the moment of conversion. Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. And Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

8. Muslims say: “How did you gain from the Jesus sacrifice if you must still repent for your sins just like us?” When a person places their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation means they’ve already repented, salvation happens in an instant. Additionally, that person is given the Holy Spirit as God promised (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18). Muslims don’t believe in the true Jesus Christ who is God therefore they cannot cannot be saved as long as they reject who Christ is to His nature being God Almighty (John 1:1; 20:28; Colossians 1:16-17; 1:19; 2:9; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 1:8).

Answering Muslim Objections (4)

On March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Muslim Argument #1 Accept Jesus Christ from his original teaching. Christianity is all about what Paul preached. Did Jesus Christ demolished circumcision law of Moses and kosher Paul strictly forbade the covenant were Jesus Christ followed all the commandments. JW have their own bible, Jews have their own, Catholic have their own. Theres over 30,000 denominations of Christianity you all have your own way of belief how would you substantiate that? Was 25 December birth of Jesus? Majority of Christians celebrate it. God in the Old Testament is one and only who forgive sins by repentance in New Testament he changes his mode of salvation. Theres three person in Trinity according to Christian scholars each is regarded as God so theres 3 Gods so that makes Christianity an idolatrous faith.

Christian Response: Muslims say Christians believe in 3 gods, this far from the truth. They misunderstand the Trinity and it’s teachings. Christians worship 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4) and the 1 God is comprised of 3 distinct Persons who share the same Being (essence/substance/nature) seen throughout the Old and New Testament (Matthew 3:16-17). We can explain the singular and plural verses showing there’s One God complex in His unity.

“Christianity is all about what Paul preached.” The apostle Paul preached Christ who’s the same God of the Torah. In the book of Genesis we have the LORD calling down fire and brimstone from the LORD in heaven (Genesis 19:24). Here we see there are 2 individuals who are called LORD. We also have the child born in Isaiah 9:6 called “the mighty God”. Therefore, Paul preached Christ is God, and we see in the Old Testament the child born of a virgin is called “the mighty God” and “Immanuel” which means “God with us” we’re told in Matthew (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Matthew 1:23).

“JW have their own bible, Jews have their own, Catholic have their own. Theres over 30,000 denominations of Christianity you all have your own way of belief how would you substantiate that?” First Jehovah Witnesses are not Christian, the Jews share the same Tanakh we Christians have in our Bible. As for denominations that has no bearing on the shared foundational Christian beliefs. Whether they identify as Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal etc they all believe in the Trinity, that Jesus Christ is God, and salvation is only through Jesus Christ alone and in the infallibility of the Bible.

“Was 25 December birth of Jesus?” Lastly, whether a Christian believes Jesus Christ was born on 25th of December or not is secondary and has no bearing on a person’s salvation. “God in the Old Testament is one and only who forgive sins by repentance in New Testament he changes his mode of salvation.” In the Old Testament we see that God is complex in His unity as mentioned before in Genesis 19:24 the LORD in heaven rains fire from heaven from the LORD on earth (2 people here). In other passages we have the Angel of the LORD who claimed and did things only God can do like “multiply people”, “and swear by Himself” and is called the LORD.

Genesis 16:10 “the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly” as you can see the Angel of the LORD spoke in the first person saying “I will”. In Genesis 22:11-16 The angel of the LORD said Abraham didn’t keep his son from Him saying “for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.” Again using personal pronouns in the the first person said “from me”.

Lastly, this Muslim used a straw man argument as Christians do not believe God “changes His mode of salvation” which would be modalism a heretical teaching, as we don’t believe in 3 gods. Muslims don’t understand the difference between 1 God in Being (essence, nature, substance) but the 1 God is comprised of 3 distinct Persons. For example the long buses we have driving down the street can be easily seen as 1 bus, yet this 1 bus has 3 doors in which people can enter and exit. While it’s 1 bus we see it has multiple components while still remaining 1.

Muslim Argument #2 The bible is tampered and altered by the church fathers to support the doctrine of Trinity.

Christian Response: “The bible is tampered and altered” Muslims are under the assumption that the doctrine of the Trinity was created by the church fathers. They are unaware that we get our doctrine from the scriptures not from the early church fathers, a classic verse showing all 3 Persons of the Godhead is found in Matthew 3:16-17.

There’s no verse in the Quran which states the Bible was “corrupted,” because the Bible and Quran are in contradiction to each other Muslims are forced to claim the Bible was changed. All the while their Quran affirms the Bible was never corrupted. The Quran says that the books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Gospel/Injeel were all given by Allah.

And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty), and We supported him with the Holy spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay? — Surah 2:87

Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as We inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We imparted unto David the Psalms; — Surah 4:163

He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel. — Surah 3:3

And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah – a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil). — Surah 5:46

Muslims have a dilemma because their own Quran confirms the Bible, but it gets worse the Quran says that the Torah, Pslams and Gospel are the words of Allah and cannot be changed.

“Rejected were the messengers before thee: with patience and constancy they bore their rejection and their wrongs, until Our aid did reach them: there is none that can alter the words (and decrees) of Allah. Already hast thou received some account of those messengers,” — Surah 6:34

“The word of thy Lord doth find its fulfillment in truth and in justice: None can change His words: for He is the one who heareth and knoweth all,” — Surah 6:115

“For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme felicity,” — Surah 10:64

When a Muslim claims the Bible was altered they are denying their own Quran as it affirms the Bible saying it cannot be altered. Why then are Muslims telling us that the Bible is corrupted? Because the Quran contradicts the Bible in many ways especially when it comes to the Person of Christ. The Quran denies Jesus Christ is God and the Death, Burial and Resurrection found in Surah 4:157 and Christians are told to judge by things in the Gospel

They claim there’s only 1 Quran yet there are more than 40 Arabic Qurans and are they the same? Majority of Muslims use the Hafs Quran version more specifically the 1924 Cairo edition. Here’s an example of 2 different Qurans the Hafs and the ibn Jamaz

Surah 18:86

Hafs Quran: hami’atin “murky”
Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of MURKY WATER: Near it he found a People: We said: “O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.”

ibn Jamaz Quran: haameiyatin “Extremely hot”
Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of EXTREMELY HOT WATER: Near it he found a People: We said: “O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.”

Q: Does the sun set in murky or extremely hot water? There’s quite a difference between dark and gloomy, and extremely hot water.

Muslim Argument #3 Typical Christian dispute when you cant substantiate the errors and contradictions in the Bible and according to JW theres over 50 thousand errors in the bible. As far as the Quran is concerned there are different pronunciation and dialect but over all the message is intact. Scholars from different faith acknowledged the Quran is in its original form.

Christian Response: Interesting that Muslims would appeal to a non-Christian cult like the Jehovah Witnesses as they have misrepresented the Bible by adding words into their own translation in order to promote their own theology. Notice the Muslim says “different pronunciation and dialect” there’s a double standard here. Muslims are quick to point out that there are “multiple versions of the Bible,” this statement is incorrect there are multiple English translations of the Bible but there aren’t “multiple versions of the Bible”. If there were this would imply the underlining text of Hebrew and Greek had multiple versions which they don’t. Therefore our Bible has not changed, additionally, notice the Muslim says “over all the message is intact” how can this be if there are multiple Arabic Versions which is the underlining text the Quran is founded upon?

Thank the LORD we don’t have this problem with the Bible. But why do Muslim say the “overall the message is intact” for the Quran when it’s not yet they don’t hold the same standard for the Bible. Our English translations may phrase a verse slightly different but as they claim the “over all the message is intact” and what message is that? It’s the Good News of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ who has procured salvation by His perfect work at the cross of Calvary.

The claims of “50 thousand errors in the bible” is unfounded and not provided by Muslims and hasn’t provided any scholars who claim “the Quran is in its original form”.

“Scholars from different faith acknowledged the Quran is in its original form” On the contrary Muslim scholars are starting to say the opposite here are 2 well known Muslim scholars who have contradicted themselves.

Contradicting Quotes from Muslim scholar Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi on the preservation of the Quran: “So the Caliph Uthman standardized the copies of the Quran. And therefore, from his time up until our time there has never been two copies of the Quran that are different even in one letter or one word and this is because of the farsightedness of the Caliph Uthman” — Dr Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

“ah and the Quran ah there’s only one Quran there are no various versions or whatnot its one standard copy of the Quran across the Muslim world…and uh there’s really not been any variants versions of the Quran the Quran is the Quran for all sects and schisms and groups of Islam…and we also all Muslims take pride in the fact that there is but one Quran there’s no variants of the Quran” — Dr Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

“And when we say the various different ways to recite the Quran we’re not talking about different voices or different styles we’re talking about slight differences in pronunciation slight differences in letters. Especially those who have been exposed to some of our brothers who live Algeria or Morocco or other north African countries they recite the Quran in a slightly different way. Not just a voice or not just a speaking style but also changes in letters and words and Harakat” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

“The standard narrative has holes in it” — Dr Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

According to Dr Yasir Qadhi the first quote says there has never been two copies of the Quran which are different in one letter or word, he goes unto say in the next quote there’s only one Quran with no variations without any variants, then he says there’s different pronunciations and different letters and changes in words and Harakat.

Another Muslim scholar who has changed his view over the course of time it seems is Dr Shabir Ally from Toronto here are some of his quotes concerning the preservation of the Quran. Contradicting Quotes from Muslim scholar Dr. Shabir Ally on the preservation of the Quran:

“Today most Muslims read the Quran in a text that is referred to as the Egyptian edition of 1924. That’s how scholars refer to it most Muslims may not realise that this is the designation for that manuscript for that text to Muslims, in general, this is simply the Quran. But this is not the only text of the Quran that is read throughout the world in North Africa there is a slightly different text that is based on a slightly different reading and then to in some parts of Africa there is another reading of the Quran and a matching manuscript that is prevalent and here too we find some slight variations that do not affect Muslim beliefs and do not affect Muslim practices in any significant degree.” — Dr Shabir Ally

“how do we make sense of all of this? We want to retrace the history of how these manuscripts became divergent. How is it we have a variety of readings of the Quran and manuscripts to match?” — Dr Shabir Ally

Here we have another scholar who is confessing there’s different Quranic text read in different parts of the world, he goes onto say that the Quranic manuscripts became divergent and they have a variety of readings. This destroys the claim that there’s only one Quran with no change in letters or words.

Muslim Argument #4 The verses are clearly states the event authored by God himself. Yasir Qadi spoke about the pronoun-citation and dialect not holes in the content. You are trying to hang on every straw you should listen to Tovia Singer and Bart Ehrman.

Christian Response: Pronoun-citation there’s no such word that exist, the word is pronunciation. As shown above their own scholars admit there’s different versions of the Quran. Tovia Singer denies “Isa” (Islamic Jesus) now Muslims are going to bed with Jews who reject Jesus Christ and Muhammad.

Bart Ehrman the Muslims favorite agnostic said the Muslims are wrong about Paul in that Muslims claim Paul invented Christianity, he (Ehrman) said “some people say that Paul invented Christianity and that can’t be true, Paul was persecuting Christians before he became a Christian and so if he invented Christianity he would have nobody to persecute”. As you can see how this argument from Muslims backfire on them.

Let’s see what your other scholars say about the preservation of the Quran.

Muslim Argument #5 Tovia Singer’s believes in monotheism and rejects NT as man written fabrication. Again different variations and dialect which do not effect Muslim practices and for your information the ideology of Jesus Christ remains intact. Bart Erman brings out the falsification if his statement overwhelms you then be it. God is God and man is man only relation is creator and creation period.

Christian Response: “Tovia Singer’s believes in monotheism” It seems Islam stops the brain from working, Christians also believe in monotheism. Tovia Singer is against Jesus Christ, he doesn’t believe Isa is the Messiah which the Quran says Jesus (Isa) is the Messiah. Therefore, Muslims who appeal to the Jews are refuting their own beliefs as their Quran affirms Jesus is the Messiah.

… “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. … — Surah 4:157

Appealing to Jews who in actually don’t agree with the Muslim position is illogical. And once again Christians believe in 1 God and 1 God only. The problem is Muslims don’t understand what the Trinity doctrine is this is why they’re confused.

As for Bart Erhman, he doesn’t deny the Bible, he’s an agnostic who believes the historical facts of the Bible. What he denies is if God exist. Those are 2 different subjects, he believes in the historical aspect of the Bible, but in terms of God he doesn’t know if God exist.

Congrats to Muslims proving Islam is false appealing to to men who: (1) Denies Jesus is the Messiah, even though Muslims believe Isa is the Messiah (Surah 4:157), but they don’t know what the word Messiah means. (2) A man who rejects the notion of the existence of God, even though Muslims believe in Allah “the god”. Can they not see how these 2 people refute the Muslim position? As a Christian we don’t need to appeal to an Atheist and Jesus rejecting Jew to prove our position.

Refuting answeringsceptics – On Speaking In Tongues

On February 8, 2021February 7, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Bible ReadingsLeave a comment

First I’d like to say that who ever is running the following blog (answeringsceptics) is doing a good job refuting Muslim claims. Therefore, I would like to encourage them to continue the needed work in challenging Islamic arguments; it’s appreciated.

When Peter was confronted by Paul in Galatians 2 for hypocrisy on Peter’s part when he used to sit with the Gentiles, then separated himself from them when James arrived. This brought up the necessary need to discuss doctrine in regards to if the Gentiles had to be circumcised as the Jews were. Here 2 believers in Christ had a disagreement and needed to discuss this important issue. And we should follow suit, as Christians we shouldn’t shy away from doctrinal differences and foster friendly healthy debates.

Galatians 2:11-16 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

As I perused the answeringsceptics blog I came across the post titled “Refuting Critics – On Speaking In Tongues”. Feel free to read the article and compare between what it says and the Bible. I also encourage you to do the same with this post as well and come to your own conclusions.

Believers in Jesus Christ affirm that speaking in tongues was proof of an individuals salvation according to certain text found in the Bible, the position I’m taking is these verses were meant for that time for a specific purpose and not for our time. We’re told in the Bible to “Study to shew thyself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). There are Christians who claim unless you speak in tongues you’re not saved. What we’re seeking today is to prove if this is what the Bible teaches?

This is a friendly rebuttal to answeringsceptics in which they argued for speaking in tongues. I will be taking the negative position. While the Bible does state people spoke in tongues, my contention is it was a temporary sign for a specific purpose at that time (not for today).

Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Is Isaiah chapter 28 talking about speaking in tongues? The chapter is dealing with the coming judgement upon Ephraim and their predicted captivity by the Assyrians. In verse 28:7, 8 Isaiah confronts Judah, just as Israel they’re drunken in their own “vomit and filthiness” and now they “stumble in judgment”. The leaders mock the LORD complaining saying “them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts”.

God responds saying because you don’t want to heed to my message, I’ll send a foreign invader (Assyria) to you as an invading nation who’s language you will not know. Their foreign tongue will be a sign of judgement on the people who rejected God and His message.

Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The Lord Jesus in Mark 16:17-18 is speaking of what would happen after His ascension recorded in the book of Acts chapter 1 which was for the apostolic age. (1) Cast out demons “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:” Acts 8:7, Paul cast out a demonic spirit from “a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination” Acts 16:18, and recorded in Acts 19:11-16. (2) “they shall speak with new tongues” refers to the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) as well as the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius the centurion (Acts chapter 10); Paul at Ephesus (Acts chapter 19). (3) “They shall take up serpents” when Paul was at the island called Melita and was bitten by a poisonous snake and was unharmed (Acts chapter 28). (4) Drink poison is not recorded in the book of Acts but was attributed to John and Barnabas by church historian Eusebius. (5) Lastly laying hands on the sick (Acts 3:7; 19:11; 28:8, 9).

The purpose of these signs were to authenticate the apostles who were bringing the message of the Gospel. People in those times wanted to know the message of the Gospel was of heavenly/divine origin. We find the answer in the book of Hebrews chapter 2 and Acts 15:8 which says:

Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;

As we come across these verses the question arises “Do these signs exist today?” I believe these signs were for that dispensation, before the entire cannon of scripture was made available for us today. Most of these signs are found in the book of Acts as mentioned.

1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

In the article answeringsceptics stated that “Notice those bold, underlined words. Speaking with new tongues is one of the signs of believers (Christians); in other words, speaking in new tongues is one of many signs that one (non-believer) can differentiate between Christians and non-Christians. If that’s true, then there is no way that speaking in new tongues here means being polyglot because you and I know that many non-Christians are polyglot.”

Might I ask where in the text above (1 Corinthians 14:22) does it say “new tongues”? It doesn’t the only place you’ll find the words new tongues is referenced in Mark 16:17 and as I mentioned this is talking about what would take place in the book of Acts which was the beginning of the church age.

If our friend wants to use Mark 16:17 in meaning these new tongues were somehow an angelic language then how can they explain the beginning chapters of Acts in which the people on the The Day of Pentecost heard them speaking in tongues and replied “And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” The people understood these languages as their mother tongues “wherein we were born”.

I’d like to point out that these tongues were for a sign (1 Corinthians 14:22), this was not a permanent sign that would continue on throughout this dispensation. It served its purpose in authenticating the apostles before the cannon of scripture was complete. We no longer have a need for these sign gifts as we now have the completed Word of God.

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

The problem with using 1 Corinthians 14:2 to support “speaking in tongues” as answeringsceptics suggest is if you read Greek you’ll notice the word “unknown” doesn’t appear in the original text. The translators added the word to convey a thought, for example if a congregation of English speaking believers came together and one of them began to speak French all of a sudden that would be speaking in tongues. The language would still be a recognizable language, it wouldn’t be an angelic heavenly language.

Here’s 1 Corinthians 14:2 in Greek:
ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ τῶ θεῷ· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια·

The word “unknown” in our English Bible is found in [brackets] or italicised in order to indicate that word doesn’t appear in the original text. The Greek word for unknown is άγνωστος and it’s not found in that verse.

The verse actually reads For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

The reason why the verse says he doesn’t speak unto men but unto God is because there needs to be an interpreter. Without interpretation the entire assembly has no idea what’s being said, but God does because God understands all languages, but we do not understand foreign languages on the fly.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Once again please notice that the word “unknown” found again here in 1 Corinthians 14:14 is not found in the Greek text. We have the same situation in 1 Corinthians 14:2

Here’s the Greek for 1 Corinthians 14:14:
ἐὰν γὰρ προσεύχωμαι γλώσσῃ τὸ πνεῦμά μου προσεύχεται ὁ δὲ νοῦς μου ἄκαρπός ἐστιν

Once again the Greek word άγνωστος (the Greek word for unknown) is not found in the text itself.

answeringsceptics says goes on to say: “As we see, Paul is saying, (1) it’s his spirit that prays when he prays in tongues (2) not even him understands what he is saying. This refutes the “Paul was polyglot” theory.”

If we continue to read in context the very next verse tells us

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Paul is contrasting 1 Corinthians 14:14 with 14:15 and never intended for anyone to speak in ways that others wouldn’t understand. Quite on the contrary, he was saying when speaking we should speak and sing with understanding. The notion of Paul being a “polyglot” is not in view, the truth is God gave the ability for men to speak real languages at a moments notice.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Our friend answeringsceptics quotes 1 Corinthians 13:1 and places a focus on tongues of men and of angels, insinuating that because angels was mention therefore it must mean Paul was speaking an angelic language that’s out of the realm of this world. The question is when angels appeared did they speak in an angelic language?

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to declare he and his wife Elisabeth would give birth to John the Baptist did Zacharias “speak in tongues” to Gabriel (Luke 1:5-25). The same angel appeared to Mary in the chapter foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ and there’s no indication Mary “spoke in tongues” to Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). It seems that angels spoke in the language Zacharias and Mary understood, not in a language which is not understandable.

answeringsceptics then quotes 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 and claim Paul’s heavenly vision is proof of speaking in tongues because of the words “unspeakable words”, lets read this verse in context. First the word for unspeakable in Greek is ἄρρητα (arrētos).

ἄῤῥητος árrhētos, ar’-hray-tos; (as a negative particle); unsaid, i.e. (by implication) inexpressible:—unspeakable. Biblical Usage: (1) unsaid, unspoken (2) unspeakable (on account of its sacredness). Note the words spoken are highly sacred not that they are a heavenly language not understandable to men.

2 Corinthians 12:1-6 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me.

Did Paul not know himself? Obviously this passage is about Paul’s vision and he did know the man because he’s talking about himself, are we to believe Paul didn’t know himself. Notice when we get to unspeakable words the following words after say “which it is not lawful for a man to utter”. Paul is not telling us these words couldn’t be understood because he says these words were not lawful for him to utter or speak. In other words he was not allowed to speak of what he heard. How can answeringsceptics take this passage and say “Because natural men cannot understand it”, Paul is a man did he understand what was spoken? Yes he did, but it was not lawful ie. not permitted to tell of it.

We see this with John in the book of Revelation when the angel who had the little book found in chapter 10.

Revelation 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Here we have John who heard the 7 thunders uttering and he thought to write down what he heard, but a voice from heaven told him to “Seal up” or conceal what he heard and not to write what was spoken. In other words it was not lawful for John to record what he had just heard. The same as Paul he heard things which was not permitted for him to speak about.

answeringsceptics quoted 1 Corinthians 2:14 commenting: “People only spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. This is another proof that it has nothing to do with men’s languages, otherwise I don’t see the difference between those whom the Holy Spirit came upon and “polyglot” non-believers.”

Let’s read again the context of 1 Corinthians 2:14

1 Corinthians 2:13-16 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This passage is speaking on wisdom and teaching which unbelieving men reject because they don’t understand spiritual things. Nowhere is this passage indicating there’s a language which unbelievers can’t understand. answeringsceptics is superimposing their idea of speaking in tongues into passages. The key words in the passage is “wisdom”, “teach”, “discerned”, “instruct” the theme is of learning what’s being taught.

The word for discerned and its meaning in Greek is ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine:—ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search.

Now we get to the key passage which causes so many believers great confusion, the verse I’m referring to is Acts 2 otherwise known as The Day of Pentecost, proponents of speaking in tongues typically use this verse to prove that speaking in tongues is something we all should experience in these days.

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The question that must be continually asked is where in Acts 2:1-4 does it ever imply that “speaking with other tongues” means a language which is not understandable or heavenly? Why do proponents of speaking in tongues ignore the following verses? If we go through the passage God gives us the answer.

Acts 2:5-12 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

The Spirit of God tells us at the time of Pentecost there were “Jews and devout men out of every nation”, this was a mixed multitude of people who heard the preaching of Peter. The text goes on to say they “were confounded” or confused and here’s the important part of the text “every man heard them speak in his own language.”

The text says they understood the words the disciples were speaking and this is mentioned after the verses about “speaking in other tongues” (Acts 2:1-4) The Word of God gives us the answer that “speaking in other tongues” was not a language that was not understandable. These men and women began to speak in other languages, how can we know this? God gives us a list of those languages:

(1) Parthians (2) Medes (3) Elamites (4) Mesopotamia (5) Judaea (6) Cappadocia (7) Pontus (8) Asia (9) Phrygia (10) Pamphylia (11) Egypt (12) Libya (13) Cyrene (14) Rome (15) Cretes (16) Arabians

Here’s the nail in the coffin, they said “we do hear them speak in our tongues”. Again why does answeringsceptics claim speaking in tongues is a special language only given to believers? How do proponents of the speaking in tongues doctrine explain this passage? The wisdom of God had it so that these men and women heard and understood the message helping to spread that message across multiple languages.

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

In the case of Acts 10:44-46 we’re told in this chapter that Cornelius a Gentile and others of his household got saved. Peter is a key person in the book of Acts when it concerned opening the way for Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles to become converts. Its referred to as Peter’s Confession of Christ or the doctrine of the keys found in (Matthew 16:13-19) other corresponding verses are found in (Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20 ).

Following Peter closely in the book of Acts he was the key person who would preach Christ on to that particular group of people. In chapter 2 it was Jews, in chapter 8 Samaritans and chapter 10 Gentiles.

Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The pattern is clear, speaking in tongues was a sign to non-believers proving God brought a message, authenticating the apostles; and lastly proof to those (Jews) who were seeking a sign (Matthew 12:38; Matthew 12:39; Matthew 16:1; Matthew 16:4; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 2:18; 1 Corinthians 1:22). Those people who saw something they couldn’t explain and could only attribute the sign as something from God would come to a place in which they now had the fear of God upon them. Speaking in tongues was a sign also when the assembly gathered as a way of convincing the unlearned or unbeliever who was among them observing.

1 Corinthians 14:22-25 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Notice 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 says tongues was a sign not for believers but for those who didn’t believe. Paul also says if the whole church (local assembly) is together and all spoke in tongues and an unbeliever or unlearned person was present they might think the Christians were crazy (mad). In this same passage prophesy is given a more important place than speaking in tongues, Paul says but if all prophesy and a unbeliever or unlearned individual was present they would be convinced, this would result in that person falling down on his face and worshipping God. In other words that person would come to believe in God.

If speaking in tongues were so important why isn’t Paul giving us that impression? Continuing in the same chapter he goes unto say:

1 Corinthians 14:26-28 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Again the word “unknown” is not found in the original text but was inserted by the translators help the text read more fluently. Paul asked the question why when they came together everyone wants to give a psalm, teaching or has a tongue? The problem in the Corinth church was everyone wanted to be in a prominent role, there was confusion when they came together. Notice “tongues” was not of great importance as Paul stated if there was no interpreter that individual should remain silent.

In the chapter before Paul addresses the importance of love (1 Corinthians 13) saying love never fails but prophecies will fail, tongues will cease (stop). Why? Because when that which is perfect comes (Christ, God’s Word) we will have no need of those things because we have the full cannon of scripture in our hands.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

answeringsceptics comments “They also suggest that the purpose for speaking in tongues is to preach the Gospel to people whose languages they don’t speak nor understand; but these passages show that these believers were not about to preach to anyone, they spoke in tongues simply because they received the Holy Spirit as He gave them the utterance. It was for their own benefits as Jude tells us to use it to attain our most holy faith (Jude 1:20); not for preaching! (See Romans 8:26-27 for more)”

Jude 1:17-21 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The context of Jude is that false teachers and mockers would come going after their own ungodly desires, they separate themselves and don’t have the Holy Spirit. It seems answeringsceptics is trying to suggest that this text is about “speaking in tongues” when it’s talking about ungodly men and warning us to keep ourselves in the love of God.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

answeringsceptics uses the above passage in Romans to suggest it’s talking about speaking in tongues. How does one come to that conclusion when it’s saying the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” meaning the Spirt sustains us in our weakness when we’re unsure of what to pray for in our life. The Spirit of God assist us with intercession which cannot be expressed. It’s the Spirit that groans and not us “he” (that is the Holy Spirit) “maketh intercession for the saints”. If someone “speaks in tongues” that would mean they are uttering which is contrary to the passage.

He said we ought to always speak in tongues; this has nothing to do with preaching the Gospel. It rather means speaking in tongues in prayers, confessions or in worship:

1 Corinthians 14:36-40 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul tells the believers in Corinth to desire earnestly to prophesy and don’t forbid men to speak with tongues. This shows the importance of both gifts, prophesy was to be desired, while the other was not to be banned. Prophecy was more valuable than tongues because unbelievers could be convicted by it and believers edified. Tongues without interpretation had no other purpose other than to speak to God and to one’s self, displaying their own proficiency with a foreign language given by God.

I would like for answeringsceptics to provide evidence in the Bible in which someone spoke in tongues and it was not understandable, a language of heavenly origin. There’s no verse or passage in the Bible that tells us about a heavenly language not known to man.

Ephesians 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Paul tells us to “be not drunk with wine” when a person is drunk they are controlled by a substance, in this case wine which is also called “spirits” (plural). The apostle is instructing us instead of being drunk with wine to be controlled or “be filled with the Spirit”. The Holy Spirit should control believers lives. During the day of Pentecost the people tried accusing those from the upper room of being drunk with new wine (Acts 2:13) but we know it was the Spirit which was controlling them.

The results of being filled with the Spirit are “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”, believers gather and recognise the Psalms as inspired scripture in-which we can speak or sing. Hymns accompany our worship of the Lord as well as spiritual songs.

answeringsceptics used Ephesians 5:18-19 to prove speaking in tongues is a heavenly language, again unless I’m missing something the verse is talking about Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It doesn’t say speaking in an unknown language.

Conclusion: In every instance in which speaking in tongues are mentioned the word “unknown” is not found in the original Greek text. This greatly proves that “speaking in tongues” as answeringsceptics suggest is unbiblical, I would like to see how answeringsceptics would interpret these passages knowing the word “unknown” is not found? The entire argument is based upon this one word inserted by the translators in order to make the English more comprehensible when reading.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul asked a retorical question, and it addresses the issue at hand. We see that he asked if all are apostles, prophets, workers of miracles or have gifts of healing? The obvious answer is no, only 12 were chosen to be apostles including Paul. There are no more prophets as we have all of God’s word available to us and no further revelation has been given. And not everyone had gifts of miracles and healings even though they were believers (Matthew 17:17-19; Mark 9:28; Acts 19:11-20). Then the question is asked “do all speak with tongues?” the answer like the rest is no, not all spake with tongues.

Therefore to suggest or imply that everyone should have the gift of tongues is contrary to the word of God and is alien to the entire concept of the body with its many different members each of them with its own function within the body of Christ.

I hope that after reading this and comparing both post with God’s word you can come to your own conclusion about this in house issue between believers.

Gabe the street preacher and his erroneous doctrine

On January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World Religions2 Comments

There’s a preacher on YouTube by the name of Gabe the street preacher, he’s been around for some years posting videos preaching on different street corners. He tends to frequent churches, colleges, concerts, parades etc.

Gabe states that he’s Christian yet denies fundamental Christian doctrine, some of which are listed here from his own channel. Doctrines Gabe the street preacher denies are (1) The Trinity / Godhead (2) believes a person must be baptised “in the name of Jesus Christ” for salvation thereby denying the commandment of Christ in Matthew 28:19 (3) a person must “speak in new tongues” as evidence of salvation. (4) Thinks born again Christians can lose their salvation.

(1) Oneness Pentecostals deny the plurality in the Godhead, namely the Trinity because they think by holding to the Oneness of God they must reject the 3 Persons within the Triune God. It’s not known if Gabe the street preacher identifies as a “Oneness Pentecostal”? But he certainly holds to the teaching that God as 1 individual.

The same is true of Muslim and Unitarians they also deny the plurality or Persons within the 1 God. And when the following passages are read in context the belief that God is 1 individual fails apart.

Gabe holds to the teaching of Modalism (otherwise known as Sabellianism) which has been proven as a heretical teaching. The following verse proves there’s 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4) but since the Bible has no contradictions how does a Modalist interpret verses which shows a distinction between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

In the classic case of the Trinity found in the Gospel of John we read:

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Clearly the Word is a separate Person from “God” John 1:1 says “the Word was with God”, in order for the Word to be with God denotes two Persons are in view. If we read the Greek which is even more powerful it reads that the Word was πρὸς τὸν θεόν which means “face to face” with God. How does Gabe the street preacher interpret this scripture if he denies the Trinity?

Another problematic verse is the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew:

Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

In this account we have Jesus Christ in the water, Christ see’s the the Spirit of God coming down like a dove upon Him; and we have a voice from heaven. This is another proof text of the Trinity we have 3 Persons in view, the Lord Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit coming down on Christ and the Father speaking from Heaven. How can verses like these be explained by a oneness person who denies the Trinity?

In a recent video Gabe went as far to make a claim that the Catholic church some how altered the text to insert the Trinity into the Bible. This claim lacks knowledge on a fundamental level, this is the same attack Muslims use against the Bible. It seems Gabe has more in common with Islam than Christianity. The reason why his argument is weak is because (1) the Catholic church was not in existence during the times of Christ (2) manuscripts were already being distributed throughout the world before the Catholic church was formed (3) in order for the Catholic church to “alter” the text of the Bible they would have to find every manuscript in the world and systematically alter the text without destroying the papyri by erasing/adding words.

We have over 5800 Greek New Testament manuscripts to date, with an impressive 2.6 million pages of biblical text. If Gabe the street preacher understood the silliness of his assumption he would see that it’s impossible for anyone to remove or add words into the text of the papyri.

This is not taking into account the Hebrew Tanakh (Old Testament) as well. All of which both the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts were distributed throughout the world. The Catholic church would have to gather each one in order to “change the text”. It’s an impossible feat just gathering them, on top of actually changing the text itself would require damaging the delicate papyri its written on.

Lastly, we have textual critics who have dedicated their lives to researching these manuscripts and none of which agree with Gabe. Also we must take into account that these manuscripts are written in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Syriac and Coptic. I’d love to hear from Gabe how he thinks it would be possible to complete such a task? We can rest assure that the manuscript evidence for our Bibles are solid and the text found within them sound.

Answering Muslim Objections (3)

On December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Muslim Argument #1 It seems you (Christians) don’t do a single good deed you totally depend on atone of sins. Mohammed gave 10 of his companions glad tiding for heaven and pray for them he spoke in humble so that we become humble, he left no notion so we didn’t become arrogant like Christians. No matter which angle you approach Islam it does not change the fact that Jesus Christ was a messenger and prophet of God try and refute that. When I was a Christian I never had the sickness towards Mohammed as you all do I always admire the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ in Islam theres no other religion accepts Christ apart from muslim. So stop this nonsense and study the bible thoroughly by your own intellect without any other intervention from anti Islam apologist.

Christian Response: Christians do perform good deeds but we don’t point to them as a way of justifying ourselves before God. Our “good deeds” do not merit salvation, but our good deeds are a byproduct or proof of our salvation. This is the point in the book of James, it’s not about proving anything to God but proving salvation before men.

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

How are Christians “arrogant” when they don’t point to themselves but Christ for justification as our Redeemer. Islam teaches good deeds can earn salvation that’s the hight of arrogance itself. Muslims say Muhammad “spoke humble” is this true? Here are the words of Muhammad you can decide for yourself if he was humble.

I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer, and pay Zakat and if they do it, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah. — Sahih Muslim 22

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) breathed his last and Abu Bakr was appointed as his successor (Caliph), those amongst the Arabs who wanted to become apostates became apostates. ‘Umar b. Khattab said to Abu Bakr: Why would you fight against the people, when the Messenger of Allah declared : I have been directed to fight against people so long as they do not say: There is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was granted full protection of his property and life on my behalf except for a right?… — Sahih Muslim 29

Its safe to say Muhammad was not humble in any way. Muslims claim to honour Jesus Christ as a prophet and nothing more, but there are too many passages in scripture which we would have to ignore for this claim to be true. (1) Christ forgave sins, in both Mark 2:7 and Luke 5:21 in which the Lord Jesus heals a man “sick of the palsy” and Christ forgives his sins. The Pharisees respond saying “Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Great question!

Some verses which show in the Old Testament that the LORD God forgives sins, yet we see in the New Testament that Jesus Christ forgives sins.

Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

If God can only forgive sins why do we see that Jesus Christ also forgiving sins? We’re forced to come to the logical conclusion that Jesus Christ is more than a mere prophet, He’s God in the flesh. Christians worship Christ as God there can’t be any higher honour given.

Muslim Argument #2 No 1 – Jesus Christ never used disgusting language towards any religious figures Mohammed instructed us never to disrespect religious figures. When we reject the Trinity it should not be taken as an insult because it’s a belief and dispute between Christians and Muslims. You are afraid of your faith being scrutinised otherwise you would not had done the comparison between two prophet born and raised in different era. Jesus Christ is accepted by Muslims and we believe he taught monotheism he is in the lineage of prophethood from Adam to Mohammed. Miracles are part of prophethood a sign given by God for those people at that time its not for us as we are unable to give any prove or evidence I don’t believe its scientifically proven our faith and belief Is our acknowledgement.

Christian Response: While its true Christ never used “disgusting language” He did call the religious Pharisees “hypocrites”, “whited sepulchres full of dead men’s bones”, “full of extortion and excess” etc. Was Christ using “disgusting language”? No. Whenever the teachings of Islam are examined Muslims get upset and resort to ad hominem’s; that’s a sign of someone holding a weak position.

Muhammad calls Jews and Christians the worst of creatures.

Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikun will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures. — Surah 98:6

Muhammad destroyed all the pagan idols surrounding the Kaaba, “Vanish” means to be destroyed.

4443. It is related that ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said, “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, entered Makka and there were three hundred and sixty idols around the Ka’ba. He began to poke them with a stick in his hand, saying, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has vanished’ (17:81) and ‘The Truth has come. Falsehood cannot originate or regenerate.'(34:49)” (The Sahih Collection of Al-Bukhari, Chapter 68. Book of Tafsir:)

As for monotheism, Christians also affirm there’s only 1 God (Deuteronomy 6:4), we don’t believe in 3 gods. Therefore, bringing up monotheism as a talking point is a straw man. Trinitarianism has always believed in 1 God.

Another error is Islam teaches Adam was a prophet, from where do they get this idea? Neither the Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim or New Testament teach that Adam was a “prophet”. Adam was the first man created but he made no prophesies. Anyone who claimed to be a prophet had to pass the requirements God gave to us in testing if a person was a real prophet.

Deuteronomy 18:20, 22 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. … When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Muhammad never came in the name of Yahweh, and he brought the name of another god called Allah. Muhammad made no prophesies which came true, and in the Hadith Muhammad was poisoned and said his aorta was cut. Why mention his aorta? The Quran says that anyone who spoke falsely would die having his aorta cut, and this is how Muhammad died. So I guess Muhammad prophesied that he was a false prophet.

Muslim Argument #3 What makes a person Christian? Well the experience I had before and after my conversion you spend your entire time attacking Islam and Muslims. How I was a Christian I tell you something I was a Bible basher and it was my strength I converse with Muslims within my Christian boundaries not by interrogating or misquoting their scripture.

Christian Response: The Muslim doesn’t give a testimony of their “salvation” but resorts to personal attacks when they don’t have an answer. Giving rants about how they use to be a Bible basher and conversed with Muslims with Christian “boundaries”. The Quran indeed breeds “Bible bashers” because the Quran denies

Muslims hate when Islam is questioned, they’re taught to not use their brains to just follow blindly. Yasir Qadhi in the popular interview with Hijab, YQ says there’s a red line Muslims are not to cross when it comes to questioning Islam.

YQ also says that academia doesn’t adhere to this red line and have been asking pressing questions which their Ummah cannot answer. Muslims will even deny their own Muslim sources when quoting the Quran and Hadith’s because Islam can’t be defended for instance, Islam teaches men can have sexual relations with girls who have not reached the age in which they’ve had their menstrual cycle.

The Surah which follows is from Chapter (65) sūrat l-ṭalāq (The Divorce).

Sahih International: And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women – if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him of his matter ease. — Surah 65:4

This Surah is explaining how Muslim men are to wait 3 months when divorcing to make sure she’s not pregnant. In order for someone to divorce they must first be married. When 2 people are married they come together to consummate (engage in sex) the marriage. Muslims also use the Tafsir (commentaries from Muslim scholars) and Hadith’s (sayings about Muhammad’s life) in order to know what the Quran teaches. Here’s the Tafsir’s which explains this particular Surah.

Ibn Al Kathir: The `Iddah of Those in Menopause and Those Who do not have Menses Allah the Exalted clarifies the waiting period of the woman in menopause. And that is the one whose menstruation has stopped due to her older age. Her `Iddah is three months instead of the three monthly cycles for those who menstruate, which is based upon the Ayah in (Surat) Al-Baqarah. see 2:228 The same for the young, who have not reached the years of menstruation. Their `Iddah is three months like those in menopause. This is the meaning of His saying;

Lastly, let’s look at how Muhammad lived his life, because this gives us insight as to how Muslims are to live since they follow Muhammad. Here in the Hadith we’re told Muhammad married a girl at the age of 6 and had sexual intercourse with her at age 9.

Narrated `Aisha: that the Prophet (ﷺ) married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).

In conclusion we see that the illogical fallacies Muslims use when engaging Christians on certain topics. When familiar with these arguments we can respond in a loving and truthful way.

Answering Muslim Objections (2)

On December 14, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

Muslim Argument #1 “ilah ilah why have you forsaken me God killing himself. What a cruel Father brutally murdered Son over someone else disobedience. Do you really believe thats a merciful God? Would you let your son punished for your crime? Trinity is the most illogical ideology majority of Christians become atheist. We Muslim follow and honour Jesus Christ. Who was a prophet of God and ascend to heaven alive.”

Christian Response: To the Muslim, God is cruel because they don’t understand the grace God has given to us guilty sinners. He didn’t have to send His Son to be subjected to a gruesome death, to save us leaving us to a fate of eternal death without any hope. But because the True God loves His creation He made a way out of the condemnation.

Muslims point to what Christ said on the cross in Matthew 27:46 “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” or Mark 15:34 “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Aramaic for the phrase “my God”) insinuating that the Lord Jesus was referring to “Allah”. Is this the case? Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani is the Hebrew form, as in saying Elio, Elio, etc. This is the Syro-Chaldaic language (use by the Jews in the time of Christ) its referenced in Psalm 22; which means “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

They fabricate that the word Eloi to mean “Allah”. Muslims will try to find a word in the Bible which sounds similar to an Arabic word, in this case the Arabic word ilah > becomes Eli > which is reinterpreted by Muslims to mean Allah.

They fail to realise the New Testament was written in Koine Greek not Hebrew. ἠλί ēlí, ay-lee’; of Hebrew origin; my God:—Eli. In Hebrew אֵל ʼêl, ale; shortened for strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):—God (god).

Do some digging on the Muslim site corpus.quran.com and come across the word ilah, you’ll see it doesn’t mean what they’re trying to convince Christians of. I looked up the word on the mentioned site and it states the word is used “147 times as the noun ilāh” but more specifically “my God” is not found. The closest you’ll get is ālihatī (my gods). And to top it off the word “Allah” means the god, it’s a name, its only a generic term.

The Muslims claim the Jews said they killed Jesus Christ but that He was not killed, they refer to Surah An-Nisa.

And [for] their saying, “Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. — Surah 4:157

The problem the Quran has is the Jews wouldn’t say they killed “the Messiah” as they don’t believe Christ is the Messiah. The second issue is the Jews were not in the position to carry out the crucifixion, it was the Romans who crucified the Lord Jesus, not the Jews. Crucifixion was the Roman’s way of carrying out capital punishment and they were specialist in what they did as professional killers. The Quran also gets that wrong.

In the Bible we read how the Romans cast lots for the vesture of Christ.

Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

The Lord Jesus rose from the dead and therefore He’s alive. We see that Christ spoke of this (HIs resurrection) all throughout the Gospels. (Matthew 20:19, Mark 10:34, Luke 18:33, Luke 24:7). And He ascended into heaven shown in the book of Acts.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

If Muslims truly honoured Jesus Christ they would be called followers of Christ which means they would be called Christians. Also, they wouldn’t try to claim Christ was never crucified, by saying so they are calling Jesus Christ a liar because Christ Himself said He would be killed. Lastly, they would be bringing the Gospel message of Christ but they don’t, they follow Muhammad and not Jesus Christ.

Muslim Argument #2 So tell me you don’t do good deeds? “Is that why crime rates are high in, out of all monotheistic faith you’re the odd one out. Incest becoming normal, fornication become norm.”

Christian Response: Muslim don’t know how many good deeds will get them into Jannah (Paradise), not even Muhammad knew if he would make it to Jannah. In the Quran it says:

… you have no power to help me against Allah. … Say: ‘I am not an innovation among the Messengers, and I know not what shall be done with me or with you. …
Surah 46:8-9

Also Abu Bakr, the first Muslim leader after Muhammad’s death, was unsure for his own eternal destiny?

…Whenever he was reminded of his position in Allah’s sight, he would say: ‘By Allah! I would not rest assured and feel safe from the deception of Allah (la amanu limakr Allah), even if I had one foot in paradise.’”
Khalid Muhammad Khalid, Successors of the Messenger, Abu Bakr Has Come, p. 99

Muhammad and Abu Bakr were unsure of their salvation? Muslims will also claim without giving proof from the scriptures concerning the above claim of “Incest becoming normal, fornication become norm” among Christians. Just because a person claims to be a Christian and commits such acts doesn’t prove they were a Christian to begin with. We know the Bible speaks against all forms of fornication (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9; Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:8).

It seems the truth is Islam teaches fornication, there’s a practice in Islam called Mu’tah Marriage. It’s a temporary marriage two parties make an agreement to have sexual relations for a short period of time. It was also practised by men at the dawn of Islam during trips.

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (r.a.a.) said: “Temporary marriage was at the beginning of Islam. A man comes by a town where he has no acquaintances, so he marries for a fixed time depending on his stay in the town, the woman looks after his provisions and prepares his food, until the verse was revealed: “Except to your wives or what your right hands possess.” Ibn ‘Abbas explained that any relationship beyond this is forbidden. [narrated by Tirmidhee]

On these grounds, Mut’ah marriage IS CONSIDERED TO BE ZINAA (ADULTERY OR FORNICATION), even if both parties consent to it, and even if it lasts for a long time, and even if the man pays the woman a mahr. There is nothing that has been reported in sharee’ah that shows that it may be permitted, APART FROM THE BRIEF PERIOD when it was allowed during the year of the conquest of Makkah. That was because at that time there were so many people who has newly embraced Islam and there was the fear that they might become apostates, BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN USED TO COMMITTING ZINAA the Jaahiliyyah. So this kind of marriage WAS PERMTITED for them for three days, then it was made haraam until the Day of Resurrection, as was narrated by Muslim, 1406.

Narrated Abdullah: We used to participate in the holy battles led by Allah’s Apostle and we had nothing (no wives) with us. So we said, “Shall we get ourselves castrated?” He forbade us that and then allowed us to marry women with a temporary contract AND RECITED TO US: — ‘O you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, but commit no transgression.’ (5.87) (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 13o)

Muslim Argument #3 I’ll give you clear response. ‘Atone of sins ‘cause of misconducts. All prophets brought one core belief of oneness of God depending on age and time of people of that time which majority of the message was corrupted. Mohammed is one of the successful messenger that his people followed him to every jot and title. Yahweh was not a specific name given to people when Moses asked God said I AM WHO I AM!

Christian Response: The Oneness of God is a huge teaching in Islam, but the argument says: “All prophets brought one core belief of oneness of God”, this is not true the Prophets in the Tanakh spoke about the people turning to God from their sins. The “Oneness of God” was not a major theme found in the scriptures.

The Bible speaks mainly about how the nation of Israel in the Tanakh continued to fail in worshipping God, they were committing Idolatry and other acts of sin. It also speaks of mankind’s standing before Almighty God as sinners in need of salvation. It also speaks about the One who would come to give Himself as a sacrifice (Atonement) for our sins that we may have forgiveness with God, theses are the main threads running through the scriptures; starting from Genesis—Revelation.

Some scriptures to consider are found in Genesis 22:1-18, Exodus 12, Psalms 22, Isaiah 53, also Zechariah 12:10, Hebrews 11:17-19. The whole reason God instituted the sacrificial system was to point to Christ as the Lamb of God first found in the book of Exodus when Moses told the Israelites to put the blood on the door post. Lastly, Christians have always said that God gave His name to Moses saying I AM THAT I AM in Exodus 3:14. The Muslim says that God’s name is I AM THAT I AM then why use Allah, which means “the god”? This shows Allah and Yahweh are not the same.

Muhammad died like a false prophet according to the Quran which would destroy the claim that he was a successful messenger.

And if he (Muhammad SAW) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allah), We surely should have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might), And then certainly should have cut off his life artery (Aorta), — Surah 69:44-46

Muhammad ate poisoned meat and was suffering he said to his child bride Aisha.

Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet in his ailment in which he died, used to say, “O ‘Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.” — Sahih Bukhari 5:59:713

We can only come to the logical conclusion that Muhammad was a false prophet because he died like one.

Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi VS Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi on the preservation of the Quran:

On December 7, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

For Muslims the preservation of the Quran is essential to their faith. For years Muslims have been claiming there’s only one Quran, and that you will not find any variations in “letters”, “dots”, “vowels”, “sound”. This means if any one of these are proven to be not true Islam is false because this would mean the Quran has not been preserved.

Recently Muslim scholar Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi had an interview on Muhammad Hijab’s channel in which Hijab asked Qadhi a series of questions regarding the preservation of the Quran. Qadhi was reluctant to answer the pressing questions concerning Ahruf and Qiraat. Hijab asked if Qadhi was given a blank Mus’haf (Codex) would he be able to write down word for word what’s currently in the Quran, and which Quran would he use? Would he use the Hafs, Warsh, Qalun etc. Qadhi then diverts and says this is not a simple answer.

The Seven Ahruf and Multiple Qiraat – A Quranic Perspective

Ubayy b. Ka’b reported: I was in the mosque when a man entered and prayed and recited (the Qur’an) in a style to which I objected. Then another man entered (the mosque) and recited in a style different from that of his companion. When we had finished the prayer, we all went to Allah’s Messenger and said to him: This man recited in a style to which I objected, and the other entered and recited in a style different from that of his companion. The Messenger of Allah asked them to recite and so they recited, and the Apostle of Allah expressed approval of their affairs (their modes of recitation). And there occurred in my mind a sort of denial which did not occur even during the Days of Ignorance. When the Messenger of Allah saw how I was affected (by a wrong idea), he struck my chest, whereupon I broke into sweating and felt as though I were looking at Allah with fear. He (the Holy Prophet) said to me: Ubayy, a message was sent to me to recite the Qur’an in one dialect, and I replied: Make (things) easy for my people. It was conveyed to me for the second time that it should be recited in two dialects. I again replied to him: Make affairs easy for my people. It was again conveyed to me for the third time to recite in seven dialects. And (I was further told): You have got a seeking for every reply that I sent you, which you should seek from Me. I said: O Allah! forgive my people, forgive my people, and I have deferred the third one for the day on which the entire creation will turn to me, including even Ibrahim (for intercession). — Sahih Muslim 1787

Its expressed in the above Hadith that the Quran was “revealed” to Muhammad in seven ahruf, this caused confusion and problems for Muslims. Sources prove that the variations between these renditions of the Quran disturbed Muhammad’s companions.

We have a disagreement between the Muslims as to how they should recite the Quran. It was different to what they were used to reciting and brought the issue to Muhammad. At that time Muhammad had them recite which was different from the other recitation, this cased denial in the Muslims mind and because of this Muhammad “struck” his “chest”. Typical how Muslims resort to violence when frustrated which is what we’re seeing now as the problem with the “perfect preservation” of the Quran continues to crumble.

Here are some quotes from Muslim scholar Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi on the preservation of the Quran: note how his messaged changed from the Quran being perfectly preserved, no change in letters and words, to now there are changes in letters, words and Harakat.

“So the Caliph Uthman standardized the copies of the Quran. And therefore, from his time up until our time there has never been two copies of the Quran that are different even in one letter or one word and this is because of the farsightedness of the Caliph Uthman” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

It’s known that in order for the Quran to be “standardized” Uthman burned manuscripts of the Quran which were different from the one he had. There was a battle and the men who memorized the Quran had recited the Quran differently, out of fear Hudhaifa came to Uthman about the differences in the recitations, with Uthman burning any competing copies.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman came to Uthman at the time when the people (Muslims) of Syria and the people of Iraq were waging war to conquer Armenia and Azarbaijan. Hudhaifa was afraid of their (the Muslims of Syria and Iraq) differences in the recitation of the Qur’an, so he said to ‘Uthman, “O chief of the Believers! Save this nation before they differ about the Book (Quran) as Jews and the Christians did before.” So ‘Uthman sent a message to Hafsa saying, “Send us the manuscripts of the Qur’an so that we may compile the Qur’anic materials in perfect copies and return the manuscripts to you.” Hafsa sent it to ‘Uthman. ‘Uthman then ordered Zaid bin Thabit, ‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, Said bin Al-As and ‘AbdurRahman bin Harith bin Hisham to rewrite the manuscripts in perfect copies. ‘Uthman said to the three Quraishi men, “In case you disagree with Zaid bin Thabit on any point in the Qur’an, then write it in the dialect of Quraish, the Qur’an was revealed in their tongue.” They did so, and when they had written many copies, ‘Uthman returned the original manuscripts to Hafsa. ‘Uthman sent to every Muslim province one copy of what they had copied, and ordered that all the other Qur’anic materials, whether written in fragmentary manuscripts or whole copies, be burnt. … (Sahih al-Bukhari: vol. 6, bk. 61, no. 510)

More contradicting statements from Yasir Qadhi, in the first quote Qadhi says “there has never been two copies of the Quran that are different even in one letter or one word”. Once again in the following quote he continues to say “there’s only one Quran there are no various versions”.

“ah and the Quran ah there’s only one Quran there are no various versions or whatnot its one standard copy of the Quran across the Muslim world…and uh there’s really not been any variants versions of the Quran the Quran is the Quran for all sects and schisms and groups of Islam…and we also all Muslims take pride in the fact that there is but one Quran there’s no variants of the Quran” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

Now in the next two quotes he changes his tune and admits there’s “slight differences in pronunciation slight differences in letters”, but remember he said before “there has never been two copies of the Quran that are different even in one letter or one word”. Now he’s telling us there’s been “changes in letters and words”.

“And when we say the various different ways to recite the Quran we’re not talking about different voices or different styles we’re talking about slight differences in pronunciation slight differences in letters. Especially those who have been exposed to some of our brothers who live Algeria or Morocco or other north African countries they recite the Quran in a slightly different way. Not just a voice or not just a speaking style but also changes in letters and words and Harakat” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

“The standard narrative has holes in it” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

Muslims need to wake up and realise that the so called “perfect preservation of the Quran” is completely bogus and cannot be defended. Our lost Muslim friends are all welcomed to come to the One who can perfectly preserve their soul. The Lord Jesus said:

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.

That’s true perfect preservation from the One who created all things. Come to Christ and live Muslims, He’s waiting for you with open arms. Instead of adhering to the “holes in the narrative” you need to come to the One who has Holes in His hands and feet.

The Quran Misunderstands The term “The Son of God”

On December 2, 2020December 2, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

If you’ve had the pleasure to speak with Muslims about who is Jesus Christ, you’ll hear them say things like “we love Jesus”, “we have an entire Surah about his mother Mary” or “Jesus was a prophet”. This is typically the response you’ll receive on the deity of Christ.

They’ll respond with specific questions to attack the biblical position of who is Christ. This article will answer some of the questions posed by our lost Muslim friends.

Muslims reject Jesus Christ as God is because of the term “The Son of God”, they think Christians believe that Christ was produced by sexual relations because the Bible uses the term “The Son of God”. This of course is preposterous, the confusion stems from reading Surah 6:101 which says:

Sahih International: [He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing. — Surah 6:101

The Tafsir (commentaries from Muslim scholars) Ibn Al Kathir says: “(How can He have children when He has no wife) for the child is the offspring of two compatible spouses. Allah does not have an equal, none of His creatures are similar to Him, for He alone created the entire creation”.

Muslims actually think the term “the Son of God” means we’re talking about a biological son the same way us humans are born. This is completely wrong, Christians do not believe that.

Muslims think Christians believe God had sexual relations with His “wife” and produced Jesus Christ! This is in-fact an erroneous misrepresentation of the biblical belief of Christianity. Let’s answer some of their arguments.

Muslim Argument #1 You worship a man who was a baby in the womb of his mother and the mother used to clean your god, and breastfeed him when he cried out of hunger!

Christian Response: Muslims cannot grasp that The Word (Jesus) is God (John 1:1) was made flesh (John 1:14) through the virgin birth of Mary (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 31:22; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35).

Jesus Christ while He is God was “made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-8). He is truly a Man “yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Christians have always held to the doctrine that Christ is both fully God and fully Man (called the hypostatic union). God became a Man and as a human He experienced the same as we do including birth. As a Man He became hungry, ate, slept etc. While never losing His deity.

The Bible never speaks of Mary “cleaning” or “breastfeeding” Christ as a baby. We do know that human baby’s do need these things to grow, therefore, if Christ was truly Man He also would have went through the process of human growth just as we. There’s no shame in this as God created women to care, nourish and comfort. These are necessary for human growth.

There’s nothing here which takes away from the Lord Jesus as God just because He experienced what we humans do. This makes Christ unique because He can relate to us, Allah cannot relate to humans and remains distant in every way. But the Christians God has compassion and love, our God wants a relationship with us.

Muslim Argument #2 How can Jesus be God when he said the following clear statement in the Bible John 8:40 “but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.”

Christian Response: If context means anything our Muslim friends would see in this same chapter the Lord Jesus in speaking with the Jews declares His deity. The context is Christ is speaking to the Jews in the temple telling them if they keep His saying they will never see death.

John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

The Jews at this time accuse Jesus Christ of being possessed by a devil, which is tantamount to blaspheming the Holy Spirit. They go onto ask if Christ thinks Himself to be greater than Abraham and the prophets, and ask the Lord Jesus to give a testimony to His claims.

John 8:52-53 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

The Lord Jesus answers telling them He’s not honouring Himself, but His Father does honour Him who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He then tells them the Jews don’t know Him (God) but if Christ would say He also didn’t know the Father He would be lying which He cannot do; because He keeps the Father’s words.

John 8:54-55 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Here’s the crucial part in which the Muslim argument fails miserably. The Lord Jesus says Abraham was looking forward to see Christ. And He did which means that Christ is saying in the Old Testament He was there and Abraham saw Him. We know that Abraham saw the LORD God, and here we have the Lord Jesus saying Abraham saw Him.

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.

The Jews couldn’t understand this they knew Abraham lived many hundreds of years before their time, yet Christ is saying Abraham saw Him, how can that be?

John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Here’s the main point, Christ then says to the Jews.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

This caused the Jews to want to stone (kill) Christ, why, what’s the significance of saying “Before Abraham was, I am.”? Well the Jews knew He was claiming deity, Jesus Christ was saying He’s the same I AM THAT I AM found in the book of Exodus 3:14 who spoke to Moses out of the burning bush which says: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

This caused the Jews to be infuriated therefore they wanted to kill Him. Our Muslim friends are using 1 verse to try to dispute the deity of Christ and in doing so they went to a very powerful chapter which proves that Jesus Christ is God.

Muslim Argument #3 The Bible says that at times of weakness angels strengthened Jesus. God, however, does not need to be strengthened. Humans need to be strengthened; God does not because God is All-Powerful. If Jesus had to be strengthened, he must not be God. ‘An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him – in the garden of Gethsemane’ (Luke 22:43) ‘Then the devil left him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him’ (Mark. 1:13) ‘And he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to him.’ (Mark 1:13)

Christian Response: Its truly amazing how Muslims fail to realise that Christians believe Christ has 2 natures, He’s God (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:8-12), and He’s truly Man (Hebrews 3:3; Hebrews 7:24; Hebrews 10:12). When ever Christ is being considered we must always remember as a Man Christ became hungry, tired and slept. He said things like “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5:30) or “for my Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). Yet we’re told that Jesus Christ “created all things” (Colossians 1:16), “created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9).

Muslims shoot themselves in the foot when they claim Jesus is not God. In their own Quran “Jesus” also called Isa by Muslims can create the same as Allah. We read the Jesus created birds of clay when he designed them and breathed on them. It also says Jesus spoke to people while He was in the cradle etc. The Quran actually plagiarized many teachings from other books.

The mention of Jesus speaking from the cradle as a baby was taken from the apocrypha, more specifically the Gospel of Thomas. The apocrypha is not inspired by God, therefore, we reject the Apocryphal Accounts, but it shows how the Quran did take stories from books such as the Talmud, Targums, Apocrypha as well as from the Torah and New Testament (Gospels).

Sahih International: [The Day] when Allah will say, “O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, “This is not but obvious magic.” — Surah 5:110

The Quran takes the account from the The Infancy Gospel of Thomas.

“Then he took from the bank of the stream some soft clay and formed out of it twelve sparrows; and there were other boys playing with him. But a certain Jew seeing the things which he was doing, namely, his forming clay into the figures of sparrows on the Sabbath day, went presently away and told his father Joseph, Behold, your boy is playing by the river side, and has taken clay and formed it into twelve sparrows, and profanes the Sabbath. Then Joseph came to the place where he was, and when he saw him, called to him, and said, Why do you that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day? Then Jesus clapping together the palms of his hands, called to the sparrows, and said to them: Go, fly away; and while you live remember me. So the sparrows fled away, making a noise. The Jews seeing this, were astonished and went away and told their chief persons what a strange miracle they had seen wrought by Jesus.” — The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Conclusion is we can determine that Muslims are completely wrong about the deity of Christ Jesus, the Bible proves He is God, we also can prove from the Quran itself that their version of “Jesus” can create life out nothing (clay birds). We also see how the Quran plagiarized teachings from other books. Our dear Muslim friends, Muhammad is a false prophet, the Quran is a false book and Allah is a false God. The Lord Jesus Christ has His arms open ready to welcome you, if you come to Him you will be saved and have everlasting life.

Answering Muslim Objections

On November 20, 2020November 20, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

When dealing with Muslim arguments we must keep in mind that context is key to understanding any verse, as they’re not to be taken in isolation of others verses. Muslims learn from early on to attack the Bible, Islamic apologist such as Ahmed Dedat, Dr. Zakir Naik, Shabir Ally have been leading the way and we as Christians need to know how to respond to such arguments.

Unfortunately, many Christians are not learning how to refute these arguments. It’s important to know what you believe and why you believe it. Below are some Muslims arguments and the response to those arguments.

(1) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: I came only for the lost sheep of Israel. (Jesus says, ”I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”— Matthew 15:24) Christians say No, you came for all mankind.

Christian Response: Matthew 15:23 tells us that Jesus’ disciples came and urged Him to send her away. In the previous verses we see this was a woman of Canaan who came to Jesus asking for help because her daughter is grievously vexed with a devil (Matthew 15:22).

The Lord Jesus was quiet at first not saying a word and the disciples asked to send her away. This is when Christ says “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”. What did this mean exactly?

The plan of God was to first bring the good news to Israel, but this in no way disqualifies the Gentiles from salvation. Christ came to save sinners, which includes both Jew and Gentile but in keeping with the plan of God He makes it known that He did not come to the Gentiles He came to the nation of Israel first. The Lord Jesus was fulfilling all the Messianic Prophecies.

He knew that He was to be rejected of His own people (Israel). But Christ came to be the Saviour of the world which includes Gentiles.

Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

She was not upset by this response. Ceasing to use the title Son of David, as this title was typically used by Israelites not Gentiles. She worshipped the Lord saying, “Lord help me!” (Matthew 15:25) If she didn’t come to Him as a Jew to her Messiah, she would address Him her Creator.

(2) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: the only true God is the Father. (“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent,” (John 17:3).) Christians say No, your are also the true God.

Christian Response: A favourite verses of mine which proves the Deity of Christ as God. The Bible is originally written in Hebrew (Torah/Tanakh) and Greek (Injeel/Gospel). The Greek construction uses the copulative kai which conjoins the Father and Son in this verse as being the “the only true God”.

αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ αἰώνιος ζωή ἵνα γινώσκωσιν σὲ τὸν μόνον ἀληθινὸν θεὸν καὶ ὃν ἀπέστειλας Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν

In other passages, we see that the Son is equal to God the Father (John 5:18), also in John verses (John 1:1-3) were told that Jesus was πρὸς τὸν θεόν face to face with the Father as infinitely far back as you can go Ἐν ἀρχῇ before creation existed, then it says καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος and God was the Word the Word being another name for Jesus Christ.

v2 tells us that He (Jesus) was with God (the Father) in the beginning, v3 says that all things were made by Jesus Christ, including the Muslim.

(3) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: I on my ownself can do nothing (“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me”-.John 5:30) Christians say No, you can do everything.

Christian Response: How is it Muslims quote verses partially, on the surface it seems like it proves their point but it actually doesn’t. At first “I can of mine own self do nothing” seems to say that the Lord Jesus did not have the power to do anything by Himself. However, this is not the case. The thought is that Christ is so closely united with God the Father that He could not act by Himself. He could not do anything outside of God’s authority, if He did that would be an act of disobedience which would be sin. And the scriptures say that God cannot sin.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

There’s no possibility of unwillingness in Christ. He perfectly obeyed God the Father in the fullness of fellowship and harmony. This verse is often used by false teachers to support their claims that Jesus Christ was not God. They say that because He could not do anything of His own self, therefore, He was only a man, but the verse proves the opposite.

Men have the choice to do the things they want, whether, in accordance with the will of God or not. But because of who Christ is, the Lord Jesus couldn’t act in disobedience. It was not a physical impossibility but moral impossible. He has the power as God to do all things, but He wouldn’t do anything that was wrong. And it would have been sin for Him to have done anything that was not His Father’s will.

(4) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: the lord our God is ONE. (The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one”-Mark 12:29) Christians say No, The Lord our God is 3 in one.

Christian Response: We believe: There is one God, who exists as three co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial divine persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit God is sovereign and self-existent, and is perfectly omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, immutable, holy, righteous and loving. (John 1:1, Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1:11, 1 John 1:5, 4:16)

Muslims don’t understand that Christians believe in 1 God, not 3 God’s. Nobody deny’s that God the Father is God. The issue is when talking about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As demonstrated John 1:1-3 says Jesus made all things, again in the book of Colossians it says speaking of Christ “all things were made by Him”.

Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Note: it says everything was created by Christ, both visible and invisible, things in heaven and earth. This is more proof of Jesus Christ as the Creator. In Hebrews there’s another passage which says:

Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Note: Jesus Christ is attributed as the One who “in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth” He also created the heavens which says “and the heavens are the works of thine hands:”. Only God created the heavens and the earth, and here it says Jesus did it. And it also says that Christ is immutable when it mentions the earth and heaven will pass away (wax old/perish) but He remains “but thou remainest” and He will always remain “but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

This passage in Hebrews is also a quote from Psalms 102 which says:

Psalm 102:25-27 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end.

The same words spoken of Yahweh are later attributed to Jesus Christ.

(5) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: if you want eternal life then keep the commandments. (“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments”-Matthew 19:17) Christians say No, if you want eternal life then believe that Jesus died for your sin.

Christian Response: This is one of the most misunderstood passages, many who deny the deity of Christ will claim Christ is saying He’s not good. By reading the context we know this is not the case. This passage is known as The Rich Young Ruler. This young man came to Jesus asking what must He do “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

The young man was relying on his good works, like Muslims. The problem is that none of us are perfect and God requires perfection. The Bible says:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Psalm 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

We all are in the same boat as guilty sinners, in the book of Isaiah it says that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” basically all our good deeds are like a menstrual rag in the sight of God.

The question from the rich young ruler showed his ignorance of the identity of Christ and the way of salvation. He called Jesus “Teacher” placing Him on the same level as other men. And spake of meriting eternal life as a debt rather than as a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

As for Jesus saying there is none good, the Lord examined him on 2 points. Asking “Why do you call Me good? There is no one good but One that is God” Jesus was not denying His own deity, but was providing the man with an opportunity to profess, “That’s why I call You good—You are God.”

Testing him on the way of salvation Jesus said: “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” The Lord wasn’t saying that it’s possible to be saved by keeping the commandments, rather, He was using the Law to bring forth conviction of sin in the rich young ruler’s heart. The man was still under the delusion he could be saved on the principle of doing. The Law was made as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.

Galatians 3:24-25 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Therefore, the rich young ruler misunderstood, he thought just as Muslims do that it was possible to keep the commandments for eternal life, but it’s not. Only Jesus Christ was able to do it because He alone is sinless because He is God.

(6) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: I cry and pray God to save me from death and God hear my pray. (Psalms 86:1-17) Christians say No, God didn’t saved him.

Christian Response: This Psalm is entitled “a prayer of David;’ probably it was not penned upon any particular occasion, but was a prayer he often used himself, and recommended to others for their use, especially in a day of affliction. Many believe David wrote this prayer as a type of Christ, “who in the days of his flesh offered up strong cries,’ Hebrews 5:7. David, in this prayer.

Christians do claim that God saved Christ, the Psalmist David wrote concerning Christ being raised from the dead saying:

Psalm 16:9-11 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

This quote from Psalms is restated in the book of Acts from the apostle Peter when he said: “For David speaketh concerning him” (Act 2:25).

Acts 2:26-28 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

(7) Muslim Argument: Jesus said: my father is greater than I. (John 14:28, “The Father is greater than I.”) Christians say No, Father is not greater than Jesus. They both are the same.

Christian Response: lastly another greatly misunderstood verse. The Hypostatic Union informs us that Jesus Christ has 2 natures, He’s both fully God and fully Man. He created all things as God, yet when He became a Man in the incarnation (virgin birth) He took on our human nature, and as a man He got tired, ate food, slept etc.

At first there seems as if this verse John 14:28 contradicts everything Christ taught concerning His equality with God the Father. But there’s no contradiction, and the passage explains itself. When Jesus was here on earth He was surrounded by enemies, He was despised, hunted, persecuted and pursued. Men blasphemed Him, reviled Him, and spat on Him. He was surrounded by His enemies.

God the Father never suffered such rude treatment from men. He dwelt in heaven, far away from the wickedness of sinners. Therefore, the Father was “greater” than Jesus Christ at that time because He (Father) sat in heaven in a greater position. But in essence, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal sharing the same in being/nature/essence. All 3 are the 1 God in being.

Humans have the same in nature, they’re both humans with the same nature, but still are 2 distinct persons. As God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are 3 distinct persons but have the same nature/essence/being.

Jesus Christ was rejected of His people and this parable found in the book of Mark speaks of it.

Mark 12:1-9 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A [certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about [it], and digged [a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught [him], and beat him, and sent [him] away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed [him], and cast [him] out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

The parable speaks of the prophets (servants) who were sent by God to Israel (husbandmen) in delivering a message. But the people of Israel didn’t listen they “beat” them and “cast stones” at them and “they killed” those servants (prophets).

It says this man (God) had a Son (Jesus) and sent His Son to the husbandmen (Israel) saying “They will reverence my son” or respect my Son. But the husbandmen killed Him (Jesus).

When knowing the background and context of passages in scripture we can effectively answer the Muslim arguments brought about by Muslim apologist.

The Crucifixion of Christ from Internal and External Sources

On November 9, 2020November 9, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn Bible ReadingsLeave a comment

Truth will always be able to stand the test of scrutiny, since the first century the death, burial and crucifixion of Christ has been attacked countless of times by the Gnostics and others. But truth can never be refuted, the Lord Jesus said that He is the Truth, this is why He will always be above all.

Internal Evidence (Biblical)

The Lord Jesus Christ said about His own crucifixion:

Matthew 20:17-19 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mark 10:33-34 [Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 18:31-33 Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Matthew, Mark and Luke informs us that Christ was not secretive about His death, He (Jesus) plainly mentioned to His disciples that He would be “condemn to death” by being delivered “to the Gentiles”. As we know Pontius Pilate was the Roman (Gentile) governer in Judea at the time, the Jewish leaders persuaded Pilate to crucify the Lord Jesus.

The Jews crying out crucify Him in the Gospel of John:

John 19:6, 15-16 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him. … But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away.

The apostle John fills in some information we see Pilate replied “Shall I crucify your King?” the Jews answering Pilate said “We have no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15). The Jews rejected Christ as their Messiah (King) the didn’t recognise the time of their visitation from the Lord.

All four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) record the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. We have the words of Christ Himself and the testimony of the Jews and Pontius Pilate. All the verses are explicit that the Lord Jesus would be crucified. In the epistles we are given more scriptures concerning Christ crucifixion.

The apostle Peter:

Acts 2:22-24 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

We have another apostle (Peter) of the inner circle also mentioning the crucifixion of Christ. How wicked men laid hold on Christ, crucified and slain Him. And how God raised up Christ from death, as it was not possible for death to keep the Lord Jesus from rising from the dead.

The apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Paul the apostle to the Gentiles tells us they (the Jews) wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of Glory if they would have known beforehand who He was. It was ordained by God that Christ should taste death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). Moving backwards into the Old Testament the Prophets also spoke about the One to come who would suffer.

The prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 53:4-10 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

The prophet Isaiah mentions he was (speaking in the singular tense) bruised for our iniquities, he also mentions this individual having stripes and with them we are healed. This gives a picture of the flogging the Lord Jesus endured. Isaiah goes unto say the LORD laid on this individual the iniquities of us all. As we know Christ bore our sins in His body (1 Peter 2:24). How he was cut off out of the land of the living, he never done violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth; This is speaking of Christ.

The prophet Zechariah:

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

Here we see the LORD is speaking and says they (those who crucified Christ) shall look upon the LORD who they pierced. The Jews don’t deny that Christ was crucified, they just don’t accept Him as their Messiah.

The Psalmist king David speaking by the Spirit of God says:

Psalm 22:15-18 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

We can see a common theme running through the pages of scripture which speak of the One who would come, He would be “pierced” the Lord Jesus had His hands and feet pierced, in addition the Roman soldiers had cast lots for His (Christ) garments (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23,24).

External Evidence (Non- Christian)

The next 2 sources have no sympathy for Christianity yet both agree that Christ indeed was crucified, which further proves what the Bible says.

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus:

Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews

Note that Josephus speaks of Jesus Christ as being “a wise man”, “a doer of wonderful works” etc. We know that in our Bible Christ spoke with the Jews in the temple as a child and they were amazed at His wisdom (Luke 2:46-47). Josephus continues saying Christ drew both Jews and Gentiles to Himself, these would be recognised as believers. Flavius even mentions He was called The Christ which means “the anointed One”. Pilate is also mentioned as the one who condemned Him to the cross because of “the principal men”, he even speaks of Christ resurrection saying “for He appeared to them alive again the third day”. And lastly followers of Christ are called Christians which he also mentions.

Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals

But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind.
Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals

Also Cornelius Tacitus speaks of those who were called Christians, and he used the Roman name for Jesus “Christus”saying He suffered the extreme penalty. Once again Pontius Pilatus is mentioned as the one who carried this penalty through. As we’ve seen that outside sources also testify of the crucifixion of Christ.

The death, burial and resurrection of Christ cannot be denied, and its wonderful when we see the truth stand high above all the lies. The Lord Jesus is risen and He conquered death and hell.

Islam is continuing its terror campaign (Vienna)

On November 3, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

The world is falling into deeper turmoil by the day it seems. Islamic terrorist attacks are quickly becoming the norm in the last few days. Another horrific attack by the “religion of peace” took place.

Gunmen attacked multiple locations (6) in central Vienna this Monday beginning outside a synagogue, killing two people and injuring 14 in what Austria called a “repulsive terror attack” while hunting one or more assailants on the loose.

Terror attack in Vienna: Police raid gunman’s house with explosives

It’s at this time that Christians need to pray for these families which are hurting from these current attacks. Followers of Islam are waging war against anyone who is not a follower of Islam. The people who are committing these acts of terror are lost and blinded by their own sin. May they come to know the love of God through our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The Peaceful Religion of Islam at Work Again

On November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

The “religion of peace” has been busy at work showing us how loving and peaceful Islam truly is, the latest incident involving Islamist radicals occurred 2 days ago, in which 3 people died from a knife attack at a church located in Nice France.

To take things further the “religion of peace” also “virtually beheaded” a elderly woman, in addition to a woman and man who also were killed. The country of France has raised its security level to its highest level. The man who committed these heinous crimes has been identified as Brahim Aioussaoi a 21 year old Tunisian who recently arrived in France. It seems he was able to obtain documentation from Italy through Red Cross.

I’ve noticed in speaking with Muslims that they’re quick to deny any individual as a “Muslim” if he/she commits such an act. Yet, if Muslims were honest with themselves they would admit that the Quran and Hadith’s call for violence. We can find scores of violence verses in which Muslims are told to fight against unbelievers, to subjugate people until they profess in Allah and Muhammad.

Here’s one:
Muhsin Khan: Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. — Surah At-Tawbah 9:29

Here we see Muslims are commanded to (1) fight against those who (2) don’t believe in Allah. This can’t be in reference to a “war” because it’s contingent on the person’s “belief” or “non-belief” in Allah. This means Muslims are told to fight any non-Muslim because they don’t believe in Allah.

This makes perfect sense in light of what we’re seeing taking place in France. The attack at a church was against people who obviously don’t believe in Allah. Therefore, this man who committed this crime is following what Islam teaches.

This killing came 2 weeks after the beheading of a school teacher after he showed his students cartoons of “Prophet Mohammed”. Muslims are trying to shutdown freedom of speech through intimidation and violence, for 1400 years this has been the tactics employed by the “religion of peace”.

Our prayers go out to those who were killed and their families, killing is never justified no matter how offended one might be. Muslims and other non-Christian groups insult our faith all the time, but you’re not seeing Christians heading to the streets to slaughter people because of being offended.

The Lord Jesus told believers to love and pray for our enemies found in (Matthew 5:44), He said if we only love others who love us in return how is that true love (Matthew 5:46). Paul the apostle building upon the foundation of Christ said in the book of Romans if our enemy is hungry to feed them, and if they are thirsty give them something to drink (Romans 12:20). We as Christians are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

David’s son king Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs this very same teaching which is were Paul speaks of in Romans. Solomon said: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”.

A huge contrast to what Islam teaches, in the Quran the teachings go from peaceful and progressively become violent. In the Bible we can’t deny the violence which took place in the Old Testament but our teachings are progressively peaceful. In the New Testament you will never find a command given to Christians to fight and kill people. On the contrary, we find the opposite in which Christians are commanded to Love our enemies. Praise the LORD that we have a God of infinite love.

The Religion of Peace Strikes Again (India)

On October 29, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

A young lady by the name of Nikita Tomar (20 year old) is the recent victim of the “religion of peace”. According to Times of India a young Muslim man by the name of Touseef developed an obsession with Nikita and has been harassing her for months, because of this she filed a molestation complaint against Touseef.

Touseef sought to force Nikita into marrying him, in Islam Muslim men are allowed to marry not just Muslim women but also Christian and Jewish women. But because Nikita was a Hindu, Touseef was not allowed to marry her unless she converted to Islam first.

On 1pm Monday Nikita was at Agarwal College in Ballabgarh area of Faridabad to take an exam. At 4pm she was confronted by Touseef and his accomplice Rehan arrived in a white car and sought to kidnap her and force her into marriage. As they tried dragging her into the car Nikita managed to break free from Touseef’s grip it was then that Touseef pulled out a gun from his pocket shooting her in the head killing her instantly.

If you want to read the Indian article feel free to read it here: Faridabad murder: Accused wanted Nikita Tomar to convert, marry him

The fable of Holey Quran Preservation

On October 26, 2020October 24, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World Religions2 Comments

Today we’re taking a look at another Quran variant found in Surah 18:86. Our Muslim friends continuously tell us, the Quran has been perfectly preserved from any error. Every word, dot, letter and sound is the same throughout the whole world. One of Islam’s most highly esteemed scholars said in an interview with Muhammad Hijab in regards to the preservation of the Quran:

“The standard narrative has holes in it” — Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

Currently there’s been 40 Arabic Quran’s found which are being observed by textual critics and these critics have found more than 90,000 textual variants. These variants a lot of times will change the meaning of a verse which is in direct conflict with the other Quranic version.

For our purposes today we’re going to compare the Hafs Quran against the Ibn Jamaz Quran, reading from Yusuf Ali it says:

Yusuf Ali: Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: “O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.”
Surah 18:86

Let’s look at the differences between the 2 versions, in the Hafs it says “a spring of murky water” the word in Arabic for murky is hami’atin. The same verse in Ibn Jamaz reads “a spring of extremely hot water” the word there for extremely hot is haameiyatin. We’ve established these are 2 different words with different meanings.

Viewing the 2 verses together it becomes more apparent that the two meanings are completely different:

Hafs Quran: hami’atin “murky”
Ayat: Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: “O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.”

Ibn Jamaz Quran: haameiyatin “Extremely hot”
Ayat: Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of extremely hot water: Near it he found a People: We said: “O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.”

The question must be asked: Does the sun set in murky, or extrememly hot water? There’s quite a difference between dark and gloomy, and extremely hot water.

If it’s not clear that these are different to our Muslim friends, it would seem that they need to perform mental gymnastics for them to believe that the Quran has been “perfectly preserved”. Time and time again Muslims are being lied to by there Islamic scholars and Imam’s.

We Christians don’t have this problem, while there are different English translations of the Bible this in no way affects the underlining text. Muslims consistently claim the Bible has been changed, they don’t understand that our Bibles are translated from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

Therefore, the English rendering is no problem whether one version says “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” or “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” doesn’t change the doctrine/meaning of the verse in view. The Quran on the other hand has a huge dilemma, because the issue lies within its original Arabic text.

Muslims come to Jesus Christ and leave Islam, there’s no hope in Islam but with Christ Jesus there’s everlasting life awaiting. The Lord Jesus said:

John 5:39-40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Notice Jesus Christ says to come to Him for eternal life, only a person saves and that’s the Son of God Jesus Christ. Muslims listen to the conflicting statements from Dr. Sheikh Yasir Qadhi on the following video.

Islam’s Connection towards Slavery and Racism

On October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

The “religion of peace” is shrouded in slavery and racism, Muslims are unaware that Muhammad shared a common passion along side names such as: David Rice Atchison an owner of many slaves and a plantation. Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador who always searched for gold and slaves while enlarging his territory. Robert Ruffin Barrow was an American sugar planter and slave owner from Louisiana. He owned a dozen plantations and hundreds of slaves.

Muhammad’s name is among such people, we can look into the Muslim sources to see what’s been documented about ha-Meshuggah (Hebrew: מְשֻׁגָּע‬‎, “the Madman” or “the Possessed”) as the Jews called him.

In the Bible the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob hated slavery, it’s a common theme running through the Bible. One such event comes to mind which is the captivity of the children of Israel in Egypt. The Israelites came into bondage. Israel’s sons sold Joseph into slavery recorded in the book of Genesis.

Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Joseph lived in Egypt for 17 years. During that time he gained the favour of Pharaoh and became second ruler only to Pharaoh himself. There was a great famine and Jacob brought his father (Israel) and brothers into Egypt after years of believing Joseph was dead. Information about Joseph is found in Genesis chapters 37-50.

After the death of Jospeh the 2nd Pharaoh at that time didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8) and placed the children of Israel under slavery. They were under hard bondage for 400 years, in which God raised up a deliver in Moses. God used Moses to free the Israelites out of slavery, proving the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is against slavery.

What about Islam? The best way to view Islam’s position on slavery is to look at Muhammad “the best example to mankind” according to Muslims. I must admit before looking into it my first impression of Muhammad was that he was a dark man.

To my surprise I found out that Muhammad is actually a white man. The Hadith’s give us insight into what he looked like, such words used to describe him are: white thigh, white armpit, white man and rosy color. Let’s first establish this fact of Muhammad’s “whiteness”.

White thigh
Narrated Abdul Aziz Anas said, ‘When Allah’s Apostle invaded Khaibar, we offered the Fajr prayer there (early in the morning) when it was still dark. The Prophet rode and Abu Talha rode too and I was riding behind Abu Talha. The Prophet passed through the lane of Khaibar quickly and my knee was touching the thigh of the Prophet. He uncovered his thigh and I saw the whiteness of the thigh of the Prophet. … — Sahih al-Bukhari 371, Book 8, Hadith 23, Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 367

White armpit
The narrator Anas added that the Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands (during the invocation) to such an extent that the whiteness of his armpits was visible. — Sahih al-Bukhari 1030, Book 15, Hadith 25, Vol. 2, Book 17, Hadith 140

White man
Narrated Anas bin Malik: While we were sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel down in the mosque, tied its foreleg and then said: “Who amongst you is Muhammad?” At that time the Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting amongst us (his companions) leaning on his arm. We replied, “This white man reclining on his arm.” … — Sahih al-Bukhari 63, Book 3, Hadith 5, Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 63

Rosy color
Narrated Rabi`a bin Abi `Abdur-Rahman: I heard Anas bin Malik describing the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “He was of medium height amongst the people, neither tall nor short; he had a rosy color, neither absolutely white nor deep brown; his hair was neither completely curly nor quite lank. …” — Sahih al-Bukhari 3547, Book 61, Hadith 56, Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 747

It’s clear Muhammad wanted us to know how white he was, establishing these facts through the Muslim sources we can see how important it was to him. Moving one we’ll see that Muhammad owned black slaves.

Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported: There came a slave and pledg- ed allegiance to Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) on migration; he (the Holy Prophet) did not know that he was a slave. Then there came his master and demanded him back, whereupon Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) said: Sell him to me. And he bought him for two black slaves, and he did not afterwards take allegiance from anyone until he had asked him whether he was a slave (or a free man) — Sahih Muslim 1602, Book 22, Hadith 152, Book 10, Hadith 3901

Yahya related to me from Malik from Thawr ibn Zayd ad-Dili from Abu’l-Ghayth Salim, the mawla of ibn Muti that Abu Hurayra said, “We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the yearof Khaybar. We did not capture any gold or silver except for personal effects, clothes, and baggage. Rifaa ibn Zayd presented a black slave boy to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, whose name was Midam. … — Book 21, Hadith 25, Book 21, Hadith 986

I came and behold, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was staying on a Mashroba (attic room) and a black slave of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was at the top if its stairs. I said to him, “(Tell the Prophet) that here is `Umar bin Al- Khattab (asking for permission to enter).” Then he admitted me. — Sahih al-Bukhari 7263, Book 95, Hadith 17, Vol. 9, Book 91, Hadith 368

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was on a journey and he had a black slave called Anjasha, and he was driving the camels (very fast, and there were women riding on those camels). Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Waihaka (May Allah be merciful to you), O Anjasha! Drive slowly (the camels) with the glass vessels (women)!” — Sahih al-Bukhari 6161, Book 78, Hadith 187, Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 182

Narrated `Urwa on the authority of `Aisha: On the days of Mina, (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) Abu Bakr came to her while two young girls were beating the tambourine and the Prophet (ﷺ) was lying covered with his clothes. Abu Bakr scolded them and the Prophet (ﷺ) uncovered his face and said to Abu Bakr, “Leave them, for these days are the days of `Id and the days of Mina.” `Aisha further said, “Once the Prophet (ﷺ) was screening me and I was watching the display of black slaves in the Mosque and (`Umar) scolded them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Leave them. O Bani Arfida! (carry on), you are safe (protected)’.” — Sahih al-Bukhari 987, 988, Book 13, Hadith 36, Vol. 2, Book 15, Hadith 103

Seems Muhammad was fond of owning black slaves, for a religion which claims to be “peaceful” and grant equal rights to people these Hadith’s contradict that narrative. Lastly, what’s Islam’s view on the position of black people? We’re told that satan looks like a black man.

The apostle said, “Whoever wants to see Satan let him take a look at Nabtal b. al-Harith!” He was a sturdy black man with long flowing hair, inflamed eyes, and dark ruddy cheeks. … (Sura 9:61) (Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasulallah, translated as, The Life of Muhammad by A. Guillaume, page 243)

Mohsin Khan: On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said): “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting Faith.” — Surah 3:106

There’s your proof, Islam is rife with racism, Muhammad is reported as saying that whites will go to Jannah (Paradise) while blacks will go to Hell. How can this be a “religion of peace”, Muslims read your own sources. These verses show Islam is false, a man made religion which places you in bondage. Come to Jesus Christ for freedom and salvation.

French teacher beheaded for discussing cartoon of Muhammad

On October 16, 2020 By Whatsoever Things Are TrueIn World ReligionsLeave a comment

The “religion of peace” strikes again as a french teacher was beheaded for discussing about cartoon caricatures of Islam’s “prophet” Muhammad. How many times have we heard from devout Muslims that Islam is a “religion of peace”?

No don’t get me wrong not every Muslim is looking to behead someone, there are some nice people who happen to be Muslim. Unfortunately, they aren’t truly following the teachings of Islam. Muhammad was known as a war monger, he killed Jews, raped women and owned black slaves.

The tragic event that happened in France is actually the true face of Islam. Even their own Islamic sources tell us how violent true followers of Islam are from the following Hadith.

It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah said:I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer, and pay Zakat and if they do it, their blood and property are guaranteed protection on my behalf except when justified by law, and their affairs rest with Allah.
Sahih Muslim 22, Book 1, Hadith 36, Book 1, Hadith 33

Make no mistake the teachings of Muhammad are rife with violent subjugation of non-Muslims. It’s very disheartening to hear of this horrific event. We pray that Muslims will wake up and come out of the darkness of Islam and into the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can read the latest news articles concerning what’s happening in France right now at the following links:

French leader decries terrorist beheading of teacher
Grisly beheading of teacher in terror attack rattles France