Exploring Islam and Christianity

Exploring the Bible and the Qur’an

I. Introduction to the Bible and the Qur’an

Bible Stats: Bible – biblios – “book” or “The Book” 40 writers over 1500 years. 66 books: 39 O.T. & 27 N.T. 3 languages: Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic. NO Contradictions – It is Truth.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit The Bible: Inspired by the Holy Spirit

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21

Al-QUR’AN Stats: QUR’AN means “Recitation” 1 author, over 20 years in Arabic.

Surah 17: 105-106 We have sent it down with truth, and with truth has (the QUR’AN) come down. And We have sent you only to give good news and to warn. We have divided the QUR’AN into parts that you may recite it to men slowly, with deliberation. That is why we sent it down by degrees.

Al-QUR’AN Stats: QUR’AN – “Recitation” 1 author, over 20 years in Arabic. 2 locations: Mecca & Medina Composed of 114 Surahs, varying lengths. Ordered from longest to shortest, NOT chronologically.

Muhammad’s revelation came by Angel Gabriel. Al-QUR’AN Muhammad’s revelation came by Angel Gabriel.

Surah 2:97 Say: “Whosoever is the enemy of Gabriel who revealed the word of God to you by the dispensation of God, reaffirming what had been revealed before, and is a guidance and good news for those who believe.

The Bible: Inspired by the Holy Spirit N.T. claims the final, authoritative Revelation

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1: 6-8

Al-QUR’AN Muhammad’s revelation came by Angel Gabriel. It claims to respect previous scripture yet asserts superiority.

Surah 3:3 He has verily revealed to you this Book, in truth and confirmation of the Books revealed before, as indeed He revealed the Torah and the Gospel

Surah 2:136 Say: “We believe in God and what has been sent down to us, and what had been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their progeny, and that which was given to Moses and Christ, and to all other prophets by the Lord. We make no distinction among them, and we submit to Him.”

Surah 9:33 It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true faith in order to make it superior to other systems of belief, even though the idolaters may not like it.

Surah 47:2 But those who believe and do the right, and believe what has been revealed to Muhammad, which is the truth from their Lord, will have their faults condoned by Him and their state improved.

II. The Qur’an – A Later-Day Revelation

Surah 3:3 He has verily revealed to you this Book, in truth and confirmation of the Books revealed before, as indeed He revealed the Torah and the Gospel

Islamic doctrine of “tahrif” The corruption of Jewish & Christian scriptures. Jews/ Christians disregarded and polluted their scriptures, “Allah’s” word

Surah 22:52 We have sent no messenger or apostle before you with whose recitations Satan did not tamper. Yet God abrogates what Satan interpolates; then He confirms His revelations, for God is all-knowing and all-wise.

Jews/ Christians… Concealed, … The word of “Allah”

Surah 3:71 O people of the Book, why do you mix the false with the true, and hide the truth knowingly?

Jews/ Christians… Concealed, Verbally distorted, … The word of “Allah”

Surah 3:78 Among them is a section which distorts in reading the Scripture in a way that though it sounds like the Scripture, in fact it is not; and they lie about God, and knowingly.

Jews/ Christians… Concealed, Verbally distorted, Don’t believe … The word of “Allah”

Surah 2:85b Do you, then, believe a part of the Book and reject a part? There is no other award for them who so act but disgrace in the world and on the Day of Judgment the severest of punishment; for God is not heedless of all that you do.

Jews/ Christians… Concealed, Verbally distorted, Don’t believe Ignorant … The word of “Allah”

Surah 2:78 Among them are heathens who know nothing of the Book but only what they wish to believe, and are only lost in fantasies.

Surah 7:157 Who follow the Messenger, the gentile Prophet, described in the Torah and the Gospel, who bids things noble and forbids things vile… Those who believe and honor and help him, and follow the light sent with him, are those who will attain their goal.”

Islam claims there’s a new “chosen” people: Muslims

Arabians That Responded… Given a religion: Islam

Surah 5:3 Today the unbelievers have lost every hope of (despoiling) your creed; so do not fear them, fear Me. Today I have perfected your system of belief and bestowed My favors upon you in full, and have chosen submission (al-Islam) as the creed for you.

Arabians That Responded… Given a religion: Islam Given a name: Muslim

Surah 22:78 He named you Muslim earlier, and in this (QU’RAN), in order that the Prophet be witness over you, and you be witness over mankind.

Arabians That Responded… Given a religion: Islam Given a name: Muslim Given a book: QUR’AN

Surah 3:3 He has verily revealed to you this Book, in truth and confirmation of the Books revealed before, as indeed He revealed the Torah and the Gospel

Surah 10:37 This QUR’AN is not such (a writ) as could be composed by anyone but God. It confirms what has been revealed before, and is an exposition of (Heaven’s) law. Without any doubt it’s from the Lord of all the worlds.

Surah 12:1-3 These are the verses of the immaculate Book. We have sent it down as a clear discourse that you may understand. Through the revelation of the QUR’AN We narrate the best of histories of which you were unaware before.

Surah 9:33 It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true faith in order to make it superior to other systems of belief, even though the idolaters may not like it.

Surah 26:192, 195 And this (QUR’AN) is a revelation from the Lord of all the worlds…In eloquent Arabic

Surah 16:103 Yet We know what they say: “It is only a man who instructs him.” The speech of the man they imply is obscure while this is clear Arabic.

Islamic doctrine of “ijaz al-Qur’an” Means “uncreated” Text of QUR’AN is eternal, existing in Paradise Inscribed on Tablets Perfect, Infallible, Unchangeable

This is indeed the glorious Qur’an (Preserved) on the guarded tablet. Surah 85:21-22 This is indeed the glorious Qur’an (Preserved) on the guarded tablet.

Surah 41:41-42 Those who reject the Reminder when it has come to them (should know) that it is a Book inviolate. Falsehood cannot enter it from any side: It’s a revelation from the all-wise and praiseworthy (God).

III. The Qur’an – Contradictions

Surah 19:27-28 False Statement Then she brought the child to her people. They exclaimed: “O Mary, you have done a most astonishing thing! O sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked person, nor your mother sinful!”

Surah 50:38 Contradiction We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, in Six Days, and no weariness came upon Us.

Surah 41:9, 12 Contradiction Say: “Do you refuse to believe in Him who created the earth in Two Days?” …He completed them as seven firmaments in Two Days, and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command.

Surah 3:85 Contradiction And whoever seeks a way other than submission to God, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the world to come.

Surah 2:62 Contradiction Surely the believers and the Jews, Nazareans (Christians) and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and whosever does right, shall have his reward with his Lord and will neither fear nor regret.

Islamic doctrine of Abrogation “When we cancel a message (sent to an earlier prophet) or to throw it into oblivion, We replace it with one better or one similar. Do you not know that God has power over all things?” (Surah 2:106)

Surah 16:101 Abrogation When we replace a message with another – and God knows best what He reveals – they say: “You have made it up;” yet most of them do not know.

The God of the Bible… Ps 119:89: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Matt 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” John 10:35: “…(and the Scripture cannot be broken)…” 1 Cor 14:33: “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1: 6-8