Question:
Please help I'm beginning to doubt my own religion?
2006-11-21 10:30:47 UTC
I am a chritian, and I love the lord very much. Even now he is pulling me through some very tough times. But as I go through the bible I am finding things being siad diffrently then what I've been tought as a christian. For example I was tought that the ones that don't except our lord will suffer in h***, and the ones that do except him will join him in heaven. But the bible says something diffrent, I cant quote the verse exactly but what I got from it meant that those that do not love the lord shall remain dead and those that know him to be their true savior shall rise agian WHEN HE RETURNS! What I don't understand is why my religion is saying somthing diffrent, becuase I thought the bible was the word of god himself written by his many appostles.
58 answers:
2006-11-21 10:37:47 UTC
Hun the bible is full of contradictions and pretty much the entire bible is full of lies....Im not trying to take away your beliefs but you really need to educate yourself on the truth. Remember.....people of all different religions have faith just like you do...but are they right? are you right? Who can tell....if you want to talk more just feel free to email me. And please....don't believe everything you read in the bible...remember its just a book. Do you believe in Allah? or Zeus? or buddah? NO? there are books about them too.
Wise1
2006-11-21 11:09:22 UTC
It is good that you ask questions, because those who have stopped asking questions and believe they understand the universe entirely are usually utter fools. Never, ever stop asking questions.



Remember that the Bible and how the church interprets it are two similar but not quite identical things. If you keep reading in this mindset, you will find additional contradictions and puzzles. Rather than talking about slavery and loyalty to the king in the Bible, I direct you to someone who has put a vast amount of effort into it:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/



There is nothing really wrong with the way the Church picks and chooses most of the time. The world is a better place without monarchy and slavery, and their destruction was aided by the Church's decision not to interpret those parts literally. However, they have also used their ability to decide how to interpret for evil, i.e. justifying hatred of homosexuals and being against birth control on an overpopulated planet. The leaders of all the churches in the world are just as human as you and I, and just as capable of committing errors of judgment.



There is a chance that you will become an atheist eventually if you keep thinking like this, and life will seem to lose meaning. If this starts to happen, I am always happy to give a sermon on positive ethics and philosophy for atheists.



I hope you find a truth of some sort soon.

-Wise1, 1:09 PM, 11/21/06
Nick T
2006-11-21 11:07:26 UTC
Please hear me out as I actually have a personal experience with this. I was raised Christian but never really believed until I listened to the Jahovas Witnesses and I started really getting into it. Although I never considered myself completely withen their society, I was definitly Christian and believed the bible above all else. I believed in my heart and soul God, I knew he'd always be there for me. I also believed that Christianity was the right way and other ways were wrong. In the end though I lost it because I realized that if someone believes in something 100%, mind, body, and soul, then it's true. Kind of like mind over matter, no religion is better then another. Everything is just a choice, what you choose to believe. Unfortunitly after realizing this I couldn't on a conscience level "choose" to be Christian and believe it 100% Now I am nothing, I am a learner, I don't believe in evolution, or any religion. People think I'm weird when I don't have an answer for how I think we got here, but I really don't have enough information. Intelligent design does seem to be the only thing that seems to make sense though, as this world is perfect for us. You can say it's the chance of all the trillions of trillions of stars and galaxys but I know that evolution doesn't work (if you look into it, past the crazy scientists, it really has no substance) so it can't all be chance. I always encourage people to believe whatever they want, I know that it is a journey for them, and in the end it is a choice. There are lots of benefits to chosing to be Christian such as never worrying about money, shelter or food but also there are lots of downfalls, trials, tribulations, demons, etc. I don't know how the world is going to end, but if one path really is the 'right' way I hope the god/gods will give me a chance once it's all said and done as there was no way for me to know, and from the looks of christianity, I will.
Christina L
2006-11-21 11:06:47 UTC
The bible is truth and was written by the apostles who were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. Don't believe everything that your taught by a preacher or teacher. You must know the word of God for yourself. There will be false prophets and teachers in the end times and that is why it is important to know what the bible says for yourself so you can discern the difference between the truth and a lie. The devil knows the bible too and will try to get you confused. After you are taught something before you believe it yourself go to the word and study it out yourself. Don't sit in a church that does not line up its teachings with the word of God. Most importantly do not give up your faith. Ask God to help you find the truth thru scripture and he will guide you.

God Bless
Chad H
2006-11-21 11:05:53 UTC
Your religion is saying the same thing, but in a different way. Those who accept Jesus will inherit eternally life. If they do not have Christ, then they are dead. When judgment comes if they do no have Christ they will not get into heaven, remain dead. Someone being dead also refers to them being in Hell. If they don't have Christ they are doomed to go to Hell. The Lord loves you very much. Don't fall into the trap the world has set up for you. The Bible is the perfect word of God. People have studied it for many many years, and still we do not completely understand it. Religion is not what saves us. Jesus saves us. Don't give up on Jesus because the religion conflicts. Jesus died for your sins and that is the Truth. You know this. Don't let the world tell you otherwise. I would like to know what versus you are talking about. I will be praying for you.
Midge
2006-11-21 12:03:18 UTC
Babs never went to a Catholic school that did that. There are two readings from the Bible at every Mass along with a psalm reading as well, but, that wasn't the question. Sometimes questions about Faith are to lead a person deeper into the Truth. Study the early Church Fathers and see what they say. If you really want to absorb some spiritual reading, try the confessions of St. Augustine.
Carol L
2006-11-21 11:01:31 UTC
You're going to get all kinds of answers here.



Therefore, I turn the discussion back to you and God. What has God made real to your heart thus far? This is an opportunity for you to become rooted and founded on the foundation of His love - or an opportunity for you to become another statistic among the many of a seed sown on stony ground (see the parable of the sower, Mark 4:3-20).



I suspect that God may be calling YOU to decide which is right, which is true, and which opinion will hold the most weight in your heart: His opinion which is already set forth in His word or the opinions of man. There has been a conflict between that which God has said and man's opinion since the overthrow. Whose report will you believe?
D.A. S
2006-11-21 10:43:40 UTC
If you are a Christian you have a one on one working relationship with God the Father. Religion is man made and led by man (a broken system). So don't put too much stock into something of this world. Have faith in God and He will get you through and revive you in your time of need.



There is only one way to heaven and that is thru Jesus Christ, Our Lord. All anybody has to do is ask Him into their lives and they will be saved and guaranteed a trip to heaven. Of course when you claim your salvation, you must repent of your old sinful ways and change into the person that Jesus wants you to be. Now it is time to develop your relationship with God thru honor, truth, responsibility and accountability. Oh yeah, go and share with those that you know are not believers and share what you know. God does not want any to be left behind.



If your religion is telling you something else, you need to get into a REAL Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church.



God Bless You and remember that nothing is too hard for God!
BaseballGrrl
2006-11-21 10:42:14 UTC
Keep reading. It does say that the others will be thrown into the fire.



Matth 25: 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels



Matt 3:10

Matt 7:19

Matt 18:9

Mark 9:43

Luke 3:9



Revelation 20:15

If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.



I think these are all pretty clear verses. You may have seen something out of context or something. Or, just don't understand it. That happens all the time to us. :)



Never base your faith on a religion. Always read the word for yourself. Religion is run by humans and is being corrupted all the time. The Word of God is what matters, not what people say or do. You acknowledge His work in your life? Trust that . He is good to you. Continue to listen to what He is saying to you. Don't throw Him out because you think some person taught you wrong.
eefen
2006-11-21 10:54:03 UTC
If I understand you, then you are probably reading from Revelation, or some other book that deals with end-time prophecy. As far as I understand it, there will be a thousand-year period where Christ will reign over the earth with those who belong to Him. During this period, Satan will be bound, and those Christians who died will be risen again. After this period, those who were not Christians will be brought to life to be judged, and then the second death will take place. The second death will not affect those who are Christians. Those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, along with Satan. This is only what I understand, I'm not entirely sure. However, go ask your pastor. He should know a bit more. I do hope, though, that this might help. God bless!



Revelation 20:4-5 NIV

4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.
tillah519
2006-11-21 10:46:22 UTC
The clergy of Christendom often say to those suffering adversity that God sends such experiences to teach a lesson, to bring them to their senses. That makes God responsible for the permission of evil and a party to it. Such a teaching is unscriptural and brings much reproach on God’s name. God’s Word says that “with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone,” that is, with evil things. God tests and disciplines, but not by using evil instruments. The scripture continues: “But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire.” (Jas. 1:13, 14)



There are many religions that teach the traditions of men instead of what the bible teaches... you have a responsibility to be sure that you are in the right religion that teaches what, and only what the bible says... there should be scriptural proof, not just one scripture to back up the teachings.



Many believe that the wicked will go to a fiery hell and be tormented forever. Is this teaching logical? The human life span is limited to 70 or 80 years. Even if someone perpetrated extreme wickedness for his whole lifetime, would everlasting torment be a just punishment? No. It would be grossly unjust to torment a man forever for the limited number of sins that he can commit in a lifetime.



Who knows the truth about what happens after we die? Only God can reveal this information, and he has done so in his written Word, the Bible, referred to above. Here is what the Bible says: “As the [beast] dies, so the [man] dies; and they all have but one spirit . . . All are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust.” (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) There is no mention here of a fiery hell. Humans return to dust—to nonexistence—when they die.



In order to be tormented, an individual has to be conscious. Are the dead conscious? No. “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It is impossible for the dead, “conscious of nothing at all,” to experience the agonies of hellfire.



If you need more information, please let me know.
YDoncha_Blowme
2006-11-21 10:41:44 UTC
Everything you think you know are lies taught to you by those that profess to know what God was teaching in those passages. It is true that the Bible teaches that when you die, you shall either remain dead, or if you beleive, you will be ressurected upon Jesus' return to earth. However, this was not a good enough motivator for mankind, so the Church invented the threat of eternal damnation so as to coerce you into beleif. And, it is still working....

You can take it a step further. Why not just abondon the idea of religion altogether, and instead just live a good, just, fair and charitible life towards your fellow man?



Please note: no one "excepts" God. Except is a modifier - as in "Except for that last sentece, the paragraph was legible." The word you were looking for was ACCEPT.
jf247
2006-11-21 10:42:32 UTC
somewhere in the bible- i think its revalations - it says: when jesus returns all the christians will go to heaven even ones in the grave and then there will be years when no christians will be on earth but others will be until the day of judgement comes. well thats kind of summing it up but you get the drift. then at judgement the ones that hadnt already accepted the lord will go to h*** as you put it but every tounge will confess he is god and every knee will bow but it will be too late. so really you arent wrong just havent yet read far enough to show you the answer.

i hope this helps. if you get really stuck just ask god to show you what it means and i know that he will show you in some way or other. god bless you in your search.
fakelaugh
2006-11-21 12:07:09 UTC
Wow… I am not sure of your age…or how long you have been a Christian but what it sounds like is that you are have a time of growth in your spiritual life… you may have grown up much like I have …I was always in church (my father is a minister) when I began to read the Bible for myself I found there was a lot to learn and I am still learning… but if you can get more exact with your question…what I mean is give me something that you have read that is giving you trouble… I can point you to some real good places to understand what you read… hope to hear from you…



Be real



S

fakelaugh@yahoo.com
2006-11-21 10:41:20 UTC
This is why it is so important to develop a relationship with the Creator, not the Religion. Religions have all made mistakes. If yours tells you something different from what can be determined from God's Word, that religion has made a mistake. That doesn't mean the world has come to an end, or that God doesn't exist. It just means that you need to read and understand the Bible, then make your own determination based on what God says to you through His Word, His People, and that still small voice within.

But personally, I don't particularly trust that little voice anymore. Sometimes THAT is just wishful thinking.
SearchForTruth
2006-11-21 11:10:37 UTC
Without specific scripture references, it is difficult to respond without making some assumptions. But I will try to address your concern. There are a lot of theological ideas here, but rest assured your questions can be answered. This is definately just scratching the surface.



No one is cast into the lake of fire until the final judgement. That has not happened yet, and will not take place until the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ. Prior to Jesus's death on the Cross, all those who died went to a holding place, for the unrighteous, it was called Hades. For the Righteous, it was called Abraham's bosom. After Jesus died on the Cross, it says he went down to Hades (not hell). He went for one purpose. To take those from Abraham's bosom up to heaven with Him. The unrighteous are still in Hades (not hell) awaiting their final judgement.



Hopefully, this gives you something more to go research. There are many scriptures that will begin to make more sense when you understand this concept. Man can sometimes misrepresent scripture, so it is good to question. There are answers, don't give up.
hugh_laur
2006-11-21 10:43:40 UTC
Just because you know that God is your true savior does not mean you will reign in heaven. You must obey the commandments and not just the 10 commandments but anything that he has instructed you to do. Are you reading from the King James Version. That Bible is the only correct translation Have you read the Book of Mormans. You should try it I know that it is true and the words written in it are direct revalation from our Heavenly Father. My E-mail is hughrlaur@hotmail.com if you want to learn more.
?
2016-10-17 12:21:11 UTC
you could incorporate what you like approximately each and each direction and be eclectic. pick what feels best for you. this is the way I do it. I surely have been an athiest and a christian at factors in time and located that the mold became too confining for me. at some point cleansing out my rented cellular homestead a e book fell off a shelf in my closet. It became a e book of spells and charms. I examine it and desperate to evaluation extra. The humorous element became my mom became coaching me a thank you to be a pagan all alongside without somewhat understanding it. From there i became hooked and have been doing it ever in view that. Like I mentioned, do what feels good on your heart and your head and additionally you will no longer flow incorrect no be counted what direction you pick.
2006-11-21 10:48:49 UTC
If you love Jesus then don't disobey him as he is very disturbed and annoyed when clamming him as Lord, son or partner of God. He was just one of God's noble prophets as Mohammad, Moses, Abraham, etc ...

The holy Bible doesn't exist any more and there is no single evidence of a direct link between the Bible and Jesus PBUH. Use your mind and rethink again as Islam is the evidence based religion and when you follow Islam you will not lose Jesus, but you will actually win him and when Mohammad too. Listen to people who did their home work and decided to leave Christianity to Islam at the links below:
2006-11-21 10:41:16 UTC
the bible says both...



"I cant quote the verse exactly but what I got from it meant that those that do not love the lord shall remain dead and those that know him to be their true savior shall rise again WHEN HE RETURNS! What I don't understand is why my religion is saying something diffrent"

concerning this: the bible is talking about when Jesus returns to build his kingdom on earth... the dead in Christ will rise again.

you've been taught what the bible says, alot of pastors stay away from these discussions in order to prevent confusion
Helen B
2006-11-21 10:52:51 UTC
Thanks for your honesty, it's nice to know i'm not the only one who's thought that...



Christians aren't perfect - it's always a bit of a shock when you first realise it. Focus on God and work out from there. Trust him first of all and then you can worry about what other Christians say. See if you can talk to someone you trust about it, preferably someone who'll listen rather than just telling you what to believe. Pray to find the truth. You'll probably find it's more complicated than it seems.



Edit: Goodness me, what a lot of conflicting advice you've received. Don't take other people's word for it. Do some research for yourself and decide what *you* believe, not what you ought to believe.
berdudget
2006-11-21 10:50:34 UTC
The Bible does speak of those who will go to heaven. In Revelation 5:9, 10 it describes what they will do there:



"And they sing a new song, saying: 'You [Jesus] are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.'"



You'll notice that those who are bought to be in heaven with Jesus are given the assignment to rule as kings over the earth. Who will be on the earth for them to rule over? Among other scriptures, Psalm 37:10, 11, 29 explains:



"And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."



The confusion regarding whether everyone "good" goes to heaven or not is caused by the teaching of the immortality of the soul. However, as you pointed out, the Bible itself teaches something different. At Ezekiel 18:4, it explains that the soul that is sinning itself will die. Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 explain that there is no consciousness after death. And during Jesus' life on earth he described the death state as "sleeping" from which people could be awaken. He demonstrated his power to do just this when he resurrected his friend Lazarus, among others.



But your question is what should you do now that you are finding differences between what the church teaches and what the Bible teaches, right? I highly recommend you take this time to prove the truth from the scriptures to yourself. 1 John 6:4 counsels:



"Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world."



Satan uses many devices to steer people from the truth. The scriptures explain he makes himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 5:13-15) There is actually a prophecy in the book of Revelation that explains the whole world empire of false religion is very near its end. A loving warning is provided saying, "Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share in her sins and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues."



Please continue to research what the holy scriptures themselves say, pray diligently for God's assistance in learning the truth.



On that note, I highly recommend a book I recently read called "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" I can provide you with the book free of charge if you would like to read it.



I will make a special prayer just for you tonight. I wish you well!
Yeshua
2006-11-21 10:50:02 UTC
What you need to do is pray and ask God for understanding. The bible does not lie it is the TRUTH!!! A person chooses to go to heaven and a person chooses to go to hell.



(a) We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God (Romans 3:23).



(b) Because of our sin, we deserve to be punished with eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).



(c) Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserved. His resurrection proved that Jesus’ death was sufficient to pay for our sins.



(d) God grants forgiveness and salvation to all those who place their faith in Jesus – trusting His death as the payment for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1).







That is the message of salvation! If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are saved! All of your sins are forgiven, and God promises to never leave you or forsake you (Romans 8:38-39; Matthew 28:20). Remember, your salvation is secure in Jesus Christ (John 10:28-29). If you are trusting in Jesus alone as your Savior, you can have confidence that you will spend eternity with God in heaven!

If you don't believe that then you will not spend eternity with God in heaven
deacon
2006-11-21 11:13:12 UTC
Christ is the one that we must believe and be saved by being Born again as He told Nicodemus. Religion and denominations will not save us. Only Christ can by His Grace. Find a church that teaches and preaches the truth of God's Holy Word.



Results: 3

For 'born again'

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be BORN AGAIN.

1 Peter 1:23 Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2006-11-21 10:42:50 UTC
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. ~Rev 20:15



Only believers have their name in the book of life.

Lake of Fire = H*ll



I think it is great that you are look to the Bible for answers. Keep looking remember though to interpret it in context and using proper interpretation methods. Keep searching and if you have question that you can't find the answers to ask someone to show in the Bible why they believe that. The Bible is the ultimate authority.
Brooke
2006-11-21 10:37:24 UTC
There's nothing wrong with questioning your faith, whether it's Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan or any other religion you may be. Seeking answers is always a good thing and will make you a stronger person. Don't automatically assume this means you need to change your religion, but instead go to your minister or someone else in your congregation and ask the questions you feel you need answers to. If you don't find the answers to be what you need, then maybe it's time to start exploring other faiths. Check out http://www.beliefnet.com for more help.
snowtiger30
2006-11-21 10:41:08 UTC
Unbelievers are dead to God. Therefore, when Christ returns, they will remain dead but yes, will burn in hell however it is that your religion says it is. But to those of us who believe, we will ascend into heaven to be with God. The earth will be made over new for us after the unbelievers and Satan himself will burn with their carcasses scattered across the earth. Man made religion, not the Bible. They may have written the bible, but through the holy spirit giving them the words to say...and other men who translate into other languages do distort certain words. The main point is that it is as close to knowing God's word as we can come so trust in what you read...more so than what man says you should believe.
Stephen
2006-11-21 11:07:12 UTC
I think everyone of any faith faces a moment of doubt. Even those of no faith will question it. The one thing you should always remember is your faith is your own. You can chose any faith you wish to honor. You should be free to examine your faith objectively and if you agree with it then be happy, if you don't then perhaps you should look at other beliefs.



In my opinion there is no ONE true religion but there is a religion for everyone.



Blessed Be )O(
kayleesmommy
2006-11-21 10:43:54 UTC
If you go to church, contact your pastor. They have studied theology and could help you with this question. Or try a theology professor at a college. Most will be happy to help and won't judge you for asking questions. They could also explain what the verse means. I know the one verse is "The wages of sin is death" if you dont seek forgiveness for your sins.Thius one means you're dead to God, I think. Therefore you will not be resurrected to go to heaven, but you would go to h***
2006-11-21 10:43:49 UTC
i do not know exactly what verse you are looking at but your first impression is correct....when jesus returns, the dead "in christ" will rise first at the second resurrection.. but that is to join him in the air in their glorified bodies..we (christians and unbelievers) all will be judged according to our works and whether we have accepted christ or not. There is a first death and a second death... those that are in christ will rise to eternal life, so they only die once... the unbelievers will remain dead in the sense that they experience the second death, which is hell. Most christians will have died without experiencing the rapture.... these are the dead in christ....But there will be a comparatively small group who are raptured, and only these will be with jesus when he returns....when jesus returns with the raptured saints, the remaining saints who have not been raptured will rise and join them in the air....then all believers will be joined in their glorified bodies........the ones who have been dead ar in heaven in spirit but do not have their glorified bodies yet....they will get them at the resurrection of the body at the seocnd coming.
dymps
2006-11-21 10:42:06 UTC
Check out this website for answers to any biblical questions you may have. It is good to think and understand what we believe and not just follow a person or movement because it or they sound cool, I am a christian and my convictions not only come from the bible but from studying other religions also.
2006-11-21 10:45:49 UTC
To begin with, concentrate with your heart and soul, on the teachings of Jesus Christ, in book of Mark, Luke, Mathew, and John.



Don't just read the parables, if you want to gain inner peace. Search for moral guidelines hidden in them. You will be amazed at how beautiful and meaningful life can be if you follow what Jesus says.



Wish you well!
Call Me Babs
2006-11-21 10:39:38 UTC
I went to Catholic school for 6 years and we never cracked open the Bible or learned scripture. What we learned were the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. It was later, out of boredom, I opened the Bible and read it from front cover to back that I realized that what I learned in Catholic school was how to be a good Catholic. Of the Bible, it was totally different than what I had always heard it to be. It was a history book, a love story and a frightening prediction of the things to come. And most importantly, it was spoke of an incredible promise of life after death.
sprcpt
2006-11-21 10:37:06 UTC
The Bible says that the world has corners (Isaiah 11:12) and that it sets on pillars (I Samuel 2:8). It says that God accepted a human sacrifice -- he may have prevented Isaac's, but he allowed a general to sacrifice his own daughter without even a murmur, the text giving tacit support to the idea that having given his word, the man had to kill his child. (Judges 11:30-39). It clearly maintains that genocide is often commanded by God (Joshua 10:40-42 and I Samuel 15: 2, 3 and 8) and that, after killing all the adults in a race, taking the female children as sex slaves is permissible (Numbers 31: 17-18).



So, yes, I suppose if one wants to take as truth a book that says that beetles have four legs instead of six (Leviticus 11: 21-23) and that rabbits chew their cud [which they do NOT] (Deuteronomy 14:7) and if you are willing to, having accepted it as truth, overlook the fact that bible-god routinely changed his mind (I can show you other instances if you wish) then yeah, its the word of God.



I on the other hand know what infallible means -- and an infallible God could not create a fallible book -- so the Bible is simply myth.
Lord Of Lust
2006-11-21 10:45:21 UTC
See Christian means follower of christ. Not follower of bible. the bible itself had been re written countless times after whatever lord said. Its leaders themselves are confused and split into countless sub religions. It was used in medevial times to assert power and influence. Listen to the lord. The things he has said briefly means just to live as good human being and do good to others. And dont blame the lord for putting you through tough times. He cant do anything about it. He could not do anything when he himself was brutally tortured. I dont believe in heaven and hell and i dont believe in after life And i dont believe that there are superior beings hiding behind those clouds watching over us. But i love and respect the lord for he was one of the greatest souls that ever walked the face of this planet. And such ppl live their live to become a model to us with their life. Its upto us whether to follow his good qualities and try n make youself a better human being or to follow those fake followers vying for power in the name of holy bible which they themselves wrote to suit their needs.
elysialaw
2006-11-21 10:40:03 UTC
You are using free thought and critical thinking, which is what I think God (whichever one) intended.



Your relationship to your God should always be based on what you think and feel he wants done and how you interpret the teachings. Read the bible (or other religois writing(s)) and make your own decisions from that...don't look to others to tell you what to believe.
langdonrjones
2006-11-21 10:35:42 UTC
Just continue to think for yourself, and you will be ok. But whatever you do, don't abandon one religion and take up another. Use for yourself what you find valuable in the Bible, and ignore the preachers who, most of the time, are promoting their own agendas.
Shayna
2006-11-21 10:38:16 UTC
The Bible is the word of God. I am confused about what you are confused about. What you said is the same thing twice. The eternal life with God is heaven. The spiritual death is hell. Yes, the bible does make that perfectly clear. Those who choose free will choose Satan, those who choose Christ and follow him shall have evr lasting life. What you need to do is spend time in the word of God. Read the Bible daily. Pray without ceasing. Attend a Bible based church. Fellowship with Christians. Join a Bible study group. Build faith and follow God. Faith is what it is all about. If you wither in faith you will loose the guidance of Christ. Satan wants to work on making you doubt your faith and question God. That is what he does. He only has one tactic...and that is to destroy those who follow Christ. It is very simple. You either choose God and follow him or you choose the antichrist and follow him. God will save you and the antichrist will hurt, detroy and kill.
2006-11-21 10:36:27 UTC
well im glad ur beinging to realize this. a lot of people now a days are starting to take the bible into exact terms meaning they believe that everything said in the bible is true and real. well some of it is because jesus was a real person but you shouldn't take the bible into exact translation and believe every word. not everything said in the bible is true today.
aj w
2006-11-21 10:39:18 UTC
the bible CANNOT contradict itself if you have doubt about your religion you should start praying may i suggest an apostolic shurch... keep reading the bible its the only worthwhile book in this world dont lose out when the end is so near
♫O Praise Him♫
2006-11-21 10:37:11 UTC
Beware of false teachers. They are out there, they preach the wrong things. This is why it is important to read your bible, and pray and do some investigating of your own. Blind faith is a little silly IMHO.
.
2006-11-21 10:36:57 UTC
Sugar, do you have any idea how old the different parts of the bible are? Written many hundreds of years ago, translated many, many, many times...it's unlikely any of today's versions bear much resemblance at all to the original myths...



You are taught what your brand of religion and its leaders want you to believe...just as people of other religions are...



Think for yourself...decide what sounds right and good, and not so kewl to you...you may find that many of your views and opinions change over time...when you stop allowing yourself to be spoon fed and take a look with your own eyes and mind...



Good luck.
righton
2006-11-21 10:39:30 UTC
- Find the scriptures you refer too, then we will be able to clarify them for you.



- I have studied the Bible for quite awhile & it's teachings haven't yet been contridictory. Once you get your Scripture references it will be easier to understand exactly what you have read.
missy
2006-11-21 10:35:52 UTC
doubt is a part of the coarse.

hold on through it and mostly

understand that you alone are responsible

for that trust.

dont worry when the time is right your trust will

be repayed.
gorbalizer
2006-11-21 10:35:52 UTC
Hi it is not the Bible it is your understanding or lack of it that is the problem perhaps I can help you Iam very familiar with the Bible and various other things if youhave specific questions you can E-Mail me those question and I can help you understand better best wishes Gorbalizer
nuthnbettr2do0128
2006-11-21 10:35:34 UTC
The Bible is filled with cotradictions...put it down. Ask yourself if this religion is fulfilling to you spiritually...If it is, then just believe in Christ as your savior and try to live a Christ-like life.



If not, there are many alternatives and your not going to burn for exploring them, regardless of what anyone tells you.
nondescript
2006-11-21 10:32:48 UTC
Good. That means you have a brain and are willing to use it. Maybe your doubts have some basis.



A good book to read is Richard Dawkins' new book, "The God Delusion". That should give you some more things to think about. It's good that you're looking into what your beliefs are and what their basis is. It's not good to just blindly believe something because someone says that's what you should believe.



The Bible, like all other books, is the word of the people who wrote it.
2006-11-21 10:35:01 UTC
Doubt leads to criticism.

Criticism leads to critical thinking.



Critical thinking leads to knowledge.



Knowledge leads to a great many things.



Doubt and criticize, but do so tactfully.
Bright
2006-11-21 10:33:02 UTC
It is Ok to explore other faiths try this



www.meditationthai.org
Alan
2006-11-21 10:37:44 UTC
Good!!! Your thinking about it!!!



Next step. Goto http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/ and check it out.



Then, make your choice.



Good luck,



A
lcraesharbor
2006-11-21 10:38:25 UTC
Good for you.
Sentinel
2006-11-21 10:35:49 UTC
look if you love and accept that Jesus is your Savior and avoid deliberate sin, then you are doing His will and you should be at peace.
2006-11-21 10:34:06 UTC
You're on the road to enlightenment, keep asking questions, be objective and use reason
smiling is cute
2006-11-21 10:38:20 UTC
Taik a goed look in de mirror..................better?
2006-11-21 10:36:05 UTC
Read, read, and think. Above all... think.
baddrose268
2006-11-21 10:35:03 UTC
Try converting to Islam. The Qur'an is protected by ALLAH and has not been changed or altered by human beings like the Christisan Bible. This is of course my suggestion.
sphere_egypt
2006-11-21 13:55:17 UTC
here is another 101 Clear



Contradictions in the Bible



------------------------------------------------------------







Who incited David to count the fighting men of Israel?



(a) God did (2 Samuel 24: 1)



(b) Satan did (I Chronicles 2 1:1)











In that count how many fighting men were found in Israel?



(a) Eight hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9)



(b) One million, one hundred thousand (IChronicles 21:5)









How many fighting men were found in Judah?



(a) Five hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9)



(b) Four hundred and seventy thousand (I Chronicles 21:5)









God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine?



(a) Seven (2 Samuel 24:13)



(b) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)









How old was Ahaziah when he began to rule over Jerusalem?



(a) Twenty-two (2 Kings 8:26)



(b) Forty-two (2 Chronicles 22:2)









How old was Jehoiachin when he became king of Jerusalem?



(a) Eighteen (2 Kings 24:8)



(b) Eight (2 Chronicles 36:9)









How long did he rule over Jerusalem?



(a) Three months (2 Kings 24:8)



(b) Three months and ten days (2 Chronicles 36:9)









The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time?



(a) Eight hundred (2 Samuel 23:8)



(b) Three hundred (I Chronicles 11: 11)









When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after?



(a) After (2 Samuel 5 and 6)



(b) Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14)









How many pairs of clean animals did God tell Noah to take into the Ark?



(a) Two (Genesis 6:19, 20)



(b) Seven (Genesis 7:2). But despite this last instruction only two pairs went into the ark (Genesis 7:8-9)









When David defeated the King of Zobah, how many horsemen did he capture?



(a) One thousand and seven hundred (2 Samuel 8:4)



(b) Seven thousand (I Chronicles 18:4)









How many stalls for horses did Solomon have?



(a) Forty thousand (I Kings 4:26)



(b) Four thousand (2 chronicles 9:25)









In what year of King Asa's reign did Baasha, King of Israel die?



(a) Twenty-sixth year (I Kings 15:33 - 16:8)



(b) Still alive in the thirty-sixth year (2 Chronicles 16:1)









How many overseers did Solomon appoint for the work of building the temple?



(a) Three thousand six hundred (2 Chronicles 2:2)



(b) Three thousand three hundred (I Kings 5:16)









Solomon built a facility containing how many baths?



(a) Two thousand (1 Kings 7:26)



(b) Over three thousand (2 Chronicles 4:5)









Of the Israelites who were freed from the Babylonian captivity, how many were the children of Pahrath-Moab?



(a) Two thousand eight hundred and twelve (Ezra 2:6)



(b) Two thousand eight hundred and eighteen (Nehemiah 7:11)









How many were the children of Zattu?



(a) Nine hundred and forty-five (Ezra 2:8)



(b) Eight hundred and forty-five (Nehemiah 7:13)









How many were the children of Azgad?



(a) One thousand two hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:12)



(b) Two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (Nehemiah 7:17)









How many were the children of Adin?



(a) Four hundred and fifty-four (Ezra 2:15)



(b) Six hundred and fifty-five (Nehemiah 7:20)









How many were the children of Hashum?



(a) Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:19)



(b) Three hundred and twenty-eight (Nehemiah 7:22)









How many were the children of Bethel and Ai?



(a) Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:28)



(b) One hundred and twenty-three (Nehemiah 7:32)









Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the total number of the whole assembly was 42,360. Yet the numbers do not add up to anything close. The totals obtained from each book is as follows:



(a) 29,818 (Ezra)



(b) 31,089 (Nehemiah)









How many singers accompanied the assembly?



(a) Two hundred (Ezra 2:65)



(b) Two hundred and forty-five (Nehemiah 7:67)









What was the name of King Abijah’s mother?



(a) Michaiah, daughter of Uriel of Gibeah (2 Chronicles 13:2)



(b) Maachah, daughter of Absalom (2 Chronicles 11:20) But Absalom had only one daughter whose name was Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)









Did Joshua and the Israelites capture Jerusalem?



(a) Yes (Joshua 10:23, 40)



(b) No (Joshua 15:63)









Who was the father of Joseph, husband of Mary?



(a) Jacob (Matthew 1:16)



(b) Hell (Luke 3:23)









Jesus descended from which son of David?



(a) Solomon (Matthew 1:6)



(b) Nathan(Luke3:31)









Who was the father of Shealtiel?



(a) Jechoniah (Matthew 1:12)



(b) Neri’ (Luke 3:27)









Which son of Zerubbabel was an ancestor of Jesus Christ?



(a) Abiud (Matthew 1: 13)



(b) Rhesa (Luke 3:27) But the seven sons of Zerubbabel are as follows: i.Meshullam, ii. Hananiah, iii. Hashubah, iv. Ohel, v.Berechiah, vi. Hasadiah, viii. Jushabhesed (I Chronicles 3:19, 20). The names Abiud and Rhesa do not fit in anyway.









Who was the father of Uzziah?



(a) Joram (Matthew 1:8)



(b) Amaziah (2 Chronicles 26:1)









Who as the father of Jechoniah?



(a) Josiah (Matthew 1:11)



(b) Jeholakim (I Chronicles 3:16)









How many generations were there from the Babylonian exile until Christ?



(a) Matthew says fourteen (Matthew 1:17)



(b) But a careful count of the generations reveals only thirteen (see Matthew 1: 12-16)









Who was the father of Shelah?



(a) Cainan (Luke 3:35-36)



(b) Arphaxad (Genesis II: 12)









Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come?



(a) Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13)



(b) No(John 1:19-21)









Would Jesus inherit David’s throne?



(a) Yes. So said the angel (Luke 1:32)



(b) No, since he is a descendant of Jehoiakim (see Matthew 1: I 1, I Chronicles 3:16). And Jehoiakim was cursed by God so that none of his descendants can sit upon David’s throne (Jeremiah 36:30)









Jesus rode into Jerusalem on how many animals?



(a) One - a colt (Mark 11:7; cf Luke 19:3 5). “And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments on it; and he sat upon it.”



(b) Two - a colt and an *** (Matthew 21:7). “They brought the *** and the colt and put their garments on them and he sat thereon.”









How did Simon Peter find out that Jesus was the Christ?



(a) By a revelation from heaven (Matthew 16:17)



(b) His brother Andrew told him (John 1:41)









Where did Jesus first meet Simon Peter and Andrew?



(a) By the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18-22)



(b) On the banks of river Jordan (John 1:42). After that, Jesus decided to go to Galilee (John 1:43)









When Jesus met Jairus was Jairus’ daughter already dead?



(a) Yes. Matthew 9:18 quotes him as saying, “My daughter has just died.”



(b) No. Mark 5:23 quotes him as saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death.”









Did Jesus allow his disciples to keep a staff on their journey?



(a) Yes(Mark6:8)



(b) No (Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3)









Did Herod think that Jesus was John the Baptist?



(a) Yes (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:16)



(b) No (Luke 9:9)









Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus before his baptism?



(a) Yes (Matthew 3:13-14)



(b) No (John 1:32,33)









Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus after his baptism?



(a) Yes (John 1:32, 33)



(b) No (Matthew 11:2)









According to the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness?



(a) “If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true” (John 5:3 1)



(b) “Even if I do bear witness to myself, my testimony is true” (John 8:14)









When Jesus entered Jerusalem did he cleanse the temple that same day?



(a) Yes (Matthew 21:12)



(b) No. He went into the temple and looked around, but since it was very late he did nothing. Instead, he went to Bethany to spend the night and returned the next morning to cleanse the temple (Mark I 1:1- 17).









The Gospels say that Jesus cursed a fig tree. Did the tree wither at once?



(a) Yes. (Matthew 21:19)



(b) No. It withered overnight (Mark II: 20)









Did Judas kiss Jesus?



(a) Yes (Matthew 26:48-50)



(b) No. Judas could not get close enough to Jesus to kiss him (John 18:3-12)









What did Jesus say about Peter’s denial?



(a) “The cock will not crow till you have denied me three times” (John 13:38).



(b) “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times” (Mark 14:30) . When the cock crowed once, the three denials were not yet complete (see Mark 14:72). Therefore prediction (a) failed.









Did Jesus bear his own cross?



(a) Yes (John 19:17)



(b) No (Matthew 27:31-32)









Did Jesus die before the curtain of the temple was torn?



(a) Yes(Matthew27:50-5 1;MarklS:37-38)



(b) No. After the curtain was torn, then Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:45-46)









Did Jesus say anything secretly?



(a) No. “I have said nothing secretly” (John 18:20)



(b) Yes. “He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything” (Mark 4:34). The disciples asked him “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matthew 13: 1 0-11)









Where was Jesus at the sixth hour on the day of the crucifixion?



(a) On the cross (Mark 15:23)



(b) In Pilate’s court (John 19:14)









The gospels say that two thieves were crucified along with Jesus. Did both thieves mock Jesus?



(a) Yes (Mark 15:32)



(b) No. One of them mocked Jesus, the other defended Jesus (Luke 23:43)









Did Jesus ascend to Paradise the same day of the crucifixion?



(a) Yes. He said to the thief who defended him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)



(b) No. He said to Mary Magdelene two days later, “I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17)









When Paul was on the road to Damascus he saw a light and heard a voice. Did those who were with him hear the voice?



(a) Yes(Acts9:7)



(b) No(Acts22:9)











When Paul saw the light he fell to the ground. Did his traveling companions also fall to the ground?



(a) Yes (Acts 26:14)



(b) No (Acts 9:7)











Did the voice spell out on the spot what Paul’s duties were to be?



(a) Yes (Acts 26:16-18)



(b) No. The voice commanded Paul to go into the city of Damascus and there he will be told what he must do. (Acts9:7;22: 10)











When the Israelites dwelt in Shittin they committed adultery with the daughters of Moab. God struck them with a plague. How many people died in that plague?



(a) Twenty-four thousand (Numbers 25:1 and 9)



(b) Twenty-three thousand (I Corinthians 10:8)











How many members of the house of Jacob came to Egypt?



(a) Seventy souls (Genesis 4&27)



(b) Seventy-five souls (Acts 7:14)











What did Judas do with the blood money he received for betraying Jesus?



(a) He bought a field (Acts 1: 18)



(b) He threw all of it into the temple and went away. The priests could not put the blood money into the temple treasury, so they used it to buy a field to bury strangers (Matthew 27:5)











How did Judas die?



(a) After he threw the money into the temple he went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5)



(b) After he bought the field with the price of his evil deed he fell headlong and burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18)











Why is the field called “Field of Blood”?



(a) Because the priests bought it with the blood money (Matthew 27:8)



(b) Because of the bloody death of Judas therein (Acts 1:19)











Who is a ransom for whom?



(a) “The Son of Man came...to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all... “(I Timothy 2:5-6)



(b) “The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright” (Proverbs 21:18)











Is the law of Moses useful?



(a) Yes. “All scripture is... profitable...” (2 Timothy 3:16)



(b) No. “. . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... “(Hebrews 7:18)











What was the exact wording on the cross?



(a) “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37)



(b) “The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26)



(c) “This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38)



(d) “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19)











Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?



(a) Yes (Matthew 14:5)



(b) No. It was Herodias, the wife of Herod who wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that he was a righteous man and kept him safe (Mark 6:20)











Who was the tenth disciple of Jesus in the list of twelve?



(a) Thaddaeus (Matthew 10: 1-4; Mark 3:13 -19)



(b) Judas son of James is the corresponding name in Luke’s gospel (Luke 6:12-16)











Jesus saw a man sitat the tax collector’s office and called him to be his disciple. What was his name?



(a) Matthew (Matthew 9:9)



(b) Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)











Was Jesus crucified on the daytime before the Passover meal or the daytime after?



(a) After (Mark 14:12-17)



(b) Before. Before the feast of the Passover (John 1) Judas went out at night (John 13:30). The other disciples thought he was going out to buy supplies to prepare for the Passover meal (John 13:29). When Jesus was arrested, the Jews did not enter Pilate’s judgment hail because they wanted to stay clean to eat the Passover (John 18:28). When the judgment was pronounced against Jesus, it was about the sixth hour on the day of Preparation for the Passover (John 19:14)











Did Jesus pray to The Father to prevent the crucifixion?



(a) Yes. (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42)



(b) No. (John 12:27)











In the gospels which say that Jesus prayed to avoid the cross, how many times did ‘he move away from his disciples to pray?



(a) Three (Matthew 26:36-46 and Mark 14:32-42)



(b) One. No opening is left for another two times. (Luke 22:39-46)











Matthew and Mark agree that Jesus went away and prayed three times. What were the words of the second prayer?



(a) Mark does not give the words but he says that the words were the same as the first prayer (Mark 14:3 9)



(b) Matthew gives us the words, and we can see that they are not the same as in the first (Matthew 26:42)











What did the centurion say when Jesus dies?



(a) “Certainly this man was innocent” (Luke 23:47)



(b) “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39)











When Jesus said “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me ? ” in what language did he speak?



(a) Hebrew: the words are “Eloi, Eloi …..“(Matthew 27:46)



(b) Aramaic: the words are “Eloi, Eloi ….. “(Mark 15:34)











According to the gospels, what were the last words of Jesus before he died?



(a) “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)



(b) "It is finished" (John 19:30).











When Jesus entered Capernaum he healed the slave of a centurion. Did the centurion come personally to request Jesus for this?



(a) Yes (Matthew 8:5)



(b) No. He sent some elders of the Jews and his friends (Luke 7:3,6)











(a) Adam was told that if and when he eats the forbidden fruit he would die the same day (Genesis 2:17)



(b) Adam ate the fruit and went on to live to a ripe old age of 930 years (Genesis 5:5)















(a) God decided that the life-span of humans will be limited to 120 years (Genesis 6:3)



(b) Many people born after that lived longer than 120. Arpachshad lived 438 years. His son Shelah lived 433 years. His son Eber lived 464 years, etc. (Genesis 11:12-16)











Apart from Jesus did anyone else ascend to heaven?



(a) No (John 3:13)



(b) Yes. “And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11)











Who was high priest when David went into the house of God and ate the consecrated bread?



(a) Abiathar (Mark 2:26)



(b) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20)











Was Jesus’ body wrapped in spices before burial in accordance with Jewish burial customs?



(a) Yes and his female disciples witnessed his burial (John 19:39-40)



(b) No. Jesus was simply wrapped in a linen shroud. Then the women bought and prepared spices “so that they may go and anoint him [Jesus)” (Mark 16: 1)











When did the women buy the spices?



(a) After “the Sabbath was past” (Mark 16:1)



(b) Before the Sabbath. The women “prepared spices and ointments.” Then, “on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:55 to 24:1)











At what time of day did the women visit the tomb?



(a) “Toward the dawn” (Matthew 28: 1)



(b) “When the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2)











What was the purpose for which the women went to the tomb?



(a) To anoint Jesus’ body with spices (Mark 16: 1; Luke 23:55 to 24: 1)



(b) To see the tomb. Nothing about spices here (Matthew 28: 1)



(c) For no specified reason. In this gospel the wrapping with spices had been done before the Sabbath (John 20: 1)











A large stone was placed at the entrance of the tomb. Where was the stone when the women arrived?



(a) They saw that the stone was “Rolled back” (Mark 16:4) They found the stone “rolled away from the tomb” (Luke 24:2) They saw that “the stone had been taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1)



(b) As the women approached, an angel descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and conversed with the women. Matthew made the women witness the spectacular rolling away of the stone (Matthew 28:1-6)











Did anyone tell the women what happened to Jesus’ body?



(a) Yes. “A young man in a white robe” (Mark 16:5). “Two men ... in dazzling apparel” later described as angels (Luke 24:4 and 24:23). An angel - the one who rolled back the stone (Matthew 16:2). In each case the women were told that Jesus had risen from the dead (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5 footnote)



(b) No. Mary met no one and returned saying, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him” (John 20:2)











When did Mary Magdelene first meet the resurrected Jesus? And how did she react?



(a) Mary and the other women met Jesus on their way back from their first and only visit to the tomb. They took hold of his feet and worshipped him (Matthew 28:9)



(b) On her second visit to the tomb Mary met Jesus just outside the tomb. When she saw Jesus she did not recognize him. She mistook him for the gardener. She still thinks that Jesus’ body is laid to rest somewhere and she demands to know where. But when Jesus said her name she at once recognized him and called him “Teacher.” Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me...” (John 20:11 to 17)











What was Jesus’ instruction for his disciples?



(a) “Tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (Matthew 2 8: 10)



(b) “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17)











When did the disciples return to Galilee?



(a) Immediately, because when they saw Jesus in Galilee “some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). This period of uncertainty should not persist



(b) After at least 40 days. That evening the disciples were still in Jerusalem (Luke 24:3 3). Jesus appeared to them there and told them, stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). He was appearing to them “during forty days” (Acts 1:3), and “charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise ... “(Acts 1:4)











To whom did the Midianites sell Joseph?



(a) “To the Ishmaelites” (Genesis 37:28)



(b) “To Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh” (Genesis 37:36)











Who brought Joseph to Egypt?



(a) The Ishmaelites bought Joseph and then “took Joseph to Egypt” (Genesis 37:28)



(b) “The Midianites had sold him in Egypt” (Genesis 37:36)



(c) Joseph said to his brothers “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:4)











Does God change his mind?



(a) Yes. “The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I repent that I have made Saul King...” (I Samuel 15:10 to 11)



(b) No. God “will not lie or repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent” (I Samuel 15:29)



(c) Yes. “And the Lord repented that he had made Saul King over Israel” (I Samuel 15:35). Notice that the above three quotes are all from the same chapter of the same book! In addition, the Bible shows that God repented on several other occasions:



i. “The Lord was sorry that he made man” (Genesis 6:6)



“I am sorry that I have made them” (Genesis 6:7)



ii. “And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people” (Exodus 32:14).



iii. (Lots of other such references).











The Bible says that for each miracle Moses and Aaron demonstrated the magicians did the same by their secret arts. Then comes the following feat:



(a) Moses and Aaron converted all the available water into blood (Exodus 7:20-21)



(b) The magicians did the same (Exodus 7:22). This is impossible, since there would have been no water left to convert into blood.











Who killed Goliath?



(a) David (I Samuel 17:23, 50)



(b) Elhanan (2 Samuel 21:19)











Who killed Saul?



(a) “Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6)



(b) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16)











Does every man sin?



(a) Yes. “There is no man who does not sin” (I Kings 8:46; see also 2 Chronicles 6:36; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; and I John 1:810)



(b) No. True Christians cannot possibly sin, because they are the children of God. “Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God.. (I John 5:1). “We should be called children of God; and so we are” (I John 3: 1). “He who loves is born of God” (I John 4:7). “No one born of God commits sin; for God’s nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God” (I John 3:9). But, then again, Yes! “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8)











Who will bear whose burden?



(a) “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)



(b) “Each man will have to bear his own load” (Galatians 6:5)











How many disciples did Jesus appear to after his resurrection?



(a) Twelve (I Corinthians 15:5)



(b) Eleven (Matthew 27:3-5 and Acts 1:9-26, see also Matthew 28:16; Mark 16:14 footnote; Luke 24:9; Luke 24:3 3)











Where was Jesus three days after his baptism?



(a) After his baptism, “the spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days ... (Mark 1:12-13)



(b) Next day after the baptism, Jesus selected two disciples. Second day: Jesus went to Galilee - two more disciples. Third day: Jesus was at a wedding feast in Cana in Galilee (see John 1:35; 1:43; 2:1-11)











Was baby Jesus’ life threatened in Jerusalem?



(a) Yes, so Joseph fled with him to Egypt and stayed there until Herod died (Matthew 2:13 23)



(b) No. The family fled nowhere. They calmly presented the child at the Jerusalem temple according to the Jewish customs and returned to Galilee (Luke 2:21-40)











When Jesus walked on water how did the disciples respond?



(a) They worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33)



(b) “They were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened” (Mark 6:51-52)







Who Inspired the Authors of the Bible?



By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya



Have you read the Bible with an open mind? Have you not discovered that not a single verse in it clearly points to God as its author? Does it explicitly say that God inspired all of its various authors?



If you are among those who believe in the Bible as "God's Book" or that He inspires its different authors, this article is for you. Through this you will discover the truth that God is not the author of the Bible. One thing you should bear in mind: nowhere in the Bible does it say that it is holy nor does it name itself as one.



THE BIBLE - THE BOOK THAT BELITTLES GOD AND GLORIFIES SATAN



If God did inspire the different authors of the Bible, why does it contain verses that belittle Him? Why does it recognise Satan as "the ruler" and even "god of this world"? If the Bible confuses you, if you do not know who is behind it; then read this paper very carefully. Analyse the following examples of the Biblical verses that belittle God and glorify satan. See if you can refute them. If you remain confused, be rational to accept the truth. Let not your emotions and pride overrule you. Accept that God is not the author of the Bible. The book itself says that God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).



Examples of the Biblical Verses that Belittle God



Would you agree with the Bible when it says. "The Lord is man of war; the Lord is His name" (Exodus 15:3)? Is it not a blasphemy to say that God is a man, even a man of war?

Is there man a superior than God? Why does the Bible describe God to be merely prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6); whereas, Melchizedek as the King of Peace (Hebrew 7:2)? Does not God deserve the grand title, the King of Peace?

God is not omniscient. How come the Bible portrays God's limited knowledge of His creatures? (Genesis 3:8-13; Job 1:7) Would you believe that God did not even know Satan, of where he came from? (Job 1:7).

God does not know what is right (Job 42:7-8). So, He needs to be told what is right as narrated in the Book of Job.

Are the verses that portray God created lies (e.g. 1 Kings 22:22-23; Judges 9:23) divinely inspired?

Does not the Bible belittle God when it says that He is the husband of a barren woman? To quote: "For your Maker is your Husband, the LORD of hosts is His name." (Isaiah 54:1,5) Is God a man that the Bible associates a partner to Him? Is he not Almighty and Self-Sufficient or the only One free of needs?

The Bible narrates instances that depict God was not omnipresent at all times (Genesis 3:8; Genesis 11:5).

God can be tempted as shown in the following verses: "Why do you tempt the Lord?" (Exodus 17:2) "You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah." (Deuteronomy 6:16).

God is not omnipotent. He is powerless to help His creatures (Judges 1:19). Would you believe that a man had robbed God (Malachi 3:8-9)? He is also weak. He "Wearied" (Isaih 43:24) and "rested" (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 24:16).

God is not the only saviour. Did not God say, "Besides me there is no saviour" (Isaiah 43:10-12)? How come the Bible mentions of "saviours" who were to judge.... (Obadiah 1:21).

God made foolishness. Paul said that God made foolish the wisdom of this world and that God is pleased with the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1-20-21).

The Law of the Lord made nothing perfect: Would you believe Paul when he said that the law made nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:18-19).

God's commandments are not pure. How true that God said (or "inspired") Hosea to take a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry (Hosea 1:2)? Did he really say to Hosea to go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery (Hosea 3:1).

God repents. He was "sorry that He had made man on the Earth" (Genesis 6:6-7).

Holiness does not pertain to God alone: The Bible mentions of: holy people (Isaiah 63:18), a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), the holy seed (Psalm 86:2). holy prophets (Luke 1:70) and some servants of God as holy (Leviticus 11:44; Psalm).

God is angry forever. Bible asks: "How long Lord will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire" (Psalm 79:5).

God is not only jealous but his name is Jealous. Did God really say that He was jealous God (Exodus 20:5)? Does not the Bible belittle God when it says that God's name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). Is He not worthy of all praise?

God is not a rock. The Bible says, "who is a rock, except our God?" (2 Samuel 22:32) it contradicts the statement: "To whom then will you like God? Or what likeness will you compare Him?" (Isaiah 40:18).

Man blesses God (Psalm 34:1;103:1). David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times." (Psalm 34:1) Does this mean that God is dependent on man?

God is visible. There were men who had seen God (Genesis 26:2; 32:30; 35:9, Exodus 24:9-10; 33:11; Numbers 12:6-8; Job 42:5; Amos 9:1).

God is changeable. The Bible narrates verses that show His changeable actions (Exodus 33:1,3, 14,17; Samuel 2:30-31; Jonah 3:10).

God's work is far from perfect. It questions man's purity, being God's creation (Job 15:14-26).

God is not oft-forgiving. He does not forgive sins of those whose hands are full of blood no matter how many prayers they make (Isaiah 1:15). What if their prayers are sincere, showing their true repentance? Would not God forgive them? If the sinners will believe in this verse, do you think they will receive admonition? Or you will expect them, being of little faith, instead to become atheists?

God is not the only judge of all mankind. The Bible says, "For the father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son" (John 5:22). Even Paul claimed that he judged (1 Corinthians 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:12). He also said: "We shall judge angels. How much more on things that pertain to this life?" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

How come the Bible talks of "the fear of the LORD" (Psalm 19:9; 111:10; Isaiah 63:17), "the foolishness and "weakness of God" (1 Corinthians 1:25) Is He not the Almighty?

God was a tribal King. He was the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; Micah 5:2).

If God were the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; Micah 5:2), then Satan must be superior to God. The Bible perceives Satan as the ruler of this world (John 14:30; 16:11).

The Bible associates partner to God. It says that Jesus is equal with God" (Philippians 2:8). It confuses Christians to believe him as "the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:16,18) and "one" in essence and in nature with God (John 14:6-7). In short, Jesus was "God" (Romans 9:5). If Jesus were God, then God was not at all almighty, omnipotent and eternal. The Bible narrates that Jesus was sorrowful and deeply distressed. His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. So, he fell on his face, and prayed (Matthew 26:37-39; Mark 14:33-36). The high priest tore his clothes. They all condemned him to be worthy of death. Then some began to spit on him, and blindfolded him, they struck him on the face (Luke 22:63, 64). He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept (John 11:33,35). He suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:12). They crucified him (John 19:18) until he yielded up his spirit (Matthew 27:50), breathed his last (Luke 23:46) and "died" (Romans 5:6).

If Jesus were "God", then God was a racial God. The Bible describes Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Juda (Revelation 5:5). It means that he was a tribal Jew. He came for the Jews only (Matthew 15:24). And he practised racial discrimination. He commanded his disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and told them not to go to the way of Gentiles and a city of the Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6).

If "God" were a racial God, the God of Israel (also see Jeremiah 7:3), then Satan has dominion over Him. Would you believe, "there is no God in the entire earth, except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15)? How come the Bible says, "Satan is the god of this evil world" (2 Corinthians 4:4)?

Examples of the Biblical Verses that Glorify Satan



Satan is the prince of the world. The living New Testament says that Satan is the prince of this world who shall be cast out (John 12:31). The Amplified version even describes Satan as "the ruler (evil generous, prince) of this world" (John 12:31).

Satan is the ruler of this world. He is the ruler of this world who is Judged. The King James says that the ruler of this world is coming (John 14:30). The Amplified version specifies that the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world who is coming is Satan (John 14:30,31). The same version of the Bible stresses that Satan is the ruler of this world (John 16:11). He is the ruler of this world who is judged (John 16:11) according to the other versions (i.e. King James, Living New Testaments, and the Revised Standard).

Satan is the god of this evil world. The Living New Testament even recognizes that Satan is the god of this evil world (2 Corinthians 4:4). The King James states that the god of this age has blinded those who do not believe (4 Corinthians 4:4).

Satan is imbued with all power. The King James writes: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

The devil had the power of death. All the popular versions of the Bible, (i.e. King James, Amplified, Living New Testament and the Revised Standard) agree that the devil had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).

The whole world is under the power of the evil one. The King James, Amplified and Revised Standard concur that the whole world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). The Living New Testament says that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control (1 John 5:19).

With all the descriptions given contrary to God's divine attributes would you then say that the Bible is God's Word? Would you agree with the Bible when it says that Satan is the ruler and god of this world? Would you believe that the whole world is under the power of the evil one, Satan? Is Satan imbued with power, including the power of death? How true is it that God is kind to the devil (Luke 6:35)? Does the evil one deserves God's kindness when he is in fact, rebellious to God? Would you not question God's justice to punish the wicked, if God were kind to the devil? Does it not imply that people have to also show kindness to the evil one instead of fighting or resisting him? If all people will adhere to this verse, do you think there will be peace and order in the world ? Is it not that the evil does not only deceive mankind but also creates mischiefs to humanity?



Who is behind the Biblical verses that belittle God and glorify Satan on the other hand? Will you attribute them to God? To attribute them to God is a sheer blasphemy. The Qur'an, the Book of God in Truth (32:3), is free of discrepancy (4:82). It contains nothing but the truth and the best explanation thereof (25:33). It serves as a Light to Guide humanity to the straight Way (42:52). Its Author, Allah (the Arabic word for God), has allowed therein no crookedness (18:1).



THE QUR'AN GLORIFIES GOD, NOT SATAN (THE ACCURSED)



The Qur'an is the divine Revelation from Allah (Qur'an, 56:80). It is the only Book that is pure and Holy (Qur'an, 80:14). Allah, the Author Himself, says that it is the most honourable Book, which none shall touch but those who are clean (Qur'an, 56:77-79). It is the Only Book that is full of Holy Praises to Allah - Only One worthy of all praise (Qur'an, 31:26). The most beautiful names belong to Him. (Qur'an, 7:180). All the 114 chapters of the Qur'an (except Surah Al-Tawbah, the 9th chapter) start with: "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." This holy praises to Allah occurs twice within the text of Surah Al-Naml (Qur'an, 27:30), making a total of 114 occurrences. Upon reading the Qur'an, you will discover that it contains full praises to Allah. even the chapter Al-Tawbah, which does not carry the usual opening praises contains glorification's to God in most of its verses. It ends with the following glorious praises to Him: "There is no god but he; on Him is my trust - He is Lord of Throne (of Glory) Supreme!" (Qur'an, 9:129).



The Qur'an, being the Book, enlightens you of the godly attributes of Allah. It overwhelms you to know that Allah alone is the Lord of the Worlds (Qur'an, 26:192) - the present world and the world to come in the hereafter. He is the One Free of all wants, Worthy of all praise (Qur'an, 35:15). Allah is the Almighty - Exalted in Might (Qur'an, 64:18), the Most High (Qur'an, 4:34), Exalted in Power, the All-Knowing, All-Wise (Qur'an, 4:26). He is perfect in Knowledge and Wisdom (Qur'an, 2:32; 15:25). Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, Self-Subsisting, Eternal (Qur'an, 2:255). HE is Full of loving-kindness (Qur'an, 85:14). Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god - the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme; Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him (Qur'an, 59:23). To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allah has power over all things (Qur'an, 3:189). He is Allah, the One and Only (Qur'an, 112:1). They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of the three in a Trinity: for there is no God except One God (Qur'an, 5:73). Allah is our Lord and the Lord of Jesus Christ the son of Mary (Qur'an, 5:72), a servant of Allah to Israel (Qur'an, 43:59).



You have to believe that the Qur'an comes from Allah alone. Allah stresses that it is never brought down or inspired by Satan. No one could produce it, nor falsehood could approach it. He said "No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation): it would neither suit them nor would they be able (produce it)." (Qur'an, 26:210) "No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it. (Qur'an, 41:42) "Nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed." (Qur'an, 81:25).



Allah enjoins every reader of the Qur'an to seek refuge from Him from the influence of Satan before reading it. This further proves that Satan, the Evil One, has no place in the Qur'an. Allah tells us: "When thou does read the Qur'an, Seek Allah's protection from Satan, the rejected one. No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as their patron and who join partners with Allah." (16:98-100).



Allah enlightens us many times (e.g. 13:19; 20:2-4; 25:6; 26:192-195; 69:43-51) to believe that the Qur'an comes from Him alone. He guides us to seek His protection from Satan's influence (7:200). He makes us refrain from evil thoughts (7:201) and deeds (24:21). He makes it clear that Satan is our enemy. He says: "Verily Satan is an enemy to you; So treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherent, that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire" (35:6).



If you are for the Truth, then you have to believe that Allah is the Only True God and Lord of the Worlds. For your success, you have to read and follow the Qur'an. It is His comprehensive divine guidance to all of us, for us to attain felicity both in this world and in the Hereafter. If you agree that every Word of God is pure and true, you must believe that God is not the Author of the Bible. Never did He inspire the authors of the book that belittles Him and glorifies Satan. Who then inspired the authors of the Bible?
afrasiyab k
2006-11-21 10:57:19 UTC
Greet you in the same manner as Jesus (pbuh) greeted in Hebrew Luke 24:36

‘Sholam alay kum’

or Islamic greeting in Arabic Assalaamu alai kum

both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.



Well, I am Muslim, and i believe in those part of the Bible which is similar with Quran...i can't believe all Bible as the Word of God..we muslim believe the previous Bible at the time of Jesus as the word of God, which was original Bible.The present Bible is not the Word of God.

CHRISTIANS CONFESS



Dr. W. Graham Scroggie of the MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE, Chicago, one of the most prestigious Christian Evangelical Mission in the world, answering the question - "Is the Bible the Word of God?" (also the title of his book), under the heading: IT IS HUMAN, YET DIVINE. He says on page 17:

"Yes, the Bible is human, though some, out of zeal which is not according to knowledge, 1 have denied this. Those books2 have passed through the minds of men, are written in the language of men, were penned by the hands of men, and bear in their style the characteristics of men." (Emphasis added).

Another erudite Christian scholar, Kenneth Cragg, the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, says on page 277 of his book, "The Call of the Minaret":

"Not so the New Testament3 . . . There is condensation and editing; 4 there is choice, reproduction and witness. The Gospels have come through the mind of the Church behind the authors. They represent experience and history." 5

If words have any meaning, do we need to add another word of comment to prove our case? No! But the professional propagandists, after letting the cat out of the bag, still have the face to try to make their readers believe that they have proved beyond the shadow of any doubt that the Bible is the "irrefragable 6 Word of God." Their semantic gymnastics - equivocating, and playing with words - is amazing!

1. Out of ignorance.

2. The Bible is not Just a Book. It is a selection and compilation of many books.

3. As opposed to the Qur’ân.

4. Another word for Interpolating.

5. Emphasis are mine.

6. Indisputable.

Both these Doctors of Religion are telling us in the clearest language humanly possible that the Bible is the handiwork of man, all the while pretending that the are proving to the contrary. An old Arab saying goes: "IF SUCH ARE THE PRIESTS, GOD BLESS THE CONGREGATION."

With this sort of drivel, the hot-gospeller and the Bible-thumper is "inspired" to harry the "heathen." 1 A theological student - a not-yet-qualified young evangelist - from the University of Witwatersrand, became a frequent visitor to the Newtown Mosque in Johannesburg, with the "noble" thought of "witnessing"2 to the members of its congregation. When I was introduced to him, (and having learnt his purpose), I invited him to lunch at my brother's residence - a stone's-throw from the Mosque. While discussing the authenticity of the Bible over the dinner table and sensing his stubborn dogmatism, I put out a feeler: "Your Professor Geyser, (The Head of the Department of Theology) does not believe the Bible to be the Word of God." Without the slightest surprise he answered, "I know." Now I personally had no knowledge of the Professor's conviction about the Bible. I had only assumed so from a controversy which raged around him about the "Divinity of Christ." 3 He had taken issue with the orthodox believers on this point some years ago. I continued further, saying, "Your lecturer does not believe the Bible as being God's Word." The young evangelist, responded again, "I know" but he continued this time-with the words, "but I believe that it is the Word of God!" There is no real remedy for such people. Even Jesus bewailed this sickness:

"... seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." (Matthew 13:13)

Al-Qur'an, the Holy Book of God, also condemns this mulish mentality:



These pages are now addressed to those sincerely humble souls, who are genuinely interested in seeking the Light of God, and who wish to be guided by it. As for the other, with a sickness in their souls, the facts presented herein can only increase the disease of their hearts.

1. See "How Lost are the Heathen?" by the same MOODY PRESS of Dr. Scroggie.

2. When the Christian talks of "witnessing" he means propagating, proselytizng, converting.

3. This subject is dealt extensively in the book - "CHRIST IN ISLAM"



THE MUSLIMS' STANDPOINT

PRESUMPTUOUS CHRISTIANS

Whether Catholic, Protestant or a "Cultist," of the thousand -and - one - sects - and - denominations-of-Christianity, never will you find a missionary who will not, prima facie, presuppose that his potential convert accepts his "Holy Bible" as the book of final authority on every religious opinion? The only answer the prospective proselyte has is to quote verses from the Bible which are contradictory to the missionary's or debate their interpretations.

THE DOGGED QUESTION

When the Muslim proves his point from the Christian's own Holy Scripture, and when the professional priest, parson or predikant cannot refute the arguments - the inevitable Christian evasion is - "DO YOU ACCEPT THE BIBLE AS GOD'S WORD? On the face of it, the question seems to be an easy one, but a simple "Yes" or "No" cannot be given as an answer. You see, one has first to explain one's position. But the Christian will not give one the opportunity. He gets impatient. "Answer - 'Yes or No!' " he insists. The Jews did the same to Jesus two thousand years ago, except that surprisingly he was not strait-jacketed, as is the fashion today!

The reader will readily agree that things are not always either BLACK or WHITE. Between these two extremes there are various shades of GREY. If you say "Yes" to his question, then it would mean that you are prepared to swallow everything HOOK, LINE and SINKER, from Genesis to Revelation from his Bible. If you respond with a "No" he quickly unhooks himself from the facts you have presented, and rallies support from his co-religionists in the audience with; "You see, this man does not believe in the Bible! What right has he to expound his case from our Book?" With this hydra-like somersault he rests content that he has safely evaded the issue. What is the Muballigh1to do? He has to explain his position vis-a-vis the Bible, as he ought to do.

1. MUBALLIGH: The Propagator of Islam

THREE GRADES OF EVIDENCE

We Muslims have no hesitation in acknowledging that in the Bible, there are three different kinds of witnessing recognizable without any need of specialized training. These are:

1. You will be able to recognize in the Bible what may be described as "The Word of God."

2. You will also be able to discern what can be described as the "Words of a Prophet of God."

3. And you will most readily observe that the bulk of the Bible is the records of eye witnessess or ear witnesses, or people writing from hearsay. As such they are the "Words of a Historian"

You do not have to hunt for examples of these different types of evidences in the Bible. The following quotations will make the position crystal clear:

The FIRST Type:

(a) I will raise them up a prophet . . . and I will put my words in ... and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." (Deuteronomy 18:18)

(b) I even, I am the Lord, and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)

(c) "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the end of the earth: for I am God, and there is non else." (Isaiah 45:22)

Note the first person pronoun singular (highlighted in green) in the above references, and without any difficulty you will agree that the statements seem to have the sound of being GOD'S WORD.

The SECOND Type:

(a) "Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? . . ." (Matthew 27:46)

(b) "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord:" (Mark 12:29)

(c) "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God." (Mark 10:18).

Even a child will be able to affirm that: Jesus "cried" Jesus "answered" and Jesus "said" are the words of the one to whom they are attributed, i.e. the WORDS OF A PROPHET OF GOD.

The THIRD Type:

"And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he, (JESUS) came, if haply he (JESUS) might find anything thereon: and when he (JESUS) came to it, (Jesus) found nothing but leaves . . ." (Mark 11:13)

The bulk of the Bible is a witnessing of this THIRD kind. These are the words of a third person. Note the underlined pronouns. They are not the Words of God or of His prophet, but the WORDS OF A HISTORIAN.

For the Muslim it is quite easy to distinguish the above types of evidence, because he also has them in his own faith. But of the followers of the different religions, he is the most fortunate in this that his various records are contained in separate Books!

ONE: The first kind - THE WORD OF GOD - is found in a Book called The Holy Qur’ân.

TWO: The second kind - THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET OF GOD, (Muhummed, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are recorded in the Books of Tradition called The Hadeeth.

THREE: Evidence of the third kind abounds in different volume of Islamic history, written by some of high integrity and learning, and others of lesser trustworthiness, but the Muslim advisedly keeps his Books in separate volumes!

The Muslim keeps the above three types of evidence Jealously apart, in their proper gradations of authority. He never equates them. On the other hand, the "Holy Bible" contains a motley type of literature, which composes the embarrassing kind, the sordid, and the obscene - all under the same cover - A Christian is forced to concede equal spiritual import and authority to all, and is thus unfortunate in this regard.





Bible is corrupted and unreliable and is mostly filled with man-made laws and corruption! "`How can you say, "We [the Jews] are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?' (From the NIV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)"



The Revised Standard Version makes it even clearer: "How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. (From the RSV Bible, Jeremiah 8:8)"



In either translation, we clearly see that the Jews had so much corrupted the Bible with their man-made cultural laws, that they had turned the Bible into a lie!





Can God be the author of confusion and contradiction?



i) I John 5:7 which hinted at the Trinity is taken out of every modern version of the Bible as it is not to be found in the most ancient manuscripts (that they have access to today).



There is therefore no longer any verse in the Bible which preaches three gods as one. The Koran preaches that God is one indivisible, and not a trinity ( Koran 4:171)



ii) II Samuel 24 :1 says that God incited David to number Israel .

I Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan incited David to number Israel. God and Satan are not synonymous.



iii) II Chronicles 36:9 says that Jehoiachin was 8 years old when he became king.

II Kings 24:8 says Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became king.



A difference of 10 years



iv) II Samuel 10:18 talks about David slew the men of 700 chariots of the Syrians and 40,000 horsemen and Shobach the commander.

I Chronicles 1:18 says that David slew the men of 7000 chariots and 40,000 footmen



Contradiction: one says 700 the other 7000. One says 40,000 horsemen(cavalry), the other 40,000 footmen (infantry).



v) I Chronicles 9:25 says that Solomon had 4000 stalls for horses and chariots.

I Kings 4:26 says that he had 40,000 stalls for horses



A difference of 36,000.



vi) Ezra 2:5 talks about an exile Arah having 775 sons.

Nehemiah 7:10 talks about the same exile Arah having 652 sons.



vii) John the Baptist contradicts Jesus.



According to Jesus, John the Baptist was Elijah in his 2nd coming Matthew 17:11.



John the Baptist denied being Elijah when the priests and Levites questioned him

(John 1:19-21).



viii) Was Jesus put on a cross (Stauron in Greek) Mark 15:11 or on a tree (Ksulon in Greek) I Peter 2:24



ix) John 3:13 Jesus says that none has ascended into heaven except the son of man who descended from heaven.



This contradicts II Kings 2:11 which says that Elijah ascended into heaven.



x) The Genealogy of Jesus.











I

Position of Jesus (pbuh) in Islam:



(i)

Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh).



(ii)

We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt).



(iii)

We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.



(iv)

We believe he was the Messiah translated Christ (pbuh).





(v)

We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission.



(iv)

We believe that he healed those born blind, and the lepers with God’s permission.



II

CONCEPT OF GOD IN CHRISTIANITY:



1.

Jesus Christ (pbuh) never claimed Divinity



One may ask, if both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus (pbuh), where exactly is the parting of ways? The major difference between Islam and Christianity is the Christians’ insistence on the supposed divinity of Christ (pbuh). A study of the Christian scriptures reveals that Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity. In fact there is not a single unequivocal statement in the entire Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says, "I am God" or where he says, "worship me". In fact the Bible contains statements attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in which he preached quite the contrary. The following statements in the Bible are attributed to Jesus Christ (pbuh):



(i) "My Father is greater than I."

[The Bible, John 14:28]



(ii) "My Father is greater than all."

[The Bible, John 10:29]



(iii) "…I cast out devils by the Spirit of God…."

[The Bible, Mathew 12:28]



(iv) "…I with the finger of God cast out devils…."

[The Bible, Luke 11:20]



(v) "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

[The Bible, John 5:30]





2.

The Mission of Jesus Christ (pbuh) – to Fulfill the Law



Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity for himself. He clearly announced the nature of his mission. Jesus (pbuh) was sent by God to confirm the previous Judaic law. This is clearly evident in the following statements attributed to Jesus (pbuh) in the Gospel of Mathew:



"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.



"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."



"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

[The Bible, Mathew 5:17-20]





3.

God Sent Jesus' (pbuh)



The Bible mentions the prophetic nature of Jesus (pbuh) mission in the following verses:



(i)

"… and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me."

[The Bible, John 14:24]





(ii)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent."

[The Bible, John 17:3]





4.

Jesus Refuted even the Remotest Suggestion of his Divinity



Consider the following incident mentioned in the Bible:



"And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’



And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ "

[The Bible, Mathew 19:16-17]



Jesus (pbuh) did not say that to have the eternal life of paradise, man should believe in him as Almighty God or worship him as God, or believe that Jesus (pbuh) would die for his sins. On the contrary he said that the path to salvation was through keeping the commandments. It is indeed striking to note the difference between the words of Jesus Christ (pbuh) and the Christian dogma of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus (pbuh).





5.

Jesus (pbuh) of Nazareth – a Man Approved of God



The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet of God.



"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."

[The Bible, Acts 2:22]





6.

The First Commandment is that God is One



The Bible does not support the Christian belief in trinity at all. One of the scribes once asked Jesus (pbuh) as to which was the first commandment of all, to which Jesus (pbuh) merely repeated what Moses (pbuh) had said earlier:



"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonai Ikhad."



This is a Hebrew quotation, which means:



"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord."

[The Bible, Mark 12:29]



It is striking that the basic teachings of the Church such as Trinity and vicarious atonement find no mention in the Bible. In fact, various verses of the Bible point to Jesus’ (pbuh) actual mission, which was to fulfill the law revealed to Prophet Moses (pbuh). Indeed Jesus (pbuh) rejected any suggestions that attributed divinity to him, and explained his miracles as the power of the One True God.



Jesus (pbuh) thus reiterated the message of monotheism that was given by all earlier prophets of Almighty God.





NOTE: All quotations of the Bible are taken from the King James Version.



III

CONCEPT OF GOD IN OLD TESTAMENT:



1.

God is One



The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from Moses (pbuh):



"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad".

It is a Hebrew quotation which means:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord"

[The Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4]





2.

Unity of God in the Book of Isaiah



The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah:



(i)

"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour."

[The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]





(ii)

"I am Lord, and there is none else, there is no God besides me."

[The Bible, Isaiah 45:5]





(iii)

"I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me."

[The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]





3.

Old Testament condemns idol worship





(i)

Old Testament condemns idol worship in the following verses:



"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."



"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:"



"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."

[The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]





(ii)

A similar message is repeated in the book of Deuteronomy:



"Thou shalt have none other gods before me."



"Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the water beneath the earth."



"Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."

[The Bible, Deuteronomy 5:7-9]







PEACE!


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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