Being aware of man’s inclination, it had to be expected, that such a critique would undermine the fear of God, and contribute to the spiritual decay in what is now called ‘the Western world’. Intentionally or not, these critics made their own finite minds the judge over the infinite God, assessing and stipulating what He did, and what He ‘could not have done’. This resulted in a very human interpretation of the divine Book and its Author. The unheard-of happened. God was criticised by His creation, and was verbally stripped of His eternal attributes. Encouraged by the media, people took this to be a licence to live according to their own judgement and their own lust. Now the vast majority of the people ‘in the West’ live God-less lives. We call that ‘secular humanism.
At least by now you must have learned, never make the mistake to assume that Europe, America, and other nations are ‘Christian’ countries. They are not! Yet, in them, as in Africa, Asia, and Australia, live those who are totally committed to God. Only they deserve to be named after their Saviour: Christ.
Coming back to the Bible: While we know of occasional copy errors, we can be sure that these in no way influence or distort the message and meaning of God’s Word. Actually, we consider it a miracle that the biblical manuscripts, which have been copied by hand over periods of up to 3 000 years, are so remarkably preserved.
We are astonished that many Muslims use the liberal arguments to propagate the the falsification of the Gospel, while they refuse to apply a much needed text critique to their own scriptures. They completely ignore the fact that, although the Qur’an is of a considerably younger date, it has similar, if not more, complex problems. I am aware of the explosive character of this statement, but it cannot be more offensive to you than many Islamic statements concerning the Bible are to us. In short, I suggest we will have to play by the same rules. Muslin doctors who propagate that the Bible was corrupted also overlook the fact that most eminent Muslim theologians like al-Tabari (died AD 855), al-Bukhäri (died AD 870), as well as al-Ghazzäli (died AD 1111) believed in the authenticity of the (Greek) Gospel text. And that is what the very message the Qur’an promotes:
“Say ye: We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses, and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them.” (Surah al-Baqara 2:136).
“It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses); therein was guidance and light . . . if any do fail to judge by the light of what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) unbelievers . . . We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: Therein was guidance and light . . . a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by the light of what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. Judge what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires. (Surah Mâ-ida 5:47, 49.50, 52).
“Say: we believe in the revelation which has come down to us and that which came down to you” (Surah al-Ankabût 29:46).
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