Thursday 1 November 2018

The Majesty of the Book?

I've heard that Muslims admire the Quran for its majesty. They say it's the most perfect and beautiful of all the world's books. As proof, they quote sura 2:23 (THE HEIFER)  which reads, "And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like these, and call your witnesses "

First, is that any way to assess a book? Many classic tomes have been written over the centuries. Some of those are fiction while others are factual. Does it make sense to claim that the Quran is beautiful because people say it is? Reasonable people understand that lofty language doesn't prove a book to be true.

And shouldn't all verses be definitive if a book is to be believed as being divine? Look at  what sura 3:7 (FAMILY OF IMRAN) says. "It is He who revealed to you the Book. Some of its verses are definitive; they are the foundation of the Book, and others are unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow the unspecific part, seeking descent, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none knows its interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge say, '“We believe in it; all is from our Lord.' But none recollects except those with understanding."

Furthermore, I've pointed out in past posts that Muslims believe in the principle of abrogation, that later revelations replace earlier ones. They get this idea from sura 2:106 (THE HEIFER) which reads, "We never nullify a verse, nor cause it to be forgotten, unless We bring one better than it, or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is capable of all things?"

But does abrogation apply to the Bible? Jesus instigated the new covenant but it never replaced the old one. Instead, our Lord fulfilled it. Matthew 5:17 (KJV) is one verse which explains how. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

As I've written before, Jesus himself explained that the prophets foretold his coming. Luke 24:25 (KJV) says, "Then he said unto them, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:"

And if one wants to read majestic words, none could be moreso than what people call The Sermon on the Mount. Look at how our Lord began his sermon to those following him. Matthew 5:3-10 (BBE) reads, "Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted. Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be their heritage. Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire. Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy. Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God. Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God. Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs."

And though we have such lofty quotes, the one who made them is far more honoured. Look at what 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) says. "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Our Lord is truly awesome and far more glorious than what Muslims are taught to believe about him. That's partly why I'm writing my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Our opinions of Christ won't get us into heaven. Only by surrendering our lives to him will open those glorious gates.




On Saturday, I'll be posting about the shadowy world of spy number radio stations and the covert war we believers are fighting. Stay tuned.

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