Karaite
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(9/23/02 7:43 pm)
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 The Muslim Argument of Distortion in the Bible: Examined!
THE ARGUMENT OF PRESERVATION: GOD WILL PRESERVE HIS MESSAGE
It is the basic Muslim argument that “Allah has promised to preserve His book given to Mohammad (directly, not by mere inspiration).” This is a contrast to the argument that “Allah’s word was corrupted by the Jews and Christians.” How can Muslims make the claim that an event occurred, not once, but several times; then turn around and assert that this same claim is not possible in regards to them? I will say what Eliyahu said to the wise men, ‘I beg that this argument be thoroughly examined, because this argument does not make sense.’ (Job 34:35-36)
ALLAH NOT SO ALMIGHTY?
It is the basic belief that there is none like God, and I am sure that both Muslims and Christians will agree on this. We know that God does not lie, nor does He change. I hope that the Muslims can agree on this, as well. We also know that no man can ‘plan better than God, for He is the master of plans.’ (Qu’ran 3:54, 8:18,30) What He plans, no one can frustrate. For ‘man may plan in his heart to do something, but it is God who decides whether or not these plans come to pass. (Proverbs 16:1,3) So, why is it that Allah’s plan (Book for Guidance) was frustrated? How it was that man was able to plan better than Allah?
WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF GUIDANCE?
[The Gospel] Muslims claim that, since Jesus did not write any book, that the Gospels (Christian NT) are not inspired of God. Yet, they continue to quote from it, always, and as long as it is in reference to a twist of words that, somehow, if taken in isolation (out of context), support the idea of a messenger to come. Of course, the messenger would be the last prophet, and the one who would guide them into truth. These quotations are taken directly out of a context that would describe ‘the Holy Spirit.’ They (the quotations) are so obviously corrupted that, one wonders how anyone would truly believe their argument.
It is interesting to know that, in reference to the Gospel, Muslims claim to believe in it. (Qu’ran 2:136) However, they just can’t seem to know where it is…sense in that? Don’t find it. How can you claim to believe in something, yet you don’t know what you believing in? Sure, they state that (part of?) the Gospel is contained in the Qu’ran. But surely that is not the entire Gospel, is it? They themselves claim that the Gospel was lost, and that in the real Gospel information about Mohammad was given. So the question remains, how can you claim that you believe something, yet you don’t know what you believe? How could man frustrate Allah’s plan? (They also claim to believe in all the writings of the prophets, but don’t know where they are, neither.)
Furthermore, the same argument about the current Gospel being corrupted, and the real one being lost leaves one asking the questions, “who wrote the real Gospel?” Well, according to Muslims, the Gospel was the Book given to Jesus—the same as the Qu’ran was given to Mohammad. (Qu’ran 3:3) But was not the claim made that Jesus did not write anything? Yet, we are told that God sent Jesus with a Book—what is the true story? We also should ask the question; “if the Book sent down with Jesus was for the Salvation of the Jews (obviously, of the world as well), how come Allah did not tell the people how to find it?” In the old times, we have an account of the book of God being lost, and then we see that the priests found it, and when they found it, it was the will of God that they did. (ii Kings 22:3-23:3 ; ii Chronicles 34:8-33) Obviously, God does not need to redesign a book, and send it again. If it was done then, how come it can not be done again? Obviously, there is something that does not make sense, in the part of the Muslims. There is more to say on this argument, but for the sake of time, I will leave it at this, and move on to the next point.
[The Torah] The Muslims claim that the Torah was also given to Moses, as the Gospel was given to Jesus and Mohammad. (Qu’ran 3:3, 6:91) And the same argument is also made, as that of the Gospels, that Moses did not write a Book. This is done in contradiction of the already made claim that the Torah was given (or “sent down”) to Moses, as the Recitation (Qu’ran) was also given to Mohammad. A further problem in this argument is when we get to the part where the Qu’ran states; “We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles.” (Qu’ran 2:87) Obviously, the apostles (or prophets) did not have a problem with the Book that the people had, because they only came to confirm what was given previously. (Qu’ran 3:3, 46:12,30) Jesus came to confirm the Law [i.e., Book sent down to Moses] and the Prophets. (Qu’ran 5:46, 61:6)
So, now that we see that the Qu’ran claims that Moses indeed received a “Book” from God, and that Apostles came down with confirmation (and Books), which proved that the Book of Moses was from God, and useful for guidance. (5:44,46, 23:49, 28:43) Does this not destroy the claim by Muslims that Moses did not write a book? If all the other prophets after him, confirm what he wrote (or what was given, directly from God), how then is his Book lost? For Muslims also claim that the entirety of the Christian and Jewish Scriptures are lost. While at the same time they claim that they were never written down. But after some two thousand years, the Book was still secured, even unto the coming of Mohammad; the Book was still existent, for Mohammad came to confirm it. (3:3, 2:101) And he also came to explain it (10:37), the same way as Jesus also expounded on the Scriptures that came before Him. (Luke 24:27, Mark 4:34) Certainly, it would be a problem to expound on some Book that does not exist, right? (Qu’ran 29:48)
MAKING UP STORIES ABOUT SUPERHEROES?
However, we also have a problem in the argument that the Qu’ran expounds on previous books, yet we lack any real evidence of this; for the books do not exist anymore! When Jesus expounded, He did it from within the Books that were before Him. (Mark 4:34) And the Apostles did not come up with brand new books, and reject the old books. Instead, they quoted more than often from the same Books that Jesus also quoted from, and they never said that these Books were corrupted, or that they were to be thrown away. These Books were preserved, for it was only with them that their preaching could be proven true. If they had gone out preaching about some Messiah, claiming that He was prophesied by someone, and then never showed where the prophecy was made, then no one would had even listened to them. (Qu’ran 29:48) Because that would be the same as if I just came up with any story of a super-hero, and said that a bunch of people prophesied about him, and that he is real, and has come to save them. No difference, because I am only attesting to something I don’t have with me, nor can I provide anyone with its truthfulness. Basically, I am asking them to believe anything I tell them, because I say so.
ALLAH THE PRESERVER?
Muslims claim that Allah will preserve their book, the Qu’ran. (85:22, 15:9) But they say that the Book (Judeo-Christian) was corrupted, despite the many times that it was promised that they would be preserved. (Qu’ran 3:55, 33:7; Matt 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33) There are also the many citations of redemption, thru repentance. (Leviticus 26:40-42 et al.)
Also, Christians & Jews are encouraged by the Qu’ran to follow their (Jewish) Scriptures (2:62, 5:69), which would only seem to imply that these Scriptures do exist.
So, to highlight a few points, let us look at what we have mentioned.
• Muslims argue that the NT and OT are not from God; that they are corrupted.
• Muslims argue that Jesus did not write any book, nor did Moses write any book.
• Muslims argue that Allah did send books to the Jews and Christians, but that man was able to plan better, so they were successful in destroying the Book.
• Muslims claim that Allah will preserve the Qu’ran, even though Allah failed to preserve the Book.
• Muslims argue that there are only parts of the Book which can be acceptable for them, and these can be taken from anywhere, as long as it fits their theology.
• Muslims state that they believe in the Book of Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets; but they don’t know where these books are.
CONTRAST
• The Qu’ran argues that “the Book” was indeed given to Moses and to Jesus. Also, that there were books given to the Prophets after Moses.
• The Qu’ran argues that Moses was followed up by a series of Prophets who confirmed the Book’s validity, and ability to guide.
• The Qu’ran argues that at the time when Jesus came, the Book of Moses (and the Prophets) was still secured, and valid for guidance.
• The Qu’ran argues that at the time of Mohammad, the Book of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus were still valid, and they were still in circulation among the People of the Book.
• The Qu’ran argues that if the Book (which came before) had not been in circulation, then there would have not been a way to prove that the Explanation (Qu’ran) of the Book was, indeed, from Allah.
• The Qu’ran argues that Allah promised to preserve the Followers of Jesus, unto the day of Resurrection; above all the unbelievers—thus putting them in the rank of the Believers.
• The Qu’ran encourages Christians and Jews to follow their Scriptures; for Guidance exists in them.
How, then, can Muslims make the claim that Allah did not preserve the (Jewish) Book, because of human intervention; but was able to preserve the Qu’ran, when Allah clearly advices people to follow the Book, for in them they will find Guidance? How could Muslims argue that the New Testament and Gospel account of Jesus Christ are not truthful, when the Qu’ran itself seems to suggest otherwise? How then can Muslims argue that, neither Jesus, or Moses were able to write their books, when the Qu’ran says that they received it from Allah, the same as Mohammad did (“sent down”)? How then could Muslims argue that they believe in the Book given to Jesus and Moses and the Prophets, when they don’t believe the Judeo-Christian Scriptures?
Furthermore, how could Muslims claim that their book will be preserved, when they also claim that Allah failed in the preserving of previous books? Should this not cause them to wonder, since the promise was made to those before them, yet (according to their argument) it was not fulfilled?
I conclude this argument the same way as I started it. I beg that, in light of the evidences, and facts, and truths, that the Muslim argument of “Preservation, despite previous deception” be thoroughly examined, for to a good thinking mind, it does not make sense.
Blessings!
Milton
Check out my newest Arguments:
Muslim Agument of Distortion In the Bible
Exposition of Michael, Not Jesus
Exposition on Ecclesiastes: Life After Death
Exposition on Ecclesiastes: Part Two
Mohammad's Believe it or Not
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