|
I often wonder how different my beliefs would be if I grew up under different circumstances. Am I a Christian only because I was raised by Christians? What if I had been raised by atheists or by Hindus? Would I come to the same conclusions that I arrive at now?
I have even made attempts in the past to clear my slate (as best I can) and start from scratch. It is important to examine our own beliefs. Why do I believe in God? Why do I believe Jesus is God? If I start over, would I re-assemble the same construct that I have now or would it look different? While we are (admittedly) incapable of entirely setting aside beliefs, one can attempt to imagine different starting points in life and explore the reasoning premised on the beliefs we hold. Imagine that you were a Muslim (are perhaps you are). If the Qur'an alone were your starting point then where would it guide you?
First, the Qur'an says that God revealed himself prior to Muhammad. God gave Musa (Moses) a book and sent prophet after prophet, and then gave Isa (Jesus) clear arguments and strengthened him with the Spirit of God. |
|
Surah 2:87 and most certainly We gave Musa the Book (the Taurat)
and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium,
clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit...
Surah 2:253 We gave clear miracles to Isa son of Marium,
and strengthened him with the holy spirit.
|
| Even that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Marium) |
|
Surah 3:47 She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me,
and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases;
when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.
|
| Next, the Qur'an confirms that the Gospel of Jesus (Injeel) was sent by Allah and that it still remains. It is called Scripture on par with the Qur'an. It claims that there are those that follow it because it has been revealed to them by Allah. It is not possible to suggest that the book the Christians followed at the time of Mohammed was not the Injeel since the Qur'an calls it Scripture and claims it was revealed by Allah. |
|
Surah 5:46 We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel
Surah 3:3 He has revealed to you gradually, this perfect book which meets all your requirements, fulfilling that (prophecies in the Scriptures) which preceded it and which still remain. He revealed the Torah and the Injeel.
Surah 3:199 There are some among the People of the Scripture who believe in Allah and in that which has been revealed to you and in that which has been revealed to them...
|
| The Quran claims no distinction is made from itself to what was revealed to the prophets from Abraham to Jesus. |
|
Surah 2:136 Say: We believe in Allah and (in) that which had
been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Ibrahim
and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and (in) that
which was given to Musa and Isa, and (in) that which was given
to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction
between any of them, and to Him do we submit.
|
| Then, the Qur'an states the word of God cannot be changed. It is not possible that the word of God would be lost or altered. |
|
Surah 6:115 And the word of your Lord has been accomplished
truly and justly; there is none who can change His words,
and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
Surah 6:34 "There is none that can alter the words of Allah."
Surah 10:64 "No change can there be in the words of Allah."
|
|
(First hop) The word of God cannot be changed (Surah 6:34)
(Second hop) The gospels are the word of God (Surah 5:46)
(Third hop) The gospels remain with us (Sura 3:3)
(Conclusion) The gospels could not have been changed.
|
The Injeel cannot be changed according to the Qur'an. It is the word of God. The Qur'an points to Jesus, his miraculous birth, strength of his arguments, and the power of the Spirit of God. The word of God cannot be changed and it claims Jesus is God (John 1:1-14) and he is also the way to God (John 14:6). These 3 steps bring me from the Qur'an to the New Testament but what need do I now have for the Qur'an?
Maybe we should take the word of the Qur'an when it says that God will exalt Jesus to himself and clear him of accusations and that his followers will prevail (Surah 3:55) |