People who have never opened a Bible may think that it is a religious book, maybe like a fairy tale or a book of wise sayings. Actually the Bible is more of a historical book that describes people's encounters with God. What many don't realize is that, it contains many statements that would have been provable or disprovable at the time they were written, to some degree.
Let me explain what I mean so you can find or select your own favorite statements that you can share with conviction.
(1)
Mark 5:1-20 describes how Jesus cast demons out of a demon-possessed man in a particular time in his short ministry and a specific location. It says that 2,000 pigs drowned themselves, and that the man "began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled". Decapolis means ten cities. Think about this: With that many dead pigs, there must have been either a very stinky lake, or, more likely, a lot of bacon on sale that week. Either way, this event would have been remembered, and talked about, for a long time. Anyone traveling through that region would have known about this if it had happened. So if you found yourself reading this story in Mark's Gospel in that day, you would have known if this was true or not.
(2)
Matt 28:14 describes how the Jewish leaders responded to the resurrection: "This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today." What saying? That the disciples stole the body of Jesus while the guards slept. This means that if you stopped a typical Jew in the street, around the time that Matthew was written, he would basically admit that Jesus' tomb was empty, and the Jewish leaders had no better answer to the resurrection than this saying. Therefore we can say that, from a historical perspective, there was widespread acceptance that Jesus was crucified at the time--contrary to the Quran claims.
(3)
The feeding of the five thousand, and of the four thousand, is recorded in all four gospels. This must have become widely known.
Question for Muslims: Does the Quran contain statements like Luke 3:1-2 or is it more of the "Long ago and in a land far away..." genre of literature?
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
Bible Corrupt: Dating the Gospels +
Muslims often ignorantly claim the gospels were written "hundreds of years" after the events they describe. However we can confidently show an earlier date because of the following:
We know that Acts and the Gospel according to Luke were both written by the same author. They were both addressed to "Theophilus".
We know that Luke's gospel was written before Acts, because Acts starts like this:
The first book [i.e. Luke's Gospel] I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach...
--Acts 1:1
The Book of Acts does not mention the following important events:
The Death of James (A.D. 62). James was the brother of Jesus and head of Jerusalem church, This event was recorded by the Jewish Historian Josephus.
The Death of Paul (A.D. 64). The book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest for two years. Paul is the major figure in Acts.
The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Probably both Matthew or Mark were written before Luke, because Luke's gospel specifically mentions other gospels, and clearly uses Matthew and Mark as source material:
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
--Luke 1:1-4
This means that Luke wrote what he heard from eyewitnesses.
We know that Acts and the Gospel according to Luke were both written by the same author. They were both addressed to "Theophilus".
We know that Luke's gospel was written before Acts, because Acts starts like this:
The first book [i.e. Luke's Gospel] I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach...
--Acts 1:1
The Book of Acts does not mention the following important events:
The Death of James (A.D. 62). James was the brother of Jesus and head of Jerusalem church, This event was recorded by the Jewish Historian Josephus.
The Death of Paul (A.D. 64). The book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest for two years. Paul is the major figure in Acts.
The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Probably both Matthew or Mark were written before Luke, because Luke's gospel specifically mentions other gospels, and clearly uses Matthew and Mark as source material:
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
--Luke 1:1-4
This means that Luke wrote what he heard from eyewitnesses.
Friday, January 1, 2016
License to Sin: Salvation by grace from the Epistles *
The doctrine of salvation by grace is most clearly shown in Paul's epistles, but as mentioned previously Muslims tend not to believe Paul.
The following verse may be the most concise explanation of the Gospel found in scripture:
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
--2 Cor 5:21 (KJV)
Paul teaches that there are fundamentally two ways to obtain righteousness:
One is by following the law perfectly, and the other is by Christ's righteousness by grace through faith.
Some people may seem to be holy to some people if you look like you are following the laws of Moses, you should not try to do that as a way of earning your salvation, unless you can keep the whole law completely:
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
--Gal 5:3-4 (KJV)
Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a gift. If you try to earn your salvation, you will receive the wages of your actions:
Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
--Romans 4:4 (KJV)
The following verse may be the most concise explanation of the Gospel found in scripture:
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
--2 Cor 5:21 (KJV)
Paul teaches that there are fundamentally two ways to obtain righteousness:
One is by following the law perfectly, and the other is by Christ's righteousness by grace through faith.
Some people may seem to be holy to some people if you look like you are following the laws of Moses, you should not try to do that as a way of earning your salvation, unless you can keep the whole law completely:
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
--Gal 5:3-4 (KJV)
Salvation cannot be earned, but only received as a gift. If you try to earn your salvation, you will receive the wages of your actions:
Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
--Romans 4:4 (KJV)
Monday, December 28, 2015
License to Sin: Can Christians Eat Whatever They want? *
Why don't Christians follow the Old Testament dietary laws against eating pork? Did Paul make more changes to the Old Testament laws?
No, it is because Peter was shown a vision from God that showed that all foods were made clean, and he also learned that they should no longer avoid associating with non-Jews:
“What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
--Acts 10:14
No, it is because Peter was shown a vision from God that showed that all foods were made clean, and he also learned that they should no longer avoid associating with non-Jews:
“What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
--Acts 10:14
Salvation: Jesus Taught Salvation by Grace +
Usually, when we talk about salvation by grace, we will quote verses from the epistles. However, Muslims have been told that Paul changed the original Christianity that Jesus taught into licentiousness to appeal to pagan audiences.
Let me expand on this point here. They claim that Paul was able to entirely undo what Jesus came to do, then replace that with something different, all in the same generation that Jesus and his disciples lived in. This is the same Jesus who is the only virgin-born prophet who performed many miracles.
Nevertheless it is good to be able to show that Paul and Jesus are not at odds. Here are verses that show that Jesus himself taught that salvation is by grace, through faith.
Fundamentally, the message of the four gospels is that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. Jesus did not flee the cross but allowed himself to be captured. This must have great significance. As Paul points out:
For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!
--Gal 2:21
Communion was instituted by Jesus:
This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
--Matt 26:28
Jesus said:
the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
--Matt 20:28
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
--Mark 16:16
To the people who were religious people who were trying to keep the law:
I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
--Matt 5:20
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
--Matt 5:28 (KJV)
About the tax collector compared to a pharisee:
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.
--Luke 10:13,14
To a crowd that had gathered around Him:
“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
--John 6:29
To the paralytic:
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
--Mark 2:12
To the thief on the cross:
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
--Luke 23:40-42-43
To the sinner woman:
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (...)
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
--Luke 7:48, 50
To whosoever:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
--John 3:16 (KJV)
Jesus left us with a new commandment, not with Moses' law:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.
--John 13:4
This is not "another" commandment, but a "new" commandment that replaces the old.
Let me expand on this point here. They claim that Paul was able to entirely undo what Jesus came to do, then replace that with something different, all in the same generation that Jesus and his disciples lived in. This is the same Jesus who is the only virgin-born prophet who performed many miracles.
Nevertheless it is good to be able to show that Paul and Jesus are not at odds. Here are verses that show that Jesus himself taught that salvation is by grace, through faith.
Fundamentally, the message of the four gospels is that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. Jesus did not flee the cross but allowed himself to be captured. This must have great significance. As Paul points out:
For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!
--Gal 2:21
Communion was instituted by Jesus:
This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
--Matt 26:28
Jesus said:
the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
--Matt 20:28
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
--Mark 16:16
To the people who were religious people who were trying to keep the law:
I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
--Matt 5:20
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
--Matt 5:28 (KJV)
About the tax collector compared to a pharisee:
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.
--Luke 10:13,14
To a crowd that had gathered around Him:
“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
--John 6:29
To the paralytic:
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
--Mark 2:12
To the thief on the cross:
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
--Luke 23:40-42-43
To the sinner woman:
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (...)
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
--Luke 7:48, 50
To whosoever:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
--John 3:16 (KJV)
Jesus left us with a new commandment, not with Moses' law:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.
--John 13:4
This is not "another" commandment, but a "new" commandment that replaces the old.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Trinity: A Few verses of Explanation of the Trinity +
What Is The Trinity?
The Trinity is the belief that God is one being, three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It may not make sense according to what you see in your daily world, but it is quite consistent with what the Bible says.
While there are some alternative doctrines, the trinity is the view that is presented to Muslims by scholarly Christian apologists. I am not aware of any exceptions.
I somewhat reluctantly concluded that the traditional view is the best. The argument that persuaded me was this:
If Jesus were just human of some kind, then that would mean that the hard work of paying for our salvation was done by a person, and not God. Who then do you want to worship? With the Trinity, God gets the worship he deserves.
You can expect to be asked about the trinity when talking to Muslims, but you don't have to be an expert. Usually, if you can intelligently answer few questions the conversation turns to something else.
Muslims typically have the expectation that the Trinity is something that was invented later, like in the council of Nicea, or that it is part of a corruption of the Bible.
These verses show that Jesus pre-existed creation.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made
...
The Word became flesh, and lived among us.
--John 1:1-3, 14
John introduces this as his thesis for the entire Gospel of John and it which concludes like this:
These are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
--John 20:31
Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
--John 17:5
Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
--Phil 2:5-11
Hebrews 1:1-14 (the entire chapter) is about who Jesus is.
From Jesus in Revelation, we have these:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
--Revelation 1:8
I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
--Revelation 1:17
I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
--Revelation 22:13
Note: When it is convenient, Muslims insist on accepting only the words of Jesus himself. However, the Quran is not held to this standard.
The Trinity is the belief that God is one being, three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It may not make sense according to what you see in your daily world, but it is quite consistent with what the Bible says.
While there are some alternative doctrines, the trinity is the view that is presented to Muslims by scholarly Christian apologists. I am not aware of any exceptions.
I somewhat reluctantly concluded that the traditional view is the best. The argument that persuaded me was this:
If Jesus were just human of some kind, then that would mean that the hard work of paying for our salvation was done by a person, and not God. Who then do you want to worship? With the Trinity, God gets the worship he deserves.
You can expect to be asked about the trinity when talking to Muslims, but you don't have to be an expert. Usually, if you can intelligently answer few questions the conversation turns to something else.
Muslims typically have the expectation that the Trinity is something that was invented later, like in the council of Nicea, or that it is part of a corruption of the Bible.
These verses show that Jesus pre-existed creation.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made
...
The Word became flesh, and lived among us.
--John 1:1-3, 14
John introduces this as his thesis for the entire Gospel of John and it which concludes like this:
These are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
--John 20:31
Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
--John 17:5
Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
--Phil 2:5-11
Hebrews 1:1-14 (the entire chapter) is about who Jesus is.
From Jesus in Revelation, we have these:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
--Revelation 1:8
I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
--Revelation 1:17
I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
--Revelation 22:13
Note: When it is convenient, Muslims insist on accepting only the words of Jesus himself. However, the Quran is not held to this standard.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Why Muslims Never lose +
Do not be surprised if the Muslims you are talking to act as if their side wins every debate and that they are so confident that the Quran is true that it is as if they had witnessed everything it says with their own eyes. That is quite typical. Expect it and don't let it bother you.
Do Muslims Ask Real Questions?
Sometimes you will find Muslims asking inappropriate questions, or behaving in a way that makes you question their sincerity. At this point it may be best to not continue discussing. You have to decide if what you are encountering a language barrier, or something cultural, or if your time and expertise is better spent elsewhere. You should not cast your pearls be fore the swine. Feel free to walk away.
Muslims almost always demand a much higher standard of proof from Christianity than they do from their Muslim sources.
It is common to encounter Muslims who say they used to be Christian. This is a way of discrediting Christianity. Some who know more about Christianity may claim to have been elders, youth pastors or pastors, or former Christian scholars who have seen the light. I have heard where Muslims convert to Christianity, marry naïve Christian women, then revert back to Islam.
Do Muslims Ask Real Questions?
Sometimes you will find Muslims asking inappropriate questions, or behaving in a way that makes you question their sincerity. At this point it may be best to not continue discussing. You have to decide if what you are encountering a language barrier, or something cultural, or if your time and expertise is better spent elsewhere. You should not cast your pearls be fore the swine. Feel free to walk away.
Muslims almost always demand a much higher standard of proof from Christianity than they do from their Muslim sources.
It is common to encounter Muslims who say they used to be Christian. This is a way of discrediting Christianity. Some who know more about Christianity may claim to have been elders, youth pastors or pastors, or former Christian scholars who have seen the light. I have heard where Muslims convert to Christianity, marry naïve Christian women, then revert back to Islam.
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