1. 7t,it6! tf,;re
RESERVED

2. LET
LET
THE BIBLE
THE BIBLE
SPEAK
SPEAK
by
All Muhsln
AD Muhsln

3. FOREWORD
FOREWORD
Being totally convincedthat this book (Let the Bible speak) contains
Being totally convinced that this book (Let the Bible Speak) contains
good information about Thc Bible and The Holy Qu/aq The Dammam
good infonnation about The Bible and The Holy Qur'an, The Dammam
IslamicDabah and Gridance center decidedto reprint it again. But as we
Islamic DaWah and Guidance Center decided to reprint it again. But as we
prepareto do thejob we havenoticcd that the copy that was available was
prepare to do the job we have noticed that the copy that was available was
too blurred and not good enoughfor reproduction.
too blurred and not good enough for reproduction.
Due this probler4 DamrnamDabatr and GuidanceCenter
Due to this problem, Danunam Dawah and Guidance Center work it out out
to review, retyped, annotates and corrects the whole book, such as~
review, retlped, arulotatesand correctsthc whole book, suchas;
l. Somereferences missing
are
1. Some references are missing
2. Some quotation
2. Some quotation
3. Misspelling
3. Misspelling
4. Typing errors
4. Typing errors
5. Somechaptersand versesare not accurate.
S. Some chapters and verses are not accurate.
have utmost reproduce the as is
We have tried our utmost to reproduce the book as it is with some some
mirurtechanges ensre that the
minute changes to ensure that the book will not lose its internal beauty
lose internal beauty
the benefit of who read
for the benefit of all who read it.
To the author, Ati Mutrsiq We pray that the Almighty Allatr
author, Ali Muhsin, pray Almighty Allah
showers Mercy and Gracc
continuously showers His l9Iercy and Grace to him and add the
rnd add
virnre of this book to his scale of good decds.
virtue of his scaleof deeds.
We ask Allah'spardonfor any mi$skesthat we commit unlcnowingly,
ask Allah's pardon any mistakes unknowingly,
as it hasbecn for us in prcparing it.
as it has been preparing

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My thanks are due to Kingsley Green, an Australian biology teacher
My thanlcsare due Kingslcy Grecn, an Australian tcacher
in the Mazengo Secondary School, Dodo~ Tanzania, who as a lay
inthe Mazengo SecondarySchool, Dodoma" Tanzania" as
preacher used to pay us visits in prison. From him I learn to study the
preacher used payus prison. learn shrdy
Bible systematically.
systematically.
To the many Christian preachers at College and in priso~ fellow
many Christian preachers College and prisorU
students and fellow inmates, with whom I used to have fruitful
students and inmates, used have fruitful
discussions owe grstitude.
discussions lowe gratitude.
I
I would also like to express thanks to the Amnesty International for
also expressthank Amncsty International
keeping me supplied with reading matter which enlarged my
me supplied reading whioh cnlargcd
knowledge of present-day Christian thinking.
knowledge of present-dayCluistian thinking.
To Zainab Sabri, daughter of a very good Egyptian friend of mine,
Zainab Sabri, daughter of Eg;ptian of mine,
Mr. Fathi Sabri, I must say : Thank you!! for typing the first
Sabri, must say Thank you tlping
manuscript.
manuscript,
To my dear wife, Azza, I am indebted for her courage to sustain
dear flzra am indebted her courage sustain
difficulties and peacc of shegrve me and
difficulties and for the peace of mind which she gave me and which
enabled me in prison to study, to meditate, and to write all that I have
enabled me prison study, meditstg and writc dl thEt have
written . On her lonely shoulders rested the burden of looking after
her shouldcrurcct€d burdcn of aftcr
herselfand six children tcn yearswhilc shewas livfug as
herself and our six children for ten long years while she was living as
a refugee in Egypt.
refirgee Eg1pt.
has gulded me dong thc
Over and above all I thank Allah who has guided me along the right
and above
path. .
p a th
2

5. PREFACE
PREFACE
and publication this essayis not intended be an
The writing and publication of this essay is not intended to be an
The
exercise polemics. Rather is motivated by the desire to
exercise in polemics. Rather is it motivated by the desire to
enlighten both Christians and Muslims many parts of the
enlighten both Christians and Muslims who in many parts of the
wrirld have together as counfirymenand neighbors.
world have to live together as fellow countrymen and neighbors.
Their enlightenmentregarding the original fundamentalsof each
Their enlightenment regarding the original fundamentals of each
other'sfaith would, is hoped,makethem appreciate basic unity
other's faith would, it is hoped, make them appreciate the basic unity.
the
that binds them as adherents the sameoriginal faith, the Universal
that binds them as adherents of the same original faith, the Universal
Religion teaches the one True God as
Religion which teaches submission to the will of the one True God as
submission the
to
the basis
the basis on which man's moral behavior is founded.
man'smoral behavior founded.
unfortunate that Jesus Christ has
It is unfortunate that Jesus Christ has left for us nothing as
us nothing as
authoritativeas the ProphetMuhammadhasdone. the Qur'an are
authoritative as the Prophet Muhammad has done. In the Qur'an are
the teaching Islam unsullied purity.
the teaching of Islam in their unsullied purity. We do not fmd the
do find the
slrme the Gospels (Injeel). The latter may be compared the
same in the Gospels (Injeel). The latter may be compared to the
traditions of the Prophet(the Hadiths Sunna).Of the sayingsand
traditions of the Prophet (the Hadiths or Sunna). Of the sayings and
the actionsof Jesusasreported the
the actions ofJesus as reported in the Bible there are admittedly many
thereare admittedly many
which are spurious, false, jr:st as there were established and the weak
are spruious,false,just asthere were establishedand the weak
and false were weededout.
and false were weeded out. It is undeniable that attempts were made,
undeniablethat attempts were made,
sectarian other divisive reaso.ns, fake sayingsand attribute
and
for sectarian and other divisive reaso.ns, to fake sayings and attribute
them the Prophet.
them to the Prophet.
Impartial would have admit, however, that there was
Impartial criticism would have to admit, however, that there was
much more scientific methodology when the Prophet'straditions
much more scientific methodology when the Prophet's traditions
came to be collected and shifted than there has been at the adoption
came be collected and shifted than there has been the adoption
of canonical Gospels.The great scholars(Imams).
of the canonical Gospels. The great scholars (Imams) who devoted devoted
collecting the raditions the Prophet made thcir best
their lives collecting the traditions of the Prophet made their best
using srictly scientific standards veriff the
endeavors (Ijtihad) using strictly scientific standards to verify the
endeavors
genuinetraditions. even bestendeavors
genuine traditions. But even their best endeavors and their scientific
and scientific
methodswere after humanand Fortruratelythere is
methods were after all human and not infallible. Fortunately there is
the Qu/an whose authenticity hasnever beenquestioned fribnd
the Qur'an whose authenticity has never been questioned by friend or
foundation Islam the tenets
foe. That is the unshakable foundation of Islam on which the tenets
foe. That is the unshakable
of the are based the of the genuinenessof
of the faith are based . It is the final criterion of the genuineness of
any tradition, and the rock on which the structwe of Islam has been
any nadition, and the the stnrcture of has been
built.
built.
3

6. pages it will be seen
In the following pagesit will be seenthat II havetendedto reproduce
have tended to reproduce
many quotations. This is my way of dealing with the subject
many quotations. of dealing with the subject
seriously, subject of such transcendent importanceas
seriously,particularly a subjectof such transcendent importance as
be among "Those would
religion. I do not want to be among "Those who woald argue about
religion.
God without knpwledge, and without guidance and without an
wilhout knpwledge, without guidance without
enlightening bookr" as the Qu'an puts it.
enlightening book, " as Qur'an puts
Studyingthe the long solitude of prison I att~mpted
Studying the Bible in the long solitude of my prison cell I attcmpted
to search for the tnre teachingsof Jesusand the Hebrew Prophetswho
search the true teachings of Jesus and Prophets
had preceded him. Ten years and five months of imprisonment
had preceded years and months of imprisonment
became ten years and five months of intensive Bible study.
became ten years and months of intensive study.
Painstakingly I kept removingbit by bit the hard encrustationwhich
Pahstakingly kept removing the har4 encrustation
had piled up on what I knew must be a lustrouslying beneath.
had what must be lustrous beneath.
I found it.
found
I would appeal to both my Muslim brothersand sisterswho know
appeal both brothers and sisters
very little of Christianity, and 10 my Christian friends who know next
very Christianity,andto Christianfriends next
to nothing about true Islam (and true Christianity for that matter) to
to nothing abouttrue Islam (and tnre Christianity that matter)
come along with me, and in the following pages search for the truth.
come along me, and the pagessearch the truth.
We will fmd it, for the truth is the house that has been founded upon
We will frnd the tnrth the house has been founded
fall and the shall the house
the Rock, and rain shall fall,, and the winds shall blow, but the house
the Roclq and rain shall
Jerusalem whenceboth Muhammad and
shall not fall.. There in Holy Jerusalem whence both Muhammad and
shall not fall There
Jesusrose spiritual ecstasyto the Heavenly Presence a symbol
Jesus rose in spiritual ecstasy to the Heavenly Presence is a symbol
glaring significance,denotingthe trrlth bids Muslim and
of glaring significance, denoting the truth that bids both Muslim and
Christian bow to the same God who is worshipped with equal fervor
Christian bow to the sameGod who worshipped equal
and dcvotion the Mosque upon the Rock and the Chr.uchof the
and devotion in the Mosque upon the Rock and in the Church of the
bids us ourselvesof the taditions of
Holy Sepulchre. That Truth bids us rid ourselves of the traditions of
Sepulchre.That
men and follow the commandments of God. That
men and follow the commandments of God. That Truth bids us us
relinquish the tendency Rcligion sectsand
relinquish the tendency to divide Religion into sects and uphold the the
Unity that binds us together.
Unity that binds us together.
4

7. Allah say'sin the Holy Qur'an ::
Allah say's in the Holy Qur'an
"And We verilygaveMosesthe Scripture, that haply they might go
"And We gave Moses Scripture, haply might go
aright. And We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent,
arighl And We made of Mary portent,
and We gave them a refuge on o height, a place oftlock and water-
We gave a place offlocks and
springs,0
springs. O ye Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo!
Messengen! ofthe things, righl Lo!
II am oware of whotye do. And lot this your religwn is one religion
aware ofwhat do. And lo! this your religion religion
and II am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me. But they
your keep your But
(man*ind) have hroken their religion among them inlo sects, each
(mankind) havebroken religion into sects,each
sect rejoicing in its tenets. So leavethem in their error lill a time."
sect its tenets.So leave their error till time. "
Qur'an2J:49'54
Qur'an 23:49-54
Let us not keepon wanderingin enor whenthe StraightPath is clear
us not keep wandering error when the Straight Path clear
us understand one anotherand appreciate another's
one
beforeus. Let us understand another and appreciate one another's
before us. one
honestyin seeking for the truth.
honesty seeking the truth.
Ali Muhsin
Muhsin
5

8. Table Contents
Table of Contents
Foreword
Foreword
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement
Preface
Preface
Table Contents
Table of Contents
The Teaching the Church
The Teaching of the Church
The Bible
The Bible
OriginalSin
Original Sin
St. Paul
St. Paul
The Only Son God
The Only Son of God
God andJesus they one andthe Same?
are
God and Jesus are they one and the Same?
Miracles,But WhoseAuthority ?
Miracles, But Whose Authority?
The Birth
The Virgin Birth
-
Jesus ProphetFrom Nazareth The Servant God
Jesus - Prophet From Nazareth The Servant of God
ProphetTo Israel
A Prophet To Israel
Salvation Blood
Salvation By Blood
Paul Jesus, Faith Works ?
Paul Or Jesus, Faith or Works?
GuideInto All The Truth
Guide Into All The Truth
The The Qur'an
The Bible And The Qur'an
DeathOn The Cross
Death On The Cross
Him Not"
"They Killed Him Not"
"They
The and The License
The Law and The License
ProperPerspective
Proper Perspective
PaganSources
Pagan Sources
Prophecy Of Jesus Fulfilled
Prophecy Jesus
Counselor, Comforter, Admirable
Counselor, Comforter,Admirable
Conclusion
Conclusion
6

9. II PIETY
" PIETY BASED ON ERROR T,S
ERRONIS INDEFENSIBLE "
INDEFENSIBLE
FatherJohn L. Mackenzie
Father John Mackenzie
THE TEACHING THE CHURCH
THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH
By the term "the chuch"ll is meant thc body of Christians, or more
the tenn lithe church meant the body of Christians, more
precisely, the professionalpriesthoodwhich has taken upon itsclf the
precisely I the professional priesthood has taken upon itself
task of formulating doctrines and rituals as well as rendering certain
task of doctrines and as well as rendering
religious services in accordance with what are believed to be the
services accordance what are believed be the
teachingsof JesusChrist. "The church" may also mean the sect to
teachings of Jesus Christ. liThe chtuch" may also mean the sect
which an individual Christian belongs.
an Christian belongs.
All Christian Churches, sects,teach following as
All the main Christian Churches, or sects, teachthe following as the
principal dogmas, or articles of faith to be believed in without
dogmas, articles of be believed
question:
question:
l. Thereis One God.
1. There is One God.
2. In God there are three divine Persons, th~ Father, the Son and the
2. God there are threedivine Persons, Father,the Son and the
thq
Spirit. Thesethree Personsare called the
Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit. These three Persons are called the
Ghost,
blessed Trinity. They are equal and they are eternal i.e. they have
blessed Trinity.They are €qualand they are eternal i.e. they have
no beginningand no end. They are not three gods, One God.
no beginning and no end. They are not three gods, but One God.
3. The Fatheris God and the fust Personof the blessed
3. The Father is God and the frrst Person of the blessed Trinity.
4. The Son is God and thc secondPersonof the He Jesus
4. The Son is God and the second Person of the Trinity. He is Jesus
the human form. He was born of the
Christ wl}.o is God who took the human fonn. He was born of the
Christ who is God who
about thousandyearsago Palestine,
Virgin Mary about two thousand years ago in Palestine, was was
crucificd, died and rosc again fiom the d€ad. deathand
crucified, died and rose again from the dead. His death and
the crosswas intended bc a sacrifice
suffering on the cross was intended to be a sacrifice for thethe
forgiveness of the sins of men. This is called the~ Atonement, and
forgiveness the sins of men. This is called thc-Atonement,and
he is entitled the Savior and the Redeemer.
he cntitled the Savior and the Rcdecmer.
5. Thc is thc Pcrsonof thc blessed After the
5. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the blessed Trinity. After the
death of Christ the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (or
death of the dcscendcdupon thc Apoitlcs
early Missionarics) of Christ, and the continues lead the
early Missionaries) of Christ, and the Spirit continues to lead the
Church.
Church.
6. human bears the stain of what called the
6. Every human child bears with him the stain of what is called the
the tarugression Adam.
"Original Sin" inherited from the transgression of Adam.
inherited
7

10. 7. BAPTISM, the c€remony sprinkling somebody
7. BAPTISM, the ceremony of sprinkling somebody with water, or,
water, or,
accordingto somesects,immersing
according to some sects, immersing him in water, as making his
water, as making his
being accepted a member the Church,and belief Christ's
as
being accepted as a member of the Church, and belief in Christ's
atonementis the meanswherebyman shall be saved.
atonement is the only means whereby man shall be saved.
Let us examinethe sacreddoctrinesof the Church thc
Let us examine the sacred doctrines of the Church in the light of the
the
writings the Bible which the Churchaccepts canonical,that is to
writings of the Bible which the Church accepts a canonical, that is to
a
say,as the authoritative Word God.
say, as the authoritative Word of God.
THE BIBLE
The word Bible comes from the Greek ..hihIiL meaning "books". It
The word Bible comesfrom the Greek biblia meaning"books".
is a collection many bookswhich form the foundation Christian
is a collection of many books which form the foundation of Christian
belief. Admittedly they have been written by a large number
belief. Admittedly they have been written by a large number of
authors,known and unknown. thoseauthorsare believedto have
authors, known and unknown. But those authors are believed to have
beeninspired God and they wrote the Dooksunderthe supenision
been inspired by God and they wrote the books under the supervision
and guidanceof God; hencethe
and guidance of God; hence the Bible is referred to as The Word of
is ret-ened as The
to of
God. The Catholic
God. The Catholic Bible, however, is somewhat different from the
however, is somewhatdifferent from the
Protestant Bible. The former consistof 73 books,
Protestant Bible. The former consist of 73 books, while the latter has
the latter has
only 66 books.
only 66 books.
general the
In general the Bible is divided into two main portions, The Old
is divided main portions, The
Testament was written beforethe adventof JesusChrist, and
Testament which was written before the advent of Jesus Christ, and
the Testament was after Jesus Christ and
the New Testament which was written after Jesus Christ and
describesthe and teachingsof JesusChrist and the activities of
describes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the activities of
his disciples, apostlcs, spreadingthe Christian faith. The
his disciples, or apostles, in spreading the Christian faith. The New
Testarnent containsalso lettersaddressed various Christiansgroups
Testament contains also letters addressed to various Christians groups
andindividuals.Theseletterswerewritten mostly Paul,a Jewwho
and individuals. These letters were written mostly by Paul, a Jew who
converted to Christianity and became the chief exponentsof the
converted Christianity and becamethe exponents of the
Christian faith as it known today. He has at times describedthe true
Christian as known today. has at times described the true
founderof modern Christianity,
founder of modernChristianity.
The booksof the Old Testament their presentform were probably
The books of the Testament in present were probably
written after the retum of the Jewsfrom the Babyloniur captivity i.e.
written afterthe return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity i.e.
after 536 B.C. Those of the New Testamentwere collected and
after 536 B.C. Those the New Testament were collected and
8

11. accepted legalin the fourth centuryafter Christ (about367 A.D.).
accepted as legal the fourth century after Christ (about 367
as
Besides the Four Gospels (describing life and teachingof Christ)
the
Besides Four Gospels (describing the
the and teaching of Christ)
which are in the Bible there are a numberof other Gospelswhich
are the Bible there are number of other Gospels
were not acceptedby the Church elders, and some of them are
were accepted the Church elders, and some of them are
availableeventoday.The books which could haveformedpart of the
available e'/en today. The books could have fonned part of the
Bible, and indeed were and are accepted some Christians,but
Bible, and indeed were and are accepted by some Christians,
which the main body of the ChristianChurchrejected, calledthe
which the main body the Christian Church rejected, arc called the
are
Apocrypha, a Greekword meaning"Hidden", but which now has
Greek word meaning "Hidden", has
wrongly been understoodas meaning "felsc, not genuinc". The
wrongly been understood as meaning "false, genuine". The
accepted booksarecalled "Canonical".It is thesecanonical
officially accepted books are called "Canonical". these canonical
booksof the Bible which areregarded THE WORD OF GOD.
books the Bible which are regarded as as WORD GOD.
ORIGINAL SIN
O RIGINAL S I N
In the Old Testament the first book, Genesis, has the story of creation
the Testament the book, Gencsis, the story of crcation
has
of Adam grace.
and the fall of man. Thus is described the fall of Adam from grace.
and the of man. Thus describ€dthe
gardcn otEden
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden ofEden to
God took the nan
till keep it. And God commandedthc manDSaying,
till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, Saying,
hut olthe tree of
"You may freely eat ofevery tree of the garden; but ofthe tree of
"Yott mayfreely eat of every tree of lhe
shall not eat,far the day thatyau
knowledge ofgood and evil you shall not eat,for in the day that you
knawledgeof gaod and evil
eat of it you shall die. "
eat shall die."
Ge n e s 2 :15-16
Genesis i2:15-16
s
Adam, however,persuaded his wife, Eve, transgressed God's
Adam, however, persuaded by his wife, Eve, transgressed God's
by
command and ate the forbidden tree knowledge.God crrrsed
command and ate of the forbidden tree of knowledge. God cursed
them both..
themboth
To the woman He said;; "1 will greatly multiply your pain in
the woman He said "I will greatly multiply
pain shall hringforth desire
childbearing; in pain you shall bringforth children, yet your desire
hwband,ond he shallrule overyou"
shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. "
shatlbefor
have listenedto lhe voice ot
And to Adam He said;; "Because you have listened to the voice of
to Adam He said "Because
wde, and have eatenof the fiee oJ which comnundedyou,
your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,
"you shall not eat of il", cursedis the ground bccatueof you; in
"you shall not eat of it", cursed is the ground because ofyou; in
9
9

12. toU you shaO eat of it all the days ofyour life; thorns and thistles it
toil shall of all daysotyour life; thistles it
shall bringtorth you; and you shall eot planF of thefteld. In
shall bringforlh to you; andyou shaH eat the plants ofthefield. In
sweat of your face
the sweat ofyour face you shall eat bread till you return to the
shall till return
groundrfor out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you
ground,jor of il were taken; dust, dust
shall return."
shall
Genesis i3: 16-19
Ge n e s 3:16-19
s
On account of their sin, the Church teaches,Adam and Eve lost
On account of their sin, the Church teaches, Adam and Eve lost
sanctiffing grace,the of Heaven and special
sanctifying grace, the right of Heaven and their special gifts; they
they
becamesubject death, suffering and a strong inclination
became subject to death, to suffering and to a strong inclination to
and they were the gardenof Paradise. account of
evil and they were driven from the garden of Paradise. On account of
Adam's sin human beingsare born deprivcd of sanctiffing grace
Adam's sin all human beings are born deprived of sanctifying grace
and punishment.This
and inherit his punishment. This is what is called THE ORIGINAL
called THE ORIGINAL
SIN.
8t. Paul's theology developed the doctrine of Original Sin to justiff
St. Paul'stheology developedthe doctrine of Original Sin justify
another doctrine, REDEMPTION by the death of Jesus on the cross.
anotherdoctine, REDEMPTION the deathof Jesus the cross.
letter the Romanshe wrote:
In his letter to the Romans he wrote:
"Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death
"Therefore assln carfie into twrld through death
through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned
sin, so death spread aII men becauseall nun
- sk indced was thc rwrld before
• sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not
law was given, sh
from Adsm
counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned trom Adam to
law. Yet deuth
Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression
Moses,even over those whosesins were not like lransgression
otAdaa who was type otthe one who was comc. But
ofAdam, who was a type ofthe one who was to come. But thefree
gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's
gtft like the trespass. il nany died one
graceotGod thetree gilt
trespass, much more have the grace ofGod and the free gift in the
tresposs,much rrurrchave
grace of that one
grace ofthat one man Jesus Christ aboundedfor many. "
Jesus many."
Romans 5:12-15
Romans 5:12-15
To the Corinthians St. Paul wrote: "For as in Adam aU die, so
Coriuthiens St. Peul " For as all die, so
also in Christ shall all be made alive. "
aho Christ shall aII bc made alive."
I Corinthians 15:22
1 Corinthians 15 :22
t0
0

13. however, contradicted by
The Paulinedoctrine of Original Sin is, however,contradicted
The Pauline doctrine of Original
other passages from the Bible. In DeuteroRomy, example,which
otherpassages the Bible. Deuteronomy, for example,
is one of the five booksof Torah,Mosessay's: "Thefathers shall
one of the books of Torah, Moses say's:
not beput to deathfor the children, nor shall the children beput to
put death for children, nor put
deathfor thefathers; everyman shall beput to dealhfor his own
death for thefatlters; every be put deathfor his
sin. "
sin."
Deuteronomy 24:16
Deuteronomy 16
24:
In Jeremieh we read : "In those daysthey shall no longer say;
Jeremiah read: "In thosedays they say,'
."TheIllthers hsve eatensour grapes,and the children's teeth are
"The Jathers have eaten grapes, teeth
set on edge." But everyone shill diefor his own sin; each man who
set edge. " every one shall diefor his sin; each who
eats sour grapes, hk teethshall be set on edge."
eatssour grapes, teeth shall be set edge. "
his
Jeremiah 31:29-30
Jeremiah :29-30
31
And in Ezekiel it is more categorically stated::
Ezekiel is more categoricallystated
"Yet say,Why should son sufferfor the iniquity of the
" Yet you say, Why shoulil not the son sufferfor the iniquity ofthe
father? When the son has done what is lawful and right, and has
father ? When son hasdone what lawful has
been observe my statutes, shall
he for the
been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall not sufferfor tlte
iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the
of thefather, the father suffer for the of the
of the righteorc shall be upon himselJi
son; the righteousness ofthe righteous shall be upon himself, and
son;the righteowness
the wickedness ofthe wicked shall be upon himself. "
lhe wickedness the wicked shall be upon himself."
of
Ezekiell8:19-20
Ezekiel 18: 19-20
the New Testementtoo there is the evidence Jesushimself
In the New Testament too there is the evidence of Jesus himself
contradicting the theory of inherited sin::
contradictingthe theory inherited sin
"As he passed he (Jesus)ssw4 man blindtrom his birth, and
"As he passed by, he (Jesus) saw a man blindfrom his birth, and
hy,
asked, "Rtbhi, who sinned, this man hisparents,
his disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
hb disciples
'ilt was lhis man
that he was born blind 7" Jesus answered, ';It was not this man
ftat he was born blind ?" Jesusanswered,
the works of God be made
sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made
sinned, hisporenls, hut
manifest in him."
nunifest hin "
John 9:l-3
John 9:1-3
ll
11

14. Contraryto the teachings the Church,
of
Contrary to the teachings of the ChW'Ch , which goes under his name,
goesunderhis name,
that all children are bom sin, Jesus
that all children are born in sin, Jesus Christ confirms their
innocence the following pes$rge
innocence in the following passage from the Gospel according to
Gospel nccording
Matthew:
Matthew:
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become /ike children you
"Truly,I say unless become like
neverenter the kingdom of heaven."
will never enter the kingdom ofheaven. "
Matthew 18:3
Matthew l8:3
Thus we seethat the doctrine inherited sin proporrnded Paul as
Thus we see that the doctrine of inherited sin propounded by Paul as
his first letter to the Corinthians(quotedabove) contradicted
in his first letter to the Corinthians (quoted above) is contradicted by
God and Moses more authoritative evidence from the
God and Moses in more authoritative evidence from the Bible,
namely Deuteronomy,Jeremiahand Ezekiel (all
namely in Deuteronomy, Jeremiah and Ezekiel (all of the Old the
Testament)as as JesusChrist the Gospelsaccording to
Testament) as well as by Jesus Christ in the Gospels according to
John and Matthew Testament).
John and Matthew (in the New Testament). The Church however is
the The Church however is
inclined disregard the categorical evidence of the Torah, the
inclined to disregard the categorical evidence of the Torah, the
Prophetsand the Gospels,which form the main parts of the
Prophets and the Gospels, which form the main parts of the Bible,
and rely on the letters 'of 81. Paul which for no earthly reason were
and the letters'of St. Paul which no earthly reasonwere
appended and then incorporated the Bible.
appended to and then incorporated in the Bible.
But who is this Paul ~
is this Peul i
ST. PAUL
ST.
St. Paul was a Jew whom was born Tarsus what
St. Paul was a Jew whom was born in Tarsus in what is now Turkey.
Turkey.
When he was born the country was part RomanEmpire, and thus
When he was born the country was part of Roman Empire, and thus
although raceand religion a Jew,he yet enjoyedthe privilege of
although by race and religion a Jew, he yet enjoyed the privilege of
being a Romancitizen.St. Paulwas not one the discipleschosen
being a Roman citizen. St. Paul was not one of the disciples chosen
by Jesus his -time. Indeedthereis no indicationthat he ever
by Jesus in his life -time. Indeed there is no indication that he ever
met Jesus.What is known is that he was fanatical hatred
met Jesus. What is known is that he was fanatical in hatred for
Christians,and engagedhimself houndingout Christiansfrom
Christians, and engaged himself in hounding out Christians from
hiding and bringing them to be torturedand killed. He was presentat
hiding and bringing them to be tortured and killed. He was present at
the stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
the stoning St. Stephen, first Christianmartyr.
the
t2
12

15. While on his way to Damascushc is reported to have experienceda
While on his way to Damascus he is reported to have experienced a
vision ofChrist, and thus became a staunch propagatorofChristianity
vision of Christ"andthusbecamea staunchpropagator ofChristianity
which he claimed had beenrevealedto him by Jesusin visions. This
which he claimed had been revealed to him by Jesus in visions. This
"revealed"version of Christianity was fundamentally different from
"revealed" version of Christianity was fundamentally different from
what the chosen disciples of Jesusknew to be the teaching of the
what the chosen disciples of Jesus knew to be the teaching of the
Master, so that there was a seriousconflict between Paul and the
Master, there serious between Paul and
of Jesus had neverdeviated from
original followers of Christ who like Jesus never deviated
the law of Mosesand the strict Judaicmonotheism.
of Moses and Judaic monotheism.
THE ONLY SON
THE ONLY SON OF GOD
there are number of references to
In the four Gospelsof the Bible thereare a numberof references
Gospels of the
Jesus Christ asthe "Son of Cod". The following are a few examples:
Jesus as the "Son of God". The are examples:
"And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus
"And when centurion,who stood lacing him, saw thst thus
said. "truly this man wasthe SonolGod!"
breathed his last, he said. "truly this man was the Son of Godl"
breathed his ltsl,
Mark 15:39
Mark 15:39
And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
And the said her, "The Spiril comc upon
the of the wiII ovenhadow the
and the power ofthe Most High will overshadow you; therefore the
holy, the Son of God,"
child to be born will be called holy, the Son ofGod. "
chitd be horn will be
Luke l:35
Luke 1:35
they all said,t'Are the Sonof God, then ?t' and he lo
And they aU said, "Are you the Son ofGod, then ?" and he said to
them, You say that 1 am. "
them, You say I afir."
Luke 22:70
Luke 22:70
He trust in God; let God thliver him now, If he desires; for he said,
He trust in God; let God deliver him now,If he desires;for he said,
"/ am the Son ofGod. "
"I am the Sonof God-"
Matthew 27:43
Matthew 27:43
And wheneverthe unclesnsplrilr hcheld hittt' theyfe[ down before
And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, theyfeU down before
him and cried onl, "Yon ure the Son of God" And he strictly
him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." And he strictly
ordered them not to make him known.
orderedthem not to nake him known.
Mark 3:l l-12
Mark 3:11-12
l3
13

16. And when he camc to the other side,to the
And when he came to the other side, to the country ofGadarenes,
of Gadarenes,
mct hit4 comiag
two demoniac met him, comiilg out ofthe tombs, sofierce that no
of the tombs, softerce
one poss way. hehold, they cried out, ltlfhat have
one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have
you to do with us, 0 Son 0/ God? Have you come here to torment
lo do us, O Son of God 7 Have cotne here
rc before the time?"
us be/ore the time? "
Matthew 8:28-29
Matthew 8:28-29
the Gospels Merk rnd
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke there are about 22
therc are rbout 22
such referetrces Jesuses the Son God,
such references to Jesus as the Son of God, but in all of them not
rll them
once he so. Matthew2l:43 quotedaboverefersto
once did he call himself so. Matthew 27:43 quoted above refers to
the allegation the priest the scribesand the elderswho
the allegation of the chief priest with the scribes and the elders who
mocked him. was not first hand reporting Jesus's
mocked him. It was not fIrst hand reporting of Jesus's own statement
statement
by the author of the Gospel. It was nonna1ly either madmen, the so
the author the Gospel. was normally either madmen,the so
called demoniacand uncleanspirits, paganRoman soldierswho
called demoniac and unclean spirits, or pagan Roman soldiers who
refenedto as the Son of God. owu preference wrs
referred to him as the Son of God. His own preference was for the
Ben which meantman son man. Thrt
title of Ben Adam, which just meant man or son of man. That title
is repeeted rbout E0 times Jewishpersecutors
is repeated about 80 times in the Gospels. His Jewish persecutors
Gospels.
out of malice allegcd that he claimed to be of the Jewsthat he
out of malice alleged that he claimed to be King of the Jews that he
the wrath of the Romanrulers, and hc
might incur the wrath of the Roman rulers, and that he claimed to bebe
the Son of God to enrage the Jewish people.
the Son of God to enragethe Jewishpeople.
Frsncis Lectuer the Testament Studies at
Francis Young , Lecturer in the New Testament Studies at
Birmingham University, Incemrte
Binningham University, writing in The Myth of God Incarnate
The Myth of
says:"Apartfrom John where
says: "Apart/rom fohn where interpretive material if clearlyplaced
naterid is clearlyplaced
upon the lips of fesus,the Gospels kwriably portray
upon the lips ofJesus, the Gospels invariably portrcl not Jesus but
fesus
others as using phrares like the"Holy One of God", or "Son of
as phrases the"Holy of of
David", Son of of all titles nSon of
David", or Son 0/ God". Alone of all the titles rISon of Man"
appearsas used Jesushimsef....."
regularly appears as used by Jesus himself.••.• "
It should be remembered that at the time of Jesus it was
should be remembered that at the time of Jesus was
commonplace to invest with divinity not only non-existent
commonplace invest non-existent
mythological fIgures but historian mortals as well. Laertus,thc pagan
mythological figures historian mortals as Laertus, the pagan
of the Lives of the Philosophers, writes of a number of
Author of the Lives of the Philosophers,writcs of a numbei of
philosophen as being sons of God. Pleto was described as being of
philosophers as being sonsof God. Plato was describedas being of
divine parcntage; so was PJrthagor$ who was supposed to be the
parentage; and so was Pythagoras
and was supposed be the
incamateson of the god Hermes.Empedocleswas also alleged to be
incarnate sonof the god Hermes. Empedocles was alsoalleged be
14
l4

17. an immortal god who healedthe sick, and his followers worshipped
an immortal god who healed the sick, and his followers worshipped
him and prayed.tohim. Plutarchregardsit as beyondthat Alexender
him and prayed to him. Plutarch regards it as beyond that Alexander
the Great was ofdivine descentand Romulus the legendaryancestor
the Greet was of divine descentandRomulus the legendaryancestor
of the Romanswasthe Sonof Mars,the god of war. He was supposed
of the Romans was the Son of Mars, the god of war. He was supposed
to have beenraisedto heavenin a cloud. An inscriptionof 48 B'C.
to have been raised to heaven in a cloud. An inscription of 48 B.C.
refers to Julius Ceesrr as "god manifest offspring of Ares and
refers to Julius Caesar as "god manifest offspring of Ares and
Aphrodite and commonsavior of human life"' Another inscription
Aphrodite and common savior of human life". Another inscription
refening to Augustus caessru says:"The Emperorcaesar, son of
referring to Augustus Caesan says: "The Emperor Caesar, Son of
God, god Augustus,overseer of land and sea."
God, god Augustus, overseer land and sea."
of
Thesetitlesof "god" ,, "sonof god" ,,and "lord" beingcommonand
These titles of "god" "son of god" and being common and
widespread in the Mediterranean
widespread region about of Jesus could
Mediterranean regionaboutthe time of Jesus
not but influence the general publicwho werenot deeplyinfusedwith
not but influencethe general public who were deeply infused with
the Judaic monotheism.They were terrns loosely used by all and
the Judaic monotheism. They were tenns loosely used and
sundry.
sundry.
The myths around those other personalities, mythological and
The myths around those other personalities, mythological and
historical,were strikingly similar to thoselater adopted Christians
historical, were strikingly similar to those later adopted by Christians
the case the ProphetJesus, whom be peace. FrancisYoung
in the case of the Prophet Jesus, on whom be peace. Francis Young
on
his essay,Two Rootsor.a Tangled Mass? writes inter alia:
in his essay, Two Roots or a Tanrled Mass? writes inter alia:
"Moreover,one cannotdismissout handthe view that something
"Moreover, one cannot dismiss out of hand the view that something
of the samekind happened the caseof Jesus. Thereare,to take but
of the same kind happened in the case of Jesus. There are, to take but
in
generalsimilaritiesbetweenLivy's accountof Romulus
one example, general similarities between Livy's account of Romulus
oneexample,
aboutJesus: virgin birth, conception
a
and some synoptic narratives about Jesus: a virgin birth, conception
and somesynopticnarratives
by a god, a remarkablecare€r,no tace of his remains after death, an
by a god, a remarkable career, no trace of his remains after death, an
uip*.r*.. after deathto commissionhis successors, offering of
the
appearance after death to commission his successors, the offering of
pr"y"rr to him. It would be impossible makea convincingcasefor
to
prayers to him. It would be impossible to make a convincing case for
iiti"t influence;but peopleliving at roughly the sametime do seem
direct influence; but people living at roughly the same time do seem
with parallel motifs."
to have produced mythological accounts with parallel motifs."
to have producedmythological accounts
To rcturn to the text of the Bible, when Jesus was brought before the
To return to the text of the Bible, when Jesus was brought before the
court he refusedto concurto the chargethat he claimedto be the.Son
court he refused to concur to the charge that he claimed to be the Son
of God asmadmenand pagans beenpropagatin$ abouthim: And
of God as madmen and pagans had been propagating about him:'And
had
the high priest stood up and said;
the high priest stooduP and said;
155
l

18. "Have you no answer lo nuke? What is it that thesenun testify
"Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify
againstyou ?" But Jesw was silenl And the high priestsaid to
against you ?" But Jesus was silent And the high priest said to
him, "I adjure you hy the living God, tell us ifyou are the Christ,
him, "] adjure you by the living God, tell us ifyou are the Christ,
the Son of God. " Jesus said to him. "You have said so. But] tell
the son of God" Jesussaid to hittt "you havesaid so.But I tett
hereafter will seethe son otman seatedat the right hand
you hereafter you will see the son ofman seated at the right hand
of Power, and coming on the cloudso! heaven.,,
ofPower, and coming on the clouds ofheaven. "
Matthew 26:62-64
Matthew 26:62-64
The three Gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke (called "synoptic"
The three Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (called "synoptic"
meaningcoffrmonview because
meaning common view because they agree in fonn and content) do
they agreein form and content)do
not referto Jesus the "only" son God. It is the Gospel John
as
not refer to Jesus as the "only" Son of God. It is the Gospel of John
which laysspecial stress the divinity Jesus, callshim, the
which lays special stress on the divinity of Jesus, and calls him, the
on and
Only Son of God.
Only Son God.
the Word becamefleshand dwell among us,full of grace
"And the Word becameflesh and dwell among us,full ofgrace and
truth; we have beheld his glory,
truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as ofthe onlySonfrom the
as otthe only Sonfrom
Falher."
Father. "
Johnn1:14
J o b l :14
"For God so loved
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that
lhat gave his Son,
whoeverbelieves
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. "
nol have hfe."
John 3:16
J o hn3:16
What is special about the use of the term "Son of God"? Going
What special about the use of the tenn "Son of God"? Going
through the Bible we find suchterms being usedin referenceto many
through the fmd such tenns being used reference many
othersbesidesJesus Christ. In the Old Testament, of it having
others besides JesusChrist. the Testament, all of having
beenwritten beforethe birttr ofJesr:swe find the following examples:
been before birth ofJesus fmd examples:
"71/hen men began to multiply on the face of the ground and
"When began multiply face of ground
daughters were born to lhem, the sons of God saw that the
daughters were them, sons of saw
daughters of men werefoir; and they took wives such of them as
daughters of were fair; wives such of as
they chose. "
they chose."
Genesis 1-2
Genesis 6:l-2
6:
l16
6

19. or who laid its cornerstone,when the
"On what were i8 hasa sunk,or who bA iE cornettlonc, when the
"On what were its bases
morning slarx songtogcthcr, and aII the sottsof God shouledfor
morning stan sang together, and all the sons of God shoutedfor
joy?"
joY?"
Job 38:6-7
Job 38:6-7
,,Yet the numher of thepeople of Isrocl shallhe he tIP sandof the
" Yet fhe number ofthepeoptc o/Israel shall be li*c the sand ofthe
sea, which can be neithet ncasured nor numheted, end in the place
sea, be neither measured nor numbered, IUId in the place
where il ncs saidto then, "You arc not my Pcople" It shsll he said
where it was to them, "You are not my people." It shall be said
to them "Sons ofthe living God."
tothcm"sonsotthelivinSGod"
Hoscal:10
Hosea 1:10
Apparently it was quite common practice befqfc the time of Jcsus
Apparently it before time of Jesus
even for Hebrew writers on religious zuiccts to usc thc tcnn "sons
even for suQiects use the term "sons
of God" in referenccto thosc who wcre bcloved of God. An Italian
of God" in reference those were beloved of An Italian
Biblicat authority, Marcello craveri, who wrote The LV< of rcsrc.
Biblical authority, Craveri, Thc I ifc IlI/fSus.
however, believes that the term has in history undergone changes
however, believes has undergone changes
through mistranslation. He writes:
through mistranslation.
Testamentdoes contain the phras€cbcd Yahweh'
"Actually, the Old Testament does contain the phrase (bed Yahwc!J.
"Actually, the
which, howevcr, means"the scrvant of God", "th€ slave of God",
which, however, means "the servant of God", "the slave of God",
Septuagint translates it
God's liege subject. The Greek text of Septuagint translates it
God's liege subject. The Gre€k
in as much asItEI" the L*;n Us'
equivocally as fJzais TheON, in as much asJJlli,t, like the LatinI1J«L
equivocaliy as (poblheoil,
or "slav€", subscquently, it was quite
can mean either "little boy" or "slave", subsequently, it was quite
can mgan either "little
nboy" with
simple to replace llJli,t in the sense of "boy" with tlaJW,, which means
simple to replacelerh in thc scnseof &I4,t ufrich mcalut
nson'.
"son".
Indccd in Hcbrew literature even the term "god" seemsto have been
Indeed in Hebrew literature even the term "god" seems to have been
rattrcr looscly uscd.In Exoduswe rcad of God addlcssingMoscs and
rather loosely used. In Exodus we read of God addressing Moses and
tetling him about thc relation ufrich would bc bcnveen him and
telling him about the relation which would be between him and
Aaron:
Aaron:
pcoptc; and hc shail bc a nnulhfor
"He slid SJHlfIk/or you to tile people;""d lie slid be a 1IIOIIthfor
"Hc shallsphfor Jnu to thc
lOll, ",,4 you slid be to him tIS God. "
,vr4 at d You shalt bc to him os Gd'"
Exodus4:16
Exodus 4: 1"6
17 7
1

20. Note egain:
Note again:
"I say, "You arc gods, sons of the Most High, all of you
"l say, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you
neverthelus,you shall die like men andfall lihe any prince,i
nevertheless, you shall die like men andfall like any prince. "
Psalm 82:6-7
Psalm EZ:6-7
All thosequotationsare from the old restament let us now seewhat
All those quotations are from the Old Testament let us now see what
the New Testament to say.Luke reports Jesuspreaching:
has
the New Testament has to say. Luke reports Jesus preaching:
"But loveyour etumies, and do good and lend expecting nothing
II But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing
in r&rrn; and your renard will hegreat, and you wilt be sonsof tie
in return,' andyour reward wiU be great, andyou wi/I be sons ofthe
Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish"
Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish."
Luke 6:35
Luke 6:35
In the Gospelaccording Matthew Jesus reportedto say:
to
In the Gospel according to Matthew Jesus is reported to say:
is
"Blused are thepeacema*asfor they shall be
"Blessed are the peacemakersfor they shall be called sons ofGod"
sorc of God.,,
Matthew 5:9
Matthew 5:9
Paulin his letter to the Romans writes:
Paul in his letter to the Romans writes:
uFor aII
"For all who are led by the Spirit ofGod are sons ofGod II
Spirit of God arc sorc of God,
Romans 8:14
Romans 8:14
The two men who are said to have done their utmost to ascribe
The men are said have done utmost ascribe
divinity to Jesuschrist are John and paul; and yet from the above
Jesus Christ are John and Paul; and above
quotation Paul definitely admitsthat resuswas not the only son of
Paul definitely admits Jesus was son of
God, but "all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
God, "all ofGod sorrsofGod"
Let us seewhat John has to say, he who hascoined the phrasc, ,rthc
us see what John has to say, who has coined the phrase, "the
only son of God". In the course of an argumentJenrs had with the
only son ofGod". In the course of an argument Jesus had with the
rews who wanted to stone hinr, he askedof them for which of the
Jews who wanted to stone him, he asked of them for which of the
good works that he had shown them werc they stoning him?
good.works that he had shown them were they stoning him?
l18
8

21. The Jews answeredhim, ulfe stoneyoufor no good wor*s butlor
The Jewsallswered "We stone you for no good works butfor
btasphemy; becauseyou beinga mon, makeyourself God"" Jesus
blasphemy,' because you being a man, make yourself God. Jesus
answered them, "Is it not written in your law, said, you are gods!
answeredthem, "Is it not wriflen in your law, II said, you are gods!
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and the
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and the
scripture cannol he broken), doyoa say of him of whom the Father
scripture cannot be broken), do you sayofhim ofwhom the Father
consecraled ond sent into lhe world, "You are blaspheming"
consecrated and sent into the world. are blaspheming"
hecouseI said "I am the son of God?"
because I said "1 son of
J o h nl10:33-36
John 0 :3 3 -36
other words Jesus was pointing Jewish persecutors that
In otherwords Jesuswas pointingout to his Jewishpersecutors that
the term Son of God wasno more blasphemous
the tenn Son of God was than the tetm t'godsl'
more blasphemous thanthe tenn "gods"
which had been usedin respectof others previousto him. At least
had been used respect of others previous At least
that what the of John's Gospel implies. Jesus's own personal
that is what the writer of John'sGospelimplies.Jesus's personal
preferencewas for the term "son of man", in Hebrew, Arabic and
preference was the tenn rIson of man ", Hebrew, and
Swahili: nBenAdam", which
Swahili: "Ben Adam",which just means "man". This repeated no
means "man". This is rep€ated
the Testament, mostly spokenby Jesus
less than 80 times in the New Testament,
less than 80 times mostly spoken Jesus
once he reported categoricallycall the Son
himself. Not once is he reported to categorically call himself the Son
himself.
of God in any special sense.
God any specialsense,
Finally let us considerChrist's last words when he was about to
Finally let us consider Christ's last words when he was about to
ascend heaven related the Gospel John:
ascend to heaven as related in the Gospel of John:
to as
Filher, to God
"J am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and
"I am ascendingto my Fother
your God. "
God-" John 20:17
John 20: 17
It is very clear to understandwhat Jesus meant by this single
It is very clear to understand what Jesus meant by this single
sentence, that his sonshipwas in no way differentfrom the sonship
sentence, that his sonship was in no way different from the sonship
of all men.
of all men.
The Americanwriter, Upton Sinclair,saysin his book, " A Pqnonol
The American writer, Upton Sinclair, says in his book, "A Pmonal
~ ::
Jeuus" " And lest anyonethink that in calling God his Fatherhe
"And lest anyone think that:: in calling God his Father he
was proclaiming himself the Son, let it be madeclear that he called
was proclaiming himself the Son, let it be made clear that he called
God your Father, too. He said it eighrcen times in the New
God your Father, too. He said it eighteen times in the New
Testament:"Your HeavenlyFatherK1oweth", and so on. He meant
Testament: "Your Heavenly Father Knoweth", and so on. He meant
that we were all sonsof God, and hc was one of them."
that we were all sons of God, and he was one of them."
t9
19

22. GOD AND JESUS (are they one and the same ?)
GOD AND JESUS (are they one rnd rhe seme ?)
christian Chuches teachthat Jesus
Christian Churches teach that Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God,
christ is not only the son of God,
but that "he is very God". The Father,The son andthe Holy spirit are
but that "he is very God". The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit are
one. Three in one, and one in Three. They are co-etemal and co-
one. Three in one, and one in Three. They are co-eternal and co-
equal.Jesus God, and God is Jesus.
is That is thc christian dogm4 to
equal. Jesus is God, and God is Jesus. That is the Christian dogma, to
which the majority of thosewho call themselves
which the majority of those who call themselves Christians subscribe.
christians subscribe.
St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthianswrote:
St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians wrote:
"we are evenfound to be misrepresenting
"We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified
God,because testfred
we
ofGod that he raised Christ. whom he did 1I0t raise if it is true that
of God he raised chrisL whom he not raise tf rt ir
the deadare nol raised'l
the dead are not raised. "
I Corinthians t 5: t 5
1Corinthians 15: 15
spite of Paul's alleged that christ was the samebeing as
In spite of Paul's alleged belief that Christ was the same being as
God, he could not but say "God RaisedChrist". If Jesusand God
God, he could not but say:: "God Raised Christ". If Jesus and God
were one and the sa,me would not have beenmore appropriate
were one and the same would it not have been more appropriate to
speakof the operation the
speak of the operation in the following terms : Christ raised himself
terms Christ raised
If God raisedchrist, the
? If God raised Christ, the two could not possibly be the same being.
could possibly be the strmebeing.
One was definitely the performer and the other upon
One was definitely the perfonner and the other upon whom the the
operationwas performed,
operation was performed.
John,the otherstrongadvocate the divinity of Christ"reportsin his
John, the other strong advocate of the
of of Christ, reports
Gospelthat Jesussaid: "Let not yoru heartsbe troubled;believein
Gospel that Jesus said: not your hearts be troubled; believe
God, believealso in me." The word "also" emphasize distinction
God, believe also me." The "also" emphasize the distinction
the
betweenGod and Christ.
between God and Christ.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read: ,,And he (Stephen) said,
of Apostles read: "And (Stephen) said,
"Behold, II seethe heavens openedand the Son of man standing at
see heavensopened and ofman standing at
the right hand olGod" "
right ofGod.
7:56
Acts 7:56
20
20

23. The Son of man, as Jesuspreferredto catl himsctf, is secnby Stephen
The Son of man, as Jesusprefened to call himself, is seen by Stephen
to be standingat the right hand of God. Hence he cannot at the same
to be standing at the right hand of God. Hence he cannot at the same
time be God; and this is a descriptionof a situation in heaven,He is
time be God; and this is a description of a situation in heaven, He is
no longer the Jesusof this world described in Hebrew 2 as having
no longer the Jesus of this world described in Hebrew 2 as having
been ',made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might
been Il made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might
becomea merciful and faithful high priest in the serviceof God".•
become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God ll
On the Mount of Olivesto which Jesusfled huntedby the Jews,he
On the Mount of Olives to which Jesus fled hunted by the Jews. he
took occasionto withdraw from his disciples,and there in seclusion
took occasion to withdraw from his disciples, and there in seclusion
prayed God:
prayedto God:
"Father, if thou
"Father, if thou art wHling, renurvethis cupfrom rfl'e;nevertheless
willing, remove this cup/rom me; nevertheless
not my will, but thinc he done-" And there appearedto him an
not my thine be done." And appeared him
angel/rom hetven, strengthening hiruu"
angelfrom heaven, strengtheninghim.
Luke 22:4243
22:4243
We Dote here three important things:
We note herc three thingr:
1. Jesus prays to God, Jesus worship God. Hence they are two
L Jesusprays God, Jesus worship God- Hencethey are
beings unequalstatus the extent that one has pray
separate beings of unequal status to the extent that one has to pray
separate
to the other.
to the othcr.
butthe will Jesgs, son man'
the
2. They have two separate wills, but the will of Jesus, the son of man,
2. Thcy have separate
is subordinate that of God. God's
to must prcvail.
is subordinate to that of God. God's will must prevail.
3. Jesrs,beingmar loscsheart and weakens,and God Almighty, as
3. Jesus, being man, loses heart and weakens, and God Almighty. as
the sourceof all strength,scndsan angelto strcnghen Jesus.
the source of all strength, sends an angel to strengthen Jesus.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says categorically:
In the Gospelof John,Jesussayscategorically:
"For the Father is greater than !" Johnl4:28
John 14:28
"For the Father is grcater lhan It'
And finalty on the cross: "And about the ninth hoat Jesrtscried
And finally on the cross: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried
t'My
with a loud voice,"Eli, Eli, la ma sabach+hani ?r', that is'
with a loud voice, "EIi, Eli, la ItUI sabach-thani ?", that is, "My
God, my God, why hostlhouforsaken nte?t'
God, my God, why hast thou/orsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46
Matthew 27:46
21 l
2

24. It is clear from the abovequotationthat Jesus
It is clear from the above quotation that Jesus and God are not only
and God are not only
separateentitiesbut their will are different and could be even
separate entities but their will are different and could be even
contradictory; the superior will must however prevail. what is
contradictory; the superior will must however prevail. What is
shocking, however,is the despairingtoneof christ's supplication
shocking, however, is the despairing tone of Christ's supplication on
on
the cross.Far from being the only begottenson of God or God, we
the cross. Far from being the only begotten Son of God or God, we
could not expectsuchweakness evenfrom an ordinarymortal with
could not expect such weakness even from an ordinary mortal with
a trustin God.
a trust in God.
MIRACLES
MIRACLES:: But in whose Authority ?
But in whoseAuthoriry ?
Among the proofs advanced someto substantiate divinity of
by
Among the proofs advanced by some to substantiate the divinity of
the
Jesusare the miracles which he is reputedby the Gospelsto have
Jesus are the miracles which he is reputed by the Gospels to have
performed.Examplesof such miraclesare the turning of water into
performed. Examples of such miracles are the turning of water into
wine, the healing of the leprous and the paralytic, the exorcising of
wine, the healing the leprousand the paralytic,the exorcising
the possessed, raising the dead and walking on water. But the
the
the possessed, the raising of the dead,, and walking on water. But the
very sameGospels us that Jesus
tell attributedall thosemiraclesand
very same Gospels tell us that Jesus attributed all those miracles and
everythingthat he ever did to the God who had senthim. Henceare
everything that he ever did to the God who had sent him. Hence are
a few examples:
a few examples:
"For I have not spokenon my own authority; the Father who sent
"For have spoken own who
me has himself given me commandmentwhat to say and what to
himselfgiven commandment say and what
speak-And [ know that his commandment is eternar life, I say,
speak. And I his commandment eternal life. I say,
therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.,,
therefore, I say hasbidden me. "
John 12:49-50
Johnl2:49-50
"I can do nothing on my own authority; as II hear,I[judge; and my
"1 hear, judge; and
judgement is just, becauseI[ see* not my own wilr hut the will of
judgement is just, because seek not my own will but will of
him who senl me."
!lim who sent me. "
John 5:30
John5:30
Jesustakesjustifiable pride in speakingand actingon God'sauthority
Jesus takesjustifiable pride in speaking and acting on God's authority
and in obedienceto his command. In the story of the raising of
and in obedience to his command. In the story· of the raising of
Lazarusfrom the deadas relatedby John we read:
Lazarus from the dead as related by John we read:
2?
22

25. "Then Jesas,deeplymoved again, canv to the tomh; It was a cave,
"Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; It a cave,
and o stone lay upon it Jesussaid, "Take away lhe stone't. Martha,
and a stonelay upon it Jesus soid, "Take away tile stone". Martha,
the sister of the dead mon, said to him, "Lord, by this time lhere
the sister of the dead man, to lIim, "Lord, by time there
will he an odor,for he has beendeodfour days. "Jesus saidto her,
witl be an odor,for he has been deadfour days. "Jesussaid to her,
tell you that ifyou would believe you would seethe glory
"Did I[ not tell you that if you would believeyou would see the glory
"Did
of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes
o/God?" So awaythe stane.And Jesuslifted up eyes
and said, "Father, II thank thee that thou hearestme always, hut IJ
said, "Father, thee that hearest always, but
have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may
have said of people standing hy, that
believe that thou didst hear me. "
helieve thau didst hear me."
John I l:38-44
Iohn 11 :38-44
From the abovewe note three things:
the above note three things:
L Jesustells Marthathat she"would seethe glory of God," and not
I. Jesus tells Martha that she "would see the glory of God," and not
Jesus glory, Jesus alwaysseeksthe glory of Ood who sent
Jesus own glory, for Jesus always seeks the of God sent
him.
him.
Jesusprays God miracle, and thanksGod
2. Jesus prays to God for miracle, and dutifully thanks God for
answering his prayers.
answeringhis prayers
that indeedGod
3. Jesus takes pains to convince the spectators that it is indeed God
3. Jesustakespains convincethe spectators
who has senthim. and that what he doeshe does
who has sent him, and that what he does he does with God'sGod's
authority.
authoritY.
own rising from the dead,the so called
Much is also made of Jesus's own rising from the dead, the so called
Much is alsomade Jesus's
resurrection. all refcrences the event in the Biblc makeclear
to
resurrection. But all references to the event in the Bible make clear
But
that was God who raisedhim. He did not rise his own volition.
that it was God who raised him. He did not rise of his own volition.
Indeed neither was he unique in the act.
Indeedneitherwas he uniquein the act.
In 2 Kings 4:32-35we readof a child who was raisedfrom the dead.
In 2 Kings 4:32-35 we read of a child who was raised from the dead.
Another caseis reportedin I Kings 17:22. The Bible also tells of
Another case is reported in I Kings 17:22 . The Bible also tells of
people who went up to heaven.
peoplewho went up to heaven.
"And as rhey still wentcn and talked, hehold, a chariot oflire and
"And as they still went en and talked, behold, a chariot offire and
horsesof lire septroted thc two of thent-And Eliiah went up by a
horses offire separated the two ofthem. And Elijah went uphy a
whirlwind into heaven. "
whirl*ind into heaven,"
2 Kings 2:11I
2 Kings2:l
23
23

26. nEnoch wslked with God: and
he was noglor God too* hlmn
"Enoch walked with God: and he was 1101,/0' God took him. "
Genesis 5:24
Genesis5:24
such legendsabout outstandingpersonalitieswenercplete beforc and
Such legends about outstanding personalities were replete before and
at the time of Jesus.Josephus writingrnAntiquities saysof Moscs:
at the time of Jesus. Josephus writing in Ant;quitie$ says of Moses:
"a cloud suddenly stood over him and he disappearedin a certain
"a cloud suddenly stood over him and he disappeared in a certain
valley, althoughhe wrote in the holy books that he died, which was
valley, although he wrote in the holy books that he died, which was
done out of fear, lest they should ventue to say that, bccarrseof his
done out of fear, lest they should venture to say that, because of his
extraordinary virtue, he went to God.u Joscphusalso rncntions that
extraordinary virtue, he went to God." Josephus also mentions that
somepeoplethought that Moses "had beentakento the divinity.',
some people thought that Moses "had been taken to the divinity."
According to J. Jeremiasin moyrcr: ,tThqe went up to hcavcn:
According to J. Jeremias in JIlQ)BI: "These went up to hellVen:
Moses Elijah.t,
Enoch, Moses and Elijah. "
VIRGIN BIRTH
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
The virgin birttr of Jesus regarded,perhaps,as the
The virgin birth of Jesus is regarded, perhaps, as the most powerful
powcrful
of all miracles supporting
ofall miracles supporting the claim for his divinity. Maurice Wiles,
di"i"ity. Maruicc wilcs,
Regius Professor of Divinity and canon of christ church, oford,
Regius Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford,
and chairman ofthe church
and Chainnan ofthe Church ofEngland Doctrinc Commission, writes
Doctrine commissioq
in his article Christianity without Incarllation ? in the book, .Itc
article_Gfuitlignifitwithout Incunation 7 Ik
Myth fit Incarnate:
il{ilh of God Incarnate:
"when around the beginning of this century, doubts were expresscd
"When around of doubts expressed
about the literal truth of the virginal conccption of Jesw, thesewerc
about of conception of Jesus, these were
treated as "itginal
frequently treated as direct attacks upon the doctrine of incarnation.
attacks of incarnation.
The virgin birttr was so firmly regardcd as the msans by ufrich the
virgin birth finnly regarded as means which
incarnation was effected that the two weri widely regarded as
incarnation was that the two were widely regarded as
standingor falling togethcr."
standing together."
strong and irrefutable argumcntshavedown thc pagcsofhiistory been
Strong and inefutable arguments have down the pages of hiStory been
presentcdagainst thc doctrine of incaroatioq i.c.thc bcticf ttrat God
presented against the doctrine ofincarnation, i.e. the belief that, God
Almighty took thc human form as JesusofNazarcth" The arguments
Almighty took the human form as Jesus ofNazareth. The arguments
range from the Quranic ufrich draw the parallel of thc creation of
range from the Quranic which draw the parallel of the creation of
Adarn from no-fathcr and no mother,and the conccptionof Elizabcth
Adam from no-father and no mother, and the conception ofElizabeth,
24
24

27. the wife of Zachariah,who barrenand having passedmenopause, did
the wife of Zachariah~ who barren and having passedmenopause,did
yet give birth to John.In the caseof Zachariatr,the Qur'an says:
yet give birth to John. In the case of zachariah, the Qur'an says:
"Thns doth Allah accomplishwhat he willcth.""
"Thus doth Allah accomplish what he wUleth. Qur'an 3:40
Qur'an3:40
And in the case of Mary the Qur'an says:
And in the caseof Mary the Qur'an says:
,,Even so: Atlah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed
"Even so: Allah createth what He wUleth: When He hath decreed
a plan, He but saith to il ttBettand it h !"
a plan, He but saith to it "Be" and it is /" Qur'an3:47
Qur'an 3:47
But these are scriptural arguments;they are for a people who have
these are scriptural argwnents; are people have
faith. Thereare thosewho have dismissedthe whole thing as purely
faith. There are those have dismissed as
mythological, and have presented many similar claims of virgin birth
mythological,and havepresented many claims of
for pagan divinities prior to JesusChrist. Persusof Greece was
pagan Jesus Christ. Persus of Greece was
supposed havebeenborn by a Danae.The virgin Rhea Silvia gave
supposed to have been born Danae. The Rhea gave
birth to Romulusof Rome.The EgyptianHorus was bom by Isis, the
birth Romulus of Rome. The Egyptian Horus was born Isis, the
immaculate virgin queen of heaven. The argwnent is that these
immaculate virgin queen heaven.The argument that these
legendswere culrent the Meditenaneanregion about the time of
legends were current in the Mediterranean region about the time of
Jesus was most likely equally legendary.
Jesus was most likely equallylegendary.
the current
Rationalist interpreters of the Bible have found fault with the current
Rationalistinterpreters the Bible havefound fault
translations, havesoughtto
and placeon recordwhat they believe is
translations, and have sought to place on record what they believe is
the more correct rendering the original text. Mafcello Craveri
the more correct rendering of the original text. Marcello Craveri
accusesthe Church Fathersof launchinginto a searchfor every
accuses the Church Fathers of launching into a search for every
passage the Scriptureswhich could be seenin any way to foretell
passage in the Scriptures which could be seen in any way to foretell
in
itre coming of a "Son of God" throughvirgin birth. As an example
the coming of a "Son of God" through virgin birth. As an example
Craverirefersto Isaiatr7:14 as the most quotedprophecyregarding
Craveri refers to Isaiah 7:14 as the most quoted prophecy regarding
the virgin birth:
the virgin birth:
'tTherefore the Lord himself will giveyou a sign, Beholda virgin
"There/ore the Lord himselfwill give you a sign. Behold a virgin
and hear a son,and shall call his narneImnruueL"
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shaH caU his name llllnUlnueL II
shallconceive,
Craveri arguesthat the prophecyhad nothing to do with the birth of
Craveri argues that the prophecy had nothing to do with the birth of
Jesus.The original text speaks, of a "virgin" but of a "young
Jesus. The original text speaks, not Q.(a "vier;n" but Q.(a "vouor
nol
Revised StandardVersion of the Biblc agreeswith
woman". The Revised Standard Version of the Bible agrees with
tryoman".The
The actualmeaningof the prophecy
Marcello Craveri in this respect. The actual meaning of the prophecy
Marcello Craveri in this respect.
25
25

28. is admittedto be diffrcult by the samechristian cornmentators
is admitted to be difficult by the same Christian commentators who who
claim that it refersto Jesus. Craverisaysthat is asexpected ',sincethe
claim that it refers to Jesus. Craven says that is as expected "since the
excerpthad nothingto do with the birth of Jesus. is the endingof
excerpt had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. It is the ending of
It
a discussionthat Isaiah says he had with King Ahae, in which the
a discussion that Isaiah says he had with King Ahaz, in which the
prophetreassured king of the imminent destruction his two
the
prophet reassured the king of the imminent destruction of his two
of
enemies, Kings of Syria and Israel".
the
enemies, the Kings of Syria and Israel".
AnotherrationalistG. vermes in resusthgJew iuguesthat "virgin"
Another rationalist G. Vennes in Jesus the Jew argues that "virgin"
even as applied to Mary could well have originally meant one too
even as applied to Mary could well have originally meant one too
young for child-bedng,
young for chi~d-bearing, just as Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth were
as sarah, Hannahand Elizabeth were
old, or barren.
old, or barren.
Lastly we have the opinion a scientistand a medical practitioner
Lastly we have the opinion of a scientist and a medical practitioner
regardingthe generalquestion conceptionby a
regarding the general question of conception by a virgin. Dr. T.H.
Dr. T.H.
Van de Velde M.D. uniting his best selling book on sexology,
Van de Velde M.D. writing in his best selling book on sexology,
Idcal Marriage, says: "Therre are numeroui though; of course,
Ideal Marriqre. says: "There are numerous though; of course,
exceptional instanceson record of imprcgnation
exceptional instances on record of impregnation or conception
conception
the penetration sp€rm cclls
following the penetration of spenn cells into the female genitalia
the female genitaria
completejAanUlC.pCa& entance of the male organ. Such
without complete jmmissiopenis or entrance of the male organ. Such
cases are of great practical importance. They plainly prove two
cases are of great practical importance. They prove
things; Firstly, that wrder certain circumstances
things; ~ that under certain circumstances impregnation can
impregnationcan
resultevenwhen thebt4nremains unbroken. Andsecond(urthat
result even when the..b.mJm remains unbroken.And secondlY. that a
qtennatozoon canreachthe femaleorgarur
spermatozoon can reach the female organs indirectly, e.g. through the
e.g. through the
contactof a finger..."
contact of finger..."
The profundity of all thesc speculations,medical, scientific or
of these speculations, medical,
rational, is undoubted;but it is the Qru'an which spells out the truth
rational, undoubted; the Qur'an spells
in words simple enoughfor babcsto urderstand:
words simple enough babes understand:
"The similitude of Jesus betore Allah is as that of Adam: He
of Jesus before Allah of Adam:
created himfrom dust, then said to him: "8e,,: and he was. The
created him from dust, soid him.' "Be": was.
truth (com*) trom Allah alone; so be nol of thosewho doubt"
truth (comes)/romAlloh so not ofthose doubt."
Qur'an 3:59-60
Qur'an3:59-60
26
26

29. JESUS - Prophet from Nazareth the servant of God
JESUS - Prophet from Nazareth the serryant of God
"Christ disdaineth not to serve and worshipGod"
"Christ disdaineth serve worship Qur'an4:172
Qur'an 4: 172
The Bible bearsout this Quranictruth. In numberof placeswe note
bears Quranic number of places note
Jesus saying with
Jesussaying with pride that he hasbeensentby God, and a number
has been sent number
of times he is referredto as the "servantof God"
of times referred as "servant of
"Andtlrir tr eternal life, that they nay know thee the only true God,
"And this is they nuzy thee God,
and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. "
and lesus Chrkt whom has senl."
John17:3
John 17:3
Thus Jesus befitting humility addresses God as "the only true
Thus Jesusin befitting humility addresses God as "the true
God", and he himself hasbeensentas a messenger God.
God", and he himself has been sent as messenger of God.
of
"God having raised up his senant sent hi~ to youtirct, to bless you
"God raisedup hisservant sentht.tt youflrst, lo bless
in turning every one ofyou from yoar wickedness. "
turning everyone of youtrom your wickedness."
Acts 3:26
Acts 3:26
"The God of Ahraham of Isaac of Jacob, God of our
"The God ofAbraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God ofour
fathers, his semant Jesus,whom delivered and
fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and
denied presenceol Pilate, when he decided release
denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release
him.""
hittt
Acts 3:133
A c ts3 :1
"And now,Lordr upon their threa&, to setl'ants
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants
ta speakthy ward with all holdness,while stretches lhy
to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretches out thy
to heol, sign wonder$ are perforped through the
hand to heal, and sign and wonders are performed through the
name ofthy holy servant Jesus. "
name of thy sertant Jesus."
Acts 4:30
Acts 4:30
The sick ere healed,signsrnd wonde6 are performed: who does
The sick are healed, signs and wooden are performed: who does
all this? It is the hand Q,fGod The name of Jesus may be invoked,
all this ? It is thq hand qf God The nameof Jesusmay be invoked,
but that is only instrumental, an interceder, he at bestis only
for
but that is only instrumental, as an interceder, for he at best is only
as
"the holy servant of God."
"the holy servant God."
of
27
27

30. Jesnsis rcported to say accordingto the Gospels: nwhoever receives
Jesus is reported to say according to the Gospels: "Whoever receives
me, receives not me but Him who sent me. "
nu, receives mi hut Him who sentme.rl
not
Mark 9:37
Mark 9:37
The Qur'an express€sthe same s€nsein the following wonds: rrtrIe
The Qur'an expresses the same sense in the following words: "He
who obeysthe Apostle (Muharunad -saws)oheys
who obeys the Apostle (MuhanutUld -saws) obeys Allah. "
Allah.,,
Qur'an4:80
Qu'an 4:80
And in the following versethe ProphetMuhammadis told by
And in the following verse the Prophet Muhammad is told by Allah:
",Scy; If ye do love God,follow me: God will love
"Say: Ifye do love God,foliow me: God wil/love you andforgive
andlorgive
youyour sins:for God is oft-torgiving,
you your sins: for God is oft-forgiving, Most MercifuL "
Mercful"
Qur'an 3:31
Qut'an3:31
In the Gospel John Jesusnys: "Myfood
In the Gospel of John Jesus says: "Myfood is to do the will ofhim
do wiII of him
who sentme,
who sent me, and to accomplish His work. "
to accomplish His work"
John 4:34
John4:34
That is indeed the literal translation of the word ISLAIVI,
That is indeed the literal translation of the word ISLAM, which
means, "Sabmissian thc will af Godn
means, "Submission to the will ofGod. "
"My teachms ir not mine, bw hit
"My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me; ifany rffin,s will is
sent rru; tf artyIIUln's will
do His will,
to do His will, he shall know whether the teaching isfrom God or
shall is from or
whether I am speaking on nV own amhorigl He who spealcs on his
amspeakhg my authority. who spca*s his
own aathority seeks his own glory; hat hc wha seeks the glory of
authority seehshis but he who seeks glory of
Him who sent him is true, and in him therc is nofalsehoodt,"
Him sent trae, him there nofalsehood.
John 7:14·18
John7:14-18
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives nu receives
"He receives receivs tsu, receivg me recciva
Him who sent me. He who receives a praphet beca~e he is a .
Him me. receives prophet hecausc he is a
prophet receives a prophet's reward, and hc who receives a
prophet receives prophet's reward, and he who reccives a
righleous mtn because he ls a righteous man shall receive a
righteous man' because is righteor.s IrUJn recclvc a
righteow manb reword""
righteous IIUln's reward.
Matthew 10:4041
Matthew 10:40-41
28
28