Muslims believe that the Bible that was revealed to Prophet Jesus was a genuine revelation and that it was the same divine book that they believe the Qur'an to be.
However, the New Testament of the Bible today consists of 27 sections written by different writers at different times. Only fanatics can call such book a divine book.
The New Testament consists of four parts:
1- The Gospels, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (These Gospels form the essence of the Bible and Christianity.)
2- The Acts of the Apostles.
3- The Epistles of Paul, Peter, John, Joseph and Judas.
4- The Revelation.
1- The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Luke begins with the following:
LUKE; (1-3)
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Luke begins with “most excellent Theophilus”, not the name of Allah/God. This is normal, because he is not writing the true Bible, but an account of things that happened among the early Christians. He addresses Theophilus, stating that he is to convey the testimonies of eyewitnesses.
This is all very normal. What comes next?
It is very interesting that these texts are recited in churches as the word of God written by Luke.
What would be Luke’s reaction be to this?
A preface of the Bible published by the Corporation of the Holy Book and printed by Orhan Printing in 1998 reports:
“The New Testament (Contemporary Bible) consists of twenty-seven different articles. They focus on four general topics and are consistent. The life of Jesus was narrated by four writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They not only witnessed the events but also received the testimonies of other witnesses.”
As this text expresses, Matthew, Mark, and John, like Luke, were not claiming that they were writing a holy book but rather that they were conveying the memories and testimonies of other witnesses about the life of Prophet Jesus. It was natural for them to convey what had happened in the time of Prophet Jesus, as this is the way history and historians work. Hence, the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John should be regarded as historical texts. However, others lost true Bible and embraced these texts as divine books, turning them into the main source of Christianity. One cannot argue that these four writers conveyed accurate and complete information about the time of Prophet Isa, because even historians, who study the same subject and who are dependent on scientific findings can find contradictions. If so, it is natural that there are contradictions between these four writers.
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In the section “A General View of the Bible”, I have already given examples regarding the writings of these four authors. Let me give some examples from the conclusions of their writings.
MATTHEW; “Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus” (14-16)
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
LUKE; “Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus” (3-6)
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
MARK; “Jesus Arrested” (44-47)
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
JOHN; “Jesus Arrested” (18-3)
So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. And Judas the traitor was standing there with them. When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
My dear readers, no comment is necessary here, as the many contradictions are so apparent.
Let us look at the legend of the crucifixion of Prophet Jesus.
MATTHEW;“The Crucifixion” (27-32)
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
JOHN; “The Crucifixion” (19-17)
Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.”
MARCUS; “The Death of Jesus” (15-33)
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
JOHN; “The Death of Jesus” (15-33)
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. |