This blog is written by a Christian living in the Middle East. My desire is to discuss Islam and Christianity in ways that will be helpful for people of the other religion.
Dear Friends, I found the below article on and like to share it with you all.. http://www.adherents.com/adh_influ2.html
M. S. Abdullah's Reasons Why Muhammad (Not Jesus) Should be Ranked as Most Influential Person in History
I am a comparative religion student who would like to share my views on this list. I would like to shed some light as to the order of Muhammad and Jesus on this list. Please feel free to use this e-mail on your website.
I believe that Muhammad should be the first in the list even though Jesus was a great man, Muhammad was an even greater man and a greater influence to humanity. Michael Hart (a non-Muslim, in particular a Christian) was correct in taking a non-biased view and choosing Muhammad. Just look at the statistics and history
• Christianity (1.9+ billion people). 600 year head start on Islam
• Islam (1.5+ billion people). Catching up at a rate of 10:1. Many of the converts are Atheists or Christians (including many Church leaders and ministers). By 2025 Muslims will out number Christians.
• In America pre 9/11 40000+ people convert to Islam per year, post 9/11, people have became curious about what makes Muslims tick. They are now discovering that what Muslims like these do are completely in the opposite direction to the teachings of Muhammad and Islam, hence why the number of converts has increased to 78000+ a year.
• Jesus' message was 2.4 years, Muhammad's 23 years
• Jesus' had 120 followers at the end of his time on earth, Muhammad had millions
• Muhammad confirmed Jesus and believed in him, as Jesus said to his disciples whilst in the Garden of Gethsemane that someone would come to confirm him
• Jesus said he came to the tribe of Israel only, Muhammad said he came to all mankind.
• The different denominations of Christianity don't agree with each other about Mary, Jesus, the trinity, the many versions and revisions of the Bible etc, whereas the different denominations of Islam agree that Muhammad is the final Prophet, Jesus is a Prophet and performed miracles, God is One and Only, and the exact Quran as at the time of Muhammad is still used today by all the denominations, and the originals are still available.
• 10's of millions of Muslims have memorised the entire Quran all over the world, whereas no Christian has memorised the bible and if they did they would have to memorise their own version and would have to update their memorisations every time a new revision was released.
• The bible that we know today was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (who are they? Real name? Last name?) and Paul (Saul of Tarsus: A Christian Killer) who preached to the Gentiles which Jesus said not to do. None where direct disciples of Jesus.
• What is known as Apocrypha today is the Gospels that the Roman (Origin Pagans: worshiped many gods, human gods etc) Catholic Church wanted to destroy because it denies the trinity and the divinity of Jesus and reveals the coming of another (Muhammad). "Eg. The Gospel of Barnabas was accepted as a Canonical Gospel in the Churches of Alexandria till 325 C.E. In 325 C.E., the Nicene Council was held, where it was ordered that all original Gospels in Hebrew script should be destroyed. An Edict was issued that any one in possession of these Gospels will be put to death" (http://www.barnabas.net/)
• Jesus did not found Christianity and the Church (Paul did). Muhammad founded Islam.
• Muhammad taught a way of life from birth to death. Things as simple as one should sit down when they put their shoes on etc (This has been medically proven that putting your shoes on whilst standing and hunching causes lower back pain). He taught every day life issues etc.
• The Quran contains many scientific information that has been confirmed by science only in the last century. Would Muhammad have known all this stuff or is he a lucky guesser?
• The world as we know it today was influenced by Islam, scientifically, mathematically, medically, agriculturally as well as through art etc. Islam promoted education for both men and women whereas the Church forbade it and called it blasphemy and the penalty was death to anyone who would go against the Church (http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/ a documentary by non-Muslim American historians and lecturers in religion)
• Islam is in no way derived from Zoroastrianism but follows on from Judaism as Christianity did. The list can go on for many pages, but I think that has said enough. So looking at the facts from a subjective point of view shows that there should be no doubt that Muhammad should be the first on the list.
Yes I agree with you, Jesus (PBUH) was saved by Allah and he raised him up to heaven and not dead yet.
But as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) informed us Jesus (PBUH) will return back before end of life, he will descend in Damascus putting his hands on 2 angles shoulders, when he raise his head his hair drops water like pearl beads, and will fight with us “the Muslims” the false Messiah, and he will stay with us for 40 years and he will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions Abu Baker and Omar, in Madina.
You misunderstood my comment. Jesus was laid in a tomb, which is not done for people who are alive.
"3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;"
and
"20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."
1- Crucifixion is the center of Christianity religion, as it’s mentioned in the bible:
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [Corinthians1 15:12-14]
But, let's see if Jesus Christ was really crucified and risen from dead:
2- It’s said in the bible, if someone dead, he will be converted to Spiritual body, but did Jesus converted to spiritual body after his risen from dead or not?
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [Corinthians1 15:44-46]
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. [Luke 20: 33-36]
3- Did the disciples saw him on the cross? The answer NO, they already run away:
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. [Mathew 26:56]
4- Does a young man die from hitting him by hands? (NO) Is the scene was highly dark and sight was not clear? (YES) Is it most probably that they didn’t see him if he died or not? (yes possible).
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. [John 19:3]
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. [Luke 23:44,45]
5- Where the Jews in hurry to remove Jesus before Saturday? Yes, and because of that they broke the other 2 men’s legs because they were still alive, but why the other 2 men on the cross didn’t die and Jesus died after 3 hours only hanging on the cross? And from which place on human body came water and blood? And how a dead body bleeds if there is no pulse and his heart is stopped? Unless he was still alive !!
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. [John 19: 31-34]
6- Why Mary Magdalene was in hurry to go next Sunday to see Jesus? Is it possible that when they buried him on Friday night she saw signs of life? Why did she buy sweet spices? Do Jewish or Christian rub their dead after burying him by 2 days? Did someone ever done such thing before? No, unless she knows that he is still alive.
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. [Mark 16:1]
7- Does a spirit remove its linen clothes and lay them in one place? Does a spirit need to move the stone to go out, or he can go through the walls directly? Unless he still alive as human.
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [John 20:1]
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [John 20:6,7]
8- Why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus from the first time? Why he was disguised as gardener? If he is a spirit, Jews can’t catch him again and can’t kill him again as human dies only once as Jesus said? Unless he is still alive, and he’s afraid that they may saw him and kill him again.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. [John 20:15]
9- Why Jesus said to Mary “Touch me not”? Is he still feeling pain from his wounds? Does a spirit feel pain from wounds? Unless he’s still alive.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. [John 20:17]
10- Why the disciples were terrified? Did they think that they will see a spirit but they saw a human? What does this sentence mean “supposed that they had seen a spirit”? Does it mean that they saw a human not a spirit? Why Jesus asked them to touch his hand and feet? Does he mean to show him that he is still flesh and blood and still human? Does a spirit eat a broiled fish and honeycomb? Unless, he is still alive?
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. [Luke 24:36-43]
11- Jesus said that you will have the sign like the sign of Jona:
- Was Jona alive on the ship? Yes, Alive - Was Jona alive inside the whale? Yes, Alive - Was Jona alive when the whale throw him out? Yes, Alive - Did Jone stay 3 days and 3 nights? Yes.
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mathew 12: 38-40]
Then, how come that Jesus died on the cross and then was dead in the tomb, then a spirit when he raised from the dead? And from Friday night to Sunday dawn, it’s only 1 day and 2 nights, NOT 3 days and 3 nights.
Unless, Jesus was alive on the cross, and alive inside the heart of the earth “tomb” and alive when he came out. Then WHAT:
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [John 21:4]
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. [Luke 24:50-51]
Jesus stayed with his disciples till Monday and then was carried up into heaven, from Friday night till Monday, IT’s 3 days (Sat, Sun, Mon) and 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun), and he was really alive on cross, and inside tomb and when he went out, then sign was totally fulfilled.
12- Finally, if Jesus was not crucified, how we and all Christians will get the eternal life??
Jesus (PBUH) already answered this question: “Keep the commandments.”
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [Mathew 19:16-18]
First, I want to thank you for your thorough response. Also, you give a good admonition that we should consider these items carefully. Since there are so many, I cannot discuss all of them, as then we would be here forever, but let's take three and examine them very carefully, as you suggested.
First, in your point one, you discuss how in Corinthians, Scripture says that IF Christ has not risen from the dead, our faith is in vain. In this, we agree. If there were no resurrection, then our sins cannot be forgiven. A just God cannot avoid punishing sins. Since, in English, the word "if" signifies a conditional, a hypothetical, we must examine to see whether Christ really did rise from the dead.
So, let's examine your point #3 carefully. You quote Matthew 26:56 to show that the disciples ran away and did not see Jesus on the cross. If you look more carefully, you will see this verse references the time before his trial, when he was being brought before Caiaphas. Later, when he was on the cross, his disciples had returned. John 19:25 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby," I hope that you were simply unaware of the timing mistake when citing this verse, rather than blindly copying and pasting from an Islamic site, and thus falling into this error without doing your own research.
Regarding your point 11, the sign of Jonah. The question is how could Jesus die when the sign of Jonah would be that he would be alive and buried for three days. What an excellent question. If Jesus were merely man, you would have proven your point, for how can a man die and be alive? However, since Jesus was God made man, his human agency had died, while is divine agency was still alive. Since God cannot die, Jesus was still alive as God, although his flesh had been killed. You see, your point actually inadvertently proves the deity of Christ. When we examine the issue carefully, we see that only by Jesus being God would the sign of Jonah truly be fulfilled. By setting out to prove Jesus wasn't God, ironically, you prove just the opposite, as only God made man could have his fleshly body killed, and yet still be truly alive and able to resurrect Himself.
We can examine the others carefully too if you wish, so that you can see the errors in each of them. Let me know if you are interested.
Thanks for your interesting comments and sorry for being late, but as you know it’s Eid Aladha days and we are mostly busy these days (especially visiting our relatives, whether dead or alive) and I couldn’t have enough time to check the internet, but any how please if you have any additional remarks write them too, we can always continue on first article, so not to lose the continuity of our discussion.
I will paste my comments above, but DON’T read them before you send me the rest of your comments (if any) because I don’t want to disturb the sequence of your logical thinking, so please send them all.
I know that life is busy, and I also apologize for my late reply. I slso appreciate your desire to discuss these issues with respect for each other.
As I said previously, I don't want to go over each individual point, but rather to pick out a few, by which to show that the information often leaves out some critical pieces which make a big difference.
For example, consider point #4. The darkness that Jesus experienced at the time of his trial (when they hit him) happened at night. It was the next day when he was crucified. Thus, the two darknesses are different times. There was intervening daylight as He was led and attached to the cross. Here is part of the narrative of that intervening time:
32 "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
Many of your points reference the difference between a natural body and a spiritual body. This is a complex topic, but let's consider point #7. You ask whether a spirit could move through the walls of the tomb, and therefore did the stone need to be moved. That is a great question, but consider this question also: Was the stone moved so that Jesus could get out, or was it moved so that his disciples could get in to see the place where His body no longer was? Often times in Scripture, Jesus does things, not because He is limited, but so that we will better understand.
I hope this information helps clear up some of the misconceptions. I look foward to continuing our discussion.
11 comments:
Dear Friends, I found the below article on and like to share it with you all..
http://www.adherents.com/adh_influ2.html
M. S. Abdullah's
Reasons Why Muhammad (Not Jesus)
Should be Ranked as Most Influential Person in History
I am a comparative religion student who would like to share my views on this list. I would like to shed some light as to the order of Muhammad and Jesus on this list. Please feel free to use this e-mail on your website.
I believe that Muhammad should be the first in the list even though Jesus was a great man, Muhammad was an even greater man and a greater influence to humanity. Michael Hart (a non-Muslim, in particular a Christian) was correct in taking a non-biased view and choosing Muhammad.
Just look at the statistics and history
• Christianity (1.9+ billion people). 600 year head start on Islam
• Islam (1.5+ billion people). Catching up at a rate of 10:1. Many of the converts are Atheists or Christians (including many Church leaders and ministers). By 2025 Muslims will out number Christians.
• In America pre 9/11 40000+ people convert to Islam per year, post 9/11, people have became curious about what makes Muslims tick. They are now discovering that what Muslims like these do are completely in the opposite direction to the teachings of Muhammad and Islam, hence why the number of converts has increased to 78000+ a year.
• Jesus' message was 2.4 years, Muhammad's 23 years
• Jesus' had 120 followers at the end of his time on earth, Muhammad had millions
• Muhammad confirmed Jesus and believed in him, as Jesus said to his disciples whilst in the Garden of Gethsemane that someone would come to confirm him
• Jesus said he came to the tribe of Israel only, Muhammad said he came to all mankind.
• The different denominations of Christianity don't agree with each other about Mary, Jesus, the trinity, the many versions and revisions of the Bible etc, whereas the different denominations of Islam agree that Muhammad is the final Prophet, Jesus is a Prophet and performed miracles, God is One and Only, and the exact Quran as at the time of Muhammad is still used today by all the denominations, and the originals are still available.
• 10's of millions of Muslims have memorised the entire Quran all over the world, whereas no Christian has memorised the bible and if they did they would have to memorise their own version and would have to update their memorisations every time a new revision was released.
• The bible that we know today was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (who are they? Real name? Last name?) and Paul (Saul of Tarsus: A Christian Killer) who preached to the Gentiles which Jesus said not to do. None where direct disciples of Jesus.
• What is known as Apocrypha today is the Gospels that the Roman (Origin Pagans: worshiped many gods, human gods etc) Catholic Church wanted to destroy because it denies the trinity and the divinity of Jesus and reveals the coming of another (Muhammad). "Eg. The Gospel of Barnabas was accepted as a Canonical Gospel in the Churches of Alexandria till 325 C.E. In 325 C.E., the Nicene Council was held, where it was ordered that all original Gospels in Hebrew script should be destroyed. An Edict was issued that any one in possession of these Gospels will be put to death" (http://www.barnabas.net/)
• Jesus did not found Christianity and the Church (Paul did). Muhammad founded Islam.
• Muhammad taught a way of life from birth to death. Things as simple as one should sit down when they put their shoes on etc (This has been medically proven that putting your shoes on whilst standing and hunching causes lower back pain). He taught every day life issues etc.
• The Quran contains many scientific information that has been confirmed by science only in the last century. Would Muhammad have known all this stuff or is he a lucky guesser?
• The world as we know it today was influenced by Islam, scientifically, mathematically, medically, agriculturally as well as through art etc. Islam promoted education for both men and women whereas the Church forbade it and called it blasphemy and the penalty was death to anyone who would go against the Church (http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/ a documentary by non-Muslim American historians and lecturers in religion)
• Islam is in no way derived from Zoroastrianism but follows on from Judaism as Christianity did.
The list can go on for many pages, but I think that has said enough.
So looking at the facts from a subjective point of view shows that there should be no doubt that Muhammad should be the first on the list.
Regards
M. S. Abdullah
Muhammad is still in his tomb. Jesus is not.
Dear Robert,
Yes I agree with you, Jesus (PBUH) was saved by Allah and he raised him up to heaven and not dead yet.
But as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) informed us Jesus (PBUH) will return back before end of life, he will descend in Damascus putting his hands on 2 angles shoulders, when he raise his head his hair drops water like pearl beads, and will fight with us “the Muslims” the false Messiah, and he will stay with us for 40 years and he will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions Abu Baker and Omar, in Madina.
abdullah,
You misunderstood my comment. Jesus was laid in a tomb, which is not done for people who are alive.
"3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;"
and
"20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."
Amen!
Dear Robert,
Read the following and think about it carefully:
Was Jesus really crucified?
The answer from the bible…
1- Crucifixion is the center of Christianity religion, as it’s mentioned in the bible:
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [Corinthians1 15:12-14]
But, let's see if Jesus Christ was really crucified and risen from dead:
2- It’s said in the bible, if someone dead, he will be converted to Spiritual body, but did Jesus converted to spiritual body after his risen from dead or not?
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [Corinthians1 15:44-46]
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. [Luke 20: 33-36]
3- Did the disciples saw him on the cross? The answer NO, they already run away:
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. [Mathew 26:56]
4- Does a young man die from hitting him by hands? (NO) Is the scene was highly dark and sight was not clear? (YES) Is it most probably that they didn’t see him if he died or not? (yes possible).
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. [John 19:3]
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. [Luke 23:44,45]
5- Where the Jews in hurry to remove Jesus before Saturday? Yes, and because of that they broke the other 2 men’s legs because they were still alive, but why the other 2 men on the cross didn’t die and Jesus died after 3 hours only hanging on the cross?
And from which place on human body came water and blood? And how a dead body bleeds if there is no pulse and his heart is stopped? Unless he was still alive !!
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
[John 19: 31-34]
6- Why Mary Magdalene was in hurry to go next Sunday to see Jesus? Is it possible that when they buried him on Friday night she saw signs of life? Why did she buy sweet spices?
Do Jewish or Christian rub their dead after burying him by 2 days? Did someone ever done such thing before? No, unless she knows that he is still alive.
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. [Mark 16:1]
7- Does a spirit remove its linen clothes and lay them in one place? Does a spirit need to move the stone to go out, or he can go through the walls directly? Unless he still alive as human.
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [John 20:1]
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [John 20:6,7]
8- Why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus from the first time? Why he was disguised as gardener? If he is a spirit, Jews can’t catch him again and can’t kill him again as human dies only once as Jesus said? Unless he is still alive, and he’s afraid that they may saw him and kill him again.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. [John 20:15]
9- Why Jesus said to Mary “Touch me not”? Is he still feeling pain from his wounds? Does a spirit feel pain from wounds? Unless he’s still alive.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. [John 20:17]
10- Why the disciples were terrified? Did they think that they will see a spirit but they saw a human? What does this sentence mean “supposed that they had seen a spirit”? Does it mean that they saw a human not a spirit?
Why Jesus asked them to touch his hand and feet? Does he mean to show him that he is still flesh and blood and still human? Does a spirit eat a broiled fish and honeycomb? Unless, he is still alive?
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them. [Luke 24:36-43]
11- Jesus said that you will have the sign like the sign of Jona:
- Was Jona alive on the ship? Yes, Alive
- Was Jona alive inside the whale? Yes, Alive
- Was Jona alive when the whale throw him out? Yes, Alive
- Did Jone stay 3 days and 3 nights? Yes.
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mathew 12: 38-40]
Then, how come that Jesus died on the cross and then was dead in the tomb, then a spirit when he raised from the dead? And from Friday night to Sunday dawn, it’s only 1 day and 2 nights, NOT 3 days and 3 nights.
Unless, Jesus was alive on the cross, and alive inside the heart of the earth “tomb” and alive when he came out. Then WHAT:
4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [John 21:4]
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. [Luke 24:50-51]
Jesus stayed with his disciples till Monday and then was carried up into heaven, from Friday night till Monday, IT’s 3 days (Sat, Sun, Mon) and 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun), and he was really alive on cross, and inside tomb and when he went out, then sign was totally fulfilled.
12- Finally, if Jesus was not crucified, how we and all Christians will get the eternal life??
Jesus (PBUH) already answered this question: “Keep the commandments.”
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [Mathew 19:16-18]
abdullah,
First, I want to thank you for your thorough response. Also, you give a good admonition that we should consider these items carefully. Since there are so many, I cannot discuss all of them, as then we would be here forever, but let's take three and examine them very carefully, as you suggested.
First, in your point one, you discuss how in Corinthians, Scripture says that IF Christ has not risen from the dead, our faith is in vain. In this, we agree. If there were no resurrection, then our sins cannot be forgiven. A just God cannot avoid punishing sins. Since, in English, the word "if" signifies a conditional, a hypothetical, we must examine to see whether Christ really did rise from the dead.
So, let's examine your point #3 carefully. You quote Matthew 26:56 to show that the disciples ran away and did not see Jesus on the cross. If you look more carefully, you will see this verse references the time before his trial, when he was being brought before Caiaphas. Later, when he was on the cross, his disciples had returned. John 19:25 "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby," I hope that you were simply unaware of the timing mistake when citing this verse, rather than blindly copying and pasting from an Islamic site, and thus falling into this error without doing your own research.
Regarding your point 11, the sign of Jonah. The question is how could Jesus die when the sign of Jonah would be that he would be alive and buried for three days. What an excellent question. If Jesus were merely man, you would have proven your point, for how can a man die and be alive? However, since Jesus was God made man, his human agency had died, while is divine agency was still alive. Since God cannot die, Jesus was still alive as God, although his flesh had been killed. You see, your point actually inadvertently proves the deity of Christ. When we examine the issue carefully, we see that only by Jesus being God would the sign of Jonah truly be fulfilled. By setting out to prove Jesus wasn't God, ironically, you prove just the opposite, as only God made man could have his fleshly body killed, and yet still be truly alive and able to resurrect Himself.
We can examine the others carefully too if you wish, so that you can see the errors in each of them. Let me know if you are interested.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your interesting comments and sorry for being late, but as you know it’s Eid Aladha days and we are mostly busy these days (especially visiting our relatives, whether dead or alive) and I couldn’t have enough time to check the internet, but any how please if you have any additional remarks write them too, we can always continue on first article, so not to lose the continuity of our discussion.
I will paste my comments above, but DON’T read them before you send me the rest of your comments (if any) because I don’t want to disturb the sequence of your logical thinking, so please send them all.
Thanks my friend,
abdullah,
I know that life is busy, and I also apologize for my late reply. I slso appreciate your desire to discuss these issues with respect for each other.
As I said previously, I don't want to go over each individual point, but rather to pick out a few, by which to show that the information often leaves out some critical pieces which make a big difference.
For example, consider point #4. The darkness that Jesus experienced at the time of his trial (when they hit him) happened at night. It was the next day when he was crucified. Thus, the two darknesses are different times. There was intervening daylight as He was led and attached to the cross. Here is part of the narrative of that intervening time:
32 "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
Many of your points reference the difference between a natural body and a spiritual body. This is a complex topic, but let's consider point #7. You ask whether a spirit could move through the walls of the tomb, and therefore did the stone need to be moved. That is a great question, but consider this question also: Was the stone moved so that Jesus could get out, or was it moved so that his disciples could get in to see the place where His body no longer was? Often times in Scripture, Jesus does things, not because He is limited, but so that we will better understand.
I hope this information helps clear up some of the misconceptions. I look foward to continuing our discussion.
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