Jews and Christians Corrupted the Bible: Islamic Claim
Ron Ross - BFP News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com
25th October 2006
Dr Mark Gabriel, PH.D, was born into a Muslim family in Egypt. He was able to quote the entire Quran by the age of twelve. He earned a doctorate degree in Islamic history and culture from Al-Azhar University, the school said to provide the source of spiritual authority to the Islamic world. He became a teaching professor at the same university.
"I did not just do research about Islam; I lived it for thirty-four years," he said. That was before he converted to Christianity.
He is still a teacher and has much to bring to the Church, to reveal wisdom and understanding about Moslems and the Islamic faith. He has written a book called "Islam and the Jews." In it he reveals how he was taught Jews were `monkeys and pigs.'
The information he provides gives understanding to the passions which Islamic fundamentalists constantly display in their war with Christians and Jews. In one chapter of the book Dr Gabriel deals with the Islamic claim that the Jews were given the Holy Scriptures and `they corrupted them'. God then gave the Scriptures to the Christians but they also `corrupted them.' So Muhammed came to fix the mess, so to speak.
Corrupted Verses
I was amazed at the Scriptures Dr Gabriel presented as evidence of this claim. They are among our nearest and dearest.
First of all Muslim scholars say, "There exists in the Torah (Taurat) and the Gospel (Injeel), even after the original text has been distorted, clear prophecies indicating the coming of the Prophet Muhammed."
It is an eye-opener to consider some of the verses they mean. Deuteronomy 18:18 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him."
This promise Christians believe was fulfilled by Jesus. Moslems are taught Mohammed fulfilled this verse.
Psalm 118:22-23 "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is one of the most beloved verses, which Christians joyfully proclaim paints a most descriptive picture of Jesus. Not so in the Moslem world, even though Jesus quoted the same verse in Matthew 21: 42-43 describing Himself as the fulfilment.
Habakkuk 3: 3 "God comes from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. (Selah). His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise. Muslims focus on `the Holy One from Mount Paran' in this verse. They say Mount Paran is in Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed. But Dr Gabriel points out, "Mount Paran is not in Arabia; it is in the Sinai Desert."
John 14: 16-17 "and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforting Counselor like me, the Spirit of Truth, to be with you forever. The world cannot receive him, because it neither sees nor knows him. You know him, because he is staying with you and will be united with you.'
While Christians believe this teaching refers to the Holy Spirit, Moslems are taught it means Muhammed.
There are a few things that challenge the Muhammed identity however. Jesus said the Comforter will be ministering `forever.' Muhammed died. Jesus also said the world `neither sees nor knows him.' Muhammed was a physical human. He was seen and he was known.
Dr Gabriel says that references to the Holy Spirit are changed to refer to Muhammed, by Islamic teaching.
Take these verses for example:
John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Ruach Hakodesh (the Holy Spirit), whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything; that is, he will remind you of everything I have said to you."
John 16: 7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don't go away, the comforting Counselor will not come to you. However, if I do go, I will send him to you."
Jesus spoke specifically about these verses. He told His people to `wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came." He called that event `the gift of My Father.' Dr Mark Gabriel concluded this chapter by saying: "These are all the Bible references that were cited in The Noble Quran as prophecies pertaining to Muhammed. As you can see for yourself, these prophecies had their fulfilment outside of Muhammed. This is another indication of the weakness of the Islamic doctrine about the corruption of the Scriptures."
"Islam and Jews"
This book is essential reading for those who seek to know and understand the raging warfare in our world today.
In the front-page dedication Dr Gabriel said: "I dedicate this book to every Jewish man and woman who is living in any part of our world, and I take the opportunity to apologize for the ungodly attitude I had during the first thirty-four years of my life. I was blind, but now I can see. I ask your forgiveness."
There are many Christians who would do well to follow his example. The Jews have been made scapegoats for the ills of the world and anti-semitism continues violently.
"Islam and the Jews" by Dr Mark A, Gabriel, PH.D is published by Charisma House. It is an essential insight into a world which is often misrepresented, even by the world media.
|
Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com |
 |