In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful
Allah Glorified and Exalted is He says in the Holy Quran:
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah
(Al Maidah 5:46)
Islam teaches about Jesus, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), that he was sent to confirm the Law which was revealed before him, and that the nature of his revelation, the Gospel, was only to confirm and strengthen that Law which before Allah had revealed to Moses (peace be upon him). The laws and regulations which Allah reveals is not a burden or something that should be resented, rather it is a real blessing as it gives mankind guidance to lead their lives in a good way and become righteous. Righteousness means to obey Allah, so how can one be righteous if there is nothing to obey? But with regard to Christianity, its true founder (Paul of Tarsus) taught the Law of God is a curse, and that Jesus abolished this Law because it was a curse:
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" (Galatians 3:13)
Leaving aside Paul's absurdity that one curse can substitute or relieve another, the point here is that he considered the Law a curse. He considered heavenly guidance to be too great a burden for man to endure (especially his potential gentile converts). So he began to proclaim that Jesus had come to totally abolish the Law:
"by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace" (Ephesians 2:15)
Now the true colors and motivation of Paul's deviant theology is revealed. The reason he propogated that Jesus abolished the Law with its commandments and regulations was so the gentiles, who were adverse to the strict Mosaic law and were more inclined to paganistic idolatrous hedonism, could also join the church which Jesus established without having to make any significant sacrifice. Paul was no doubt a satanic agent sent by Hell to twist Jesus's teaching by adding pagan doctrines and concepts and thereby creating a new religion separate and cut off from its Israelite roots. Jesus in fact warned against such "wolves in sheep's clothing":
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
From the words of Jesus himself, it is clear he never intended to do away with the Law of Moses, and I will quote to your several proofs for this:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17)
This saying of Jesus completely repudiates Paul's contention that Jesus came to abolish the law with its commandments and regulations. Jesus didn't come to abolish, but to fulfill, to uphold it, to fulfill the prophecies that point to him (which is why he mentioned the Prophets as well as the Law in this particular verse). Some Christian apologists will say that by fulfilling the Law, Jesus completed it or finished it. However, if we examine this verse in context we see that this was definitely not Jesus's intention:
"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:18-20)
Jesus has so emphasized following the Law for his followers that he even warned them that in this regard they must even surpass the righteousness of the strict observant Pharisees and teachers of the Law otherwise they will be denied entrance into the kingdom of Heaven. This whole concept is the exact opposite of Paul's idea that works and deeds are not the standard of salvation. In fact, Jesus made clear that even believing in him is not enough to guarantee salvation:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
So it is doing the Father's will, it is obeying His laws and commandments which will make one enter the kingdom of heaven, rather than simply believing in Jesus as mainstream Christians zealously believe.
Jesus even went further to state that although the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are hypocrites because they do not practice what they preach, nonetheless Jesus's followers must follow exactly what they teach. And what do the teachers of the Law teach if not the Law?
"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you." (Matthew 23:2-3)
Part of the reason Allah revealed the Holy Quran and sent the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) was to restore the original message of Jesus and to refute the Pauline and trinitarian deviations. The Holy Quran explains that Jesus (peace be upon him) was the Messiah, and the Messiah was meant to be sent for the Children of Israel only:
And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me
(As Saff 61:6)
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)
And when Jesus was sending out his twelve disciples to preach his Gospel, he gave them strict instructions not to venture into the towns of the gentiles and samaritans:
"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.'" (Matthew 10:5-6)
All this clearly shows Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Messenger of God but was sent only for the Israelites, and unlike what Paul taught, not for the gentiles or goyim as well...
We as Muslim's acknowledge the errors in the Bible which the prophet (pbuh) corrected. I object to the title of the thread, not it's contents. If you with to get a point across, then please don't make such an inflammatory title which would undermine the lessons of the article and put on the defensive any people looking to find information about Islam. Just my 2 cents.
Whilst Christianity might be fake for you, I see the teachings of Jesus as a great inspiration. I did not read any of your post simply because of the title.
We are stuck with the same God, and the God who created you also created me. There is a great need in this world to look after God's creation, and that comes down to looking after each other despite all our differences.
While I actually agree that Christianity is false, I too find the title of the thread overly inflamatory. I'd rather put it "christianity is false" or "christians are mistaken". The word "Fake" makes it sound like they are being dishonest about their beliefs. I think they are sincere.
And that being said, I see no reason to see Islam as any more true than christianity. So be careful what you write as it may come back to haunt you.
Mosaic Law is divided into three parts. Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral.
The ceremonial law related specifically to Israel's worship. Since its primary purpose was to point to the coming Savior, Jesus made it unnecessary. He did not abolish it, in the sense of destroying it; He fulfilled it. Nowhere do we read that Jesus thought that the ceremonial law was wrong. The principles behind the ceremonial law are still applicable to us today, that is, the principles of worshipping and serving a holy God.
The civil law prescribed rules for the Israelites' daily living. These laws separated the Jews from the Gentiles, and gave the Gentiles the example of how a holy people should live. Since much was given to the Jews, much was expected. But God gave a new covenant in Christ, and there is now no distinction to be made between Jew and Gentile. We are still to follow the requirements of this law as God's people, but the punishments are not for any nation to impose on its people, because we are no longer separated by nations but by God's grace (Christians and non-Christians).
The moral law is basically the Ten Commandments. We are still bound by these laws, not for salvation, but to live a holy life. Jesus not only desired that His followers adhere to these commandments, He wished that they would go above and beyond them. He said, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment..." He desired not only an outward observance of these laws, but an inward observance as well.
Ritualistic law is another area where Christ's purpose saw fulfillment of these laws. Jesus, the Messiah, is the ultimate, perpetual, atonement for man's sin debt. There is nothing further that man can offer as atonement for sin; all such attempts belittle the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Further, it is God, who makes us acceptable, through faith in Jesus, something the Law of Purification could never do. Abstaining from certain foods, ablutions, etc. does not make one holy and/or acceptable before God, it never has.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Why do I always hear Christians putting emphasis on the Ten Commandments while the sermon on the mount is hardly ever mentioned?
Or Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and this has a profound meaning that can be experienced in many churches on the Thursday before Easter.
Jesus saying what you do to the least of these brothers of mine, so you do unto me.
James 1
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
In the spirit of praying for a greater interfaith friendship
The moral law is basically the Ten Commandments. We are still bound by these laws, not for salvation, but to live a holy life. .
Jesus was very clear that one has to adhere to the law or they would not make it into heaven.
His words:
7 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
so the above post being correct means that 'paul' will not enter the kingdom of heaven?
that said, I believe paul changed so much of what the prophet jesus-peace be upon him- taught because he wasnt accepted by the jews. Did the other disciples do as he did and actively went to convert the gentiles?
so the above post being correct means that 'paul' will not enter the kingdom of heaven?
that said, I believe paul changed so much of what the prophet jesus-peace be upon him- taught because he wasnt accepted by the jews. Did the other disciples do as he did and actively went to convert the gentiles?
Well, it does seem that Paul contradicted Jesus in some ways. I am now studying the history of the Christian Church and am wondering if the religion might more aptly be called "Paulism."
The Ten Commandments are the don'ts. The Sermon on the Mount is the do's and it requires action.
The do's are more demanding.
Looking them up again, I see that the first 5 of the ten commandments are actually just God telling you to obey. Only half of the 10 commandments have anything to do with actual morality.
The sermon on the mount sounds far more useful. It is also far harder to follow (if not impossible) though.
I see nothing wrong with God telling us to obey him. God is the reason why we live and continue living. Nothing can be gained by not following him. Life is a test and you follow him to pass it.
Jesus was very clear that one has to adhere to the law or they would not make it into heaven.
His words:
7 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
I agree with you, I think Jesus definitely makes it clear that the Old Testament laws should be followed in this verse.
So you think you should kill unbelievers and anyone who tries to convert you, as the laws in Deuteronomy 13 command?
Do you think slavery should be legal (Lev. 25:45) and that, in warfare, the opposing side should be enslaved if they surrender (Dt. 20:10)?
Do you believe someone who rapes an unbetrothed virgin should be forced to pay her father the brideprice and marry her? (Dt. 22:28)
Something tells me that you don't believe in the moral laws of your own scriptures. Most Christians don't. Most Christians are wholly ignorant of the moral content of the Bible. And if they aren't ignorant of it, they're so squeamish about it that they'll do whatever they can to ignore or "reinterpret" it to suit the modern enlightenment morality which they hold even higher.
Jesus says follow the Law.
The Law says kill someone who tries to convert a jew to follow another God.
Law says Man is not God and thus people who believe so are converting Jews.
Kill such people who convert Jews aka kill Christians.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
Jesus says follow the Law.
The Law says kill someone who tries to convert a jew to follow another God.
Law says Man is not God and thus people who believe so are converting Jews.
Kill such people who convert Jews aka kill Christians.
Unfortunately, you're not in a position to take the high moral ground here. The punishment for apostasy in Islam is also death.
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