Basic
Worldview:
104
Why Christianity?
Koran
Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 2)
Evidentiary
Religions - Islam Introduction
Koran
and Judeo-Christian Apostles
Koran
and Judeo-Christian Scriptures
Koran
Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 1)
Koran
Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 2)
Koran
Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 3)
Koran
Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 4)
Another
Gospel and Explaining the Success of Islam (P. 1)
Explaining
the Success of Islam (Part 2)
Explaining
the Success of Islam (Part 3)
Islam
Conclusions
Introduction | Section 1
| Section 2 | Section
3
Sarah's Response to Having a Son
The Koran recounts another famous story regarding the announcement
to Abraham that he would have a son named Isaac.
Have you heard the story of Abraham's honoured guests?
They went in to him and said: 'Peace!' 'Peace!' he answered
and, seeing that they were strangers, betook himself to his
household and returned with a fattened calf. He placed it
before them, saying: 'Will you not eat?' He grew afraid of
them, but they said, 'Have no fear,' and told him he was
to have a son endowed with knowledge. His wife came
crying and beating her face. 'Surely I am a barren old
woman,' she said. 'Such is the will of your Lord,' they replied.
'He is the Wise One, the All-knowing.' (Koran, p. 368, 51:18,
4th Para. - 51:31, 3rd Para.)
Notice that in the Koran's version, Abraham's wife Sarah is
said to cry and beat her face when she overhears the message
that she will bear a child in her old age. Below is the Bible's
account of this same event.
Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the
plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat
of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and,
lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran
to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward
the ground...7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht
a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man;
and he hasted to dress it...10 And he said, I will certainly
return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah
thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent
door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were
old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with
Sarah after the manner of women. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed
within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have
pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And the LORD said unto
Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I
of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14 Is any thing too
hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto
thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have
a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not;
for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
The clear contradiction here is that in the Koran, Abraham's
wife is said to cry and beat her face when she hears the news
that she will have a son. But in the Bible, Sarah's reaction
is the opposite. Instead of crying and beating her face, she
laughs. In fact, the very name Isaac (Strong's No. 03327)
means "laughs." By contradicting this point the Koran contradicts
the very name Isaac. This is yet another instance in which
the Koran is in disagreement with the Judeo-Christian scriptures,
which it claimed to be a reliable revelation of God's Word.
Divorce and Remarriage
The Koran's teaching regarding divorce can be found in the
following passages.
If you wish to replace one wife with another, do not take
from her the dowry you have given her even if it be a talent
of gold. That would be improper and grossly unjust; for
how can you take it back when you have lain with each other
and entered into a firm contract? You shall not marry the
women whom your fathers married: all previous such marriages
excepted. That was an evil practice, indecent and abominable.
(Koran, p. 63, 4:20, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)
In the Koran, to divorce your wife and replace her with someone
new is permissible as long as certain guidelines are followed.
If a man divorces his wife to marry someone else, he can do
so but he must not take back the dowry he gave her. But in
the New Testament, Jesus Christ expressly forbids the practice
of divorcing your wife in order to replace her with someone
new.
Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall
put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his
wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth
her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that
is divorced committeth adultery.
Matthew 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus
had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee,
and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan...9 And
I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except
it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth
adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away
doth commit adultery.
Mark 10:10 And in the house his disciples asked him
again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever
shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery
against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband,
and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and
marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever
marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth
adultery.
In all four of the passages above, Jesus is clearly trying
to bring to an end the practice of divorcing your wife in
order to marry someone new. In order to end this practice,
Jesus proclaims that anyone who divorces their current spouse
and marries someone new is committing adultery. Here the Koran
directly contradicts the teaching of Christ for the Koran
permits a man "to replace one wife with another" while Christ
explicitly opposes such an act.
But that isn't all. Notice that Jesus also prohibits a man
from marrying someone new by declaring that second marriage
is adultery. The Koran differs on this point as well.
If a man divorces his wife, he cannot remarry her until
she has wedded another man and been divorced by him; in
which case it shall be no offence for either of them to return
to the other, if they think that they can keep with the bounds
set by God. (Koran, p. 34, 2:229, 2nd Para. - 2:230.)
While Jesus clearly declares that any divorced woman who marries
another man is committing adultery, the Koran actually requires
any divorced woman to marry another man before she can remarry
her original husband. In this way, the Koran actually requires
adultery to occur, when Jesus clearly sought to keep original
marriages together and free from adultery. This constitutes
another clear contradiction between the Koran and the Judeo-Christian
scriptures, which the Koran claims to be a reliable revelation
of God's Word.
(For more information on the New Testament teaching regarding
divorce, please see our 3-Part article series entitled, "Divorce
and Remarriage in the Teaching of Christ.")
Fighting and War
One of the more striking distinctions between the Koran and
Christian teaching is their respective teachings concerning
participation in violence and war.
The New Testament, however, prohibits Christians from engaging
in violence, even as a means of self-defense and regardless
of which party is the aggressor.
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said,
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But
I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with
Jesus stretched out [his] hand, and drew his sword, and struck
a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his
place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with
the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve
legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be
fulfilled, that thus it must be?
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this
world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight (75), that I should not be delivered to
the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
And not only did the prohibition of violence originate in
these quotes from Jesus Christ, but the early Church of the
first few centuries uniformly interpreted these passages as
prohibiting violence as well, including such famous early
Christian writers as Ignatius, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian,
Athenogaras, Cyprian, and Lactantius. All of these Christians
lived before the time of Constantine when the Church came
into union with the Roman state and began engaging in warfare.
But the change of practice, which emerged as a result of Constantine,
does not change the fact that the Christians of the first
3 centuries were all strict pacifists in accordance with the
teachings of Christ Jesus. (For more information about Christian
teaching on warfare and violence, please visit our 2-part
article series entitled, "Christianity and War.")
Because of Christ's statements forbidding violent resistance
even for justice's sake, The early Church uniformly chose
to suffer and die rather than raise arms against their aggressors.
The Koran, on the other hand, clearly requires war and even
condemns Muslims who refuse to participate in war.
Slay them wherever you find them...Fight against them until
idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme.
But if they desist, fight none except the evil-doers. A sacred
month for a sacred month: sacred things too are subject to
retaliation. If anyone attacks you, attack him as he attacked
you. Have fear of God, and know that God is with the righteous.
(Koran, p. 29, 2:189, 3rd Para. - 2:193.)
Prophet, rouse the faithful to arms. (Koran, p. 131,
8:65, 1st Para.)
Whether unarmed or well-equipped, march on and fight for
the cause of God, with your wealth and with your persons.
This will be best for you, if you but knew it. (Koran, p.
137, 9:40, 2nd Para.)
Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites
and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home:
an evil fate. (Koran, p. 141, 9:73, 1st Para.)
Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you.
Deal firmly with them. Know that God is with the righteous.
(Koran, p. 146, 9:121, 3rd Para.)
Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites,
and deal sternly with them. Hell shall be their home,
evil their fate. (Koran, p. 399, 66:7, 3rd Para.)
Those that believe in God and the Last Day will not beg
you to exempt them from fighting with their wealth and with
their persons. God best knows the righteous. Only those
who seek exemption who disbelieve in God and the Last Day,
and whose hearts are filled with doubt. Because they doubt,
they waver. (Koran, p. 138, 9:43, 2nd Para.)
Some of them will say: 'Give us leave to stay behind, and
do not expose us to temptation.' Surely they have already
succumbed to temptation. Hell shall engulf the unbelievers.
(Koran, p. 138, 9:48, 2nd Para.)
The fact that the Koran teaches militant conquest while Christian
teaching required pacifism and forbid violence is yet another
clear contradiction between the Koran and Judeo-Christian
scriptures that the Koran claims are reliable revelations
of God's Word.
Swearing Oaths
Although some may not be familiar with it, Jesus Christ expressly
prohibits swearing oaths as a means to affirm our words.
Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all;
neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by
the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem;
for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt
thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one
hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be,
Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh
of evil.
According to Jesus we should not swear by heaven, by earth,
by Jerusalem, or by our heads. In fact, we should not swear
at all. Instead, Jesus says that we should simply let our
"yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." He goes on to say that
any attempts to affirm our statements by swearing "cometh
of evil."
It is on this note that another problem arises with the Koran.
While Jesus prohibits affirming our words by swearing, Mohammed
goes to great lengths to affirm the truthfulness of his words
through swearing by heaven and earth and nearly everything
in between. Consider the long list of examples below. Notice
that no less than 6 times does Mohammed swear that he is not
mad or in error but his words in the Koran are the truth from
God. This is clearly another point when the Koran contradicts
the Judeo-Christian scriptures, which it has claimed to be
reliable revelations of God's Word.
I swear by the Wise Koran that you are sent upon a
straight path. This is revealed by the Mighty One, the Merciful,
so that you may forewarn a nation who, because their fathers
were not warned before them, live in heedlessness. (Koran,
p. 308, 36:1, 1st Para. - p. 309, 36:7.)
I swear by those who range themselves in ranks, by those
who cast out demons, and by those who recite the Word,
that your God is One: the Lord of the heavens and the earth
and all that lies between them: the Lord of the Eastern Regions.
(Koran, p. 312, 37:1.)
By the Koran, with all its precepts! Surely the unbelievers
are imbued with arrogance and perverseness. (Koran, p. 317,
38:1)
By the Glorious Book! We have revealed the Koran in
the Arabic tongue that you may understand its meaning. It
is a transcript of the eternal book in Our Keeping, sublime,
and full of wisdom. (Koran, p. 343, 43:1, 1st Para. - 2nd
Para.)
By the Glorious Book, We revealed it on a blessed night
to give warning; on a night when every precept was made plain
as a commandment from Ourself. We sent it down as a blessing
from your Lord. He hears all and knows all. He is the Lord
of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them.
(Mark this, if you are true believers.) There is no god but
Him. He ordains life and death. He is your God and the God
of your forefathers. Yet they divert themselves with doubts.
(Koran, p. 348, 44:1, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)
By the Glorious Koran! They marvel that a prophet of
their own has arisen amongst them. The unbelievers say: 'This
is indeed a strange thing. When we are dead and turn to dust...?
Such a return is most improbable!' (Koran, p. 365, 50:1, 1st
Para. - 2nd Para.)
By the dust-scattering winds and the heavily-laden clouds;
by the swift-gliding ships, and by the angels who deal out
blessings to mankind; that which you are promised shall
be fulfilled, and the Last Judgment shall surely come to pass!
By the heaven with its starry highways, you contradict
yourselves! None but the perverse turn away from the true
faith. Perish the liars, who dwell in darkness and are heedless
of the life to come! (Koran, p. 367, 51:1, 1st Para. - 2nd
Para.)
By the Mountain, and by the Scripture penned on unrolled
parchment; by the Visited House, the Lofty Vault, and the
swelling sea, your Lord's punishment shall surely come
to pass! No power shall ward it off. (Koran, p. 369, 52:1.)
By the declining star, your compatriot is not in error,
nor is he deceived! He does not speak out of his own fancy.
This is an inspired revelation. He is taught by one who is
powerful and mighty. (Koran, p. 371, 53:1 - p. 372, 53:7,
4th Para.)
I swear by the shelter of the stars (a mighty oath, if
you but knew it) that this is a glorious Koran, safeguarded
in a book which none may touch except the purified; a revelation
from the Lord of the Universe. Would you scorn a scripture
such as this, and earn your daily bread denying it? (Koran,
p. 380, 56:74, 2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)
By the Pen, and what they write, you are not mad: thanks
to the favour of your Lord! A lasting recompense awaits you,
for yours is a sublime nature. You shall before long see -
as they will see - which of you is mad. (Koran, p. 401, 68:1.)
I swear by all that you can see, and all that is hidden
from your view, that this is the utterance of a noble
messenger. It is no poet's speech: scant is your faith! It
is no soothsayers divination: how little you reflect! It is
a revelation from the Lord of the Universe. (Koran, p. 404,
69:19, 4th Para. - p. 405, 69:52.)
I swear by the Lord of the East and of the West that
We have the power to replace them by others better than they:
nothing can hinder us from so doing. Let them paddle, let
them play until they face the day they are promised; the day
when they shall rush forward from their graves, like men rallying
to a standard, with downcast eyes and countenances distorted
with shame. Such is the day they are promised. (Koran, p.
406, 70:38, 4th Para. - 70:44, 2nd Para.)
I swear by the Day of Resurrection, and by the self-reproaching
soul! (Koran, p. 412, 75:1.)
I swear by the turning planets, and by the stars that rise
and set; by the night, when it descends, and the first breath
of morning: this is the word of a gracious and mighty
messenger, held in honour by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed
in heaven, faithful to his trust. (Koran, p. 419, 81:15 -
81:21.)
By the heaven, and by the nightly visitant! Would that
you knew what the nightly visitant is! It is the star of piercing
brightness. (Koran, p. 423, 86:1, 1st Para. - 3rd Para.)
By the heaven with is recurring cycles, and by the earth,
ever bursting with new growth; this is a discerning utterance,
no flippant jest. (Koran, p. 423, 86:11.)
By the Dawn and the Ten Nights; by that which is dual and
that which is single; by the night, when it comes! (Koran,
p. 425, 89:1.)
I swear by this city (and you are a resident of this
city), by the begetter and all whom he begot: We created
man to try him with afflictions. (Koran, p. 426, 90:1.)
By the sun and his midday brightness; by the moon, which
rises after him; by the day, which reveals his splendour;
by the night, which veils him! By the heaven and Him that
built it; by the earth and Him that spread it; by the soul
and Him that moulded it and inspired it with knowledge
of sin and piety; blessed shall be the man who has kept it
pure, and ruined he that has corrupted it! (Koran, p. 426,
91:1 - p. 427, 91:6.)
By the night, when she lets fall her darkness, and
by the radiant day! By Him that created the male and the female,
your endeavors have varied ends! (Koran, p. 427, 92:1.)
By the light of the day, and by the dark of the night,
your Lord has not forsaken you, nor does He abhor you. (Koran,
p. 428, 93:1.)
By the Fig, and by the Olive! By Mount Sinai, and by this
inviolate city. (Koran, p. 428, 95:1, 1st Para. - 2nd
Para.)
By the snorting war steeds, which strike fire with
their hoofs as they gallop to the raid at dawn and with a
trail of dust cleave a massad army: man is ungrateful to his
Lord! To this he himself shall bear witness. (Koran, p. 431,
100:1.)
I swear by the declining day that perdition shall be
the lot of man, except for those who have faith and do good
works; who exhort each other to justice and to fortitude.
(Koran, p. 432, 103:1 - 103:3.)
Marriage in Heaven
One of the most straightforward teachings of Jesus is that
those who are counted worthy by God and are resurrected will
NOT marry.
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye
do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are
given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Mark 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do
ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures,
neither the power of God? 25 For when they shall rise from
the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage;
but are as the angels which are in heaven.
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The
children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 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.
On this point, the Koran repeatedly disagrees. But before
we view the quotes from the Koran, we need to do some brief
vocabulary review. The word "houri" appears in some of the
quotes below from the Koran, so it is important to know what
it means when we read it.
"Houri - 1. A voluptuous, alluring woman. 2.
One of the beautiful virgins of the Koranic paradise."
- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language:
Fourth Edition. 2000.
Below we have placed a number of quotes on this topic from
the Koran in order to demonstrate that there are more than
just a few, small verses on this topic. Notice as you read
these quotes that not only does the Koran promise that the
righteous will be wedded to heavenly virgins, but the Koran
also specifically describes the alluring, physical traits
possessed by the virgins including their dark eyes and even
their "bosoms."
The quotes below clearly establish that on this issue the
Koran contradicts the teaching of the Judeo-Christian scripture,
which it has itself claimed to be a reliable revelation of
God's Word.
Men are tempted by the lure of women and offspring, of hoarded
treasures of gold and silver, of splendid horses, cattle,
and plantations. These are the enjoyments of this life, but
far better is the return of God. Say: 'Shall I tell you
of better things than these, with which the righteous shall
be rewarded by their Lord? Gardens watered by running
streams, where they shall dwell for ever: spouses of perfect
chastity:and grace from God.' (Koran, p. 43, 3:14 - p.
44, 3:15.)
As for those that have faith and do good works, We
shall admit them to gardens watered by running streams, where,
wedded to chaste spouses, they shall abide for ever. To
a cool shade We shall admit them. (Koran, p. 67, 4:57.)
But the true servants of God shall be well provided
for, feasting on fruit, and honoured in the gardens of delight.
Reclining face to face upon soft couches, they shall be served
with a goblet at a gushing fountain, white, and delicious
to those who drink it. It will neither dull their senses nor
befuddle them. They shall sit with bashful, dark-eyed virgins,
as chaste as the sheltered eggs of ostriches. (Koran,
p. 313, 37:26, 2nd Para. - p. 314, 37:48.)
This is but an admonition. The righteous shall return
to a blessed retreat: the gardens of Eden, whose gates
shall open wide to receive them. Reclining there with bashful
virgins for companions, they will call for abundant fruit
and drink. All this shall be yours on the Day of Reckoning;
Our gifts can have no end. (Koran, p. 320, 38:44, 4th Para.)
As for the righteous, they shall be lodged in peace
together amid gardens and fountains, arrayed in rich silks
and fine brocade. Even thus: and We shall wed them to dark-eyed
houris. Secure against all ills, they shall call for every
kind of fruit; and, having died once, they shall die no more.
(Koran, p. 350, 44:43, 2nd Para - 44:59.)
But in fair gardens the righteous shall dwell in bliss,
rejoicing in what their Lord will give them. Their Lord will
shield them from the scourge of Hell. He will say: 'Eat and
drink to your hearts' content. This is the reward of your
labours.' They shall recline on couches ranged in rows. To
dark-eyed houris We shall wed them. (Koran, p. 370, 52:13,
2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)
They shall recline on couches lined with thick brocade, and
within reach will hang the fruits of both gardens. Which of
your Lord's blessings would you deny? Therein are bashful
virgins whom neither man nor jinnee will have touched before.
Which of your Lord's blessings would you deny? Virgins
as fair as corals and rubies. Which of your Lord's blessings
would you deny? (Koran, p. 376, 55:52, 2nd Para. - 4th Para.)
Such are they that shall be brought near to their Lord
in the gardens of delight: a whole multitude from the
men of old, but only a few from the latter generations. They
shall recline on jeweled couches face to face, and there shall
wait on them immortal youths with bowls and ewers and a cup
of purest wine (that will neither pain their heads nor take
away their reason); with fruits of their own choice and flesh
of fowls that they relish. And theirs shall be the dark-eyed
houris, chaste as virgin pearls: a guerdon for their deeds.
(Koran, p. 378, 56:1, 2nd Para. - p. 379, 56:6, 2nd Para.)
We created the houris and made them virgins, loving companions
for those on the right hand: a multitude from the men of old,
and a multitude from the latter generations. (Koran, p. 379,
56:27, 2nd Para.)
As for the righteous, they shall surely triumph. Theirs
shall be gardens and vineyards, and high-bosomed maidens
for companions: a truly overflowing cup. (Koran, p. 417,
78:31.)
Jesus' Predicted "Ahmad"
In the following passage, the Koran depicts Jesus making a
prediction that an apostle will come after him by the name
of Ahmad.
And of Jesus son of Mary, who said to the Israelites:
'I am sent forth to you from God to confirm the Torah already
revealed, and to give news of an apostle that will come
after me whose name is Ahmad.' (p. 391, 61:1, 4th Para.
- 61:8.)
The name "Ahmad" is taken as a reference to Mohammed since
the name Mohammed is a compounded version of the name "Ahmad."
"Muhammad - ETYMOLOGY: Arabic muammad, praised, commendable,
passive participle of ammada, to praise highly, from amida,
to extol." - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
Now, the New Testament was written in Greek, so the word "Ahmad"
does not actually found in the New Testament. However, Muslim
apologists have argued that the Greek word "periklutos," which
means, "praised one," does appear in the New Testament - or
at least it was supposed to. While neither "periklutos" nor
a derivative of it appears in the New Testament, the argument
is that the Greek word "parakletos," which does appear in
the New Testament, is a corrupted or mistaken occurrence of
"periklutos." In this way, "periklutos" would have appeared
in the New Testament if it were not for an error that somehow
recorded "parakletos" in its place.
The definition of "parakletos" is listed below.
3875 parakletos
a root word; TDNT - 5:800,782; n m
AV - comforter 4, advocate 1; 5
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader,
counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
"Parakletos," (Strong's No. 3875) is translated as "Comforter"
in the Gospel of John, which provides the key passage on this
issue.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter (3875), that he may abide with
you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall
be in you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter (3875), which is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter (3875) is come,
whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he
shall testify of me:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is
expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter (3875) will not come unto you; but if I depart,
I will send him unto you...13 Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come.
If the Greek word "parakletos" were to be changed to "periklutos"
as Muslim apologists suggest, then these passages might indeed
state that God would send a "praised one" after Jesus, which
in the Arabic tongue would translate as sending "Ahmad." At
this time we should point out that Mohammed's claim that Jesus
predicted him requires a specific appeal to words contained
in the written Gospels (as seen above). This in turn further
demonstrates Mohammed's necessary endorsement of the written
Gospels.
But more to the point, there are several problems that prevent
us from accepting the Koran's interpretation of these passages.
First, other than the desire to substantiate Mohammed's claim,
there is no reason to suspect corruption of the text of these
passages. While periklutos and parakletos might look or sound
similar, they have two distinct meanings in the Greek. Periklutos
may mean "praised one," but parakletos means "advocate" or
"comforter." The meanings are quite distinct. And we have
no indication either from within the text itself or from external
manuscript evidence that indicates that there was a switch
from periklutos to parakletos. The result is that this becomes
the proverbial circular argument.
These passages are cited as proof of Mohammed's divine mandate.
But when we examine the passages themselves, we find nothing
in the texts that will support this conclusion unless the
reader already believes that Mohammed is Jesus' successor
and that the text was supposed to point to him. So, this text
provides no objective evidence of Mohammed's claim.
Likewise, the Koran itself demands that the word "periklutos"
was originally intended. But there is no evidence to support
that claim. The existing evidence is that "periklutos" does
not appear in the manuscripts and that "parakletos" does.
So, on this point, the Koran is again shown to be in direct
disagreement with the Judeo-Christian scriptures with regard
to which word appears in these passages.
Second, as can be seen in the passages themselves (quotes
above), the Comforter is not left unidentified. Each passage
specifically informs us in the immediate context that the
Comforter is the Holy Spirit. Even if you interpret the Holy
Spirit as Gabriel or some other angel as Muslims might, these
passages cannot point to Mohammed, since Mohammed is not the
Holy Spirit. The result is that the Koran disagrees with Judeo-Christian
scripture with regard to whether or not the Holy Spirit or
Mohammed was meant in these passages.
Lastly, we should note that the result of this analysis is
that the Koran is left without a specific mention of Mohammed
under the name "Ahmad" anywhere in the Judeo-Christian texts,
as the Koran claims, which again leaves the Koran in error
and in contradiction of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, which
it claims are reliable revelations of God's Word.
