Source: Huffington Post
By Christian Chiakulas; Writer and musician from Chicago
What is the Bible? Is it a collection of scriptures written by men, or something more?
Conservative Christianity affirms the idea of “Biblical Inerrancy;” that is, the Bible is the literal, Divinely-inspired Word of God. Whether or not they accept the scholarly consensuses on authorship of specific books (and some do not) they do believe that these authors’ pens were guided by the hand of God, and thus the bible is in a sense perfect. This can be expressed in two nonexclusive ways: 1.) that the bible is without error, and 2.) that the bible does not affirm anything that is not true.
This idea is the source of all misuse and misunderstanding of biblical passages.
If you believe God wrote the bible, it is quite easy to imagine a certain passage applies directly to you and the world you live in. Obviously; God is timeless, so why would He write something intended only for a specific time period?
The problem with biblical inerrancy is that it’s utter nonsense, as a basic reading of the Bible will show. For example: in Genesis 1, God creates plant life, and then Man. In Genesis 2, God creates Man first, and then plant life. Both of these things simply cannot be true, even in God’s omnipotence, for omnipotence doesn’t extend to the logically impossible. A couple other brief examples:
If you read each gospel’s account of the 12 apostles, it is clear that there are more than 12 names and none of the gospels precisely agree on who they were.
Jesus says he comes not to bring peace, but a sword, and then He also says that all who live by the sword shall perish by the sword.
In Galatians Paul writes “there is neither slave no r free,” but then in Titus, Paul apparently writes that slaves are to be subject to their masters. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians Paul says that women may “pray or prophesy” but only with their heads covered, but then in several other letters Paul apparently tells women not to speak at all.
If the Bible is perfect, how can it contradict itself so much? Some may look at these and other examples and shrug, grunting something about “God working in mysterious ways.” For the rational-minded among us, this answer will not suffice.
The truth is that the bible is a human product, each book written in a time and place for a specific audience, by authors who were shaped by their experiences of God. Therefore, in order to correctly understand and interpret the bible, you must place the book you are reading in proper historical and theological context.
We will take some examples. In a famous scene from the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke,) Jesus is in Jerusalem during the last week of his life when a group of his enemies (Pharisees in Mark and Matthew, “spies” in Luke) ask him, “Teacher…is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mark 12:14 ESV; Mark is used because it is earliest.) Jesus’s reply: he asks them to produce a Roman coin, emblazoned with Caesar’s face. “Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s'” (12:17).
Taken on its own, as it often is, this statement is used by mostly well-meaning but ignorant Christians to support the idea that for Jesus, religion and politics are meant to be separate and Christians are meant to be obedient to earthly authority. This reading betrays a fatal lack of context.
First, it is said that the purpose for the question was “to trap him [Jesus] in his talk” (12:13). If Jesus answered yes, it’s fine to pay taxes to Rome, he risked losing the support of the crowd, which earlier had prevented his enemies from seizing him. If he answered no, then he was committing treason against Rome and could be arrested. Understanding this, Jesus’s reply is a stunning display of political savvy.
According to Roman imperial theology, Caesar was the Son of God, divine, and God in human form. To the Jews, his face on a coin was a graven image, prohibited under the Law (indeed, Pontius Pilate himself nearly incited revolt when he displayed Roman standards with Caesar’s emblem in Jerusalem). So when Jesus’s opponents produced the coin with Caesar’s face, they were in violation of Jewish law and had lost any moral high ground they might have had. “Render unto Caesar…” then becomes not a lesson about separation of church and state or an instruction to pay our taxes, but a calculated non-answer that made Jesus’s critics look weak and foolish in front of the crowd of his supporters. Even more, it is a fierce indictment of Roman rule that led, in part, to Jesus’s death: by implication, Caesar is not God.
Our next example is from Paul, a favorite of conservative Christians. This is the (in)famous passage from II Thessalonians chapter three, in which Paul says: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10 NIV). It is a clear statement most often used to argue against social welfare.
First: there is a strong possibility that Paul did not write this letter. Of Paul’s thirteen letters in the New Testament, only seven are unquestionably his. Two (including II Thessalonians) are disputed, and four others are almost certainly pseudepigraphic (aside: why would a perfect, divinely-inspired work have falsely attributed passages?) For the purposes of this argument, however, we will set this possibility aside and presume that II Thessalonians is authentic.
By placing the aforementioned verse in the context of the preceding and subsequent verses (remember, none of the books of the bible were written with verse or chapter breaks) and bearing in mind the type of society Paul was writing to, its true meaning will become clear.
The full text refers to small communities of Christians living in what Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan refer to as “share communities” (see their The First Paul,) a term I will ape from them because it accurately describes the way early Christian communities functioned: they would gather, once a week for the Lord’s Supper, and irrespective of social class they would break bread together, each pitching in whatever they were able so that everybody had enough. Evidence for this is given in Paul’s authentic letter to the Corinthians, in which he rebuked the wealthy among the community there for mistreating the poor among them (I Corinthians 11:17-22) by not sharing the food equitably.
Back to the passage from II Thessalonians. If you start from 3:6 and continue through 3:15, keeping the idea of a share community and especially of a “share meal” in mind, the conclusion drawn is much more specific than simply, “he who does not work shall not eat.” The author is referring to people who have been taking advantage of the Christian community to obtain free food without participating in the works of the community, the same works referred to in the much-misunderstood “faith vs. works” debate (the same Greek word is used in both original manuscripts).
The issue at hand is not about employment but active participation in the community mission. He who does not work to benefit the Christian community can not reap its rewards. The misuse of this passage to imply that people receiving social welfare are “lazy” or to argue against the necessity of a social safety net is quite simply bad history and bad theology.
I could go on and on with examples, but that would be beyond the scope of this already-long blog post. These few examples I’ve given demonstrate clearly that the Bible cannot be read uncritically, cannot be accepted as the true and divine Word of God. I would argue that the Bible requires devoted and critical study to fully understand, and this is a lifelong pursuit (the Bible is long, folks).
So next time a conservative quotes II Thessalonians to disparage welfare recipients or Jeremiah 1:5 in an abortion debate (that text refers specifically and only to the prophet Jeremiah), remember to call them out on it. Chances are, they don’t actually read the Bible.
(A version of this post originally appeared on Political Moll).
Follow Christian Chiakulas on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChrisChiakulas
Categories: Americas, Bible, Book Review, Book Reviews, Europe and Australia, New Testament
ALL ALLAH’S BOOKS ARE HOLY.
Allah said in Al Quran
GOD purify all His books of the human hand. GOD and Prophet Muhammad explained in the Quran.
1.Therefore let who will, keep it in remembrance. (12) (It is) in Books (Taurat,Zabur,Injil, and Quran) held (greatly) in honour. (13) Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy, (14) (Written) by the hands of scribes― (15) Honourable and Pious and Just. QS 7-16.
2.Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian and Disposer of all affairs. QS 39:62.
If we look at Zabur and Injil, ALLAH said;
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is
achieved.Mattewe 5:18. Psalm 102:26 ,Psalm 119:89.
I hope you will not reject what ALLAH said in HIS Books.
I do not believe what people said.
===Allah said “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own handsand then say, “This is from Allaah,” to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby” [al-Baqarah 2:79]====
My explanation above verse;
This ayat or verse is there is some one wanted to try to falsify Taurat, but they failed. Because, once we distributed books to society, no one can falsify original book any more. Everyone already has a original book in his hand.
Conclusion.
if you distribute your books to ummah, society. no one can falsify your books. If someone want to try make a false books, it is easy to recognize which one is true , and which is wrong one, right?
Very simple to understand right?
May Allah guide us to the truth of Islam
With all my love
Was Salam
( I sent this article to Dr Zakir who accuse the Bible is not Allah’s words, but men’s words.)
Don’t judge, insult other belief, if you really want peace in this Earth.
If you find some contrary, in Bible and Al Quran, it is Mutashabihaat verses.
Bismilahirrahmanirrahiim.
Assalamu’alaikum wrwb.
I love to watch his video n listen to his preaching. excellent preacher in our time.
But remember what Allah warned people, no one in this earth never make mistake, he is not a god, he can mislead people. This is a test for Muslim around the world. Can he bring peace n prosperity to his followers? Or he will astray Muslim?
We can see a result later.
One thing I agree with Dr Zakir:
1. He believe n love Jesus as
2. He read Bible n follow Jesus teaching are not against Al Quran.
3. He said that Prophet Adam, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus n Muhammad were Islam or Muslim
4. Taurat, Zabur, Injil n Quran are Islamic teaching.
Most Muslim Scholars forbid Muslim to read Bible. They are wrong side.
(DR ZAKIR NAIK ACCUSE BIBLE HAS BEEN ALTERED BY HUMAN.
I am so sad and disappointed which is Dr Zakir dare to accuse Allah’s Book of Bible has been altered by human. In other words, Bible is not a pure of God’s words anymore.
The same as the extremist Christian accuse Al Quran is Satanic verses.
Both extremist accusation is not based on Al Quran and Bible, but based on hatred. The source of hatred come from Evil, and evil always deceive and mislead people to wrong way. A Smarter Evil can deceive a smart Scholar.
Whereas Allah n Prophets never say one verse in Al Quran that Bible had been altered by human. Why does Dr Zakir accuse Bible is not pure of God words??
He always claim that he obeys or follows Al Quran. In fact, he did not.
If Allah wills, I would like to challange n debate with DR Zakir Naik to correct his belief.
I like to ask Dr Zakir or his followers:
Show me one verse in Al Quran that Allah has said that Bible, or Taurat, Zabur, Injil have been altered by human. If he can show one verse, I believe that Dr Zakir is Honest scholar, but if he can’t, he is misleading Muslim. It is dangerous n astray.
As Allah said:
There is no one in this earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake.Ecc.7:20
He has made a big mistakes as following below:
Dr Zakir Naik has judged and accused Bible is not pure of Allah’s words anymore. He insult millions Christian around the world in public place. Most Muslim enjoy to hear Dr Zakir attacking Bible n insult millions Christian. His Audience frequently applauded.
In other words he does not believe what Allah says in Bible n Al Quran. He believe what the top Christians Scholar said that Bible had altered by human.
Dr Zakir believe in HUMAN, CREATURE, instead of believing Allah, CREATOR, he has fallen into sinful Syrik.a smart Evil has deceived him. Nauzubillah.
Also extremist Christians accused that Al Quran are Satanic verses, because the Extremist Muslim kill innocent people like: infidel, gay, blasphemy, apostasy etc.
Those who accuse Allah’s Books is false book n Setanic verses will be cursed by Allah soon or later.
I strongly suggest that Muslim do not judge and accuse Allah’s Book, Bible has altered by human.
If you find some contrary, in Bible and Al Quran, it is Mutashabihaat verses, please do not insult others. As Allah said;
MUTASYABIHAAT
He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are not of well-established meaning. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is not of well-established meaning. Seeking discord, and searching for its interpretation, but no one knows its true meanings except Allah, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it is from our Lord”; and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding. QS. 3:7.
GOD the All-knowing, All-Mighty keeping His book of forgery. GOD never said a single verse in the Bible either, and in the Qur’an, the Book of GOD Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Qur’an can be faked. Only humans are extreme to say that the book of the Bible is false and the Qur’an is the book of verse Satan.
Allah has warned His People in His Books,Bible and Al Quran as following below:
DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS!
O you who believe, no man should ever scoff at other men. May be, the latter are better than the former. Nor should women (ever scoff) at other women. May be, the latter women are better than the former ones. And do not find fault with one another, nor call one another with bad nicknames. Bad is the name of sinfulness after embracing Faith. 4 If anyone does not repent, then such people are the wrongdoers.QS 4; (11)
DO NOT INSULT OTHERS
“And insult not those whom they worship besides God, lest they insult God wrongfully without knowledge. Thus We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then to their Lord is their return and He shall then inform them of all that they used to do QS 6;108
FROM BIBLE.
1. Do not accuse anyone falsely (exodus.20;16).
2. All of us will stand before God to be judged by Him.(Roman 14:11)
3. James 4:12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor.
Surely, your Lord is best aware of those who go astray from His way, and He is best aware of those who are on the right path.QS 6;117
So Dr Zakir Naik has judged and had accused Bible has altered by human is not wise at all, against Allah’s commandment and the sunnah.
WHEREAS :
GOD purify all the books of the human hand. GOD and Prophet Muhammad explained in the Quran.
FROM BIBLE
◄ Matthew 5:18 ►
For truly I tell you, 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.
FROM QURAN.
Though it is no blame to thee if he grow not (in spiritual understanding). (7) But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly, (8) And with fear (in his heart) (9) Of him wast thou unmindful. (10) By no means (should it be so)! For it is indeed a Message of instruction: (11) Therefore let who will, keep it in remembrance. (12) (It is) in Books (Taurat,Zabur,Injil, and AL Quran) held (greatly) in honour. (13) Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy, (14) (Written) by the hands of scribes― (15) Honourable and Pious and Just. QS 7-16)
Dr Zakir Naik believe what people said, but do not believe what Allah said in Bible n Quran. Dr Zakir believe in CREATURE instead of CREATOR.
Dr Zakir make a mistake that against Al Quran. Al Quran is our best FILTER.
May Allah n his followers guide them from sinful Syrik, the biggest sin in Islam, Ameen.
Wassalamualaikum wr wb
For You from My Heart.
All those who read shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to your people.
With all my love