Rebuttal to Walid's book's "What is Faith?" section:
He wrote:
Regardless to what we believe in, all of us have faith in someone or in something which dictates the way we live. In our case here, since both Muslims and Christians believe in eternal destiny (hell or heaven), the choice one needs to make becomes the most important struggle for truth and life. If you are afraid to read this, it is perhaps you do not have a strong knowledge in your faith. You should have no fear if you know what you believe to be true is true indeed.
My response:
I agree.
He wrote:
On the other hand, one could choose for some reason to ignore this issue altogether, thinking that it does not matter what one believes, since we will find out at the end which is true. That is your choice, and no one including God will force you, but if you were wrong, and end up in eternal torment, do not blame me. I did my job, I offered you the challenge.
The "Quran" Challenge to the Judeo-Christian Faith: In Islam as the Quran states it clearly; "And they say: `None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.' Those are their desires. Say: `produce your (Evidence) if you are really truthful'." (Al-Baqarah[2]:112).
The "Bible" Challenge: "Present your case, says the Lord. Bring forth your strong reasons, says the King of Jacob. Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show us the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us the things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together. Indeed you are nothing, And your work is nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination." (Isaiah 41:21-24).
So, for that challenge which was ordered by both books, and since both encourage us to produce "proof", or evidence to each claim, I will respond to answer each challenge. As Christians need to be in obedience to God, they are required to respond, and fulfill the commission, to defend the faith, to fight the battle, the real war for souls, not by the Sword but by the Word.
My response:
This is where you are wrong Mr. Walid with all due respect to you, as most Muslims and Christians also fall into this category. No where in the Noble Quran do we have a Noble Verse that says: "you either must believe in the Quran as a Divine Revelation or you will burn in Hell." The same with the Bible. Both Jesus and Muhammad peace be upon them taught their followers to believe and love GOD Almighty, as an Absolute One True Living GOD Almighty:
"Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (The Noble Quran, 112:1-4)"
"Say: 'O People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians)! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).' (The Noble Quran, 3:64)"
Luke 10
25. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to
test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal
life?"
26. "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read
it?"
27. He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' "
28. "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this
and you will live."
Notice that the man's question was straight forward: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" No other question can be more straight forward than this!
Notice how Jesus answered this straight forward question: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart......and love your neighbor as yourself......Do this and you will live."
Notice that Jesus didn't talk about any trinity concept, nor did he say to the man that he must accept Jesus as a mediator between him and GOD Almighty to win eternal life. No Jesus was pretty clear and straight forward here: LOVE GOD ALMIGHTY AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS AS YOURSELF. That is simply all there is to it to win eternal life in Jesus' standards.
It certainly wasn't necessary for the man who asked the question to believe in trinity in order for him to be saved. Jesus assured him Paradise if he believed otherwise.
Please visit What if I (Christian) am right and you (Muslim) are wrong?
What is the place of Jesus, Jews and Christians in Islam?
He wrote:
We are ordered by God to produce evidence, and witness to those lost in darkness, to the world that we seek for Christ. As the Bible said: "In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15).
In the Old Testament, God encourages debate and challenge; "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." (Isaiah 1:18a).
Both challenges assure us, that there is no need to pick up stones and fight, no need for anger or fits of rage. Just let us reason together, and prove with evidence each his claim.
My response:
I agree. In Islam it is also the same thing, and perhaps even better:
"Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (The Noble Quran, 16:125)"
"Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Quran). (The Noble Quran, 25:52)"
Please visit: Peaceful Jihad through the Noble Quran and preaching Islam.
What is Jihad and the laws of war in Islam?
Why does Islam have Jizyah (money paid by non-Muslims in the Islamic State) law? How should Muslims treat enemy civilians and innocents.
Does Islam really allow the killing of innocent unbelievers?
Unbelievers: Be persecuted or forgiven?
How did Islamic people handle believers in other faiths during the time period of the Crusades?
How to propagate Islam. Muslims can not transgress the limits when dealing with the enemy.
Can Muslims torture prisoners of war?
Is Ethnic cleansing allowed in Islam?
He wrote:
The Bible claims that the true Christian faith is the only way to God, while Islam's Quran says its the other way around. I have seen many debates concerning this issue, and the problem with these debates is that no side was able to fully express their opinion. The time element was always a factor, and the heated arguments would always upset Muslims as they were too quick to throw shouts of "Allahu Akbar' (God is greater). We need to see how God is great and not just shouting it. We need patience by avoiding quick judgments.
My response:
Care to provide more evidence? As I explained above, no where in the Noble Quran do we have a Noble Verse that says: "you either must believe in the Quran as a Divine Revelation or you will burn in Hell." The same with the Bible. Both Jesus and Muhammad peace be upon them taught their followers to believe and love GOD Almighty, as an Absolute One True Living GOD Almighty:
"Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (The Noble Quran, 112:1-4)"
"Say: 'O People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians)! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).' (The Noble Quran, 3:64)"
Luke 10
25. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to
test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal
life?"
26. "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read
it?"
27. He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' "
28. "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this
and you will live."
Notice that the man's question was straight forward: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" No other question can be more straight forward than this!
Notice how Jesus answered this straight forward question: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart......and love your neighbor as yourself......Do this and you will live."
Notice that Jesus didn't talk about any trinity concept, nor did he say to the man that he must accept Jesus as a mediator between him and GOD Almighty to win eternal life. No Jesus was pretty clear and straight forward here: LOVE GOD ALMIGHTY AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS AS YOURSELF. That is simply all there is to it to win eternal life in Jesus' standards.
It certainly wasn't necessary for the man who asked the question to believe in trinity in order for him to be saved. Jesus assured him Paradise if he believed otherwise.
Please visit What if I (Christian) am right and you (Muslim) are wrong?
What is the place of Jesus, Jews and Christians in Islam?
He wrote:
The bottom line is that one of the two (Muslims or Christians) is deceived, to understand deception one must understand the nature of Satan. The Bible gives the best explanation about him, and in general he is the most intelligent, smart, beautiful being God ever made. He deceived 1/3 of the angels. He deceived Adam and Eve. He can even deceive the very elect. You stand no chance to his tricks without God and his spirit being in you. He is the best con artist. He appears as an "Angel of Light". He created all false theology, as he claims to be God. The Bible describes him to be the false God of this world, the one who wants to rule the world.
My response:
Actually, the Bible failed to give us the details as to how satan became evil, while the Noble Quran gave all of the required details.
Please visit: Is Satan in Islam the same as Satan in the Bible?
He wrote:
The Quran on the other hand gives some different descriptions about Satan. The Quran calls him "Iblees" which is a fiery creature "jin", which the English derived the word "genie" from. Muslims deny the Biblical claim that the Devil is an angel, one cannot ignore the Quranic verse; "And as we told the Angels to bow down to Adam, All did except Iblees (Satan), refused. He was one of the jinn" (Al-Kahf[18][18]:50). One could ask, why would God order the Angels only to bow then expect Satan who as the Quran declares as being from the jinn (jenie)? That would logically refer to jinn (jenie) as fallen angels and not another creature made from fire as the Quran claims in other verses.
My response:
I don't understand why you failed to understand the simple logic here! Jinns are like humans; they have good ones among them, and they have evil ones among them. No one can say that all Jinns are good, or all Jinns are evil:
"Likewise did We make for every Messenger an enemy,- evil ones among men and jinns, inspiring each other with flowery discourses by way of deception. If thy Lord had so planned, they would not have done it: so leave them and their inventions alone. (The Noble Quran, 6:112)"
So as we can see, the Jinns also have Prophets and Messengers of Allah Almighty. This means that the Jinns have good and evil ones in them.
He wrote:
In the Quran devils are found doing the work of Solomon by Allah's command. Allah is also found protecting them as declared in the Quran: "And sundry satans who should dive for him and perform other work beside: and it was We who guarded them." (Alanbya[21]:82). These devils are also found in the Quran to be Solomon's messengers: "He said (Solomon),: "Ye Chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne[Queen Sheba's] before they come to me in submission? Said an `Ifrit, of the Jinn (devils): "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted." (Al-Naml[27]:38-39). Such claims are rejected by Christianity, no where in the Bible devils are used to do any physical work, especially building God's temple, which God used Solomon and his people, (God's chosen people). The most interesting part in the Quran's description of devils is in Surah Saba[34]:14, were Allah declares: "Then we decreed Solomon's death, nothing showed them (the devils) that he was dead as the termites gnawed the staff which supported his corpse. And when it fell, the devils perceived that if they had known ..." Muslim interpreters say that Solomon died suddenly while he was leaning on his staff. A full year had passed while his corps was still leaning on his staff. Finally when the termites ate part of his staff, it broke and Solomon fell to the ground. It wasn't until then, the devils realized that Solomon was dead. And we ask: What did Solomon's servants, wives, and army do while Solomon was dead leaning on his staff for a year? Muslim scholars concluded that demons are stupid beings who's main job is only to whisper in peoples ears to sin, a description unlike the Bible's which warn us that demons are fallen angels, able to mix a bunch of truth with a tiny amount of lies just enough to kill.
My response:
As I proved above, Jinns have good and evil ones among them; just like humans. Just because there are evil ones in the Jinn, it doesn't make all Jinns evil or satanic.
He wrote:
Jamal Badawi, a well known Muslim apologist debating Christians always accuses the Christian Trinity with evolving from ancient pagan beliefs such as mithraism.[1] What Mr. Badawi ignores to mention is that the idea of pagan trinities did not evolve from Persian, Roman or any ancient empire, but all the way back from the story of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. Satan defied God and deceived Adam and Eve. He then formed a false trinity -- Satan , The future coming Antichrist (Al-Maseeh Al-Dajal), and the False Prophet. The first prophecy in the Bible was concerning this very issue. In Genesis 3:15, God's judgment was declared: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." In this prophecy we find the promise of the virgin birth of Christ from the seed of the woman (her seed). The woman representing Eve and her seed representing Christ since Christ was not the seed of Adam as He did not have a human father. This was the first prophecy in the Bible of the coming Christ. This prophecy foresaw the crucifixion of Christ when Satan was able to "bruise His heel" who was pierced in His hands and feet (heels). The verse also reveals the Antichrist as the seed of Satan. Just as Christ the son of Mary, was uniquely the "seed" of the woman", the Antichrist in some mysterious way will be the "seed" of Satan. Christ will ultimately bruise Satan's head who will manifest himself in the body of the Antichrist. The Antichrist will be Satan's seed. False trinities and false gods were introduced throughout the centuries by Satan as an attempt to cover the truth. He is the crafty deceiver who will ultimately introduce his son, the Antichrist to take on the most deceptive mission -- to make man worship Satan and declare himself as the God of man.
He wrote:
If the polytheist trinity paganism was indeed a Divine Truth, then we would've at least seen the word mentioned, at least once, in the Bible. Let us look at how Jesus refuted the polytheist trinity paganism:
GOD Almighty in the Old Testament said that He will put the Spirit of Fearing GOD Almighty in Jesus! Now any person with an atom of a brain would immediately realize that Jesus can not be the Creator of the Universe:
1. A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his
roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him (Jesus)-- the
Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of
counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
(Jesus fearing his GOD)--
3. and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees
with his eyes, or
decide by what he hears with his ears;
(From the NIV Bible, Isaiah 11:1-3)
Also, please visit: The Spirit of GOD Almighty came upon others before and after Jesus in the Bible.
Now for what Jesus himself said, let us look at few quotes:
"I do nothing of myself (From the NIV Bible, John 8:28)"
"My Father (GOD) is greater than I (From the NIV Bible, John 14:28)"
"Father (GOD), into thy hands I commend my spirit (From the NIV Bible, Luke 23:46)"
"And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. (From the NIV Bible, Mark 10:18)"
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (From the NIV Bible, Matthew 24:36)"
Do these quotes to a person with an atom of a brain suggest at all that Jesus is in the same level as the Creator of the Universe?
Please visit: The absolute Oneness of GOD Almighty in the Bible's Old Testament.
Texts referring to GOD as "One, Alone, None Other, None Else".
Principles of Bible Interpretation about GOD Almighty.
The word "LORD" in the Bible referring to the Almighty GOD alone.
The word "Elohim" proves Trinity?
More on absolute Oneness of GOD Almighty in the Bible's Old Testament.
The "God" title in the Bible was given to others in the OT and NT. Answering Isaiah 9:6.
Does GOD saying "Let us create" prove Trinity? GOD saying "We" and "Us" doesn't prove Trinity.
Does GOD's spirit in Jesus prove that Jesus is GOD? Others had it too. GOD's Spirit came upon many others beside Jesus.
"Jesus is my lord and savior" actually CONTRADICTS the Old Testament.
Questions about Jesus and Trinity that Trinitarian Christians don't have logical answers for.
Jesus is the "Word" in both the Bible and the Noble Quran.
Jesus' Miracles were not unique in the Bible.
How could satan offer Jesus the earth if he knew that Jesus was his and the earth's Creator?
The definition of "Son of God" in Islam.
Son of GOD: Some Muslims' Misconception.
"Son of Man" does not mean "GOD" or "Son of GOD"
"Son of God" means "Servant of God" in Hebrew. Bible agrees with Islam, not with pagan trinity.
How can Jesus be GOD Almighty when he asked for GOD's Forgiveness?
Jesus the "Alpha and Omega". Not only this quote doesn't prove Jesus as GOD, but it was also written in a book that is unreliable in later bibles. In the original Bibles, the quote doesn't even exist!!
Arche of the Creation of God as Alpha and Omega. The "Alpha and Omega" doesn't even exist in the original Bibles! It's a lie that was later inserted by trinitarians. See the historical proofs in the article. If their site is down, then you can read the article at this link ON MY SITE.
Does Jesus saying "I am" prove that he is GOD? See how the Hebrew "I am" that Jesus said is different than the Hebrew "I am" that GOD Almighty said in the OT.
Do People and Angels bowing down to Jesus in Worship really prove that he is the Creator of the Universe? See how the word "Worship" used for Jesus doesn't even exist in the original Greek Bibles. The Trinitarian English translations are nothing but hoaxes and deceptions. The article responds to Matthew 15:9 and other English mistranslated verses in the Bible.
Did Isaiah 53 really prophesies about the crucifixion of Jesus? It supports Islam's claims about Jesus peace be upon him never died on the cross. I also addressed John 19:36-37 from the Bible and proved that Jesus never got crucified, since GOD Almighty promised that he will protect Jesus' body and not let even a single bone be broken. My question to all Christians is: How in the world is it possible for the feet to get nailed on the cross without any penetration to the bones by the nails, hence breaking part of the feet's bones?! I also added refutations to Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Zechariah 12:10 and Psalm 34:20, which supposedly prove the Christians' belief about Jesus crucifixion. I proved that this dogma has no truth what so ever and exposed the wrong Trinitarian English translation of Zechariah 12:10.
Did Jews continually try to stone Jesus prove that he claimed to be GOD?
Did Jesus ever claim to be "Mighty God" or "God"? Responding to the "I and the Father are one. (John 10:30)" claim.
Thomas is misunderstood in verse John 20:28.
Jesus is a hypocrite for bowing down to GOD only during his desperate times. See another proof in the Bible that Jesus can not be the Creator of the Universe.
He wrote:
While all false religions believe that Satan and his devils are simple beings who promote sin and discord, the Bible reveals them as intelligent beings who never ceased to introduce Satan's agenda in the real battle between Satan and God, a battle that is not mentioned in many false religions. Though we are unaware of this battle, God in the Bible warns: "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). The Bible describes Satan as "The ruler of darkness", "The father of lies", and "The prince of this world". He imitates to be the real God. Eventually he will manifest himself in the body of the Antichrist to rule earth for a while. He will be represented by a false prophet. This false trinity (Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet), is the false set up by Satan to imitate the True God and seduce man to worship him, thinking they are following God.
This imitation started from the beginning when Satan exalted himself to be better than God: "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like The Most High." (Isaiah 14:14). The Bible clearly shows that Satan is a counterfeit, he claims to be God The Most High. If he is doing that today, through which religious system and to who do you think he is lying to?
My response:
Again, please visit: Is Satan in Islam the same as Satan in the Bible?
He wrote:
The Bible gives the opposing names to the true God, and attributes them to the Antichrist. Christ is called "The Truth", while Antichrist is called "The lie". Christ is called the "Holy One", while Antichrist is called "The lawless one". Christ is called "The Son of God", while Antichrist is called "The Son of Perdition". Christ is called "The Mystery of Godliness", while Antichrist is called "The Mystery of Iniquity". God allows Satan to continue although He could destroy him. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will finally destroy Satan's Son of Perdition (The Antichrist) "by the brightness of His coming". Satan's main tactic to destroy God's plan is to counterfeit the biblical prophecies concerning the coming Christ. Over the centuries, Satan tried to destroy God's plan by burning, banning, and attacking the Bible and persecuting Christians and Jews. He introduced false doctrines, false books, and false prophets. Covering God's Truth with lies has been the major mission for Satan and his demons. Consequently Satan has always failed in his missions to destroy and conquer since God's plan is indestructible.
My response:
We Muslims also believe that Jesus peace be upon him will come back to fight the army of satan, defeat it, and cleanse the earth from all evil.
Please visit: What is the place of Jesus, Jews and Christians in Islam?
He wrote:
God gave many warnings in the Bible concerning Satan and his works:
"Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done" (Daniel 11:36). The Antichrist's will is his fathers will (The Father of lies or the Devil), while Christ's will is His Father's will (The God of Truth). The mystery of God's nature is presented in the Bible as One God in a Holy Trinity: "Behold O Israel, the Lord your God is One". The unity of God is supported in both the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament.
When Elijah (Elias), encountered the prophets of Baal (false prophets), Elijah stood before the people and cried out "How long halt you between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18:21). Elijah won the battle, as he was on the side of God, the false prophets standing with Satan lost their lives and their souls forever. God even send fire from heaven, cooked the beef and consumed it. Elijah prayed like I did "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." God reveals to us the truth, just ask him and say "O Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reveal to me your truth", he is faithful and just.
My response:
Again, please visit: Is Satan in Islam the same as Satan in the Bible?
What is the place of Jesus, Jews and Christians in Islam?
Back to my rebuttal to Walid's "Dear Muslim, Let Me Tell You Why I Believed" Book.