Is the Injeel Corrupt?
I have a deep love for people... people from all cultures... people all around the world...
I am especially fascinated with Middle Eastern women. These women have a strong demeanor that emanates their passion for truth. They are very direct in their conversation and show a sincerity that is unmatched. Their piercing dark eyes make them stunningly beautiful and their accent is intriguing.
God has turned my heart toward these women in leading me to support a ministry called The Crescent Project. The Crescent Project reaches out to those of the Muslim faith with booklets, DVD's, street evangelism, conferences, and more. Their booklets: "Adha in the Injeel" and "Is the Injeel Corrupt?" are great resources for those of the Muslim faith to get solid answers - in their own language - about Jesus and how His life and ministry applies to the Muslim faith. The Crescent Project also provides the Jesus Film - to millions in 16 different languages - so that the life and love of Jesus can be seen in a powerful way. Yes, Jesus died so that everyone could be set free from the bondage of sin. That includes those of the Muslim faith, too!
Well, last spring I received some very pointed emails from a man claiming to be a Muslim. He emailed me numerous copies of pages from the Qur'an to argue his point. In his arguments he compared the teachings of the Qur'an to his misinformed information about the teachings of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Sensing that his arguments were as much of a question as they were a statement, I responded to one of his emails. Below, I will share with you what I said to him, and point out some of his arguments (which seem to be standard beliefs by most Muslims).
Well, last spring I received some very pointed emails from a man claiming to be a Muslim. He emailed me numerous copies of pages from the Qur'an to argue his point. In his arguments he compared the teachings of the Qur'an to his misinformed information about the teachings of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Sensing that his arguments were as much of a question as they were a statement, I responded to one of his emails. Below, I will share with you what I said to him, and point out some of his arguments (which seem to be standard beliefs by most Muslims).
My Letter...
"I read your article because I wanted to have a better understanding of your belief(s).
The obvious differences that I noticed in your Qur'an and the Taurat (Torah or Old Testament) seem to be the flow of the message. Both books contain many similar accounts of the lives of those who trusted God such as Moses, Abraham, Joseph, and so on. It even appears that both books point to Jesus (Isa) as being someone that we should seek to understand. The name Allah and the name Yahweh (One True God) seem to be synonymous in many ways, with language being the argumentative factor that makes them different, at first glance.
The obvious differences that I noticed in your Qur'an and the Taurat (Torah or Old Testament) seem to be the flow of the message. Both books contain many similar accounts of the lives of those who trusted God such as Moses, Abraham, Joseph, and so on. It even appears that both books point to Jesus (Isa) as being someone that we should seek to understand. The name Allah and the name Yahweh (One True God) seem to be synonymous in many ways, with language being the argumentative factor that makes them different, at first glance.
On the other hand, those who have read the New Testament (The Injeel), have been able to tie up the loose ends of their faith by seeing for themselves just who Jesus really is; and, by seeking to understand what significance He has in the world today. It is interesting to me how all three Holy Books (Qur'an, Old Testament, Taurat/Torah) prophetically point to the Injeel (The New Testament), but for whatever reasons (reasons that man has conjured up over the course of generations) many Muslim's and Jew's are reluctant to see for themselves just what this extension of the scriptures has to say.
Jesus came to this earth to "reveal the love" that God has for all mankind. Jesus gives "life" to those who believe that He was, indeed, sent from God to redeem humanity from the curse of sin and death.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16.
Jesus is God... wrapped up in flesh. He walked on the earth for a short amount of time so that mankind could see, feel, and experience the Kingdom of Heaven in a tangible way. God loves His creation and He knew that humanity needed to be awakened into understanding the depth of His love. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb (Adha) who paid the price for sin - once and for all. It is through His shed blood that mankind can be restored into a right relationship with God.
HIS ARGUMENT - CHRISTIANS CLAIM GRACE OVER THEIR SIN... YET, KEEP RIGHT ON SINNING...
I had a discussion with a beautiful Muslim woman a few weeks ago about forgiveness of sin and I think I understand your argument about Christians using their salvation as a license to sin. Unfortunately, there are some people who claim to be true Christians - but they are not. I challenge you to read the entire book of 1 John (not from the four Gospels but further into the New Testament). Here you will see that Christians are taught that true repentance means remorse and turning from that behavior.
Christians, like Muslims, come in many forms. No, it's not what God desires, but it is the truth about humanity. People of all faiths tend to conveniently omit anything about repentance from sin, in order to live a lie under the banner of their religion.
It saddens me how "people" have come up with their own version of Christianity through the years; and thus, made it hard for unbelievers to understand the truth of God's love. The root of this confusion is the devil. John 10:10 says, "The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus - Isa) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Does your Holy Book offer "life"... and "life more abundantly?" As Christians, we are taught that we can have life more abundantly NOW, and in the life to come (Mark 10:30 and Luke 18:30).
HE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE IDOLATRY OF CHRISTIANS, USING CHRISTMAS AND STATUES OF JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE...
You also mentioned the idolatry of Christmas and the statues of Jesus. I can see your point and , again, I am grieved that "worldly" Christians get so caught up in "things" and "events" that take away from the pure worship of God. I think most western Christians are born into certain traditions that they never question. This, to me, can be compared to someone being raised Muslim and never questioning their Muslim traditions.
I think God is pleased when we talk to Him like a friend (since He knows what we are thinking anyway). He is pleased when we "question" our childhood teachings and come to our own conclusion about who He is and how much He loves us. After all, He created us with a mind and he even said we were made in His image (Genesis 1:26). He wants us to love Him because we have "fallen in love with Him", not because we are made to love Him through traditions.
HE POINTED OUT SIMILARITIES IN THE QUR'AN AND WHAT HE KNEW OF THE BIBLE , CLAIMING THAT SOMEONE IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG...
The only difference between me and you is that... once I was lost, but now I am found! I have known the emptiness of living a religious life apart from becoming a born-again believer of Jesus Christ. If being born-again (a supernatural experience in which the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of a person) is wrong... it's the most liberating, powerful, loving, peaceful, joyful, life-giving wrong I've ever experienced. That is why, "I know" that Jesus is the Son of God. He has given me joy, peace, hope, and life.
Have you had this experience?
HE ARGUED THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD AND THAT CHRISTIANS ARE WORSHIPPING THREE GODS (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)...
I used to question the trinity, just as you are taught to question the falsely assumed three God's of the Christian faith. It was really hard for me to understand how God (who is one) can be made manifest in three. Consider this: Your spirit (1) lives inside of your body(2) and your soul (3) - which is your mind, your will, and your emotions - rules and reigns over them all. You are still "one person", but you are made up of three parts. Really, this is something you will need to accept by faith after reading the entire New Testament (Injeel) and coming to the conclusion that Jesus loves you!
Jesus was sent from God, not as a prophet, but as a Savior. He came to "show" us the love of the Father (God). Jesus is God, coming to earth in the flesh, revealing to mankind how much He loves them. That is why He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and made the lame to walk. All of these malady's are a curse from the wages of sin (Satan - or the devil's hellish schemes). Still, even many Christians find it hard to believe that God loves them enough to heal them and so they continue in this life with disease and sickness, or even worse, die prematurely because of their unbelief.
I know this is probably a lot of information for you, but I challenge you to read the entire New Testament just to see if you notice anything different (love, peace, joy, forgiveness, hope) that it offers. I think that Allah is a big enough God to hold his own. Put the words of Muhammad up against the words of Jesus and "test" them. Don't go by what others have told you, but rather read it for yourself. I read your message today because I wanted to know what you believe. Now, would you read for yourself and study what I believe?
I know this is probably a lot of information for you, but I challenge you to read the entire New Testament just to see if you notice anything different (love, peace, joy, forgiveness, hope) that it offers. I think that Allah is a big enough God to hold his own. Put the words of Muhammad up against the words of Jesus and "test" them. Don't go by what others have told you, but rather read it for yourself. I read your message today because I wanted to know what you believe. Now, would you read for yourself and study what I believe?
HE, AND MOST MUSLIMS, ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT READING THE INJEEL (New Testament) BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT IS CORRUPT...
It does not seem logical to think that the Injeel has been tampered with, but the Qur'an has not? I did see from your text that Isa (Jesus) is taught in the Qur'an. If the Injeel was truly sent from God, then it would be impossible for mankind to corrupt God's Word. God does not need man; man needs God. If the devil can keep someone believing that any part of God's Word is corrupt, then he can keep them from the truth.
HE ALSO QUESTIONED SO MANY VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE AND OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH (DENOMINATIONS)...
I know, there are so many Bible's out there, you're probably wondering which version to get. I don't know where you are from, but I pray that you are able to get your hands on a pure copy of the Holy Bible. "My" favorite is the King James version, but again, depending on where you live, there may be another one that speaks in your language more clearly.
May God (I say Jehovah; you say Allah) richly bless you and may He reveal His love to you in a new and powerful way."
May God (I say Jehovah; you say Allah) richly bless you and may He reveal His love to you in a new and powerful way."
______________________________
Those of you reading this blog who are Muslim, please know that this entry is written with a sincere desire to help us come together to worship the one true God with unity and an appreciation for each others culture. If you are reading this blog and you are a Christian, I pray that the comments here will help you to better understand your Muslim friends so that you can share the truth about Isa (Jesus) with them.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 ... this message is for everyone... Muslims, too!
In Christ,
Deborah Ross
Strengthening Families and Encouraging Women
To order your Outreach Pack containing the two booklets ('Adha in the Injeel' and 'Is the Injeel Corrupt?') along with a DVD of the Jesus Film in 16 languages, contact The Crescent Project Bookstore or DRM.
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