St. John of Damascus
When Christians and Muslims debate, Muslims are pretty good at framing the debate. It seems like the vast majority of the time, the topic is either neutral or the Christians are on the defensive. Hardly ever is the Islamic position attacked.
John 8:58
If one looks at Islamic apologetics today and ten years ago, it’s quite different. The only Muslim still doing debates is Shabir Ally and he’s become pretty liberal. I would say that he’s a breath away from becoming a Quran only Muslim. Sami Zaatari and Osama Abdullah aren’t even debating anymore. I’ll also give my hats off to Adnan Rashid, Zakir Hussain and Mohammed Hijab for stepping up and taking their place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z364hC_MIEc
In recent weeks and months, several apologists have been producing a lot of material showing that the god of Islam is not a spirit like the God of the Bible, but a very anthropomorphic man-god with actual physical body parts. These apologists are David Wood, Sam Shamoun, Anthony Rogers, and Vocab Malone. In my opinion they’ve done a very good job in bringing this to light. I wonder what Deedat would have said about this if he were alive.
The Next Quran translation I’ll be reading
In the Bible we have multiple authors. For example, we have a different author for each Gospel narrative. We have different authors for the historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament as well. Sometimes when something seems to be contradictory, usually the author is just trying to emphasize something where another author is not. The problem is solved for us.
Aaron – The High Priest of the Old Testament Religion of the Mosaic Covenant
Many people wonder why I deal with Judaism as much as I do. For one, they’re not in Christ, but also because Muslims very uncritically use their apologetics. I’ve seen many Muslims share videos from Tovia Singer and Michael Skobac without realizing the implications of quoting these people. I therefore have to deal with them, specifically their apologetics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPLaNRZ3ypE
When David Wood debated Mohammed Hijab, he brought up the anthropomorphic nature of the Muslim god Allah which can be found in the Quran but mostly in the Hadith. Mohammed Hijab didn’t know what do with it. He responded to a few things, misrepresented others, and dodged others. He was unaware that Muslims scholars had taught this as he asked Wood to provide Muslim scholars who believed this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPHs8Dp4V7M
When Mohammed Hijab had his debate with David Wood, he mentioned something interesting. He mentioned in his first rebuttal that in the New International Version, the I AM statements aren’t I AM but “I will be”. This is news to me. I own several copies of the NIV and I don’t find that. I only find I am.
My Icon of St. Clement of Rome purchased at Kiev Perchersk Lavra
But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.
– John 14:26
But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you.
– John 16:13
From these two statements we can see that our Lord is telling the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them the truth. What exactly would the Holy Ghost give the Church? St. Paul gives us a hint in his second epistle to Timothy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqlP9XxluOo&t=1s
Anyone who has been following this website knows about my favorite argument that Muslims use in favor or Muhammad. I’m of course talking about Song of Solomon 5:16. This is the argument that states that there is a possible phonetic parallel between a Hebrew word and with Muhammad’s name. The context of Song of Solomon has absolutely nothing to do with this but let’s look beyond that for a moment.
As many of my readers know, I was in the Ukraine in August. I’m involved a lot with the Eastern European community in my city. Two Sundays ago I went to a going away party for the local Russian Orthodox priest. He’s moving back home to be with his parents. I’m not Orthodox but I’ve learned a lot from this man.