Wayne Gretzky(#99) scoring on Don Edwards(#1)
In my last post, I talked about how Muslim apologists and other leaders apply a rule called the 99-1 rule. The 99-1 rule is a rule where a Muslim apologist or speaker will tell a group of Muslims a lie. While 99% of them will just accept it without thinking twice, 1% of them will look it up and discover the truth. The 1% doesn’t matter because the 99% will be enough to shout them down. The phrase was coined by David Wood and it’s absolutely brilliant. See my last post for more information on this rule.
It’s no mystery that Muslim leaders try to conform the Bible to fit an Islamic agenda. They would like their religion to be rooted in Biblical history, even if they do believe that large parts of it have been corrupted. These speakers quote a lot of verses. To be fair, some verses take quite a bit of interpretation and contextual analysis to know the true meaning. For verses like John 14:28 and Acts 2:22, I can understand if a Muslim thinks that they argue against the deity of Christ. That’s understandable. However, on some verses they know that they’re completely wrenched from their context so they’re clearly lying using the 99-1 rule. Here are some examples:
Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
The book of Hebrews is probably the least favorable book to Islam in the entire canon. They try to use this passage to show that Jesus Christ didn’t die. In four places the book of Hebrews says that Jesus died; 2:9, 2:14, 9:15, and 13:20. The last of these verses includes the resurrection as well. There are also countless references to the blood and suffering of Jesus Christ, implying His death. How many Muslims are going to go home after a Zakir Naik lecture, crack open the book of Hebrews and read all 13 chapters. Maybe 1%?
John 14:16
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
Obviously Muslims want to use this to show that Jesus predicted the coming of Muhammad. Ten verses later, Jesus Christ identifies the advocate as the Holy Spirit. Those who present this argument know exactly what John 14:26 says but they don’t care since 99% of their audience won’t look it up.
Deuteronomy 33:2
He said:
“The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.
What the Muslim speaker won’t say is that this is a reference to Yahweh. Is Muhammad Yahweh? I hope not. They might even try to say that Mount Paran is in Mecca. I suppose this verse contains two examples of the 99-1 rule.
Surah 5:68
Say, “O People of the Scripture! You have no basis until you uphold the Torah, and the Gospel, and what is revealed to you from your Lord.” But what is revealed to you from your Lord will increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief, so do not be sorry for the disbelieving people.
The 99-1 isn’t limited to the Bible. Most Muslims haven’t read or studied the Quran. They’re probably familiar with the concepts and famous verses but probably haven’t read, let alone studied the Quran. The Imam will tell them that the Bible has been corrupted when the Quran teaches the opposite. Surah 5:68 is one of many verses that shows the traditional Muslim view of the Bible contradicts the Quran.
These are some examples of the 99-1 rule. There are many more verses that could be shown as this happens all the time. In my previous post, I trace this rule back to the Quran itself. It comes straight from Muhammad, which explains why Muslim leaders use it.
Allan, did you happen to use BibleGateway to copy-paste the Deuteronomy 33:2 citation from? I ask because from my own experience, the name of YHWH appears as ‘LORD’ when viewed in the browser, but mysteriously ends up ‘Lord’ when pasted into anything else. It doesn’t happen with BibleHub.
Regarding the 99-1 Rule, now that the concept has been codified I am reminded that possibly one of the biggest, most widespread and most impactful applications of it was Maurice Bucaille’s The Bible, the Quran and Science.
As a medical physician, he was obviously aware that many Quranic (and even more Hadithic) statements are flat out contrary to scientific fact. He published his book anyway, using much twisting and misrepresentation in order to force the passages to fit his thesis. And the ridiculous arguments he made have been with us through Muslim dawagandists ever since.
Hi Scott,
I did paste from Bible gateway. Maybe it was an oddball translation. I can’t really remember to be honest.
Haha yeah, the 99-1 rule is used all the time. Now that I’m aware of that, I see it everywhere. Bucaille’s book is a joke. It’s super selective. It was popular back in the 90’s but today amongst apologists it’s popularity is starting to wane. Shabir Ally seems to have traded it in for the Quran codes. So has Yusuf Ismail. They realize that deep down it’s bunk. However it’s still popular amongst the average Muslim. But yeah, it’s just another example of the 99-1 rule.
God bless,
Allan
I think it’s most likely how the text on BibleGateway is coded, as I usually use ESV (and before that, NIV) which are mainstream.
Simple test, take Exodus 3:15 from BibleGateway and copy-paste. the LORD that I see in the browser ends up Lord when pasted into Notepad, PowerPoint or WhatsApp.
I still find BibleGateway smoother to use than BibleHub, so I’ve just learned to double-check which word is supposed to be used in that particular passage.