The Bible and the Quran

I. Introduction

A. The recent events in our country have brought to the foreground the religion of Islam in America as never before. Although Islam has close to 1 billion adherents, their presence in America has not been noted as much until recently. Estimates of the number in America range from 4 to 6 million Muslims.

B. The result is that curiosity about Islam is at an all time high. People want to know more about this religion. They want to understand it. It is worth and time and interest to examine it.

C. I want to say in the beginning that our discussion of these matters are not done in any spirit other than a Christlike spirit. I hold no personal ill will or animosity toward those who practice Islam. I urge all Christians to manifest the spirit of our Lord at all times, especially when discussing matters of faith. My purpose tonight is not to misrepresent or offend anyone. That, however, does not mean that I believe serious religious differences should not be explored in an attempt to discover God’s truth. That is what I intend to do in this lesson.

D. I believe that there is a God of this universe and that the Bible is His final revealed will to all mankind. Thus, I do not accept the sayings of the prophet Muhammad as being from God. I believe he is in error as well as those who follow his teachings and reject the Bible we have today as an accurate record of the will of God.

E. I believe this is a matter of tremendous importance – one that affects the destiny of the souls of people. I hope you will give me a fair hearing on this matter so that I can explain what I am convinced is a scriptural defense of the Bible as God’s final revealed will to all of mankind.

F. Something else I want to say. I do not believe that most Muslims approve of the actions of the radical Islamic terrorists have taken against this country in recent weeks. I believe most of them abhor the actions. I believe I am right in stating that. And, I might add, I hope they do not try to blame many of the horrible acts done over the centuries in the name of Jesus upon the true religion revealed in the New Testament. (After all, anything that is not expressly taught in the Bible should not be identified with the Christianity of the New Testament. And many things are done in the name of Jesus today that are not found in Scripture.) Nonetheless, the actions of these radical Islamic terrorists have brought the religion of Islam to the forefront of our discussion today. I cannot possibly cover all that could be said about this religion in one lesson. If you would like a taped copy of a lesson I presented recently on the religion of Islam then see me after services or the outline is also available at our website (www.universitychurchofchrist.com) along with a lesson on the trustworthiness of the Bible.

G. I hope you will listen with an open mind to what I have to say. Let’s begin by discussing the origin of these two books.

II. The origin of the Quran

A. Begins with the birth of Muhammad, son of a merchant in Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula. He was apparently a good man and well respected in his hometown. As an adult he believes he hears voice of angel Gabriel revealing the will of “Allah” to him. His message spread slowly at first and his followers were persecuted, some fleeing to Ethiopia. Leaders in Mecca & Medina later accept his teachings (ca. 621-22) and Muhammad’s influence grows quickly. Religion changes to one spread by intimidation and force.

B. Following Muhammad’s Death - Muhammad’s companions rule – the first Caliph’s. Entire Arabian peninsula subjugated within 2 years. Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Persia soon follow. Eventually spread into Europe, Africa & Asia. Becomes the Ottoman Empire which lasted till early 20th century. Today claims 1/5 of world’s population - 4-6 million followers in U.S.

C. Muhammad’s teachings are collected in the book called the Quran’. They are divided in “surahs” or chapters and the surahs are divided into versese. There is also a collection of writings that describe the practices of Muhammad and is used to show how he applied his teachings. It is also considered authoritative for how one lives.

D. Islam teaches that Muhammad trained certain of his followers to recite all of his sayings. About 30 years fter his death it was decided to write down these sayings, although Muhammad never instructed anyone to do so. Eventually an authoritative copy (actually 4 copies) of the sayings were compiled and differing copies of the sayings were destroyed. None of these early copies remains today despite some claims to the contrary. Muslims believe the Quran is the final revelation of God for all mankind. (“Allah” is Arabic for God. In fact may be related to the Hebrew word for Lord God, “Elohim.”)

III. The origin of the Bible.

A. The Bible claims to be the Word of God revealed to his prophets since the beginning of time. Both Old and New Testaments are presented as the words of the prophets from God. The revelation of the Bible was complete by 100 A.D or 500 years before the Quran.

B. The means of revelation is referred to as Inspiration (see 2^nd Peter 1:19-21; 1^st Cor. 2; 2^nd Tim. 3:16, 17, etc.). These men were guided by the Holy Spirit to record these teachings.

C. The teachings or the Bible are presented as a seamless record recounting God working among his people to bring about redemption in His Son Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:4; Titus 2:11, 12). It teaches that one day Jesus will return to take the faithful home to be with the Father forever (Acts 1:10,11).

D. The Bible claims to be the final revelation from God.

1. Jesus said his apostles would be guided into “all the truth” (John 16:13).

2. Peter claimed to have been guided into all truth (2^nd Peter 1:3,4).

3. Paul claimed to preach the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)

4. If we go beyond the claims and teaching of Jesus we have not God (2^nd John 9).

5. If we preach another message we are accursed of God (Galatians 1:7-9).

6. The faith was “once for all time delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and we are to contend for it.

E. Such teaching makes it clear that no further revelation from God was planned or expected.

IV. The conflict of these claims of these two books.

A. It is not hard to find the conflict between the Bible and the Quran. There are not only major doctrinal differences in the books but also factual conflicts and historical conflicts. We will examine some of these a little later.

B. Since the Bible came first (by about 500 yrs.)The fundamental question becomes “Is the Bible accurate and trustworthy?” Those of you who attend here know that I dealt with that topic last Sunday morning. That detailed outline is available on the table in the foyer and on our website. I can’t discuss that at length but suffice it to say that no book of antiquity has been so carefully preserved or so widely copied as the Bible. In the words of the great scholar John Warwick Montgomery… "to be skeptical of the resultant text of the NT books is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity. For no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as the NT." (History and Christianity, by J. W. Montgomery, pg. 29). We can have confidence in the reliability of the Bible, despite the claims of many liberal scholars of recent times.

C. But the Islamic faith must question the matter of the accuracy and reliability of the scriptures because it flatly contradicts not only fundamental doctrines revealed in the Bible but also historical facts revealed in scripture. Because of these conflicts, the only way they can be resolved is to say the biblical text has been corrupted and the Koran alone can be trusted for accuracy.

1. When a Muslim says he accepts the Bible as the Word of God, understand he is saying he accepts it in its original form which he does not believe we have today. That way he can reject any part of the Bible that conflicts with the Quran. Yet, in examining their origins we say great similarities concerning how they claim to have come into existence. Note the similarities.

D. Let’s make some comparisons concerning the origins of these two books.

1. Chart from Hutto – El Dareer debate, pg. 31.

E. Note something very important here. The Bible claims to have the specific intervention of the Holy Spirit in both its revelation and recording. The Quran claims only to be guided by God’s hand in its original revelation to Muhammad. The recording of the writings was actually an afterthought when it became clear that the sayings of Muhammad would pass from the scene if they were not written down. In fact, there was quite a debate in the beginning whether they should write down his sayings since Muhammad had never commanded his followers to do so.

1. I believe this simply points out that there is just as much evidence for the accuracy of the Biblical text as there is for the accuracy of the Quran’s text.

F. Actually I am willing to concede that we probably have a pretty accurate record of what Muhammad taught in the Quran. That is not really a problem for me. I just wish the Muslim could accept that about the Bible. {It is pretty clear after all, that in the beginning Muhammad believed the biblical text of his day was accurate and that Jews and Christians who followed it would have eternal life (5:65-70; 7:170). It is only later that he begins to question the biblical text.} But they cannot accept it! And I have a problem with the questioning of the accuracy of the biblical text by Muslims today. But, as you will see, they must question the text of the Bible because it conflicts with the Quran in both doctrinal teaching and historical facts.

V. Contradictions between the Bible and the Quran. Let me illustrate first with factual contradiction between the Old Testament and the Quran. (Exact verses vary according to edition of Quran.)

A. Quran – Noah’s son drowned (and wife?) (11:42-43; 66:10). Bible – All saved (Gen. 7:1-5).

B. Quran - Lot’s wife stayed behind (26:171). Bible – Did not stay behind (Gen. 19:16).

C. Quran - Joseph imprisoned fro resisting group of women (12:30-34). Bible – Resisted Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:20).

D. Quran – Cupbearer interprets Pharaoh’s dream (12:43-49). Bible – Joseph interprets (Gen. 41:4-13).

E. Quran – Baby Moses saved by Pharaoh’s wife (28:7-13). Bible – Pharaoh’s daughter (Ex. 2:2-8).

F. Quran – Moses met in Midian by 2 daughters of Jethro (28:23). Bible – 7 daughters (Ex. 2:16-19)

G. Quran – God appears to Moses in a valley after 10 years (28:25-29). Bible – God appears on a mount after 40 years (Acts 7:30).

H. Quran – Pharaoh became a believer at Red Sea but body only saved (10:90). Bible – No ref.

VI. Contradictions between the New Testament and the Quran.

A. Quran - Polygamy encouraged (4:3). Bible - One Wife-Husband (1 Cor. 7:2).

B. Quran – Marriage in Paradise (52:20; 44:54). Bible – No marriage (Luke 20:35).

C. Quran – Easy divorce (2:229-32). Bible – One reason only (Matt. 19:9).

D. Quran – Kill enemies (8:38-41; 9:29; 61:4). Bible – Love enemies (Matt. 5:44).

E. Quran – Oaths permitted (66:2; 2:224-5); even break some. Bible – No Swearing (Matt. 5:34; Jas. 5:12).

F. Quran – Jesus not Son of God-Deity (9:130; 19:35). Bible – Son of God (Mt. 16:16; 2 Pet. 1:17).

G. Quran – Jesus not crucified (4:157-59). Bible – Was crucified (Lk. 23:33).

VII. These are irreconcilable differences both historically and doctrinally.

A. Both cannot be right. That is why the authenticity question of the documents is so important. Which is right?

B. In the previous charts of contradictions of matters discussed in the Bible and the Quran, it should be obvious that the Biblical writers are in a better position of knowing the facts. Why? Because, they were there! They were eyewitnesses! (Review V and VI above.) We also have every reason to believe we have accurate copies of their original writings. The evidence will convince any reasonable mind.

C. The Bible claims to be an historical record of real events. Its truths are rooted in actual events and real people. If we don’t have these events accurately recorded then we must throw it out. But we do have an accurate record – a final record of the one true God and His work among humankind. Its words are true and accurate. The inaccuracy and unreliability of the Quran is clearly exposed.

VIII. Then what is the Koran?

A. If you examine the Quran and the setting from which it came I believe there are certain conclusions you can reach about it.

B. Content – I freely admit there are some good things said and taught in the Quran. Muhammad was a man who was greatly upset with the paganism and wickedness of his generation. I believe he was moved by this to do what he did. I would have objected to many of the same things had I been alive then.

1. I might say, also, in this regard that many of the things that Muslims object to in our western society I also speak out against – immorality, materialism, covetousness, immodesty, sensual excess, disregard for God. I speak out strongly against such things because they are not in harmony with the Bible. When a Muslim tries to blame the excesses of Western Culture on the Bible and its adherents he commits the same fallacy as the man who wants to blame all that Usama bin Laden does on the prophet Muhammad. Bin Laden is not following the Quran any more than profligate westerners are following the Bible. The Bible is not to blame for sin found in our culture any more than Muslims believe the Quran is to blame for sin found in that culture. So let’s put the blame where it belongs in such matters. Don’t attack Christianity for our culture’s problems.

C. Origins of the Quran.

1. The origins of teachings and practices found in the Quran can be traced to a mixture of sources.

2. The paganism of Muhammad’s day had practices he incorporated into his religion

a. The Ka’ba stone in Mecca is a great example. Before Muhammad’s day it was a center of pagan worship for the entire Arabian peninsula. Muhammad simply changed things by now saying it was an altar built by Abraham and Ishmael and called on all who worshipped there to worship Allah and not pagan gods.

3. Judaism was a clear source of much of what he taught. From our earlier comparisons we see many of the OT stories he included or alluded to in the Quran. He had familiarity with those stories but, being illiterate, did not relate them accurately in the Quran. But some of the basic theology of Judaism can be seen in Islam.

4. Apostate Catholicism is even reflected in his teachings. He tries to answer in the Koran the Catholicism’s perverted concept of the Trinity. Understand the by Muhammad’s day (7^th century A.D.) the full blown Catholic church has come into being. He accuses the Christian of teaching there are at least two Gods when it refers to the deity of Jesus (5:119). The Bible doesn’t teach there are two Gods but you might get that idea from Catholic doctrine being taught in that day. Both Catholism and the Quran misunderstand the truth concerning the deity of Jesus.

5. Sensualism is also a part of the Islamic faith and teaching.

a. Polygamy is not only taught but also the right of having as many slave-girls as you can possess. Polygamy if widely practiced in many Muslim countries.

b. Easy divorce gives license for the fulfillment of the lusts of the flesh and wives can be disposed of, replaced and even traded (4:20) according to the Quran. Such obviously contributes to turning women into objects of lust and degrades them. A religion that gives man access to all the women he wants or can afford is not the religion of the one true God.

c. Paradise and its lovely maidens are another example of the sensuality of the Quran. Heaven is pictured as a place where many maidens wait on each man after death and where he may drink to excess and never get drunk (56:18,19). Now I have know a lot of people who would like for heaven to be that way. But such a picture of the dwelling place of God and his people is, in James’ words, “earthly, sensual and devilish” (Jas. 3:15).

6. Thus, many of the teachings of the Quran stand in stark contrast to the deep spirituality that is taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

a. Jesus calls us to purity, godliness, to chastity and soberness. He teaches love for our enemies and respect for the lives of human being. And he pictures Heaven as a place free from the lust and corruption of the present world – a place where God and his people dwell in righteousness set free from the confines and temptations of earthly life. A spiritual home for spiritual people.

IX. Why can’t I accept the Quran? In addition to the previous reasons I reject it for the same reasons I reject the book of Mormon as being from God.

A. Note striking parallels between Joseph Smith who founded Mormonism and Muhammad. Both:

1. Were uneducated.

2. Said an angel spoke to them.

3. Claimed inspiration.

4. Messenger and apostle of God

5. Text of Bible corrupt

6. Their revelation to correct this.

7. Received fullness of the gospel

8. Prophesied in the Old and New Testaments

9. Bible is the Word of God if…

10. Contradictions in the Bible

11. Their purpose to bring unity (but?)

12. Polygamy practiced

B. Amazing parallels. The claims both make are similar because both had to discredit the Bible in order to teach their beliefs. In addition I find the practice of polygamy an amazing parallel. I would love to hear a debate between a Muslim and a Mormon. It would be really interesting.

X. Conclusion

A. Let me reiterate that, despite my straightforward statements attacking the Quran and its author, I do not hold ill will in my heart to those who practice the Islamic faith. I believe they are mistaken, many sincerely so, but they are wrong, nonetheless. I believe the matter should be discussed so people can reach informed decisions about these matters.

B. True N.T. Christianity has never been afraid of examination of the facts and doctrines of the faith. We welcome its examination. We want to see if the Bible can be proven wrong because we are interested only in truth. Even in NT times you see those who were Christians welcoming examination of their faith (Acts 17:11,12; John 5:39,40).

C. I understand that the Islamic faith forbids critical examination of the Quran or serious study of supposed inaccuracies and contradictions. The faithful are not to challenge the text in any way or they will be rejected. I could not be a part of a religion that refuses to have the foundations of its beliefs put to fair and open scrutiny by myself as I study it or anyone else. Such a prohibition is certainly convenient but it sure doesn’t do much for strengthening one’s confidence in his beliefs.

D. The only conclusions I can reach are these:

1. The Bible is the true and accurate Word of God.

2. That Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God who died for our sins.

3. That we are to follow the teachings of our Lord as revealed in the NT as the final revelation of will of God to all humankind.

E. I have solid foundation for believing and teaching this truth. I do not have any such foundation for believing in Muhammad as a prophet of the one true God. I am open to further study. I do not have a closed mind. I believe what I teach concerning the Bible is always open to fair and honest examination as is the Bible itself.

F. But I challenge you to do the same. Don’t accept what you believe on blind faith. Be willing to examine and challenge your own beliefs. I believe you will find good reason to accept the Bible as the Word of God.

Steve Patton

University church of Christ

14314 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33613