Jesus and the Scriptures

Submitted by robert (Australia), Feb 10, 2008 at 03:41

Thank you very much Robert, for your respectful and voluminous !! response. Sometimes I forget my own politeness which my parents and teachers instructed me. Let me just conclude (from my side) this interesting and wonderful discussion (after all, we are examining what we believe is information from our own Creator - seen from each other's perspective).

In my view, the Gospel of Jesus was pure and simple, and appropriate for men of understanding for all time. His mission and teaching was a mercy and a blessing from the Almighty, that was promised to the Jewish people. (If they wish to accept it, it is still relevant to them.) On the other hand, He (Jesus) did not abnegate the Old Testament - no, He confirmed the Commandments, but clarified their meaning. The Romans tried to establish the message of Jesus and put it in a slot that fitted political relevance at the time. Errors crept into the message and thus began (or continued) the sectarian divisions to this day, which Paul decried.

Unfortunately this happens in all religions, when the followers try to define the current relevance of the Teacher for their contemporary conditions. I agree, it is a problem that Muslims (and Jews) etc have to grapple with to-day. I guess for Christians it is a little easier, because the message of Jesus was "timeless", but there is a great history of Christian carnage ?. Jesus was special among the Prophets of God - there is no doubt whatever about it. The Koran does not deny that (but that is a complex discussion). There is no question that the birth of Jesus was miraculous, and that He was crucified by the Romans. I accept that to be true.

The Koran does not say that He was not crucified by the Romans (again, this is a complex discussion). He was the Son of God in the sense that we are all sons of God - (note the capital).
The Koran in English that I use is a Penguin Classics paperback edition, fourth revised edition, 1974, by N.J.Dawood, an Iraqi who graduated from London University. I do not say that this is the BEST translation, but I find it clear and relatively "uncontroversial" (I see you smiling ?). Let us all be happy, and in peace, my dear Friend.

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