Archive for October, 2009

Questions for Muslims #2

by Hugh on October 31, 2009 in Faith with No comments

the-holy-bible Muslims claim that the Bible in its present form has been corrupted. While Muslims accept the truth of the Bible – the Injil, which refers to the New Testament (Gospel), they believe that the truth of this revelation has been lost.

But the question is… When was the Bible corrupted?

Was it corrupted before Muhammed?

Well this seems unlikely given what the Qu’ran says about the Bible… Sura 4:136 says that Muslims are to believe in God, in the Qu’ran and in the Bible (“the scripture He has revealed before”). Why would the Qu’ran call Muslims to believe a corrupt document?

Or, was it corrupted after Muhammed?

It seems, given the Qu’ran’s endorsement of the Bible that it must have been corrupted after Muhammed’s revelation. Muhammed died in AD 632. But we have lots of manuscripts before that date… check out the Codex Sinaiticus a complete manuscript of the Bible, dated to the fourth century.

So… if the Bible was corrupted, when was it corrupted?

Pastor-Athlete

by Hugh on October 23, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Question Time, Nick Griffin and all that..

by Hugh on October 23, 2009 in Current Affairs, Politics with No comments

nickgriffin Well done BBC for not bowing to the pressure of left-wing fascists (who as you saw on the news caused a riot, attacking the police). How dare people ever use fascist methods to suppress free speech, and the right for democratically elected political parties to speak.

On the reverse side, I would criticise the BBC for not getting in a better supporting panel… Jack Straw and Chris Huhne were just a bit wet… while the whole debate turned on Nick Griffin in a personal not very nice way… I think politicians like Nigel Farage (UKIP) and George Galloway (Respect) are idiots, both personally and politically – but I wouldn’t expect them to be subject to personal barrages on Question Time.

Anyway… I fundamental disagree with the BNP. But tonight’s Question Time highlighted two key points:

The major parties do not have a coherent answer to the question of immigration and the genuine concerns of the British public
Nick Griffin is right on two key issues (see below)

Islam - Griffin rightly points to the dangers of fundamentalism within Islam and also the worrying mandates that the Qu’ran gives. This is firstly good because it is free speech without worrying about the label of ‘Islamaphobia’. Interestingly a Muslim turned round to highlight the evils of Revelation and Jesus returning to rule… funny, as Islam also teaches that Jesus (Isa) will return to bring final judgement.

Section 28 – Griffin describes the teaching of homosexuality (in fact any sex) in primary schools as perverse. I agree – that may be naive given how quick young people ‘grow up’, but either way, even if necessary, it is perverse that primary school kids need sex education.

Anyway… well done BBC, Griffin looked stupid, was exposed as a racist, but equally highlighted key failures of the main political parties… it’s too easy for Jack Straw to just turn round and say “be quiet you racists”… without actually engaging in the political questions they put forward!

Would Churchill have been in the BNP?

by Hugh on October 22, 2009 in Current Affairs, Politics with No comments

churchill_winston The opening question of discussion on BBC Question Time tonight:

What about Churchill on Islam…

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries…

…Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science – the science against which it had vainly struggled – the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient” Rome.

Churchill on immigration…

‘Problems wh. will arise if many coloured people settle here. Are we to saddle ourselves with colour problems in UK? Attracted by Welfare State. Public opinion in UK won’t tolerate it once it gets beyond certain limits.’

Churchill on Jews…

“The central fact which dominates the relations of Jew and non-Jew is that the Jew is ‘different.’ He looks different. He thinks differently. He has a different tradition and background. He refuses to be absorbed.”

Urrr… Churchill, based on these quotes certainly wouldn’t have been PC enough for any major political party. He may not have aligned himself with the BNP, he’s certainly a national hero… but let’s not look at Churchill with rose-tinted glasses!

Questions for Muslims #1

by Hugh on October 14, 2009 in Faith with 2 Comments

I’m going to start compiling a list of questions to ask Muslims as I occasionally end up in debates or discussions with Muslims. If you’re a Muslim and you read this, please feel free to contribute in a response:

The 48th name for Allah is “The Loving”

In the Qu’ran 85:14, Allah is described as being “full of love”

My understanding of Islamic thought is that Allah is eternal, and therefore his qualities of love are also eternal.

So, the question: Whom did Allah love in eternity before the creation of the world?

Christians believe in a Triune God, 1 God, 3 Persons, in a loving relationship for all eternity. God displays his eternal quality of love to His Son and His Spirit forever and ever – God does not need to create Man to show love, but rather chooses to create Man out of an overflow of the loving relationship of the Triune God.

However, it would appear that Allah needs to create in order to love. The quality of love within Allah cannot be eternal because it can only be exhibited when Man is created. Therefore Allah becomes dependant on Man… this cannot be so! Please explain.

The New Ten Commandments

by Hugh on October 13, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Channel 4 conducted a poll about what are ’10 Commandments’ for today would be. Here are the top 20 suggestions:

Be honest (9)
Don’t kill (6)
Look after the vulnerable
Respect your mother and father (5)
Enjoy life
Nothing in excess
Be true to your own God
Treat others as you would like to be treated
Be true to yourself
Protect your family
Try your best at all times
Look after your health
Don’t commit adultery (7)
Live within your means (10)
Appreciate what you have (10)
Never be violent
Protect the environment
Protect and nurture children
Take responsibility for your own actions
Don’t steal (8)

Interesting how closely they line up. I reckon at least 6 of the Commandments are found here in this list… I suspect there are lots of others that link closely to Biblical proverbs and wisdom. However, my minister helpfully pointed out the commandments that are missing… the missing 4 all relate to the worship of God… funny how as a society we quite like Godly wisdom but don’t like where and from whom it comes!

Preaching the Resurrection: Why and What?

by Hugh on October 12, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Pete Woodcock

Last week I was at the Evangelists Conference and we were looking at preaching the resurrection. Guest speaker David Short was unable to make it, so Pete Woodcock and Simon Manchester filled in.

Here’s 7 points from Pete Woodcock on the “Why and What?” of preaching the resurrection:

The Resurrection of Jesus transformed the body of Jesus
The Resurrection of Jesus confirms, underlines and highlights all the claims of Jesus in the Gospel
The Resurrection of Jesus signified Jesus’ complete success in his work
The Resurrection of Jesus holds the power for our own resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus is proof that God will judge the earth
The Resurrection of Jesus says that he is the “first fruits”
The Resurrection of Jesus means that Jesus is the Spirit King who sends the Spirit to create the church