A Muslim Study of Christian Scripture and History – Part I A Muslim Study of Christian Scripture and History – Part I.

A Muslim Study of Christian A Muslim Study of Christian Scripture and History – Part I Scripture and History – Part I

A Muslim Study of Christian A Muslim Study of Christian Scripture and HistoryScripture and History

Part I: Origins of Christian Part I: Origins of Christian Theology and Scripture (600B.C. Theology and Scripture (600B.C. to 500C.E)to 500C.E)

Part II: Modern Bible and Christian Part II: Modern Bible and Christian Sectarianism (1000C.E. to 1800C.E.)Sectarianism (1000C.E. to 1800C.E.)

27-page source document available at the bottom of the following web page:http://cegis.cee.vt.edu/userwebs/mdougher/

Part I: Origins of Christian Part I: Origins of Christian Theology and ScriptureTheology and Scripture

What is Scripture? What is Scripture?

NOUN:

NOUN:

1a. A sacred writing or book. b. A passage from such a writing or book. 2. The sacred writings of the Bible. Often used in the plural. Also called Holy Scriptures. 3. scripture A statement regarded as authoritative.

ETYMOLOGY:

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000

What is Theology? What is Theology? NOUN: NOUN:

1. The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions. 2. A system or school of opinions concerning God and religious questions: Protestant theology; Jewish theology. 3. A course of specialized religious study usually at a college or seminary.

ETYMOLOGY:

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000

Sources of informationSources of information

Krieger, L.S., Neill, I., and E. Reynolds. Krieger, L.S., Neill, I., and E. Reynolds. D.C. 1997. D.C. 1997. World History-Perspectives World History-Perspectives on the Paston the Past. 5. 5thth edition. Heath and edition. Heath and Company, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company.Company.

Kelly, J.N.D. Kelly, J.N.D. Early Christian DoctrinesEarly Christian Doctrines. . 22ndnd edition. Harper & Row Publishers, edition. Harper & Row Publishers, N.Y.N.Y. (Oxford Univeristy lecturer in Patristic Studies)(Oxford Univeristy lecturer in Patristic Studies)

Funk, W. Robert., Hoover, Roy. W., and Funk, W. Robert., Hoover, Roy. W., and the Jesus Seminar. 1993. the Jesus Seminar. 1993. The Five The Five Gospels: The Search for the Authentic Gospels: The Search for the Authentic Words of JesusWords of Jesus. Macmillan Publishing, . Macmillan Publishing, N.Y. pp.553.N.Y. pp.553.

Kennedy, Brent. 1994. Kennedy, Brent. 1994. Melungeuns: The Melungeuns: The Resurrection of a Proud PeopleResurrection of a Proud People. Mercer . Mercer University Press.University Press.

Adams, Dickenson W. (Ed.). 1983. Adams, Dickenson W. (Ed.). 1983. Jefferson’s Extracts from the Gospels Jefferson’s Extracts from the Gospels “The Philosophy of Jesus” and “The Life “The Philosophy of Jesus” and “The Life and Morals of Jesusand Morals of Jesus.” Princeton .” Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ. pp.438.University Press. Princeton, NJ. pp.438.

Maqsood, Ruqaiyyah Waris. 2000. Maqsood, Ruqaiyyah Waris. 2000. The The Mysteries of Jesus: A Muslim Study of Mysteries of Jesus: A Muslim Study of the Origins and Doctrines of the the Origins and Doctrines of the Christian ChurchChristian Church. Sakina Books, Oxford, . Sakina Books, Oxford, UK.UK.

Asad, Muhammad. 1975. Asad, Muhammad. 1975. Islam at the Islam at the CrossroadsCrossroads. Arafat Publications. pp.160. . Arafat Publications. pp.160.

Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. 1989. Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. 1989. The Meaning The Meaning of the Holy Qur’anof the Holy Qur’an. Amana Corporaton, . Amana Corporaton, Maryland. pp.1758.Maryland. pp.1758.

Quick, Abdullah Hakim. 1990. Quick, Abdullah Hakim. 1990. Deeper Deeper Roots: Muslims in the Caribbean before Roots: Muslims in the Caribbean before Columbus to the PresentColumbus to the Present. AICCLA.. AICCLA.

Diouf, Sylviane A. 1998. Diouf, Sylviane A. 1998. Servants of Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the AmericasAmericas. New York University Press.. New York University Press.

Non-Muslim sources Muslim sources

Historical outline of Near East: Historical outline of Near East: 600B.C. to 500C.E.600B.C. to 500C.E.

Ancient Persian Empire (600B.C. – Ancient Persian Empire (600B.C. – 330B.C.)330B.C.)– Zorastrianism, ancient Babylon, JewsZorastrianism, ancient Babylon, Jews

Rome at its height (0C.E.-200C.E.)Rome at its height (0C.E.-200C.E.)– Crucible of modern ChristianityCrucible of modern Christianity

Byzantine Empire inherits from Byzantine Empire inherits from declining Rome (200C.E.-563C.E.)declining Rome (200C.E.-563C.E.)– Persian Empire a shadow of former Persian Empire a shadow of former

greatnessgreatness

Rough religious timelineRough religious timeline 2000 B.C.2000 B.C. Abraham (pbuh) is prepared to sacrifice his son. Abraham (pbuh) is prepared to sacrifice his son. 1200 B.C. (?) Moses (pbuh) sent to redeem the children of 1200 B.C. (?) Moses (pbuh) sent to redeem the children of

IsraelIsrael 950 B.C.950 B.C. Solomon (pbuh) builds the first temple in Solomon (pbuh) builds the first temple in

Jerusalem.Jerusalem. 587 B.C.587 B.C. King Nebuchandnezzar of Babylon burns the King Nebuchandnezzar of Babylon burns the

Temple.Temple. 541 B.C.541 B.C. Some Hebrews return to Jerusalem and build a Some Hebrews return to Jerusalem and build a

second Temple.second Temple. 0 C.E.0 C.E. Birth of Jesus (pbuh).Birth of Jesus (pbuh). 30 C.E.30 C.E. Jesus (pbuh) teaches God’s message to the Jesus (pbuh) teaches God’s message to the

“Sons of Israel.”“Sons of Israel.” 33 C.E.33 C.E. Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God.Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God. 70 C.E.70 C.E.The Romans destroy the Temple. The Romans destroy the Temple.

Rough religious timeline (cont.)Rough religious timeline (cont.) 33 C.E.33 C.E. Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God.Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God. 70 C.E.70 C.E. The Romans destroy the Temple. The Romans destroy the Temple. 90 C.E.90 C.E. As Christian era begins, a new ritual develops, the As Christian era begins, a new ritual develops, the

Eucharist. Eucharist. 325 C.E.325 C.E. Nicean Council convened by Emperor Constantine*Nicean Council convened by Emperor Constantine*

*”Anyone who affirms that the Father pre-existed the Son, *”Anyone who affirms that the Father pre-existed the Son, or or that the Son is a creature produced out of nothingness, or that the Son is a creature produced out of nothingness, or is is subject to moral change or development, is formally subject to moral change or development, is formally declared declared a heretic.”a heretic.”

367 C.E.367 C.E. First official list of 27 books in the New Testament.First official list of 27 books in the New Testament. 381 C.E.381 C.E. Doctrine of “One God in Three Persons” formally Doctrine of “One God in Three Persons” formally

ratified.ratified. 570 C.E.570 C.E. Muhammad (pbuh) born in Mecca.Muhammad (pbuh) born in Mecca.

Rise and fall of generationsRise and fall of generations [[6.66.6] Do they not consider] Do they not consider how many how many

a generation We have destroyed a generation We have destroyed before them, whom We had before them, whom We had established in the earth as We have established in the earth as We have not established you, and We sent the not established you, and We sent the clouds pouring rain on them in clouds pouring rain on them in abundance, and We made the rivers abundance, and We made the rivers to flow beneath them, then We to flow beneath them, then We destroyed them on account of their destroyed them on account of their faults and raised up after them faults and raised up after them another generation. another generation.

Approximate time of Prophet Abraham (as)

~300 years after Prophet Solomon (as)Assyrians did not destroy Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem.

Persian Empire Persian Empire

First temple of Solomon destroyed (587 B.C.)Second temple built (541 B.C.)Alexander conquers all of Persia (330 B.C.)Hellenism is born.

Syria and Palestine under Rome (65 B.C.)Roman province of Judea created (6 C.E.)

Byzantines inherit from the Roman Empire.Constantine conquers East and West andends persecution of Christians.Moves capital to Constantinople (330 C.E.),marking the start of Byzantine Empire.Christianity is the state religion (395 C.E.).

Byzantine ConstantinopleByzantine Constantinople

Conquered by Muhammad II in 1453 C.E.,ending the 1,123 year-old Byzantine Empire.

Rise of Islam: 600-750C.E.Rise of Islam: 600-750C.E.

Abbasid caliphate 750-1055 C.E. Selcuk Turks inherit from the Abbasids,occupying all of Asia Minor and Jerusalem.Crusades (1096-1270 C.E.) are a direct response to Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.

Conquest of Constantinople Conquest of Constantinople (1453 C.E.)(1453 C.E.)

Sent shock waves across the Christian world.Sent shock waves across the Christian world. Ottoman State emerged as a great world power.Ottoman State emerged as a great world power. Ottomans were finally halted at gates of Vienna Ottomans were finally halted at gates of Vienna

(1529 C.E.).(1529 C.E.). Ottoman empire dismembered after World War I.Ottoman empire dismembered after World War I. Allenby enters Jerusalem, announcing “…the Allenby enters Jerusalem, announcing “…the

Crusades have ended.”Crusades have ended.” Hundreds of trainloads of valuable Muslim Hundreds of trainloads of valuable Muslim

heritage are shipped unceremoniously from heritage are shipped unceremoniously from Istanbul to museums and private collectors across Istanbul to museums and private collectors across Europe.Europe.

How many generations?How many generations?

[[50.3650.36] And] And how many a generation how many a generation did We destroy before them who did We destroy before them who were mightier in prowess than they, were mightier in prowess than they, so they went about and about in the so they went about and about in the lands. Is there a place of refuge? lands. Is there a place of refuge?

How many towns came before?How many towns came before?

[[28.5828.58] And] And how many how many a town have a town have We destroyed which exulted in its We destroyed which exulted in its means of subsistence, so these are means of subsistence, so these are their abodes, they have not been their abodes, they have not been dwelt in after them except a little, dwelt in after them except a little, and We are the inheritors, and We are the inheritors,

Foundation of modern ChristianityFoundation of modern Christianity

33 C.E.33 C.E. Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God.Jesus (pbuh) is taken up to heaven by God. 70 C.E.70 C.E.The Romans destroy the Temple. The Romans destroy the Temple. 90 C.E.90 C.E.As Christian era begins, a new ritual develops, As Christian era begins, a new ritual develops,

the Eucharist. the Eucharist.

325 C.E.325 C.E. Nicean Council convened by Emperor Nicean Council convened by Emperor ConstantineConstantine**

*”Anyone who affirms that the Father pre-existed the Son, or that *”Anyone who affirms that the Father pre-existed the Son, or that the Son is a creature produced out of nothingness, or is subject to the Son is a creature produced out of nothingness, or is subject to moral change or development, is formally declared a heretic.”moral change or development, is formally declared a heretic.”

367 C.E.367 C.E. First official list of 27 books in the New Testament.First official list of 27 books in the New Testament. 381 C.E.381 C.E. Doctrine of “One God in Three Persons” formally Doctrine of “One God in Three Persons” formally

ratified.ratified. 570 C.E.570 C.E. Muhammad (pbuh) born in Mecca.Muhammad (pbuh) born in Mecca.

Message of Jesus (pbuh)Message of Jesus (pbuh)

Bismillah (In the name of God)Bismillah (In the name of God)And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary, And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary,

said: “O Children of Israel! I am the said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of God unto you confirming the Messenger of God unto you confirming the Torah (which came) before me, and giving Torah (which came) before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed. But me, whose name shall be Ahmed. But when he (Ahmed, i.e. Muhammad, pbuh) when he (Ahmed, i.e. Muhammad, pbuh) came to them with clear proofs, they said: came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.”“This is plain magic.”

[Qur’an 61:6 “The Ranks”][Qur’an 61:6 “The Ranks”]

Foundation of modern Foundation of modern Christian theology challengedChristian theology challenged

157.157. That they said (in boast),That they said (in boast),““We killed Christ JesusWe killed Christ JesusThe son of Mary,The son of Mary,The Messenger of God” –The Messenger of God” –But they killed him not,But they killed him not,Nor crucified him,Nor crucified him,But so it was made But so it was made To appear to them,To appear to them,And those who differ And those who differ Therein are full of doubts,Therein are full of doubts,With no (certain) knowledge,With no (certain) knowledge,But only conjecture to follow,But only conjecture to follow,For of a suretyFor of a suretyThey killed him not-They killed him not-

158.158. Nay, God raised him upNay, God raised him upUnto Himself; and GodUnto Himself; and GodIs Exalted in Power, Wise –Is Exalted in Power, Wise –

[Qur’an 4:155-158 “The [Qur’an 4:155-158 “The Women”] Women”]

Palestine during the time of Jesus (pbuh):Syria and Palestine under Rome (65 B.C.)Roman province of Judea created (6 C.E.)

Foundation of modern Foundation of modern Christian theologyChristian theology

Jesus (pbuh) came with a message to Bani Jesus (pbuh) came with a message to Bani Israel alone.Israel alone.

Jesus (pbuh) is taken to heaven by God.Jesus (pbuh) is taken to heaven by God. Saul of Tarsus, a Hellenized Jew, preaches Saul of Tarsus, a Hellenized Jew, preaches

a new “gospel” of the resurrected Jesus, a new “gospel” of the resurrected Jesus, eventually converting the Roman Empire.eventually converting the Roman Empire.

Followers of Jesus remain in Jerusalem Followers of Jesus remain in Jerusalem worshipping in temple until Roman worshipping in temple until Roman destruction in 70C.E.destruction in 70C.E.

Pauline theology gains dominance over Pauline theology gains dominance over Jesus’ followers, the Nasara “Nazarenes”.Jesus’ followers, the Nasara “Nazarenes”.

Council of Nicea: 325C.E.Council of Nicea: 325C.E.

Ancient and modern TrinitarianismAncient and modern TrinitarianismTriadic deity, from a pre-Christian French altar.

The Trinity (Italy, 19th century).

Modern and ancient scriptureModern and ancient scripture

Bismillah (In the name of God)Bismillah (In the name of God)

Behold! In the creationBehold! In the creation

Of the heavens and the earth,Of the heavens and the earth,

And the alternationAnd the alternation

Of Night and DayOf Night and Day

There are indeed SignsThere are indeed Signs

For men of understanding - For men of understanding -

[Surah Al-Imran, 3:190][Surah Al-Imran, 3:190]