Bible Preserved (Theological Approach)
Christian and Fatma discuss the view that the Bible has been corrupted and the implications that has for the character and nature of God.
Christian: Hi Fatma. You know that discussion we had the other day, after RE, about the differences between Christianity and Islam? Well, I thought I’d bring you a copy of the New Testament to read yourself.
Fatma: Thanks, Christian. But the only thing is, the other day, our imam told us that the Bible has been changed and corrupted. The Quran, on the other hand, has been sent down by God as the final revelation.
Christian: That’s really interesting. Did he, by any chance, give some historical proof? For instance, did he show you a verse from the Quran that tells Muslims the Bible has been changed?
Fatma: No, he didn’t say anything like that. He just told us that we shouldn’t read it. He said it would be good for us not to ask questions about it.
Christian: I’ve been looking into this recently. I was surprised to read a couple of verses in the Quran that, rather than suggest the Bible has been changed, say it is actually trustworthy and should be read, at least in Muhammad’s day.
Fatma: Really?! I didn’t know that! Which verses?
Christian: Well, in Quran 6.115, it says that nobody can change the words of God. In Quran 5.47, Christians are called to live out what God has revealed in the gospel. So that means (at least, in Muhammad’s day) the Bible, especially the New Testament, could not have been corrupted. All the Bibles we use are translations from manuscripts that are a lot earlier than 650 AD, when the Quran was written. How d’you explain that?
Fatma: Well, I don’t know really. I just have to accept what the teachers at the mosque tell me.
Christian: There’s one other thing that puzzles me. If the Bible’s been changed, then that must mean one of two things: either God was not powerful enough to protect His Word or He didn’t really care about His Word. Do you believe that God is either weak or unloving?
Fatma: I’ve not really thought about it that way before. Of course, I don’t believe that. But I can see what you’re saying.
Christian: In fact, in the New Testament, Jesus says that the heavens and earth will pass away but His words will never pass away. Also, he says that He loves us so much that He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins to be forgiven. If that’s true, surely he would want the record of that to be preserved for ever?
Fatma: I do hear what you’re saying, but I’m worried about my family. I wouldn’t want to bring shame on them by turning away from Islam. I think we’ll just have to agree to differ on this one.