Introduction
In this segment, Dr. Badawi misquotes a number of Bible passages in an attempt to undermine the account of the resurrection of Jesus. Badawi also suggest, regardless of what the Bible actually says, that the resurrected Christ should have been a spiritual being, and not a physical being. He concludes his remarks with the often repeated, but never proven, accusation that these events were added to the Bible at a later date.
Jamal Badawi: There was an obsession with Old Testament prophecies and he must have read Psalm 54 where it says that his bones will not be broken, so this story may have been written regardless of it historicity. This prophecy talks about someone who will be saved from his enemies to the point where even his bones will not be broken.
Matthew wrote the story of resurrection because that is what happened. Matthew's attention to the details of the Old Testament prophecies was necessary since these predictions pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. We Christians believe in Jesus because He came with clear witnesses: the prophecies of the Old Testament, His miracles, and His own prophecies.
Jamal Badawi: He also mentioned resurrection which has some problems. Luke 24:14-31 he speaks about two travels going to the village and said that Jesus drew near them and talked about them about what happened in Jerusalem, he interpreted scriptures for them and called them foolish. They noted that Jesus was drawing away from them but they invited Jesus to eat with them and then they recognized him and he vanished. Questions. Wouldn't they ask a stranger who he was and where he was going? With all of the explanation in the scripture, why didn't the travelers ask him or recognize him? Didn't they recognize him when they were eating? Luke continues saying that Jesus appeared in Jerusalem and the disciples were afraid and thought the He was a spirit and he ate some honey and fish. Questions. After the resurrection, Luke 20:36, there is no more a physical body:
No, that is not what this passage says. What is going on in this passage?
In Luke 24, a question is put to Jesus by the religious leaders of his day who were attempting to put the Lord "on the spot":
Now, Jesus answers
Where did Jesus say that the children of the resurrection have no physical bodies?
What does Paul say?
Paul is teaching the doctrine that our present bodies differ from our resurrection bodies, though we still continue to have bodies. The term "natural body" can be literally translated as "an animal body," that is, a body molded as an organism of "flesh and blood" and in this body, the animal soul preponderates. The spiritual body is a body that is completely molded by the Spirit, and it does not conform to the lower and animal urges. Paul does not deny the physical existence of the resurrected body. How did Jesus walk through a closed door? I cannot explain this anymore than I can explain how He raised the dead and healed the sick - it was a miracle.
Jamal Badawi: Chapter 20: He said that Mary Magdalene was alone and say Jesus in the Garden and she thought that he was a gardener. She asked him where he carried away her Lord and then she recognized him and he said don't touch me because he had not ascended. After that he appeared to the disciples in the room where the door was closed. Thomas was not present and would not believe and 8 days later Jesus asked Thomas to examine him. Another time Jesus appeared on the lake when the disciples were fishing. There are a number of questions which make the story unlikely.
Unable to refute what John said, Dr. Badawi ploughs ahead with more apparent contradictions in the Biblical account.
Jamal Badawi:
1. John 20:15 says that Mary Magdalene was alone and wanted to take the body of Jesus.
How can one woman carry the body of a man who is wrapped in spices and linen, about 160 pounds?
No, John 20:15 says:
John tells us who asked for the body of Jesus:
See above. Mary did not take Him anywhere, it was Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who took the body of Christ.
She did not, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a very rich and powerful man, did this.
I think that verse 13 gives us a hint. Jesus asks "Woman, why are you crying?". Perhaps she could not see clearly because she had been crying!
No, that was not what Jesus was saying! Jesus was teaching that the standards of holiness are more important than emotional outbursts. As the incarnated Word of God, Jesus was returning to God the Father. How can God ascend to God? God can do as God pleases!
The difference between these accounts is a matter of style and inclusion of details. Neither account contradicts the other. Jesus was both man and God and He returned in body and spirit and exists today and will return in body and spirit. The Word became flesh once.
Jamal Badawi: Two issues that are contradictory:
They agree that Jesus prophecies his death and resurrection. There is agreement that the disciples did not believe that Jesus appeared after crucifixion. These two areas are difficult to reconcile. Thomas did not believe, and wanted proof. The prophecies made by Jesus were made in public Mark 8:31-33 that Jesus said that he would be delivered and killed, Peter started to rebuke Jesus and Jesus said go behind me Satan, Luke 9:22 also says this. It is apparent that these issues were well known. How could we explain their doubt? He already told them.
The Apostles did not believe that Jesus appeared after crucifixion?!? Thomas DID BELIEVE when he saw the Lord. The disciples, at one point, probably did not want to believe that Jesus would be killed, however, none doubted His resurrection after seeing Him!
Jamal Badawi: Maybe one person, but what about all of them? Mark 8:31:
Four prophecies appear here resurrection is one of them, the first three were fulfilled so they must have anticipated the forth. Wouldn't masses of people be camping and waiting for the moment? Even the women went to anoint him.
I believe that the followers of Jesus were frightened and confused. Imagine opposing the immense power of the Roman Empire! These men may have lost faith in the face of fear. After seeing the resurrected Savior, all but one of the Apostles died as martyrs preaching the Word!
Jamal Badawi: The first possibility that Jesus predicted his death and resurrection can be easily rejected because not all early Christians believed in the crucifixion. According to John 20:9 Peter and the disciple did not know the scripture that he must rise. How could they not know? The second possibility is that Jesus predicted nothing and these things were added later.
Honestly Dr. Badawi, do you believe that no one owns a Bible and can check for themselves? Read John 20:8-9:
The passage says that they did not understand, not that they did not know! Of what significance is the statement that some Christians did not believe in the resurrection? Does that make it so? After all, there are people who call themselves "Muslims" (the Nation of Islam and the Ahmadiyya for example) who do not believe that Muhammad is the last Prophet.
Responses to Jamal Badawi's "Radio Al-Islam Channel RA 200"
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