Mr. Meherally claims that a Muslim can refute the claims of Christianity by using different translations of the Bible to identify "superfluous texts or utterly revised the innovated texts upon which these contrived dogmas were based."
Authorized King James Version
For god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, John 3:16
New Revised Standard Version
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, John 3:16
Note: The concept that Jesus Christ is or was the begotten Son of God, happens to be a stepping stone of the Christian beliefs. The superfluously added term "begotten" is eliminated in the revised passage because it does not appear in the original text written by the apostle. In the Bible, Jesus is not the only individual for whom the term `Son of God' or the `Sons of God' is used. In Lk. 3:38, Adam; in Ex. 4:22, Israel; in 1 Chron. 22:10, David; and in Jer. 31:9, Ephraim, are also called "Son of God". Besides, `the children of Israel' ; `the peacemakers' and other entities are also called the "Sons of God". Hence, one can say that the terms Son and Sons are used not in their physical or literal senses but rather in the metaphorical or symbolic senses.
Mr. Meherally is insinuating that Christians added the word begotten "superfluously" to the Bible. This is not true, the Greek manuscripts of John 3:16 are consistent. The word "begotten" is one of English translations of the Greek word "monogenes" which can mean "only" or "only begotten". Jesus is called God's "only Son" in either case.
The issue of others who are called the "sons of God" are covered in another section.
Authorized King James Version
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood; and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:7 and 8
New Revised Standard Version There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. 1 John 5:7 and 8
Note: The superfluous verse depicting the Trinitarian concept, injected to the Authorized King James Version has now been removed in the Revised Version of the Bible, since it does not appear in the original text.
This is another issue which has been explained in another discussion.
Authorized King James Version
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
New Revised Standard Version
Very, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above John 3:3
Note: To many, being a born-again Christian is not only a matter of great pride and privilege but it also means; the Salvation is assured. The false hope of Salvation being handed on a platter, does vanish with the expunging of the phrase `born-again' in the revised text. The Greek phrase used by apostle John translates, `born from above'. Jesus by reciting the above verse was telling Nicodemus, a devout Pharisee who believed in the Resurrection, that the kingdom of God would only come to the whole world at the time of Resurrection. No man can see the kingdom of God, before his resurrection
Once again, the Greek text has not been changed or altered, only the English translation of the text. The Greek word "anothen" can mean either "again" or "from above" Some English Bibles translate "anothen" as "again" (New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, the King James, and the World Wide English Bible), other translate this word as "anew" (Revised Standard Version and Darby), while Young's Literal Translation translates it as "above". Regardless of the translation, please read this verse in context. What did Jesus mean by saying that a person must be born again (or born from above)?
John 3: 4 -7 (NIV) "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' A personal note: I have been born again (through accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Redeemer) and know that I am assured of salvation. The "pride" that I feel is not the result of anything that I have done or said, it is because God loved me (and every other person) so much that He sent His Son to pay for my sins.
Authorized King James Version
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel Isaiah 7:14
New Revised Standard Version
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel Isaiah 7:14
Note: The name Immanuel translates `God with us' and hence the prophecy is looked upon by the majority of the Christians, as the corner stone for the physical manifestation of God as Christ Jesus, that was born to virgin Mary. Isaiah was not speaking of a virgin, but of a young women. Secondly, he did not write shall conceive. He wrote of one that was (is) with child. Matthew in 1:23, quotes the above prophecy for virgin Mary. But, neither did virgin Mary name his son Immanuel nor did the disciples of Jesus called their master Immanuel. Matthew himself confirms that an angel of the Lord had asked Joseph to name the child "Jesus"; that virgin Mary had conceived. see Mt.1:21.
This issue has been discussed at great length in another section, as was the issue of the name Immanuel..
Authorized King James Version
The title of the Epistle to the Hebrews reads: The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews
New Revised Standard Version
The title of the Epistle to the Hebrews reads: The Letter to the Hebrews.
Note: The Epistle to the Hebrews is of great significance for the Christians who wish to propagate the ultimate authority and supremacy of Jesus Christ. The editors of N.R.S.V., have noted that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, whoever it was, was clearly demonstrating the superiority of Christ over everyone and everything. And, was revealing Jesus' true identity as God and his ultimate authority. Christianity supersedes all other religions and can never be surpassed etc., etc. According to the traditional Christian belief, apostle Paul - the supposed author, was the one that had made these claims. However, upon examination of all the letters, supposedly written by Paul, Hebrews is the only letter where his name does not appear as an introductory opening word in the opening chapter. The style and language shows that it was written by a pseudo author to show the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Since the name of Paul is eliminated from the title of the Epistle in the revised text, the readers of Hebrews have to do some serious soul searching before accepting claims made by a pseudo author whose identity is unknown.
The earliest Christian fathers, including Clement of Alexandria, believed that the author of Hebrews was Paul, on the authority of Pantaelignus, chief of the Catechetical school in Alexandria. Most believed that because Paul was called by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, he , for reasons of humility, did not call himself apostle to the Hebrews. The Hebrews were also prejudiced against him, so he omitted to write his name in the beginning of this Epistle. Additionally, Paul originally wrote this Epistle in Hebrew for the Jews, and Luke translated it into for the Greeks - therefore, the style is similar to that of Acts, however, there is greater much greater familiarity with the intricacies of Jewish religious thought in this Epistle than in and of Luke's writings.
In fact, not one Greek Church Father ascribes this Epistle to any but Paul. The Latin Church did not receive this Epistle for some time because of their distance from the churches that Hebrews addressed and, therefore, did not accept this Epistle. By the fourth century, the Latins found that it was received as Pauline and canonical based on the teachings, and evidence, Greek churches. Since this time, all Churches have universally acknowledged that Paul was the author.
Responses to Akbarally Meherally
Answering Islam Home Page