Friday, October 9, 2009

Quotable quotes on "Saint" Paul

Thomas Jefferson--- "Paul was the first corrupter of the doctrines of Jesus"

The brilliant theologian Ernest Renan, in his book Saint Paul, wrote:
"True Christianity, which will last forever, comes from the gospel words of Christ not from the epistles of Paul. The writings of Paul have been a danger and a hidden rock. the causes of the principal defects of Christian theology."

In the book Christ or Paul?, the Rev. V.A. Holmes-Gore wrote:
"Let the reader contrast the true Christian standard with that of Paul and he will see the terrible betrayal of all that the Master taught....For the surest way to betray a great Teacher is to misrepresent his message....That is what Paul and his followers did, and because the Church has followed Paul in his error it has failed lamentably to redeem the world....The teachings given by the blessed Master Christ, which the disciples John and Peter and James, the brother of the Master, tried in vain to defend and preserve intact were as utterly opposed to the Pauline Gospel as the light is opposed to the darkness."

Albert Schweitzer in his The Quest for the Historical Jesus and his Mysticism of Paul he writes:
"Paul....did not desire to know Christ....Paul shows us with what complete indifference the earthly life of Jesus was regarded....What is the significance for our faith and for our religious life, the fact that the Gospel of Paul is different from the Gospel of Jesus?....The attitude which Paul himself takes up towards the Gospel of Jesus is that he does not repeat it in the words of Jesus, and does not appeal to its authority....The fateful thing is that the Greek, the Catholic, and the Protestant theologies all contain the Gospel of Paul in a form which does not continue the Gospel of Jesus, but displaces it."

William Wrede, in his book Paul, informs us:
"The oblivious contradictions in the three accounts given by Paul in regard to his conversion are enough to arouse distrust....The moral majesty of Jesus, his purity and piety, his ministry among his people, his manner as a prophet, the whole concrete ethical-religious content of his earthly life, signifies for Paul's Christology nothing whatever....The name 'disciple of Jesus' has little applicability to Paul....Jesus or Paul: this alternative characterizes, at least in part, the religious and theological warfare of the present day"

George Bernard Shaw in his Androcles and the Lion, wrote:
"There is not one word of Pauline Christianity in the characteristic utterances of Jesus....There has really never been a more monstrous imposition perpetrated than the imposition of Paul's soul upon the soul of Jesus....It is now easy to understand how the Christianity of Jesus....was suppressed by the police and the Church, while Paulinism overran the whole western civilized world, which was at that time the Roman Empire, and was adopted by it as its official faith."

In one of the best books on early Christianity, Those Incredible Christians, Dr. High Schonfield reports:
"It was not only the teaching and activities of Paul which made him obnoxious to the Christian leaders: but their awareness that he set his revelations above their authority and claimed an intimacy with the mind of Jesus, greater than that of those who had companied with him on earth and had been chosen by him....It was an abomination, especially as his ideas were so contrary to what they knew of Jesus, that he should pose as the embodiment of the Messiah 's will....Paul was seen as the demon-driven enemy of the Messiah....For the legitimate Church, Paul was a dangerous and disruptive influence, bent on enlisting a large following among the Gentiles in order to provide himself with a numerical superiority with the support of which he could set at defiance the Elders at Jerusalem. Paul had been the enemy from the beginning. and because he failed in his former open hostility he had craftily insinuated himself into the fold to destroy it from within."

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Works alone, not faith?

There are many who hold to the belief that so long as one leads a life filled with good works, then it does not matter what faith, if any, one belongs to or believes in, and that God shall give value to one's good works and salvation shall await one.

This is in fact a modern twist to the Christian belief that faith alone is what matters and that one's works are immaterial as all one's sins have been paid for by the supposed crucifixion of Christ.

To those who hold to the view that works alone shall suffice,and sadly a number of so-called muslims intoxicated by Western notions of liberalism and inclusiveness subscribe to this view, the question needs be asked of them:

" By what Scriptural authority do you relate this?"

There is no scriptural authority for this view and all that they can proffer is the dictates of their mind.

What does the Qur'an have to say about those who lack faith or those who only perform good works without having faith?

In Surah Al Baqarah verses 6-7 it is mentioned:

"6. As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

7. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur)."

In Surah Ali Imran verse 3 it is said:

"Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, theirs will be a heavy doom. Allah is Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong)."

How then can one reconcile a person who does good works but refuses to believe in all or some of the revelations of Allah swt? To these liberal so-called muslims will be posed the question: Do you know better or does Allah swt?

Allah swt has made it clear that there is no forgiveness for those who commit shirik and die unrepentant of that sin.

In Surah Az Zumar verse 65 (39:65)He tells us:

“If you associate others with God, (then) surely all your works will be rendered vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.”

Does He not make it plain enough that good works without proper faith in associating partners to him will come to nought? Which part of " all your works will be rendered vain" do they then not understand?

Do they not consider with care that Allah swt makes it manifestly clear in His Last Testament to Man that Allah swt requires both faith and works? How then do they consider the following verses?

Surah Al Baqarah verse 82 (2:82)
“And those who believed and did good works, they are the inhabitants of Paradise, abiding therein eternally.”

Surah Al Maeda verse 9 (5:9)
“God has promised those who believed and did good works that for them is a tremendous reward (in Paradise).”

Surah Al Araf verse 42 (7:42)
“And those who believed and did good works…they are the inhabitants of the Garden (of Paradise), abiding therein eternally.”

Surah Yunus verse 9 (10:9)“Those who believe and do good works, their Lord guides them by their faith. Rivers will flow beneath them in the Gardens of Delight.”

Surah Maryam verse 96 (19:96)
“Upon those who believed and did good works shall The Most Gracious [God] bestow [His] Love.”

The question then arises who are the believers? Does it encompass all who simply says "I believe in God", although their concept of God and God's revelations may vary?

In Surah An Nisa we are told:
" O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger and the Scripture which He hath revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture which He revealed aforetime. Whoso disbelieveth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers and the Last Day, he verily hath wandered far astray."

Can we then term those who disbelieve in the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and disbelieve in the Holy Qur'an as believers contrary to what Allah swt has instructed us?

Allah swt indeed asks of them in Surah Al Hujraat verse 16(49:16)
"Say: What! Will ye instruct Allah about your religion? But Allah knows all that is in the heavens and on earth: He has full knowledge of all things."

Monday, May 4, 2009

Different worlds

Your world was so different
From mine dont you see?
We could never be close though we tried.
We both reached for heavens
Though ours werent the same
Thats what happens when two worlds collide.

Those lines of the song from Jim Reeves just about sums things up. The world of Islam and the world comprising the rest are so different that inevitably collisions will occur. I am not so much referring to physical collisions, though undoubtedly those do occur,but rather to the collision of ideas, of values and to the philoshy of life itself.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Racism is un-Islamic

What do we make of Malays who delight in practising racism and racial discrimination?

Do they forget that the Prophet himself (pbuh) married women from across the racial divide and treated them all equally?

Do they think that the Palestinians and Bosnians and Iraqis and Afgahans whose causes they so proudly champion are Malays?

Do they think that Bilal ibn Rabah was not an African slave?

Do they not know that when the Muslims conquered Egypt, Ubaydah ibn Thamit who was black, led the Muslims to meet Muqawqis, the Christian leader of Egypt.

And when Muqawqis said: "Get this black man away from me and bring someone else," the Muslims refused and said that Ubaydah was their leader and the best of them who they obeyed, forcing Muqawqis to talk to Ubaydah.

Do they not know that one of the greatest achievements of the Prophet (pbuh) was that he demolished tribalism?

And yet they claim to follow the Prophet(pbuh)?

Why do they fall prey to Shaitan's deceit?

What malady ails them?

Why do they insist on reverting to the days of jahilliyah?

Do they forget that the Holy Qur'an tells us:

"And Mankind is naught but a single nation" Surah Al-Baqarah verse 213 (2:213)

And:

O Mankind We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you and God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Surah Al-Hujraat (49:13)

Or do they imagine that they know better than Allah swt?

Friday, April 3, 2009

Mayhem in politics

Amidst the ongoing madness and mayhem in the local political scene, it is unavoidable to harbour sadness at what has become of Malaysians, especially Muslims, and their values.

This pervades both sides of the political-divide where the quest for power seems paramount and overrides all notions of Truth, Justice and Compassion, but is particularly pronounced by those in power.

We find leaders interested only in their position, status, power and wealth and who will do well-nigh anything to secure or safeguard these, even if it means having to lie, to be corrupt, to defame, to cheat and to harm, to name just a few.

That the majority of these leaders and their supporters (who are gulity too) are Muslims or so claim to be, can only aggravate one’s sadness. That they all so often portray themselves publicly as men of religion, attending or organizing all manner of “religious functions”, can only deepen one’s grief.

Do they not understand the religion they so proudly claim to uphold?

Do they not understand that:

“49. And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.” (emphasis added)
Surah Al-Kahf verse 49 (18:49)

Do they then plead ignorance of:

“70. Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah. if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah.(emphasis added)
Surah Al-Anaam verse 70 (6:70)

And with their dabbling in black magic to achieve their aims, do they not heed:

“102….And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!”?(emphasis added)
Surah Al Baqarah verse 102 (2:102)

Or:

“51. Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who were given a portion of the Book? they believe in sorcery and Evil, and say to the Unbelievers that they are better guided in the (right) way Than the believers!
52. They are (men) whom Allah hath cursed: And those whom Allah Hath cursed, thou wilt find, have no one to help.”(emphasis added)
Surah An-Nisa verses 51-52 (4:51-52)

What then do they make of this command?:

“135. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.(emphasis added)
Surah An-Nisa verse 135 (4:135)


Are they not taught to desist from obtaining an advantage through compromising judges?:

“188.And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that ye may knowingly devour a portion of the property of others wrongfully.” (emphasis added)

Surah Al Baqarah verse 188 (2:188)


Yet see what they do with the judges.

Do they even concern themselves with justice? Yet see what they are commanded.

90. Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed. (emphasis added)
Surah An-Nahl verse 90 (16:90)

135. O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do. (emphasis added)

Surah An Nisa verse 135

8. O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do. (emphasis added)
Surah Al-Maeda verse 8 (5:8)

“52. Then will it be said unto those who dealt unjustly Taste the torment of eternity. Are ye requited aught save what ye used to earn?” (emphasis added)
Surah Yunus verse 52 (10:52)

And what do we make of them not keeping their word? Do they not heed:

“…152. Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul beyond its scope. And if ye give your word, do justice thereunto, even though it be (against) a kinsman; and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember. (152) And (He commandeth you, saying): This is My straight path, so follow it. Follow not other ways, lest ye be parted from His way. This hath He ordained for you, that ye may ward off (evil). (emphasis added)
Surah Al-Anaam verse 152 (6:152)

Whether it be holidaying in Disneyland at public expense whilst the weak and the poor suffer or detaining people without trial and defaming and oppressing others or blowing up a young woman using explosives, we can only “ marvel” at their hypocrisy and lack of humaneness.

To them we can only ask and pray that they shall pay heed to these verses:

10. Whoso desireth power (should know that) all power belongeth to Allah. Unto Him good words ascend, and the pious deed doth He exalt; but those who plot iniquities, theirs will be an awful doom; and the plotting of such (folk) will come to naught. (emphasis added)
Surah Fatir verse 10 (35:10)