Bible Borrowing and plagiarism (What the Christians will not tell you about)
Bible Borrowing and plagiarism (What the Christians will not tell you about)
The Christians often lie and rant about supposed the Quran plagiarised from external sources but never does the Christian mention his own Bible, as a matter of fact, Christians try as much as they can to lie and hide anything unpleasant about their bible. Because the Quran the Bible is what Allah has revealed and sent down Christians lie and pretend what is being spoken about in the Quran is the bible they have in hand. Let us analyse these verses and then delve into the Bible plagiarism. Christians are often deluded in to thinking that what is mentioned in the Quran refers to what they have in hand.
Allah says in the Quran in chapter Al Baqarah 2:13 Sahih International: Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." The Christians often argue that is it his Bible that he has in hand that is being referred to. 16:43-44 says (16:43) (O Muhammad), whenever We raised any Messengers before you, they were no other than human beings;38 (except that) to them We sent revelation. So ask those who possess knowledge39 if you do not know. (16:44) We raised the Messengers earlier with Clear Signs and Divine Books, and We have now sent down this Reminder upon you that you may elucidate to people the teaching that has been sent down for them,40 and that the people may themselves reflect.
So it clear that even Jesus was sent with a message with a book, in mockery The Christians ask us rather than themselves who the book was sent to as to where is the gospel of Jesus as if Allah did not send a gospel with Jesus and that the bible was what is mentioned and referred to. In the bible in Matthew 15;24 Jesus makes it clear "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." God would not have sent a prophet but not sent a book or scroll with him since he had been sent to a people he had to have a Gospel, there are several verses in the Bible that mention that Jesus preached a gospel: Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Mat 9:35, Mat 24:14, Mar 1:14, Luk 9:6 and loads more. That gospel was sent to the Lost sheep of Israel, the jews, and only for them. Since they were particular people he was sent to the message was for them only. it was clear that he was not sent to the gentiles if his message was only for the lost sheep of Israel. it did not even have to be preserved because that message was sent to a particular group of people for a particular time. So the message must have been small. After the Jews rejected Jesus, only a small number accepted his message and after he left this world there was a vacuum for a long period between the time he left and the time paul came into the scene approximately 40-50 years after because when paul; was arrested he was mistaken for the Egyptian prophet
The book of Acts explains how Paul turned to the gentiles
The issue of Bible borrowing and plagiarism has been a contentious topic for centuries, with scholars and religious leaders often divided on its ethical implications and validity. The Bible, as one of the most significant religious texts in history, has faced numerous criticisms for its use of borrowed or copied content, posing questions on the authenticity and originality of the text. This analysis delves into the historical context, contemporary impact, key players, events, and scholarly perspectives of Bible borrowing and plagiarism, providing insightful commentary on the ethical implications of using and citing sources in religious texts and scrutinizing claims made by proponents and critics of this practice.
Historical Context of Bible Borrowing and Plagiarism
The Old and New Testaments of the Bible were written by numerous authors over a period of several centuries, and it is not surprising that some portions of the text bear similarities to earlier works. Many ancient texts, including the Bible, were reliant on oral traditions and passed down through generations before being transcribed. Additionally, writers of the Bible frequently referenced earlier scripture, with some passages being direct quotations. This practice was no secret and was readily acknowledged by writers of the Bible.
However, some sections of the Bible's text appear to incorporate material from non-biblical sources, giving rise to a debate over Bible borrowing and plagiarism. One example is the flood story recorded in Genesis, which has similarities with the Epic of Gilgamesh, a Babylonian flood narrative. The notion of a universal flood destroying all of humanity and animals, paired with the construction of an ark to save them, is seen in both the Genesis and Gilgamesh story.
At the same time, some argue that the existence of these similarities between biblical and non-biblical texts does not necessarily constitute plagiarism. Instead, it could be a result of cultural contact and shared cultural practices among neighboring societies. Scholars suggest that it is likely that the authors of the Bible were influenced by the literature of their surrounding cultures, and that shared stories might have been a way to reach a broader audience. However chrisyians do not hesitate to accuse the Quran of borrowing and plagarism yet their won book is full of but they cover it up .
Contemporary Impact of Bible Borrowing and Plagiarism
The debate over Bible borrowing and plagiarism has continued well into modern times, with religious and academic scholars engaging in heated discussions concerning the contentious issue. One of the most significant impacts of the debate has been the questioning of the Bible's authenticity as a divinely inspired text.
In some instances, skeptics have used instances of Bible borrowing and plagiarism to discredit the Bible's inspiration, arguing that the incorporation of non-biblical material undermines the legitimacy of the text. Furthermore, critics of the Bible contend that plagiarizing earlier works and presenting them as original may be outright deceptive.
On the other hand, proponents of Bible borrowing and plagiarism argue that it demonstrates the Bible's flexibility and ability to adapt to various cultural contexts. They suggest that these similarities should not detract from the Bible's value as a powerful and timeless document. Again this same argument is not used by christians to admit that the message of the Quran and the Book hand to the propehts came from the same God.
Key Players and Events in the Development of the Bible
The Bible is a compilation of texts from numerous authors and cultures, making it challenging to attribute specific sections to particular authors accurately. However, several influential figures contributed to the development of the Old and New Testaments.
Moses is said to have written the Pentateuch, comprising the first five books of the Old Testament, including the creation story, the flood story, and the Ten Commandments. The Book of Psalms, which features prominently in Jewish and Christian worship, is traditionally attributed to King David, while the Book of Proverbs is associated with King Solomon. Although today what we have of the "Bible" was not what was handed down to Prophet Jesus and Moses and David and what is reffered to in the Quran as "Torat" and "Injeel" and although their may be simmilarities, the quran came to rectify what was changed in the Bible and put the record straight. Allah did not reveal the Gospels accrding to and according, these were borrowed, changed , added to , deducted from and so on. Nor the torah that we currently have.
The New Testament's development centers on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the establishment of Christianity. Although the identity of the gospel's authors is often disputed, it is generally accepted that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the four canonical gospels. The writings of Saint Paul are an essential component of the New Testament, with his letters forming the basis of many Christian theological doctrines. This has nothing to do with what God revealed. They did not write the direct words of God as many chrsiatins admit today. The bible they have at hand is not the Word of God.
Current Scholarly Perspectives on Bible Borrowing and Plagiarism
Scholarly opinions on Bible plagiarism and borrowing widely vary, with some believing that it undermines the text's authenticity while others suggest that it highlights cultural connections and adaptations.
Some argue that the Bible's authors, particularly those of the Old Testament, relied on earlier texts and stories to create a sense of continuity and tradition. Contrarily, others claim that the Bible's dependence on previously written stories raises issues of plagiarism, particularly when the content is nearly identical.
According to Israel Finkelstein, a professor of archaeology at Tel Aviv University, similarities between the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Genesis flood story does not necessarily indicate plagiarism. Instead, he suggests that it may suggest shared motifs and outcomes that resonate with people across cultures. If we accept this argument then we must accept that the Quran came fromthe same God
Ethical Implications of Bible Borrowing and Plagiarism
The ethical implications of Bible borrowing and plagiarism are complex and have far-reaching ramifications for both religious and academic communities. The use of non-biblical sources in the Bible highlights a potential problem with the authenticity of the text. The copying of texts without proper citation, particularly in academic and scholarly circles, is considered unethical.
However, in the case of the Bible, the line between proper attribution and the adaptation of earlier traditional material is blurred, as it is unclear where direct copying comes into play. We can then agree that if the gospels of the bible are unrelable and we dont know who wrote then then why reject the Gospel of Barnabas, Thomas and others as being inauthentic, when the autheticuty bible itself is in scrutinity.
Conclusion
Bible borrowing and plagiarism have been a contentious issue for centuries, with scholars and religious communities divided on its ethical and scholarly implications. Critics see copying texts as a form of deception, while proponents argue that it demonstrates cultural adaptability.
While some shared motifs between biblical and non-biblical texts may indicate influence and cultural exchange, others could be a case of plagiarism. Despite the ongoing debates on this issue, it is essential to acknowledge the Bible's historical and cultural significance and appreciate it for the messages and values it imparts. Ultimately, whether or not Bible borrowing and plagiarism detract from the Bible's value as a religious text is a matter of personal interpretation. Which makes it a very dangerous beleif to still accept a book and base ones salavation on it when we know it is not authentic.
Jamal Dookhy
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Muslim Apologist blogger, Author.