08-12-2009, 02:03 AM
Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.
<b>Steve</b>
Quote:however, that the Koran is not meant to replace the Bible, but to continue it, just as we are continuing this conversation.
The Qur’an is a continuation of "the revealed previous scriptures", and not what you call today ‘<i>the Bible</i>’.
Quote:157. That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) know ledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-
This line is describing the boasts of the unbelievers, who were unaware of the resurrection, as well as many other things. It is not a 'scientific' claim that Christ was not crucified.
No, it was talking about the unbelievers who were unaware of the fact that Jesus <b>did not die nor crucified</b>, the Qur’an is unambiguous about this fact, ‘<b>for of a surety, they killed him not</b>’ no interpretation needed.
Quote:158. Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise;-
This does not contradict the New Testament, and nor does it say when he was 'raised up' nor the condition of Jesus. He could be raised from the tomb, raised from the cross, or raised before being put on the cross, but logically, one is raised after 'appearing' to be put down, which is what his persecutors believed.
That’s because the Qur’an (<i>unlike the Bible</i>) is not a story book, it tells you what happened, without unnecessary details. Your interpretations that ‘<i>he could be raised from the tomb, or from the cross</i>’ does not make any sense, since the Qur’an clearly states that he did not die (<i>so he was not placed in a tomb</i>) and was not crucified (<i>was not put on the cross</i>), and so your third guess is more accurate, that he was raised right before they put him on the cross.
Salam
Wael.