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To: katana

Yes - my mistake - I know it’s 700 AD but typed BC.
(frankly I was focused on not posting a hot link and missed that date error)

Thanks all for your thoughtful replies. Good opportunity to learn several things from this thread.

Glad to be in the company of scholars.


15 posted on 02/16/2015 2:29:49 PM PST by CaptainPhilFan
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To: CaptainPhilFan

No pretense of being a scholar, but will offer the following in addition to the good remarks made here. The Hebrew Scriptures, which include the Pentateuch, the Writings, & the Prophets (sometimes called by Jews, the Torah, w’Nebiim, w’Kethubim) were penned by Moses (Torah), many other writers (The writings) and the Prophets themselves (the Prophets by name). We call these the “Old Testament”.

In the early books (Torah), Moses makes it clear that a family was selected by God to be “on stage” for the world. Abraham (grandfather), Isaac (father), Jacob (son) comprise the lineage of the “chosen nation” of Jews. Every Jew is from this descendancy. They were given the Law (Exodus, Leviticus) and given a history (all the other books).

Tragically (or perhaps fortunately), irrespective of how much they were favored, they failed to be holy. The Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, et al) tried over and over to “call” them back to God...to no avail. All the commitments, the promises, the cajoling could not work. What will save them? Oh, yes, there is a Rescuer coming!

As I mentioned, the books which tell this portion of the “story” comprise the 39 books we call the Old Testament. It was a well-established compendium by the time Jesus was on the scene (0 - 33AD). He refers to many of the Scriptures as evidence that He was the Rescuer. Sort of a proof-text backing up His authority and demonstrating that He was in fact God on earth.

Upon His departure, men started penning the historical events surrounding Jesus and His teaching. One thing often misunderstood is that folks believe Jesus was teaching us “How to be a Christian” in the words recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But, in fact (if they would read the texts), these four “books” actually record Him teaching the Jews precisely what the 39 books of their Scriptures actually meant.

This is where many folks get confused about why He says, “Tear out your eye, if it offends.” and other strange remarks. He is teaching the enormous weight of the Torah, as it actually was intended to show the Jews (and all of mankind) are not holy.

After He is crucified, buried, raised, and ascended, other writers begin to take up the pen and write the explanation of all of this information to us Gentiles (non-Jews). The letters of Paul are primarily to Gentiles and explain how the good news applies to us and really what it means to live as a believing Christian. All these letters were finished by 90AD. They comprise the 27 so-called Books of the New Testament.

Notice, all of this thing we call the Bible was completed before the end of the first century. And, it testifies principally that the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah of Israel, was God on earth and the Rescuer of those chosen. All tolled there are about 150 writers of the 66 books (39 + 27) and all lead in this one direction.

Fast forward to the 7th cent. Here comes Mohammed. He is the ONLY author of the Koran. One man claiming to have the REAL story...Islam. He is held by Muslims as being a descendant of Ishmael, the other son of Abraham. He claims the Jews fabricated the whole “chosen people” thing and REWROTE the true story of the chosen people. He claims the Ishmaelites are the chosen people...hence the eternal friction between Jews and Muslims. Islam is a cult as much as other cults.

If you wish more info on the origin of all the texts and manuscripts, check The Origin of the Bible, FF Bruce, JI Packer, and others.


16 posted on 02/16/2015 3:58:34 PM PST by Dutchboy88
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