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EVENGELION,INJIL AND QURAN This objection is answered in the light of research on the term Evengelion/’Inji:l
INJIL AND EVENGELION HUSAM
It is often asked that Qur’a:n commiteth a contradiction when It confirmeth Evengelion/Gospel and denieth Cricifixion. Since the four New Testamental Gospels Confirm Crucifixion.
2 This objection is answered in the light of research on the term Evengelion/’Inji:l
IN WHAT MEANING QUR’A:N CONFIRMETH ‘INJI:L/EVENGELION It is often asked that Qur’a:n commiteth a contradiction when It confirmeth Evengelion/Gospel and denieth Cricifixion. Since the four New Testamental Gospels Confirm Crucifixion. This objection is answered in the light of research on the term Evengelion/’Inji:l Evengelion and Gospels. The word ‘Inji:l is an Arabic form of the word Evangelion.
Literal meaning of the word Evangelion: The Greek, evangelion, means Good Message.Some translate it as Good News or Good/Glad Tidings. But these translations may cause some confusions. One must translate it as Gospel . An other alternative is to keep the Greek word conserved in translation. The word Evangelion is a combination of two words. Eu/Ev is a prefix meaning good, and Angelion which means Message. The gospel writers are sometimes called evangelists.
Use of this Word in Christian Nomenclature. One may read repeatedly in the New Testamental Gospels that Iesous/Iesus went about preaching "the gospel of the kingdom". He instructed his followers were to preach this gospel to the whole world. What was this "gospel " that he preached and that he wanted preached to the entire world? This term is used many times in the New Testament but it is never defined in New Testament. But one thing is certain. The term Evangelion/Gospel did exist not only before any one of the four New Testamental Gospels was written, it existed in the time of Iesous/Iesus , and He Himself used this term. technical manual. It is used but neither explained nor defined. So it is necessary to investigate the meanings of this term before the appearance of the New Tstamental Gospels. 1] It is the collective teachings of Iesous/Iesus.
The whole revelation preached and taught by Iesous/Iesus. ( Matthew 9:35; 24:14; etc.; Mark 1:14; 13:10; 16:15; Acts 20:24; Romans 1:1, 9, 16; 10:16; etc.).
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3 Mark 1:14,15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. This is a proof that Gospel was used for the teachings, preachings, instructions and informations of Iesous/Iesus during His Ministry. In short it consisted of different Massages and Instructions of Iesus/Iesous. Mark/Mecus is the oldest Gospel in New Testament as according to Majority of New Testamental Scholars. But the very same Mercus/Mark uses the word Gospel in itself. This is a definite and definite proof that the word Gospel/Evangelion was in use before Mercus/Mark was Written. We find Peter/Putrus referring to the Gospel in Acts. Mark 1:14,15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. If Peter did refer to the Gospel then the Gospel existed during the time of Peter. If Iesous/Iesus preached the Gospel/Evangelion and it was known to Peter it does mean it existed before all the four New Testamental Gospels.
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? This does shew that there were some instructions to be obeyed in the Gospel 2]
Euangelion is used for the good tidings of salvation announced by Iesus/Iesous. This does shew that this is just a part of the Gospel in the first meaning. 3] The term Gospel is used for the acts, words, events of Iesous/Iesus, including his personal words, personal events ,his conversations whether in regard to his teachings and preachings or in regard to other than them. We found that many books were written and are known as Gospels whether they be in New Testament or outside the it. 4] The word is used for the first four New Testamental Books which contain acts,deeds,events, messages ,reaching in regard to Iesous/Iesus , and even the acts, words of others, including words of the authors of these books which they wrote in their respective books.
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So the meaning one or meaning two or both remained the only ones in use even after New Testamental written records had been written and even accepted as authentic by the Christian Church. It can be said that there could be but one Gospel, that is, but one revelation of salvation by Iesus/Iesous. The New Testamental Books which are now known as Gospels are the different records of the Gospel in the first ot the second meaning and are not regarded as several Gospels, In another sentence the four New Testamental Gospels are considered as four distinct accounts of One and the Same Gospel. Infact the Apocryphal Gospels may be considered as unauthentic records of the One and Same Gospel.
Use of this Word in Muslim Nomenclature.
This word is used in Qu’a:n and in NT in different meanings. It is incorrect to assume that it is only used for the four New Testamental Gospels. The word ‘Inji:l is used in Qur’a:n and in Texts of Traditions of H:adi:th: in several meanings. Primary Meaning in Islamic Nomenclature:= The Divine Massage or Speech that was Revealed to Iesous/Iesus [“I:sa:] the Messiah [Masi:h:]. In this meaning this is the ‘Inji:l/Evengelion which was Preached and Taught by Iesous/Iesus Himself. Secondary Meanings There are three secondary meanings: First Secondary Meaning: For any one of the four New Testamental Gospels. 4
5 Second Secondary Meaning It is used for Apocryphal Gospels. Third Secondary Meaning. For Both Types of Gospels whether New Testamental or Non New Testamental. The third and the second meanings are rare meanings and in this article the term Secondary meaning shall be used only for the First Secondary Meaning unless and otherwise stated explicitly. General Discussion As stated above the word ‘Inji:l/Evangelion Pre-exists the four New Testamental Gospels. In fact the Word Evangelion is referred in NT several times, not only in the four New Testamental Greek Gospels but in the rest of New Testamental Books, which are generally wriitten before the four New Testamental Gospels. The word Evengelion changes its form to Evengelium in Latin and is translated as Gospel in English. An other reason for the Literal Translation as “Good News” is that this translation does not motivate a person who is reading the translation to consider the original word Evangelion as a Religious term.On the other hand if the term Evangelion is maintained or the term Gospel is used in the Translations , one who studies NT naturally asks the following questions:” Testament? What is the meaning of the term "gospel" as used in the NT?”
Did Gospel exist before the four New Testamental Gospel. Did Apostles New Gospel before the four New Testamental Gospels were written? . What is the definition of the term Gospel when it is used in the different Books of NT written by different Authors? The best way to avoid these questions is to translate term as a word or words “Good News”. If the word Gospel is not used then such questions are not raised. It requires a good study of NT to define the term .
Thus it is concluded that In some old English translations of NT the Greek word Evengelion is translated as Gospel. However now the word Gospel is changed by the compound word “Good News” which is probably due to the fact that the word Gospel Does point at the fact that Iesous/Iesus Himself preached and taught Evengelion. And that the word Evengelion is used in more then one meanings even before any book of NT was written. But if so then it clarifies to every student of NT that the word Evengelion may not be used only for the four New Testamental Gospels but in different meanings . Below are some more evidences that the word Evengelion is used not only in those books or booklets of New Testament which where written before the New Testamental Gospels but even in the New Testamental Gospels themselves before any New Testamental Book was written.
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6 1] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I
said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? [Galatian,2:14] KJV Galatian was definitely written before all the New Testamental Gospels. 2] And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. [Galatian,3:8]KJV This verse of Galatian does shew that there was a period when Gospel was not revealed.
3] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Roman 1:16 KJV NIV renders the same verse as follow: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 4] In Acts 20:24 we find the word Gospel as follow: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. But unfortunately NIV tries to hide the truth that Acts 20:24 speaks about the Gospel. Instead of translating the Greek word for Gospel it translate it as “Good New” However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. If NIV is justified to translate as Good News then she must have done it every where and even the names or titles of First Four New Testamental Gospels would have been changes as follow:= Gospel of Mathew would have been changed as “Good News according to Mathew” etc. 4] Mercus/Mark reports that Iesous/Iesus said: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 6
7 8:35 Even NIV accepts the word Gospel.The same verse in NIV is rendered as follows: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
5] Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans ,15:19 Euaggelion [Translated as Gospel] 6]Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: Romans ,15:20 Euaggelizó [Translated as Gospel] These are the evidences that the word Euangelion or Evangelion pre exists each and every New Testamental Gospel whether Priority of Mercus/Mark is accepted or Primacy of Mattai/Mathew is advocated. The Islamic term is supported and confirmed by Christological meaning of the Term Evangelion/Euangelion used not only by the writers of books of NT who wrote before any one of the New Testamental Gospel was written but also used by the Writers of New Testamental Gospel themselves. There is just one difference between the Chistological and Islamic Meanings. In Christoloical meaning the term is used not only for the words of Iesous/Iesus but also his deeds, while in Islamic Nomenclature it is used for the Divine Message Revealed to Iesous/Iesus , which He Himself Taught and Preached during His Ministry on Earth strictly. Additionally Islamic Teachings give Evengelion/’Inji:l an explicit origin that it is a Revealed Divine Message. So the personal sayings of Iesous/Iesus may not be included in it. Muslims make a strict difference between a revealed Message/Speech and the personal sentences spoken by the one who preached and taught Divine Massage. But Christians in the second meaning include them . It seems that the first meaning of Evangelion is generally accepted in the Muslim word. But even if any one of the meaning which predates the New Testamental Gospel is taken then inspite of any possible difference there is some common factors in both. The common factor is that the word Evangelion/’Inji:l was in use prior to the existence of four New Testamental Gospels and Iesous/Iesus Himself used this word for his teachings,preachings and masseges.
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Thus common factor is that there are some Divine Messages which were Taught and Preached by the Messiah Iesous/Iesus Himself and He called them Evangelion/’Inji:l/Gospel. In this meaning the Divine Massage what so ever it was Hath Priority and Primacy over the New Testamental Gospels. Even if the works and deeds of Iesous/Iesus and his personal sentences are included in the term under discussion , it predates the New Testamental Gospels with out any shadow of doubt. AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHRISTIAN AND ‘ISLA:MIC TERMS Qur’a:n generally use the term in the meaning of “Revealed Divine Masseges Taught and Preached by Holy Iesous/Iesus Himself. THE FALLACY It must be noted that Qur’a:n doeth not use the word Gospel /Inji:l/Evangelion for the four New Testamental Gospels in general specially when the word ‘Inji:l/Evangelion is used in regard to Holy Iesous/Iesus Himself. How ever these terms may be used in secondary meaning in ‘Isla:mic Literature when there is a demand of Context or it is used in regard to the Christians of the time of those literature. Islamic View Of New Testamental Gospels. There was only One Evengelion that was revealed and the four New Testamental Books are just the four attempts to record the one and only Evangelion which was revealed to Iesous/Iesus, One which He Himself Preached and Taught. Relation Between Two Meanings of A Term Qur’a:n doeth not say that the Evengelion Preached and Taught by Iesous/Iesus Himself had ceased to exist such that not a single word of it exists. ‘Isla:m accepteth that Portions and Parts of the Evengelion preached and taught by Iesous/Iesus exist in the New Testamental Gospels. But these New Testamental Gospels also contain materials which are neither preached nor taught By Iesous/Iesus. So Evengelion’s Parts do exist in the New Testamental Gospels and not every thing which exists in atleast any one of the New Testamental Gospels is the Evengelion Preached and Taught by Iesous/Iesus. This is the basic point of ‘Isla:m. Even if it is regarded to be incorrect , it is incorrect to understand otherwise. These are just four attempts to record the Evengelion preached and taught by Iesous/Iesus. Qur’a:n does not claim that these are just fake records with nothing actual,original and genuine in them.Qur’a:n does not claim that they are perfectly correct records. Qur’a:n and ‘Isla:m take a moderate and a normal view that these four books contain both type of Materials authentic and 8
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unauthentic. Qur’anic remarks are verified by the fact that these four books do not contain all the materials of teachings and preachings of Iesous/Iesus. Even if one appreciate these attempts of the four authors , they attempted to record the Traditions Of Evengelion preached and taught by Iesous/Iesus. In their attempts the recorded both types of traditions authentic and unauthentic. ‘Isla:mic Criteria is that if the traditions in four attempted records also called Gospels Contradict Qur’a:n and ‘Ah:a:di:th: then they are not authentic , otherwise they are likely to be authentic. The Traditions in regard to Crucifixion and Resurrection are denied as unauthentic . Whether one believes in Qur’a:n or disbelieves in Qur’a:n it is a different thing but atleast one must understand Qur’a:n according to’Isla:mic perspective and not according to his own opinion. Those who claim that Qur’a:n confirms these four attempted records of Divine Massage revealed to Iesous/Iesus are in error. Qur’a:n doeth not confirm them as Divine Massages Revealed to Iesous/Iesus . So the points of agreement and disagreement between Islamic concept and Christian Concept are as follow: ‘Isla:m claims that Iesous/Iesus Himself preached Evengelion/’Inji:l. NT accepts the Iesous /Iesus Himself preached Evengelion. ‘Isla:m claims that there is only One Evengelion/’Inji:l that was preached by Iesous/Iesus. NT mentions Gospel/Evengelion as if it is the only Gospel/Evengelion . Isla:mic Evengelion/’Inji:l pre-exists the four New Testamental Gospels. NT accepts that Gospel/Evangelion of Ieous/Iesus was known to Iesous/Iesus and His Disciples and even to Paul/Pulus who wrote about Gospel/Euangelion before any one of the four New Testamental Gospel was written. These are the points of agreements. Point of disagreements are as follow:= Christianity claims that these are the four authentic records of one and same Gosple/Evangelion. ‘Isla:m claims that these are just four attempts to record the Evangelion/Gospel/’Inji:l of Iesous/Iesus. Christianity Claims that these is no unauthentic tradition in these four Gospels.
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‘Isla:m claims that these four attempted records contain both authentic and unauthentic traditions. Christianity claims that these authors of the four records wrote under the super vision of Divine Ghost or Divine Spirit [Holy Ghost]. ‘Isla:m claims that these authors wrote under their own sensibility and theological back ground. Zahn is right that the word Evangelion for the written records [of NT] goes back to the beginning of second century CE. Evidently this word cannot be used for them before they were written. The concept of Tah:ri:f The Word Tah:ri:f is often translated by the hard word corruption. But it is a soft word which means addition or substraction of Materials or addition of the words or sentences or both or insertion or omition of words from sentences of the Massages by the authors of the Records . For example Yohonnon sayeth: In the Beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was (a) God/god. But these words if not spoken by Iesous/Iesus cannot be preached by Iesous/Iesus. Further the loss of Materials of Evengelion of Iesous/Iesus is probable. Many words in the sentences may be used in virtual meanings but the proper demand of contexts are missed by the authors. An Example: The Samaritan Torah does not differ from Torah of Tanakh as greatly a the New Testamental Gospels differ from on an other. Yet the Samaritan Torah is rejected to be included by Christians. The reason is that they do not consider Samaritan Torah as Authentic Torah[Taurah]. Its validity was not accepted. If its validity was accepted then there must have been two Torahs in Holy Tanakh and consequently in OT as there are four Gospels in NT. But this is not the case. For example consider the Gospel according to Mercus/Mark , it is found that rest of the New Testamental Gospels are relatively more different then Mercus then Samaritan Torah is from the Masoretic Torah. The validity of Samaritan Torah was debated in second century BEC before the Egyptian Monarch in Alexandria, and also before it. If the selectors had accepted it as a valid Torah then we would have seen two Torahs in OT and four Gospels in NT. 10
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Apologists would have been trying to harmonize these to Torahs as they are trying to Harmonize the four New Testamental Gospels. This example does shew that the standard of Canon of Tanakh was more strict then the standard of Canon of New Testament. WHETHER ONE AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH QUR’A:N IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE BUT ONE MUST NOT ACCUSE QUR’A:N AND ‘ISLA:M WHAT THET DO NOT SAY.
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