Schism2

Another version of Schism has appeared. I discussed the first one here, together with the bible verses it quoted, and described each one. This version shows the Bible in many different languages, asking which is the real Bible. The Qur'an, of course is translted in many languages, but Muslims hold that only the one in Arabic is valid, but even then, modern Arabic is not the same as ancient Arabic. I guess if we insist on ancient languages we would have to go with ancient Hebrew for the Old Testament, and some combination of Aramaic, Greek, and Latin for the New Testament, but it has been translated so many times, and is available online in many different versions for anyone that wants to compare (New International Version, New American Standard Bible, The Message, Amplified Bible, New Living Translation, King James Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New King James Version, New Century Version, 21st Century King James Version, American Standard Version, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Translation, New Life Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible, New International Reader's Version, Wycliffe New Testament, Worldwide English (New Testament), New International Version - UK, Today's New International Version) plus 33 different languages at http://www.biblegateway.com/.



This new Schism shows KKK with a burning cross, Nazi's swearing an oath, and Filipinos alowing themselves to be crucified in Good Friday celebrations. I am not aware of any mainstream Christian religion that supports what either the KKK nor the Nazis did, and while I don't recommend the way Good Friday is celebrated in the Philippines, they are doing it to themselves as a way of showing their faith, they are not doing it to others.

The new Schism quotes Matthew 10:34 and Revelation 3:19. Matthew 10:34 does say Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, but it is not advicating violence. Some hold that Jesus is using the word "sword" as a metaphor to describe the division that his message would bring between those who accept it and those who reject it. Nowhere in the passage does he instruct them to harm anyone. He does not command them to resort to violence with those who reject the message. On the contrary, he tells them to leave the homes of those who reject them, because God alone will be the judge of those who reject the Truth.

Revelation 3:19 says Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. But even that is not advocating violence, it is God that rebukes and disciplines. And look at the rest: So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The new Schism is trying to say there is violence in the Bible, in the Old Testament verses the violence is directed against particular people and at a paricular time, not any disbeliever at any time, and the New Testament quote it is God that uses the weapon, not mankind.

Contrast this with Fitna, which shows people committing violence in current times, and those committing the violence are the ones saying the Qur'an tells them to do it. They are the ones that first quoted from the Qur'an, not Geert Wilders.



I am happy that Muslims are reading the Bible; I just hope they will study and understand it. The Qur'an told people to also read the Bible and Torah (10:94, 16:43, 5:44, 2:213, 29:46, 6:4390), it confirmed the validity of the Bible ( 5:46, 2:40, 2:41, 12:111, 4:47, 6:92, 3:3, 35:31, 2:91, 3:113, 2:121, 2:41, 3:81), and it did NOT annul the Bible ( 2:40, 2:41, 2:91, 2:121, 2:213, 3:3, 3:81, 3:113, 4:47, 5:47, 6:90, 6:92, 6:154, 6:156), to the contrary (5:18, 2:136, 2:89).