Hello all,
It has been a long time since I have posted, so thought I would touch base again!!
I posted a part of this on another link, however most of it deals with a different topic, the attitude towards the previous scripture.
As I have mentioned in the past, I believe the Qur'an has a unified message with all of the previous scripture. I am surprised that people on this forum do not take that in to account, with this being the most open-minded of all forums in allowing the Quran to speak for itself. Nearly all of the posts of even many of the senior members of this forum seem to have the assumption that the Holy Books of God are at war with one another! Although this is certainly not surprising, as Christians consider the Qur'an as a handbook for warfare. Someone once said, we read the Holy Books not based on rational thinking, but with eyes influenced by centuries of political baggage!
From what I understand, the Qur'an is consistently presenting itself as a reminder of the former books, and a corrective to incorrect interpretation of the former Books by a segment of Christians at the time of Muhammad.
On the other link, there was discussion concerning the second coming of Jesus. I am not sure why an investigation of whether Jesus is returning is based on the Qur'an anyway, when that revelation is 550 years after Jesus. Clearly the Gospels need to be carefully examined. The same as if questions concerning Moses, the Torah is the primary source. The response of "We don't go there, it is corrupted" is simply an escape and robs the individual of an exciting journey of learning. Again I am surprised how regularly on this forum the easy escape of "The corruption of scripture" answer is given, when that is the most blatant post-Quranic doctrine that was formalised even long after most other traditions challenged by this site....
I think a new approach this area, instead of taking the easy path of sidelining previous scripture, will attract some of the best minds, both within Islam and Christianity, who are on a journey of rediscovering the message of Muhammad, as well as that of Jesus! It is my view that real engagement of topics is best achieved when there is serious engaging and learning from other peoples... ie... "O people, We created you from a male and female, and We made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another."
In fact, I would go one step further. I have my doubts it is possible to truly understand the Qur'an without a study of Hebrew scripture, the Gospels, and even Church History.
Wasalam
Zack
Wasalam
Zack