The Bible is the most precious book I have ever read in my life. In it I have encountered wisdom of God that has not only transformed my life, but has shown me the true path to knowing the true God. And because of this, at every given opportunity I share the ideas I have gained from this book with others. To me, I believe that the Bible has no equal in the world. I have seen hundreds of commentaries written about the Bible, and I know there are millions of such commentaries written about the Bible in all parts of the world.
Some times I tell people I meet that if the Bible is not that precious, how come thousands, if not millions of persons have had to lay down their lives for its sake? I believe that those great men and women, and the underprivileged, who laid down their lives because of this great book would not have done so if it was not that precious. My belief therefore, is that the Bible contains in it the wisdom we all need to solve our problems if only we abide by its teachings.
It is against this backdrop, that on Saturday, 10 August, 2013, I posted this short inspirational note about the Bible on my Facebook timeline:
“The Bible, the only book that reveals your past, present, and the future. Read it now.”
The reactions I got about this post on my Facebook page marveled me. A lot of people agreed with me on this, but surprisingly to me, were some Muslim friends who raised questions about the Bible. Some of these Muslim friends sought to know whether the Bible is the book of God, and if it is where did God said it is. They also want to know where Jesus claimed to be the Lord.
Based on the questions raised by these Muslim friendsI was forced to provide them with answers. But in my effort to do this, I found that there are limitations in responding to these questions, as it is not possible to post lengthen answers on Facebook, hence, the decision to bring out their questions and my answers in an article format. The effort is this article you’re now reading.
This article is written as dialogue with the exact questions raised by these Muslim friends, and my responses to the questions. The purpose is to make available these ideas to many others who might have been confronted with similar questions but could not get someone to give them answers. Names of these Muslim friends appear with their questions and my responses appear bearing my name.
It is hoped that readers of this article are able to glean some ideas that may help them take up the challenge to read the Bible in a perspective that will give them a clear understanding of the message of the Bible to mankind. Read on:
Umar Khalid: What is the Bible, and can you please tell me where the scripture calls itself Bible?
Obed Minchakpu: I hope you’re asking this question because you truly desire to know the truth about the Bible so that it will enrich your life and make you know the true living GOD?
The Bible is a term that refers to Jewish and Christian sacred scriptures. It is a collection of sixty-six books written over a period of time by men inspired by God to pen down His thoughts for the benefit of all of mankind. The purpose is for all men and women to know God and his redemptive plan for mankind.
The word Bible has its roots in the Semitic term Biblio, which means papyrus or the scroll, which was the parchment that the words of God were written on. So, from the word Biblio, the Greek word Biblia, and it’s English equivalent, Bible was obtained.
Now, one thing I want you to understand is that Semitic languages have their roots in the Middle east, and Jewish language, Aramaic, is one of them. The collection of books in the Bible were written in Hebrew and Greek. Hebrew has been the Language of the Jewish people from time immemorial, while Greek was the language of communication when Rome was the world power at the time of Jesus, just like English language is the language that is spoken in almost parts of the world today.
The Bible has been translated into different languages of the world to enable all of mankind read the message of God in their languages and apply these messages in their lives. The purpose is that everyone will have the opportunity to understand why God created him or her and what should be done to please God.
This, Bible like I have already said, reveals everything about your life, beginning from the period you were formed in your mother’s womb, to this present moment of your life, and what awaits each of us at the end of your life in this world.
So, Umar, my advise is that, you make time to read the Bible, and you will be surprise that there is so much in it that can change your life positively, a life that will be pleasing to God. Your reward for doing this is a new life in Jesus Christ and a place for you in Heaven.
If after reading the Bible and you do not see the change I said will occur in your life, then please return to this Facebook forum and tell us. But for now, read the Bible first.
Umar Khalid: Good write up, but you said it’s a book written by MEN inspired. Then how could that be the word of God?
Obed Minchakpu: Inspiration is defined as the filling of one’s heart with messages or information. It is also the inbreathe of the inerrant word of God on men chosen by God to write those words down for the benefit of all of us. That does not mean the messages so written are men’s ideas.
God in his infinite wisdom used men in different historical epochs to write down his plans for mankind and these are the men we call prophets. These prophets include Moses, David, and many others. They all wrote down the message of God pointing out about the coming of Jesus, the messiah. They wrote that he is the one who will deliver the world from evil and make the way for all who believe in him to go to heaven.
So Umar, you need to appreciate this fact and make time to study the Bible. I assure you that if you do this, you will experience the peace of God and know Jesus, through whom you will have eternal life.
Umar Khalid: Good morning Mr. Obed. I have seen your write up, but according to history John, Mark, Matthew, and Paul are among the men who wrote the Holy Bible. But history shows that none of them ever met with Jesus Christ. if this is true then where do they have the message from?
Obed Minchakpu: Matthew and John were no doubt, disciples of Jesus. If you read in the book of Matthew 10:1-4, you’ll see that the names of the twelve disciples are listed in these four verses. So, the book of Matthew and John are eye witness accounts of the disciples of Jesus. So, any history book making contrary claims about these two and the authorship of their books is making false claims.
As for Paul, he is an Apostle called by Jesus Christ himself while Paul was on his way to Damascus in present Syria to persecute Christians. If you read the book of Acts in the Bible chapter 9, you will see how Jesus revealed himself to Paul. Acts 9:3-6 reads:
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
If you read the whole of Acts chapter nine you will see how Paul from this point on Damascus road was called to become an Apostle of Jesus. So, Paul is no doubt an Apostle of Jesus and he affirms this himself in all the books he wrote that are in the Bible. The books Paul wrote are revelations God gave to him which he penned down for all to read.
Mark was a companion of Paul and Barnabas. He wrote down the teachings of Peter, a disciple of Jesus and his working alongside Paul and Barnabas afforded him the opportunity to know first hand, the teachings of Jesus.
For a better understanding let me use this analogy for you. I met Sheik Dahiru Bauchi at an interfaith seminar organized by African Leadership Forum some years back where we both presented papers. He spoke on the side of Muslims while I spoke on the side of the Christians. One thing I notice Sheik Dahiru Bauchi doing at this seminar is that he brought his son along with him. This son of Sheik Bauchi read the Quran and while the Sheik did the interpretation. Now, what Sheik Dahiru Bauchi was doing is placing his son under his tutelage so that after sometime he will become knowledgeable enough to carry out Tafsir, the interpretation and preaching from the Qur’an. The same thing I noticed with late Sheik Gumi. He taught his son, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, to preach from the Qur’an. And that is what he is currently doing in Kaduna.
In the same way, the disciples of Jesus had their own disciples too, whom the trained and taught the teachings of Jesus. So, these disciples of the Apostles learned from them and were able to write down some of these teachings. Remember that some of these were eye witnesses to the preaching ministry of Jesus, but they were not among the twelve that Jesus picked. But like I said, they are witnesses to the events that occurred at that time, and therefore, can authoritatively preach this truth.
Abdullahi Ibrahim: Is the bible God’s words?
Obed Minchakpu: There is no doubt that the Bible is the word of God. Like I said in my response to Umar above, go and read the Bible and you will find out in it that it testifies to the fact that it is the word of God. So, go and read it. Wish you all the best as you continue your search for the truth of God.
Abdullahi Ibrahim: I have been reading a bible for a long period of times, my life has not changed and I have not seen any chapter or verse in it where Jesus the son of marry said, “worship me i am lord”. If there is, refer me to the chapter and verse, let me read it.
Obed Minchakpu: You have a mindset that will never allow you know the truth of God. If you approach the Bible with an attitude of unbelief you will never know the truth and you will never experience change in your life. So, you must decide first that you do not know anything about the Bible and that you now desire to know its truth. It is only with this mind that you can learn from it.
Let’s look at it this way. You were not born with the knowledge you have about Islam. You were taken to an Islamic school where a Mallam taught you how to read and recite the Qur’an, and he too took time to explain the meanings of the teachings of the Qur’an to you.
In the same way you cannot just wake up and understand everything you read in the Bible. You need to approach the reading of the Bible with a heart ready to learn from the Bible. You also need people who have specifically studied the Bible to explain the passages of the Bible to you. It is only through this way that you can understand the teachings of the Bible.
The desire to make people understand the Bible is the reason it has been translated into the various languages of the world including Arabic. It would interest you to know that there are many Arabs in the Middle east countries like Israel, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and even in Saudi Arabia who are Christians. In fact, I have in the past met with some Arabs who are not only Christians, but also Pastors. They preach Jesus, everywhere they go.
So, it is not the question of quoting Bible passages for you because you have already made up your mind that it is not the word of God. Trying to convince you is getting into arguments that will not help you. My advice is that if you truly desire to know more about the Bible contact any Christian who can assist you study the Bible in such a way that it will change your life spiritually.
Abdullahi Ibrahim: We all known that there is no any book written by God, but Allah sent down revealations through angel gabriel to His messagers (prophets) and Jesus the son mary is among. How can a messager (JESUS) be a God?
Obed Minchakpu: Well, what you said is not what is in the Bible. The Bible reveals Jesus as God and I cannot accept any evidence that is outside it. More so, the sources you’re quoting came six hundred years after the ministry of Jesus. So, for anybody who knows the significance of vital information a book written within thirty years of an event can give better and more reliable information than the one that is written six hundred years after that event.
Bello Ahmed: “Don’t think I have come on earth with peace, I do not come on earth with peace, but with sword.” Holy Bible Mathew 10:34. St Mathew wrote in his book quoting Jesus as making the above statement.
It takes someone with biblical knowledge and guided by the holy spirit to interpret and comprehend the circumstances that warrant such statements from scriptural men of GOD, just as Pastor uncle Obed was convincing someone on his other post about the Bible. Christians in Nigeria are fond of saying (not quoting) the Quran as promising 7 Virgins for killing someone. Am sure Pastor Obed knows this man is hired by Christians. [referring to the confession of an Ex-Boko Haram member published by Sun news online and Daily Post online newspaper].
Obed Minchakpu: I have since the posting this links to an article published by the Sun newspaper and Daily Post News, deliberately kept quite without commenting on the comments by others about it because the aim of calling our attention to it is to enable all of us know what is happening in our country, and think of ways we can take steps towards finding lasting solutions to them. And one of such ways is the cross-fertilization of ideas.
It is good that many in this forum have reacted to this confession of the ex- Boko Haram militant. But I have observed that the reactions of some of our Muslim brothers leaves much to desired.
Particularly, I want to pick the comments of one of our Muslim brother, Bello Ahmed to react on. I hope Bello Ahmed will take some few minutes to carefully read my reaction and meditate on this and tell himself the home truth about his comments.
Bello Ahmed’s first comment on this post is that I must disclose to the sss the source of my information. This goes to show that Bello Ahmed is being irrational in his approach to issues. The source of this Infirmation is not hidden as it is clearly indicated that the Sun Newspaper published the article. In any case, what can the SSS do, and who is afraid of them? Well, to this I say I’m waiting for them.
In Bello Ahmed’s second comment on the same issue he quotes Matthew 10:34, and then does not tell us the essence of quoting that verse in the Bible. All he says is that Christians in Nigeria say Bible passages can only be interpreted by those who are trained to do so. He also says Christians do not quote from the Qur’an but are fond of saying that Muslims are promised 7 virgins for killing non-Muslims.He adds that I know that the Boko Haram man is hired by Christians to say what he has said.
This is my take on Bello Ahmed’s second comment: First, let me explain to Bello that the Bible is not interpreted the way you think. I have already explained this elsewhere. But for the purpose of this discussion let me say that you cannot take a single verse in the Bible and interpret it. You first need to study the entire book. In our case here, you need to study the entire Book of Matthew to understand it, because the aim of writing it is to communicate an important message, which will run through out the the book. So, jus taking one verse and trying to interpret it is not possible.
Matthew chapter 10 is a discussion Jesus had with his disciples while sending them out to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. This was because they had gone round with him wherever he went and so he decided to ask them to go out this time without him being with them. And knowing the difficulties they will encounter in the field where they are going to preach, he warns them about the dangers out there.
So, Bello, if you have a Bible with you start your reading from verse 1 of Matthew 10. In this way, you will have a complete picture of what Jesus was telling his disciples while sending them out. Beginning from verse 5 you will notice that Jesus gave his Disciples instructions of what to do. Jesus particularly tells his disciples not to go to anywhere, but only to the Israelites. Why, you may ask, he was at the time, still teaching them the basics of how to preach. When you are sending students out on practicals you send them to specific places they can practice what they learn in the class. And as students go for internship or what we call practicals, attachments, or teaching practice, they go with log books or lesson notes etc. Jesus had to give his disciples instructions on what to preach, how to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, and warned them about the difficulties they will face in the field as they go out preaching the gospel.
Jesus after telling his disciples only to preach among the Israelites (vs 5-6), he gives them specific instructions to preach the message of the kingdom of Heaven, healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, and not asking people they preach to pay them (vs 7-8). Jesus also, tells his disciples not to bother about carrying money for this assignment as they will not require this. He assures them that those they will preach the gospel to will assist them with their needs.
Jesus tells his disciples that there is no compulsion in preaching the gospel. Those who accept their preaching should be prayed for and those who refused to listen to them should be left alone as the judgement day is coming when they will face the wrath of God (read verses 11-15).
Jesus also warns his disciples that as they carry out the task of preaching in Israel, they will face tough times. They will be attacked, insulted, and he tells them to be ready to face these dangers as the message of the kingdom will be rejected by some. Those who will reject the message will kill, attack, and insult them. In addition those who accept the teachings of the kingdom of God will also be killed, attacked, despised, and discriminated against (Read Verses 16-42).
Bello Ahmed, you can see that it was from the warnings of the dangers that lay ahead of the disciples that you picked out verse 34 and misinterpreted it. Jesus was telling his disciples that the message of the kingdom of God he is asking them to preach will make others take the sword against them and those who believe them. How, you ask? Jesus says a father who rejects this message will kill a son who accepts the message preached. A mother in-law will be against daughter in law for accepting the message of Jesus. A friend will take the sword against another friend who accepts the message of Jesus. A community will rise against another community for accepting the message of Jesus. So, that is the reason Jesus warns his disciple well ahead that they will face difficulties, as his message will make others take the sword against those who believe in the message of Jesus.
Now Bello Ahmed, is that not precisely what is happening in our country? Are Christians not being attacked, killed, discriminated against, and insulted, all because we are Christians? Has Abubakar Shekau not openly said this several times on videos he posted on You Tube, that the agenda of Boko Haram is to wipe out Christians in Northern Nigeria?
Therefore, is there anything new that the article published by the Sun Newspaper that has not been done against Christians in northern Nigeria? Now, Bello, if you don’t support what Boko Haram is doing, you as a Muslim, should confront them and let them know that they are creating a bad image for Islam. Insulting Christians for lamenting over their plight makes you no different from Boko Haram members.
The only thing I want to say here is that Christians will never give up their faith in Jesus. We are all prepare to die for believing in the true living God. Jesus said because of this we should be prepared to carry the cross. What it means is that we should prepare to suffer for his sake, just like he suffered and died on the cross to give us eternal life. You know what Bello? The killings of Christians has confirmed exactly these words said by Jesus in the Bible. Just make time to read the Bible again and again and the Holy Spirit of God will open your heart to know Jesus, who gives eternal life to all.
Lastly Bello Ahmed, you said some Christians do not know the Qur’an but say that Muslims have been promised 7 virgins if they kill non-Muslims. Now Bello, let me ask you this question, is it true that it is Christians who are saying this? I recall that early in the year some Boko Haram members who were standing trial in a High Court in Abuja, had mobile phones that contained text messages that encouraged them to bomb places in Kaduna, and their reward will be seventy virgins in heaven. These phones were accepted as evidences in court and these Boko Haram members have been convicted.
I also saw a video on You Tube showing and Islamic cleric preaching about the seventy virgins that will be the reward of any Muslim who kills a non-Muslim. In fact the man interviewing the Muslim cleric asked how possible will it be for one man to have sex with seventy virgins, and the Muslim cleric responded by saying that a man in heaven will have the energy of more than one thousand horses.
So also, I recently read a story of a woman Taliban who was assigned to carry out bombings, but she changed her mind and refused to bombed places. When asked why she refused to carry out the assignment of bombings, she said she cannot imagine getting to heaven to meet seventy young men waiting to make love to her. Are all these Christians? Please Bello, be sensible.
Having said all these, I want to appeal to my Christian brethren not to allow Muslims push us to hate them. We should show them love and continue to pray for them to know the truth that will set them free from bondage. There should be no insults from us please. Our gospel is the gospel of love.
*Minchakpu is a Media Consultant
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