The Cerebrum
The Bible And Koran: A Personal Opinion Part 2
Nov 4, 2017 – The Bible And Quran: A Personal Opinion Part 2
By Albert Afeso Akanbi
This is the second part of The Bible And Quran: A Personal Opinion Part 1
I was buried in a pile of feedbacks, –emails, comments, text messages and phone calls-some of them disapproval and veiled threats, and others kudos, from friends and readers alike, following the publication of the first part of this article in some online platforms last week.
One reader wrote that I confirmed the Bible’s prediction of the coming of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in my article. No I did not. I only stated that the Muslim apologists would have us believe so.
Another decided to blame events like Hiroshima and the atrocities of men like Adolf Hitler on Christianity. Again, that is wrong because the actions of evil doers who profess Christianity are not representative of the religion. A true Christian must follow the example of Jesus Christ, must be ‘Christ-like’, and history proves Jesus was an extreme pacifist.
I will touch on the subject of bloodshed and both religions in a future article.
For now, let us stick to the debate at hand.
In part one; I explained why I believe the claim of today’s Muslim apologists that the Bible has been corrupted has no basis in the Koran. We also saw why, as a matter of fact, the exact opposite of this argument is what a closer look at the Koran reveals.
Now, in Surah An-Nisa 136 we are told, “O you who believe, do believe in Allah and…in the Books He has revealed earlier.” What books did Allah reveal earlier? Surah An-Nisa 163 tells us in the following words, “Surely, We have revealed to you…” -i.e. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- “…as We have revealed to Nuh-Noah- and to the prophets after him; and We have revealed to Ibrahim-Abraham-, Isma’il-Ishmael-, Ishaq-Isaac-, Ya’qub-Jacob- and their children, and to Isa-Jesus-, Ayyub, Yunus, Harun, and Salaiman, and We have given Zabur i.e. the Psalms- to Dawud-David.”
Notice that almost all Biblical figures including our saviour Jesus Christ are here mentioned in the above verse. Can the claim of Biblical corruption still be maintained in the face of the clear endorsement of almost all Biblical figures as seen above? I pointed out before that some have asked at what point the scriptures revealed earlier were corrupted. Given the Islamic Doctrine of Abrogation, one would expect an All-Knowing Allah to reveal this date clearly to the Prophet if really such a thing really happened. My humble question to the apologists is this; can you show us a verse in the Koran that says the Bible is corrupt and this is when the corruption happened?
Even though we cannot escape the implications of the verses in the Koran that clearly endorsed the Bible, like they do in many other instances, Muslims continue to claim Biblical corruption.
For example, in Surah Al-E-Imran 199 we read clearly; “Surely, among the people of the Book there are those who believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to you and what has been sent to THEM…” Because this verse refers to the Injil-i.e the gospels-, a keen observer would notice that the plural personal pronoun ‘THEM’ used in this verse is trying to tell us that the gospel was apparently sent not only to Jesus but to ‘THEM’, i.e the people of the Book. Yet we still hear Muslims apologist claiming that the Injil-gospel- was revealed only to Jesus like their claim of Biblical corruption even though the Koran says something different.
To complicate matters, the Muslims apologists tell us Jesus Christ was a Muslim who was unsuccessful in winning converts because His message became quickly corrupted.
For example, Surah Al-E-Imran 50-52 reads, “I –Jesus- have come to you confirming that – i.e the books- which are -sent down- prior to me, that is, the Torah, and… I have come to you with a sign from your Lord so, fear Allah and obey me… he said: “Who are my helpers in the way of Allah?” The disciples said: “We are helpers of Allah. We… are Muslims.”
Some have wondered why a revelation like this verse could find its way into the Koran when the same Koran tells us that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who lived 600 years after Jesus Christ, was the first Muslim.
How could our Lord Jesus Christ have been a Muslim when Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), according to the Koran and historical records was the very first to submit to Allah, the first Muslim? How could Christ have been when the very first mosque and even the Koran came into existence over 600 years after Him?
If Jesus was indeed a Muslim, how come his own disciples — Peter, Matthew John co — who were contributors to the Injil –i.e the gospel- that the Koran confirmed, have preached a theology that is so evidently, fundamentally and strongly at odds with the message of the Koran? Is this the reason why the apologists feel the need to discredit the Holy Bible at all cost?
Not only is the Koranic message at odd with the Bible, the Koran confirms that the message of the gospel was known to the “people of the book” i.e Christians and Jews before its own appearance. And available facts proves that that message has not changed except in recent times due to the activities of some heretic ‘Christians’ and the rebranding attempt of some die-hard Muslim apologists who, some say, believe that by distorting the facts to confuse the western world, they will win western converts.
It must be noted that there is no similarity between the above quoted Koranic verse and any other ancient manuscripts of the entire Bible that has been discovered to date. Instead, this verse can be traced to the Arabic Infancy Gospel dated to around the sixth century, which scholars say the Prophet may have had access to.
Experts say almost all the stories about Jesus Christ in the Koran may have been taken from ‘Gospels’ like this and that many Muslims love it and other works like the uninspired Gospel of Barabbas so much.
This fact is further buttressed by a story in chapter 36 of the Arabic Infancy Gospel that appears to confirm the Koranic dependence on such apocryphal books.
There we are told when Jesus turned 7, on a certain day; he joined his age mates to play in the sand. Boasting of their skills, the boys made images of oxen, birds and so on from clay.
To prove his superiority, Jesus made his own clay images eat, walk and fly. Upon relating the story to their parents later about what Jesus did, the parents said to their boys: “My sons take care not to keep company with him again for he is a WIZARD…”
A keen observer would note that Jesus Christ is accused of being a “wizard” in that gospel just as, upon relating similar stories, the Koran states in one of its verses that “…the disbelievers among them said, ‘This is a clear magic…’”, i.e that Jesus Christ was a magician, something akin to wizardry in those times.
Countless stories about Jesus Christ in the Koran, for example, like him not dying on the cross, talking as an infant etc, have strong similarity to stories found in this early ‘Gospel’.
So, many Christians ask how Muslims apologists of today could claim Biblical corruption when the evidence suggests that the very sources of most of their own book’s stories about the central figure of Christianity are unreliable.
The biggest hole in today’s Islamists claim of Biblical corruption is the Koran itself, which states plainly on several occasions that no one can alter or change the words of Allah and that Allah preserves and protects His words.
In Surah Al-Anaam 34 we read, “Indeed …No one can change the words of Allah…” And Surah Al-Anaam 115 adds, “The Word of Your Lord is perfect in truth and justice. None is there to change His words, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
There are countless verses like these in the Koran. Apologists tell us about the miraculous textual preservation of the Koran so that it perfectly resembles the copy of the seventh century but fail to tell us why, if God was able to perfectly preserve the text of the Koran, why He was unable to do the same with the Bible –the Torah and New Testament before it got lost? Do the above verses not apply equally to the previous revealed words of Allah i.e the Bible-Torah and Injil?
So far, all the ancient available texts show that the Bible is the best attested book in antiquity, based on the sheer volume of manuscripts -between 5 to 6 thousand Greek manuscripts according to experts- and the earliness of those manuscripts.
The earliest manuscripts, especially of the New Testament, demonstrates the existence not of a single line of corrupt transmission, but multiple lines of transmission with varying levels of accuracy.
And these multiple lines of transmission have defied the possibility of being under the control of any central editing process. The early church fathers, scholars, archeologist, historians and so on have confirmed this fact.
In the final parts of this article, we shall see from the Koran itself, why the apologists’ claims regarding the Koran is so heavily flawed.
To be continued…
About the author: Albert Afeso Akanbi is a Novelist, Researcher, Columnist and Humanitarian. He lives in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @afeso82 Instagram: afeso82 Blog: akanbiafeso.wordpress.com

Seun Oluwatosin
November 4, 2017 at 3:08 AM
Albert if you write a book I will be da 1st to buy it. by the way , i owe you a drink.
It will amount to waste of time to argue but let me make a point. comparing the bible to any book will do us no good.
I love your point though. Watch out for those threats.
Please don’t pick their calls. These blood drinker don’t care, they have killed people for their opinion and they will do it again
Watch your back my friend
Zhia From Zimbabwe
November 4, 2017 at 3:16 AM
This discussion is very interesting but people should stop the personal attacks. All the Muslims here should respond without threatening no one
Admin should stop approving comments that threatens other. please note
I will read the part 1 now and complete this to make my comment
Chi Baby
November 4, 2017 at 5:17 AM
This writer is an intelligent person. I love your neutral view and more indepth study of both books.
Musa Sule
November 4, 2017 at 5:45 AM
We all know that God created all earthly things and heavenly bodies. No doubt about. God must have left the religious aspect for human beings hence the confusion. How do I convince myself that the almighty God who created microscopic elements among other amazing creations suddenly found human beings to defend him on our earth. Let’s reason deeply. I always wonder why western worlds are distancing themselves from religion but still advancing technologically and leading the rest of the world while we are going backwards and killing ourselves in defending God or Allah. Maybe our reward is in heaven. We would have been fighting ourselves had it been that tortoise is not seen as tortoise that can’t talk as we were made to believe in folktales
Fatmata
November 7, 2017 at 1:40 PM
you can say that again
Mon
November 4, 2017 at 5:52 AM
I enjoyed this your write up, especially using that word “APOLOGISTS”. To me,any distortion never came from GOD rather the people who are interpreting it to others.
I do not know much about Koran,but from your explanation above,the book acknowledges the superiority of JESUS (ENGLISH NAME ANYWAY),just like any other Religious organization and people should understand that TRUE Christianity is all about JESUS.
The message of the Holy Bible is very clear and to me it’s in three categories;
(1) The Creation (2) How man lost the crown/glory (3)How to claim it back.
Let’s not forget that Devil is real and still operational, he knows so much second to GOD (JESUS)and very good in twisting God’s words to deceive people, most importantly,they all operate through human beings. So always pray to be guided by JESUS or else Satan must get you.
Vikki Ross
November 4, 2017 at 6:10 AM
This has been an absolutely great work. I love you how you remain humble, yet are able to drive your point home. I was hooked after reading part one, and still am. You have such a wonderful insight into this. I have a question for you, but will wait till I read your conclusion as my answer may be there. You are doing a splendid job, keep up the good work and let no one intimidate you into stopping. I don’t know if you do emails or newsletters on this, but if you do I am certainly interested, so sign me up, please! God bless and keep you and may His favour continually shine on you.
M
November 4, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Uhumm I expect non Muslims to like this write up.but not me and any other Muslim.
Danti
November 4, 2017 at 9:30 AM
I have read a lot of crap from non- Christians, but I must tell you that, for me, it is a religion of peace! I don’t know why Muslims think they are better than everyone else; religion that promises virgin pussy after life is nothing, but a cult! My second year in college, I took Philosophy,Psychology and upper level religion class. In fact, all these together in one semester changed my life for ever. Philosophy, Psychology and sociology prove there is God and that there is nothing new under the sun. Folks can continue to doubt Christianity, for me I have faith in Jesus Christ and He is the Messiah of those that truly worship The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit. Be born again and enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost; folks, it is fantastic!
Omokehinde
November 4, 2017 at 2:36 PM
I don’t think this type of religion comparison is necessary and useful in any way, I don’t think that Christianity is better than Islam because they are both religion. But believing and accepting that Jesus Christ is your Lord and personal savior is far better than any religion or Dr domination. I also know one fact that no man will see HEAVEN without accepting Christ as his lord and savior because He is the Only way, the truth and life, no one cometh unto the Father except through Him. Comparing the Holy Bible and Quran is like comparing Apple to orange. The fact is that I have no personal issue with any religion, but I respect peaceful and non-violent Muslims and their Quran. But for anyone to inherit God Kingdom which is Heaven, the only way is by Christ Jesus who died for the sins of all mankind on the cross of Calvery over two thousands years ago. Accepting Jesus is far more greater in God’s eyes than any known religions be it- Islam, Christianity, Jewish religion, Budaism, Jehovah Witness, Catholic just to mention a few. I don’t believe in this type of comparison.
Babs
November 4, 2017 at 3:03 PM
**************- a religion build on deceit and believe in deceiving people as well. BIBLE contains a lot of errors, variation, discrepancy, contradiction and defect. The preface of King James version confirmed this even New revised standard version did the same. Jesus never created christianity, jesus never mention word christianity in the bible no where in the bible jesus called anybody Christian and the word BIBLE could not be found in the bible.
Jesus never ordered anybody to go to church on Saturday or Sunday also about sonship – they called so many people son of God in the bible e.g Ephraim son of God isreal son of God.
One of the error or omission in the bible is MARK 11 v26 also in the book of SAMUEL.
How could a book from God contained a lot of of contradiction and omission.
Jesus made is to understand that he was only sent to lost sheep of Isreal. Bible has home through appt of revision . some bible contain 66 chapter while some contain 73 chapter.
E.g New standard revised English version
King James version, Queen bible, bible of Jerusalem, Jehovah witness bible, Catholic bible, protestant bible, apocalphy bible, Satan bible and so on and so forth.
Majek
November 4, 2017 at 11:28 PM
Am not interested,where here in darkness discussing what happen over how many centuries when other part of the world are moving faster in science and technology.
Amanda
November 5, 2017 at 12:18 AM
Dear NMr. Afeso Akanbi Albert,
Did i hear you say this is a debate?. Debate with who? Are you serious?. If you want to debate comparative religion, you have to go offline and meet muslim “apologists” as you called them. I believe you are aware of ACADIP network, a group of muslims debating comparative religion in nigeria. That’s where you need to go not here online.
You simply write opinionated article and you called it a debate?. You should be acting comedy with baba suwe.
As for the claim you raised at the beginning of your part 2, about prophecy of prophet Muhammad(SAW) in the bible, that was me that left that comment. Why are you stylishly backing off from your position?. If i understood you well, you claimed at some point that muslims seem to go against Qur’an that Quran confirms the Bible (the claim which is not new to us by thew way). My point was if indeed Quran confirms authenticity of thew Bible’s uncorrupted, undistorted undiluted, then, you must then follow the Bible properly where it prophesied Muhammad(PBUH). For instance in surah as-saff, it talks about Jesus(PBUH), that Jesus prophesied the coming of prophet Muhammad(PBUH). Not only did Jesus prophesied him but he actually mentioned nabi Muhammad(saw) by his other famous name, Ahmad (praise worthy). The sura is chapter 61 verse 6. It reads
“And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, “O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come AFTER me, whose name is Ahmad.” But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, “This is obvious magic.”
That’s exactly what Jesus followers (at least the rebellious ones) said
Now let’s talk about your part two, I am not really gonna address everything you said. I have gone through and saw your confusions already. There is no point trying to refute you online in this website, bcus this site is not designed for that. I debate on nairaland. I wish this website has that features. You can only effectively be refuted if you go one on one with ACADIP. Here online, you will basically see random posts where you may be insulted That’s not a debate. You have to go to or challenge ACADIP where there is moderator, security and audience. That’s a debate not here sir.
As for whether Bible is distorted or not, you first all need to not worry about muslims. You need to worry about other bible versions like RSV which confirmed this distortiosn of your bible. So it is not only muslims that made the allegation. However, talking about Quran, Quran itself CONFIRMS distortion of Old and New Testaments. That’s, Torah and Gospel.
Read these verses of Quran
Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, “This is from Allah,” that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.(Qur’an 2:79)
And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah . And they speak untruth about Allah while they know. Sura 3:78
Do you then hope that they would believe in you, and a party from among them indeed used to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after they had understood it, and they know (this). And when they meet those who believe they say: We believe, and when they are alone one with another they say: Do you talk to them of what Allah has disclosed to you that they may contend with you by this before your Lord? Do you not then understand? Do they not know that Allah knows what they keep secret and what they make known? Qur’an 2:75-77
This is just heads up. This place is not the appropriate platform to refute you. We shall be waiting gor your final part. Have a good day
Mr Veritas
November 5, 2017 at 6:50 AM
Amanda, you obviously do not understand what you have read… the man said the Koran endorsed the Bible so thoroughly it even claimed it prophesied the coming of Mohammad… what part of that line don’t you understand? Again, you seem not to understand the meaning of debate… why are Muslims so infantile in n their thinking by? This article is the best so far I have read on this subject… thing is, how can Mohammad be an example, a man that fought wars his entire adult life to the extent he lost two teeth in one, a man that married more women than his own revelation permitted, married a 6 years old, married his own adopted son’s wife? A man that attacked his own city of birth, plundered their caravans? A man that preached hate, killing and so on? You guys are funny…
Amanda
November 6, 2017 at 3:45 AM
You just repeated what i said. But the man claimed he did not say Bible prophesied the coming of Muhammad(saw). Here you are saying the Bible confirmed the coming of prophet muhammad. Are having language barrier here?
Anyways, my question stands, if Bible talks about the coming of prophet muhammad, do you believe that verse of the bible which prophesied prophet muhammad?. If you believe in that verse of the bible, the implication is that you must believe in prophet muhammad.
Get the point?
Mr Veritas
November 5, 2017 at 6:55 AM
And I forgot to add, you guys have not answered his question, when was the Bible corrupted, if as your Koran said it is the word of Allah, how come Allah decided to protect Koran from corruption OK n and refused to protect his previous words from being lost? does that make sense to you?
Amanda
November 6, 2017 at 3:47 AM
Your bible scholars have the answer. First, you need to read preface of RSV. That’s clears the air
mimi
November 6, 2017 at 12:35 PM
Mr Veritas,
It is because the messages in the Torah and Gospel were distorted in its true meaning but the Quran was sent down to confirm that which has already been revealed before it (Torah and Gospel).
Omoluabi
November 6, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Amanda, one needs not comments on this write up. It was a one sided opinion written by the writer to establish his own congregation of fools like him praising his post without cogent evidences. Had it being they read our submissions in his part one of this post and verify the points we made, both Afeso, the brainless fool and his supposedly commentators wouldn’t have gone further with the second part. We have answered their questions using their same bible. Besides, in case the writer needs more knowledge to make him know the real truth, I challenge him to come forward. Am sure, without mincing words, he will part ways with his bible. Israelis who wrote bible has already parted way with it and did not practise Christianity because they knew bible was false. Instead, they opted for Judaism as their religion. Am yet to know why Nigerians held tenaciously to this fake religion which the alleged nation of its origin has foresaken.
Amanda
November 7, 2017 at 4:43 AM
Good point
oluwaseunayofunmi
November 12, 2017 at 7:26 AM
Dear writer, I love your courage for showing your own opinion. but in honest truth, your finding are limited to your interest. in you write up, I see that you are confused or just trying to get publicity because you are eating your own words (so sorry for that). but you need you ask yourself, do you really believe in the Bible? I would make a small reference to you. Pls read John 13:16 I have more than 99 verses in your Bible that prove alot of things which you Christian do not even believe. but my brother if you have confident in what you have written, we can have a public debate maybe on Television about this same topic and I bet you will be convinced that you cannot fight for God. am not tackling Christianity,but will make you know more about Islam. we are very good people. I sent out an email. please reply to my mail. God bless.