Re: Interfaith Dialogue (Scriptures) - Islam and Christianity
Sort of. The Torah is the first 5 books attributed to Moses and also called the Pentateuch. The Prophets is called the Naviim and the Wisdom Writings the Kethubim. They are called the “Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms”. Taking the first letters of Torag, Naviim and Kethubim you get an acronym Tanakh. The Old Testament is therefor called by Jews the Tanakh. Most people will understand if you refer to the Torah that you wish to point to the Old Testament.
The same answer given in my first response of post 101 also factor here. In fact, I believe one of the best discussion of the Tri-une God concept is from Genesis 1-2 which form part of the books attributed to Moses. My aswer will therefor be YES, I can clearly see and deduce the Tri-une concept from the Books of Moses.
Good question. Christians should rely mainly on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for daily way of life. Unfortunately many Christians are not disciples but mere followers and have never learned to hear the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit, even pastors and professors of theology. Then it becomes imperative to have a book indicating what God expect from man. Another reason why the Bible is necessary is as per my post 101 where one can judge whether it is the Holy Spirit speaking or not. Thirdly, mankind prefer laws and regulations, do’s and don’ts and from the Bible clear guidelines can be drawn. Fourthly, the Bible is an excellent way to do missionary work as the unbelievers don’t understand the function of the Holy Spirit initially.
There has always been, and always will be, a healthy discussion among Christian theologians about the human and Godlike qualities and attributes of Jesus. Was he pure human or did he retain some Godlike abilities when he came to earth, for example. A theologian Arius started to teach contrary to the norm that Jesus was not God but, knowing Jesus couldn’t be a mere human as per the scriptures, rather an Angel. The council took him and his converts to task and, using the scriptures, for the first time compiled the existing doctrine in a written/official way.
This council was not the first. The first one is described in the book of Acts chapter 15. Some of the Jews tried to convice the newly converts from the non-Jewish section that they should also be circumcised adn follow the Law of Moses. ALL the siciples and apostles and elders of the then church got together in Jerusalem and, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, stated that circumcision and the Law of Moses are not required from new non-Jewish converts. James were the chairmand and the apostle Paul also attended. A letter was drafted and circulated amongs the churches to refute the false doctrine of these Jews.
Various other councils dealt with other issues as they were raised. One, the Dort one, I disagree with.
OK
Discussed in post 102 above.
For 2000 years the major doctrines were the same. These people only exist now because the church has grown soft and do not confront them as it should. The dissidents remain in seminaries and are teaching and indoctrinating young impressionable students who are the next generations preachers and professors. I also blame the church but not for your reason, rather the lack of forcefulness, apathy and general inability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. But, Jesus and the apostles did state that there will be an apostacy in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ.
…of inconsequencial differences and errors and to accept that they are not major - a honest student that does not just accept on face value everything you are being told.
…of inconsequencial differences and errors and to blow them up as if they are major problems - a nitpicking person who are not teachable.
…of major alleged differences and errors and to highlight them but willing to listen to other viewpoints on the issues - a earnest person who one can reason with and maybe learn something from.