Ishmael or Isaac? The Koran or the Bible?
by Jason Jackson

Article Description
    Did Abraham offer Ishmael or Isaac? The Bible and the Koran differ on this issue. Which book is really divine revelation? Does it matter?

    The Islamic holiday, Qurbani Id (or Id Al-Adha), is known as the "Sacrifice Festival." Muslims celebrate this "great feast of sacrifice" on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim year. According to their doctrinal scheme, this day celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son by Hagar, Ishmael.

    If you remember the Old Testament account, you will be somewhat perplexed. Was not Isaac the one whom God instructed Abraham to offer? The difference is this. Christians accept the testimony of the Bible. Muslims believe the Koran (or Qur'an) contains the inspired, correct record. Who is right?

    The issue is not so "who" is right, as if it were a personal dispute between two "classes" of people. The matter is not one of personalities, culture, or race. The issue is this: Which record contains the true, historical account?

    Some would contend that this is the kind of disagreement that never will be settled. Christians will accept the Bible. Muslims will side with the Koran. The discussion comes down to a "your-word-against-mine" type of argument - at least in the eyes of some.

    But the issue is more fundamental than that. The question is really this: Which book is the revelation of God? Both volumes claim inspiration, but obviously both cannot be inspired. The difference of "Isaac versus Ishmael" is just one of hundreds of discrepancies between the Bible and the Koran. And many of these differences concern crucial themes (e.g., the nature of God, the identity of Christ, and God's plan of salvation).

    Before one commits to a system of religion, it is necessary to inquire into the source of that religion. If the Bible is from heaven, then Christianity is the true religion. If the Koran is from God, then Islam is the genuine system.

    Concerning the Bible, we observe that it is made up of a sort of "DNA code" - a set of traits that identifies it as being from God. There are a number of identifying characteristics that reveal the Bible's divine origin.

    The Scriptures, although recorded by approximately forty human writers, over a period of some 1500 years, contain an amazing unity of purpose and doctrine. This includes many prophecies, i.e., detailed predictions, that are later fulfilled perfectly. Although challenged by the most renowned skeptics, the Bible is found to be without error. It has been vindicated countless times. Men are ever trying to "catch up" with the Scriptures.

    But the Koran, despite its claims, lacks the marks of divine revelation. Its sub-standard treatment of women is no secret to anyone familiar with Islam. The book contains numerous historical inaccuracies and anachronisms, i.e., the chronological misplacement of persons, events, etc. Here is one example:

    In relating the events of the exodus and the wilderness wandering, the Koran says, "They disbelieved the signs of God, and slew the Prophets unjustly" (cf. Sura 25:57-61). Who were "the Prophets" in the wilderness? That expression,"the Prophets," usually designates a special ministry of servants who lived at a later in Israel's history. J. M. Rodwell notes: "This passage [Sura 25:59] is one of the numerous anachronisms which abound in the Koran and prove the gross ignorance of the Arabian prophet" (Rodwell, J.M., trans. The Koran, Everyman's Library. New York: Dutton, 1909, p. 344).

    Before us are two books. One is flawless and divine. It is the Bible. The other, the Koran, is error-ridden, the product of a self-styled prophet, who was no prophet at all. One encourages us to love our enemies; the other promotes conversion by force and Jihad - "holy war."

    The Bible records that Abraham was willing to offer Isaac. The Koran says that Abraham was willing to offer Ishmael. The issue is: Which volume is God's? God's book is perfect, with a high moral tone. It is filled with marks of divine inspiration that are beyond the possibility of human production. That book is the Holy Bible.

This item originally appeared at ChristianCourier.com