What about the Scriptures of Other Religions? (2)

When I talk with people about Jesus.

Often I will hear people be unsure if they can trust the Bible because there are other religions that have Scriptures.

“How do I know the Bible is the right one?”

“If you were born in a family that practiced another religion, wouldn’t you believe in the scripture of that religion?”

“What about the Qur’an, The book of Mormon, The Hindu Scriptures or the teachings of Buddha?”

How do we respond?

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

While this is not saying that we must be able to give a reason to every question someone might ask…

The principle is clear: We should be ready to engage thoughtfully in conversations with people who have questions about our faith.

There are many valid ways you can do this even if you don’t know the answer to the specific question:

Testimony: “I don’t know about the other religious books. But can I share with you a personal story.”

The gospel: “I don’t know about those other religious books. But has anyone ever shared with you the main message of the Bible? I would love to share that with you. It will take about 10 minutes. ”

Invite them to read the Bible with you: “I don’t know about all the other religious books, but I know the Bible has changed my life personally. Have you ever read it before?”

“Have you ever read it with someone?”

“Would you like to get together and try it one time?”

These are all valid responses you can give to people. And the Holy Spirit will use it.

But it can also be helpful to provide them with some answers to their specific question.

Can’t We Just…?

…use them all?

They all contradict each other on CORE beliefs. For example Ex. 20:3

Exodus 20:3 ESV

“You shall have no other gods before me.

…say they are all right?

Not if you want to have consistency in what you believe.

Though there is some overlap, they teach different ideas about life and morality.

…pick the one we resonate with most?

Just because something resonates with you or makes you feel good doesn’t make it any more true or false.

If a judge in court determined who was innocent or guilty based on whose story resonated with him, or which one made him feel the best, that would be tragic. It would not be a valid way to tell who was innocent or guilty.

Because that is not a valid or logical way to discover what is true.

A good judge needs to look at the evidence.

What we need to do is seek what is actually true.

Disclaimer: Act with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

We will not help anyone come to Christ by disrespecting them or talking down to them.

We must be careful not to disrespect others, even if they believe what is taught in other religious Scriptures.

You can respect someone while still disagreeing with them and pointing out the facts in a kind and loving way.

With that in mind, let’s jump in.

The Bible

We talked about the trustworthiness of the New Testament last week.

Paul Wagner’s Research:

Extensive Manuscript evidence

300 Hebrew

5,800 Greek

20,000 Old and New Testament manuscripts in various languages.

30,000 Scriptural quotes from church fathers.

Many Old Testament Prophecies that were fulfilled in the New Testament:

Isaiah 53:3–4 → Matthew 8:17

Micah 5:2 → Matthew 2:6

Joel 2:28–32 → Acts 2:16–21

In Defense of the Bible: A Comprehensive Apologetic for the Authority of Scripture Conclusion > Chapter Five: Has the Old Testament Text Been Hopelessly Corrupted? (Paul D. Wegner)

“Neither the Qur’an nor The Book of Mormon contain anything like this.”

A look at other Religious texts

The Qur’an

It’s History

There were between 4 and 7 different editions of the Qur’an.

There were apparently many other variations as well.

Caliph Uthman (a successor of Mohammed)

Had 3 people work together to produce a standard edition of the Qur’an.

All other versions were destroyed.

This makes it impossible for scholars to recover the original text of the Qur’an with confidence.

The Qur’an has historical errors.

It states Abraham was a Muslim.

It states that no one was named John before John the Baptist.

It mentions that Miriam, the sister of Aaron, was Mary, the mother of Jesus.

and many others.

The Book of Mormon

Insert Video Clip Here

Paul Wagner also did extensive research into the book of Mormon, it’s history, textual inaccuracies. He found the following:

The history:

1830 - Joseph Smith claims to have found golden tablets in New York written in a language called Reformed Egyptian.

No docs, manuscripts or inscriptions have ever been found.

No physical evidence of the golden plates exists.

None of the events of the book of Mormon have ever been verified in any historical record.

The book of Mormon lacks any external historical or archeological support.

Over 2,000 errors in the original version.

Many Anachronisms: Something that is out of its place and time.

One story mentions a sword made of steel. (Steel didn’t become widely used until much later)

Nephi supposedly quotes from Malachi which wouldn’t have been written yet.

Stories mention the use of a compass, which had not been invented.

Amongst others.

These are the kinds of errors you would expect to find when someone tries to make up a story about a past age.

The Hindu Scriptures

There are many Hindu Scriptural books, not just one. They contain many contradictions.

It evolved over thousands of years.

As I read the perspective from a Hindu website, I found that the author was honest enough to admit the pervasive contradictions within Hinduism, stating,

“Since, the tradition has grown organically over several thousand years and incorporated into itself diverse ideas, beliefs and practices you cannot miss to notice the complexity and the inherent contradictions that characterize it.” —Hinduwebsite.com

The Bible:

Written over 1,000 years.

Written by over 40 different authors.

Yet it still has a consistent and clear message.

The Teachings of Buddha

History

Siddhartha Gautama - 4th-5th century BC

Accounts of Buddha’s life were transmitted orally for centuries.

By the time Buddha’s words were written down, there were several rival schools with differing collections of his teachings.

Many of these have been lost.

We still have some.

Most famous collection is called the “Pali Canon” likely written down around 100AD.

“These collections differ from one another enough that scholars are unable to derive from them with any degree of certainty a definitive “original” or “authentic” Buddhism.” -Luke Wayne

Blackout period: The time between when it was written and the earliest ancient manuscript we have available to us today.

1st fragments - 500-600 years.

Roughly complete copy of Buddhas canonical collection is 1,500 years.

The Gospels

Written shortly after the life of Jesus were written during the “eyewitness” era.

Even scholars who are critical of Christianity agree that the four gospels were written between 70 and 95AD.

Other eye witnesses: Luke 1:1-4

Luke 1:1–4 ESV

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Rest of NT:

“Eyewitness Generation”

Pauls Letters: Earliest ones < 20 years after Jesus’ death.

Ancient Historians Tacitus and Josephus reference:

The life of Jesus.

The crucifixion of Jesus.

The founding of the Christian movement.

Applications

1. Remember how the Bible stands apart from the scriptures of other relidions.

The Bible stands apart in:

Manuscript evidence

fulfilled prophecy

theological consistency.

Historical accuracy.

Textual preservation.

Others:

The Qur’an has a history of textual suppression and contains historical inaccuracies.

The Book of Mormon includes numerous anachronisms and lacks manuscript support.

Hindu scriptures openly acknowledge contradictions.

Buddhist writings were recorded centuries after Buddha’s death.

There are many ways one can come to trust the Bible. One of those ways is by following the evidence.

We must base our faith on what is actually true.

2. Read, cherish and believe the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

3. Keep this resource on hand, so you can be ready to answer this question next time it comes up.

4. If you haven’t already: Repent, believe and be baptized.

Acts 16:31 ESV

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.