Edward F. Lundwall Jr.
A Muslim scholar posted a comment in response to my article "Why Sincere Muslims Should Learn About Jesus" and I would like to reply to him. Here are his questions and my responses.
Question: Was Jesus a Muslim prophet?
Islam is a religion that requires observance of specific laws and leadership. The words Islam and Muslim mean "submission." Jesus could not have been a follower of Mohammad before Mohammad existed. The Muslim religion did not begin until Mohamed established it. Jesus Christ lived and established His Church over 600 years earlier than Mohammad’s birth, much less his prophecies.
Mohammad endorsed the first five books of the Bible written by Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) as Scripture; therefore, he must be bound by it. In fact, the whole claim that the Muslims descend from Abraham is based upon the Mosaic writings. In these books, the name the Creator gave for Himself was Yahweh (transliteration of the Hebrew text) meaning "I am that I am,” not Allah. The worship of Allah existed before Mohammad’s revelations. Allah was a moon god as admitted by the crescent as the symbol of Islam. Folk tradition has said that Mohammad took a sword and cut the moon in half; such tales contradict and exist as additions to Mosaic scripture. They indicate a synthesis of the Bible’s teachings with one of the great sins after the flood, worship of the heavenly stars (Genesis 11:4; Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-25).
Muslims need to study the Bible thoroughly. Even Jesus’ ministry and coming were based upon extensive prophecies starting from Genesis 3:1. Mohammad appointed no apostles (appointed and equipped followers) before he died. Therefore, the leadership of Islam continues to be controversial as seen in the fighting between its various branches. Islamic leaders claim authority that Mohammad did not give, nor had according to the Mosaic scriptures that he himself claimed as authoritative.
Question: According to the Bible, should women be covered, especially their heads?
What does Bible teach about the covering of women? This question is discussed in 1 Corinthians 11 in the New Testament portion of the Holy Bible. The basic premise is the question of whether or not the order in creation in Genesis is applicable to lines of authority in society, and how that authority should be practically applied in the worship and prayer (11:5, 13) services of the Christian Church.
God’s chain of authority is as follows: God Himself, then Christ, His Apostles as vessels of the Holy Spirit, man, woman, and children. First Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”
The outward symbols for this order under discussion were concerning head covering. The length of hair was one symbol. A man was to have short hair (11:4) thereby showing that his basic authority is God (11:7). While the woman was to have long hair in comparison to show her acceptance of her the husband’s or father’s leadership and authority (11:5-6). Women were considered created as a suitable complementary helper supporting man in the carrying out his duties in God’s service (Genesis 2:18-24).
Another issue that was being addressed in Corinth at that time was how to distinguish a Christian woman under either her father’s or husband’s authority from women under no authority (protection) and/or a prostitute. In that culture, these women most often did not wear sufficiently modest covering. Therefore, in order to present a godly witness, women were instructed to have covering and/or apparel showing a relationship to male authority in a godly family. For some, long hair was adopted as their covering (11:15).
First Corinthians was written because of controversies within that particular Church as they wrestled with the question, “Now that I am a Christ-believer, how should I then live in my culture?” It is significant in that it set a precedent for all early churches as Paul was an Apostle of Christ. Christ Jesus appointed definite leaders and representative to carry on his revelations and commandments (Matthew 10:2-4; Galatians 1:1; Romans 11:3). These Apostles were authoritative in the transmission of Jesus commands, promises, and revelations whereby believers may come to know the Father and Jesus and experience eternal life (John 17:3, 20; Romans 10:8-17). For this reason the New Testament has authority; it was written either by or under the authority of Jesus’ Apostles, all eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and granted the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write and record those events.
First Corinthians was written because of controversies within that particular Church as they wrestled with the question, “Now that I am a Christ-believer, how should I then live in my culture?” It is significant in that it set a precedent for all early churches as Paul was an Apostle of Christ. Christ Jesus appointed definite leaders and representative to carry on his revelations and commandments (Matthew 10:2-4; Galatians 1:1; Romans 11:3). These Apostles were authoritative in the transmission of Jesus commands, promises, and revelations whereby believers may come to know the Father and Jesus and experience eternal life (John 17:3, 20; Romans 10:8-17). For this reason the New Testament has authority; it was written either by or under the authority of Jesus’ Apostles, all eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and granted the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write and record those events.
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