Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims Paperback – July 1, 2002

The methods used to reach the Muslim community are quite simple and easy to follow. I have used some of them myself to reach Muslims in my community, and it works. The sensitivity to Muslims while preaching the gospel to them really helps, and the few verses from the Quran are very helpful in bridging the gap between the beliefs and making the Muslims feel like you're not misrepresenting their religion.Great work!

One of the best books I have read on reasoning with Muslims with scripture. I have actually used many of the techniques or reasoning from this books in my conversations with Muslims over the years. In my opinion, the "reasoning" presented within these pages, are the "seeds" that I am called to plant. I pray that ALL Muslims wake up, and see Jesus Christ for who He really IS.

Excellent info on foundation of Christianity……as with Mormonism and Catholicism, Muslims often resort to criticizing the Bible when their doctrines contradict it. Rhodes’ book offers outstanding historical and Biblical insight, resulting in increased confidence of the Christian Scriptures. The book is recommended for this reason alone.However, it is well known that Muslims disagree with the Trinity (As do Jews). Because of this, Rhodes spends a lot of space on it, using arguments that crumble under scrutiny. I can’t delve into every point he raises, but I’ll deal with a few.First, it should be said that since Yahweh’s chosen people, the Jews, didn’t believe in the co-eternal, co-equal Triune Godhead dogma in Moses’ day, in Jesus’ day, or now, and since the Church fathers immediately following the apostles never mentioned it, the burden of proof isn’t on Trinity skeptics to disprove it, it’s on Trinitarians to prove it. Remember, the Trinity isn’t two Persons, it’s three. And it isn’t The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, it’s God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Yet, not three Gods, but one, of the same essence.It's a tall order to find such a teaching plainly taught in the Bible.Why is “plainly” important? Because in Rhodes’ book “Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics”, he makes the point that in the Bible, the main things are the plain things. He’s right. However, on pg. 114 of this book he says the Trinity is a “concept” that’s “derived” from the Bible. Elsewhere he says it’s taught by implication.If that’s the case, the identity of Almighty God isn’t a “main thing” according to the Bible. Rhodes sets up his evidence for the Trinity with a sort of false syllogism…but instead of two premises, he uses four, two of which assume facts without evidence. It goes like this:1. God is one. Deuteronomy 6:4. True.2. The Father is Almighty God. True.3. Jesus is Almighty God. Unproven, evidence collapses with a little probing.4. Holy Spirit is Almighty God. Very little evidence HS is a Person. HS never converses back and forth with anyone, as do the Father and SonI dealt with #s 3 and 4 at length in my review of Rhodes’ “Reasoning From the Scriptures with Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Here I will just repeat that Acts 3:13, 4:24-30 say that Jesus is Yahweh’s Son and/or Servant, not Yahweh. (See the fervently Trinitarian Passion Translation)Rhodes also cites Acts 5:3, 4 as evidence that Holy Spirit is the 3rd Person of the Trinity. Those vss say nothing about Holy Spirit being a person. They are perfectly in keeping with Holy Spirit being just what the phrase means in Hebrew and Greek, “Sacred Wind/Breath”. Compare Matthew 12:28 with Luke 11:20. See Luke 11:20 in the NLT which calls it “power of God”.It is worthwhile to keep a Strong’s and a Vine’s handy when researching vss cited by Trinitarians.As said earlier, Jesus is Yahweh’s divine Son. He was divine before he came to earth, and is now. However, while on earth, the Bible refers to him over and over as a man. 1st Timothy 2:5, 5, Acts 17:30, 31. Briefly, this is because sin entered the world through a man, Adam, and the ransom was paid by the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Romans 5, 1st Corinthians 15:45. The crowds before whom Jesus performed miracles and forgave sins viewed Him as a man, given power and authority by God, (Matthew 9:8) which He Himself said was true. (John 5:19-24, 30)Rhodes makes much of the Jews accusing Jesus of making Himself equal to God, but they also accused Him of breaking the Sabbath, having a demon, and being a Samaritan. As for Jesus’ equality with God, these vss bear repeating…John 14:28, 1st Corinthians 11:3, 15:24, 28, Revelation 1:1.Rhodes blows smoke about Jesus’ divine nature vs His human nature, which is pure theological speculation. The vss in Revelation and 1st Corinthians are from decades after Jesus’ ascension. 1st Corinthians 11:3 is about headship. God, Jesus, man, woman. 1st Peter 3:7 calls women the “weaker vessel”. Food for thought.He cites Hebrews 1:8. Referring to Jesus, many Bibles say, “…Your throne O God.” However, translations such as the American Translation and Moffat’s say, “…God is your throne.” Hebrews 1:8 is a quotation from Psalm 45:7, which is either about David or Solomon. Note how the Jewish Tanakh renders that: “…your divine throne is everlasting…”Compare that with 1st Chronicles 29:23, “…Solomon sat on Yahweh’s throne.” Both Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:8 simply mean the Davidic throne was instituted by and is supported by God. It seems that Moffat’s rendering of Hebrews 1:8 is correct. The verse has no bearing on a Trinity.He also cites John 1:14, because the Greek says Jesus pitched His tabernacle among us. He (and other theologians) link this to Yahweh living among the Jews by means of the tabernacle. Thus, Yahweh is Jesus. This reasoning is thinner than Taylor Swift. A Strong’s and Vine’s will confirm that Greek word (and related words) are used to refer to Peter in 2nd Peter 1:13, 14, as well as in other NT vss. This doesn't denigrate Jesus' Incarnation. NOT at all. It just means the Son of God tabernacled among us, not God. Trinitarians cite those vss attempting to prove Abraham nearly sacrificed himself on the altar. I'm saying he tried to sacrifice his son Isaac, who he dearly loved. (Compare Genesis 22:2 with Matthew 3:17, John 1:49, 20:31.)Although the Bible clearly teaches Jesus is the Son of God, (John 20:31) Rhodes says this is discussing His nature, not the common, everyday meaning of “Son”. (or “Father” for that matter.) He uses the OT example of “Sons of the prophets”. This is a stretch worthy of Reed Richards. When discussing Galatians 6:16, most evangelicals rightly point out that “Israel” is used throughout the NT to refer to natural Jews, not the Church. Yet, Rhodes bends every which way but loose to link “Son of God” to how "son" is used in “sons of the prophets”, saying it’s talking about Jesus’ “Undiminished deity”. (such blarnified theological phrases are common among Trinitarians). If that’s true, what about the phrase “sons of God” in Genesis 6:4, Job 1:5, 38:7? Those vss are recognized as applying to angels. Are they also “undiminished deity” and part of a “Godhead”? And what of Adam, who is called “son of God” in Luke 3:38? Remember, Jesus is the 2nd Adam. (1st Corinthians 15:45) Luke 3:38 just means God created Adam.Rhodes' argument is akin to Catholic reasoning regarding Mary's perpetual virginity. Catholics say Biblical references to Jesus' brothers actually mean "cousins". A line of reasoning that strained would be unnecessary if the Trinity were true, not a dogma formulated well after the 1st century.Furthermore, the accounts of Jesus' baptism and the Transfiguration both portray God as a proud Father who deeply loves His Son. It's impossible to read those verseswithout seeing a close, LITERAL Father/Son relationship.One last point…Rhodes writes that when Jesus says He’s the Son of Man coming on the clouds, He’s claiming to be Yahweh in Daniel 7:13, 14. Any reading of those vss will show TWO Persons there, the Ancient of Days (Yahweh), and the Son of Man (Jesus) to whom He gives power. (See Mathhew 28:18-20)Lastly, here is a partial paragraph from pg 119, “…a Muslim acquaintance might say the Trinity doesn’t make sense. How can there be three in one? Help your friend see that the Trinity does not involve three gods in one god, or three persons in one person. Those kinds of statements would be illogical. But the Trinity involves one God who is eternally manifest in three Persons”. That’s a distinction without a difference, and, frankly, makes no sense whatsoever. Claiming that finite minds can’t comprehend it is just a dodge.Yahweh is Almighty God, Jesus is His divine firstborn Son, and Holy Spirit is the “power of God”. (Colossians 1:15, NASB, Revelation 3:14, NASB Luke 11:20 NLT) And, please, once and for all, “Godhead” just means “Divine nature”. Compare Romans 1:20 in the NKJV and NASB.Truly, the main things are the plain things. The plain meanings of “Father, Son, firstborn, beginning, wind and breath” should prevail. (Compare John 3:8)To any sincere Muslim…I’m a poet and lyricist. I consider my poems and lyrics my “children”, as I’m sure many artists do. There’s no reason to bring a sexual element into Jesus being a “Son”. He is the way, truth and life. Come to Him for peace, rest, and eternal salvation. The Trinity is false, and other parts of modern Christian worship are mostly false, too, such as the pagan traditions involved with Christmas and Easter. Start with reading the Bible. God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit will guide your steps.Rhodes’ book is excellent. But you may have to pick the pineapple and anchovies off the pizza.

Well written and easy to read. I just started reading and I’m pleased with Dr. Ron Rhodes writing.

In this book, Ron Rhodes does an excellant job of outling the Muslim world view and the Muslim perspective on Christianity. He also poses questions that a Muslim apololgist might pose to a Christian and then proceeds to give historical, scriptural, and/or logical answers in support of Christianity.The questions leveled at Christianity by Muslim apologists are often the same questions posed by other Non-Christian critics and since this book answers these questions with sound research and logic, the usefulness of this book goes beyond the dialogue between Christians and Muslims with respect to Christian theology, historical validity, and interpretive integrity.

This is great book and I learned a lot. It gave me a much better understanding of Muslims, took away some fears and brought me new concerns… It is a great read and I wish every American Christian would read it… Very helpful!

Very informative, this is my fourth book by Ron Rhodes

Ron Rhodes provides exceedingly good insight into the religion of Islam, explaining their doctrines well and exposing their contradictory teachings with biblical Christianity. He formulates suggessted questions after each section to ask a Muslim you may be in dialog with.