Dr. Zakir Naik is an Indian Islamic preacher. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). He is also the founder of the Peace TV channel reaching to 200 million viewers (as cited in Wikipedia). He is considered an authoritative figure speaking for the Islamic faith. Although there is nothing wrong with propagating ones’ faith, the issue arises when one abuses and misuses the Scripture texts to attack and demean the faiths of other. And that is exactly what Dr. Naik does in his lectures and open Q &A Sessions.
Dr. Naik repeatedly rips part of Biblical Scriptures from John 14:28; John 10:29; Luke 11:20; John 16:12-13; Acts 2:22; and tries to prove that Jesus is a mere man (revered prophet) and not God (understand that Christians believe Jesus to be truly God and truly man) (incarnation, John 1:14, 18)
But ironically, the context of each of these Scriptures texts mentioned confirms Jesus’ deity.
For example, Dr. Naik quotes small part of John 10:29; “My Father is greater than all” and completely ignores the preceding and following verses;
Jesus says “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28).“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
If Jesus was a mere man, how dare Jesus claim equality with God?
Notice carefully that Dr. Naik cunningly ignores the pericope of Scripture text (this is a serious misrepresentation of the Bible)
Another Scripture which Dr. Naik cites as to say that the Holy Spirit is referring to their prophet Muhammed is stated;
John 16:13 says, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
John 15:26 says, “When the Advocate comes, whom i will send you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—“
John 14:17; the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
Here, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit from the Father—The world does not see him—- in short, this Spirit cannot be seen by the world—-plainly speaking, this is not/cannot be Muhammed.
Did Jesus claim to be God and did he ever call people to worship him?(this is one issue that Dr. Naik will always point to Christians).
Read John 8:56-58; Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.
“You are not yet 50 years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
Verse 58; “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Verse 59; At this, they picked up stones to stone him, (this was in response to Jesus’ claim of Divinity).
John 10:33; “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
John 9:38; Jesus heals a blind man and later on meets Jesus. Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worship him.
John 20:28; After seeing the resurrected Jesus, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!”
Note: Reading and taking the Scriptures out of context is a serious abuse to any Holy Scripture/literature. Therefore, if you encounter any difficulties while interacting with other Muslim friends, please take the Bible in hand and read the whole passage so that they do not get the better of you (trick you).
