In this episode of The Deen Show, host Eddie tracks down Sheikh Yusuf Estes — a former Christian preacher and minister — to discuss the origins, history, and nature of the Bible. With his extensive background in Christianity and Biblical scholarship, Sheikh Yusuf brings a unique perspective as someone who studied the Bible deeply before embracing Islam. The conversation is both respectful and eye-opening, offering insights that both Muslims and Christians can benefit from.
What Is the Bible and Where Did It Come From?
Sheikh Yusuf clarifies an important starting point: the word “Bible” comes from the Greek “biblos,” meaning simply “book.” He explains that his father, an ordained Christian minister who had read the entire Bible by age 10, always described scripture as “the inspired word of man” — meaning God inspired men to write, and they wrote according to their understanding. This honest framing acknowledges divine inspiration while recognizing human involvement in the text as we have it today.
“The Bible is not in English the word of God, but it is God inspiring man what to write. Even as a Muslim, I will say that sounds fair — because the Quran tells us that the Bible came from God, but it does not exist in that original format anymore. The people made changes to it over time.”
The Core Message Remains the Same
- The Quran confirms that previous scriptures were sent by God but have been altered over time by human hands
- Muslims are required to believe in what was originally revealed to all prophets, including the Torah and Gospel
- The first commandment in both the Old and New Testaments matches the core message of the Quran: worship God alone
- Jesus himself declared the greatest commandment: “The Lord your God is one Lord, and you shall worship Him with all your heart” (Mark 12:29)
“The first commandment in the Bible, the greatest commandment according to Jesus himself, and the core message of the Quran all say the same thing: worship the Creator, not His creation. The Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Last Testament — the Quran — all agree on this fundamental truth.”
This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding how Islam views the Bible — not with hostility or dismissal, but with respect for its divine origin while acknowledging the human changes that have occurred over centuries. The common ground between the scriptures is far greater than most people realize.
