Does the Bible exist in its original form? This is a question that serious scholars — both Muslim and Christian — have grappled with for centuries. In this thought-provoking discussion, the speaker examines the history of biblical translations, the absence of original manuscripts, and why Muslims approach this topic with care rather than hostility, always preferring to build bridges rather than destroy faith.
The Translation Problem
The English language did not exist until after 1066 AD, when the Normans invaded the Saxons. That means the English Bible could not have come from Jesus, who lived 2,000 years ago — a full thousand years before English existed. Even the names we use — Abraham, Moses, Jesus — are not the original Hebrew pronunciations (Ibrahim, Musa, Isa). This fundamental disconnect between modern translations and original texts is not a Muslim claim — it is acknowledged by the foremost Christian scholars themselves.
“Bart Ehrman, one of the biggest scholars of the Bible in the United States, says clearly in all of his books: we do not have a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy of anything original from any manuscript. That is a heavy statement against believers.”
Key Points About the Bible and the Quran
- No original manuscripts exist: Top Christian scholars, including FF Bruce and Bart Ehrman, confirm that no original biblical manuscripts survive
- The word “Allah” is in the Bible: In Arabic-language Bibles, Genesis chapter one contains the word Allah 17 times. John 3:16 reads “For Allah so loved the world”
- Muslims believe the Bible originally came from God: The Quran commands Muslims to believe in the revelations sent before it — denying this is to step outside of Islam
- The Quran remains in its original Arabic: Unlike the Bible, the Quran has been preserved in its original language without any changes for over 1,400 years
A Caution to Both Muslims and Christians
“I would rather you stay with your Bible than become an atheist. At least as a Bible-reading, God-fearing Christian you have some kind of chance. As an atheist — nothing. So open your heart first, wipe out your prejudices, and give Islam a chance.”
The Islamic approach to this topic is not about attacking Christianity — it is about honestly examining the evidence while preserving faith in God. Muslims are taught to discuss these matters with wisdom and beautiful preaching, focusing on what they have in common rather than tearing down what others hold dear. The invitation is simple: compare the preserved Quran with the translated Bible, and let the evidence speak for itself. Truth has nothing to fear from honest examination.
