The opening verse of Sura 53, "The Stars" (Al-Najm) states: [53:1] As the stars fell away. وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ 1wal-najmiوَٱلنَّجْمِBy the star2idhāإِذَاwhen3hawāهَوَىٰit fell down / fell away Dr. Rashad Khalifa provides the following footnote for this verse: *53:1-18 Muhammad was summoned to the highest universe to receive this Quran into his heart. The stars fell away … Continue reading The Hawk & The Dove (Quran & Gospel)
How John Rewrote Thomas to Silence a Rival Gospel
In 1945, a remarkable discovery was made near the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi. Hidden in a sealed jar for over a thousand years, a collection of Coptic manuscripts was unearthed, among them a text that came to be known as the Gospel of Thomas. The text is attributed to the apostle Thomas, also called … Continue reading How John Rewrote Thomas to Silence a Rival Gospel
Apostolic Succession Debunked
One of the most distinctive claims of the Catholic Church is the doctrine of apostolic succession. According to this teaching, the authority that Christ gave to his apostles did not die with them but was passed on to their chosen successors. Through the laying on of hands, this authority is believed to have continued in … Continue reading Apostolic Succession Debunked
Hypocrisy of Peter & Paul
One of the sharpest controversies in the early church, according to the Christian canon, revolved around the question of Jewish law: Should Gentile believers be required to follow the Torah, particularly the command of circumcision, in order to be part of God’s covenant people? The apostles in Jerusalem, led by James, Peter, and John, were … Continue reading Hypocrisy of Peter & Paul
How Did Paul Come to Dominate Christianity?
Few figures in history have shaped Christianity more than Paul. Yet his dominance was not inevitable. In the earliest decades after Jesus, Paul was only one voice among many—sometimes controversial, sometimes ignored, and often overshadowed by the Jerusalem leaders like Peter and James. So how did Paul come to stand at the center of Christianity, … Continue reading How Did Paul Come to Dominate Christianity?
Why the Gnostics & Marcion Rejected Yahweh
For years, I dismissed the Gnostics as eccentric heretics who claimed that the god who created this world was in fact the Demiurge—a false and flawed being. At first glance, the claim seemed so absurd that I never thought it deserved serious contemplation. But a nagging question remained: if their ideas were so obviously wrong, … Continue reading Why the Gnostics & Marcion Rejected Yahweh
Jesus is not God: Two Natures Absurdity
One of the central disputes in Christian theology is known as the two natures controversy. By the time of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE, the Church officially declared that Jesus was both “fully God and fully man,” possessing two natures united in one person without confusion or separation. This doctrine, however, was not … Continue reading Jesus is not God: Two Natures Absurdity
Did the Story of Samson and Delilah Originate from Ancient Mythic Roots?
Few biblical tales are as vivid and dramatic as that of Samson and Delilah. Found in Judges 13–16, it tells of a man of unmatched strength who is betrayed by the woman he loves. For many, it is a moral warning against temptation and misplaced trust. Yet the story’s imagery, structure, and language suggest something … Continue reading Did the Story of Samson and Delilah Originate from Ancient Mythic Roots?
Jesus vs. Paul: Is the Door to Salvation Narrow or Wide?
One of the central questions addressed in the New Testament is this: How wide is the door to salvation? When we examine the teachings of Jesus, the answer is consistent and uncompromising. He tells us the path to life is narrow, and only a few will find it. Entry into the kingdom, according to Jesus, … Continue reading Jesus vs. Paul: Is the Door to Salvation Narrow or Wide?
From Refuge to Responsibility: A Symbolic Map of The Cave
Sura 18 of the Quran, The Cave (Al-Kahf), is one of the Quran’s most unique chapters, particularly for the layered stories it presents and the historical narratives it subtly invokes. It features three major episodes: the account of the youth who sought shelter in a cave, the journey of Moses with a mysterious teacher, and … Continue reading From Refuge to Responsibility: A Symbolic Map of The Cave
