The Cairo Debate — Page 2
(3) Did the Messiah give up his life on the cross?. Dr. Philips proposed to conduct the talk in harmony with the authority of the Bible; arguments fetched from outside the Bible were to be dismissed. . To this I readily agreed. For even the present Bible could suffice to substantiate our stand. It has suffered, though, from interpolation and distortion. . Scholars' investigations also agree that the Bible has undergone changes. Both of us voted for the suggestion. Debate followed peacefully, about a week being awarded to each of the subjects of these talks. As a result, Christian belief stood confuted and Muslim belief established. I was approached by my friends to permit the printing of a summary of those talks so that even laymen can see how poor Christians are in argument, their own revealed books to which they subscribe, disowning their religion. . I acceded to the proposal without hesitation and embark now upon giving a brief account of the proceedings. The actual debate was conditioned to time. I have to state that Dr. Philips hemmed and hawed and could hardly manage to answer. . Those who heard us would bear witness. A sense of defeat set in on Dr. Philips and the faces of his colleagues betrayed the same feeling. If any one harbours a doubt he should study the proceedings carefully. If he still has the nerve to refute the arguments, the onus is on him. Let him come to the fore. That is all there is to it. 2