Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 108
108 VIII The belief that Jesus, after his death on the Cross, was in hell for three days, during which he suffered the penalty of the sins of the world, is also contrary to what Jesus himself said to one of the two thieves who were crucified with him. "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise. ” 22 IX The belief that the Devil, who is said to have deceived Eve in the form of a snake, at last compelled the Almighty to exhibit Himself on the Cross in the form of His Son Jesus, raises a serious question. Who runs the show, God or the Devil? Thus the Christians make the Almighty fall and the deceiver, Satan, triumph". X The idea that by believing in the blood of Jesus, humans will be saved and redeemed from the punishment of sin, is directly opposed to the following sayings of Jesus: ( a) "I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment, for by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. ” 23 (b) "Whosoever speaketh word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come. ” 24 (c) Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut thee off, and cast them from thee, it is better for thee to enter into if halt and maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. ” 25 (d) "So shall it be at the end of the world: The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ” 26 (e) "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ” 27 (f) According to the Bible, Jesus will gather all nations on the day of judgment and separate them into two groups. Those with good deeds will be to his right and will be led to an eternal life while those with bad deeds will be to his left and will be led to eternal punishment 28. According to this verse, Jesus will reward or penalize people based on their actions alone and not on their belief in the concept of original sin or his being the "Son of God". Thus the above Biblical teaching is totally opposed to the modern Christian doctrine of redemption and the two cannot be reconciled. The above Biblical position is supported by the Holy Quran which makes individuals responsible for their actions. 29 The Holy Prophet once said: 30