Starting today on Blogging Theology I will post a series of concise replies by Jewish educators to Christian missionary polemics. Jews, of course, deny that Jesus was the messiah. However, from a Muslim perspective, the Jewish critique of Christianity rightly centres on the religion’s unbiblical claims about the forgiveness of sin and atonement, and how missionaries typically distort and misquote the Jewish scriptures to support their doctrines. So, for our edification and reading pleasure, here is the first article:
Why Jesus could not have been a sacrifice
Christian dogma asserts that the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary served as the final atoning sacrifice for sin. Missionaries insist that this is not a Christian innovation but reflects the requirement of the Jewish Bible. They point to Leviticus 17:11 as the anchor in the Torah for the alleged necessity for blood sacrifices to atone for sin. However, if this text is examined carefully, it will be obvious that Jesus’s death could never serve as an atoning sacrifice. This passage delineates how sacrifices are to be brought:
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your soul, for it is the blood that atones for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)
Surely, the Torah doesn’t accept any shed blood as a sacrifice. Jesus’s crucifixion may qualify as a sacrifice according to the New Testament, but since his blood was not offered on the Temple altar, it is not in line with what the Torah mandates.
One of the most serious contraventions of the Torah that we find with the proposition that Jesus was a sacrifice is scripture’s strident opposition to human sacrifice. Before entering the land of Israel, Moses warned the people against following the repulsive spiritual practices of the nations they would encounter there. “You shall not do so to the Lord your God, for everything that is an abomination of the Lord, that He hates, they have done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burned in the fire for their gods.” (Deuteronomy 12:31)12
There are actually several other factors that would render the crucifixion of Jesus an unacceptable sacrifice. According to the Biblical guidelines in Leviticus, all sacrifices had to be offered by a Priest who descends from Aaron. This was most certainly not the case with the death of Jesus, who was crucified by Roman soldiers. As well, sacrifices brought to atone for sin had to be burned on the Temple altar (Leviticus chapter 4).
Furthermore, Biblical law prohibited any sacrifice that was blemished or maimed (Leviticus 22:17–21, Deuteronomy 17:1). However, prior to his crucifixion, Jesus was beaten and scourged (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15–19), which would render him unfit to be a sacrifice. Additionally, Jesus was circumcised in the flesh (Luke 2:21), which according to Philippians 3:2 is considered a form of mutilation.
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Quoted from: You Turn! The Jewish Response to a Christian Challenge by Rabbi Michael Skobac. Published by Jews For Judaism.
Categories: Christianity, God, Judaism, Missionaries, Recommended Reading
Blogging Theology 
Answered many times.
Rabbi Admits that Day of Atonement is parallel to Jesus Christ
at Apologetics and Agape
Isaiah 53 develops Genesis 22, Exodus 12, Leviticus 1-7, 16-17
Jesus Al Masih was the fulfillment of them all.
Jesus was both high priest who offered Himself voluntary and the sacrifice.
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Lol. “Jesus was both high priest who offered Himself voluntary and the sacrifice.” You forgot the altar, he is the altar too …?
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You obviously have not read the book of Hebrews, which speaks of Jesus as the High Priest and the final sacrifice who fulfills all the OT sacrifices.
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Temple, the idea of God “sacrificing” something is absurd
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Temple, do you seriously believe God will reward you for attributing to him absurdity after absurdity?
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Jesus Al Masih, the God-Man sacrificed Himself voluntary for the sins of the world. (Rev. 5:9; John 1:29; 1 John 2:1-2) If God became man, then yes, He can sacrifice Himself if He wants to; and He did want to and actually did it. He fulfilled the story of Abraham in Gen. 22 –
and that the Qur’an alludes to in Surah 37:107 – “We have ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice”
و فدینه بذبح عظیم
Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
God asked Abraham to offer his only beloved son, as a prophesy of the Messiah to come in the future, who would be the lamb – “where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” (Genesis 22:7-8)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only unique Son . . . John 3:16
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Notice the word ransom in both verses:
Surah 37:107
“We have ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice.”
Mark 10:45
Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
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Jesus was not only the ultimate sacrifice 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 2:17), He also was the Temple (Jn 2:19) and He was the High priest (Hebrews 5). EVERYTHING has been fulfilled in Jesus. Amen!
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The article shows why, biblically, Jesus could not have been a sacrifice. You have not taken on board the teaching of the Jewish scriptures.
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Temple “Jesus Al Masih, the God-Man sacrificed Himself voluntary for the sins of the world.”
God killed himself as a sacrifice to himself. Give me a break
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It’s a weird religion
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No; He did not kill Himself, rather He became human and allowed Himself to be killed, voluntarily, out of His love, for the sins of the world.
John 10:18
Jesus said,
“No one takes My life from Me, I lay it down voluntarily on My own authority; and I have the authority to take it up again.”
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If someone deliberately allows themselves to be killed then that is a form of suicide.
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It’s not loving nor just. It’s nonsense
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With the name of Allah the Gracious the Merciful
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KT:
Jesus Al Masih, the God-Man sacrificed Himself voluntary for the sins of the world.
Surah 37:107“We have ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice.”
//
This is Ridiculous, you make things up. Can you cite any references if there is just one classical commentator of the Quran who understand that 37:107 is about human sacrifice , or god committing suicide in order to ransom sin??
What بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ signify is that the prayer of Abraham is HEARD by God , and his son WAS SAVED and his act of obedience and the test from God become an example for later generations.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ
[Quran 37:106] Indeed, this was the clear TRIAL *Al-balāul-mubīn*
وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ
[Quran 37:107] And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ
[Quran 37:108] And we PRESERVED his history for SUBSEQUENT GENERATIONS.
Every year muslims commemorated this obedience of Abraham as big / MIGHTY event.
Million upon million of animal slaughtered worldwide like we did today, and the meat are shared for the needy as acts of social justice hence what is meant by the MIGHTY sacrifice “بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ” in Q 37:107.
Its nothing to do with God sacrifice himself by committing suicide in order to ransom sin…Astaghfirullah)..
God does not sacrifice the sin of His creation , and sacrifice for atoning sin is a process that must be initiated ONLY by God creation the one who commits the sin/offense/transgression, the purpose of which is to obtain forgiveness by God, the creator ……not the other way around.
قربان / קָרְבָּן – qorban (sacrifices) in Islamic/jewish terminology has very very little to do with sacrifices. Most qorban is given as an offer to God (it actually means drawing nearer to God, and has nothing to do with sin or atoning for sin.
In hebrew bible prayer, repentance have always been available to us in order to seek forgiveness from God. No need for human or “god” sacrifice to atone sin of human. a very silly idea.
Wassalam
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Ken Temple
You said;
No; He did not kill Himself, rather He became human and allowed Himself to be killed, voluntarily, out of His love, for the sins of the world.
John 10:18
I say;
The above is blasphemous and needs repentance as soon as possible otherwise he will continue to accumulate sin.
Why?
Ken Temple said “No; He did not kill Himself, rather He became human and allowed Himself to be killed”.
Who became man? God? Who allowed himself to be killed? God?
So Ken Temple believed God became man so he is against the Bible.
Roman 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19
Ken Temple believed God was killed
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Thanks
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Romans 1:23 in context has nothing to with the incarnation of Jesus or the crucifixion. Read the whole passage – Romans 1:16-32, in context.
Numbers 23:19 is totally true and we believe that. God is not a man – the Son / the Word was not a man before He entered the womb of Mary and took on a human nature. Before the incarnation, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were spirit from all eternity and not man.
But the second person of the Trinity became a man and took on an additional nature, resulting in 2 natures.
Luke 1:30-35
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
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Ken do you agree that If someone deliberately allows themselves to be killed then that is a form of suicide?
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Qurban قربان
קָרְבָּן
Has a lot to do with offerings and sacrifices – it is all through Leviticus chapters 1-7, (and the whole book of Leviticus and Numbers) Lev. chapters 1-7 are dealing with sacrifices in the tabernacle, before entering the holy of holies, which was later in the temple of Solomon. ( 1 Kings 8:5; 8:62; 8:63 – the same cognate word as the word used in Qur’an 37:107 – ذبح zbh = זבח; Solomon takes the offerings (Qurban of Leviticus and Numbers and slaughters/ sacrifices them zbh / זבח ذبح )
דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם אָדָם כִּֽי־יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם קָרְבָּן לַֽיהוָה מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה מִן־הַבָּקָר וּמִן־הַצֹּאן תַּקְרִיבוּ אֶת־קָרְבַּנְכֶֽם׃
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When any man of you brings an offering (Qurban) to the LORD, you shall bring your offering (Qurban) of animals from the herd or the flock.” Leviticus 1:2
This word is used 80 times, especially all through Leviticus and Numbers.
The historical story of Abraham and his offering his son is in Genesis 22, and is a prophesy of the Messiah to come in the future.
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‘The historical story of Abraham and his offering his son is in Genesis 22, and is a prophesy of the Messiah to come in the future.’
So you believe. But the story conspicuously fails to mention a messiah.
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Ken Temple
You said;
Romans 1:23 in context has nothing to with the incarnation of Jesus or the crucifixion. Read the whole passage – Romans 1:16-32, in context.
Numbers 23:19 is totally true and we believe that. God is not a man – the Son / the Word was not a man before He entered the womb of Mary and took on a human nature. Before the incarnation, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were spirit from all eternity and not man.
But the second person of the Trinity became a man and took on an additional nature, resulting in 2 natures
I say;
Christians, the thing is that, we do not need your explanation when the explanation is what it is, and you will not accept it as metaphorical but literal. i.e. Son/son is what it means and it will always be a created being unless you accept it as metaphorical to disqualify Jesus only Son ship to God or change the word all together and case closed. Some Bible have removed “Begotten” and some scholars consider it forgery realizing its meaning is what is it. But some Christians still uses it to evangelize to unsuspecting audience and it is not good for God sake.
You believed in Numbers 23:19 that clearly states that God is not a man but believed Jesus a man is God at the same time. This is where Christianity becomes a false religion with all due respect. Correct me Mr. Ken, Jesus Christ is a man but God is not a man clearly in Numbers 23:19, so your explanation cannot destroy what is clearly written. God is not a man but Jesus is a man so you are in error and you need to repent as soon as possible.
You are still with problem my dear Ken.
This blaspheme by you (Christians) is even worse than the first one. God changed
Psalm 102:27
But you remain the same, and your years will never end
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
The above verses said God is the same and does not change but you have destroyed the verses from the Bible and said the Son/the Word was not a man before he entered into the womb of Mary and to on a human nature. If the Son/Word was not a man before, what was he? God, So God became man and it is a sin for you to believe that and you know it. Become a Muslim today or you will go to the hell fire.
God entering into the womb of Mary? God forbid. Because the second person(God) entered into the womb of Mary. To stay there till his birth time comes? This is a blaspheme of the highest degree you will think about God.
You said;
But the second person of the Trinity became a man and took on an additional nature, resulting in 2 natures
I say;
You cannot believe the above Mr. Ken and believe in Numbers 23:19 because it involves God becoming a man and Numbers clearly states that God is not a Man please give me a break.
You said;
Before the incarnation, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were spirit from all eternity and not man
I say
That is not true because a Son/son means a created being if not metaphorical to disqualify Christ only Sonship then it is a created being and the above could not be true. If the all exist from eternity, why not brothers, or board of directors? to signify their equality?
Father is not equal to Son and Jesus said the Father is greater than I, so they are not from eternity. It is only One and Alone God who is greater than all and from eternity. The Son/son has someone greater than him, so he cannot be from eternity Mr. Ken.
Please watch this video
Video 2
Hebrews 1:12
You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
Jesus was changed from Son/Word to man and therefore he is not God and against the above verse in Hebrew by also dying to end his years.
Thanks
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With the name Allah the Gracious the Merciful
Read carefully, Leviticus 1:2 and Leviticus as a whole has very little to do with sacrifices in order to atone sin. It is about detail how priests officiating at the altar and presiding over rituals of getting closer to God thus the root word قربان / קָרְבָּן – qorban mean. We dont see any clear relation of this ritual with sin or atoning sin.
The offering described in Leviticus is clearly an kind of worship in order to bring ancient Israelites closer to God. Their offerings did not substitute for exchange of sins rather it was an act to please God.
Allah indeed has always forgiven those who truly repent. Offering is not the same forgiveness of sin as christians falsely understand.
Allah forgives, He really forgives with His abundance Mercy.
For us muslims nothing can be more perfect and whole than His forgiveness through his mercy رحمة, and this is why HIS FORGIVENESS bigger than any offering ceremony.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. [Psalm 51:16-17]
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Eternal than sacrifice. [Proverbs 21:3]
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. [Psalm 40:6]
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. [Proverbs 28:13]
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14]
But if from there you seek the Eternal your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. [Deuteronomy 4:29]
He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. [Job 33:26]
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. [Psalm 34:14]
Take words with you and return to the Eternal. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the bulls of our lips. [Hosea 14:2]
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Eternal a man avoids evil. [Proverbs 16:6]
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. [Hosea 6:6]
With what shall I come before the Eternal and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Eternal be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Eternal require of you? Only to do Justice, and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with your God. [Micah 6:6-8]
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Temple ‘The historical story of Abraham and his offering his son is in Genesis 22, and is a prophesy of the Messiah to come in the future.’
And the story conspicuously fails to offer a son. If this is “prophesy” at all, it’s a prophesy about the son/Messiah being saved from being offered.
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