‘Dr’ James White
As salamu alaykum,
The acquisition of knowledge is an essential part of our deen. Our scholars, historically, have taken great pains to sift out authentic and reliable knowledge from the dross.
So I offer you my humble advice, not as a scholar, but as someone who has read deeply in Christian theology and biblical studies for over two decades.
James Robert White (born 1962) is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries in the US.
I am sure you have heard of him and watched his output.
I would seriously not advise anyone (other than anthropologists and psychologists of religion) to watch and/or listen to James White.
As someone who has read widely in the field of Christian theology and biblical studies over the years, it is clear to me that White expresses a fringe fundamentalist brand of Christian thought which has zero credibility in mainstream Christianity and academia. I strongly suspect that if White attempted to undertake the standard undergraduate degree in theology at a major UK university such as Oxford and Cambridge he would fail it. Not because he has a low IQ but for his unwillingness to think critically about Christianity, its Bible and theology. This is why his ‘Doctor in Theology’ was issued by Columbia Evangelical Seminary an unaccredited distance-learning school, rather than an accredited institution of higher education in the US.
So folks, – please don’t be taken in by White and those like him. They are not worth your time.
Go to the respected scholars at respected universities – read their books.
Learn from them. I did. Its definitely worth it.
Please do not hesitate to ask me for recommendations of academically credible works by recognised scholars. We may not agree with everything they say, but they usually write for intellectually serious purposes and are worth our careful critical attention.
Thanks for your time
Paul
Categories: Missionaries
Blogging Theology 
Advice taken.
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful advice.
Those scholars are usually very old people with long life experience as well as in the academic study of their area.
Having spend decades in academic enviroment and spent time with intellectual people i can imagine these people have developed a taste for knowledge for knowledge sake, a passion for understanding the bible and christianity with every possible tool of scientific history.
James White on the other hand is a commited christian who study christianity to confirm what he already as a child accepted to be absolute truth. As an adult full time theologian who belive in the great commission of matthew 28 he is also a commited evangelist for muslims, mormons, atheists etc.
Who do you take knowledge from?
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Go to the respected scholars at respected universities – read their books.”
good instruction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inshallah I am producing a recommended reading list for beginners, intermediate, and advanced readers.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Given you are far less qualified in theology, biblical languages and studies, comparative religions, etc, why should anyone listen to your recommendation about others?
Such a recommendation could only stem from prejudice, not expertise in the fields mentioned.
LikeLike
As Dale Tuggy mentioned, apologists often cut corners to promote their views.
@Mark everybody has a prejudice. Every scholar. I’m reading one of Bart’s books right now and I can see his prejudice when he was trying to link the Greek ideas of men-god and a pyramid of gods with some of Old Testament.
White’s bias for the ideas of thetrinity, divinity of Jesus p, inspiration of the NT as well as its inerrancy for me are obviously flawed and false so I’d be much more comfortable in following Paul’s reading list than White’s.
Really it’s a case of what are you after, with White you’re going to be exposed to a narrow spectrum of views while with Paul’s you will be exposed to a range of views and then you’re in a better position to use your OWN faculties and critical thinking skills to come away with a more advanced understanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Yahya,
I only recommend works that are by recognised scholars in field who are well known to have made significant contributions to Bible studies, Christology, church history, theology etc. If you knew the subjects it would be easy to tell if I know what I’m talking about or I’m recommending rubbish.
LikeLike
Mark
You said;
Given you are far less qualified in theology, biblical languages and studies, comparative religions, etc, why should anyone listen to your recommendation about others?
Such a recommendation could only stem from prejudice, not expertise in the fields mentioned.
I say;
Paul Williams have been listing books for us to read and on the Christian side, the books are all from qualified Christian scholars. There is no dispute about that, unless you are not a Christian, you will realize the books he always recommends are by Christian scholars.
If Nabeel were to be sincere to list books written by qualified Muslim scholars to you Christians like Paul Williams is helping us to understand your religion, it would have been beneficial rather than he(Nabeel) writing an unqualified Islamic book with zero(0) Arabic knowledge necessary together with Islamic education to qualify one to write a book on Islam.
Nabeel’s book is full of dreams with crosses, crescent and David Wood leading him(Nabeel) to paradise. That is what Christians want to read, listen and hear. I can’t wait to have a blockbuster movie on David Wood leading Nabeel to heaven with crosses and angels surrounding them.
Paul Williams, according to his autobiography attended and took some academic courses in Christianity but did not complete and had some Greek and we can see it here how learned he is in Christianity confirmed by many Christians that he indeed knows Christianity.
PW is debating with Christians everyday either on blogs or in person at speakers corner, debates initiatives etc. and it is on video some Christians run away from him and confirmation by other Christians that he(PW) schooled other Christians and they had to pack and run away.
Nabeel did not know the difference between his former Qadiani religion which do not have violent extremist at all to sunni who do have some violent extremists like the violent Christian crusaders.
Nabeel will like to lie to Christians as his only audience without a Muslim to defend our religion. Christians are here defending what is said against their God dying but the Bible said God cannot die.
Nabeel should just start some academic courses in Islam with some Arabic, just like Paul Williams did on Christianity, then he can be working towards writing some sort of book on Islam, but not in his present state, together with people like Irshad Manji, Aayan, etc.
Thanks.
LikeLike