Muslim Preacher Tries To Expose The Bible & Fails!

In a recent exchange with a Christian Amish woman, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq attempted to discredit the Bible by highlighting supposed contradictions in the genealogy of Jesus (family tree). 

The conversation centered around the genealogies in Matthew and Luke, a common point of contention for skeptics. However, upon closer examination, these claims of inconsistency fall apart under the weight of historical and textual understanding.

Let’s explore how these so-called contradictions are actually opportunities to deepen our understanding of Biblical history.

The Genealogy Trap

Shaykh Uthman started by pointing out to the Christian Amish woman what Matthew stated in the Bible:

“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. -Matthew 1:16

whereas Luke records, 

“And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,” – Luke 3:23

He then asked, 

“Who was the father of Joseph—Jacob or Heli?”

At first glance, this seems like a contradiction, but Biblical scholars have long provided a reasonable explanation for this.

Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage through Joseph, His legal father, emphasizing Jesus’ royal lineage through King David. Luke, on the other hand, provides a genealogy through Mary, Jesus’ biological connection to David, with Heli as Mary’s father and Joseph as his son-in-law.

One of the key tactics used by critics is to isolate verses without considering historical context. Shaykh Uthman in this discussion knowingly presented the genealogies as conflicting, despite the well-documented explanations that exist. 

Name Variations in History

The preacher continued to press the issue, claiming that if both genealogies referenced Joseph, they must contradict each other.

In ancient Jewish tradition, names could be recorded differently based on lineage, adoption, or legal standing. 

A practical example would be like what the Christian Amish woman said;  her father named William being called “Bill” by friends and “Wilhelm” by family. Similarly, Joseph being identified as the “son of Heli” is easily explained as a reference to his father-in-law.

Shaykh Uthman also ignored another crucial detail: genealogies in the Bible serve different purposes.

Matthew’s genealogy follows Jewish royal lineage to establish Jesus as the rightful heir to David’s throne, while Luke’s genealogy emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and traces His ancestry all the way back to Adam, highlighting His connection to all of mankind.

Historical discrepancies in genealogies are not unique to the Bible. Ancient cultures often recorded lineages differently based on legal rights, tribal inheritance, or even to emphasize a person’s qualifications for leadership. 

The Bible’s genealogies are consistent with these historical practices.

A Pattern of Deception

Throughout the conversation, it became clear that Shaykh Uthman was not genuinely seeking truth. Instead, he was trying to trap his opponent. He repeatedly dismissed explanations and shifted his argument when confronted with answers.

Critics like him use this tactic to discredit Christianity rather than engage in honest dialogue. Their goal is to lure opponents into a debate where they control the narrative.

Interestingly, his focus on genealogy reveals a deeper issue within Islamic teachings. The Quran affirms the Torah and the Gospel as God’s word. Yet, many Muslims claim the Bible has been corrupted.

The problem? We have Bible manuscripts from before, during, and after Muhammad’s time. These texts remain consistent with what we have today.

If the Bible was indeed corrupted, as some claim, then the Quran’s affirmation of the previous Scriptures becomes problematic.

This inconsistency, known as the “Islamic dilemma,” is something many avoid addressing. Instead, they attempt to discredit the Bible using arguments that have already been refuted.

The Need for Discernment

Christians engaging in these discussions must recognize when someone designs an argument to deceive rather than educate. Many critics use rhetorical traps instead of seeking truth.

In moments of doubt, saying, “I will research this further,” is better than falling into confusion.

Additionally, believers should take confidence in the vast body of scholarly work that supports the Bible’s reliability. There are countless historical, textual, and archaeological findings that confirm the accuracy of the Scripture. 

The genealogies of Jesus, rather than being a contradiction, serve to provide a fuller picture of His identity as both the Son of Man and the Son of God.

Shaykh Uthman’s attempt to “expose” the Bible ultimately failed, as his arguments relied on misrepresentation rather than genuine examination. Christians should remain confident in the reliability of the Scripture and not be shaken by misleading claims.

If you found this post interesting, I recommend that you watch this video about a famous atheist who tried to destroy the Gospels but failed. His arguments crumbled when faced with historical and textual evidence, revealing the truth of the Scriptures.

WATCH THE VIDEO