Brief on slavery

The review

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Mr. Wallace documents the historical practice of slavery in Islam. As noted Mr. Wallace reasons that the best English source for learning about Islam is not the Qu'ran, nor it is the Sunnah. (58). The author suggests a classic text on Islamic law titled Reliance of the Traveller (ROT). (58). See below his text on page 103 noting ROT o9.13 and o9.14.

Page 103

Mr. Wallace writes that rules on Islamic slavery are documented in Chapter Eight of the Qur'an. (103).

Some examples

The Noble Qur'an

Qur'an (8:69)

69. So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and be afraid of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Qur'an (33:50)

The Noble Qur'an

50. O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have made lawful to you your wives, to whom you have paid their Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), and those (captives or slaves) whom your right hand possesses - whom Allah has given to you, and the daughters of your 'Amm (paternal uncles) and the daughters of your 'Ammah (paternal aunts) and the daughters of your Khal (maternal uncles) and the daughters of your Khalah (maternal aunts) who migrated (from Makkah) with you, and a believing woman if she offers herself to the Prophet, and the Prophet wishes to marry her; a privilege for you only, not for the (rest of) the believers. Indeed We know what We have enjoined upon them about their wives and those (captives or slaves) whom their right hands possess, - in order that there should be no difficulty on you. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Noble Qur'an

Quran (23:5-6) - "..who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess..."

The Religion of Peace

The Religion of Peace website provides other examples from the Qur'an as well as the Hadith and Sira.

Quote

Islam neither ignores nor condemns slavery. In fact, a large part of the Sharia is dedicated to the practice. Muslims are encouraged to live in the way of Muhammad, who was a slave owner and trader. He captured slaves in battle; he had sex with his slaves; and he instructed his men to do the same. The Quran actually devotes more verses to making sure that Muslim men know they can keep women as sex slaves (4) than it does to telling them to pray five times a day (zero).
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Mr. Wallace has correctly opined that orthodox historical, scriptural Islam supports slavery in contexts.

Again, as with orthodox Islamic teaching in general, I am not stating that the majority of modern Muslims follow this orthodox teaching. Certainly a significant number of westernized Muslims will interpret such Islamic scriptures more liberally. One significant reason would be to avoid the negative impact of such views within the context of Western worldviews.

BBC

Cited

Abolition Muslims and the abolition of slavery Slavery remained part of the fabric of Islam for over 1200 years (although the Druze, a group that sprung from Muslim roots, abolished it in the 11th century). While slavery was in theory greatly limited by Islamic law, in practice it persisted on a large scale in Muslim lands.

Cited

Since slavery is permitted by Islamic law, Muslim countries have used secular law to ban it.

Titus 1: 10-14: New Testament versus philosophy of religion?

Crete from Lonely Planet

Titus 1:10-14

The Apostle Paul writing to Titus in regard to Crete:

New American Standard Bible

5 For this reason I left you in Crete... New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

Titus 1:10-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.[a] 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,[b] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”[c] 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Footnotes:

Titus 1:10 Or especially those of the circumcision
Titus 1:12 Greek One of them
Titus 1:12 Probably from Epimenides of Crete

Titus 1:10-14 King James Version (KJV)

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
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I have interpreted using texts, including online audio:

New American Standard Version

12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true.

As using hyperbole. In other words, generally at that time in history, Cretans lied as a culture and demonstrated immoral (internal) and unethical (external) qualities.

However in verse 13...

13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith...

These people in Crete can do otherwise as demonstrated in verse 13. If universally people from Crete were always liars, immoral and unethical as in verse 10-12, they would not be redeemable in verse 13. It is generally true that people from Crete are liars immoral and unethical.

Philosopher Blackburn mentions Epimenides, from Crete that is supposed to have said that all Cretans are liars. If he did speak this truly (as a Cretan liar, my add) then what he said was false, and vice versa. (121). If this person would have stated something was false, then it would be true.

Blackburn states this is the liar paradox. Example: This sentence is false., which must be false if the sentence is true, and it must be true if it is false. (217). It has been suggested that the sentence, This sentence is false., fails to say anything. (217). I would agree, as in anything reasonable.

Blackburn states the type of sentence that states nothing is at least false. (217). How useful is it to discuss the meaning of This sentence is false.? Perhaps it is better stated as not reasonable. It could be philosophically argued as non-nonsensical.

I have never taken this as meaning that the Apostle Paul, and/or the scribe that wrote Titus, reasoned in a plain literal way that every single person in Crete always lies and are immoral and unethical.

May I suggest that both the Apostle Paul and Epimenides were using hyperbole and not plain literal language. And may I add, that I doubt that either writer would claim to have known every single Cretan! I reason this even as the Apostle Paul was inspired by God, the Holy Spirit to write or at least produce the book of Titus.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Brief & non-exhaustive reasons not to sellout

Hatzic Lake, Mission: Remax

I met this afternoon with a Board member for my employer and we agreed that the modern sellout form of Christianity is in grave error.

Brief and non-exhaustive reasons...

Manuscript evidence

There is a reasonably, textually consistent, documented religious history throughout the ancient biblical world, taking place within that world.

Papyri Cataloged 127
Uncial Mss. Cataloged 318
Minuscule Mss. Cataloged 2, 880
Lectionaries Cataloged 2, 436

Total 5, 761 (Numbers in all categories inch up periodically with new discoveries) German numbers from 1994 and 2011 are accessed.

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

Biblical evidence

Allowing for progressive revelation in the New Testament, which is chronologically later than the Hebrew Bible and amplifying the original testament (the new covenant see Mark 14, Matthew 26, Luke 22, Hebrews), it is documented that biblical central theology and doctrine are consistent in both Testaments and through the writings of the Church Fathers.

Theology and Philosophy of Religion

God is the first cause (Genesis) and nothing other than God existed prior to God creating angelic beings and the material universe. Perhaps non-material angelic beings were created prior to the creation of matter.

God is therefore infinite and eternal with an immutable, unchangeable nature. God inspired theology in biblical Scripture through his prophets, apostles and scribes. This  reflects the divine unchanging nature and the divine view toward creation and humanity.

In contrast, human beings are fallen (Genesis 3) and sinful (Romans) requiring salvation via the applied atoning and resurrection work of Christ, through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to those in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1-2). This human salvation to be completed via resurrection to finite perfection with a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15) and membership in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21-22).

A well-established system of logic is essential

Peter Twele: Facebook

LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York. (Philosophy)

In Chapter IX 9: The Algebra of Logic

Philosopher Langer, explains that within symbolic logic an assumed  Universe of Discourse exists whose elements were certain with specific classes of A, B, C etcetera; this includes class I and a null class 0. (206).

For each (positive) class of A, B, C, etcetera, there is a negative class. (206). For every two classes (as described by Langer) there is a sum and a product. (206). Therefore what is a produced is what Langer names a calculus. (2006).

Facts about specific elements are expressed. (206). If these facts are not expressed then a correct calculus cannot be reached within a Universe of Discourse in symbolic logic. For example, if the sum of A and (plus) B were not equal to B (In other words, if A and B were not the same), then the product of A and -B could not be 0. (206). She reasons that we might instead calculate the sum of A x -B and B as the element of A + B. (206). Every structure is composed of elements. (49).

Notice, she is stating might...

This is rules of formal reasoning as opposed to necessarily truth. But, the truth there is requires logic and reason for correct presentation.

For arguments sake, reviewing Langer, if from her example the sum of A and  B did not produce the product of B, then perhaps the product in a Universe of Discourse would instead be C,or Z, etcetera, produced by multiplication. Instead of a general theory of classes, rather the properties of each class may be learned. (206). For me, Langer's example here lacks clarity.

What exactly does she mean by A x -B and B?

This textbook requires more footnotes with explanation.

A key to understanding any calculus, any calculations would be to have a well-established system within the Universe of Discourse. A well-established system of logic is essential in symbolic and also with the presentation of premise (s) and conclusions within academic disciplines.

Key symbols

≡df = Equivalence by definition
: = Equal (s)
ε = Epsilon and means is
 ⊃ = Is the same as
 ⊨ is Entails
 ˜ = Not
∃ = There exists
∃! = There exists
∴ = Therefore
. = Therefore
< = Is included
v = a logical inclusive disjunction (disjunction is the relationship between two distinct alternatives).
x = variable
= Conjunction meaning And
0 = Null class
cls = Class
int = Interpretation