The Islamic Dilemma: Why the Bible Remains the Ultimate Truth
By Alvin Tanicala | Word Ministry
How do we know which revelation is true? In a world of competing religious claims, logic and consistency are our best tools for discernment.
There is a powerful logical argument often called "The Islamic Dilemma." It forces a seeker to look at the relationship between the Quran and the Bible. When you examine the texts closely, you find that the Quran rests its authority on the Bible, yet simultaneously contradicts it. This creates an impossible logical knot that points us back to the ultimate authority of the Christian Scriptures.
1. The Quran Appeals to the Bible as Truth
Many people are surprised to learn that the Quran does not originally claim the Bible is corrupted. In fact, it commands Muslims to look to the "People of the Book" (Christians and Jews) and their scriptures to verify the truth.
If the author of the Quran was unsure, they were told to ask those who read the Bible before them.
Surah 10:94 (Yunus):
"So if you are in doubt, [O Muhammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you..."
Furthermore, the Quran commands Christians to judge by their own scriptures:
Surah 5:47 (Al-Ma'idah):
"And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient."
If the Bible were corrupted or unreliable at the time of Muhammad (7th Century AD), why would the Quran command Christians to judge by it? You cannot ask someone to find truth in a book you believe is filled with lies. Therefore, the Quran affirms the Bible is the Word of God.
2. The Contradiction
Here lies the problem. While the Quran affirms the Bible’s authority, it denies the Bible’s central message. The Gospel rests on the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and His atoning death on the cross. The Quran explicitly denies both.
On the Crucifixion:
The Bible:
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3).
The Quran:
"...and they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them..." (Surah 4:157).
On the Sonship of God:
The Bible:
"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:17).
The Quran:
"He begetteth not, nor is He begotten..." (Surah 112:3).
3. The Dilemma: A Logical Dead End
This brings us to the argument discussed in our recent video transcript. We are left with a strict logical dilemma.
Option A: The Bible is True.
If the Bible is true (as the Quran suggests we should check), then the Quran is false because it contradicts the Bible regarding the Crucifixion and the Deity of Christ.
Option B: The Bible is Corrupted.
This is the common defense today. Many will say, "Oh, but the Bible has been changed." But this leads to a worse outcome for Islam. If the Bible is corrupted, then the Quran is still false, because it claims that a corrupted, unreliable book is the Word of God and a standard for truth.
As the logic goes:
“If the Bible is corrupted, then the Quran is still false. Because it's saying that a corrupted book is true."
Conclusion: Standing on the Rock
You cannot have it both ways. The Quran cannot call the Bible the "Word of God" and then deny the very historical events (the Cross) that save us.
For us in the Word Ministry, the answer is clear. We do not need a new revelation to confirm the old one. We have the historical, prophetic, and eyewitness testimony of the Apostles.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." — Isaiah 40:8
The Bible does not need the Quran to verify it. The Bible stands on its own as the ultimate truth, pointing us to the one true Savior, Jesus Christ.