Concept of the Church: The questioner was confused about the statement that Jesus established the church and whether it is still relevant today. The responder clarified that Jesus meant a group of believers, not a physical building or priesthood.
Reliability of the Bible: Questioner believes the Bible is reliable due to its answers about Jesus but struggles to justify this belief.
Understanding of Jesus
Responder's View:
Jesus is a creation of God, not God himself.
He is viewed as a messenger of God who fulfilled a mission but is not divine.
The concept of the Trinity is seen as a fabrication.
Discussion Points
Miracles of Jesus: The questioner struggles with understanding why Jesus' miraculous birth sets him apart, and the responder emphasizes that every prophet had unique miracles.
Comparison of Prophets: The responder argues that all prophets, including Jesus, were messengers of God with specific missions.
Biblical Context vs. Quranic Context
Scriptural Comparison:
The responder discusses how certain violent commands in the Old Testament, such as God commanding the Israelites to destroy enemies, are presented without context, while similar commands in the Quran are contextualized as responses to treaty violations.
Old Testament vs. New Testament: The questioner expresses concern about the portrayal of God across different periods, citing that God should not change.
Perspective on God's Nature
Questioner's Struggle: The questioner feels it is easier to identify with the God presented in Christianity than in Islam due to more personal characteristics attributed to Jesus.
Responder's Perspective: The responder argues that the focus should be on the Creator rather than the created (Jesus).
Miracles and Evidence of Faith
Miracles in Christianity: The questioner mentions miraculous icons but admits these are not convincing evidence for all.
Evidence for Islam: The responder argues that there are objective evidences supporting Islam, including scientific facts mentioned in the Quran and prophecies made by Prophet Muhammad.
Approaching the Truth
Questioner's Dilemma: The questioner struggles with family ties to Orthodox Christianity and the desire to find truth.
Advice from Responder:
Seek the truth and be prepared to follow it regardless of societal pressures.
Suggested to reach out for further discussion or questions via email.
Conclusion
The conversation ended with a mutual acknowledgment of the difficulty of changing beliefs and the importance of understanding one's faith deeply. The responder encouraged the questioner to continue seeking truth.