Jesus, the Light of the Nations

In light of expectation of the coming Messiah (a Greek / Latin: Messiah, Savior), the Lord will send his Messiah as the "light of nations". The term "nations" in Hebrew refers to nations other than Israel.

Therefore the word of Jesus Christ that anyone who follows him "do not walk in darkness, but will earn the Light of Life)", are carefully fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah 8: 23-9:1 that in the original reads: "... derek hayyam, 'aver hayyarden Gelil haggoyim. Ha' am haholekim behoshek ra'u 'or gadol, yosyevi be arets tsalmavet' or negah aleikhem"(... road to the sea, the region across the Jordan, Galilee: the territory of other nations. The nation who walk in darkness, have seen a great light, those who dwell in the land of thick darkness, the light has shone upon it).

So, 'Isa al-Masih is the Light of the world, that enlightens every person who walked in darkness so that they acquire the Light of Life. And since the coming of the Messiah, the walls of Jewish exclusivism, destroyed. Jesus is not only sent to the Children of Israel, but He became the Saviour of the World. Like a light that never restrict His light, shining in the courtyard of the kings or in the gutter trash.

Nations once considered low, a people who regarded the religious laity, all visited by His light brightly lit. Knows no distinction, no discrimination.

In Jewish terminology, the term "ha'am haholekim beheshek" (the nations who walked in darkness) and "arets tsalmavet" (domestic gloom or literally: "the country is overshadowed by the death"), meaning roughly close to the Arabic term "jahiliah" (ignorance). While the term 'goyim' (Gentiles, "non-Jewish") also contains the meaning of "heathen nations" who do not know God, who is worshiped by the people of Israel. So, its connotation is very humbling. Not only the religions of non-Jews, but also other nations.

Expectation of the Jews themselves, also called the Messiah who would come as "Light of the Gentiles"('or hagoyim). Jesus was more explicit expression again: Ani 'or ha' olam (I am the Light of the World). The interpretation of Jewish rabbis, 'or (light) is always associated with a conversation about the coming Messiah. For example, in Isaiah 49:6 God said to the Messiah, called the Servant of Yahweh ('Ebed Yahweh): "I will also give thee for a light of the nations, that My salvation may be unto the end of the earth." (Compare also: Isaiah 60:1 and Daniel 2:22).

It should be noted, statements of Jesus as the Light of the World is also fulfilled the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah (Zech. 14:16-20) that His glory will be revealed in Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles. Interpretations of pre-Christian Jews, especially those written in the Targums, also connects this verse with the glory of the coming Messiah.

Minorities in the era of democracy.

As was predicted earlier, the emergence of democratization in the Middle East region is difficult dammed or discontinued. In turn, one after the other Arab countries affected by outbreaks of Arab Spring. With the exception of the Libyan, another part of the fall of Arab rulers is the insistence of his own people with little indirect intervention of Western countries. Zine El Abidin Ben Ali, Hosni Mubarak, could not maintain his power. Ali Abdullah Saleh and Bashar Assad is facing severe pressure from the opposition who want them back. Moamar Khaddafi, was not overthrown by his own people but by the Western leaders who thirst of Libyan oil.

And also been predicted earlier, the process of democratization occurring in countries with Muslim majority also have a direct impact on the survival of the adherents of minority religions. What we see in Egypt today, where the Coptic people are fighting for their rights as fellow citizens of Egypt. Sectarian and religious conflicts like this are happening everywhere, because the decline of the powerful Arab rulers. The absence of a strong ruler who directly impact the loss of protection to minorities.

Of the countries that have a Muslim majority, Indonesia is a country that is relatively more free in expressing an opinion and religious expression. But the country also suffered a setback in terms of religious tolerance after the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998. Banning the establishment of houses of worship of minorities seems to be a common thing happening in western Indonesia. As was the case today is busy talking on the GKI Yasmin Bogor, West Java. Church building is sealed by the local government, arguing there was no building permit. Though Indonesia's Supreme Court has ruled that local governments have no right to seal the building of the church because the church GKI Yasmin already have an official building permits. Things like this continue to take place in many places in western Indonesia. So what is happening in Egypt against the Copts are the same thing that has been perceived first by the minorities in Indonesia.

May the Coptic people, can get their rights as full citizens of Egypt, not as second-class citizens. Greetings and prayers are always for the people of Copts, who have been able to survive in the faith for centuries in oppression.

Dokein (2)

The theory of the substitution of 'Isa with others (Simon of Cyrene, Judas Iscariot), does not satisfy some interpreters of Islam, because not in accordance with the principles of God's justice. In addition, if grammatically traced, it’s also not suitable.

The reason given is that if a person's place of Jesus, should use the third singular pronoun self. Lakin shubiha lahu (but disguised for him) not Lakin shubiha lahum (but disguised for them). Another reason is the verse does not explain who his successor. There is no evidence from the Qur'an and the Hadith which says that people named Yahudza (Judas Iscariot) as a person whose face has been altered so that later replaced Jesus Christ on the cross. Only a book called the Gospel of Barnabas, a fictional tale of Muslims, in medieval times, which clearly write the name Yahudza as a person who was likened to Jesus. This book by some Muslims who are not educated regarded as the only true gospel that still exist, although this book contains a lot of things that do not fit well with the verses of the Koran, such as taking the title Christ for Jesus and pinned on Mohammed . Whereas the Arab prophet was never claimed that title and is very respectful of that title for Jesus, because in Islam, al-Masih's degree does not mean the same as the Messiah in Jewish theology.

Ishaq ibn Bishr in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, express opinions that are very close to the Christian view: "God made him die for three days, then turned back and was appointed to his side."

When viewed Qs an-Nisa 157, "... but they killed him not, nor crucified him, ..." then what is said in the verse there is conformity with the Gospel facts, namely that the Jews did not kill Jesus or crucify him. This is because the data concerning the gospel of Jesus' crucifixion, with clearly stated even though the Jews who demanded the punishment of Jesus, but who carry out the execution of Jesus was still a Roman soldier.

Dokein (apparently)

In the early days of Christianity, there are groups of gnostic sects, who do not believe in the crucifixion of Christ. The reason they put it is not based on historical fact but based on sectarian ideas of their own. According to them, the body is bad, it's just a good spirit. If Christ is the logos, then he may not really be human, because it is impossible Logos that is the spirit, in contact with physical objects. So when Jesus seems to be crucified, then it just seems to be, not really crucified. The truth, Jesus actually laugh at the people who crucified him. Therefore, the teachings of this sectarian cult called "docetism" (from the word δοκέω dokeō, "to seem").

At the time later, Islam emerged, with the doctrine that rejected the crucifixion of Isa al-Masih. This doctrine is based on Surah 4 (An-Nisa) verse 157, "And Because Of Their saying (in Boast)," We killed Messiah 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah, "-but They killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 'Isa was put over another man (and They killed That man), ... ". Most Muslims interpret this verse by saying that Jesus was not crucified, but replaced with others who likened such as 'Jesus by God, while' God raised Jesus to heaven itself. Opinions like these are teachings which are believed by most Muslims even though there are Muslim leaders who disagree with the doctrine of rejection of the crucifixion 'Isa.

Some Muslim thinkers argue that Jesus was crucified, but only just fainted, and when sober fled to Qumran, living with his mother (Mary) with the Essene sect and died in that place. Ahmadiyya scholars also said the same thing, that Jesus was crucified and collapsed, but after realized he fled to Kashmir, India, where the grave of 'Isa is still there today. It seems Muslim thinkers, and Ahmadiyyah scholars, acknowledging the crucifixion of Isa based verses in the Qur'an: “And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, … (Qs Maryam 33), “And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus) I will take you …(”Ya ‘Isa innee mutawaffeeka”)” (Qs Ali Imran 55), “… but when You took me up, You are the Watcher over them, …” (Qs al-Maidah 117). If viewed literally the verses indicate that Jesus would die, so they can receive the death 'of Jesus by crucifixion as recorded in the Gospels and the Jewish and Roman history. While scholars who do not believe typically use Surah an-Nisa 157 above, "... but They killed him not, nor crucified him, ...". This group recognizes that 'Isa raised to heaven, on the basis of the verses: “But Allah raised him [‘Isa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself, …” (Qs an-Nisa 158), “And (remember) when Allah said: “O ‘Isa (Jesus) I will take you and raise you to Myself …” (Qs Ali Imran 55). But Qs Maryam verse 33, it embraces both, stating after 'Isa died and then resurrected back to life, “And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

Jesus in Islamic eschatology

Al-Quran, the Muslim holy book, contains the revelations of God to Muhammad. But besides that, the Qur'an also mention a lot about Jesus. The Qur'an mentions the miraculous birth of Jesus (Sura 3 verse 42-47), about the miracles of Jesus (Sura 3 verse 49), about his work as a messenger of Allah. But at the same time, the Qur'an also narrowed the scope of the ministry of Jesus: He was sent only to the Children of Israel only, not for all humanity (Sura 3 verse 48-49).

We can see about it that the Qur'an sees Jesus in two patterns, positive and negative. On the one hand, the Qur'an had great respect for Jesus to call Him in a few names: Kalimatullah (Sura 4 verse 171), the Spirit of God (Sura 19 verse 17, Sura 21 verse 91), and several other names, which suggests a form of homage to Jesus. On the other hand, the Qur'an rejected Jesus in some respects that it is fundamental to the Christian faith, such as: He is the Son of God, Jesus' death on the cross. The identity of Jesus became a big question mark in the Qur'an. If at first glance, Jesus seems to be glorified among the other prophets by some an honorary degree, the miracle of birth and the miracles he did, but if it is seen more in depth, then all the honors for Jesus as Messiah, God's Word, the Spirit of God has no function as the meaning of these titles. The titles are pinned on Jesus merely honorary title only, honoris causa. Similarly with the miraculous birth and his miracles nor is it something special in the Qur'an. The Qur'an denies that Jesus was born without a father, more special than the other prophets because if Jesus was the only without a father to be special, how about Adam, who was born without a father and mother, Adam's definitely more special than Jesus. Likewise, the miracles of Jesus, not Moses also perform miracles greater than Jesus, that is by splitting the sea?

In Islamic eschatology, the role of Jesus does not stand out when compared with the role of Muhammad himself. Jesus is mentioned as a figure who will come again before the Day of Judgement and kill the Dajjal, but Jesus comes again will only confirm the teachings of Muhammad, to destroy the cross, kill swine, and so on. Jesus would also have a wife and son, reigned for 40 years, then died and was buried in Medina, near the tomb of Muhammad. The role of Jesus in Islamic eschatology is very small even none at all, because he can not provide intercession to save people from punishment (punishment of hell fire), even Jesus himself was tried and examined by God, to account for the deeds of his flock, which has deify Him and His Mother (Sura 5 verse 116.117).

Eschatology in the New Testament

In the New Testament eschatology, Jesus had a very important and prominent. Jesus is not just one sign of the coming end of time (as understood by Muslims), but by and in him that the end times happen. Talk of NT eschatology in general is associated with the second coming of Jesus, commonly called the parousia.

Excessive emphasis on the events of Jesus' second coming times, often bringing Christians to a tendency to count and determine when exactly the incident. From the very beginning there are some groups of Christians who try to give the exact date on the day of the second coming of Jesus. Early example of this trend is Montanism movement in Asia Minor, in the second century. Montanus, with two of his female followers: Priscilla and Maximilla, stating that the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus has come in them. To assure this, they began to speak in tongues, even ecstasy. This movement demanded that his followers do the holy life, abstain from worldly pleasures, for Jesus' second coming is near.

In subsequent periods, groups emerged, which emphasizes Jesus' parousia to extremes, such as the Adventist group. The founder of this sect, namely William Miller predicted the second coming of Jesus will occur in 1843, after researching the Book of Daniel and Revelation. What happened was the disappointment of his followers because there is no any event in that year. Similarly, in groups of Pentecost, the tendency to match the events that occurred in the present with biblical prophecy about Jesus' parousia, as practiced by Gordon Lindsay. There are other groups similar, also do the same thing that is predicted the coming of Jesus' second coming, as recently happened.

Human efforts to calculate exactly when Jesus returns the second time, in any form will also end in failure, because contrary to the mandate of the Bible itself, αυτοι γαρ ακριβως οιδατε οτι η ημερα κυριου ως κλεπτης εν νυκτι ουτως ερχεται for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) περι δε της ημερας εκεινης και ωρας ουδεις οιδεν ουδε οι αγγελοι των ουρανων ουδε ο υιος ει μη ο πατηρ μονος "No one knows when that day or hour will come-not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mat 24:36)

Feast of Tabernacles in Jesus' time

On the 14th of the seventh month (Tishrei), in the Holy Land, the grape harvest had just ended. Everyone rejoiced even though the body feels tired after work, because at night the Feast of Tabernacles begins. Feast of Tabernacles (Hag hassukot) is held annually on 15-21, the Hebrew calendar month of Tishri (approximately September / October in the Gregorian calendar), to commemorate the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, when out of the Land of Egypt (Leviticus 23:34; Numbers 29 :12-38). Spiritual feast lasted for seven days in an atmosphere of the sacrifices of sheep, dancing and singing procession to the temple (not in the temple). During the week everyone has to live outside their homes, by building a simple tents that covered the foliage alone.

The city of Jerusalem became so crowded because so many many people from outside who came to Jerusalem. Hagigah or 3 great celebration was attended not only Jews in the Holy Land, but also the Jewish diaspora communities (overseas) who live in other countries (cf. John 7:35, Acts 2:5). In the Gospels, it is recorded that Jesus had also attended hag hassukot, which is celebrated on a large scale in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

The Gospel of John 7: 37-39 noted that on the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have rivers of living water flowing from his heart. " These words were spoken by Jesus at the height of the feast of Tabernacles, the eighth day, called Shemini Atseret or in the seventh day called Hoshana Rabbah (הוֹשַׁעְנָא רַבָּא Great Hoshana), because in contrast to the previous day's rites on Hoshana Rabbah, in which all the liturgical readings are spoken as much as 7 times while circling the altar. When pilgrims around the altar (Muslims also carry out such a procession during the Haj pilgrimage, called the Tawaaf) as much as seven times, the faithful recites Hoshanot: hoshi'ahna (Aramaic: hoshana) as much as seven times. Each "hoshana" is done in honor of a patriarch (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David). The seven circuits correspond to the seven words in the verse Erhatz benikayon kappay, va'asovevah et mizbahakha Hashem "I wash my hands in innocence; And I walk around Your altar, O יהוה," (Psalms 26:6) אֶרְחַץ בְּנִקָּיוֹן כַּפָּי; וַאֲסֹבְבָה אֶת-מִזְבַּחֲךָ יְהוָה -.

Jesus' words, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!", is pronounced in the context of a series of rites of Nisuh ha-Mayim (outpouring of the water), which is done before the procession around the altar. After the Levites took the water in the pool of Siloam, then they take vases of water to the Temple of God, after all the people enter the courtyard of the temple, the Chief Priest walk to the main altar and then pour the water in the vessel, accompanied by the prayer of the faithful: "May God send His spirit upon us!".

In the Jewish interpretation, ritual Nisuh ha-Mayim, which is actually to commemorate the refreshing stream which had come forth miraculously out of the rock at Meribah, i.e. events when Moses struck the rock with his rod and then the water spurting out from that rock hill, then soteriologicly associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ruah ha-Qodesh). In the description of the Talmud (Sukkah 9), called Nisuh hammayim because "will be poured out upon us the Holy Spirit, as written in the book of the Prophet Isaiah: "And with joy you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3)

In the Christian understanding, the outpouring of the water and the hope of the descent of the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled. In the last supper Jesus said, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant that is being poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins." The water of life that has been poured for the blood of the Redeemer has been shed. The Holy Spirit, went down after the Messiah be glorified (John 7: 30), once through the Via Dolorosa, Crucifixion, death and resurrection, and Ascension to heaven, only then the spirit of God was sent to perfect the work of Messiah (Jn. 16: 7-10), and poured on the day of Pentecost. If we look in the book of Zechariah 14 then shall we find that the rites in the feast of Tabernacles is so filled with the hope of the figure of the outcoming Messiah.

THE HAG

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Hag ha-Shavuot or the Feast of Pentecost which was held 50 days after Passover, which the people of Israel is commemorated as the day of harvest and thanksgiving to God, Christianity interpreted as the day grateful for the descent of the Holy Spirit to the apostles that marks the harvest of God for the salvation of Jesus Christ with the establishment of the early church in Jerusalem. (Acts 2:1-2)

If all hope of Jews through the feasts have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, is there any meaning Christians to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land (especially Jerusalem)? Did not Jesus also explicitly says to the Samaritan woman whom he met, “believe Me that the hour cometh when neither in this mountain, nor at Urishlem, you shall worship the Father”?

Everything is true, have all been fulfilled. Only, make pilgrimages to the Holy Land of Palestine-Israel is not the same as the pilgrimage at other places. For those of you who have visited the Vatican, Lourdes, Mount Athos, or other places of pilgrimage, you may feel the spiritual experiences, but you will feel something different when it comes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, especially if the pilgrimage at Easter. 'Aliyah to the Holy Land, especially with the ritual of the Cross (Tariq al-'Alam) stations for the stations, we would feel like to walk with the Messiah, retrace one by one, step by step of the great salvation of God, in misery the World Savior (Mukhalish al-'Alam).

Through a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, we are invited to enter and immerse yourself in the Bible times. We see close cultural treasures of a people that through this people, God acts to save mankind. Like the words of Jesus, “for salvation is from the Jihudoyee (the Jews)”. Our hearts will be touched when heard the Psalmist sang שִׁיר הַֽמַּעֲלֹות shiyr hammaaloth (Song of Pilgrimage) filled with a yearning for the divine salvation that will come, once commonly sung at the 'aliyah to the Holy City of Yerushalayim.
Psalm 122:1-4
שִׁיר הַֽמַּעֲלֹות לְדָוִד מַחְתִּי בְּאֹמְרִים לִי בֵּית יְהוָה נֵלֵֽךְ׃
עֹמְדֹות הָיוּ רַגְלֵינוּ בִּשְׁעָרַיִךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
יְרוּשָׁלִַם הַבְּנוּיָה כְּעִיר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־לָּהּ יַחְדָּֽו׃
שֶׁשָּׁם עָלוּ שְׁבָטִים שִׁבְטֵי־יָהּ עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְהֹדֹות לְשֵׁם יְהוָֽה׃

From the Holy City of Jerusalem, feel how melodious ballad 'Id al-Fashha in joy:
المسيح قام من بين الاموات. ووطظيء الاموت با لموت وهب لحياة للذين في القبور
Al-Masih qama min bainal amwat. Wa wathi’ al-mauta bil maut, wa wahabal hayyata lilladzina fil qubuur.
Christ is risen from the dead. By His death He has trampled death and given life for everyone who was in the grave.

THE HAG

Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. (John 4::21, NIV)

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the verb in Hebrew is called with עליה 'aliyah, meaning "ascension" (from the base עלה 'alah: to ascend or mount upwards). By Muslims, a phrase like this also arise when they say "go up pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Mecca and Medina)." In the Bible the pilgrims are called מעלה mă'alah (plural: מעלות ma'ăloth).

In the Book of Exodus 23:14 states that God's people are commanded to carry out the celebration / Hags to the Lord three times a year, ie hag ha-Pesah, hag ha-Shavuot, hag ha-Sukkot. שָׁלֹ֣שׁ רְגָלִ֔ים תָּחֹ֥ג לִ֖י בַּשָּׁנָֽה׃ shalosh regalim ta chog li bashanah Three times in the year you shall make a feast to Me.

From the standpoint of Christianity, the rite of Hags has been fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah promised by God. For Christians it has become clear, “Therefore, let no one judge you in matters of food and drink or with respect to a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to Christ.” (Col 2:16-17, ISV) Christ is the fulfillment of all Jewish rites they perform in the context of the coming of the Messiah will hold.

Because Christ is the fulfillment of all Jewish expectation, based on the Bible and Jewish tradition, the framework of Christian worship was still built on the foundation of Jewish terminology. As a ritual meal in the "sacrifice of the Passover lamb" (Exodus 12:23-28, 43-51), in which the people of Israel to commemorate the event "passed the houses of Israel" so that escape from the death of firstborn children, because there are signs of sheep blood on the doors of the house of Israel.

Christianity interpret the blood of "The Great Sacrifice" that has been spilled already missed, not only of Israel (בני ישׂראל bene Yisra’el) but all of humanity (בני ובאדם bene Adam), from eternal destruction. The Jewish Passover meal taken by Christianity in the form of Qidmat al-Quddus, the Lord's Supper which brings the mystery of God's presence.

To be continued ....

The claimant of the Paraclete

The words of Jesus in John's Gospel about the coming of another comforter (αλλον παρακλητον allon paraklēton) seems to be an interesting thing for people to claim themselves as "The Another comforter", over time. From the writing and circulation of the Gospel of John for the early Christians, have emerged of people claiming to be another Helper that has been prophesied by Jesus. Let us look at some people who claim to (or believed by his followers) as allon paraklēton promised by Jesus Christ.

- MONTANUS
Montanus was a forerunner of Montanism movement, which is a charismatic and apocalyptic movements at the end of the 2nd century. He is a former priest of pagan religion in Phrygia in Asia Minor who later embraced Christianity. Montanism movement in terms of dogmatic quite difficult for disabled, since it is a movement based on mystical inspiration to revolt against the existing authorities like the Bible and the Church hierarchy. Montanus claimed was inspired by the Holy Spirit, he regards himself as the Paraclete promised by Jesus to renew the Church, as he announced the end of the world and the need to prepare ourselves for the end times with a pure moral practices.

According to Montanus, the Comforter demanded holy behavior, that is not doing a second marriage, even as a marriage was considered a low thing; fasting; set of dry food without meat (xerophagia), may not escape in times of persecution, and ask ourselves offerings to God in martyrdom.

In its development, two women (prophetess), Maximilla and Priscilla, joined Montanus. The two of them is called Montanus as the first fruits of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32). According to their testimony, the blood of martyrdom is the key of the Kingdom of Heaven. They refuse to forgive major sins such as murder, apostasy, adultery. They reject any form of ecclesiastical authority by stating that churches and their leaders that are spiritually dead and surrendered unconditionally to the new prophets, that through these new prophets, the Spirit speaks. He declared himself as the spokesman of God to bring "New Revelation" and "New Prophecy", he is "The Mouth of the Holy Spirit.”

Montanism fragmented into many small sects, then in the 4th century began to be fought by the Roman Empire (although criticism of the doctrine of Montanus has started since the beginning of its existence) and was successfully removed in the 7th century. But the character and spirit Montanism never really disappear until these modern times. Charismatic-apocalyptic movements like Montanism become a common sight today.

- MANICHAEUS
Manichaeus, born in the village Mardinû, in the desert Nahr Kuta, Southern Babylonia, 14 April 216. At the age of 24 years, Manichaeus received a mission from the Angel al-Taum, to proclaim the peak of the divine revelation of Zoroaster, Buddha and Jesus. Manichaeus teachings that are syncretic and dualistic, then called Manichaeism. According Manichaeus, the Church has misunderstood the teachings of Jesus who promised to send the Holy Comforter. Because the Holy Comforter was not the Holy Spirit, but is Manichaeus.

Manichaeus has the objective to establish a new religion, where all other religions must base themselves at him. He says that all holy books, wisdom, revelation, metaphor and Psalms of previous religions, gathered in the teachings Manichaeus and in policies which he revealed.

Manichaeus recognize Zoroaster, Buddha and Jesus; they are "brothers" of Manichaeus, the interpreter of the same wisdom. But there are drawbacks to all three figures by Manichaeus, that although all three preached and spread the teachings, but none of those who wrote scripture. This is why religion Manichaeism consider superior to the religions of the three figures because Manichaeus wrote his book himself (he produced a book, called Artang, which he said had been sent down to him from heaven and contained the final revelation to men). The strange, in each of the letters he wrote, Manichaeus always referred to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Manichaeus occupy important positions in the Persian Empire during the reign of King Shapur I (240-273). At the time of King Shapur I declare war against Rome in 241, the teachings Manichaeism also spread to the West. His teachings spread to the East to China and to the west to Spain. Manichaeus asserted, “I have come from the land of Babel to make my cry heard throughout the whole world.” He claimed to be the last and greatest of the prophets "the Ambassador of Light," which he identified with the Deity. He was impaled by the command of Bahram I, of Persia, about 276 A. D. In 302, Emperor Diocletian declared war against the teachings of Manichaeism. And in the period and other regions, Manichaeism also combated by the Buddhists and Muslims.

- MUHAMMAD
Muhammad ibn Abdullah born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570, although there were some disagreements over the actual date. His father was Abdullah, while his mother was Aminah. Muhammad came from the Quraysh tribe, an influential tribe in Mecca, being the Custodians of the Ka'ba, but Muhammad's family was poor. Tradition asserts that Muhammad's father died a couple of weeks before he was born and his mother died when he was six. After Aminah's death when he was six, he was taken care of by his grandfather, `Abdul Muttalib. After `Abdul Muttalib's death when Muhammad was eight years old, his uncle, Abu Talib, became his guardian.

Muhammad later entered the services of a widow called Khadija. After a successful mercantile trip to Syria, Khadija proposed to Muhammad, and he accepted the marriage proposal. Muhammad was 25 while Khadija was 40. At the age of 40, Muhammad claimed that he was receiving revelations from the angel Gabriel when he was in the Hira cave. Angel Gabriel told him to recite in the name of the Lord. This is the first verse of the Qur’an received by Muhammad (Surah al-‘Alaq). Khadija was the first to believe in him.

Muhammad started preaching in the family and its close relatives in the city of Mecca. Nevertheless these early efforts seem less bring significant results even begin to get resistance from the people of Quraysh, including his uncles such as Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl, even the uncle who guards him when he was a child, Abu Talib, was not a adherents of Islam. Muhammad then moved to the city of Yathrib (later called Medina), where he gained the trust of the population of the city to settle disputes between tribes. Muhammad began to receive widespread support and then after a series of battles with the leaders of Quraysh, Muhammad managed to go back to the city of Mecca in triumph. And since then, the doctrine that brought by Muhammad then spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, extending to India, China, and North Africa, Spain and all over the world to become the second largest religion in the world today.

What do Muhammad with 'another comforter' (αλλον παρακλητον allon paraklēton)? Muhammad did not like Montanus and Manichaeus who admitted openly as another comforter that Jesus promised. Only one verse in the Qur'an that are associated with this matter, namely Surah as-Saff verse 6, “And remember Jesus the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” But when he came to them with Clear Signs they said “This is evident sorcery!” This is the only verse that says that the coming of Muhammad was prophesied by Jesus, although not specifically lead to allon paraklēton that Jesus promised in John's Gospel. Almost certain that Muhammad never read the Gospel of John, either because he was illiterate or because it was translation of the Gospel of John in Arabic is not available at that time. The story that Jesus prophesied the coming of a prophet after him is very likely derived from the stories of the people around him who have heard or received little teaching of Christian monks in the Arabian Peninsula. The picture of Christianity which the Qur'an presents to us shows us what conception of it Muhammad had formed from his own limited experience. Stories about Waraqa, monk Bahira, Mary the Copt, Zaid and Bilal (a former slave who was born in Christian homes) make us better understand how Muhammad got a description of Christianity which is too faint, so Muhammad was never linked him as another Comforter, but the new prophet sent after Jesus’ prophethood.

The attempts to link the prophecy of Jesus about allon paraklēton with the prophet promised, only done by the interpreters of Islam after the era of the Caliph. Ibn Ishaq was the first to associate the word Paraclete in the Gospel of John with Muhammad by taking the similarity of the word Paraclete in the Syriac translation of Munahhemana with the word Muhammad. Interpreters of Islam after Ibn Ishaq despite using the same idea about the prophecy of Jesus in the Gospel of John 14 and 16, they charged that the word for Comforter should not be Paraclete (or Paracletos), but have been changed from the original Periklutos, meaning "Praised One". This is because the word “Ahmad” said in Surah As-Saff verse 6 means "Praised One" instead of "Comforter or Advocate". However, it is only after the middle of the 2nd century AH that Muslims begin to say that the word "Paracletos" should be "Periklutos", and this has been the favorite argument since then.

In these modern times, some followers of Muhammad even claimed that the coming of Muhammad was also predicted by Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism) and Gautama Buddha as the Buddha Maitreya.

There are many other people who claim to be allon paraklēton that Jesus promised (many people like Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Sathya Sai Baba, Imam Ahmed al-Hassan of the Shia Islam sect, etc.), there is a direct claim to be new Paraclete, there also taking the term as a prophet after Jesus, there are even claiming to be Jesus Christ who came for the second time (second coming of Jesus Christ). You believe one of them?

HOLY FIRE

In the middle of the night before Passover, always held an Easter Liturgy worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. In the middle of building , there is a small chapel-shaped building where there is empty space with a stretch of rock where Jesus was laid when he was buried. This building has a door, which on the eve of Passover is closed and sealed.

Thousands of Orthodox congregation gathered in the evening to look forward to a miracle that happens only on the eve of Easter, that is miraculous appearance of "Holy Fire", which is believed to be a kind of fire that fell from the sky at the time of the Prophet Elijah in a fight with the priests worshipers God Baal (1 Kings 18:38, Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.), or "tongues like flames of fire" perched on top of the head of the apostles of Christ on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3).

Orthodox Patriarch was standing at the front door of the tomb, just after midnight he went into the tomb with a candle that is still new. Suddenly the fire out of the expanse of stone from the tomb (or sometimes come from unpredicted places), the fire was grabbed candles that brought the patriarch. The candles are lit by itself. When the sacred fire was burning and burning the bodies of some people in attendance, they do not feel the heat of a fire or burn. However ± 10 minutes later the fire was a normal fire, and from this fire, then they lit their own Easter candles.

Holy Fire, which must be distinguished from the "Purgatory" in the Roman Catholic Church, becoming an integral part in the Easter celebration of the Orthodox congregation. Orthodox Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried at the site where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands, and that a flame appears spontaneously from his tomb on the day before Easter to show he has not forgotten his followers. It’s a matter of faith.

Happy Easter.

Gospel in Islam

وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًا يَلْوُونَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بالْكِتَابِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues; (as they read) so that you would think it is a part of the Book but it is no part of the Book; and they say “That is from Allah” but it is not from Allah: it is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it! (Surah 3 (Al-Imran) verse 78, Yusuf Ali Translation)

One time in the land of Egypt, 'Umar ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas al-Ash'ari as 'Amir al-Jazirah ordered to Yuhana Abu Sedra II, Patriarch of the Church of Syria, to do the translation the gospel, into Arabic. Along with the translation command, the emir ordered the Patriarch to delete the entire paragraph that contains the teachings of Jesus' divinity (as Kalimatullah, the Word of God) and the paragraph describing the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Patriarch of the refined sentence but firmly demand the Emir replied: "I will not be waived, even one letter, from the Gospel of my Lord, even though the whole arrow of Mr. Emir armies will penetrate my chest." The emir was stunned for a moment to hear the rejection of the Patriarch, and said: "Keep, and write as you know.”

The story above is only one of many examples of the encounter of Christians in the Middle East with Muslims. In the course of the spread of Islam in the Arab region, the Arab Prophet (Muhammad) meets and interacts with the various religious communities in his time. Muhammad interacted with Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, the Hunafa (who were seen to have rejected Shirk (polytheism) and retained some or all of the tenets of the monotheist religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), which is Islam in its purest form) and of course the Arab pagans.

In the encounter with Jews and Christians, Muhammad knew that the two communities have the Bible for guidance in their daily lives (though very doubtful about the existence of a complete Arabic translation of the Torah or the Gospel, at the time of Muhammad). When viewed more closely, it can be concluded shortly, that in theology, Muhammad received a very large influence of the Jews with some adjustments. Pure monotheistic Jewish teachings received and retained, thus rejected the teachings of the Christian Trinity. Unfortunately rejection of the Trinity doctrine is not based on complete and correct information. This can be seen from Sura 5 (Al-Ma'idah) paragraph 116, “And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden.” (Yusuf Ali Translation) In orthodox Christianity is certain that Mary mother of Jesus is not part of the Trinity, and even the Roman Catholic Church was not, although there is a tendency hyperdulia (excessive veneration) for the figure of Mary but not until towards Mariolatry (the worship of Mary).

One very controversial in the Islamic relations with the People of the Book (People of the Book: Jews and Christian) is the claim of Muhammad that he had been prophesied by the Torah and the Gospel. In the Quran Surah As-Saff verse 6 says,
وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنَّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدَّقًا لَّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشَّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيَّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَذَا سِْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
“And remember Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” But when he came to them with Clear Signs they said, “This is evident sorcery!” (Yusuf Ali Translation)

The above verse comes from the Medina period, no doubt that the Arab prophet himself understood as news of his arrival. But in the course of "prophetic", the forecast was never again mentioned or contemplated in the Qur'an. The modern Muslim commentators associate this verse with the Paraclete in the Gospel of John, which they converted from Periklutos words (in Arabic called frqlyt without vowels, which can be fariqlyt which means: Ahmed or the Praised One, but we know that unlike the languages in the Semitic family, the Greek New Testament uses the vowels, so that the interpretation by tweaking vowels like that is not justified.) Ibn Ishaq in The Life of Muhammad (Guillaume's translation), stating that the word "comforter" in Syria called Munahhemana, that is Muhammad. Below is part of the quote from “The Life of Muhammad”, pages 103, 104:

Among the things which have reached me about what Jesus the Son of Mary stated in the Gospel which he received from God for the followers of the Gospel, in applying a term to describe the apostle of God, is the following. It is extracted from what John the Apostle set down for them when he wrote the Gospel for them from the Testament of Jesus Son of Mary: ...”But when the Comforter has come whom God will send to you from the Lord’s presence, and the spirit of truth which will have gone forth form the Lord’s presence he (shall bear) witness of me and ye also, because ye have been with me from the beginning. I have spoken unto you about this that ye should not be in doubt.” The Munahhemana (God bless and preserve him!) in Syriac is Muhammad: in Greek he is the paraclete.

Guillaume provide notes on that matter,

“The passage quoted is John 15:23ff. It is interesting to note that the citation comes from the Palestinian Syriac Lectionary and not from the ordinary Bible of the Syriac-speaking Churches. …The most interesting word is that rendered “Comforter” which we find in the Palestinian Lectionary, but all other Syriac versions render “paraclete”, following the Greek. This word was well established in the Hebrew and Aramaic speaking world. The menahhemana in Syriac means the lifegiver and especially one who raises from the dead. Obviously such a meaning is out of place here and what is meant is one who consoles and comforts people for the loss of one dear to them. This is the meaning in the Talmud and Targum. It ought to be pointed out that by the omission of the words “that is written” before “in the law” quite another meaning is given to the prophecy. The natural rendering would be “the word that concerns the Namus must be fulfilled”.

As Guillaume pointed, Muhammad hardly fits the description of one who raises the dead, nor is he a life-giver. When the Syriac Christians applied that title to Jesus, it is perfectly within his authority to give life and raise the dead, as he had demonstrated. What we need to know is, that the Syriac Christians in general use the term ܦ݁ܰܪܰܩܠܺܛܳܐ Paraqlito which means "the Redeemer" or "One who ends the "curse", with an explanation: By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our fallen nature has been redeemed from the curse of Adam. In the understanding of Syriac Christianity, the word 'paraqlito' is not like the Greek word Paraclete, which originated from the word παρα ('to the side of') and καλεω ('to summon') which means the one who is called to another's side to aid him, as an advocate in a court of justice (it is to be noted that Jesus as well as the Holy Spirit is represented as Paraclete); but the Aramaic construct PRQL+A is derived from two Aramaic roots: PRQ (‘to end’, ‘to finish’ or ‘to save’) L+A (‘the curse’, cf. Mark 11:21, Matthew 5:44). It was recorded in the Peshitta / Peshitto who became their reference book, while Ibn Ishaq using Palestinian Syriac Lectionary. In the Gospel of Luke says that the angels give glad tidings to the shepherds in the field of Ephrata that the Messiah had just been born in the city of David. If we use the Peshitta as a reference then Luke 2:11 is as follows:
ܐܶܬ݂ܺܝܠܶܕ݂ ܠܟ݂ܽܘܢ ܓ݁ܶܝܪ ܝܰܘܡܳܢܳܐ ܦ݁ܳܪܽܘܩܳܐ ܕ݁ܺܐܝܬ݂ܰܘܗ݈ܝ ܡܳܪܝܳܐ ܡܫܺܝܚܳܐ ܒ݁ܰܡܕ݂ܺܝܢ݈ܬ݁ܶܗ ܕ݁ܕ݂ܰܘܺܝܕ݂ ܀
‘Itiled lekon ge’ir yaumana Paruqa, di tauhi Marya Mashiha ba m’dintah d’Dawid.
for there is born for you today the Redeemer, who is the Lord the Meshicha, in the city of David.
We can see that the Peshitta, used the word Paruqa, as a translation of the word σωτηρ Soter (the Redeemer), a word which became the root of the word 'Paraqlito'.

The apologetic Muslims in the later days, connecting the word 'Paraclete' with the word 'Periklutos', with the accusation that Christians have changed the Gospel. But it should be viewed carefully, even Ibn Ishaq was not linking the Paraclete in the Gospel of John with the word 'Ahmad' in Surat As-Saff verse 6. Ibn Ishaq does not say that the word "Paraclete" is "Periklutos". In fact, he confirmed that the word in Greek is Paraclete. He also used Comforter when translating that word. In order to apply the verse to Muhammad, Ibn Ishaq identifies the Syriac word Munahhemana to Muhammad.

Any effort to impose the Paraclete was Ahmad, it will make the position of the Arab Prophet to be down in rank. Example:
- John 14:16-17 (LITV)
And I will petition the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may remain with you to the age, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him nor know Him. But you know Him, for He abides with you and shall be in you.
- John 14:26
but the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and shall remind you of all things that I said to you.
- John 15:26
And when the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, that One will witness concerning Me.
- John 16:14
That One will glorify Me, for He will receive from Mine and will announce to you.

Jesus never spoke about the coming of a man, anyone and from anywhere, as his successor in the future. All these prophetic verses, impede their fulfillment in the human body, except if the promised prophet, is a supernatural being. Don't we know that Prophet Muhammad is truly a man, even he is believed by Muslims as the most perfect man Allah ever created?. Anyway, Is a Muslim does not feel insulted if the great prophet, the Seal of the prophets, heavenly intercessors, only a prophet sent by Jesus (messenger of Jesus) and come in the name of Jesus? How can a Muslim is not offended if the Prophet of Seventh Heaven is just a prophet that would glorify Jesus, because he will preach to the people what he receives from Jesus, the Prophet of Third Heaven?

Lord’s Prayer in Islam

أَبَانَا الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ لِيَتَقَدَّسِ اسْمُكَ
لِيَأْتِ مَلَكُوتُكَ. لِتَكُنْ مَشِيئَتُكَ كَمَا فِي السَّمَاءِ كَذَلِكَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ
خُبْزَنَا كَفَافَنَا أَعْطِنَا الْيَوْمَ
وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا كَمَا نَغْفِرُ نَحْنُ أَيْضاً لِلْمُذْنِبِينَ إِلَيْنَا
وَلاَ تُدْخِلْنَا فِي تَجْرِبَةٍ لَكِنْ نَجِّنَا مِنَ الشِّرِّيرِ. لأَنَّ لَكَ الْمُلْكَ وَالْقُوَّةَ وَالْمَجْدَ إِلَى الأَبَدِ. آمِينَ

‘Abana –lladhi fi –ssamawati, liyataqaddasi –ismuka,
Liya’ti malakutuka, litakun masyi’atuka, kama fii –ssama’i kadhalika ‘ala –l’ardh.
Khubzana kafafana ‘a’tina –lyauma,
Wa-ghfir lana dhunubana kama naghfiru nahnu ‘aidan lilmudhnibina ‘ilaina;
Wa la tudkhilna fii tajribatin, lakin najjina mina –shshirriri. ‘Amin.
(Injil Mattay 6:9-13, Van Dyke)

Readings above is an Arabic translation of the Lord's Prayer. According to the official historical record, the Bible translated into Arabic only in the middle of the 7th century BC, contemporaneous with the emergence of Islam in South Arabia. Syrian Orthodox Church Patriarch, namely Yuhana Abu Sedra II (631-648), regarded as the first translator of the Gospels written in Arabic, although not in the form of a whole book but only certain parts of the whole book we now call the New Testament. Although no complete translation of the Gospel, at that time the Christian Arab tribes have been using the Liturgy of St. James in Arabic in the mid 6th century. Christian Arab tribes in the territory of Syria such as: Bani Aqula, Bani Tanukh and Bani Tayy already using Arabic language in the liturgy, about a century before the advent of Muhammad.

When Muhammad came, he interacts with the Christian Arab tribes as well as with the Jews in Arabia. From here, we can assume that Muhammad knew some of the teachings or rituals conducted by the Christian Arab tribes, or Jewish, although very little. Maybe Muhammad knew about the Lord's Prayer which were offered in the daily worship of Christians Arabs. In the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i from Abu Darda radhiya-llahu 'anhu, said that Prophet Muhammad taught a prayer for healing the sick. What is unique is the similarity of the prayer with the Lord's Prayer in Arabic.

Rabbuna llah u lladhi fii as-sama’i, wa taqaddasa ismuka,
Amruka fii as-sama’i wa al-ardh, kama rahmatika fii as-sama’i, faj’al rahmatika fii al-ardh,
Waaghfirlana haubana wa khatayana, Anta Rabbu at-tayibin. Anthil rahmatan min rahmatik wa shifa’an min shifa’ika ‘ala hadha al-waji’.

Our Lord God who is in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom is in heaven and on earth, and even as Thy mercy is in heaven, so may Thy mercy also be upon earth. Forgive us our debts and our sins, for Thou art the Lord of the good. Thou art the God that the Supreme Good, derive the grace of Thy grace, and healing from your healing for this disease.

From the above similarities, of course, we can quickly see the difference of the two prayer. Muhammad taught prayer begins with the phrase "Rabbuna llah u lladhi fii as-sama’i" Our Lord God who is in heaven, so that the theological differences have started from the first sentence. Because Muhammad's struggle with the Infidel pre-Islamic period in Mecca, of course, the words "Our Father” in the Lord's Prayer into things that should be avoided or rejected because it would cause confusion with that term view of the infidels of Mecca who worships Goddesses Mecca as Banatullah (the daughters of God, where God as the supreme god really have a child physically, far different from the terms of the Father, which is understood by both Jews and Christians. The funny thing is that the Jews reject the Christian claim about Jesus is the Messiah but did not deny the title of the Messiah as "Son of God", on the other hand, Muslims reject the title "Son of God" for Jesus but do not reject the designation for Jesus the Messiah).

Jewishness of the Lord’s Prayer

ܗܳܟ݂ܰܢܳܐ ܗܳܟ݂ܺܝܠ ܨܰܠܰܘ ܐܰܢ݈ܬ݁ܽܘܢ ܐܰܒ݂ܽܘܢ ܕ݁ܒ݂ܰܫܡܰܝܳܐ ܢܶܬ݂ܩܰܕ݁ܰܫ ܫܡܳܟ݂ ܀
ܬ݁ܺܐܬ݂ܶܐ ܡܰܠܟ݁ܽܘܬ݂ܳܟ݂ ܢܶܗܘܶܐ ܨܶܒ݂ܝܳܢܳܟ݂ ܐܰܝܟ݁ܰܢܳܐ ܕ݁ܒ݂ܰܫܡܰܝܳܐ ܐܳܦ݂ ܒ݁ܰܐܪܥܳܐ ܀
ܗܰܒ݂ ܠܰܢ ܠܰܚܡܳܐ ܕ݁ܣܽܘܢܩܳܢܰܢ ܝܰܘܡܳܢܳܐ ܀
ܘܰܫܒ݂ܽܘܩ ܠܰܢ ܚܰܘܒ݁ܰܝܢ ܐܰܝܟ݁ܰܢܳܐ ܕ݁ܳܐܦ݂ ܚܢܰܢ ܫܒ݂ܰܩܢ ܠܚܰܝܳܒ݂ܰܝܢ ܀
ܘܠܳܐ ܬ݁ܰܥܠܰܢ ܠܢܶܣܝܽܘܢܳܐ ܐܶܠܳܐ ܦ݁ܰܨܳܢ ܡܶܢ ܒ݁ܺܝܫܳܐ ܡܶܛܽܠ ܕ݁ܕ݂ܺܝܠܳܟ݂ ܗ݈ܝ ܡܰܠܟ݁ܽܘܬ݂ܳܐ ܘܚܰܝܠܳܐ ܘܬ݂ܶܫܒ݁ܽܘܚܬ݁ܳܐ ܠܥܳܠܰܡ ܥܳܠܡܺܝܢ ܀

9Thus pray: Our Father who art in the heavens! Be sanctified thy Name. 10Come thy kingdom. Be done thy will, as in heaven, also in earth. 11Give to us the bread of our need to-day; 12and forgive us our debts, as also we forgive our debtors; 13and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory to the age of ages.
(Matthew 6:9-13)

The Lord's Prayer, the only prayer that was taught directly by Jesus to His disciples. This prayer taught by Jesus to warn His disciples not to pray in a long-winded or too long because the Almighty God as the destination in advance of prayer already know so no need to pray at length. "And when thou art praying, be not wordy, like the profane; for they think that in much speaking they are heard. Be you not like them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you before that you ask him."(Matthew 6:7-8) Some opinions state that the word “me battalogesete” μη βατταλογησητε, which is used in verse 7 of Matthew 6, defined as "use not vain repetitions", repetitions of the same words continuously spoken. Certainly Jesus does not mean to condemn all repetition in prayer since he himself prayed three times in Gethsemane “saying the same words again” (Matthew 26:44). What is forbidden is not much praying, nor praying in the same words (the Lord did both), but making the number of prayers, length of prayers, or time spent in praying, a point of observance and of merit.

The Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught basically has parallels with the Jewish Prayer Qaddish commonly used in Jewish synagogues. Qaddish prayer feels different from other Jewish prayers for not using vocalized Hebrew but in Aramaic, the language is also used of Jesus in their daily life.

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא.
בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ
וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ
וְיַצְמַח פֻּרְקָנֵהּ וִיקָרֵב(קיץ) מְשִׁיחֵהּ
בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן
וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל
בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב. וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן

Yitgaddal veyitqaddash shmeh rabba. Beʻalma di vra khir'uteh veyamlikh malkhuteh [veyatzmaḥ purqaneh viqarev (qetz) meshiḥeh] beḥayekhon uvyomekhon uvḥaye dekhol bet yisrael beʻagala uvizman qariv veʼimru Amen

May His great name be glorified and hallowed, His name is glorious, in the world which He created according to His will!. May He establish His kingdom and may His salvation blossom and His anointed be near during your lifetime and during your days, and during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel, speedily and very soon! And say, Amen.

If we see Qaddish Prayer in Aramaic, the same pattern of prayer used by Jesus when teaching the Lord's Prayer. It could be argued that the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught is the refinement of Jewish Prayer Qaddish, with typical adjustments of Jesus who constantly call God as Father, not in the general form of the Jewish but the Father in the sense of a more personalized. Gospel of Luke presents this prayer as a personal prayer, although the Gospel of Matthew presents this prayer in the context of church worship. In the records of the church, an ancient documents, which is estimated to be written first in the 60's AD, the Didache, which means teaching, the oldest known liturgical manual for Christians, recommended disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer three times a day; this practice found its way into the canonical hours as well. The basis of prayer three times a day is the daily pattern of Jewish worship, which is still held by the apostles of Jesus Christ in Acts 3:1 and 10:9,30.

READING LIST
-A. Th. Philips, Sfer Tefilah makol hasanah. Daily Prayer with English Translation, New York: Hebrew Publishing Company)
-Joachim Jeremias, The Lord’s Prayer (Philadelphia, 1964)
-Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin, To Be a Jew. A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life (New York: Basic Books, 1991)

Indonesia, torn off the Unity in Diversity.

Pandeglang, Banten, Indonesia, February 7, 2011. Several groups of unidentified mass came simultaneously with the sole aim to destroy the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Community gathering place in the Umbulan village, Sub Cikeusik. Of the 17 people Ahmadis in the area, carrying three people dead, 5 still missing, while the rest are in the local police office. Ahmadiyya sect, a minority group in Indonesia. They are considered a heretical sect in Islam. Indonesian Council of Ulema issued a fatwa that Ahmadiyya as a heretical sect and outside the Islamic religion and recommended the dissolution of the organization Jemaah Ahmadiyah Indonesia. Violence against Ahmadiyya followers in Indonesia became the norm because it is so often case, starting from 2005 till now.

Temanggung, Central Java, Indonesia on February 8, 2011. Beginning with a trial verdict against the defendant blasphemy case, called Antonius Bawengan. Local court judge sentenced 5 years in prison for Bawengan, which is considered too light by the masses who come to the trial. Several groups of mob attacked the local office of the district court with stones and set fire to police cars guarding the place. The mass then moves toward the center of town and then set fire to two churches, the other threw a church with stones, damaging the teaching and learning facilities in a Christian school. Luckily there were no casualties in the action. Arson, destruction and closure of the church is not uncommon in Indonesia, which started since 1999 until today.

Several time ago, the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama's visit to Indonesia, a country he had lived for ± 4 years with her mother Mrs. Ann Dunham and his stepfather Lolo Soetoro. Even his sister, Maya Soetoro was born in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. From the news we get, for a brief visit in Indonesia, together with Mrs. Michelle Obama, the U.S. president visited the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia which was designed by a local architect Christian, Frederich Silaban. Then Mr. Obama gave a speech in front of academics on the campus of the University of Indonesia. From what was delivered Mr. Obama in Jakarta, as he convey to his first speech in Muslim countries, in Cairo, Egypt, he was making Indonesia as an example of how a country with a majority of Muslims can coexist peacefully with minorities.

Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, is a country that adheres to the motto of Unity in Diversity, a State which recognizes the existence of religion for its citizens but does not specify an official religion of the State. Prior to 1998, can be said that the sectarian conflict in Indonesia can be muted with nationalistic approach of the New Order, under the control of a soft dictator, General Muhammad Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for more than 32 years. While in the previous period, Sukarno, Indonesia's founding father, gave rise to the term national ideology of Pancasila (Five elements) as the basics of the state of Indonesia.

After the fall of the Soeharto government in 1998 because of massive demonstrations that preceded the student movement. Suharto, who at that time was in Egypt and met Hosni Mubarak, was forced to go home and then announced his retirement. Funnily enough, Hosni Mubarak had just undergone a similar thing. Suharto, like Mubarak, oppressive fundamentalist groups and Islamic extremists. Now, the new Indonesian government seems difficult to control the numerous acts of violence against minorities by hardline groups. The events as occurred in Pandeglang and Temanggung, not the first and likely will not be the last. It seems the motto of Unity in Diversity is getting its biggest challenge.
Hopefully my Indonesian family, always in good condition and can live their faith in safety.

“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 3:15)

Democratization and the impact on minorities

Lately was the political upheaval in the region of North Africa. Tunisia, a country with a mix of Arab traditions and European traditions, which is so beautiful, a country very far from political turmoil, it suddenly occurred Tunisian society movement that asks the decline of the President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has ruled Tunisia for more than two decades. Jasmine Revolution, thus the title of the Tunisian people's movement, who overthrew President Ben Ali from his post even the president had to flee abroad. Until this very day the protests are still happening on the streets in the city of Tunis, Tunisia's capital, demanding the improvement of political rights and their economic welfare.

As expected, people's revolution in Tunisia spread to other nearby areas. Egypt, ancient country with a world cultural heritage that is so remarkable, is now also being churned. Egyptian society demonstrated in the streets of Cairo, the Egyptian capital, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for three decades. Massive demonstrations that occurred in Tahrir Square in Cairo, spread to other areas such as Alexandria, Suez and Sinai. So far, President Hosni Mubarak was still able to maintain his position.

Something natural that a society who feel the political rights as well as their economies have been oppressed for so many years, and then ask for a significant change to their fate. The changes here are almost always assumed to be a change of regime. Similarly, which took place in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Jordan.

The concern here is from the five countries with Muslim majorities, the attitude of Christian minorities in each country. Moreover, Egypt has the largest Christian population in the Middle East region. Until now, not yet clear how the people of minorities in Tunisia and Egypt to be about political turmoil in their country. That should be a major concern for minorities in Tunisia and Egypt is who will hold the administration after the dictatorial regime collapsed because the fate of their religious freedom would depend on the new government.

There are several examples of how the democratization of a country is not in line with the implementation of human rights, particularly regarding freedom of religion and freedom to practice their religion. In India, democratic country with a majority Hindu but also has the second largest Muslim population in the world, the situation of minority Christians there are also not so good, especially in rural areas. Many of the Christians in the countryside who are pressured to convert, with the destruction of churches and Christian homes. Similarly, in Indonesia, a country with the world's largest Muslim population, after the fall of the Soeharto regime in 1998 ago, Indonesia proclaimed itself as the most democratic Muslim country in the world. Political rights enjoyed by the people of Indonesia, but not so with the right to freedom of religion.

From 1998 until now has hundreds of churches, especially in western Indonesia, which closed with the reason does not have permission to establish houses of worship of local government. Not to mention the church forcibly shut down by fundamentalist groups. Indonesian police almost never take action against the fundamentalists if attacked churches, unlike the case if they attack the discotheques and entertainment spots. In Indonesia, set up bars, discos and night entertainment spots easier than establishing a house of worship for minorities. Most recently was Iraq, the land of Babylon is also experiencing the same thing. Imposition of democracy by the United States in the region would lead to instability of security. Saddam Hussein with all its ugliness to some extent still providing security for minority Christians in the region, even a Christian such as Tariq Aziz was to be a minister in the government of Saddam. Now after the fall of Saddam Hussein, there is no security for the Christian minority in Iraq, so many of them leave their homeland to a foreign country after direct threats from al-Qaeda in Iraq which will attack the Christians in the entire Middle East region.

From the experience that has been passed by the Christian minority in many countries that run democracy and not always successful in preserving harmony among religious communities, it is worth waiting for developments in Tunisia and Egypt. Is Tunisia and Egypt could become a real democratic state (such as expectations of hypocritical countries: EU and U.S.) or even retreat to the back where intolerance and fundamentalism emerged. In Europe and the U.S. are able to apply for religious freedom in full with proof that Islam, as a minority religion can develop very quickly with no hindrance . The question is can the democracy like in Europe and the U.S. exported to other countries, especially in countries with majority Muslim?

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, NIV)

The Copts of Egypt

A 2010 New Year's Eve attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church in the city of Alexandria left 23 dead. A sad event in the midst of feelings of joy to welcome the coming new year 2011, a bomb rocked the front page of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the city of Alexandria when the Copts were holding mass. Muslim extremists suspected to be responsible for these terrible events.

Pondering the events that happened in Egypt, with a deep feeling of grief, raises a lot of memory. Egypt, a country with the Arab-Muslim majority, but in Egypt also has a largest Christian community in the Middle East region. Christians, a minority in Egypt with estimates-amount of 10-12%of the total population of Egypt. Of this amount, the Coptic (which means: The Egyptians) owns 95% of the total number of Christians in Egypt.

Historically, the word Copt is derived from the Greek word Aigyptos, Which was, in turn, derived from "Hikaptah", one of the names for Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. Kaptah means "House of the god Ptah", the god who is highly respected in the era of ancient Egypt. The modern use of the term "Coptic" describes Egyptian Christians. Christianity in Egypt by Saint Mark the Evangelist. According to tradition the Coptic Orthodox Church is the Church of Alexandria Which was established by Saint Mark the Apostle and evangelist in the middle of the 1st century (approximately AD 42). While the relationship between Muslim and Coptic race started from the marriage of Muhammad (Muslim prophet) with a Coptic girl named Maria (Maria al-Qibtiyya or Mary the Copt). Mariya al-Qibti can be regarded as a political gift of a Byzantine governor of Egypt, called al-Muqawqis (which is not completely clear or completely distance of its origin, although some have argued that it was Cyrus, Patriarch of Byzantium in Alexandria). Mary gave birth to a son Muhammad, Ibrahim bin Muhammad. Only one other wife of Muhammad, Khadijah who have died, have given the child. Ibrahim died while still in its infancy.

There is a statement based on the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad which states that "The Copts are the most precious among all the foreigners, the most friendly in his behavior, the best in quality and most familiar in kinship with the Arabs in general and the Quraysh (tribe origin of the Prophet Muhammad) in particular." Likewise, the sayings of the prophet to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second caliph): "After my death, God will open Egypt to you. Therefore, carefully guard the Copts in the country because they are also relatives-brothers, and they are in your protection." Saying of Muhammad is presumably a reference to 'Amir ibn al-'Ås, leader of the Arab-Muslim armies conquered Byzantine power in Egypt. In turn, 'Amir ibn al-'Ås provide sufficient warm welcome in Alexandria for the Coptic Church Father who was a native of Benjamin, who had just returned from his flight at the desert monastery of North Egyptian territory. Copts, thus, were allowed to freely practice their religion and were to a large degree autonomous, provided they continued to pay a special tax, called "Gezya”, which qualifies them as "Ahl Zemma" protégés (protected). Individuals who cannot afford to pay this tax were faced with the choice of either converting to Islam or losing their civil right to be "protected", which in some instances meant being killed.

There is a tidal race between Coptic and Muslim governments. All depends on the Muslim leaders who should run the command of the Prophet Muhammad to treat Coptic people well. As the reign of al-Hakim ibn 'Amr Allah (996-975), forcing Christians to leave their religion through coercion (this broke the Qur'an: There is no compulsion in religion). Many churches were destroyed, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem burned. But others, such as during the reign of Ahmad ibn Tulun, al-Mu'izz and al-Zahir, the Coptic get better treatment.

The position of the Copts began to improve early in the 19th century under the stability and tolerance of Muhammad Ali's dynasty. The Coptic community ceased to be regarded by the state as an administrative unit and, by 1855 A.D., the main mark of Copts' inferiority, the "Gezya" tax was lifted under Khedive Sa’id administration, and shortly thereafter Copts started to serve in the Egyptian army. The 1919 A.D. revolution in Egypt, the first grassroots display of Egyptian identity in centuries, stands as a witness to the homogeneity of Egypt's modern society with both its Muslim and Coptic sects. Makram 'Ubayd, a Coptic politician in the era of the Egyptian national movement said: "By my religion I am a Christian, but according to my homeland I am a Muslim." Today, this homogeneity is what keeps the Egyptian society united against the religious intolerance of extremist groups, who occasionally subject the Copts to persecution and terror. As is known, in part late 1970s, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Egyptian schools of which appear to be supported by Khomeini, as a result of the success of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Bearded young men (called Abou Douhun) is widely held racial violence in the young Copts, as well as Ikhwanul Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood). May the unity of Egypt with Coptic-Muslim elements can be maintained in an equal and harmonious relationship.

READING LIST
- Iris Habib al-Masri, The Story of the Copts, M.E.C.C., Beirut, 1978
- Phillip K. Hitti, The Origins of the Islamic State, Beirut, 1966
- The Coptic Encyclopedia (8 vols.), edited by Aziz Sourial Atiya, MacMillan, New York, 1989, provides a comprehensive coverage of the Coptic church, culture, and history.