Preserving The Spartan Way

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  This reading in Plutarch’s “Lives Of The Noble Grecians and Romans” covered chapters 51-55, comparing two Greek-Spartan leaders, who reflected Plato’s political ideal, with two Roman leaders, who reflected Aristotle’s political ideal. Chapters 51 and 52 introduce us to the Spartan kings, Agis and Cleomenes.  Sparta was in danger losing their Spartan ways, embracing luxury over discipline. Agis proposed to return people and country to their heritage by proposing a cancellation of all debt and redistribution the land of the wealthy to citizens “who were fit for service as able-bodied soldiers.” Opposition was instant as the rich dug in their heels against losing power and status. Ultimately, Agis was killed by the rich under the leadership of his half-brother, Leonidas.  After Leonidas died with his “300” in the last day of the Battle of Thermopylae, his son, Cleomenes, rose to power. Observing the deepening apathy and laziness of Sparta, Cleomenes grew curious about Agis’ model of gov

Is Jesus a Prophet?

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Someone from the Philippines wrote and asked [only spelling errors have been corrected], “One day, I told them about Christ but they don't believe. They ask me ‘Jesus is a prophet. Allah sent Him to us but He is not a prophet because He prayed to the God of Heaven like us. Why do you worship Him?’ What would be the answer?”

First I would ask, “You say first, ‘Jesus is a prophet,’ then you say ‘He is not a prophet.’ What do you mean by ‘prophet’? How can He be a prophet and not be a prophet?” Islam teaches that Jesus is both “nabi” (prophet) and “rasul” (messenger). The Prophet Moses wrote, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) Jesus is the prophet of whom Moses spoke.

Jesus is the greatest of the prophets, many of whom go unnamed in Islam. Without these prophets, most of the scriptures we call the Old Testament would be missing. Praise God that no one is greater than He, who does not allow His Word to be changed! Jesus’ teachings not only cover a wide range of subjects but contain more prophetic messages than the writings of all previous prophets! His teachings came from God.

Jesus clearly revealed God through His words and His works. The Injil records Him as the eternal source of knowledge, truth, wisdom and light. We worship Him because He revealed God. He is the servant of God, the son of David, the son of man, the Lord, the Savior, the new Adam, our mediator, our payment, our high priest. The Prophet Isaiah called Him “Immanuel, which means, ‘God With Us.’”

Second, I would ask, “The Quran teaches to read the books that came before (Surah 10:94), so of whom was the Prophet David writing in the Zabbur, Psalm 22? Of whom did the Prophet Isaiah write in Isaiah 53?”

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