Some questions to the Christians

Coach · (#1 (**permalink**))

I'd like to ask some of the knowledgable Christians here some questions about their faith.

1. According to Christianity, was Ishmael the son of Abraham an illegitimate child?

2. Which of the sons of Abraham (Ishmael or Isaac) was to be offered as sacrifice according to the Christian faith?

PS: Let's leave any hatred and prejudice at the door and discuss in a civil manner. Thank you!

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr" Prophet Muhammad PBUH

reggie_woic · (#2 (**permalink**))

Yeah, i believe he was legit although he was conceived outside marriage. God didn't seem pissed when He spoke with the maid and He actually blessed Ishamel. (genesis 17)

As for your second question, i'm a catholic i say it was Isaac. why isaac? (i'm beginning to see the connection between your questions now). Because he was the (i don't want to say legitimate) son of Abraham.

Did i contradict myself? I believe i did...BUT I DID NOT STUTTER!

milanya · (#3 (**permalink**))

(Gen. 22) 1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

It was Isaac
Life's not a garden so don't be a hoe

safina · (#4 (**permalink**))

@Coach
It depends on ya definition of "illegitimate".different societyies have different meanings to this word.

Anyway we would not be dealing with terrorism if Ishmael was sacrificed.

reggie_woic · (#5 (**permalink**))

OOPS!
I forgot my prejudice and hatred at the door.
Carry on!

http://www.urban-files.net/rudeboy50...res/stewie.JPG

spairo · (#6 (**permalink**))

>
>@Coach
> It depends on ya definition of "illegitimate".different
> societyies have different meanings to this word.
>
> Anyway we would not be dealing with terrorism if
>Ishmael was sacrificed.

@ SAFINA.
I dont like your reply.that was more prejudicial than anything I have heard, dont steer the topic to Islam/Christianity thing. Stick to the topic.

Coach · (#7 (**permalink**))

reggie woic,
It does seem like your statements are contradictory :)

milanya,

>(Gen. 22) 1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to
>him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2Then God said, "Take
>your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the
>region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on
>one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Your only son it says, how do you explain this then...

"This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised." -Genesis 17:10

The Bible also says...

"And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael HIS SON. And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him." - Genesis 17:24-27

Abraham = 99 years old
Ishmael = 13 years old

Note: The verse above CLEARLY says "AND ISHMAEL HIS SON" so why does Genesis 22 (as you posted above) contradict this by saying "your only son Isaac"? Shouldn't it say "your only son Ishmael since Isaac was not born when the household of Abraham wascircumsiced? The first verse shows that the covenant was made and EVERY male child was to be circumsiced and the last verse says that ALL the men of his house were circumcised (at this time Isaac was not yet born).

And then, a year later, Isaac was born and circumcised when he was eight days old...

"And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him." - Genesis 21: 4-5

Abraham = 100 years old
Isaac = 8 months old
Ishmael = 14 years old

This means when the covenant was made (circumcision and sacrifice) Abraham was ninety-nine and Ishmael was thirteen. Isaac was born a year later, when Abraham was one hundred years old.

I've heard a lot from Christians how Ishmael was "illegitimate" or that Isaac was Abrahams "only son" but the Bible seems to contradict this, at least to my knowledge. According to the Bible, Hagar was given by Sarah to Abraham to be his wife and we clearly see that Ishmael is much older than Isaac and was therefore the ONLY child when the covenant was made...

"And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife." - Genesis 16:3

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr" - Prophet Muhammad PBUH

petermaumau · (#8 (**permalink**))

Putting any idea of kwoledgeable away since it is common knowledge that Ishmael was conceived outside of marriage ..The He is Illegitimate as far as marriage is concerned..But God did have mercy on Ishmael.. THere is No doubt that Isaac was the Chosen one, the one who would be sacrificed.. And not Ishmael as my muslim brother say...That is if you are a believer...

Coach · (#9 (**permalink**))

petermaumau,
What is more important to a believer, "common knowledge" or the Bible? If you answered Bible then please be rational and look in it for answers to this question. Read Genesis 16. And also look at the questions I brought up, Isaac was not born when the covenant was made and this is written in the Bible.

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr" Prophet Muhammad PBUH

teejay · (#10 (**permalink**))

>1. According to Christianity, was Ishmael the son of Abraham
>an illegitimate child?

Now how do you read coach? The bible which you previous in your own word have admitted perusing, says that God made one man for one woman. Do you think Abraham was right to marry another woman and father children with him?
Nevertheless he did it on grounds that His Wife Sarah was unable to bear children. This they did after consultations. Not what Sarah is telling him Abraham.
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. Gen 16:2
Through this means therefore Ishmael was Abrahams son, I would say though Illegitimate in the eyes of God.
Not it was not God but an agreement between wife and Husband.

>2. Which of the sons of Abraham (Ishmael or Isaac) was to be
>offered as sacrifice according to the Christian faith?

Of course Isaac.. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.