The Old Testament and the Qur’an: Worlds Apart by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Muslims often assert that the Qur’an continues or corrects the earlier Scriptures—especially the Old Testament. But a careful comparison shows the Qur’an diverges significantly in authorship, content, theology, and purpose. These are not merely two different books; they represent two distinct theological worlds. Below are several contrasts that highlight why Christians affirm the uniqueness of the Old Testament and question the Qur’an’s claim to be part of its legacy. Authorship and Origin The Old Testament [...]
The contrast between Temple Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism, and Islam by Rudolph P. Boshoff
I asked Chat GPT to create a quick chart to structure a comparison of Temple Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism, and Islam, highlighting the key differences in theology, worship, and religious structure. This contrast helps explain why Islam lacks specific theological categories that are central to biblical faith, especially those grounded in temple worship and priesthood. 🕍 Temple Judaism vs. 📜 Rabbinic Judaism vs. ☪️ Islam Category Temple Judaism Rabbinic Judaism Islam Central Place of Worship The [...]
How temple theology helps us understand Jesus’ priesthood by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Temple theology is essential for understanding Jesus’ priesthood because it provides the symbolic and theological background for how Jesus functions as mediator, sacrifice, and divine presence. Without the categories established in the Old Testament temple system, the New Testament’s claims about Jesus as our High Priest lose their depth and coherence. Here's a structured explanation: 1. The Role of the High Priest in Temple Judaism The High Priest was the only one allowed to enter [...]
Why the Destruction of the Temple Matters for Understanding Islam by Rudolph P. Boshoff
For my upcoming debate with Molana Ismail Moosa, I had the opportunity to speak to my friend Samuel Green about the topic of discussion. Samuel, as usual, sent me a talk he gave on "The Temple and Islamic Theology," which is excellent and worth listening to. I thought to sum up some of his thoughts here in this article. My summary thought would be: “The temple is a key to understanding biblical theology—but its absence is [...]
Sabbath or Sunday? How the Early Church Understood the Lord’s Day by Rudolph P. Boshoff
The question of whether Christians should observe the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) or worship on Sunday has been debated for centuries. Some groups insist that Saturday observance is still binding, while the majority of the global Church worships on Sunday. What does the Bible actually say? And how did the early Church understand Jesus’ fulfillment of the Sabbath? The Sabbath in the Old Testament The Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8–11) was central to Israel's covenant with God: [...]
Understanding Fulfillment, Not Abolition by Rudolph P. Boshoff
One of the most contested and often misunderstood teachings of Jesus is His statement in Matthew 5:17-20: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (NASB) This verse has stirred theological debate for centuries. What does it mean for Jesus to "fulfill" the Law? Does this mean we must keep all of the Old Testament commandments, or did Jesus redefine the [...]
Are Christians Picking and Choosing Bible Commands? by Rudolph P. Boshoff
One of the most common critiques of Christianity is that believers “cherry-pick” the Bible. Skeptics point to Old Testament commandments, like not wearing clothes made from mixed fabrics (Leviticus 19:19) or not boiling a goat in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19), and ask why Christians obey some biblical commands while seemingly ignoring others. Are we being inconsistent? The short answer: no, but the issue deserves a thoughtful, biblical explanation. A Book Full of Commandments The [...]
Did Jesus Abolish the Old Testament Law? by Rudolph P. Boshoff
A persistent question in Christian theology is this: Should Christians still keep the Old Testament law, or did Jesus abolish it when He died on the cross? This topic has sparked much debate, especially when interpreting New Testament passages that seem to pull in different directions. However, Jesus' own words in Matthew 5 provide a strong foundation for understanding how He viewed the law and what that means for His followers. What Is the Old Testament [...]
Why Evangelicals Do Not Venerate Mary Like Catholics Do by Rudolph P. Boshoff
As a result of a question posed to me and several friends expressing their deep admiration for Mary, the Mother of God, I decided to write a short article explaining why evangelical Christians often struggle to understand the Catholic perspective. First, let me clarify that there is no scriptural prohibition against venerating Mary. Yet, Scripture appears to encourage prayer to Christ alone, rather than to anyone who has passed away. Furthermore, most Christians seem to [...]
Universalism vs. Traditional Christianity: A Challenge to Core Doctrines by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Recently, I interviewed with my long-time friend, Maverick Witlouw, during which we discussed his views on Universalism. You can watch the conversation here. Universalism, the belief that all people will ultimately be reconciled with God and saved, faces several criticisms from other Christian theological perspectives, particularly from traditionalist and exclusivist viewpoints. Below are the main criticisms, grounded in theological arguments commonly raised: Undermines Biblical Authority and Scriptural Evidence: Critics, especially from evangelical and reformed traditions, [...]