Semantik Kalimah Allah

  Semantik Kalimah Allah* Kita mendekati pembahasan kata “Allâh“ dari sudut bahasa. Kata “Allah” berasal dari dua kata: al, dan ilah, Al adalah kata sandang (band, bahasa Inggeris; the), dan ilah bererti: yang kuat, dewa. Dalam bahasa-bahasa Semit,kata ini menunjuk pada kuasa yang ada di luar jankauan manusia, yaitu pada dewa. Sudah di masa pra-Islam, … Continue reading “Semantik Kalimah Allah”

 

Semantik Kalimah Allah*

Kita mendekati pembahasan kata “Allâh“ dari sudut bahasa. Kata “Allah” berasal dari dua kata: al, dan ilah, Al adalah kata sandang (band, bahasa Inggeris; the), dan ilah bererti: yang kuat, dewa. Dalam bahasa-bahasa Semit,kata ini menunjuk pada kuasa yang ada di luar jankauan manusia, yaitu pada dewa. Sudah di masa pra-Islam, al-ilah disambung menjadi Allah. Dan dalam agama orang-orang Arab pra-Islam, kata ini digunakan untuk menunjuk pada dewa yang paling tinggi di antara dewa-dewa yang lain yang masing-masing mempunyai namanya sendiri. Namun kata Allah itu sendiri bukan nama, seperti di atas diterangkan. Dengan demikian, kata Allah sudah ada dalam zaman jahiliyya. Ia bukan ciptaan orang Islam ia juga tidak baru muncul dalam Al-qur’an Alkarim, melainkan ia merupakan kata biasa dalam bahasa Arab lepas dari ikatan dengan salah satu agama tertentu. Continue reading “Semantik Kalimah Allah”

Appeal Court Inept Judgment Based on Internet Research

The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya on 14/10/2013 over-ruled the earlier decision by Justice Lau Bee Lan in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to allow Christians (Herald) to use the word Allah. The wide ramifications of the Appeal Court decision calls for careful analysis to ascertain whether it is based on accurate facts which are … Continue reading “Appeal Court Inept Judgment Based on Internet Research”

The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya on 14/10/2013 over-ruled the earlier decision by Justice Lau Bee Lan in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to allow Christians (Herald) to use the word Allah. The wide ramifications of the Appeal Court decision calls for careful analysis to ascertain whether it is based on accurate facts which are foundational for a coherently argued and impartial judgment. I shall focus on the judgment delivered by one of the three judges, Justice Mohd Nawawi bin Salleh, since it ostensibly examines the facts pertaining to the legitimacy of Christians (the Herald) using the word Allah. Continue reading “Appeal Court Inept Judgment Based on Internet Research”

Welcome to Ketuanan Islam (Supremacy of Islam) in Malaysia

PREAMBLE TO THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA (2013)* There is no God but the God of Islam, and the Court is his Herald. All religions must be subject to the supremacy of Islam. All citizens are equal but Muslims are more equal than others. Cut to the chase, the Court of Appeal judgment released on … Continue reading “Welcome to Ketuanan Islam (Supremacy of Islam) in Malaysia”

PREAMBLE TO THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA (2013)*
There is no God but the God of Islam, and the Court is his Herald.
All religions must be subject to the supremacy of Islam.
All citizens are equal but Muslims are more equal than others.

Cut to the chase, the Court of Appeal judgment released on 14/10/2013(No.W-01-1-2010) which prohibits Christians from using the word Allah is based on the supremacy of Islam in Malaysia. The judges identify “the community” as Muslim and relegate other religious believers to “group”.  Since “group” is inferior and subordinate to the superior “community”, the judges ruled, “the welfare of an individual or group must yield to that of the community.” Continue reading “Welcome to Ketuanan Islam (Supremacy of Islam) in Malaysia”

The Moral Argument for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity

The moral argument for the existence of God is often given a simple deductive form: 1) If there are objective moral values, then God exists. 2) There are objective moral values. 3) Therefore, God exists. Logicians agree the logical form of this argument is valid. However, this does not guarantee the argument is sound. An … Continue reading “The Moral Argument for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity”

The moral argument for the existence of God is often given a simple deductive form:

1) If there are objective moral values, then God exists.

2) There are objective moral values.

3) Therefore, God exists.

Logicians agree the logical form of this argument is valid. However, this does not guarantee the argument is sound. An argument is sound only when its logical form is valid and when all its premises are true. The crucial step would be to demonstrate premises 1 and 2 are true. Otherwise, the argument fails.

 

C.S. Lewis therefore does not simply rely on a deductive argument that moves from universal/general to particular. He begins from concrete particulars related to premise 2. Continue reading “The Moral Argument for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity”

Pengharaman Penggunaan “Allah”: Perdebatan Teologi dan Hegemoni Ideologi

This paper summarizes the major themes found in a three-part article posted in 2010 – Refutation of Muslim Scholars’ Arguments in the Allah Controversy [See links given below]. Pengharaman Penggunaan “Allah”: Perdebatan Teologi dan Hegemoni Ideologi Tujuan makalah ini adalah untuk membantu umat Kristian 1) memahami trajektori sejarah pertikaian tentang perkataan Allah, 2) mengenal pasti … Continue reading “Pengharaman Penggunaan “Allah”: Perdebatan Teologi dan Hegemoni Ideologi”

This paper summarizes the major themes found in a three-part article posted in 2010 – Refutation of Muslim Scholars’ Arguments in the Allah Controversy [See links given below].

Pengharaman Penggunaan “Allah”: Perdebatan Teologi dan Hegemoni Ideologi

Tujuan makalah ini adalah untuk membantu umat Kristian 1) memahami trajektori sejarah pertikaian tentang perkataan Allah, 2) mengenal pasti sumber-sumber sejarah, linguistik dan teologi yang menjadi alasan bagi penggunaan sah akan perkataan itu oleh umat Kristian, 3) mematahkan hujah-hujah tidak berasas yang dikemukakan oleh cendekiawan Muslim yang menuntut monopoli Muslim dalam penggunaan perkataan Allah dan 4) memahami bagaimana konsep bahasa suci menyebabkan orang bukan-Muslim tidak dibenarkan daripada menggunakan perkataan Allah. Continue reading “Pengharaman Penggunaan “Allah”: Perdebatan Teologi dan Hegemoni Ideologi”

The Argument from Reason for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity

Scientific inquiry proceeds with the presupposition that nature is an orderly structure which is intelligible to the human mind. How is this coherent interaction between the human mind and the natural order possible? What is the origin and nature of human reason? For simplicity, I shall just focus on two dominant paradigms addressing these questions: … Continue reading “The Argument from Reason for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity”

Scientific inquiry proceeds with the presupposition that nature is an orderly structure which is intelligible to the human mind. How is this coherent interaction between the human mind and the natural order possible? What is the origin and nature of human reason? For simplicity, I shall just focus on two dominant paradigms addressing these questions:

1) Naturalism and reductive materialism: the universe of space-time and all its interlocking processes exists as a causally closed continuum and nothing else exist. This being the case, reason and mental processes are merely some aspect of physical processes or neural activity.

2) Theism –The observable space-time is a contingent order produced and sustained by a necessary being called God. Indeed, this space-time framework may not even be the only order of reality created by God. Reason is derived from some form of supernatural or divine intervention.

C.S. Lewis’ Argument from Reason sets out to out to demonstrate why naturalism fails to account for the origin and reliability of reason. On the other hand, reason is better accounted for within a theistic framework. Continue reading “The Argument from Reason for the Existence of God – Reasonable Christianity”

New Series on “Reasonable Christianity”

ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW SERIES ON “REASONABLE CHRISTIANITY’ Click to enter the highlighted tab “Reasonable Christianity” on top of the page. This section will contain a new series of articles on “Reasonable Christianity”  which will present the rational basis and demonstrate the intellectual cogency of Christianity. Some articles that will be posted will deal with themes … Continue reading “New Series on “Reasonable Christianity””

ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW SERIES ON “REASONABLE CHRISTIANITY’

Click to enter the highlighted tab “Reasonable Christianity” on top of the page. This section will contain a new series of articles on “Reasonable Christianity”  which will present the rational basis and demonstrate the intellectual cogency of Christianity.

Some articles that will be posted will deal with themes like “C.S. Lewis Argument from Reason”, “Why Naturalism is Rationally Self-defeating”,  “Transcendental Argument for the Existence of God”, “Epistemological Status of Christian Propositions – Historical and Scientific Perspectives,” “Science, Creation-Evolution and Christianity”,  “The Deity of Jesus Christ”, “The Coherence of the Incarnation”, ” Logical Defense of the Trinity”, “Christianity and Morality like Divine Command Theory” etc.

Dialogue and debates from serious readers and honest doubters are welcomed

Ng Kam Weng

 

 

 

 

I Find it Hard to Worship God in Church, but what is Worship?

I Find it Hard to Worship God in Church, but what is Worship? Someone asked whether I actually worship God in the Sunday service because I remain ‘stiff’ and quiet when other church members are happily clapping and singing songs of praise. I confess that nowadays I find it hard to worship in church. I … Continue reading “I Find it Hard to Worship God in Church, but what is Worship?”

I Find it Hard to Worship God in Church, but what is Worship?
Someone asked whether I actually worship God in the Sunday service because I remain ‘stiff’ and quiet when other church members are happily clapping and singing songs of praise. I confess that nowadays I find it hard to worship in church. I have to try very hard not to be distracted by the loud music that I may rest and repose in God’s presence. Obviously, my idea of worship is quite different from the music-driven worship that is popular in churches today.

First, I should clarify my understanding of corporate worship which is:

the activity of a congregation of true believers giving reverence, adoration, praise and thanksgiving in response to the incomparable glory and ineffable holiness of God, while expressing gratitude to the magnificent grace and goodness revealed in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and finally receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit through the sacraments and preaching of the word to enable us to live a life of obedient service to the triune God. Continue reading “I Find it Hard to Worship God in Church, but what is Worship?”

Allah:The Noun and the Name – The Root of Confusion

Allah – The Noun and the Name The Root of Confusion* Confusion continues to reign over some Malay Muslim scholars, as is evident from their fumbled handling of the semantics of Allah, because there is no definite article in the Malay language. It would be helpful for them to reconsider the significance of definite article … Continue reading “Allah:The Noun and the Name – The Root of Confusion”

Allah – The Noun and the Name

The Root of Confusion*

Confusion continues to reign over some Malay Muslim scholars, as is evident from their fumbled handling of the semantics of Allah, because there is no definite article in the Malay language. It would be helpful for them to reconsider the significance of definite article in the Arabic and other Semitic languages.

Definition of Proper Noun

Confusion begins when we learned in elementary school the traditional definition of a noun: a noun “refers to a person, place, or thing.” But this definition is inadequate as it excludes words like ‘explosion’, ‘moment’, thunder, etc.

Modern linguists therefore define nouns not in semantic (meaning-based) terms but in distributive terms, that is, how they are used in relation to other syntactic categories in the language. The English language has the convenient usage of the determiner ‘the’. Hence, ‘the explosion’, ‘the moment’ and ‘the thunder’ are recognized as nouns. Continue reading “Allah:The Noun and the Name – The Root of Confusion”

Allah dan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab

29 Januari 2013 Allah dan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab Artikel ini diterjemahkan dari Bahasa Inggeris dari website Krisis & Praxis Mengapa Tidak Mungkin Menggantikan Allah dengan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab Orang Muslim di beberapa negara lain di dunia (Arab, Afrika Utara, Pakistan dan Indonesia) tiada bantahan dan tidak bimbang akan kemungkinan keliru apabila orang Kristian … Continue reading “Allah dan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab”

29 Januari 2013
Allah dan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab

Artikel ini diterjemahkan dari Bahasa Inggeris dari website Krisis & Praxis

Mengapa Tidak Mungkin Menggantikan Allah dengan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab

Orang Muslim di beberapa negara lain di dunia (Arab, Afrika Utara, Pakistan dan Indonesia) tiada bantahan dan tidak bimbang akan kemungkinan keliru apabila orang Kristian menggunakan perkataan Allah. Sebaliknya, segolongan orang Muslim Malaysia pula mendakwa mereka keliru; suatu fenomena yang sangat aneh. Pemerhatian ini membuktikan kebenaran kepada andaian bahawa isu Allah ini merupakan isu Melayu buatan dan bukan isu Muslim sebenar. Sebenarnya, bantahan yang dirancang terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi pada 31 Dec 2009 untuk membenarkan Catholic Herald (dan orang Kristian) menggunakan perkataan Allah harus dilihat sebagai manipulasi sinis oleh ahli-ahli politik Melayu untuk mendapatkan undi daripada masyarakat mereka. Continue reading “Allah dan Tuhan dalam Terjemahan Alkitab”