In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
My replies to Loki:
1) As we are discussing the date of the Arabic Gospel of Infancy, it is interesting to note what the Catholic Encyclopedia said:
It is impossible to ascertain its date, but it was probably composed before the Mohammedan era.
So, the writer here cannot give any date and make an assumption (probably) written before 'mohammedan era'. What is interesting is that Loki read this, quoted this and hopes the readers here would think 'probably' means 'certainty'.
2) Loki failed to PROVE the Arabic Gospel of Infancy is available during the Prophet's time. He then went on to discuss the Quran' historical collection (which is irrelevant in our discussion of the Arabic Gospel) hoping to divert the attention of the readers.
3) Loki made a bold claim:
All those apocrypha's been long carbon dated, a little research would grant you the evidence you seek (if you really are seeking).
Really? If it is a well-known fact that the Arabic Gospel of Infancy had been carbon-dated, Loki would have no problem telling us the result? What did the carbon-dating tells us of the date of the Arabic Gospel of Infancy.
The Catholic Enclyclopedia cannot give a precise date (even with carbon dating), Tisdall said it could not have been during the prophet's time...we shall wait for Loki's carbon dating then.
I have read many Christians making bold claims and accusations, maybe Loki can prove me wrong that all these are B_S_?
4) So Loki went on to quote other writers to suggest that the Prophet 'borrowed' or 'learnt' some of the stories from other individuals. This is not a new claim. Tisdall mentioned Mary the Copt. Maybe Loki would like to start with one individual firstand we can debate on this?
5) I quoted studies from non-Muslim scholars who said that the New Testament was only translated into Arabic after the death of the Prophet. If the NT, which is the canonical scriptures, was not translated into Arabic in the 9th Century or more, without any PROOF from Loki, I cannot believe the apocryphas (hidden) could be translated into Arabic earlier than the NT. If Loki thinks otherwise, then show us.
6) Loki even misunderstood or has limited knowledge of what Muslims believe of the earlier prophets. The Qurans states that the earlier prophets taught their people to believe in One God and to do away with other gods. The messages were repeated in the Quran. Some of these messages are also found in the Bible and other scriptures. The Quran is used as a Criterion to judge what is True and what is False in the Bible and other scriptures.
7) Loki decided now to do away with Tisdall (His studies are outdated - I agree!). He now proposes that other people and even communities that believe in some of the Gnostic stories and that the Prophet might have learnt from them. Well, as I said.... start from one person and proof to us how/why/where/when the Prophet learnt from him/her.
salam