Islamic scholar’s claim Bible called Jesus a thief sparks fresh controversy

The claim by an Islamic Scholar,  Mallam Yusuf Adepoju in an old video that the Bible called Jesus a thief has sparked fresh controversy.

Amid the controversy, Adepoju threatened to take legal action against any Christian who uses his video clips on social media for illustration purposes.

Adepoju had quoted Luke 6v1-5 in the controversial video to buttress his position.

He inferred that the Bible portrayed Jesus as a thief because he entered somebody else’s farm and plundered the Maize on the farm along with his disciples.

What the Bible says

But contrary to what Adepoju said in the old video, here is what the Bible says,

“One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. ² Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”³ Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴ He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Adepoju’s antecedent

Adepoju is the leader of the Academy of Islamic Propagation (ACADIP). It is an Islamic institute that engages in comparative religious studies. He is an Islamic apologist.  He engages in heated debates with Christian apologists. He also lectures a large number of Muslim faithful regularly. His videos are always streamed on social media.

In several of his past videos, he had made disparaging remarks about the Christian faith. He often describes the Bible as a corrupted book that cannot be trusted.

He talks glibly of many subjects in the Bible with the intent to rubbish the Christian faith and gain converts to Islam.

Ezekiel Noah

Ezekiel Noah

But a Christian blogger by the name Evangelist Ezekiel Noah would not allow him to go unchallenged. He too deployed his knowledge of the quaran to disparage Islam.

Ezekiel’s first major appearance was about a year ago when he engaged in an open debate with some Islamic scholars. The video of the encounter generated so much reactions from netizens.

Since then, Noah has become a focal point and has allegedly received threats from some quarters for his remarks about the Quaran and Prophet Mohammed.

Current controversy

But the current controversy was ignited by Adepoju. A few days ago, he threatened to take legal action against Evang. Noah for using his video clips on his social media pages.

He urged Noah to desist from using his videos on his page.

He also warned other Christians to desist from using his videos on their pages. He specifically called on Noah to delete his past videos on his social media handles. Adepoju said he had met with the DSS and other security agencies on the matter.

Reactions

Noah however has said he would not delete old videos with the video clips of Adepoju on his social media platforms. According to him the law is not against using a video to buttress his posts adding, ” hose videos I have used had no copyright note.”

He said he had a right to comment on any video in the public space. He added however that the only thing he would not do is to defame the character of Adepoju.

Past videos of Adepoju

He maintained that Adepoju had over the years been misrepresenting the Bible. “it is time to cut him to size” he said adding that he had a right to defend his faith.  He then challenged Adepoju to an open debate on a neutral ground.

While declaring he had no fear whatsoever, he reminded Adepoju of his video where he claimed Jesus was a thief.  He cited another video where Adepoju quoted the book of Proverbs 7v12-19 out of context and concluded Bible supports adultery.

He mentioned several of Adepoju’s videos where he deliberately distorted the Bible to satisfy his listeners’ itching ears.