(May 10, 2014 at 1:33 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Thanks, that's a very good review of Spencer's work. He also goes into the idea that "muhammad" was just a title rather than the name of a person.
If Muhammad was meant to be a title the references would mean the Arabs of the Chosen One for the war leader while the merchant would be the Chosen One because he was supposed to have had a divine revelation.
What Sebeos said was -
Quote:At that time a certain man from along those same sons of Ismael, whose name was Mahmet [i.e., Mụhammad], a merchant, as if by God's command appeared to them as a preacher [and] the path of truth. He taught them to recognize the God of Abraham, especially because he was learnt and informed in the history of Moses. Now because the command was from on high, at a single order they all came together in unity of religion. Abandoning their vain cults, they turned to the living God who had appeared to their father Abraham. So, Mahmet legislated for them: not to eat carrion, not to drink wine, not to speak falsely, and not to engage in fornication. He said: 'With an oath God promised this land to Abraham and his seed after him for ever. And he brought about as he promised during that time while he loved Ismael. But now you are the sons of Abraham and God is accomplishing his promise to Abraham and his seed for you. Love sincerely only the God of Abraham, and go and seize the land which God gave to your father Abraham. No one will be able to resist you in battle, because God is with you.[43]
If this account isn't a forgery it means there really was a merchant who became a preacher. He wasn't teaching Islam, though, and his personal name wasn't Muhammad.
Where are the snake and mushroom smilies?