To my dear esteemed brother Mazhar,
I have received a copy of the book “The True Meaning of the Gospel of Christ”.
Concerning my long experience in publishing the Holy Bible and the New Testament, I had the role of being responsible for reviewing and making final decisions for printing. I have read many Arabic translations and works attempting to convey the meaning of words recorded in ancient manuscripts and the original languages of the Bible, with the focus always being on the oldest of these texts. Such work is difficult, lengthy and expensive, creating many differences of opinion between specialists in translation, languages and communication. Some of these specialists belong to different groups in society and different denominations.
When the “newborn” book reached my hands in its elegant clothing, I first reflected on its title which brought many questions to my mind, the first one being: “Why would a team of educated Muslims be interested in the Gospel?” “What is a correct interpretation as far as they are concerned?” “Why would they want to do an Arabic translation of a religious text like this?” “And how?”
From the first word in this volume to the last, I was gradually overcome with joy, and after each page my astonishment increased and my heart and emotions were filled with amazement.
I want to be very brief, because an adequate review of this book deserves much more time: the introductory articles are abundant and necessary, and I was delighted with them since they certainly answer many old and new questions posed by ordinary people in our society. They answer these questions frankly and with a clear and necessary fidelity that has long been lacking, addressing the gulf that has grown between the Abrahamic religions.
The interpretive text of the Gospel remains distinctly faithful to the intended meaning taken from the Holy Scriptures. This book takes its place in the ranks of other Arabic Bible translations, completing their heritage of striving to communicate the Word of God to the hearts and minds of people.
Lucien Accad
Former Director, Bible Society of Lebanon