The Miracle of Adam and Jesus

Generally I would agree. If you could prove that some amazing numerical code was written into the Quran, that would truly be astounding. On the other hand studying the numerology inherent in any written text and pulling out the interesting and coincidental tidbits while ignoring the stuff that doesn't match your starting supposition of miraculous, seems a bit desparate and disingenuous.

Lachi wrote: I wasn't doubting that the names of Adam and Jesus appear in the Quran as samirfaithful says. Only that just because they appear like that it doesn't mean it is a miracle. The alternatives are coincidence (as noted by samirfaithful) or intentional editing. Evidence for intentional editing? You'll need to look into the history of the Quran and the compilations by Ali ibn Ali Talib and Zaid ibn Thabit and others.

You still have not provided any proof for "intentional editing".  The Compilations of Ali and Zaid?  Well, what about them?  Can you demonstrate that there were acts of "intentional editing" which resulted in the numerical alignment as shown in samirfaithful's post?

You may be interested to read Dr. M.M. Al-Azami's book "The History of the Quranic Text: From Revelation to Compilation: A Comparative Study with the Old and New Testaments", for a detailed summary of the various compilations, starting with that of Abu Bakr (ra). 

You should also remember that from they very beginning of Islamic history, Muslims have been memorizing the Quran.  Hence, any attempt at "intentional editing" is bound to fail since the collective memory of 1400 years of Islamic history will serve as a strong deterrent.  It was true at the beginning and it is true now. 

schmikbob wrote: Actually, I didn't ask you if his numbers lined up. I asked you why you didn't question his claim that these things amounted to a miracle. The question still stands. Do you feel that these things amount to a miracle?

No, you asked me why I didn't ask for proof of samirfaithful's claims of a miracle.  I responded by pointing out that I actually verified all the claims made in his post.  The names of Adam and Jesus indeed appear 25 times and the 19th occurrence of each name is indeed in the 19th surah.  This is all easily verifiable.

Now you are asking a different question.  Do I think that the alignment of Adam and Jesus' names are a miracle?  In my view, this example, by itself, is not sufficient to claim as a miracle.  It could just be due to coincidence.  If more such examples could be found, then it would be a different story.  The more examples, the less likely it is a coincidence, and hence the more likely that it is indeed miraculous.  That would require more research.

In Lachi's case, he simply made a statement and did not provide the evidence.  I don't think I was being unreasonable to ask him for proof of "intentional editing".   

Actually, I didn't ask you if his numbers lined up. I asked you why you didn't question his claim that these things amounted to a miracle. The question still stands. Do you feel that these things amount to a miracle?