Islam and Jesus

Islamic writings have much to say about Jesus, however, there is a great deal of difference between the Koran and the Bible relative to Jesus.

Recall that Mohammed espoused the concept of monotheism to the point that there was no room for the doctrines of the plurality of the Godhead and the deity of Jesus. The Bible, however, states:

“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.” I John 4:13-14

“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30

“Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” John 17:11

The central theme of New Testament Christianity is that Christ as God the Son was crucified as the required payment of sin for all mankind. Christ’s death fulfilled the Old Testament law. The Bible further states that Jesus was buried and then arose from the grave as proof that His sacrificial death was accepted by God the Father as payment for the sins of all mankind.

“…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” John 1:14

“…Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place…which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him…” John 19:15

“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus…” John 19:41-42
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you…saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” Luke 24:6-7

The Koran, looking backwards more than 500 years after the above scriptures were written, presents a decidedly different view of Jesus’ deity and sacrificial death.

“In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ the son of Mary…” Surah 5:17

“That they said in boast, ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’…but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them…for a surety they killed him not…” Surah 4:157-158

Islam professes Jesus was a major prophet who was taken alive up to Heaven like Elijah, will return later as a Muslim, will marry and have children, abolish the sanctity of the Cross, kill many Jews, and convert many to Islam. More about that later.

The Bible, looking forward, prophesied that subsequent religions would emerge that would deny the sonship and deity of Christ. The following Biblical passages, written 500 years before the Koran reflect the same level of intensity as the Koran on the subject.

“Who is…he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” I John 2:22-23

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” I John 4:1-3

Because of the sharp differences between the Koran and the Bible relative to who Jesus is, both cannot be right and, therefore, an individual choice must be made. Our constitution allows for that individual choice of religion. The decision process can be facilitated by considering the above words spoken by the Apostle John, i.e. “…test the spirits, whether they are of God…”

For further study, simply Google, ‘Islam and the deity of Jesus’

Islam and the Old Testament

The Koran was compiled from Mohammad’s notes in approximately 650 AD nearly two decades after his death. And while Old Testament documentation was the starting point for the Koran and the religion of Islam, the Koran in its present form contains many teachings contrary to both Old and New Testaments. Originally Mohammad was very respectful of the Jews living in Arabia and he wanted them to join his movement. In fact, he even proclaimed that he was their prophet referred to in Deuteronomy.

“And the LORD said to me: ‘…I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.’” Deuteronomy 18: 17-19.

The Jews, however, knowing Mohammed descended from Ishmael and was furthermore not of the family of King David would not recognize him as their prophet and rejected his claims.

The New Testament subsequently confirmed that the Prophet announced in Deuteronomy was Jesus.

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth…’” John 1:45

“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets…He has thus fulfilled. Repent…that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’” Acts 3:18-23

The Jews were given a stern warning not to presume to be a prophet if not called by God.

“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.” Deuteronomy 18:20

History reveals that Mohammad was very zealous about the birth and development of Islam. He had become disenchanted with the polytheism that was growing in Arabia. He had a passion for monotheism and recognized it prevailed in Jewish scriptures which was a partial reason why he wanted the Jews to join him.

There are several Koranic references to the validity of the Old Testament Scriptures. Mohammed himself originally accepted their validity because he believed Allah had delivered the Pentateuch, Prophets, and the Psalms to the Jews. For example:

“And verily We (Allah) delivered the book of the law unto Moses; wherefore be not in doubt as to the revelation thereof; We ordained the same to be a direction unto the children of Israel.” Sura 32:23

“And verily We have bestowed favor upon some of the prophets more than upon others and We gave David the Psalms (Zabur). And We have given thee the Koran as We gave the Psalms unto David…” Sura 4:163

“And verily We have written in the Psalms after the promulgation of the law, that my servants the righteous shall inherit the earth, and in this Book are contained sufficient means of salvation unto people who serve God.” Sura 21:105

Inasmuch as the Old Testament was completed nearly 1,000 years before Mohammed’s birth and was originally validated by him, any differences between these Old Testament books and the Koran had to be attributed to Mohammed himself from his subsequent personal ‘revelations’ from Allah. The Bible states clearly that God and His word do not change.

“Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same…” Psalms 102:25-27

“For I am the LORD, I do not change…” Malachi 3:6

The Jews had another reason for not altering their own scared writings.

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe…You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:1-2

Therefore, there remain major differences between the Old Testament and the Koran. Allah, the father of Adam and Abraham according to the Koran, is said to have given Mohammed new revelations nearly a millennium after the Old Testament was completed. The Biblical God of Adam and Abraham, however, is said to be unchanging.

For further study, Google ‘Islam and the Pentateuch’

The Bible and Koran: Their Authorship and Authority

The Bible is a compilation of 66 separate written works penned by men over a period of approximately 1550 years. While the Bible itself states that men wrote the books of the Bible, each writer did so under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:17

From the third chapter of Genesis through the final chapter of Revelation, the Bible presents a seamless plan of redemption from the power of sin to the satisfaction of the righteousness required of a Holy and just God.

The Bible is very clear that such redemption is a gift offered by God. To attain the required righteousness of God can only be accomplished by an act of God Himself.

The initial books of the Bible were written approximately 1450 BC and the final book was written approximately 95 AD. From the early books of the Bible to the final book, warnings are given not to add to or subtract from God’s inspired word.

“Every word of God is pure…Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

And then Jesus Himself confirmed the warning in the final verses of the Revelation.

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life…” Revelation 22:18-19

Christians and Jews alike accepted the scriptures as the true, complete, inerrant word of God. When it is said that the Bible is the complete word of God, it means everything a man needs to know about attaining God’s righteousness is contained therein. Recall from the first verse cited above “…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped…”

Imagine the surprise to the Christian and Jewish communities when more than 500 years after the Bible was completed Mohammed announced he had received a revised word from Allah through the angel Gabriel. Much of the surprise was due to Mohammed’s ancestry because he was a descendant of Ishmael. History reveals that while much of the Koran was based on Biblical teachings, much of it was not. Differences between the Bible and Koran were required to accommodate the new revelations that Mohammed said he received from Allah. Mohammed stated that because the Bible had been corrupted it needed to be replaced with the real truth that Allah chose to share with him at the appointed time in history. Islamists say the contents of the Koran were given to Mohammed during the last 23 years of his life.

Mohammed said the Koran was the last word from Allah to man before the judgment and that he was the last and greatest of the six Major Prophets namely Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and himself.

There are six major religious articles, called Pillars of Iman that summarize the religious aspects of Islam.

1) Belief in God. That God (Allah) is one is stressed throughout Islamic teachings to the extent that the Trinity is rejected. Much more will be said about this in future columns.

2) Belief in angels. Islam recognizes Michael and Gabriel and many more that are not mentioned in the Bible.

3) Belief in Books. The books referred to include, for example, the Pentateuch, Psalms, and the Gospels but as stated above these books are believed by Islam to have been highly corrupted by Jews and Christians.

4) Belief in prophets. As stated above Mohammed is said to be the final prophet of Allah.

5) Belief in the resurrection (this does not refer to the resurrection of Jesus) and the Day of Judgment. Islam teaches that all men will be raised on judgment day to give an account of their life. Their actions during their life determine their eternal destiny.

6) Belief in predestination of both good and evil.

In summary, Muslims believe the Bible had been corrupted, was no longer reliable, and thus superseded by the Koran. Just as Muslims have the right to believe the Bible has been corrupted by Christians and Jews, Christians and Jews have the right to question the claims of Islam that demean the Bible. An argument offered by Christians and Jews is that the Bible was completed 500 years before Mohammed said he received the Koran. The Bible hadn’t changed, how could it have become corrupted? Could it be that Mohammed’s ‘revelations’ from Allah through Gabriel were actually different than the well established Bible? We’ll also examine that issue in future columns in this series.

For additional enlightenment, Google ‘Islam’s Pillars of Iman.’

Faith and Obedience or Works and Performance

Both Christians and Muslims share the ultimate goal of living forever in a place far superior to this earth as we know it. Perhaps the major difference, however, is that Christians are taught to depend on a proactive God to fulfill the ultimate goal while Muslims depend on their individual efforts and performance to please Allah to earn a place in paradise. Heaven is a gift to the Christian while paradise is an earned reward for the Muslim. Heaven to the Christian is substantially grander than the finite mind can fathom, while paradise to the Muslim is described in terms that appeal to the senses. Both Christianity and Islam claim their heritage from Abraham and both are products of the ‘seed of the woman.’ In other words, both religions were delivered to and illustrated through men.

Before the foundation of the world, God had a plan of redemption for man ready to implement. Several millennia had passed since man’s fall in the Garden of Eden when God called out the man Abraham about 2100 BC and told him he would be the beginning of a great nation and would reveal God and His plan of redemption to the world.

“Now the LORD had said to Abram (Abraham)… ‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:2-3

This promise, or covenant, between God and Abraham was confirmed several times in Genesis. God’s promise to Abraham also included the gift of certain land described as the area from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates for an everlasting possession.

The scriptures also reveal that Abraham and his wife Sarah were getting old and they began to wonder how their descendants could inherit God’s promises if they didn’t have any children as heirs. Remember that first Abraham suggested to God that He recognize Abraham’s servant as the legal heir. God quickly dismissed that suggestion and reminded Abraham that he would father a child who would be the heir of the promise. More time passed and Sarah suggested to Abraham that he father a child with her maid, Hagar. That would, she reasoned, fulfill the requirement of a legal heir inasmuch as Sarah was far past her child bearing years. Again God rejected that plan restating that Abraham would father a child with Sarah. God even pre-named that child Isaac. In the meantime Abraham did father a child with Sarah’s maid. A boy child named Ishmael was born to Sarah’s maid Hagar 13 years before Sarah gave birth to Isaac.

And even though Ishmael was not to inherit the promise God made to Abraham, he would be powerful and influential with his own offspring.

“And as for Ishmael…Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac…” Genesis 17:20-21

Before Ishmael was born the Angel of the LORD revealed some interesting facts to Hagar.

“Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Genesis 16:11-12

The presence of Hagar and Ishmael in the household caused great animosity between Sarah and Abraham.

“So the child (Isaac) grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar…whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, ‘cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.’” Genesis 21:8-10

Hagar and Ishmael were indeed cast out and they lived in the wilderness where Ishmael grew to manhood.

“He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran (Arabia) and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt” Genesis 21:21

“And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael…the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar; Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.” Genesis 25:13-15

Ishmael was, therefore, the progenitor of the Arab nations. The famous prophet of Islam, i.e. Mohammad is a descendant of Ishmael.

There is a New Testament passage that confirms the covenant God made with Abraham was to pass on through Isaac and not Ishmael.

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise…Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does, the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.’” Galatians 4:22-30

Islam extols Ishmael and acknowledges him in the lineage of Mohammed. Likewise Christianity accepts the Biblical account of the linage of Isaac and Christ, the ultimate ‘seed of the woman.’

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah…” Matthew 1:1-2

For further study, Google ‘Ishmael and Islam’

Christians, Muslims, and the Undecided

The controversy surrounding the proposed mosque to be built near Ground Zero has produced a disguised but significant benefit, i.e. it has prompted much interest and dialogue about Islam. Therefore, beginning with today’s column and for the next several weeks we will examine varying aspects of the largest and fastest growing religion in the world known as Islam. The word Islam means submission to God.

We will examine Islam not only as a religion but also its accompanying set of laws called sharia. Therefore, Islam is a comprehensive system of directives encompassing and governing every aspect of a person’s life including cultural issues, laws and their overriding purpose.

We will examine the history and beginnings of Islam using verses from their Koran, hadith, sunnah, and additional relevant statements from recognized Muslim scholars and clerics. While the Koran is considered Allah’s word, hadiths are a collection of Mohammed’s sayings. The records of his actions are in turn known as the sunnah.

Seeing that the Koran is Islam’s religious authority we will compare the Koran with the Bible which is the Christian’s religious authority. The Bible is not silent about the ancestry of the prophet Mohammed and many other aspects of Islam. Research also indicates that Islam once recognized much of the Bible as valid and was given by Allah to His prophets such the Taurat (Pentateuch) which is believed to have been delivered to Moses, the Zabur (Psalms) which is believed to have been delivered to David, and the Ingil (Gospels) which is believed to have been delivered to Jesus. The last book to be given by Allah to the world according to Islam was the Koran which superseded the others named. Islamists believe that the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Gospels have all been corrupted and subsequently lost their credibility.

Also to be considered in future weeks is the reality that this is America and this country was founded on Christian principles while allowing religious freedom. Our founding fathers provided for such freedom in the first amendment to the constitution which…

“…prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion…”

We have offered the freedom of religion to others, but the question is being raised whether we are giving up some basic freedoms in order to preserve the freedoms of those who may not agree with our constitution or wish to be assimilated into our way of life.

The very next words of this same first amendment address my freedom to write this column, i.e.

“…prohibits the making of any law…infringing on the freedom of speech…”

This and future columns in this series have multiple objectives.

• Enlighten Christians and the undecided on what the Islamic system of religion and government is about based on Islam’s own documentation and tradition
• Enlighten Muslims and the undecided on what the Christian religion is about based primarily on Biblical teachings
• Determine if either of these major religions are in harmony with or conflict with America’s sovereignty or way of life as defined by the constitution
• Illustrate that ‘Islamophobia’ is not the same as the desire to be enlightened
• Provide the undecided with sufficient information with which he/she may exercise their freedom of choice of religion and choose one or the other or reject both

The issue of freedom of religion has a different meaning for Christianity than it does for Islam. Christianity offers the individual the choice.

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15

These verses state that if Christianity is rejected the bearer of the news should move on and leave the consequences of rejection to be dwelt with in the future day of judgment.

Islam, on the other hand, subscribes very strongly to ‘Islamic Supremacism’ and believes that rejecters or infidels should be confronted immediately with some form of jihad. Jihad is translated from Arabic meaning ‘struggle’ and is “an obligation from Allah on every Muslim and cannot be ignored nor evaded.” Such jihad can take many forms ranging from position statements and proclamations such as a fatwahs to more physical warfare termed mujahidin.

This series is designed to be informational instead of confrontational. Commentary will be limited unless it will shed light on any documentation quoted. I will also provide questions or phrases that you may insert into your search engine to allow personal research and provide supplemental information on major items of interest. For examples, for this week, you might ask your search engine to define hadith, sunnah, jihad, fatwah and mujahidin. You will learn volumes.

"Come Now, and Let Us Reason Together..."

The title words were spoken by God in approximately 700 BC. The nation of Israel had been divided into the northern ten tribes which maintained the name of Israel and the southern two tribes consisting of Judah and Benjamin who were called Judah. Israel was overtaken by the Assyrians in 722 BC while Judah was still sovereign. The reason for Israel’s downfall was they had cast off their God who had delivered them from Egyptian bondage and worshipped other gods.

“For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God…and they had feared other gods, and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before them…and also they secretly did against the LORD their God things that were not right…”
2 Kings 17:7-9

Shortly after the demise of the northern ten tribes God addressed the southern two tribes called Judah to encourage them not to follow in the steps of their northern brothers. And although Judah was engulfed in the same type of sin, God gave them opportunity to change their ways and avoid catastrophe.

“Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters…! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward.” Isaiah 1:4

God went on to describe the sins of Judah and the condition of their heart. Then He spoke these timeless words.

“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’” Isaiah 1:18

And then He offered them a choice and told them of the benefits of obeying or the consequences for disobedience.

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.” Isaiah 1:19-20

History confirms that Judah chose to disobey. They did not return to God and the consequence was that Jerusalem was flattened and the majority of the people of Judah were deported to Babylon (present day Iraq) for a period of seventy years.

Now fast forward to the present. How does America today compare with Judah? Are we pursuing policies that are contradictory to Biblical teachings? Are we involved in the same type of disobedience that led to Judah’s downfall?

Two of the major issues that we as a nation are involved with presently are the economy and foreign policy.

Relative to foreign policy, our strategy includes negotiating with Iran and trying to convince them not to pursue the development of nuclear weapons that could be used to annihilate the nation of present day Israel. As each day passes Iran is closer to their goal. Why would we as a Christian nation have any agreements or treaties with a nation that has as a primary goal to destroy the nation of Israel?

The nation of Israel has always been the ‘Apple of God’s eye.’ This great truth is seen throughout the Old Testament and is confirmed in the New Testament. Remember Jesus’ teachings. He was commissioned to go first to the ‘House of Israel.’

How about economic issues? Capitalism is endorsed by the Bible. In fact the description of the virtuous wife described in Proverbs includes entrepreneurial activities.

“She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.” Proverbs 31:16

“She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.” Proverbs 31:24

The problem arises when capitalistic success is the end goal and not the means to the end. Remember immediately after the 9-11 terrorist attack the strength and resiliency of America was measured by how quickly the stock markets would be up and running. That wake-up call was ignored.

Then consider the economic issue of being in debt. When the cost of administering this nation’s government exceeds the revenue collected a deficit results. When that happens we borrow money. We presently are indebted to China to the tune of approximately $800 billion and to Japan for another $750 billion.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:7

The result of our excessive borrowing is that China is beginning to have major inputs on our other foreign policy issues.

Was our president right when he stated recently that we are no longer a Christian nation? Are we as a nation guilty of the same things that brought Israel’s temporary downfall?

“And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth…” Isaiah 51:13

“Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, therefore you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings…but the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow.” Isaiah 17:10-11

Perhaps it is the time to consider once again God’s invitation…

“Come now, and let us reason together…”