The Quran: The Islamic Counterfeit To Jesus Christ

The Quran is to orthodox Islam what Jesus Christ is to the historic, orthodox Christian faith. For example, the Holy Bible, particularly the witness of John, identifies Christ as the eternal Word of God who became flesh at a specific point in time:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind… The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not know Him… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth… No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” John 1:1-4, 9-10, 14, 18

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have touched, concerning the Word of life—the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and announce to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you that which we have seen and heard, that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:1-3

“I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, with which He may strike the nations. ‘He shall rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16

This is precisely what traditional Sunni Islam believes about the Quran, with one noted exception. The Quran itself is believed by Muslims to be the eternal speech of God that became a book. As such, the Quran is like Christ in that it possesses two distinct natures or aspects, namely an eternal aspect, and a temporal, physical one.

Lest I be accused of making things up, I will allow the scholars of Islam to speak to this issue.

Yusuf K. Ibish, in an article entitled “The Muslim Lives by the Quran,” writes:

I have not yet come across a western man who understands what the Quran is. It is not a book in the ordinary sense, nor is it comparable to the Bible, either the Old or New Testaments. It is an expression of Divine Will. If you want to compare it with anything in Christianity, you must compare it with Christ Himself. Christ was an expression of the Divine among men, the revelation of the Divine Will. That is what the Quran is. If you want a comparison for the role of Muhammad, the better one in that particular respect would be Mary. Muhammad was the vehicle of the Divine, as she was the vehicle … There are western orientalists who have devoted their life to the study of the Quran, its text, the analysis of its words, discovering that this word is Abyssinian, that word is Greek by origin… But all this is immaterial. The Quran was divinely inspired, then it was compiled, and what we have now is the expression of God’s Will among men. That is the important point. (Charris Waddy, The Muslim Mind [New York: Longman, 1976], p. 14; bold emphasis mine)

In his Ideals and Realities of Islam, Seyyed Hossain Nasr states:

The Word of God in Islam is the Quran; in Christianity it is Christ… To carry this analogy further one can point to the fact that the Quran, being the Word of God therefore corresponds to Christ in Christianity and the form of this book, which like the contents is determined by the dictum in heaven, corresponds in a sense to the body of Christ. The form of the Quran is the Arabic language which religiously speaking is as inseparable from the Quran as the body of Christ is from Christ Himself. Arabic is sacred in the sense that it is an integral part of the Quranic revelation whose very sounds and utterances play a role in the ritual acts of Islam. (Op. cit. [London: George Allen & Urwin, 1975], pp. 43-44; bold emphasis mine)

This next author claims that,

The Quran is eternal, whereas its form (i.e., the Arabic language and the book in which it is written) is temporal. In fact, in early Islamic history it was considered blasphemous to say that the Quran was created, with the Caliph Al-Mutawakkil (d. AD 850) going so far as to “decree the death penalty for anyone who taught that the Word of God (i.e., the Quran) is created.” (John Alden Williams, ed., Islam [New York: George Braziller, 1962], p. 179; bold emphasis mine)

And here is what a medieval Muslim theologian stated:

“The Qur’an is God’s speech, which he uttered, and it is uncreated. Who holds the opposite is a Jahmit, an unbeliever. And who says: ‘The Qur’an is God’s speech’, and stops at that point without adding ‘uncreated’, speaks even more infamously than the latter. Also, who maintains our sounds, our Qur’an recitation would be created, the Qur’an itself, however, God’s speech, is a Jahmit, too. And who doesn’t declare all these people as unbelievers, is like them.” (according to Ibn Abu Ya’la, Tabaqat al-Hanabila, ed. Muhammad Hamid al Fiqh, Cairo 1952, vol. I, p. 29; transl. Dr. Christopher Heger)

Noted Islamicist, F.E. Peters, quotes Muslim scholar Ahmad Ibn Hanbal as saying:

The Quran is the Word of God and it is not created. It is not wrong to say, “It is not created,” for God’s Word is not separated from Him, and there is nothing of Him that is created. Beware of discussing this with those who speak about this subject and talk of the “creation of sounds” and such matters, and those who go midway and say, “I don’t know whether the Quran is created or uncreated, but it is God’s Word.” Such a one is guilty of a religious innovation as is the one who says, “It is created,” for it is God’s Word and that is not created. (Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Creed) [WILLIAMS 1971:29] (Peters, Judaism, Christianity, And Islam: The Classical Texts and Their Interpretation [Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1990 paperback], p. 47)

Peters quotes another Muslim authority:

The Quran is God’s speaking, which is one of His attributes. Now God in all His attributes is One and with all His attributes is eternal and not contingent, (so His speaking is) without letters and without sounds, not broken up into syllables or paragraphs. It is not He nor is it other than He… (Ibid.)

Muslim scholar, Mahmoud M. Ayoub, speaking of Muhammad’s relation to the Quran, writes:

… that the words that Muhammad conveyed to his people were not his own, but were revealed to him by God. It is also understood to mean that his mind was not contaminated by human wisdom. Rather it was a pure receptacle for the divine word in the same way that Mary’s virginity means for Christians that her body was a pure vessel fit to receive Christ, the Word of God.

In fact, there is an interesting parallel between Christ and the Qur’an. Christ is, for Christians, the incarnate Word of God. While the Qur’an is, like Christ, the eternal divine word, it does not play a role in the creation of the world. It is the eternal word of God preserved for moral and spiritual guidance. It is an eternal book: “This surely is a glorious Qur’an, preserved in a well-guarded Tablet” (Q. 85:21-22). (Ayoub, Islam: Faith and History [Oneworld Publications, Oxford England, 2004], p. 41; bold emphasis mine)

One Salafi website stated in an answer to a question regarding whether the Quran is created that,

The evidence that the Qur’aan is not created is the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“Surely, His is the creation and commandment” [al-A’raaf 7:54]

So Allaah describes creation as one thing and commandment as another. The conjunction implies that the second thing mentioned is different, and the Qur’aan is part of the commandment because of the evidence of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Rooh (a revelation, and a mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’aan) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will” [al-Shoora 42:52]

If the Qur’aan is part of the command or commandment, which is different from creation, therefore it is not created, because if it were created, this division of categories would not be correct. This is the evidence from the Qur’aan. (10153: The Qur’aan was revealed by Allaah, not created https://web.archive.org/web/20050421150151/https://www.islammuslims.com/islam-qa/Volume_1/Vol1_Ch2_10153.htm)

The passage that this site posted, namely Q. 42:52, is actually referring to Allah’s Spirit since the Arabic word Ruh (spelled Rooh in the quotation) means Spirit. Thus, not only have these Muslims argued for the Quran being uncreated, they have even made a case for the Spirit’s being uncreated as well!

After all, if the Quran being part of Allah’s command means that it is uncreated, since Allah’s commands are not part of creation, then the Spirit must be uncreated as well since the verse that is quoted is actually referring to Allah’s Spirit. This leaves us with Allah, His Word (the Quran) and His Spirit all being uncreated!

Sunni Muslim scholar, Gibril F. Haddad, in addressing Shia claims to the contrary, provides a list of quotes from renowned Muslim theologians regarding the Quran’s uncreatedness, some of which include:

Ahl al-Sunna agree one and all that the Qur’an is the pre-existent, pre-eternal, uncreated Speech of Allah Most High on the evidence of the Qur’an, the Sunna, and faith-guided reason.

In a rare instance of classic kalâm reasoning, Imam Malik gave the most succinct statement of this doctrine:

“The Qur’an is the Speech of Allah, the Speech of Allah comes from Him, and nothing created comes from Allah Most High.” Narrated by al-Dhahabi in Siyar A`lam al-Nubala’ (Dar al-Fikr ed. 7:416).

Hafiz Abu al-Qasim Ibn `Asakir said in Tabyin Kadhib al-Muftari (Dar al-Jil ed. p. 150-151):

“The Mu`tazila said: ‘the Speech of Allah Most High is created, invented, and brought into being.’ The Hashwiyya, who attribute a body to Allah the Exalted, said: ‘The alphabetical characters (al-hurûf al-muqatta`a), the materials on which they are written, the colors in which they are written, and all that is between the two covers [of the volumes of Qur’an] is beginningless and pre-existent (qadîma azaliyya). Al-Ash`ari took a middle road between them and said: The Qur’an is the beginningless speech of Allah Most High unchanged, uncreated, not of recent origin in time, nor brought into being. As for the alphabetical characters, the materials, the colors, the voices, the elements that are subject to limitations (al-mahdûdât), and all that is subject to modality (al-mukayyafât) in the world: all this is created, originated, and produced.”

Hafiz Abu Bakr al-Bayhaqi said in al-Asma’ wa al-Sifat (al-Kawthari ed. p. 265; al-Hashidi ed. 2:18) with a sound chain:

“Something Ibn Shaddad had written was handed to Abu Bakr al-Marwazi which containing the phrase: “My pronunciation of the Qur’an is uncreated” and the latter was asked to show it to Ahmad ibn Hanbal for corroboration. The latter crossed out the phrase and wrote instead: “The Qur’an, however used (haythu yusraf), is uncreated.”

“In another sound narration, Abu Bakr al-Marwazi, Abu Muhammad Fawran [or Fawzan], and Salih ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal witnessed Ahmad rebuking one of his students named Abu Talib with the words: “Are you telling people that I said: ‘My pronunciation of the Qur’an is uncreated’?” Abu Talib replied: “I only said this from my own.” Ahmad said: “Do not say this – neither from me, nor from you! I never heard any person of knowledge say it. The Qur’an is the Speech of Allah uncreated, whichever way it is used.” Salih said to Abu Talib: “If you told people what you said, now go and tell the same people that Abu `Abd Allah [Imam Ahmad] forbade to say it.”” End of al-Bayhaqi’s narration in al-Asma’ wa al-Sifat (Kawthari ed. p. 265-266; al-Hashidi ed. 2:18). This is a sound narration also found in Salih ibn Ahmad’s book al-Mihna (p. 70-71), Ibn al-Jawzi’s Manaqib al-Imam Ahmad (p. 155), and Ibn Taymiyya in Majmu` al-Fatawa (12:360, 12:425).

The Proof of Islam and Renewer of the Fifth Hijri Century, Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali said in his “Foundations of Islamic Belief” (Qawa`id al-`Aqa’id) published in his Rasa’il and his Ihya’ `Ulum al-Din and partially translated in Shaykh Nuh Keller’s Reliance of the Traveller and by Mrs. Ahmad Darwish on the Mosque of the Internet:

“The Qur’an is read by tongues, written in books, and remembered in the heart, yet it is, nevertheless, uncreated and without beginning, subsisting in the Essence of Allah, not subject to division and or separation through its transmission to the heart and paper. Musa – upon him peace – heard the Speech of Allah without sound and without letter, just as the righteous see the Essence of Allah Most High in the Hereafter, without substance or its quality.” End of al-Ghazzali’s words.

And Imam al-Tahawi said of the Qur’an in his “Creed of Abu Hanifa and his Companions”: “It is not created like the speech of creatures.”

And:

Allah says, {Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is!} -Yasîn 82

Ibn `Uyayna explains, “Allah has differentiated his Creation from his Command. His command is “Be” (Kun).”

Allah says, {Verily! Our Word unto a thing when We intend it, is only that We say unto it: “Be!” and it is.} – Surah An-Nahl 40

Shaykh `AbdulQadir al-Jilani (Rahimahullah),* explaining that the word of Allah is not created says, “Allah (subhanehu Wa ta’ala) said, {Verily! to him (belongs) the creation and the Command}; (Allah) has differentiated his Creation from his Command, If His Command which is “Be” (Kun) that He creates His creation (with) is created it would be a repetition that has no benefit – as if He (Allah) said ‘Verily! to him (belongs) the creation and the creation’; Allah (subhanehu Wa ta’ala) is far removed from doing such a thing.” From the book Al-Ghunya li-Talibiy Tariq al-Haqq, volume 1 page 59 (Source: The Uncreatedness of the divine speech the glorious Qur’an)

And in respect to the attributes of Allah, Haddad further cites:

The `Aqida of the People of Truth is:

sifaatu-l-Laahi laysat `ayna dhaatin
The Attributes of Allah are neither the very Essence,

wa laa ghayran siwaahu dha-nfisaali
nor other than Himself, nor separate.

sifaatu-dh-Dhaati wa-l-af`aali turran
And all the Attributes of the Essence and of the Acts

qadiimaatun masuunaatu-z-zawaali
are pre-existent and without end.

[From the poem Bad’ al-Amali by the Maturidi master, Siraj al-Din `Ali ibn `Uthman al-Ushi (d. 569).] (Ibid.)

Muslim authorities even threatened to put anyone to death who denied that the Quran is eternal. For example, renowned Muslim jurist Qadi ‘Iyad quotes a Muslim named Malik saying that:

He said about someone who said that the Qur’an is created, “He is an unbeliever, so kill him.” He said in the version of Ibn Nafi’, “He should be flogged and painfully beaten and imprisoned until he repents.” In the version of Bishr ibn Bakr at-Tinnisi we find, “He is killed and his repentance is not accepted.” (Qadi ‘Iyad Musa al-Yahsubi, Muhammad Messenger of Allah (Ash-Shifa of Qadi ‘Iyad), translated by Aisha Abdarrahman Bewley [Madinah Press, Inverness, Scotland, U.K. 1991; third reprint, paperback], p. 419)

Finally, Annemarie Schimmel writes:

The problem of the nature of Christ, so central in the dogmatic development of the early church, has also influenced, in a certain way, the development of Islamic dogma. Christ’s designation as logos, as the Word of God, “born not created,” has most probably influenced Islamic theories about the Koran, which is regarded by the Muslim as the uncreated Word of God. Phenomenologically seen, the Koran has the same position in Islamic dogmatics as has Christ in Christianity. Harry A. Wolfson therefore coined the term “inlibration,” the “Word become Book,” in contrast to the Christian concept of incarnation, “the Word became Flesh.” That explains why theologians emphasized the designation ummi for Muhammad; this term, first probably meaning “the prophet sent to the gentiles” was interpreted as “illiterate.” The Prophet had to be a vessel unstained by external knowledge for the Word’s inlibration, just as Mary had to be a virgin in order to be a pure vessel for the Word’s incarnation. That is, the Koran is much more than simply a book… (Schimmel, Islam – An Introduction [State University of New York Press, Albany 1992], pp. 74-75; bold emphasis mine)

We thus see how the Quran is likened to Christ in that, like Christ, it is eternal in one sense (being the eternal speech of Allah), and yet finite in another sense (the book and ink used to record it).

What makes this all the more remarkable is that Islam even had its own Arians, i.e. individuals who claimed that the Quran was created, which is similar to Arius and his followers in the fourth century AD who taught that Christ was created. And just like the Trinitarians opposed the Arians, the so-called orthodox Muslims also fought against the Islamic group that denied the eternal nature of the Quran.

This difference in opinion concerning the nature of the Quran led to a violent rift between these two factions of Muslims, to the point where they even resorted to bloodshed, as Islamicist Cyril Glassé admits:

“It is a fundamental doctrine of Islam that the Koran, as the speech of God, is eternal and uncreated in its essence and sense, created in its letters and sounds (harf wa jarh). It has been asserted that the doctrine of the uncreated Koran was the result of exposure to the Christian dogma of the Logos; that, as Christians defined Jesus as the Word of God and as having two natures, one human and one Divine in one person, so the Muslims transposed this doctrine by analogy to the Koran as the Word of God made book. The Muslims were indeed aware of the Christian doctrine; the Caliph al-Ma’mun (d. 218/833), who supported the Mu’tazilite theory that the Koran was created, wrote to one of his governors that belief in the uncreatedness of the Koran resembled the Christians when they claim that Jesus was not created because he was the ‘Word of God’. During the brief Mu’tazilite ascendancy which began in the Caliphate of al-Ma’mun, belief in the uncreated Koran was temporarily suspended, arousing fierce opposition. The Koran was declared to be created, and those opposed to this view were persecuted during an inquisition called the mihnah (212-232/833-847) into the beliefs of the religious authorities. Yet lawyers and Judges staunchly upheld the dogma of the uncreated Koran, and nurtured it when necessary in secret. Ibn Hanbal went further, and declared that the Koran was uncreated from ‘cover to cover’, that is, also in its letters and its sounds. In this he was certainly not intending to imitate the Monophysites, but he was flogged for his beliefs. When the mihnah came to an end, the doctrine of the uncreatedness was restored, and has not been challenged since, in the Sunni world. The Kharijites differ from the Sunnis on this point, and in their dogmas the Koran is entirely created, which is also true for the Shi’ites, both Twelve-Imam and Zaydi, whose theology in many ways is an extension of that of the Mu’tazilites.” (Glassé, The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, [Harper San Francisco, second edition 1991, 1999], pp. 231-232; bold emphasis mine)

Here is what John L. Esposito, Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, writes concerning the Mutazila view of the Quran and of God’s attributes:

The Mutazila took issue with the majority of ulama over the doctrines of the divine attributes or names of God and the eternal, uncreated nature of the Quran. Both beliefs were seen as contradictory and as compromising God’s unity (Islam’s absolute monotheism). How could the one, transcendent God have many divine attributes (sight, hearing, power, knowledge, will)? The Mutazila maintained that the Quranic passages that affirmed God’s attributes were meant to be understood metaphorically or allegorically, not literally. Not to do so was to fall into anthropomorphism, or worse, shirk, associationism or polytheism. Similarly, the Islamic doctrine that the Quran is the speech or word of God should not be taken literally, for how could both God and His word be eternal and uncreated? The result would be two divinities. The Mutazila interpreted metaphorically those Quranic texts that spoke of the Quran preexisting in heaven. Contrary to majority opinion, they taught that the Quran is the created word of God, who is its uncreated source. The Mutazila critique of those like Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who believed in the eternity of the Quran, was ably summarized by Caliph Mamun in a letter to his governor:

Everything apart from Him is a creature from His creation – a new thing which He has brought into existence. [This perverted opinion they hold] though the Koran speaks clearly of God’s creating all things, and proves to the exclusion of all differences of opinion. They are, thus, like the Christians when they claim that Isa bin Maryam [Jesus, the son of Mary] was not created because he was the word of God. But God says, “Verily We have made it a Koran in the Arabic language,” and the explanation of that is, “Verily, We have created it,” just as the Koran says, “And He made from it His mate that he might dwell with her.” (Esposito, Islam The Straight Path [Oxford University Press, New York Oxford: Hardcover, third edition], pp. 71-72; bold emphasis mine)

Thomas W. Lippman says regarding the Mutazilites that:

… They also rejected the dogma that the Koran was the uncreated word of God, coeternal with Him. The Mutazilites said that this view compromised the oneness of God.

In the ninth century the Caliph al-Mamun elevated Mutazilism to the status of official creed. He proclaimed that the Koran had been created by God and was not coeternal with Him. The test of orthodoxy was the answer to the question whether God created all things, including the Koran. A “no” answer brought torture and imprisonment, and the Caliph decreed that all judges must subscribe to the new doctrine. Mutazilism which originated in rationalism, thus manifested itself as illiberal and repressive, and after al-Mamun’s death his successors repressed it as vigorously as he had imposed it. The argument over the eternality of the Koran is of little relevance to the practice of ordinary Muslims today; but it shows the extent to which Islam, basically a straight forward and unequivocal faith, has undergone the same process of self-analysis as Christianity. The issues of rationalism and spirituality, divine omniscience and human freedom, have never been finally settled. (Lippman, Understanding Islam: An Introduction To The Muslim World [A Plume Book: October 2002, third revised and updated edition], p. 74; bold emphasis mine)

We thus discover that Christians weren’t the only ones debating and persecuting each other over the implications of Jesus’ being the Word of God. Muslims also had to struggle over the issue of the Quran being God’s speech and hammer out the exact implications this had on its nature, i.e. whether it is eternal or created or both! And much like Christianity before it, Islam had, and continues to have its own Arians, Monophysites and Trinitarians debating and persecuting one another over the exact nature of the Quran.

Therefore, if Christians are blasphemers for believing that Jesus is the uncreated Word of God who became flesh, having eternally existed with the Father and fully participating in the infinite Being of God, then the same must apply to Muslims as well. Muslims are blasphemers for affirming that a book is the uncreated word of their god, having eternally coexisted with and as an inseparable aspect of the Muslim deity, being composed of two distinct aspects, an eternal one along with a temporal created aspect.

What the foregoing shows is that Islam has supplanted the Christian belief in Jesus’ as the uncreated Word of God with the Quran since the Quran is to orthodox Islam what Christ is to historic, biblical Christianity. As such, the Quran is nothing more than a counterfeit Christ, one erected by the enemy to turn Muslims away from the true eternal Word of God, the Word who did not become a book but became a flesh and blood human being named Jesus of Nazareth.

Source: https://answeringislamblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/the-quran-the-islamic-counterfeit-to-jesus-christ/

IHS

The Chief Shepherd of the Flock. More Proofs for the Deity of Christ

 Sam Shamoun

In one of our previous discussions, we saw how Yahweh or Jehovah is said to be the Shepherd of his people,

“But his bow stayed strong, and his forearms were nimble, by the hands of the strong one of Jacob, by the name of the shepherd, the rock of Israel, by God, your father, who supports you, by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings from the skies above and blessings from the deep sea below, blessings from breasts and womb.” Genesis 49:24-25 Common English Bible (CEB)

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” Psalm 80:1

Who not only guides and protects them, but also feeds and nurtures them:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:1-6

We also saw that Jehovah will come with his reward in order recompense every person for what s/he has earned:

“Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:10-11

In relation to this aspect of Jehovah being the Shepherd-King who comes to judge, the Scriptures proclaim that Jehovah personally searches for his scattered flock in order to gather them, as well as to save them from wicked and oppressive leaders who have used and abused God’s flock for their own gain and benefit.

Moreover, God swears to not only bring into judgment all those who have preyed upon his people, but to also raise up a shepherd after his own heart, namely, a Davidic king who will protect and care for his pasture:  

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. MY sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, MY flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because MY flock became a prey, and MY flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not MY flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require MY flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver MY flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search MY sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out MY sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed MY flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. And as for you, O MY flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? And as for MY flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save MY flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up ONE shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.” Ezekiel 34:1-24

And:

“And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have ONE shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.” Ezekiel 37:24-28

What these passages indicate is that Jehovah is not the only Shepherd that Israel has, but rather is Israel’s chief Shepherd, the Shepherd of all Shepherds, the One before whom all shepherds must bow down and give an account to.

As such, being called a shepherd doesn’t make one divine. It is only when one is described as the chief Shepherd, the Shepherd who rules over all other shepherds, does the title then imply divinity.

In the second part of our discussion, we are going to examine the NT documents to see the sense in which the title shepherd is applied to the risen Lord, i.e., is he simply one shepherd among many, with the Father being the chief Shepherd? Or does the NT identify Christ as the divine Shepherd who rules over all the rest of God’s shepherds?

 

The arrival of the Davidic Ruler

According to the inspired Christian Scriptures, Jesus is the physical descendant of David,

“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Mark 10:47-48 – cf. Matthew 1:1

“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:3-4

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:” 2 Timothy 2:8

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Revelation 22:16 – cf. 5:5

Who has come to rule forever from God’s own throne as the sovereign Lord of all creation:

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:26-35

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:29-36

The NT further describes Christ as the great Shepherd of the sheep,

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that GREAT shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” Hebrews 13:20

Who was smitten to death,

“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.  But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Mark 14:27-28

In order to offer his life as a ransom so as to procure forgiveness of sins and everlasting redemption for his flock,

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:21-25

And thereby grant them the authority to dwell in the presence of God where they will lie down in green pastures and drink from living waters forever:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and ONE shepherd.” John 10:1-16

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:9-17

To say that these NT assertions are remarkable would be a wild understatement, since Christ is described as carrying out specific functions which no creature is capable of performing, and which the God-breathed Scriptures ascribe to God alone. Note, for instance, what the following passage says concerning a person’s inability to redeem the life or soul of a single individual, let alone saving an innumerable host of people:

“No one can ever redeem his brother or give God a ransom for him, because the price for him is too high (leave the idea completely alone!) to have him live on eternally and never see the pit… But God will redeem me from Sh’ol’s control, because he will receive me. (Selah)” Psalm 49:7-9, 15 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

 

The Divine Shepherd-King

That’s not all the Holy Bible says regarding Jesus that is simply amazing.

The inspired authors teach that Christ is the Chief Shepherd who oversees all other shepherds,

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the CHIEF Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4

And the Son of Man who not only searches and saves the lost,

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

But who also gathers all the nations in order to judge them on the basis of how they have treated his flock!

“When the Son of man shall come in HIS glory, and all the holy angels with HIM, then shall HE sit upon the throne of HIS glory: And before HIM shall be gathered all nations: and HE shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And HE shall set the sheep on HIS right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of MY Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these MY brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:31-46

Now this introduces a major dilemma for all those who deny the essential Deity of Christ since, if Jesus is not God in the flesh, then he could not be the chief Shepherd who oversees all other shepherds from heaven itself. As we saw in the first part of our discussion, it is Jehovah God who is the chief Shepherd that comes to search for his flock and judge all those who have oppressed his sheep. As such, one cannot have a created being reigning as the chief shepherd alongside Jehovah, especially in heaven itself, since that is the one place where Jehovah reigns supreme over the entire creation.

Hence, Jesus is not simply one shepherd among many. Rather, he is the divine Shepherd who, in perfect union with the Father and the Spirit, reigns supreme as King of kings and Lord of lords:

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in HIS times HE shall shew, WHO is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; WHO only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; WHOM no man hath seen, nor can see: to WHOM be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:13-16

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6 Modern English Version (MEV)

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 – cf. 19:11-16

This explains why Christ is described as the omniscient Lord,

“This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed MY lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed MY sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, THOU KNOWEST ALL THINGS; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed MY sheep.” John 21:14-17

And as the God who appoints elders by the Holy Spirit to watch over his flock, which is the Church that he redeemed by his very own blood!

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

“as we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a special people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13-14 MEV

Since only One who is truly God in the fullest sense can perform the deeds that Jesus performs, and be described as the Chief Shepherd of the sheep whom all the other shepherds must bow down and answer to.

Hence, Jesus is not merely a shepherd like his ancestor David was. Rather, Christ is a shepherd in the exact same sense that Jehovah is, simply because he happens to be Jehovah God in the flesh (even though he is not the Father or the Holy Spirit).

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptural references taken from the Authorized King James Version (AV) of the Holy Bible

Source: https://www.answering-islam.org/authors/shamoun/chief_shepherd.html

IHS

Jesus, the Son of God

Roland Clarke

Muslims find it extremely difficult to understand and accept the Bible's teaching that Jesus is the Son of God. Here are some suggestions that may help to explain this term.

1. First, it is vital to realize that the term son is used figuratively in literature as illustrated in the phrase “son of the road” meaning traveller, or “son of the bow” meaning “arrow”. (Job 41:28)

2. This figure of speech is also evident when speaking of Satan. For example the Bible and the Qur'an speak of the Devil having “offspring” or children. Surah 18:50 says Satan “was of one of the Jinns, and he broke the command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny [offspring], as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong-doers!” Notice the Bible describes Satan using similar imagery. We read in John 8:42-44 a heated exchange which Jesus had with the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus said to them,

If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning... (cf. Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:8-10,12)

The above two examples make it clear that the word “son” does not necessarily imply birth through the union of a woman with a man (or a spirit such as Satan). Someone can be a son or child of Satan because he/she has similar traits, as in the proverbial saying, “like father, like son.”

Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders, saying, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God” but they were hateful and wanted to murder Jesus. We see this contrast again in 1 John 3:10-13;

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.

Jesus instructed his followers to show love towards fellow human beings, even our enemies. We read in Matthew 5:43-48;

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We can summarize this point: whereas hatred and murder are prominent traits of the Devil and his children, love is the dominant trait of God and his children.

3. Now let us consider a somewhat different example of a figurative use of “son of God” as found in Luke 3:38. This verse is the conclusion of a long list of names tracing the history of Christ's ancestry. The last person, Adam, is “the son of God.” In what sense is he God's son?

The simplest and most obvious way of explaining this expression is that Adam is like God because he was made in God's image. Some Muslims reject this implication not wanting to endorse the Jewish Tanakh and Christian Bible. However, a team of six international Islamic scholars have plainly admitted this fact in their recent publication, The Study Qur'an. A footnote to Surah 95:4 quotes the phrase in Surah 64:3, “human beings are the best of God's creation” and also references a famous hadith qudsi which echoes Genesis 1:27, “Truly God created Adam in His image.” Remarkably, the footnote actually references Genesis 1:27 and then continues, “This hadith is understood to mean that human beings are created with such attributes as life, knowledge, power, will, speech, hearing and sight (the qualities most often used in Islamic theology) to describe God which are, in fact, Divine attributes.”

4. Second Samuel 7:10-17 sheds further light on the figurative use of “son of God.” In this paragraph God promised to build a house, a kingdom, for David. God explained that he would be a father to Solomon and subsequent kings who succeeded him on the throne of David.

“10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

It is interesting to see how sonship implies the need for discipline when the son sins. We see this again in Hebrews 12:6-7, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastens every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”

David's son, Solomon, sinned by taking many wives and turning his heart away from the pure worship of God. In one way or the other, the kings who succeeded Solomon also sinned and were disciplined, until finally, Jesus the Messiah, David's greater son. He lived a perfectly sinless and righteous life, therefore, he did not need to be disciplined/punished for committing any sin. In fact, he was commended repeatedly as pleasing his Father God.

A sampling of these statements follows:

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

On another occasion Jesus said, “I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” (John 8:28-29) Furthermore, Jesus said to those who were filled with hatred and wanted to kill him, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46)

Since Jesus was the only person to achieve a perfect life he was the perfect reflection of his Father. As followers of Jesus we are welcomed into God's family as his adopted children. But Jesus is different. He is God's Son, not in the biological sense, yet in the truest and fullest sense, hence the title, “one and only Son” of God. (John 3:16) Even before he was miraculously conceived by the Spirit in the virgin's womb, he was the Son of God in heaven. (John 16:28; 8:42)

5. We've seen how God called Jesus “my beloved Son”, but now let us look briefly at some key points in Christ's life that confirm this truth.

a) Christ's birth. The angel appeared to Mary and told her she would have a special son: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)

b) Christ's closest disciples recognize his sonship. Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16)

c) Demons acknowledge Jesus. Christ's disciples were not the only ones who confessed that he is the Son of God, his enemies, the evil spirits, also acknowledged this, as we read in Mark 5:7-8; “And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

d) At his trial. At Christ's trial the Jewish religious leaders accused him of claiming to be God's Son and his Messiah. They said, “If you are the Christ [Messiah], tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” (Luke 22:67-71)

6. Father of all

As we conclude, let us consider four Scriptures that shed further light on God as Father of mankind. The first two verses clearly say God is Father to mankind in a general sense whereas the next two verses implicitly affirm this. Ephesians 4:6 says, “God is Father of all” and in the previous chapter the apostle Paul bows his “knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” (Ephesians 3:14)

We read elsewhere how Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman, “the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) Bear in mind that this woman was a follower of the Samaritan religion. As such, she was snared in a false religious cult, although in some respects her religion and culture shared significant similarities with Judaism. The bottom line is: Samaritans did not really know God as Saviour. Then after two days of hearing Jesus' teaching, they acknowledged that he is the Messiah who brings God's salvation. (John 4:22; 39-42)

The next passage we will look at from the Gospel (Injil) is Luke chapter 15 which recounts the story of the prodigal son. The basic truth underlying this story is that God, as Father to an elder and younger son, wants both to be restored to himself. Tragically, however, the self-righteous older brother (like the Pharisees) refuses to rejoice with God (and his angels, v.10) over one sinner who truly repents.

In conclusion, let us not be like the older brother but rather show love to all humans as they are God's prodigal children. Let us invite them to Jesus. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

John Gilchrist explains in an article, how Abraham's sacrificial giving of his "only son" prefigure's God giving his only Son. You will find this article, “Isaac: A Reflection of the Father's Love”, a truly eye-opening read.

All Bible quotes are taken from the English Standard Version unless noted otherwise.

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Endnotes

The Qur'an repeatedly condemns associating anything or anyone with Allah/God. Accordingly Islam does not permit its followers to call God Father and vehemently condemns the belief that Jesus is the Son of God. To believe this doctrine is to commit the unforgivable sin.

The Bible, of course, declares the foundational truth that Jesus is the one and only Son of God yet it also refers to God as Father to all mankind in a general sense as is seen in the parable of the prodigal son. Furthermore, Jesus taught that we ought to love our enemies and thus imitate our heavenly Father who makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Why are Muslims so strongly opposed to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God? One reason (among others) is a common misunderstanding of the familial terms in the Bible pertaining to God as Father and Jesus as Son. For example, Surah 5:116 condemns something never found in the Bible: that God is one of three – God, Jesus and Mary. An article in Wikipedia, Islamic view of the Trinity, says, “Regarding the verse 5:116, some scholars have written that the version of the "Trinity" concept that the Qur'an is criticizing appears to be God, Jesus, and Mary; and that this is not a description of orthodox Christian belief, wherein the third part of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit.” This misconception has caused Muslims to be confused, mislead and ensnared in falsehood. I pray that the Lord will open the minds of Muslims to explore and discuss this crucial topic of Jesus as Son of God with Christian friends.

If you want to examine more carefully the Islamic denial of God as Father as seen in the Qur'an and Hadith check this online article titled, Islam has no Father.

Appendix: How can we broach controversial topics such as Christ's sonship or God's fatherhood?

Sometimes it is wiser to approach this sensitive topic using an indirect, rather than a direct approach. Notice, for example that Jesus often alluded to the fatherhood of God, almost in passing, without specially highlighting it. We see this in Christ's encounter with the Samaritans in John chapter four. As the story unfolds Jesus mentions God as the Father who seeks true worshippers. So many details of this story convey an undeniable ring of truth, even for Muslim readers. Moreover, the theme of “seeking” calls to mind the fascinating story of the prodigal son with a merciful, forgiving Father as the hero figure. (Luke 15)

Another Scripture which alludes to God as a Father-figure is Luke 11:11-13. There's also the familiar words “Our Father” in the Lord's prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13; see also Matthew 5:9)

A more direct way of broaching the topic of God as Father involves comparing how Adam and Jesus were called son of God.  If indeed, Adam was the “son of God” because he was made in the image and likeness of God, can we not agree that Jesus was even moreso "the Son of God"? This, in turn, opens the door to discuss a number of ways that Jesus is similar to God as Father. In fact, a careful examination shows that he fully resembles God.

Whereas Adam (& his offspring) failed to truly obey God, the woman's offspring, (i.e. the Messiah) lived a life of full obedience to God. Notice especially how Jesus Christ resembled God in a number of astonishing ways. He forgave people's sin. (Mark 2:5-9; Luke 7:36-48) Similarly in Luke 19:1-10, that Jesus “brought God's salvation” to Zacchaeus' house, fulfilling Messianic prophecy. (Isaiah 49:6; cf. John 4:42) Here is another thought provoking observation: Christ raised the dead, thus showing that he exercised Divine authority. (John 5:24-29; cf. 17:2-3; 1 Timothy 1:10)

In conclusion, Scripture declares, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ... For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him”. (Colossians 1:15-20)

Source: https://www.answering-islam.org/authors/clarke/jesus_the_son.html

IHS

Solomon and Jesus: Eternity & Immortality

 

Roland Clarke

One of my favourite topics that I enjoy exploring with Muslim friends is a fascinating proverb by the wise man Solomon (Sulaiman Hakim). In fact, wisdom is one of the traits for which he is most admired by Muslims and Christians. A couple wise sayings of his from Scripture read as follows;

There is a season for everything, a time to be born and a time to die. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, yet even so, people cannot see the whole scope of what God has done from beginning to end. ... A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume and the day you die is better that the day you are born. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,11; 7:1)

Solomon noted that humans long for eternal life but there's a problem. “People cannot see the whole scope of what God has done from beginning to end.” So what does this phrase mean, “beginning to end?” No doubt it encompasses all of history, but more particularly, it applies to the life span of individual people. No one knows the number of our days, that is, how long each of us will live, except God. Consider also, “Is anyone capable of seeing what their destiny is beyond the grave?” Can anyone boast that they know for certain they will end up in paradise? The reason people are unsure is obvious: “Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) The Hadith confirms this, saying that “every son of Adam is a sinner.”

The anxious uncertainty humans feel about the hereafter, coupled with our instinctive fear of death, often drives us to offer some kind of payment, as if God might accept our currency. But the psalmist says that such attempts are futile. Godless people “boast of great riches but they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave... But as for me, God will redeem my life … from the power of the grave.” (Psalm 49:6-9,15)

Likewise the Qur'an teaches that wrongdoers “will have no protector or intercessor other than God. Even if they were to offer every 'possible' ransom none will be accepted from them.” (Surah 6:70, The Clear Qur'an)

On one occasion Muhammad's companions asked him about the hereafter. He freely admitted, “I know not what will be done with me or with you.” (Surah 49:6) This outlook contrasts starkly with Jesus Christ, who was totally confident that he was going to paradise. We read in the Injil, Luke 23:41-43 that Jesus spoke with a thief who was crucified next to him. This criminal humbled himself admitting that he deserved to die, but he added: “this man [Jesus] hasn't done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” What a stark contrast! Muhammad gave his followers no assurance that they would go to paradise, but Jesus confidently told a repentant thief, “today you will be with me in paradise.”

How could Jesus Christ say this? Think carefully of various occasions where Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5; Luke 7:48-50) Consider also how he taught in John 8:51-53 that “anyone who obeys my teaching will never die.” The Jews who heard him replied, “Even Abraham and the prophets died … Are you greater than our father Abraham? … Who do you think you are?” (compare, John 5:24; 11:21-27)

If you look carefully at the latter two passages where Jesus tells his followers that they will “not die,” you see that they also speak of Jesus promising eternal life to his disciples. In fact, on one occasion Christ acknowledged that God his Father, “granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life. ... Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Did any other prophets ever make such claims? When we consider these sayings of Jesus, it makes sense that he would say to the repentant thief, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:41-43)

If you carefully consider what the early prophets foretold about God destroying death, you realize that the Messiah's unusual teaching about “not dying” is not so strange or unexpected. For example, look at Isaiah 25:6-9 where the prophet Isaiah foretold God will swallow up death forever. Notice how those witnessing this astonishing event will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (NIV)

I encourage you to pay special attention to the words save and salvation, bearing in mind that throughout the Old Testament God declares he is worthy to be worshiped because he alone saves from death. (Exodus 18-8-11; Daniel 3:28-29; Psalm 68:19-20; Isaiah 45:21-24) The prophet Jonah (Yunus) also testified, “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, … for my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” (Jonah 2:9-10) And it is very clear in both the Bible (and the Qur'an) that Jonah was saved from certain death by God!

Scripture repeatedly foretells that God would send his servant the Messiah to “bring his salvation.” (Isaiah 49:6) Was it coincidental that the angel instructed Mary to name her virgin born son, Jesus? Of course not! God chose the name Jesus purposely. It means, God is salvation. Furthermore, throughout the Gospel (Injil) Jesus repeatedly demonstrated the meaning of this name. (see for example, Luke 19:1-10; Luke 7:48-50) Muslim scholar, Muhammad I. A. Usman, acknowledged in his book, Islamic Names, that the name “Jesus is the equivalent of Yeshua in Hebrew which means 'God is salvation'.” (p. 77, revised edition, bold font added)

Whereas Solomon observed humans have a heartfelt longing for eternity no other prophet claimed to be able to satisfy that longing except Jesus Christ. Having abolished and triumphed over death by rising from the dead, Jesus declared that he holds the key to the grave. Jesus the Messiah was the only person who lived a sinless life. Did God give any other priest or prophet the authority to forgive sinners, even promising them eternal life?

We conclude by reading two Scriptures: “When I saw him [Jesus], I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died but look I am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (Revelation 1:17-18) “And now God has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Saviour. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.” (2 Timothy 1:10, bold font added)

A more detailed examination of eternal life and salvation is available online.

All Bible quotations are taken from the New Living Translation unless indicated otherwise.

If you wish to write me or ask questions please contact me here.

Source: https://www.answering-islam.org/authors/clarke/solomon_jesus.html

IHS