-Comparing Islam and Christianity #6: The Divinity of Jesus

The greatest disparity between Islam and Christianity revolves around the issue of the Divinity of Jesus.

I previously wrote about the fact that Islam and Christianity both believe in the Virgin birth of Jesus; but that is where the agreement and similarities end.

Christians believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit; while Muslims contend that the angel Gabriel had something to do with his conception.

1. In Christianity, Jesus is the only begotten divine Son of God, part of the Trinity. Christians believe that The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit are One God. Here is a few relevant New Testament Scriptures:

Matt. 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Matt. 26:63-64 “…tell us if you are the Christ,the Son of God. Yes it is as you say, Jesus replied.”

I Peter 3:21-22 “Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand–with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.”

John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

2. In Islam, Jesus was just a man like Adam, a prophet who didn’t complete his work and a forerunner to Muhammad who was far greater. A few passages from the Koran:

Sura 3:59 “The similtude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam.”

Sura 19:35 “It is not befitting to Allah that He should beget a son…”

Sura 9:30 “The Christians call Christ the Son of Allah…Allah’s curse be on them.”

Sura 5:15 “In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ.”

Sura 43:59 “He (Jesus) was no more than a servant.”

Sura 61:6 ” (Jesus) I am the messenger of Allah… bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One (Ahmad)”

Comments:

Christians worship Jesus as God and believe that their eternal salvation depends on faith in him. Muslims teach that Muhammad was greater and that Jesus was only a prophet who didn’t who didn’t even finish his ministry. The contrast could not be greater.

References:

“Differences: The Bible and The Koran”, by Ben J. Smith (Nashville, TN: Cumberland House Pub., 2002, 157 pgs.) Pgs. 65-70;

“Islam and The Bible: Why Two Faiths Collide”, by David Goldmann (Chicago: Moody Pub., 2004, 174 pgs.) Pgs. 33-41;

“The Truth About Islam”, by Anees Zaka & Diane Coleman (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub., 2004, 194 pgs.) Pgs. 57-75
“Unveiling Islam”, by Ergun Mehmet Caner & Emir Fethi Caner (Grandrapids, MI: Kregel Pub., 2002, 256 pgs.) Pg. 212-222;

“The Qur’an” English Translation, by M.H. Shakir (Elmhurst,NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc., 15th edition, 2005)