Week 3: Muhammad & Jesus

“Muslims believe there is no spiritual salvation for devotees of false religions. Islam teaches an emphatic ‘One Way’ to knowing God. The only exception is for those who have never heard of the Islamic plan of salvation”1 (Q 3:19, 85).

In today’s age of tolerance and postmodern pluralism, you will increasingly hear the concept that all religions lead to God. Many paths diverge in a snowy wood, but they come together in the end. Or according to the Japanese, all roads lead to the top of Mt. Fuji. This type of thinking is common to the man or woman on the street, to the coworker or neighbor you engage in spiritual conversation, or to anyone who watches too much to Oprah.

But such a view is denied by Muslims. It’s denied by Jews. It’s denied by Christians. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” That’s pretty exclusivistic. That’s a one-way, only-way type of thinking. And that is why the person of Jesus is so important to our Christian faith.

As we consider Muslim evangelism, we must compare Muhammad and Jesus. But before we even begin, I want to caution you about ever criticizing Muhammad to a Muslim. One of the things that instantly turns off Muslims to the gospel is criticism of their Prophet.2 Out of love for them and a desire that they might have open ears to the gospel, please do not use any of the information you hear this morning to attack Muhammad or the Muslim faith.

[But first, how about some review? From what you’ve studied before or what you learned last week, who can tell us something about the life of Muhammad?]

Transition: Well, let’s go to the source. For Muslims, the Qu’ran is their holy book, even more sacred than the Bible. So let’s begin by comparing Jesus and Muhammad in the Qu’ran3:

1 Phil Parshall, Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions, 30.2 Muslims will cringe at being called, “Muhammadans,” similar to how we are called, “Christians,”

because they do not believe Muhammad was more than a prophet. Yet their devotion to Muhammad often exceeds many Christians’ devotion to Christ. His followers have collected and revered his words and actions and treated them like the Qu’ran itself. One scholar writes, “Muslims will allow attacks on Allah: there are atheists and atheistic publications, and rationalistic societies; but to disparage Muhammad will provoke from even the most ‘liberal’ sections of the community a fanaticism of blazing vehemence” (WC Smith in Geisler, 82). Another Muslim theologian claims that “Anyone defaming the prophet must be executed without any possibility for repentance” (Ibn Taymiyya in Geisler, 82). Interesting note: “More people throughout the world have the name Muhammad than any other name…The Prophet commanded the practice. ‘Narrated Abu Haraira: The Prophet said, ‘Name yourselves after me…and whoever sees me in a dream, he surely sees me, for Satan cannot impersonate me. And whoever intentionally ascribes something to me falsely, he will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire’ (Hadith, 8:139-40; 72.109.217)’” (Phil Parshall, Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions, 46). Interesting, that almost no Christians go by the name, “Jesus.”

3 Geisler, SBJT article. Caner, 244-45.

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1. Virgin Birtha. Jesus was born of a virgin.

“[Mary] said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me? He said: “Even so; Allah creates what He wills” (Q 3:37-45; cf. 19:16-21, 34-35).

[Where does Scripture describe Christ’s virgin birth?] Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luke 1:34-35 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy- the Son of God.”

Matt 1:22-25 quotes Isaiah 7 and makes it clear that Mary did not have relations with Joseph.

Note that in the Qu’ran the emphasis of the virgin birth was on the sovereignty of God, not the deity of Christ.

b. Muhammad was not born of a virgin. We know his mother and father from the history of Islam. Tales of his “miraculous” birth do not surface until hundreds of years later.4

2. Sin Naturea. Jesus was sinless.

“In the nearly one hundred references to Jesus in the Qur’an, never once does it refer to him as committing a sin. Indeed, he is called a “righteous” prophet (6:85). His sinlessness can also be inferred from His virgin birth which the Qur’an affirms.”5

[What are some Scripture passages that speak of Christ’s sinlessness?] 2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

4 “According to legend, a host of angels joyously attended his birth. As soon as the infant was born, he fell to the ground, took a handful of dust and gazed toward heaven, proclaiming, ‘God is Great.’ He was born clean, circumcised, with his navel cord already cut. Many other global signs are said to have followed this event, such as the appearance of a light that illuminated the palaces of Bostra in Syria, and the flooding of a lake that ‘caused the palace of Khosroes (the King of Persia) to crack, and the fire of the Zoroastrians to die out’” (Geisler, 70-71).

5SBJT, vnp.8.1.51. The Qu’ran affirms Jesus as holy. “[The Prophet] said: ‘Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son’” (19:19), though it mentions the sins of Adam (2:36; 7:22-23), Abraham (26:82), Moses (28:15-16), David (38:24-25), Jonah (37:142), and Muhammad (19:19; 48:1-2; 33:36-38).

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1 Peter 1:19 [you were ransomed] with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 John 3:3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.b. “In contrast to the sinlessness of Jesus, Muhammed is repeatedly said to have sinned.

In Surah 47 the prophet is told to ask God to forgive his faults, “Know, therefore, that there is no god but God, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for God knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes” (47:19).6

Say: ‘I am only a human like you, revealed to me is that your God is One God. Let him who hopes for the encounter with his Lord do good work, and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord’ (Q 18:110).

Muhammad’s biographers include specific examples such as his disdain for a beggar and his cruelty toward Jews. He also sanctioned holy wars, the raiding of caravans, revenge during the sacred month (Q 2:194), and the assassination of those who criticized him.7

“Still, Muslims insist that he was beyond (major) sin and is the perfect moral example for humankind. They claim that Muhammad ‘stands in history as the best model for man in piety and perfection. He is a living proof of what man can be and of what he can accomplish in the realm of excellence and virtue.’”8

But one of Muhammad’s sins was polygamy. “In the Judeo-Christian tradition polygamy is considered morally wrong. Although God permitted it along with other human frailties and sins, he never commanded it [Gen 1:27; 2:21-25; 4:23; Deut 17:17; 1 Kgs 11:2; 1 Cor 7:2]. The Qu’ran, however, clearly sanctions polygamy, allowing that a man may have four wives if he is able to provide for them: ‘Marry women of your choice, Two, or three, or four’ (Q 4:3).”9

Muhammad did not even keep the divine revelation that he passed on to others, and “the Muslim response is unconvincing. They claim that the prophet received a ‘revelation’ that God had made an exception for him but not for anyone else. Muhammad quotes God as saying: ‘Prophet! We have Made lawful to thee Thy wives…And any believing women Who dedicates her soul To the Prophet if the

6SBJT, vnp.8.1.51. Again, we read of God saying to Muhammed: “That God may forgive thee thy faults of the past and those to follow; fulfil His favour to thee; and guide thee on the Straight Way” (48:2, emphasis added). In fact, Muhammed is rebuked by God for his sin in Surah 33 which affirms, “It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by God and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys God and His Apostle, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” But “thou didst hide in thy heart that which God was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear God.... And God’s command must be fulfilled” (33:36–38, emphasis added).

7 Geisler, 178-81.8 Abdalati in Geisler, 174. Another scholar writes, “Mohammed is the most favored of mankind, the most

honored of all apostles, the prophet of mercy, the head or Imam of the faithful, the bearer of banner of praise, the intercessor, the holder of high position, the possessor of the River of Paradise, under whose banner the sons of Adam will be on the Day of Judgment. He is the best of prophets, and his nation is the best of nations…and his creed is the noblest of all creeds. He performed manifest miracles, and possessed great qualities. He was perfect in intellect, and was of noble origin. He had an absolutely graceful form, complete generosity, perfect bravery, excessive humility, useful knowledge…perfect fear of God and sublime piety. He was the most eloquent and the most perfect of mankind in every variety of perfection” (Kamal ud Din ad Damiri in Geisler, 86).

9 Geisler, 175.

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Prophet Wishes to wed her;’ but adds quickly, ‘this Only for thee, and not For the Believers (at large)’” (Q 33:50).

“What is more, Muhammad even received an alleged divine sanction to marry Zainab, the divorced wife of his adopted son (Q 33:37). Interestingly, this divorce was caused by the prophet’s admiration for Zainab’s beauty.”10

The Wives of Muhammad11

Name of Wife Approximate Year of Marriage Woman’s Age at MarriageKhadija 595 40Sawda 620 30?Aishah 623 9Hafsah 625 18Um Salma 626 29Zaynab 626 30Juweiriyeh 627 20Zaynab bint Jarsh 627 38Rayhana (Jewish) 627 ?Maryam (Christian) 628 ?Um Habeeba 628 35Sufia 628 17Maimoona 629 27

3. Messiah (Al Masih)a. Jesus is called Messiah (Christ) eleven times in the Qur’an.

Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ [Messiah] Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God.’ (Q 3:45)

Matthew 1:1 (the first verse in the NT) “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

Jesus is called “the Christ” hundreds of times in the NT.b. “Nowhere in the Qur’an is Muhammad called Messiah. He is merely called an “apostle”

or “prophet” of God”12 (Q 61:6; 33:45). He (the baby) said: “I am the worshipper of Allah. Allah has given me the Book and

made me a Prophet” (Q 19:30; cf. Rom 3:24-26). “The Muslims worship God alone. Muhammad was only a mortal being

commissioned by God to teach the word of God and lead an exemplary life. He stands in history as the best model for man in piety and perfection. He is a living proof of what man can be and of what he can accomplish in the realm of excellence and virtue. Moreover, the Muslims do not believe that Islam was founded by Muhammad, although it was restored by him in the last stage of religious evolution.”13

10 Geisler, 176.11 Caner, 56.12SBJT, vnp.8.1.51.13 Orthodox Muslim scholar Abdalati (quoted in Geisler, 86).

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“Firozabadi in his Arabic dictionary said that there were over fifty explanations of Messiah. Al-Zamakhshari and al-Baidawi admitted that it was a foreign word, and the latter commented that Messiah was the surname of Jesus.”14 Samuel Zwemer says, “The Muslims explain it differently. Bringing everything back to Arabic roots, they connect it with the word sah (to wander, to go on pilgrimage), and say it is the intensive form of that root, and that Jesus was the leader of wanderers ‘Imam al-s’yaihin.’ The homelessness of Jesus has always strongly impressed itself on the Mohammedan imagination (1912:35).”15

Many Muslims believe that Jesus as “the Anointed One” (Messiah) simply for the task of cutting off the Jews and announcing the coming of Muhammad.

4. Word of God (Kalimat Allah)a. Jesus is also called the Word of God (Q 4:171; 3:45).16

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Revelation 19:13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

Of course, Muslims do not believe He is the eternal Word of God as Christians do, since they do not believe that God could have a son. In fact, they mistranslate John 1:1, so that the last phrase reads, “and the word was God’s” (genitive).

b. In addition, among the almost 100 verses that refer directly to Jesus in the Qur’an. Issa is the proper name of Jesus in the Qur’an (used about 25 times) and that by

which Muslims generally refer to him. Son of Mary is the most common title the Qur’an uses to refer to Jesus. He is also called Al Masih (Messiah) and Rasul (Apostle or Messenger). “He has

given me Revelation and made me a prophet” (19:30). Jesus is often spoken of in relation to the Spirit of God (2:87, 253; 4:169-71; 5:113;

19:17; 21:19; 66:12).17

He is also called “the Speech of Truth” (19:34-35), “A Sign unto men” and “Mercy from [God]” (19:21).

Though these titles are significant to Christians, to the Muslim they lack entirely the content of deity.

c. Muslims believe that Jesus was a divine expression of God, but that the ultimate expression of God was the Qu’ran. They see more of a theological comparison between Jesus and the Qu’ran than Jesus and Muhammad.

5. Miraclesa. “The Jesus of the Qur’an performed many miracles including resurrecting the dead.

Surah 3:49 declares of Jesus, “And (appoint him) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): ‘I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for

14 Kamel, Communicating the Gospel to Muslims, 8.15 Ibid., 8.16 Ibid., 10-12.17 Ibid., 14-15.

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you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by God’s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by God’s leave”’18 (cf. 19:29-31; 5:113).

b. The Qu’ran ascribes six miracles to Jesus, which although extrabiblical, demonstrate that Jesus did miracles which not even Muhammad could do: He spoke at birth to defend his mother against accusations of adultery (19:27-31). He created birds from clay (5:113) which finds a parallel in the apocryphal Gospel of

Thomas. Muslim apologists try to say that these were only toy birds or that the birds only flew when people looked at them, but fell down when no one was looking so as to distinguish between the works of a man and the creation of God.

He cured the blind and the lepers (5:133; 3:49). Islam claims that Jesus always healed through prayer to Allah. Muslim apologists try to say that this was only spiritual healing, but it is hard to explain blindness and leprosy as mere spiritual ailments.

He raised the dead (3:49). He had supernatural knowledge (3:49) about secret things and even the future. He spread a table with food from heaven (5:115-18). Perhaps Muhammad mixed

together stories from the Bible when he recited the Qu’ran.c. The famous French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal summarized the

superiority of Christ over Muhammad succinctly: “The Mahometan religion has for a foundation the Koran and Mahomet. But has this prophet, who was to be the hope of the world, been foretold? What sign has he that every other man has not, who chooses to call himself a prophet? What miracle does he himself say that he has done? What mysteries has he taught, even according to his own tradition? Any man can do what Mahomet has done; for he performed no miracles, he was not foretold. No man can do what Christ has done.” -Blaise Pascal

d. Muhammad himself admits that his only miracle was the Qu’ran. In essence, “Read the Qur’an; this is my sign from God” (cf. 17:88, 102–108; 52:34). But he was admittedly confused when he first began receiving visions of the angel,

Gabriel. “Stricken with panic, Muhammad arose and asked himself, What did I see? Did possession of the devil which I feared all along come to pass? Muhammad looked to his right and his left but saw nothing. For a while he stood there trembling with fear and stricken with awe. He feared the cave might be haunted and that he might run away still unable to explain what he saw.”19

He also argues that even if he did miracles, his doubters still would not believe.

6. Ascensiona. Jesus ascended bodily into heaven (Q 3:55; 4:157-58; 19:33).

Acts 1:9 (Luke 24:51) And when [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

b. Muhammad never ascended to heaven.

18SBJT, vnp.8.1.53. Note: false prophets can do miracles and true ones (like John B) don’t always need to.19 Muslim biographer Haykal. Note, however, that initial confusion does not negate truth. The disciples

were at first unbelieving that Jesus had risen from the dead. This unbelief is used by Christian apologists to prove the authenticity of Scripture.

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Although there is a false interpretation based on Surah 17:1, “Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,—in order that We might show him some of Our Signs.”

However, even some noted Muslim scholars reject this interpretation, pointing out that this “Journey by night” was only a—”vision” as the text says it was (17:60).20

These comparisons are a good place to start when speaking with Muslims. They show that even the Qu’ran ascribes greater glory to Jesus than to Muhammad. However, keep in mind that Muslims scholars deny that this evidence proves the deity of Christ. And remember our presupposition from week 1: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Rom 1:18-21)

Transition: We’ve looked at the Qu’ran for a comparison between Jesus and Muhammad. Now let’s look to the Bible. And since the Bible is your expertise as Christians, I am going to play the Muslim scholar and you must refute my claims.

Let’s begin with what the Bible says about Muhammad. Yes, I know that Muhammad was born 600 years after Christ, but did you know that the Bible actually prophesies his coming—and that he was the greatest of all the prophets?

Muhammad in the Bible

1. (Deut 18:15-18) "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers- it is to him you shall listen- 16 just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.' 17 And the LORD said to me, 'They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.’”a. Muslims claim that Muhammad was this prophet like Moses.b. However, the prophet was to be a brother—that is, an Israelite, not an Arab antagonist. A

descendant of Israel, not Ishmael. Jesus fulfills this passage perfectly. He was from among His Jewish brethren (Gal 4:4). He was (among other roles) a prophet (Luke 13:33). And He spoke what the Father commanded him (John 8:28).

2. (Ps 45:3-5) Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! 4 In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you.

20SBJT, vnp.8.1.54.

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a. Muhammad is the mighty one coming with a sword. He was actually known as the “prophet of the sword.” This verse could not refer to Jesus, they say, for He never came with a sword.

b. The one spoken of here is God (cf. v. 6),21 and Jesus (not Muhammad) did claim to be God. Further, Scripture says that at the Second Coming, Christ will come with the armies of heaven, and “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…” (Rev 19:15). To say that Jesus never came with a sword does not mean that it is out of his character.

3. (Deut 33:2) [Moses] said, "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.a. Muslims claim that the LORD appeared to Moses on Sinai, Jesus in Seir, and Muhammad

in Paran.b. This is geographically impossible because Paran and Seir are in the Sinai peninsula near

Egypt (Gen 14:6; Num 10:12; 12:16-13:3). Seir is nowhere near Palestine where Jesus ministered and Paran is nowhere near Mecca where Muhammad ministered.

4. (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me… Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.a. Muslims claim that the “Comforter” (Gk: paracletos) is Muhammad.

They note that the Qu’ran refers to Muhammad as Allah’s “periclytos” (lit. “praised one,” Q 61:6).

And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad [Muhammad]" (Q 61:6).

b. However, over 5300 NT manuscripts have paracletos, not periclytos (two different words). Further, Jesus identified the “Comforter” as the Holy Spirit (15:26). This Comforter was given to Christ’s Apostles (14:16), and would testify of Christ—

not Muhammad (15:26). He would abide with God’s followers forever (14:16) (Muhammad has been dead for

1300 years). The Comforter came 10 days later on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4), not

600 years later.

21 A good rule of thumb when dealing with cults and false religions. Always read the context. Sometimes just reading it will refute many of their claims.

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Transition: Muslims also say that Christians misunderstand the teachings of Jesus and that the Bible was changed to accommodate those misunderstandings. Let’s look at some of the denials of Jesus.

Denials of Jesus

1. Jesus did not die on the cross.22

a. “They said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus The son of Mary, The Apostle of God’;--But they killed him not, Nor crucified him, But so it was made To appear to them” (Q 4:157-59). Jesus was taken to heaven and a substitute killed in his place. The most popular explanations: Jesus hid while one of his companions died in his place. God made Judas Iscariot to appear like Jesus and to take his place (cf. Gospel of

Barnabas). Simon of Cyrene replaced Jesus before the crucifixion. Satan, who attempted to stop the message of Allah from being transmitted, was

himself placed on the cross as punishment for his disobedience. Others say that Jesus was tortured on the cross, but did not die there (similar to the

swoon theory). He was then revived in the coolness of the tomb.b. But why would the majority of Muslims deny a fact considered by most of the world to

be historical? They have a wrong view of: Sovereignty : Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, so the abandonment of Jesus

would mean accepting the weakness of God. “The rationale of this is that the Qu’ran regularly reports that earlier prophets had at first encountered resistance, unbelief, antagonism and persecution; but finally the prophets had been vindicated and their opponents put to shame. God had intervened on their behalf. So Jesus, accepted in the Qu’ran as one of the greatest of the prophets…could not have been left to his enemies. Instead, God must have intervened and frustrated their evil purpose. Muhammad, as himself a prophet—even the ‘seal’ of prophets—had a personal interest in the certainty of divine succor. If Messiah (Isa) had been allowed to die in this cruel and shameful way, then God himself must have failed—which was an impossible thought.”23

Depravity : “Connected with the Christian belief in crucifixion of Isa [Jesus] is the irreconcilable concept of original sin…Islam does not believe in the doctrine of original sin. It is not Adam’s sin that a child inherits and manifests at birth. Every child is born sinless and the sins of the fathers are not visited upon the children.”24

c. Proof of crucifixion (Geisler, 234-37; cf. 286-93).22 Geisler, 66-69, 280-85. The traditional Muslim denial of Jesus’ death is based on the following text

(which responds to Jewish boasting that they have overcome the Messiah): They claim, “We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the Apostle of God.” But they killed him not, nor did they crucify him. They were under the illusion that they had (But so it was made to appear to them). Those who differ about this matter are full of doubts. They have no knowledge but follow only conjecture. Assuredly, they killed him not. On the contrary, God raised him to himself, and God is all-powerful, allwise. And there are none of the people of the Book, who will not believe in him before his death. On the Day of the Resurrection he [Jesus] will be a witness against them (4:157–59) (SBJT, vnp.8.1.23.).

23 Norman Anderson in Geisler, 68-69.24 Doi in Geisler, 284. Cf. also Moucarry, Christian Perspective on Islam, 28.

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For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… (1 Cor 15:3; 2:2; cf. Rom 5:8; 1 Thess 4:14).

Both the OT and Jesus himself predicted his death (cf. Isa 53; John 2:19-21). All the predictions of the resurrection are based on the fact that he would die. The nature and extent of Jesus’ injuries indicate that he must have died (no sleep,

beaten several times and whipped, collapsed on the way to Calvary). The nature of the crucifixion assures death. Jesus was on the cross from 9AM (Mark

15:25) until just before sunset. He endured a tremendous loss of blood for at least 6 hours and was in excruciating pain. Medical professionals concur.

“blood and water” flowed from Jesus’ heart (John 19:34) Jesus said he was dying on the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit”

(Luke 23:46; cf. vv. 47-49; John 19:30). The Roman soldiers, accustomed to crucifixion and death, pronounced Jesus dead.

They didn’t even break Jesus’ legs (John 19:33). Pilate double-checked to make sure Jesus was dead (Mark 15:44-45). Jesus was wrapped in about seventy-five pounds of cloth and spices and placed in a

sealed tomb for three days (John 19:39-40; Matt 27:60). If he was not dead by then, which he clearly was, he would have died from lack of food, water, and medical treatment.

The earliest Christian writers and non-Christian historians from the 1st and 2nd centuries recorded the death of Christ.

d. In addition, the Qur’an itself alludes to the death of Christ: Behold! Allah said: “Jesus I will cause you to die and I will raise you to me” (Q

3:55). And I was a witness over them while I remained among them; but when You did

cause me to die, You were Thyself the watcher over me (5:117). Peace be upon me, the day I was born, the day I die and the day I am resurrected

(19:15).”25

More and more Muslim scholars are taking the view that the Qu’ran allows for the death and resurrection of Jesus.

2. Jesus did not rise from the deada. Most Muslims accept the resurrection of Christ, but believe that it will happen on the last

day (Q 19:33). They do not believe that he was even crucified, so to admit Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday would be heretical.26

b. Proof of the resurrection (Geisler, 247-48; cf. 258-60) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and

that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep (1 Co 15:4-6).

25SBJT, vnp.8.1.99. Muslims deny, of course, that Jesus rose from the dead. Many street Muslims also insist that Jesus did not die on the cross, but that he was rescued by his disciples and lived for many years in relative seclusion. Certainly that is affirmed in the Qur’an—once. But the Qur’an in three other places seems to affirm that Jesus did die on the cross (SBJT, vnp.8.1.91).

26 Geisler, 279-80; 291-92.

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Jesus appeared to over 500 people during a 40-day period (Acts 1:3). Twice he was touched. Four times he ate. Four times they saw the empty tomb and twice he showed them his crucifixion scars.

The disciples did not believe (Luke 24:11) until they saw Jesus in the flesh (John 20:25)—and even then, it took them a while (Luke 24:25, 41).

Jesus not only appeared to believers, but also to non-believers such as his half-brother, James (John 7:5; 1 Cor 15:7) and Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).

The witnesses to the resurrection had nothing to gain personally for their testimony. They were persecuted and threatened with death for their stand (Acts 4, 5, 8). In fact, most of the Apostles and many Christians were martyred for their belief.

To discount their testimonies because they believed in the resurrected Christ is like discounting an eyewitness of a murder because he actually saw it occur.

The experiential evidence proved Scripture. Both the OT and Jesus himself predicted that He would rise from the dead (John 2:19, 21; 10:18; Matt 12:40).

3. Jesus never claimed to be Goda. Muslims do not believe that Jesus is God. “This is the essential difference between the Isa

of Islam and the Jesus of Christianity. The Qu’ran argues, ‘Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many

were the Messengers that passed away before him’ (Q 5:75; cf. 4:171). Morever, the Muslim who links the nature of Allah with the nature of man has

committed the ultimate sin (shirk, lit. “association” or “partnership”).”27

A prophet must be a human being for how could God be tempted? “The similitude of Isa before God is that of Adam; He created him from dust” (Q

3:59).b. They also try to use biblical evidence.

Some say Thomas’ profession, “My Lord and my God,” (John 20:28) was merely an emotional exclamation.

Some say Jesus denied his deity in Mark 10:18, “And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”

And why did Jesus say, “The Father is greater than I” (John 14:28)?c. Proof of deity (Geisler, 250-55)

4. How could God have a son?a. Muslims reject the phrase, “Son of God,” so harshly that it can effectively end a spiritual

conversation. “It is not befitting To (the majesty of) God That He should beget A son” (Q 19:35; cf.

6:101; 18:4-5). “Exalted is the Majesty Of our Lord: He has Taken neither a wife Nor a son” (Q

72:3). Allah, transcendently separated from creation, cannot have a Son. The Qu’ran

explains that Allah is far ‘from having partners they associate [with him]’ (9:31).

27 Caner, Unveiling Islam, 219.

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The ramifications of such a doctrine as the sonship of Christ would extinguish Allah’s light (5:32).

“If Jesus is God, and the very Son of God because He has no earthly father, then Adam is a greater God, because he had no father and no mother! Simple, basic common sense demands this deduction.”28

b. However, this is based on a Muslim misunderstanding. The phrase, “Son of God,” does not mean that God had a literal son from relations

with Mary (cf. Matt 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-35). This may be connected with the misconception that the Christian Trinity consists of God the Father, God the Son, and the Virgin Mary, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah?” (Q 5:119). Muhammad probably learned a warped form of Christianity from heretical monks who fled from the church.

The phrase, “only begotten” (monogenh,j) (John 3:16), does not refer to physical generation but to a special relationship with the Father and could be translated, “one and only son.” Like the phrase, “firstborn” (Col 1:15), it means priority in rank, not in time (cf. vv. 16-17).

In addition, “There are two Arabic words for ‘son’ that must be distinguished. The word walad denotes a son born of sexual relations. Jesus is definitely not a son in this sense. However, there is another Arabic word for son, ibn, that can be used in a wider figurative or metaphorical sense. A traveler, for example, is spoken of as a ‘son of the road’ (ibnussabil). It is in this wider sense that it makes sense to speak of Jesus as the ‘Son (ibn) of God.’”29

Application:1. Focus on the person of Christ . Christ is exalted in the Bible, and even the Qu’ran. Always

turn the conversation to Him. One way to do this, “I think Muhammad was a great man. He taught the oneness of God and said many wonderful things about my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

2. Speak gently . Never criticize Muhammad to your Muslim friend. Recognize that Muhammad wanted his people to return to the one true God and demonstrate your respect for that tradition. But don’t get caught in a debate about Muhammad.

3. Ask Muslims to tell you about their faith and what they think about yours. This will bring to the surface any misconceptions.

4. Know how to defend the fundamentals of your faith.5. Evangelize in love because evangelism is painful .

Henry Martyn (1781-1812), a missionary to India, was the guest of a Muslim friend for dinner. His host described for him a painting he had seen of Jesus bowing down before Muhammad. Martyn tells us what happened next: "I was cut to the soul at this blasphemy. Mirza Seid Ali perceived that I was considerably disordered and asked what it was that was so offensive? I told him 'I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me if He were to be always thus dishonored.' He was astonished and again asked 'Why?' 'If anyone pluck out your eyes,' I replied, 'there is no

28 Muslim apologist Ahmad Deedat in Anis Shorrosh, Islam Revealed (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988), 266.

29 Geisler, 249. Cf. 264-67.

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saying why you feel pain; it is feeling. It is because I am one with Christ that I am thus dreadfully wounded.'"30

We should not cringe at evangelism out of fear of personal rejection, yet we must realize that evangelism is painful when people reject our Lord. But like Christ to the cross, we suffer this pain out of love for a lost and dying world. Let love drive your evangelism.

30 Quoted in Constance E. Padwick, Henry Martyn: Confessor Of The Faith, 265.

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Extra Quotes

Old Testament Passages Muslims Claim as Predictions Regarding Muhammad:– Genesis 49:10– Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; 32:21; 33:2– Psalms 45; 149; Song of Songs 5:16– Isaiah 21:7; 42:1-4; 42:10-12; 53; 54:1; 63:1-6; 65:1-6 (i.e., “Servant Songs”)– Daniel 2:45; Habakkuk 3:3; Haggai 2:7– In addition, the Shi‘ites claim Genesis 17:20 and Jeremiah 46:10

New Testament Passages Muslims Claim as Predictions Regarding Muhammad:– Matthew 3:2; 17:11; 20:1-16; 21:33-44 // Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18– Mark 1:7– John 1:21; 4:21; 14:30; 14:16, 17, 26; 16:13– 1 John 4:2, 3– Jude 14, 15– Revelation 2:26-29

Seven claims of Muhammad:31

1. Muhammad claims he is equal in stature to Moses and Jesus Christ (El Bokhary, 1-6).2. Muhammad claims to be the “Seal of the Prophet” (33:40).3. Muhammad demands obedience to his words.4. Muhammad claims Jesus prophesied his coming (16:6) [This is the reason why Muslims

accuse Christians of changing the Bible, since no mention of Muhammad in the Bible.]5. Muslims claim Muhammad fulfilled OT prophecy.6. Muslims quote the gospel of Barnabas to support their claims.7. Muslim’s claim that Muhammad’s life is normative for all mankind.

“It is important to notice in this connection that Jesus was predicted by nearly 113 prophecies, but Muhammed by none. Jesus had no earthly father, but Muhammed had two natural parents. Jesus’ name is mentioned ninety-seven times in the Qur’an and Muhammed’s name only twenty-five times. Jesus taught peace, and Muhammed waged war. Jesus motivated by love, and Muhammed by fear. Jesus ordered the death of no one, but Muhammed commanded the assassination of hundreds. Jesus never married, and Muhammed had as many as fifteen wives. Jesus established only a spiritual kingdom while on earth (John 18:36), and Muhammed established an earthly empire. The early growth of Muhammed’s religion was by using the sword on others, while the early growth of Christianity was by others using the sword on it. When Jesus’ alleged followers used the sword (in the Crusades) it was contrary to the teaching and example of their Leader, but when Muslims use the sword it is consistent with the teaching and example of their leader.”32

31 Kamel, Communicating the Gospel to Muslims, 30. “I have been granted excellence over the other prophets in six things: the earth has been made a mosque for me, with its soil declared pure; booty has been made lawful for me; I have been given victory through the inspiring of awe at the distance of a month’s journey; I have been given permission to intercede; I have been sent to all mankind; and the prophets have been sealed with me” (Well-known hadith quoted in Geisler, 86).

32Norman Geisler, Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 8, 56-57.

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