Qur'anic Christology - Revision history

Asmith at 04:01, 6 December 2025

2025-12-06T04:01:00Z

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	{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=2\|Content=3\|Language=2\|References=2}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=2\|Content=3\|Language=3\|References=2}}
	This article examines some of the problems that have been pointed out in [[Qur'an\|Qur'anic]] [[w:Christology\|Christology]].		This article examines some of the problems that have been pointed out in [[Qur'an\|Qur'anic]] [[w:Christology\|Christology]].
	==Qur'anic Christology of Jesus' Essence==		==Qur'anic Christology of Jesus' Essence==

Asmith: /* Possible Gnostic Influence */

2025-12-06T04:00:47Z

Possible Gnostic Influence

Asmith: /* The Virgin Birth */ cleaning up language

2025-12-06T03:43:03Z

The Virgin Birth: cleaning up language

CPO675: /* See Also */ Adding in two reputable and relevant YouTube videos for links (can't seem to get rid off the space between the previous bullet point due to a template).

2023-09-20T19:07:16Z

See Also: Adding in two reputable and relevant YouTube videos for links (can't seem to get rid off the space between the previous bullet point due to a template).

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 20 September 2023
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	{{Hub4\|Jesus\|Jesus}}		{{Hub4\|Jesus\|Jesus}}
	*[[Corruption of Previous Scriptures]]		*[[Corruption of Previous Scriptures]]

			* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ESfQpmmVig islamwhattheydonttellyou164 - Christian Teachings in the Quran] - ''YouTube Video''
			* [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=islamwhattheydonttellyou164 islamwhattheydonttellyou164 - Jesus as Isa: The Honest Truth] - ''YouTube Video''

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==

Asmith at 05:31, 4 July 2021

2021-07-04T05:31:29Z

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	{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=2\|Content=3\|Language=2\|References=2}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=2\|Content=3\|Language=2\|References=2}}
	This article examines some of the problems that have been pointed out in [[Qur'an\|Qur'anic]] [[w:Christology\|Christology]].		This article examines some of the problems that have been pointed out in [[Qur'an\|Qur'anic]] [[w:Christology\|Christology]].
	==~~The~~ Qur'anic ~~Standpoint on~~ Jesus ~~as a human being~~==		==Qur'anic Christology of Jesus' Essence==

	There can be no doubt that the Qur'an does not accept the Christian position that Jesus Christ was the Son of God or any Incarnation of God at all. [[Surah]] 19 states that to regard Jesus as Son of God is one of the worse sins according to [[Islam]].		There can be no doubt that the Qur'an does not accept the Christian position that Jesus Christ was the Son of God or any Incarnation of God at all. [[Surah]] 19 states that to regard Jesus as Son of God is one of the worse sins according to [[Islam]].
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	In the following chapters, we will see that in fact all of this information about Jesus in the Qur'an derives from Christian sources with only little differences and almost no additions.		In the following chapters, we will see that in fact all of this information about Jesus in the Qur'an derives from Christian sources with only little differences and almost no additions.

	==~~First surprise: Jesus is the Messiah and was born of a~~ Virgin?==		==The Virgin Birth==

	However, surprisingly, and in stark contrast to the Jewish belief, the Qur'an recognizes Jesus as messiah:		However, surprisingly, and in stark contrast to the Jewish belief, the Qur'an recognizes Jesus as messiah:
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	Instead, the author of the Qur'an seems to conflate the legend with their own understanding of historical reality. This would not be surprising for a commoner from the middle ages, but it is perhaps surprising coming from Muhammad, the final messenger.		Instead, the author of the Qur'an seems to conflate the legend with their own understanding of historical reality. This would not be surprising for a commoner from the middle ages, but it is perhaps surprising coming from Muhammad, the final messenger.

	==~~Qur'an states~~ Jesus ~~was~~ the Word of ~~Allah~~==		==Jesus as the Word of God==

	And there is more. In Surah 4:171 Jesus is also clearly referred to as Word of God.		And there is more. In Surah 4:171 Jesus is also clearly referred to as Word of God.
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	The author of the Qur'an, it would seem, is not aware of this more sophistical meaning of "word", otherwise he may have avoided this expression which would seem to challenge the idea that Jesus was mere man. Furthermore, if Jesus is the "word" of God, then what is the status of the Qur'an, which also alleges to be the "word" of the God? The basic idea that Jesus is the "word" of appears rather problematic to Islamic theology.		The author of the Qur'an, it would seem, is not aware of this more sophistical meaning of "word", otherwise he may have avoided this expression which would seem to challenge the idea that Jesus was mere man. Furthermore, if Jesus is the "word" of God, then what is the status of the Qur'an, which also alleges to be the "word" of the God? The basic idea that Jesus is the "word" of appears rather problematic to Islamic theology.

	==~~Did~~ Jesus ~~create living Animals?~~==		==Jesus Creating Living Creatures==

	In Surah 3:59 Jesus is described as equal to Adam (who is also called prophet in the Qur'an) who was made from dust.		In Surah 3:59 Jesus is described as equal to Adam (who is also called prophet in the Qur'an) who was made from dust.
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	And it is even more astonishing, that the Qur'an renders this record in a very close neighborhood to the account of the creation of Adam. Drawing this parallel between god's creation of Adam and Jesus's creation of birds, both from lifeless clay, would once more seem to be ill-suited to Islamic theology.		And it is even more astonishing, that the Qur'an renders this record in a very close neighborhood to the account of the creation of Adam. Drawing this parallel between god's creation of Adam and Jesus's creation of birds, both from lifeless clay, would once more seem to be ill-suited to Islamic theology.

	==Gnostic ~~Teachings in the Qur'an?~~==		==Possible Gnostic Influence==

	In Surah 4:157 the Qur'an claims that not Jesus, but somebody else was [[Crucifixion\|crucified]].		In Surah 4:157 the Qur'an claims that not Jesus, but somebody else was [[Crucifixion\|crucified]].
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	Interestingly, the greek term "doceo" can be translated with "to seem" or "to appear as" which is also expressed in {{Quran\|4\|157}}. Therefore, it is indeed very likely, that the author of the Qur'an drew this words from ancient gnostic texts. This, too, struggles to find a comfortable home in Islamic theology.		Interestingly, the greek term "doceo" can be translated with "to seem" or "to appear as" which is also expressed in {{Quran\|4\|157}}. Therefore, it is indeed very likely, that the author of the Qur'an drew this words from ancient gnostic texts. This, too, struggles to find a comfortable home in Islamic theology.

	==~~Jesus was raised to~~ Heaven~~, raised the Dead -~~ and ~~more confusions~~==		==Assumption into Heaven and Miraculous Powers==

	Whether he was truly crucified or not, Qur'an, gnosis and the canonical Christians all well agree in the concept that Jesus was raised to heaven.		Whether he was truly crucified or not, Qur'an, gnosis and the canonical Christians all well agree in the concept that Jesus was raised to heaven.

IbnPinker at 23:23, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T23:23:41Z

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	This fact is of great importance since the term "Messiah" is just the Hebrew translation of "Christ" (the anointed one). Thus, we can begin to talk about a Qur'anic Christology. However, it does not necessarily mean that Jesus is the son of God, like most Christians believe.		This fact is of great importance since the term "Messiah" is just the Hebrew translation of "Christ" (the anointed one). Thus, we can begin to talk about a Qur'anic Christology. However, it does not necessarily mean that Jesus is the son of God, like most Christians believe.

	The reason is that the term Messiah has many different meanings in Judaism and Christianity. Jewish people usually refer to a Messiah as the promised king, prophet or religious leader of [[Israel]], the one who leads the Jewish people out of oppression. In Christianity - on the other hand - the word has become almost a synonym for the son of God in whom all promises are fulfilled.		The reason is that the term Messiah has many different meanings in Judaism and Christianity. Jewish people usually refer to a Messiah as the promised king, prophet or religious leader of Israel, the one who leads the Jewish people out of oppression. In Christianity - on the other hand - the word has become almost a synonym for the son of God in whom all promises are fulfilled.

	But what kind of messiah is the Qur'an talking about? A Jewish king? A Jewish prophet? The Christian redeemer? To be honest, the fact that the Qur'an calls Jesus a Messiah does not necessarily imply that he is or has ever been the son of God; however, it can easily lead to confusion and misunderstandings. One might ask in what way the term Messiah serves the Islamic idea that Jesus was only a human being. In other words: Is it useful in any manner for the authors of the Qur'an to accept that Jesus was the Christ? It further seems that someone labeled "Christ" could be a mere prophet, as the Messiah is commonly understood to play a dominant role in [[w:apocalyptic\|apocalyptic]] speculations.		But what kind of messiah is the Qur'an talking about? A Jewish king? A Jewish prophet? The Christian redeemer? To be honest, the fact that the Qur'an calls Jesus a Messiah does not necessarily imply that he is or has ever been the son of God; however, it can easily lead to confusion and misunderstandings. One might ask in what way the term Messiah serves the Islamic idea that Jesus was only a human being. In other words: Is it useful in any manner for the authors of the Qur'an to accept that Jesus was the Christ? It further seems that someone labeled "Christ" could be a mere prophet, as the Messiah is commonly understood to play a dominant role in [[w:apocalyptic\|apocalyptic]] speculations.

IbnPinker at 23:17, 7 March 2021

2021-03-07T23:17:58Z

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	This appears to be the first inconsistency in the Qur'anic argumentation. If somebody does not agree that Jesus was more than a prophet then it cannot be useful to recognize him also as Christ because it leads to confusions and misunderstandings. But why does the Qur'an use this term then? One answer is that perhaps the author does not understand that there are many meanings and sophisticated concepts behind the word Messiah.		This appears to be the first inconsistency in the Qur'anic argumentation. If somebody does not agree that Jesus was more than a prophet then it cannot be useful to recognize him also as Christ because it leads to confusions and misunderstandings. But why does the Qur'an use this term then? One answer is that perhaps the author does not understand that there are many meanings and sophisticated concepts behind the word Messiah.

	Let us now have a look to the birth of Jesus, which is extensively referred to in Surah 19 (Maria). According to this record, the Qur'an accepts the [[~~Allah and Marys Vagina~~\|Virginity of Mary]], which is also being described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It should be noted that this story cannot be found in the gospels of Mark and John and that there are many scholars who do not believe that this story can be considered as a historical fact. There are also assertions that a translation error - the word "young woman" was mistranslated to virgin, which is very likely in Greek - let many early Christians imagine that Jesus was born by a virgin.		Let us now have a look to the birth of Jesus, which is extensively referred to in Surah 19 (Maria). According to this record, the Qur'an accepts the [[Virgin Conception of Jesus in the Qur'an\|Virginity of Mary]], which is also being described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It should be noted that this story cannot be found in the gospels of Mark and John and that there are many scholars who do not believe that this story can be considered as a historical fact. There are also assertions that a translation error - the word "young woman" was mistranslated to virgin, which is very likely in Greek - let many early Christians imagine that Jesus was born by a virgin.

	{{Quote\|{{cite quran\|19\|21\|end=22\|style=ref}}\|He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."<br/>		{{Quote\|{{cite quran\|19\|21\|end=22\|style=ref}}\|He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."<br/>

Asmith: /* Further Reading */

2021-02-25T23:18:23Z

IbnPinker at 20:50, 24 February 2021

2021-02-24T20:50:27Z

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	[[Category:Qur'an]]		[[Category:Qur'an]]
	~~[[Category:Gabriel and the Holy Spirit]]~~
	[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]		[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]
	[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]		[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]

Asmith at 02:16, 22 February 2021

2021-02-22T02:16:07Z

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	[[Category:Qur'an]]		[[Category:Qur'an]]
	~~[[Category:People of the Book]]~~
	[[Category:Gabriel and the Holy Spirit]]		[[Category:Gabriel and the Holy Spirit]]
	[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]		[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]
	[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]		[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]

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	{{Quote\|The second Treatise of the Great Seth: Translated by Roger A. Bullard and Joseph A. Gibbons\| But I was not afflicted at all. Those who were there punished me. '''And I did not die in reality but in appearance''', lest I be put to shame by them because these are my kinsfolk ... Yes, they saw me; they punished me. It was another, their father, who drank the gall and the vinegar; it was not I. They struck me with the reed; '''it was another, Simon''' [from Kyrene], who bore the cross on his shoulder. '''I was another upon Whom they placed the crown of thorns.''' But I was rejoicing in the height over all the wealth of the archons and the offspring of their error, of their empty glory. And I was laughing at their ignorance.}}		{{Quote\|The second Treatise of the Great Seth: Translated by Roger A. Bullard and Joseph A. Gibbons\| But I was not afflicted at all. Those who were there punished me. '''And I did not die in reality but in appearance''', lest I be put to shame by them because these are my kinsfolk ... Yes, they saw me; they punished me. It was another, their father, who drank the gall and the vinegar; it was not I. They struck me with the reed; '''it was another, Simon''' [from Kyrene], who bore the cross on his shoulder. '''I was another upon Whom they placed the crown of thorns.''' But I was rejoicing in the height over all the wealth of the archons and the offspring of their error, of their empty glory. And I was laughing at their ignorance.}}

	There are indeed many other gnostic texts which share the idea of [[w:docetism\|docetism]] and that Jesus Christ was not crucified at all. In the Nag Hammadi collection alone there are around ten different sources representing the same point of view. Moreover, [[w:Irenaeus\|Irenaeus]], an ancient churchfather, ~~refuted~~ all these gnostic views as heresy at the end of the second century, thus confirming their early existence.		There are indeed many other gnostic texts which share the idea of [[w:docetism\|docetism]] and that Jesus Christ was not crucified at all. In the Nag Hammadi collection alone there are around ten different sources representing the same point of view. Moreover, [[w:Irenaeus\|Irenaeus]], an ancient churchfather, wrote tracts attempting to refute all these gnostic views as heresy at the end of the second century, thus confirming their early existence.

	In fact the idea that Jesus was the logos and a copy of God also has strong ties to gnosticism. It is even possible that this idea derived from gnosticism first. The problem here is that typical gnostic texts regard Jesus in a docetical manner which means that Jesus was no real human being at all, a pneumatic being, a fleshless copy of God.

	Interestingly, the greek term "doceo" can be translated with "to seem" or "to appear as" which is also expressed in {{Quran\|4\|157}}. Therefore, it is indeed very likely, that the author of the Qur'an drew this words from ancient gnostic texts. This, too, struggles to find a comfortable home in Islamic theology.		Interestingly, the greek term "doceo" can be translated with "to seem" or "to appear as" which is also expressed in {{Quran\|4\|157}}. Therefore, it is indeed very likely, that the author of the Qur'an drew this words from ancient gnostic texts. This, too, struggles to find a comfortable home in Islamic theology.
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	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|5\|110}}\|...I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave...\|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|5\|110}}\|...I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave...\|}}

	Though the Qur'an points out that these miracles were only possible due to God, and not Jesus himself, it may have been simpler to simply exclude miracle stories altogether, as even Christians have ~~generally~~ understood these stories to be of a metaphorical nature. The similarity here, again, between the Qur'anic narrative and lay understanding of Christianity in the prophet's lifetime as well as the difference between the Qur'anic narrative and clerical understanding is strongly suggestive.		Though the Qur'an points out that these miracles were only possible due to God, and not Jesus himself, it may have been simpler to simply exclude miracle stories altogether, as even Christians have sometimes understood these stories to be of a metaphorical nature. The similarity here, again, between the Qur'anic narrative and lay understanding of Christianity in the prophet's lifetime as well as the difference between the Qur'anic narrative and clerical understanding is strongly suggestive.

	Later, in the same Surah the author clearly again appears mistaken in his understanding of Christian theology, describing the members of the Trinity as follows:		Later, in the same Surah the author clearly again appears mistaken in his understanding of Christian theology, describing the members of the Trinity as follows:
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	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|5\|116}}\|And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say)...\|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|5\|116}}\|And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say)...\|}}

	Here it is asserted that the trinity consists of God, Jesus and Mary. ~~However this~~ teaching has only been found, if at all, among a small historical sect of Christianity. Generally, the Christian trinity is understood to consist of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And these are not different gods, but only different aspects of the one and only God. ~~One wonders why a universal message would address~~ a small~~, transient~~ group ~~whose understanding of Christian doctrine disagrees with the overwhelming majority of Christians~~		Here it is asserted that the trinity consists of God, Jesus and Mary. This teaching, however, has only been found, if at all, among a small historical sect of Christianity. Generally, the Christian trinity is understood to consist of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And these are not different gods, but only different aspects of the one and only God. The question of whether this is a reference to this small group or simply a mistake or a rhetorical exaggeration remains.

	Fostering further confusion, the Qur'an, after denying the Trinity, affirms the existence of an ambiguously (if at all) defined "Holy Spirit":		Fostering further confusion, the Qur'an, after denying the Trinity, affirms the existence of an ambiguously (if at all) defined "Holy Spirit":
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	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|...Christ Jesus...was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: ... Say not "Trinity"\|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|...Christ Jesus...was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: ... Say not "Trinity"\|}}

	The repetition in the Qur'an of the complicated Christian doctrinal objects such as the virgin birth, Holy Spirit, logos, and messiah is altogether suggestive of an attempt to incorporate popular, apocryphal, and gnostic (rather than ~~theologically~~ "~~correct~~") Christian beliefs from Muhammad's time into the Qur'an. ~~That these entities are mentioned~~ and ~~then poorly defined gives this attempted incorporation a decidedly clunky appearance~~.		The repetition in the Qur'an of the complicated Christian doctrinal objects such as the virgin birth, Holy Spirit, logos, and messiah is altogether suggestive of an attempt to incorporate popular, apocryphal, and gnostic (rather than "orthodox") Christian beliefs from Muhammad's time into the Qur'an. The overall picture of Christology and Christian theology that emerges from the Quran seems quite muddled.
	==See Also==		==See Also==

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	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|Christ Jesus the son of Mary ... \|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|Christ Jesus the son of Mary ... \|}}

	This fact is of great importance since the term "Messiah" is just the Hebrew translation of "Christ" (the anointed one). Thus, we can ~~begin to talk about~~ a Qur'anic Christology. However, it does not necessarily mean that Jesus is the son of God, like most Christians believe.		This fact is of great importance since the term "Messiah" is just the Hebrew translation of "Christ" (the anointed one). Thus, we can speak of a Qur'anic Christology. However, it does not necessarily mean that Jesus is the son of God, like most Christians believe.

	The reason is that the term Messiah has many different meanings in Judaism and Christianity. Jewish people usually refer to a Messiah as the promised king, prophet or religious leader of Israel, the one who leads the Jewish people out of oppression. In Christianity - on the other hand - the word has become almost a synonym for the son of God in whom all promises are fulfilled.		The reason is that the term Messiah has many different meanings in Judaism and Christianity. Jewish people usually refer to a Messiah as the promised king, prophet or religious leader of Israel, the one who leads the Jewish people out of oppression. In Christianity - on the other hand - the word has become almost a synonym for the son of God in whom all promises are fulfilled.

	But what kind of messiah is the Qur'an talking about? A Jewish king? A Jewish prophet? The Christian redeemer? To be honest, the fact that the Qur'an calls Jesus a Messiah does not necessarily imply that he is or has ever been the son of God; however, it can easily lead to confusion and misunderstandings. ~~One might ask~~ in what way the term Messiah serves the Islamic idea that Jesus was only a human being. In other words: Is it useful in any manner for the ~~authors~~ of the Qur'an to accept that Jesus was the Christ? It further seems that someone labeled "Christ" could be a mere prophet, as the Messiah is commonly understood to play a dominant role in [[w:apocalyptic\|apocalyptic]] speculations.		But what kind of messiah is the Qur'an talking about? A Jewish king? A Jewish prophet? The Christian redeemer? To be honest, the fact that the Qur'an calls Jesus a Messiah does not necessarily imply that he is or has ever been the son of God; however, it can easily lead to confusion and misunderstandings. This begs the question of in what way the term Messiah serves the Islamic idea that Jesus was only a human being. In other words: Is it useful in any manner for the author(s) of the Qur'an to accept that Jesus was the Christ? It further seems that someone labeled "Christ" could be a mere prophet, as the Messiah is commonly understood to play a dominant role in [[w:apocalyptic\|apocalyptic]] speculations.

	~~We also know from~~ all the three synoptic gospels, ~~that~~ the apostle Peter, who later became the first leader of the Christian church, was also the first to confess that Jesus was the Christ. ~~Without any doubt, this was~~ an important ~~milestone for Christianity~~:		According to all of the three synoptic gospels, the apostle Peter, who later became the first leader of the Christian church, was also the first to confess that Jesus was the Christ. This is an important historical point in early church (pseudo)history:

	{{Quote\|1=[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:%2029&version=NIV Mark 8:29] See also: [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:%2016&version=NIV Matthew 16:16] and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:%2020&version=NIV Luke 9:20]\|2=He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."}}		{{Quote\|1=[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:%2029&version=NIV Mark 8:29] See also: [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:%2016&version=NIV Matthew 16:16] and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:%2020&version=NIV Luke 9:20]\|2=He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."}}

	This appears to be the first inconsistency in the Qur'anic argumentation. If ~~somebody does not agree that~~ Jesus ~~was more than~~ a ~~prophet then it cannot be useful to recognize him also as Christ because it leads to confusions and misunderstandings~~. ~~But why~~ does the Qur'an use this term then? One answer is that perhaps the author does not understand that there are many meanings and sophisticated concepts behind the word Messiah.		This appears to be the first inconsistency in the Qur'anic argumentation. If Jesus being the Christ has meaning in the context of Christian theology, but its meaning in the Qur'an as a title is not clear. Why does the Qur'an use this term then? One answer is that perhaps the author(s) does not understand that there are many meanings and sophisticated concepts behind the word Messiah.

	~~Let us now have a look to the~~ birth of ~~Jesus, which is~~ extensively referred to in Surah 19 (Maria). According to this record, the Qur'an accepts the [[Virgin Conception of Jesus in the Qur'an\|Virginity of Mary]], which is also being described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It should be noted that this story cannot be found in the gospels of Mark and John and that ~~there are many scholars who do not believe~~ that ~~this story can be considered as~~ a ~~historical fact~~. ~~There are also assertions that~~ a ~~translation error -~~ the ~~word "young woman" was mistranslated to virgin~~, which ~~is very likely in Greek - let many early Christians imagine that Jesus~~ was ~~born~~ by ~~a virgin~~.		The birth of Jesusis extensively referred to in Surah 19 (Maria). According to this record, the Qur'an accepts the [[Virgin Conception of Jesus in the Qur'an\|Virginity of Mary]], which is also being described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It should be noted that this story cannot be found in the gospels of Mark and John and that the scholarly consensus is that the virgin birth narrative was a later creation of the nascent Christian movement. This narrative may have been based on a mistranslation of the Hebrew bible into the Greek Septuagint, which was the version used by all of the authors of the gospels.

	{{Quote\|{{cite quran\|19\|21\|end=22\|style=ref}}\|He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."<br/>		{{Quote\|{{cite quran\|19\|21\|end=22\|style=ref}}\|He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."<br/>
	So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. \|}}		So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. \|}}

	This legend ~~seeks~~ to ~~point~~ out that Jesus was the son of the Holy Spirit. ~~So why must the Qur'an reproduce this old Christian legend~~ in an only slightly altered version? If Jesus is no more than a prophet then it would have been much more comfortable for the author to ignore this subject or to write a quite different version which should express that there was nothing special about the birth ~~of Jesus.~~		This legend seem to indicate out that Jesus was the son of the Holy Spirit. In taking part in the mythical virgin birth narrative, the Qur'an is contributing to the late antique religious culture of the Middle East which was extremely familiar with Christian mythology.

	~~Instead~~, ~~the author of~~ the Qur'an ~~seems~~ to ~~conflate~~ the ~~legend with their own understanding~~ of ~~historical reality. This would not be surprising for a commoner from~~ the ~~middle ages, but it is perhaps surprising coming from Muhammad, the final messenger~~.

	==Jesus as the Word of God==		==Jesus as the Word of God==

	~~And there is more.~~ In Surah 4:171 Jesus is also clearly referred to as Word of God.		In Surah 4:171 Jesus is also clearly referred to as Word of God.

	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, ...\|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|171}}\|was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, ...\|}}
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	This Christian concept derives from the Hellenistic philosophy which asserts that the origin behind all things can be found in the logos.		This Christian concept derives from the Hellenistic philosophy which asserts that the origin behind all things can be found in the logos.

	The author of the Qur'an, it would seem, is not aware of this more sophistical meaning of "word"~~, otherwise he may have avoided this expression which would seem to challenge the idea that Jesus was mere man. Furthermore, if Jesus is the~~ "~~word~~" ~~of God, then what is~~ the ~~status of the Qur'an~~, which ~~also alleges to be the "word"~~ of the ~~God? The basic idea that Jesus is the "word" of appears rather problematic to Islamic theology~~.		The author of the Qur'an, it would seem, is not aware of this more sophistical meaning of "word" or "logos" in the New Testament, or this particular passage represents a Christology which is otherwise at adds with most of the Quranic corpus.

	==Jesus Creating Living Creatures==		==Jesus Creating Living Creatures==
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	This ancient text was probably written in Syria in the late second century or somewhat later, long before the Qur'an. There can also be no doubt about the intention of the text; the Genesis-like creation of birds by the young Jesus has to underline the identity of Jesus and God. Therefore, it serves the Christian idea of Jesus as the Son of God and not the Islamic idea that he was just a prophet.		This ancient text was probably written in Syria in the late second century or somewhat later, long before the Qur'an. There can also be no doubt about the intention of the text; the Genesis-like creation of birds by the young Jesus has to underline the identity of Jesus and God. Therefore, it serves the Christian idea of Jesus as the Son of God and not the Islamic idea that he was just a prophet.

	Interestingly, the infancy-gospel, which was never recognized by the official Christian churches, circulated in Syria for many centuries. Thus, it is ~~not unlikely~~ that the Christian monk [[w:Bahira\|Bahira]], who is regarded as a teacher of the young [[Muhammad]] in eastern Syria, told him also this story about Jesus.		Interestingly, the infancy-gospel, which was never recognized by the official Christian churches, circulated in Syria for many centuries. Thus, it is possible that the Christian monk [[w:Bahira\|Bahira]], who is regarded as a teacher of the young [[Muhammad]] in eastern Syria, told him also this story about Jesus.

	It is not unlikely as well that Muhammad knew the story from childhood from Bahira. Later, when the Qur'an was written, he may have remembered the story, but failed to notice that this apocryphal record contradicts the Qur'anic Christology.

	~~And it is even~~ more ~~astonishing~~, ~~that~~ the Qur'an renders this record in a very close neighborhood to the account of the creation of Adam. Drawing this parallel between god's creation of Adam and Jesus's creation of birds, both from lifeless clay, would once more seem to be ill-suited to Islamic theology.		Even more astonishingly, the Qur'an renders this record in a very close neighborhood to the account of the creation of Adam. Drawing this parallel between god's creation of Adam and Jesus's creation of birds, both from lifeless clay, would once more seem to be ill-suited to Islamic theology.

	==Possible Gnostic Influence==		==Possible Gnostic Influence==

	In Surah 4:157 the Qur'an claims that not Jesus, but somebody else was [[Crucifixion\|crucified]].		In Surah 4:157 the Qur'an claims that not Jesus, but somebody else was [[Crucifixion\|crucified]] in his place.

	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|157}}\| That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- '''but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them''', and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-\|}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|4\|157}}\| That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- '''but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them''', and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-\|}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 25 February 2021
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	[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]		[[Category:Isa al-Masih (Jesus)]]
	[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]		[[Category:Maryam (Mary)]]
			[[Category:Christian tradition]]