Is it True that Muslims Also Believe Jesus is the Word of God/Allah? How is it Different from Jesus Being Eternal in Christianity?

Welcome to this exploration of the beliefs of Muslims concerning Jesus, the central figure in Christianity, and how they differ from Christian perceptions of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity.

Understanding the Differences Between Islam and Christianity

For a clear understanding of these differences, we highly recommend watching David Wood’s videos on Islam. These provide insightful perspectives on the similarities and differences between the two religions.

God in Islam vs. Christianity

In Islam, Allah is seen as a singular and indivisible entity. In contrast, in Christian theology, God is conceived as a Trinitarian being, i.e., God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit, each person being co-equal and co-eternal. This difference is often described as a matter of perception and theology, not identity and ontology. Both gatherings worship 'God,' but their understandings of who God is vary significantly.

Beliefs and Covenants

One of the key differences can be seen in how Muslims view the relationship between God and humanity. For Muslims, the covenants established with God have different histories and characteristics. For instance, the covenant with Muslims is through Abraham and Hagar, whereas Jews and Christians have a covenant through Abraham and Sarah. This escalated to different versions of stories surrounding Adam and Eve, Moses, and other prophets. Thus, for Muslims, Allah is not seen as the God of peace, forgiveness, and relationship with humanity as described in the Bible.

Instead, Muslims believe in submission to God (Islam) and seeking to live a righteous life to earn God's favor. They see the purpose of Islam as contradicting the Bible and correcting misinterpretations. Consequently, the god of Islam is not considered identical to the God of the Bible, despite the common monotheist belief shared by all three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

A Comparative Religious Overview

The three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, are inherently distinct in their core beliefs and deities. Each religion has a unique perspective on God, as well as a distinctive understanding of their historical and religious narratives.

Judaism

Considered the oldest of these three, Judaism is a profoundly monotheistic religion. Jews worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, often referred to as YHWH. This monotheistic belief has been held for over five millennia, and it is central to Jewish identity and practice.

Christianity

Christianity emerged as a sect of Judaism around two thousand years ago. Initially, Christians worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but came to also venerate Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. By the fourth century, Christianity officially adopted a triune concept of God, known as the Trinity—Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Most Christians are monotheistic when it comes to worshipping one God in three persons.

Islam

Muslims also worship a singular God, Allah, described in detail in the Quran. This Quranic Allah is distinct from any pre-Islamic notions of deity and was revealed to Muhammad in the 7th century. In Islam, the statement 'there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet' is fundamental. Muslims believe in the unity of God and the finality of Muhammad's prophethood.

Conclusion: Differentiating God's Concepts Across Religions

While all three Abrahamic religions claim belief in a singular, omnipotent, and benevolent God, the specifics of these concepts are significantly different. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for comprehending the nuanced beliefs within Islam regarding Jesus and God.