Worldview Engagement (Non-Christian)

In this paper, I will be discussing about the worldview of Non-Christians and the global vision for fulfilling the Great Commission. To do so, I will engage a Non-Christian in the discussion in order to learn about the prospective of Non-Christians about Christ and the Great Commission.

In this paper, I will be highlighting the following concepts and beliefs of Muslims in order to understand the differences, gaps, and commonalities between Islam and Christianity.

1. Unique birth of Christ
2. Extraordinary and exemplary life of Christ
3. His Ministry
4. His death and resurrection
5. His ascend to heaves alive
6. His second coming to judge the living and the dead.   

In the conversation, I engaged Ms. Nazia Ansari, a Pakistani Non-Christian female. She is the Executive Director of a not-for profit organization based in Pakistan. She is a born Muslim and holds good knowledge of Islam and Christianity. The purpose of this engagement was to understand the worldview of Non-Christians, look for commonalities between both religions and examine gaps for exploring opportunities for sharing the Gospel and the message of Salvation.

Another purpose of this conversation was to better understand the perspective of Non-Christians before practically reaching out to them for sharing the Gospel for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The conversation was initiated to find equal grounds and to understand about the reference/quotations regarding the Christ in the Quran. Here, I will try to present some commonalities, ambiguities, and misunderstanding of Muslims about the truth of Bible.

Non-Christian viewpoint

Q. 1. What are your beliefs regarding birth of the Christ?

Response:

We as Muslims respect the Christ who is mentioned in the Quran as “Isa” (PBUH). His name appears in the Holy Quran 25 times and Allah seems very pleased with him. We believe that the birth of the Christ was indeed unique; he was born to a virgin mother “Maryam” who was extremely pious and untouched by any man. According to our belief “Maryam” was a very chaste and religious lady and was mostly seen worshipping. Allah chose her to give birth to Prophet “Isa” (PBUH), which was a miracle as he was born without a father.

Muslims regard “Maryam” with great honor as she was the mother of Prophet “Isa (PBUH). Another important fact is that Surah Maryam, in the 19^th Chapter of the Quran, is named after her and she is the only woman that the Quran refers to, using her first name. This particular honor is otherwise only bestowed upon prophets and angels. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was also heard holding “Maryam” in great esteem because she was chosen by Allah. The Quran states and I quote:

“When the Angels said, “O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the world” Quran 3:42

We as Muslims believe her to be very brave and staunch in her piousness as she stood up to all the false accusations on her character. The Quran states and I quote:

“She brought him (Isa) (PBUH) to her people, carrying him. They said, “O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.” Quran 19:27-28

I believe that the birth of the Christ was the biggest miracle of all times, however, the Quran tells us that miracles started happening well before Prophet Isa’s birth, while “Maryam” was carrying Prophet “Isa” (PBUH). Muslim scholars explain the following verse by saying that whenever Zechariah visited “Maryam” during the time she was expecting Prophet “Isa” (PBUH), he would find her with summer fruits in winters and winter fruits in summers:

“Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Maryam, from where is this coming to you?” She said, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provided for whom He wills without account” Quran 3:37

Coming back to the birth of Hazrat “Isa” (PBUH), I would like to share that the Holy Quran mentions it in two chapters, i.e. “Al-Imran” (Chapter 3) and “Maryam” (Chapter 19). We know that Angel Gabriel appeared before “Maryam” and gave her the news which naturally scared her to death because she was a very holy person who had spent her life in protection and worship. Then the Angel Gabriel told her that she had been chosen by Allah and that she did not need to be scared at all. The Holy Quran states:

“The angels said, “O Maryam, Allah has chosen you and made you pure: He has truly chosen you above all women.”  Quran 3:42

Angel Gabriel said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you news of a pure boy.” (Quran 19:19)

(Remember the time) when the angels said, “O Maryam, Allah gives you the good news of a word from Him, whose name is Masih Isa, the son of Maryam, a man of status in this world and in the hereafter, and one of those who are near (to Allah).

The Quran also quotes in Chapter 19:20-30:

“She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?”

He said, “Thus (it will be); your Lord says, “It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a Mercy from Us. And is it a matter (already) decreed.”

So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, “Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten.” But He called her from below her, “Don’t grieve: your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree: it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.

So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see among humanity anyone, say, “Indeed I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to (any) man.

Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, “O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.

O sister (i.e., descendant) of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.”

So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?”

Isa (PBUH) said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet.”

As a Muslim we agree with our Christian brothers and sisters regarding the unique birth of Prophet Isa (PBUH) but I know that the first difference crops up when the Quran states that Prophet Isa (PBUH) could speak at birth.

It was good to understand the belief of Muslims about Christ and the way Quran testifies His unique birth from Virgin Mary. During the conversation I took the opportunity to share that over 700 years before the Christ was born, we find 55 prophecies about Christ’s birth and ministry in the Old Testament. It was encouraging that Ms. Ansari showed interest to know about those prophecies.

I quoted as follows; 

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

For a child has been born to us, a son given to us, and the authority is upon his shoulder, and the wondrous adviser, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, called his name, “the prince of peace. (Masoretic 9:5-6)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

Response of Ms. Ansari (“Rooh Allah” (Spirit of God))

There is another difference when we as Muslims say that Prophet Isa (PBUH) was human, a messenger and not son of God. Christians usually say that Prophet Isa (PBUH) is mentioned as “Rooh Allah” meaning spirit of Allah hence it goes to prove that he was son of God. In Arabic language “Rooh” cannot  be translated as spirit. It can be translated as breath or blowing on something, for example, blowing on a candle or blowing away on dust on an object.

Muslims do not believe that Prophet Isa (PBUH) was son of God as it is written in the Holy Quran:

“And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive and (made me) dutiful to my mother; and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” Quran 19:31-33.

It is not (befitting) for God to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it “Be” and it is.” Quran 19:35

They say, “God has taken a son. Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him, Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be” and it is.” Quran 2:116-117

And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken (for himself) a son. “You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation that they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son.” Quran 19:88-92

As far as my belief goes, Prophet Isa (PBUH) never called himself son of God because God is Almighty and does not have a family or children nor does He need help. The Holy Quran also supports this belief:

And beware of the day when Allah will say, “Oh Jesus son of Mary, did you say to the people, “Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?” He will say, “Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You, would have known it. You what is within myself. And I do not know what is within yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.” Quran 5:116

Sajid’s Response on the objection that Jesus is not Son of God:

As far as Christ’s “claim” to be the Son of God, it can be found with witnesses in the Bible for your kind references and understanding. There are many references found in Bible which declare that Jesus was the Son of God.

John 10:15: “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…I and the Father are one.”

Mark 14:34 “And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Mark 14:61-62“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’  And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The Bible verifies these claims primarily by several proofs including the testimonies of others, supernatural actions, and elements of the Lord’s life that are best explained by His role as the Son of God. Even before His birth, Jesus Christ held the title of the Son of God. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary to give her the news that she would be the mother of the Christ, he made the assertion twice. 

Luke 1:32“He will be called great and will be called the Son of the Most High”.

Luke 1:35“Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” During His ministry, Jesus would cast out demons, who would address Him as the Son of God.

Luke 4:41“And demons also came out of many, crying, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.”

Mark 3:11“And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.”

1. The angel told Mary her child would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). “Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” During His ministry, Jesus would cast out demons, who would address Him as the Son of God”.
2. (John 1:34). “And I saw, and bare a record that this is the Son of God”
3. (John 1:49). “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel”.
4. (John 11:27). “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world”.
5. (Matthew 27:54). “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
6. (John 10:36). “What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son”?
7. (John 11:4). When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
8. The demons called Jesus the Son of God (Matthew 8:29). “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time”?
9. The charge against Jesus was that He claimed to be the Son of God (Matthew 27:43; John 19:7), a claim He never denied, and virtually admitted (Luke 22:70).” He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God”.
10. The Gospel of John was written to tell the reader that Jesus was the Son of God (John 20:31).
11. Why, you might ask, does Jesus not say so plainly. I think the answer is found in Matthew16:15-17: 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am? 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Q. 2. What do Muslims believe about the extraordinary and exemplary life of Christ?

Response:

We believe that Prophet “Isa” (PBUH) was sent by Allah to give the same message which was brought by all other prophets and messengers of Allah. He was given the Holy book “Injeel” New Testament, (Gospel) which was the word of Allah.

Muslims cannot be devout in their belief if they do not believe in four Holy books: (1) Taurait/Torah by Prophet Moosa (Moses) (2) Zuboor/Psalms by Prophet Daud (King David0 (3) Injeel/ Gospel by Prophet Isa (Jesus) and (4) Holy Quran by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) well as on the Prophets who were bestowed with the responsibility of conveying the message in these Holy Books. Therefore, even when most Muslims have not read these Holy Books, their faith on them is strong.

We believe that Prophet Isa (PBUH) was gifted with many miracles that were neither witnessed before him nor after him. He was the only Prophet of Allah who could:

1. Speak right from birth
2. Cure incurable ailments of his times
3. Bring back to life the dead
4. Bless a small quantity of food to satisfy a crowd of thousands
5. Command fish to fill the nets of fishermen who had lost hope of a good catch
6. Hold authority over seas and storms
7. Cast out demons

The life of Prophet Isa (PBUH) was pure and free from worldly attractions. He spent all of his life in evangelism, telling people to follow the right path and to adhere to the teachings of Allah.

Sajid Ishaq Sandhu’s Response

You are correct up to some extent in saying that all prophets brought the same teachings. However, allow me to build up my argument first by sharing commonalities of Islam and Christianity and then, the Major difference or gap where Islam is silent, rather not clear and i.e. Salvation and authority of forgiving sins.

Let’s first discuss a few common teachings of Islam and Christianity:

1. Muslims and Christians believe and worship one God;
2. Islam and Christianity believe in the early prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John the Baptist and Jesus (PBUH);
3. Christians follow the Bible, whereas, Muslims believe the Bible to be a Holy Scripture that does not contradict the Quran and has to be respected;
4. Followers of both religions believe in the same set of rules given by God; they understand that the rules are for mankind to obey and keep them in the right relationship with God;
5. Muslims and Christians believe Mary was a virgin and that Jesus was born miraculously;
6. Islam and Christianity both ascribe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah and did perform miracles;
7. Muslims and Christians believe that Satan exists and that his mission is to misguide humans and dissuade them from obeying God so that they fall prey to sin;
8. Both religions believe that Jesus will return from Heaven;
9. Both believe that an antichrist would appear before the end of the world and that Jesus will return and conquer him. It is common in both theologies;
10. Both believe in the day of judgment;
11. Muslims and Christians believe in hell and paradise.

Let’s now discuss the fundamental differences and authority between Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Christ (PBUH). The discussion will also make it clear as to which personality was Divine and had authority to forgive sins, knew about the past, present and the future and who has sacrificed his life for the humankind so that they may be saved and have eternal “Salvation”.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

In Islam we find in the Quran and in different Ahadees, which testify that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was not sure even for his own salvation neither was sure about the Salvation of his followers;

Quran, Surah Al- Ahqaf (46:9) Tell them: “I am not the first of the Messengers; and I do not know what shall be done with me or with you. I follow only what is revealed to me, and I am nothing but a plain warner.”¹²

Then it is said: Tell them also, I do not know what shall befall you tomorrow nor what shall befall me. I only follow that which is revealed to me. That is, I am not a knower of the unseen so that everything of the past and present and future should be known to me, and I should have the knowledge of everything in the world. Not to speak of your future, I do not even know my own future. I only know that of which I am given knowledge by revelation. More than that I have never claimed to know, nor has there ever been a Messenger in the world, who made that claim. It is not a Messenger’s job to tell the whereabouts of the lost articles, or tell whether a pregnant woman will deliver a boy or a girl, or whether a sick patient will live or die. In conclusion, it is said: Say to them, I am no more than a plain warner. That is, I do not possess divine powers so that I may show you the wonderful miracles that you demand from me every next day. My only mission is that I should present the right way before the people, and should warn of an evil end those who do not accept it.

Narrated Abu Huraira: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 51, Number 16) 

When Allah revealed the Verse: “Warn your nearest kinsmen,” Allah’s Apostle got up and said, “O people of Quraish (or said similar words)! Buy (i.e. save) yourselves (from the Hellfire) as I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment; O Bani Abd Manaf!  I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of Allah’s Apostle! I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment; O Fatima bint e Muhammad! Ask me anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from Allah’s Punishment.”

Christ’s assurance of forgiving Sin and Entering the door of Salvation

1. Luke 23:43: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise
2. Matt 9:2-8: some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
3. Matt 8:24-26: Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

• 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 
• Matthew 26:26: He then gave thanks and offered them the cup and said,” ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many ” (Matthew 26:27-28).

Difference between the message of Christ and the message of Mohammad (PBUH)

In this day and age when everyone is extremely brand conscious and is forever looking for the best deal and the best quality of products, the satisfaction lies in the fact that there is guarantee to fall back upon whereby the product can either be changed or repaired in any adverse situation.

Sometimes when luck has it, the product gets damaged well within its guarantee period and it is either easily exchanged, repaired or the amount paid is reimbursed. However, today there are many companies that are only virtual or altogether fake. While they promise a guarantee period, they cannot be contacted or located when the products turns out to be faulty and their promises turn out to be fake. The customer bears the loss and regrets the transaction that was made.  

Such incidents are tolerable in the lifetime where one would still have a chance to buy another product or another brand to satisfy worldly needs. However, can one imagine the same when it comes to the matter of eternal destiny? Absolutely Not! For on that day no one will have the opportunity to return, or exchange a life time of belief. The only thing that will work in that crucial time will be the right choices that one made and the true guarantee that one has of a path that leads straight to the gates of Heaven. Imagine the plight of a soul that made a lifetime of wrong choices and on reaching the gates of heaven the angels turn him/her away on not finding the name on the list?

Therefore, to avoid a situation that would lead to dire consequences, one should understand the teaching of Jesus Christ and also of the other prophets. One should take up critical analysis with prayer and devotion and God will certainly answer all questions and reveal the truth. The aim of life on earth is to find the right path that would lead to real salvation. The ultimate Salvation for all mankind is in Christianity and that can be attained through following Christ, believing that He is the Son of God, that He was Crucified on the Cross, shed His blood for the Salvation of mankind, was resurrected from the dead, ascended to heaven alive, and will return to judge the living and the dead.

As it says in 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”.

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace”