Ali Ansari
Member
"Son of Who?"By - Yusuf Estes
Does the belief in Jesus, peace be upon him, as a ‘son of God’ really make sense?
What exactly does 'son of God' mean?
Can true salvation from God, be the punishment of someone else who is innocent from any of these crimes, to be punished as though he were guilty?
Does God need someone to suffer severe punishment, even though they are trying, day after day.
Did Jesus, peace be upon him, tell the people to take him as a god, or to worship him?
Let us find the answer to these and other important questions about the nature of Jesus of Christianity and Islam.
"Look to the Books"
To begin, let us do a sample comparison of the teachings of the Holy Books of Almighty God.
QURAN OF ISLAM
Surah 39:53 “Say: ‘Oh my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins, for he is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’.”
Also: Surah 4:110
“If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
New Testament of BIBLE
Mark 6:10
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus, “No-one is good but God alone!”
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but rather to fulfill them.”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the Will of the Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Some leaders claimed, “This probably refers to the Mormons or somebody else. Don’t worry about it.”
Luke 3:36
“Enos was the son of Seth, and Seth was the son of Adam, and Adam was the son of God.”
Note: Adam, not Jesus, is listed in this genealogy of Jesus as the son of God, not Jesus.
Later on, the priests are asking Jesus, peace be upon him, if he claims to be the son of God. He tells them in fact, it is they who are making this claim.
“You say that I am.”
Gospel of John contains the greatest number of references to “son of God.”
Jesus, speaking in the third person talked about the “Son of God” in John 3:17
John 5:24
John 11:4
John 11:27
Martha, one of the followers, calls Jesus, peace be upon him, “The Messiah, the Son of God”
John 20:31 he is called “The Messiah, the Son of God.”
But no verse makes the exact statement “Jesus is the Son of God and as such he is divine or God.”
Notice in the Bible, the frequent link between the position of Jesus, peace be upon him, as the Messiah and the ‘son-ship.’
The term ‘son of god’ can not, in itself, be considered enough to declare anything unique about Jesus, peace be upon him, as this term is used for many people throughout the Old and the New Testament.
See above: Luke 3:38
Also, in Isaiah 62:8
refers to the entire house of Israel as being, ‘Sons of God’.
Romans 8:14 Paul tells us about those who are led by the spirit:
“because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
The word “Messiah” is one that more particularly seems to represent the station of the person predicted to appear and lead the people to the victory over this world.
BIBLE
Hebrews 1:5
“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
Does this support the case the doctrine that Jesus, peace be upon him, is the ‘begotten Son of God?”
Old Testament BIBLE
Psalms 2:7 David is stating what God has proclaimed regarding David’s relationship to God
“I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: he said to me, ‘you are my Son; this day have I begotten you.”
Note: the New International Version says the verse could be translated either as “become your Father” or as “begotten you” into English or Greek.
New Testament BIBLE
Mark 1:35
“He will be called the Son of God.”
Note: This does not state he “is” the son, but rather, he will be “called” the son of God.
New Testament BIBLE
John 10:38 “But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 14:10 “Don’t you know that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words that I say to you are not my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me who is doing this work.”
But further reading in the very same chapter:
John 14:20 “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
So how does he live in his disciples and how do they live in him? And if so, are they also, sons of God or Gods?
good question.
1st John 2:5-6 (This is an epistle [letter] written by another “John,” not John the Gospel er nor John the Baptist)
“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him. Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Note: This indicates, living ‘in God’ means, ‘Obeying God’s commandments and following the Way of Jesus, peace be upon him.’
Twice in the New Testament, Jesus, peace be upon him, tells his followers how to pray saying, “When you pray, say this…”
And the words are very clear, ‘God’s Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
BIBLE
John 17:22-23
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
The word used throughout chapter 10 and 17, for unity or one was the same, ‘heis’ meaning the number one. There is another word ‘hen’ which means a unity of essence. However, ‘hen’ is nowhere to be found in these chapters.
Note: Conclusion is this is a prayer from Jesus, peace be upon him, to God that all of his followers would have the same relationship that he (Jesus) had.
Understanding the word ‘one’ meanings understanding the way in which it is being used. For example a man and a woman become ‘one’ when they marry; someone might say, ‘One hopes for success’ or ‘We are one in agreement.’
Jesus, peace be upon him, is supposed to have said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” In the very part of the Bible we find the verse wherein Jesus, peace be upon him, tells his followers, if they accepted a little child, then they also accepted Jesus, peace be upon him. Naturally, he did not mean the child was God or that he was a child.
Christians are taught early in life, by doing good deeds and service for others, they are in fact allowing others to see Jesus in them.
Why do we hold so tight to doctrines, even after realizing the incorrectness and false teachings?
another good question.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a man, born of a woman without any father, strengthened by a Spirit from God (Gabriel), sent by God to teach the Children of Israel the true meaning of belief and proper actions (following the commandments) that God would accept from them and as such, their ‘road to salvation.’
One more time:
BIBLE
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God at the beginning.”
Jesus, peace be upon him, was the very “Word of God.”
QURAN
Surah 4:171
“O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) A Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not ‘trinity’: desist.
It is difficult for us to admit that we have been deceived for so many years by some many people, some of them very near and dear to us. The truth is, ‘Someone has been lying to us’ - on purpose.
It is also difficult to consider the consequences of loosing faith in the doctrine of the Church, out of fear of loosing faith in God altogether.
But there is wonderful hope, Grace, Mercy and Salvation for those who come to the correct belief and obey the commandments.
Does the belief in Jesus, peace be upon him, as a ‘son of God’ really make sense?
What exactly does 'son of God' mean?
Can true salvation from God, be the punishment of someone else who is innocent from any of these crimes, to be punished as though he were guilty?
Does God need someone to suffer severe punishment, even though they are trying, day after day.
Did Jesus, peace be upon him, tell the people to take him as a god, or to worship him?
Let us find the answer to these and other important questions about the nature of Jesus of Christianity and Islam.
"Look to the Books"
To begin, let us do a sample comparison of the teachings of the Holy Books of Almighty God.
QURAN OF ISLAM
Surah 39:53 “Say: ‘Oh my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins, for he is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’.”
Also: Surah 4:110
“If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
New Testament of BIBLE
Mark 6:10
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus, “No-one is good but God alone!”
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but rather to fulfill them.”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the Will of the Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Some leaders claimed, “This probably refers to the Mormons or somebody else. Don’t worry about it.”
Luke 3:36
“Enos was the son of Seth, and Seth was the son of Adam, and Adam was the son of God.”
Note: Adam, not Jesus, is listed in this genealogy of Jesus as the son of God, not Jesus.
Later on, the priests are asking Jesus, peace be upon him, if he claims to be the son of God. He tells them in fact, it is they who are making this claim.
“You say that I am.”
Gospel of John contains the greatest number of references to “son of God.”
Jesus, speaking in the third person talked about the “Son of God” in John 3:17
John 5:24
John 11:4
John 11:27
Martha, one of the followers, calls Jesus, peace be upon him, “The Messiah, the Son of God”
John 20:31 he is called “The Messiah, the Son of God.”
But no verse makes the exact statement “Jesus is the Son of God and as such he is divine or God.”
Notice in the Bible, the frequent link between the position of Jesus, peace be upon him, as the Messiah and the ‘son-ship.’
The term ‘son of god’ can not, in itself, be considered enough to declare anything unique about Jesus, peace be upon him, as this term is used for many people throughout the Old and the New Testament.
See above: Luke 3:38
Also, in Isaiah 62:8
refers to the entire house of Israel as being, ‘Sons of God’.
Romans 8:14 Paul tells us about those who are led by the spirit:
“because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
The word “Messiah” is one that more particularly seems to represent the station of the person predicted to appear and lead the people to the victory over this world.
BIBLE
Hebrews 1:5
“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
Does this support the case the doctrine that Jesus, peace be upon him, is the ‘begotten Son of God?”
Old Testament BIBLE
Psalms 2:7 David is stating what God has proclaimed regarding David’s relationship to God
“I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: he said to me, ‘you are my Son; this day have I begotten you.”
Note: the New International Version says the verse could be translated either as “become your Father” or as “begotten you” into English or Greek.
New Testament BIBLE
Mark 1:35
“He will be called the Son of God.”
Note: This does not state he “is” the son, but rather, he will be “called” the son of God.
New Testament BIBLE
John 10:38 “But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 14:10 “Don’t you know that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words that I say to you are not my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me who is doing this work.”
But further reading in the very same chapter:
John 14:20 “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
So how does he live in his disciples and how do they live in him? And if so, are they also, sons of God or Gods?
good question.
1st John 2:5-6 (This is an epistle [letter] written by another “John,” not John the Gospel er nor John the Baptist)
“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him. Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Note: This indicates, living ‘in God’ means, ‘Obeying God’s commandments and following the Way of Jesus, peace be upon him.’
Twice in the New Testament, Jesus, peace be upon him, tells his followers how to pray saying, “When you pray, say this…”
And the words are very clear, ‘God’s Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
BIBLE
John 17:22-23
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
The word used throughout chapter 10 and 17, for unity or one was the same, ‘heis’ meaning the number one. There is another word ‘hen’ which means a unity of essence. However, ‘hen’ is nowhere to be found in these chapters.
Note: Conclusion is this is a prayer from Jesus, peace be upon him, to God that all of his followers would have the same relationship that he (Jesus) had.
Understanding the word ‘one’ meanings understanding the way in which it is being used. For example a man and a woman become ‘one’ when they marry; someone might say, ‘One hopes for success’ or ‘We are one in agreement.’
Jesus, peace be upon him, is supposed to have said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” In the very part of the Bible we find the verse wherein Jesus, peace be upon him, tells his followers, if they accepted a little child, then they also accepted Jesus, peace be upon him. Naturally, he did not mean the child was God or that he was a child.
Christians are taught early in life, by doing good deeds and service for others, they are in fact allowing others to see Jesus in them.
Why do we hold so tight to doctrines, even after realizing the incorrectness and false teachings?
another good question.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus, peace be upon him, is a man, born of a woman without any father, strengthened by a Spirit from God (Gabriel), sent by God to teach the Children of Israel the true meaning of belief and proper actions (following the commandments) that God would accept from them and as such, their ‘road to salvation.’
One more time:
BIBLE
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God at the beginning.”
Jesus, peace be upon him, was the very “Word of God.”
QURAN
Surah 4:171
“O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah anything but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) A Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not ‘trinity’: desist.
It is difficult for us to admit that we have been deceived for so many years by some many people, some of them very near and dear to us. The truth is, ‘Someone has been lying to us’ - on purpose.
It is also difficult to consider the consequences of loosing faith in the doctrine of the Church, out of fear of loosing faith in God altogether.
But there is wonderful hope, Grace, Mercy and Salvation for those who come to the correct belief and obey the commandments.
