Dialogue with a Christian

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful


Dialogue with a Christian


Muslim:


What does Christianity mean?


Christian:


Christianity is the religion that holds the teaching of Jesus Christ.


Muslim:


But who was Jesus Christ?


Christian:


Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God and has the same divine essence as God, the Glory equal and the Majesty co-eternal... Therefore, Jesus Christ is God who has the right to be worshipped. Also he is All-knower, Almighty, Creator, and Forgiver. He restores life, and brings people to account on the Day of Judgment. God the son descended to the earth and became incarnate in the body of Jesus. He was crucified for the redemption of the original sin.


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Muslim:


I wonder about the divinity of Jesus. It was not established at his time. In fact, it was ratified in the First General Council at Nicea/Nicaea in 325 A.D. despite the objection of the council‟s majority. So Christians were forced to believe in Jesus as God. In fact, the divinity of Jesus dogma was established on the dead bodies of millions of Christians after its ratification. The controversy about the major doctrines of Christianity such as the divinity of Jesus, Trinity, and crucifixion for redemption has continued throughout the Christian history. A major question should be addressed: Did Jesus claim divinity clearly?


Christian:


There are no clear statements by Jesus but from his statements in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one" and in John 14:9 "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." And in John 10:38 "the Father is in me and I in the Father" we can infer his divinity.


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Muslim:


There is no explicit statement from Jesus that he is God. If he was God, he would have made explicit statements everywhere in the New Testament. God wants from people to understand divinity with no confusion because divinity is the essential element of faith.


However, people of the Church always try to convince Christians that many people do not grasp the clear biblical fact that Jesus Christ is the Creator. They also say "As in the first century, today only a relatively few people truly comprehend who Jesus was, where he came from, what he is doing and what he will yet do. It is the same today. Few people really understand the true origins of Jesus Christ" (who was God P.10 and 25.) This indicates that the divinity of Jesus is not understood not only in non-Christian societies but also in the Christian society.


In fact Jesus did not claim divinity. A New Testament scholar, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, said: "Jesus did not claim deity for


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himself." (Jesus and the Living Past. P. 39). There is no evidence to support that Jesus claimed divinity during his life. James Dunn, who affirms orthodox Christology, stated in a book called Christology in the Making p. 60: "there was no real evidence from the earliest Jesus tradition for what could fairly be called a consciousness of divinity". Some Christian scholars admitted that they could not prove the divinity of Jesus according to the teaching of Jesus. Brain Hebblethwaite said: "It is no longer possible to defend the divinity of Jesus by reference to the claims of Jesus" (The Incarnation p. 74). The New Testament scholar C. F. D. Moule confirmed this in a book called The Origin of Christology, p. 136, where he said: "Any case for a high Christology that depended on the authenticity of the alleged claims of Jesus about himself, especially in the Fourth Gospel would indeed be precarious"


Many Christian sects and many Christian scholars announced in public through history


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that Jesus is not God. For example, the well known Bishop of Durham in England, David Jenkins, said that Jesus was not God (The Economist, April 1, 1989, vol. 311, no. 7596, p. 19). Daily News 25/6/84 reported the following: "More than half of England's Anglican bishops say Christians are not obliged to believe that Jesus Christ was God, according to a survey published today. Only 11 of the bishops insisted that Christians must regard Christ as both God and man, while 19 said it was sufficient to regard Jesus as "God's supreme agent". One declined to give a definite opinion." John Hick, the editor of a book called The Myth of God Incarnate, wrote in its preface the following: "The writers of this book are convinced that another major theological development is called for in this last part of the twentieth century. The need arises from growing knowledge of Christian origins, and involves a recognition that Jesus was a man approved by God for a special role within the divine purpose, and that the later


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conception of him as God incarnate, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity living a human life, is a mythological or poetic way of expressing his significance for us." Those Christian scholars who still believe in the divinity of Jesus and could not prove it claimed that Jesus did not know that he was divine but this was known after his resurrection. Ironically, Jesus did not know that he was God!


Concerning John 10:30: "I and the Father are one." This does not mean that Jesus is God. First, Trinity means three persons and not two. Second, The Father and Jesus are two different individuals and entities. Third, when Jesus asked the Father in John 17:11 to protect his followers and make them one as he and the Father are one, he did not mean that they all be one entity or one person. He rather meant to bring the unity of purpose among them as he is one with Father in purpose. Also the unity of purpose is stressed in Act 4:32 where all believers are believed to be one in heart


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and mind. Finally, Jesus made a clear distinction between him and God when he told his followers not to call any one 'father' because there is only one father in heaven, God, and not to call any one 'teacher' because there is only one teacher, the Christ, (Matthew 23:9-10). Even Paul, the founder of Christianity, believed in the Father as the only God and he made clear distinction between God and Jesus (1Corinthians 8:6).


Also John 14:9: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." This statement was taken as a proof that Jesus is God. But the same gospel (John 1:18) and 1 John 4:12 affirmed that no one has ever seen God. Also Matthew 6:6 confirmed that God is unseen. Therefore, John 14:9 does not mean that Jesus is God. It rather means that whoever has seen Jesus has known God as Jesus came to convey the message from God. This interpretation is supported by John 1:18 which stated that no one has ever seen God but Jesus has made God known to people.


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Also John 10:38: "the Father is in me and I in the Father." This was not for Jesus but also for Paul who claimed in 1 John 4:13 that he and his followers are in God and He is in them. Jesus stated in John 14:20 that his disciples are in him and he is in his disciples. It is impossible to understand from these statements that Jesus and the disciples indwell in God or God indwells in Jesus and his followers. God never indwells in any of His creatures nor do they indwell in Him. The real meaning of these statements from the Bible is that God is with Jesus and with his real followers and they are with Him. God is with Jesus and his followers through His guidance and support and they are with God through their full submission and obedience according to the teaching brought by Jesus from God.


Christian:


Although Jesus did not state clearly that he is God, his acts of miracles were clear evidence that he is God.


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Muslim:


Jesus did many miracles such as bringing the dead to life and curing the blind and leper by permission of God. All miracles that Jesus did during his ministry were from God (John 10:32). Jesus affirmed that God enabled him to perform miracles: "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the Kingdom of God is come upon you" (Luke 11:20 and Matthew 12:28). Acts 2:22 assured that God supported Jesus with miracles. Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council, believed that the miraculous power that Jesus performed was from God (John 3:2). God made things under Jesus and he was made subject to God so that God is all in all (1Cointhians 15:27-28). In fact Jesus Christ came to do the work of God who sent him (John 4:34, John 9:4), and he could not do nothing by himself (John 5:19-47). John 5:30 reported that Jesus said: "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my


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judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."


Jesus continually received needed spiritual power from the Father (John 5:30; 14:10). He told his companions that he could ask his Lord to support him with legions of angles (Matthew 26:53). God supported him with miracles so that people believe. It is reported in John 10:25 that Jesus said to the Jews: "The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me." And Acts 2:22 stated: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as yourselves know…" When Jesus asked God to prove to people that he is a messenger of God to them through a miracle, God enabled him to bring Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-44). And John 11:22 mentioned that Martha, Lazarus' sister, was confident that God would give Jesus whatever he asked.


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The Old Testament of the Bible recorded others besides Jesus to have done similar miracles such as Elisha who fed 100 people with little food (II Kings 4:44), cured Naaman the leper (II Kings 5:14), had the blind to see (II Kings 6:17 and 20), and raised the dead ((II Kings 4:34 and II Kings 13:21). Elijah raised the dead ((I Kings 17:22); and ascended to heaven (2kings 2:11). Therefore, Jesus Christ was not the only human who ascended to heaven.


The New Testament of the Bible mentioned that God did not only support His servant, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit but He also supported other servants (Luke 11:13 and Luke 12:12). Acts 19:11 addressed Christians that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Repeatedly the Scriptures reveal that God imparted divine inspiration to His prophets and servants through the Holy Spirit.


Jesus used to give thanks and prayers to God before doing miraculous work (Matthew 14:19 and 15:36 and 17:21 and Mark6:41 and


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Mark 7:32-34 and Mark 8:6 and Mark 9:28-29 and John 6:11). He performed many miracles because he had faith in God with no doubt. Also with faith people other than Jesus can perform miracles even greater than Jesus did (Matthew 21:21-22 and Mark 11: 23). And with faith and giving praise to God people were cured miraculously from their permanent sickness (Luke 17:18-19 and Luke 18:42-43).


Christian:


If Jesus is not God, then who is Jesus?


Muslim:


Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law that was brought by the previous Messengers (Matthew 5:17). He was one stone, a messenger, in the building of Law and Prophets that was not finished during his time (John16:12-13).


Jesus Christ described himself as a messenger from God (Matthew 10:40-41 and Mark 9:37 and Luke 9:48 and Luke 10:16 and John 12:44 and John 20:21). God taught Jesus the good news (John 8:28). Jesus told the Jews


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who were amazed about his teaching that he received the teaching from God and he worked for the honor of his Lord not for himself (John 7:16-18 and John 7:28 and John 8:26).He was anointed with the Spirit to preach the good news and the truth that he heard from God and to teach the way of God (Luke 4:18 and Luke 20:21 and John 8:40). Indeed God sent Jesus to preach the good news as Luke 4:43 said: "But he said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’" John the Baptist testified that God sent Jesus to convey His words (John 3:34). And Jesus testified that he did not speak his own but God commanded him what to say and how to say it (John 12:49-50 and John 14:24). Since Jesus was a messenger of God, no messenger is greater than the one who sent him (John 13:16).


Jesus was a prophet too. God wants from people to believe in Jesus as a prophet (John 6:29). Jesus admitted that he was a prophet.


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When Jesus started to teach the people of his hometown and other towns, they were amazed about his wisdom and miraculous powers yet they rejected him. But Jesus wondered and said that only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor (Matthew 13:57 and Mark 6:4 and Luke 4:24 and John 4:44). People of Jerusalem believed in Jesus as a prophet. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people welcomed him as a prophet and a king who comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 21:46 and Matthew 21:9-11 and John 12:13). Also when Jesus performed great miracles in a town called Nain and in the far shore of the sea of Tiberias, people praised God "a great prophet has appeared among us" (Luke 7: 16). John 6:14 reported: "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." When Simon the Pharisee saw a woman touching Jesus he said to himself, "If this man (Jesus) were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner." (Luke 7:39). The


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Samaritan woman believed in Jesus as a prophet (John 4:19). Even after the alleged crucifixion it was reported that Jesus appeared to two men who told him about what happened to Jesus the prophet (Luke 24:19). It is clear from the words of Jesus, his followers, and people around him that he was a prophet from God. Jesus lived as a prophet and was raised as a prophet (Luke 13:33).


Christian:


Do you mean that Jesus was a human being and a servant of God? I can not imagine that.


Muslim:


Jesus is the son of David (Matthew 1:1 and Mark 10:47 and Luke 1:32 and Luke 3:31). Jesus Christ is called “the Son of Man” more than 80 times in the New Testament. It was the term He most commonly used in referring to Himself. (Who is God, P. 35.). The Bible in Numbers 23:19 made it clear that God is neither a man nor a son of man thus Jesus is not God.


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The Bible has numerous human descriptions for Jesus Christ that befits not Almighty God such as:


*Jesus Christ was a descendant of David-Romans (1/3)


*Jesus Christ was conceived and born through a normal delivery- Luke (2/21), John (12/2)


*Jesus Christ was nursed - Luke (11/27)


*Jesus Christ grew, became strong, was filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God - Luke (2/40), Luke (2/52)


*Jesus Christ had brothers - Matthew (13/54-56)


*Jesus Christ considered his disciples as his brothers - (John 20:17)


*Jesus Christ used to eat and drink - Matthew (11/19), Luke (7/34)


*Jesus Christ was pore - Matthew (8/20)


*Jesus Christ used to get hungry and thirsty. He used to be tired and to sleep. He used to be angry and sad and to cry. He used to be weak - Matthew(4/2), Matthew (21/8),


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Mark (11/2), John (19/28), Matthew (8/24), Luke (8/23), Mark(4/38), John (4/6), John (11/33), John (11/35), Matthew (26/37), Matthew (26/38), Mark (14/33), Luke (22/43).


*Jesus Christ did not know the unseen - Mark (13/32), Mark (11/12-13)


*Jesus Christ escaped but he was arrested - John (11/53-54), John (10/39), John (8/59), John (18/12-13)


*Jesus Christ was insulted, struck, slapped, and spit on his face - Luke (22/63-64), Matthew (26/67), John (18/22-23)


God addressed Jesus as His servant and supported him with His spirit (Matthew 12:18). The disciples addressed Jesus as the servant of God too (Acts 3:13 and Acts 3:26 and Acts 4:27). Early Christians described Jesus Christ as a great prophet and rejected his divinity and the Trinity dogma. As Abraham, Moses and Jesus worshipped God, Apostles continued worshiping the only true God according to the teaching of Jesus. A book titled The Middle East in Bible Prophecy P. 4


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stated, "Here Jesus of Nazareth worshiped, taught and confronted the money changers, scribers, Pharisees and other religious authority."


Jesus praised God and prayed for himself (Matthew 11:25 and John 17: 1-19). He often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16 and Luke 22:41 and Luke 9:18). It was reported that Jesus prayed in many places such as solitary places, mountains, Jews‟ temple(s) etc. For example Mark 1/35 stated, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." In another occasion Jesus went to a mountain where he prayed (Mark 6:46 and Matthew 14:23 and Luke 9:28). His Prayers and praise were devoted to God (Luke 6:12 and Luke 10:21 and John 4:20-23). Mark 14/34-36 described the prayer of Jesus: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch.'' Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour


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might pass from him…" This story is mentioned also in Matthew 26:36-44. The best picture of submission and obedience to God is in Hebrews 5: 7-10 where Jesus offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to God to save him from death; and indeed God heard His servant's supplications because of his full submission and righteousness, and made him high priest in the order of Melchizedek. He used to order his followers to pray (Luke 22:40). He taught them how to pray and what to say. For example he said "When you pray, say: Father hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…, Forgive our sins" (Luke 11:1-3 and Matthew 6:9-10). He warned his followers not to pray and fast like hypocrites but their prayers must be sincerely devoted to God (Matthew 6:6 and Matthew 6:17-18).


Christian:


You are trying to convince me that Jesus was not a divine person. What about the major doctrine of Christianity, namely Trinity that


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affirms the divinity of Jesus? In fact Christianity is nothing without this doctrine.


Muslim:


Trinity did not exist during the first three hundred years after Jesus, peace be upon him, and many leaders from the apostolic church opposed it because they considered it as an innovation. Jesus, peace be upon him, did not teach his followers Trinity. The Oneness of God was the belief of early Christians. The apostles Creed was "I belief in God the Almighty" until 120 A. D. Some apostolic church leaders such as Iranaeus, Tertullian, Lactencen and Arias opposed and condemned innovations that led to the Trinity. The ratification of Trinity in the Constantinople council at Nicea was motivated by political considerations and not by religious belief. The fact that Constantine ratified the Trinitarian doctrine and died in the faith of those who believed in the Oneness of God explained well that his first move to ratify Trinity was


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motivated by political considerations and not by religious belief.


There has been controversy about Trinity since its start. Many Christian sects and scholars emerged during the History of Christianity to solve the Trinitarian controversy. Over a million of Christians were killed during the years following the ratification of Trinity because they did not believe in the Trinity dogma and continued to believe in the Oneness of God and the manhood of Jesus as a great prophet. This indicates that Christians were compelled to believe in Trinity.


Trinity does not exist in this name in the Bible. The Church relies on Matthew 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." This was considered as a proof for the Trinity. However, these are three distinct and separate names and not one. Also there is not any indication here that the three are one God. The


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only proof of Trinity was in 1 John (5/7) which stated: "for there are three that bear record in heaven, the father, the word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one." This proof was in King James Version but it was discarded by 32 Christian scholars who represented 50 denominations in 1946 and does not exist anymore in the revised standard version of the Bible. The New Bible Dictionary said: "The term "Trinity" is not itself found in the Bible. It was first used by Tertullian at the close of the 2nd century, but received wide currency and formal elucidation only in the 4th and 5th centuries." It also said: "the formal doctrine of the Trinity was the results of several inadequate attempts to explain who and what the Christian God really is."


Christian:


If Trinity is an innovation, Jesus is not God because he is supposed to be one person of Trinity. But this contradicts another major doctrine of Christianity. It is redemption


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doctrine. Jesus was crucified to death to restore man to the grace of God after he lost it when Adam committed the original sin.


Muslim:


The Christians claim that Jesus was crucified to death to save them from the original sin has no validity for many reasons. The atonement of the original sin committed by Adam and Eve has no place in the Bible. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). Jesus commanded his followers to repent because the kingdom of God is near (Mark 1/15 Matthew 4:17) and to ask God for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12). Also the disciples went out to preach for repentance (Mark 6:12). Jesus guided the one who asked him how to get salvation and inherit eternal life to obey the commandments (Matthew 19/17 and Mark 10/19). Every one will be reckoned on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 12:36-37 and Romans 14:12). Jesus addressed his followers that it is the sins that throw any person into the Hell-fire (Matthew 5:22 and Matthew 5:29-30 and


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Matthew 18:8-9). Also he warned them that they will not enter the kingdom of heaven unless they become really righteous and to make every effort for that (Matthew 5:20 and Luke 13:24). But People should act according to the commandments in order to be eligible for eternal life (Luke 18:20). Many did good things in the name of Jesus but they will not enter the kingdom of God because they were sinners (Matthew 7:22-23). Those who speak blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven but sins or blasphemy other than this will be forgiven through repentance (Matthew 12:13-32 and Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10 and Luke 19:8-10) or through ignorance (Luke 23:34). Unless People repent, they can not avoid punishment (Luke 13:2 and 13:5 and Luke 21:34-36). Therefore, it is not the salvation of blood through crucifixion but avoiding evil deeds and approaching good deeds save people from the Hellfire and qualify them for the kingdom of heaven. What about all nations before Jesus? Who saved


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them from the original sin? It is not just for all humans to take the responsibility of Adam's sin. Jesus had to know that he came for the atonement of the original sin. But Jesus did not know that his death was for the atonement of the original sin because according to the alleged story of crucifixion he was sorrowful and deeply distressed and started praying, "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me" (Luke 22:42). And the last words of Jesus were "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).


The differences and contradictions between the Gospels about the story of crucifixion, which is the greatest event in the life of Jesus, bring evidence that the narrators have no sure facts about the crucifixion events. For example, Matthew 12:40 said: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." However, Jesus was in the tomb


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one day and tow nights because he was in the tomb the night of Saturday, the day of Saturday, the night of Sunday; and early in the morning of Sunday he was not found in the tomb. Most of the bishops of England questioned the information related to Jesus in the Bible. Daily News 25/6/84 reported the following: "The poll of 31 of England's 39 bishops shows that many of them think that Christ's miracles, the virgin birth and the resurrection might not have happened exactly as described in the Bible."


Christian:


It seems to me from your dialogue that Jesus was not God but a man who was honored by God to be His messenger who confirmed the Oneness of God.


Muslim:


The evidence about the Oneness of God is presented clearly through the words of Jesus in the New Testament. He did not leave any doubt about the Oneness of God when he


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excluded himself from divinity. The following are examples of his words:


When Jesus was addressed as "Good teacher" he did not refer the goodness to himself but to his God alone: "No one is good except God alone" (Matthew 19:17 and Mark10:18 and Luke 18:19). When one of the teachers of the law asked Jesus about the most important commandment, Jesus answered: "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Mark 12/32). By stating this Jesus confirmed that God is his Lord Who is one. Jesus addressed Mary Magdalene before he ascended to his Lord that he is going to his God: "Go instead to my brothers and tell them 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'." (John 20:17). No more explicit statement than this in which Jesus affirmed that the Lord is his God by saying: "my God." Jesus prayed to God and made a clear distinction between himself and God. In John 17:3 he said: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true


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God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Jesus made it clear that he was a mediator between God and people. He said: "For there is one God, and one mediator (messenger) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (Timothy 2:5)


Christian:


What does Islam say about Jesus?


Muslim:


Islam presented the truth about Jesus. The Holy Qur'an rejected the claim of those who said that Jesus, peace be upon him, is God. In fact the Qur'an mentioned that Jesus, peace be upon him, asked his people to worship his God and their God: "They have certainly disbelieved who say, " Allah (God) is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah , my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers." (The Qur'an


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5:72) Jesus, peace be upon him, told his Lord that he did not say to his people to take him God as it is illustrated in the Qur'an: And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, "O 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 know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen. I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah , my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness. (The Qur'an 5:116-117)


The Qura'n 4:171, 19:19, 21:91, 66:12, 3:47 and 3:59 clearly stated that God sent His messenger (Gabriel) to Mary to give her glad tiding of a blessed boy and then God blew into


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her through angel Gabriel and directed His word (Be) and he was Jesus, peace be upon him. Indeed, when God decrees a matter, He says to it be and it is. The example of Jesus, peace be upon him is like that of Adam. God created Adam from dust and then He said to him "Be" and he was. This is stated clearly in the Holy Qur'an: "Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was." (The Qur'an:3:59)


The Holy Qura'an refutes the „only begotten son‟ dogma: "They have said, "Allah has taken a son." Exalted is He; He is the [one] Free of need. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. You have no authority for this [claim]. Do you say about Allah that which you do not know?" (The Qur'an:10:68) Claiming a son for God does not befit His Majesty as the Qur'an stated: "It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only


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says to it, "Be," and it is." (The Qur'an 19:35) It is the greatest sin to attribute a son or a partner to God. The Qur'an stressed this point: "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. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. (The Qur'an 19:88-93)


God chose from among his servants messengers to convey His message to human beings through human history. Jesus, peace be upon him, was one of the beloved messengers to the children of Israel. The Qur'an addressed Jesus, peace be upon him, as a messenger: "The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed


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on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. Say, "Do you worship besides Allah that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allah who is the Hearing, the Knowing?" (The Qur'an 5:75-76) Jesus, peace be upon him, came to confirm the scriptures before him and to give glad tidings of the next messenger after him. The Qur'an stated: "And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad (Muhammad)." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." (the Qur'an 61:6)


The Holy Qur'an affirmed the Oneness of God in all its chapters. It stresses three subjects, the Oneness of God (Islamic


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Monotheism), the stories of the prophets, and Islamic Law and manners. The last two subjects carry the message of Islamic Monotheism too. The chapter Al-Ikhlas in the Holy Qura'an describes God: Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One, Allah , the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is He born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent." (The Qur'an 112:1-4) Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, considered this chapter equals a third of the Holy Qura'an because it confirms the Oneness of God.


The Holy Qur'an refutes the dogma of Trinity because it is a manmade doctrine: "They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment." (The Qur'an 5:73) God warned Christians not to say three (trinity) and not to call Jesus, peace be upon him, son of God but God's messenger. The


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Qur'an clarified this point explicitly: "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs." (The Qur'an 4:171)


Jesus, peace be upon him, was neither killed nor crucified as the Qur'an stated: "And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it


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are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. (The Qur'an 4:157)


Christian:


It is clear now that God must be One and none has the right to be worshipped besides Him. Also Islam is the only religion that confirms this truth. Therefore, would you please tell me how to become a Muslim?


Muslim:


You can become a Muslim by pronouncing the testimony of Islam:


"Ashhadu un la ilah illa Allah wa un Muhammad rasul Allah" which means: I bear witness that there is no true god but Allah (God) and Muhammad is His messenger.


Christian:


"Ashhadu un la ilah illa Allah wa una Muhammad rasul Allah"


Muslim:


Praises and thanks are due to Allah.