Common Objection “Don‘t make more of Jesus than he himself did. He never claimed to be the Son of God!”

Divinity and Sonship of Jesus Christ 1.The Reason for their objection The Qur‘an is strongly opposing the idea that Jesus is divine / Son of God “Christ the son of Mary, was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before thim. His mother was a woman of truth; they both had to eat their daily food.” – Sura 5:75 “They do blaspheme who say: ‚Allah is Christ, the son of Mary.” – Sura 5:75 “The Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their own mouths. Allah‘s curse be on them; how they are deluded away from the truth.” – Sura 9:30

Divinity and Sonship of Jesus Christ “It is not befitting to Allah that he should beget a son. Glory be to him! When he determines a matter, he only says to it: ‚Be‘, and it is.” Sura 19:35 Do we realize what this means to a Muslim?

Divinity and Sonship of Jesus Christ 1.1 “You misguided Christians are the ones who make more of Jesus than he did. In fact Jesus himself answered God in Sura 5:116: “O Jesus,...Did you say to men ‘Take me and my mother for two gods beside God?‘ He shall answer: ‚Praise be to thee! It is not for me to say that which I ought not.” 1.2 “We Muslims honour Jesus for what he truly was: a prophet, but no more!”

Divinity and Sonship of Jesus Christ 1.3 “We have to defend the glory of Allah. He cannot have a partner, one that‘s equal to him. This is blasphemy (shirk), the worst sin man can commit. That‘s why we curse these people who try to turn others away from the revelation of Allah.“

What does the Qur´an say about Jesus? He was born of a virgin 19:20 He was holy and faultless19:19 He is the Messiah4:171 He is the Word of God!!4:171 He is a spirit of God4:171 He created life5:113 He healed the sick5:113

What does the Qur´an say about Jesus? He raised the dead 5:113 He came with clear signs43:63 He is a sign to all mankind19:21; 21:91 He is illustrious in this world and the hereafter 3:45 He was raised to heaven (where he still is!) 4:158 He will come back for judgement 43:61 13 extraordinary statements about Jesus in theQur´an. Who would fit any 3 of these points?

Jesus did not claim it! OBJECTION: „But Jesus himself never claimed to be the son of God; where in your Book do you find that?“

Jesus did not claim it! ANSWER: “It is not so important whether he said it or not. Anyone could come up with such a claim. It is more important that God affirms this!“ Consider these references: Mt 3:17 – God at the Baptism of Jesus Lk 1:35 – “...the holy one born in you will be called the son of God.“ Mt 17:5 – “This is my Son,...listen to him!“

Jesus did not claim it! Consider Jesus‘ reaction when others called him “God“ or “Son of God“: Mt 16:16 – Peter‘s confession Mt 14:33 – All the disciples worshipped him Jo 20:29 – Thomas: “My Lord and my God“ Mt 26:65-66 – The High Priest charged him: “Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.“ – “Yes, it is (as you say). But... in future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming in the clouds of heaven.“

Jesus did not claim it! WHY ‘Son of Man‘ expression? The title ‘Son of Man‘ was of great significance to the Jewish people. Jesus used it repeatedly: Mk 2:10 – “...but that you may know that the Son of Man has authority over death, I tell you: ‘Get up take your bed and walk.’“

How can God have a wife and a son? Matthew 3:16-17 Who said to Jesus “This is my Son"? Mark 3:17 “Sons of Thunder”

How can God have a wife and a son? Other ways to understand the expression ‘Son of...‘ Son of the Nile = Egyptian Son of the road = traveller Son of a lock = key (Malay)

Jesus – True Man + God “...being in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, Taking the very nature of a Servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”Philippians 2: 5-11

Jesus – Servant and Son In very nature/equal with God Made himself nothing Servant - in human likeness Death Cross Humbled himself Became obedient

Jesus – Servant and Son Cross Exalted A Name above every name Every knee shall bow Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord Glory of God the Father

Common Objections “How can you believe in three Gods and claim that He is one? This does not make sense.“

The Trinity 1. Muslims have the strange understanding that the Trinity consists of Allah, Mary and Jesus. This is rejected by Christians too!! “O Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say to men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods beside Allah?‘” He will say: “Glorified are You! It was not for me to say what I had no right to say…” Sura 5:116

The Trinity 2.The Qur‘an rejects the concept of the Trinity: “They do blaspheme who say: ‚Allah is one of three in a Trinity‘.“ Sura 5:75-76 “Say not Three (Trinity). Desist! It would be better for you, for Allah is One Allah. Glory be to him (far exalted is He) above having a son.“ Sura 4:171

The Trinity 3. The Qur‘an rejects the idea of God having a physical son: “He is Allah, the One. He is the Self-Sufficient. He begets not nor is He begotten.“ Sura 112:1-4

The Trinity 4. Our Response: God showed three character traits of himself, each one being fully God: God’s will: the Father God’s word: the Son God’s mighty working: the Holy Spirit

The Trinity 4. Our Response: Jesus himself taught us to worship one God. Mark 12:29-30: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

The Trinity 4. Our Response: God showed Himself to us in three ways, but He is one. 2. Cor. 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The Trinity 4. Our Response: Hints that point to a plurality within the one person of God: Genesis 1:1-3: God, his Spirit and his Word are mentioned Genesis 1:26: God speaks in the Plural Form

The Trinity 4. Our Response: The divinity of the Son: Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born…the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called… Mighty God…” Matthew 1:23: Immanuel = God with us John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.”

The Trinity 4. Our Response: The divinity of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:18: God, his Servant and his Spirit are mentioned. John 14:26: The Holy Spirit will teach you all, the Father sends him in the name of the Son. John 16:13-15: The Spirit of Truth, the Father, and the Son are all working together.

The Trinity 4. Our Response: The Importance of the Trinity A God whom we can know: The Father who loves his own children The Son who died to redeem them The Holy Spirit who renews and sanctifies them