Jesus in Islam: Points to Consider

Many of today’s so-called religions share a particular view of God, of who he is and what he may be like. This view is that God is unknowable; he is so exalted above man he is untouchable.

The Apostle Paul confronted this view on Mars Hill at the Greek Temple in Athens (Acts 17:22). He was debating with some philosophers and noticed the idolatry in the city. He read an inscription on an altar that read “to the unknown God.” Paul took the opportunity to share with them truths about Him.

1. A brief teaching of Him as creator.
2. A God with a plan in mind.
3. We should seek after Him because He is not far from any of us.

The prophet Jeremiah (29:11) states that God has good thoughts for us and even a plan for our lives. Doesn’t this sound like a God you’d like to know?

As Christians we believe not only that God can be known, but more than that, He desires to have a relationship with us. But how can we know this awesome creator of the universe? He is so above us all; and unseen. Untouchable?

God became a man. He revealed Himself to us in the form of a man, the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6-10; John 1:1). But how do we know this?

In the Islamic faith, and even in Judaism, they teach that Jesus was a good man, a great teacher, and a prophet. He caused some political and religious stirrings. But if we look further at his very life, even his birth, we can see this man not only claimed He came down to us from heaven but performed miracles that no ordinary man could do.

The very waves of the sea obeyed him. He fed thousands with a few fish and a couple loaves of bread. He caused many blind to see. He healed untold diseases, including leprosy, and raised the dead from the grave. Does that sound like any prophet that you’ve known?

Again I go back to the Apostle Paul at Mar’s Hill and the Greek Temple when he stated that we should seek after Him because He is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27, 28). As Christians we believe God teaches us to seek after Him with all our hearts, that He will hear us and reveal Himself to us (Jeremiah 29:12,13; Isaiah 54:61).

Yes, God is awesome and so far above, but it is His desire for us to come to Him and to call on Him. He made the way for us in Jesus.

(written by Sam Simonsen)