Muslims almost always object to using the title “Son of God” concerning Jesus. The main reason is that many Muslims believe the phrase “Son of God” implies that God the Father had sexual relations with Mary and that Jesus (the Son) was born of this union. Some understand the Christian Trinity as consisting of the Father, Mary and Jesus. Christians actually do not believe this and like Muslims we find the idea repulsive and blasphemous. Unfortunately this is often the Muslim understanding of the phrase “Son of God.”
The Deity of Christ
The Qur’an does say that Jesus was born of a virgin. Various Muslim traditions ascribe miracles to Jesus such as healing the sick and raising the dead. However, the Qur’an states that He was no more than a human being, a prophet like all other prophets. Islam thinks that Chrisians are trying to elevate Jesus to be God. Yet, the reality is that Jesus is not a man whom we are trying to elevate to be God; rather He is God who humbled Himself to become man.
Islam refuses to ascribe deity to Christ and rejects the doctrine that Jesus is the Son of God.
In Christianity, the title, “Son of God” indicates the majesty, honour and glory of Jesus (2 Peter 1:16-18). The title is tied not only to His divinity but also to His kingship. Nathan’s prophecy in 2 Samuel 7:12-14, one of the early prophecies of the Messianic King, speaks of David’s descendant as God’s Son. “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me.” It is certain that the early believers understood Jesus’ role as “Son of God” as being related to kingship: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel” (John 1:49, 11:27, 20:31 and Romans 1:1-5). The messianic king’s appointment was described as begetting a son (Psalm 2:7, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5). You can find a longer article on this subject on our site here “Explaining-Son-Of-God”.
Prayer Starters:
- May God bring real breakthroughs in this area of Muslim misunderstanding. This subject is one of the most significant hindrances for Muslims coming to Christ. Believers need wisdom in addressing this issue, not necessarily debate.
- Pray for Muslims to have a biblical understanding of the phrase “Son of God.” Meditate on and proclaim in prayer the texts cited above.
Special Section: Prayer for the Peoples of Sudan — The Guhayna people
The 1.3 million Guhayna are a largely nomadic people living in Central Sudan. Not much is known about this people group other than that they are Sudanese Arabs who trace their heritage to the Bedouin who wandered the deserts of Saudi Arabia centuries ago.
The Guhayna embrace rigid codes of honour, loyalty and hospitality, the strong role of men in society, the value of children, subservience of women and the five pillars of Islam. To confess Jesus as Lord is not well accepted and has serious consequences. Pray that fear of persecution from Islamic relatives will not hinder the Guhayna as they consider the Gospel. No one is actively reaching this people group.
Pray for missionaries and funds so the Guhayna can hear about Jesus.
Video: Hope Lights
Hope Lights from Salomon on Vimeo.
5)
Mark 15:33-39
JESUS EVEN WHILE AT THE CROSS INDEED REVEALED HIMSELF THOUGH TRULY MAN YET TRULY GOD
33 And when the sixth hour [1] had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”
37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “TRULY THIS MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD.!”
6)
We see from birth to the end Jesus is the Messiah, Prophet, King, Priest, etc. though man yet divine.
No other scriptures gives the revelations of the MESSIAH to come and explanation for the Messiah.
Here is where the twist of the story comes in, coz great scholars in history like Zamakhshari & Baidawi admitted that al-Masihu WAS NOT an original Arabic word.
While it is confirmed that there is absolute uncertainty how this title is to be viewed by them and uncertainty in the exact meaning of the word that has come into other scriptures leaves a true fact unanswered.
Why, then, others acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, yet give no delineation of what the word Messiah means?
It is a true fact that they do not have any origin or hold any view from all the true inspired scriptures right from the time of Adam until the coming into this world of the PROMISED MESSIAH OF GOD.
On the other hand, it is a true fact that the people from the time of Adam and until the Messiah was revealed to Mankind, THESE PEOPLE WERE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MESSIAH WOULD BE ‘THEIR SAVIOUR’ IN THE MANIFESTATION OF PROPHETHOOD, PRIESTHOOD AND KINGSHIP, AS DETAILED IN THE HOLY WORDS OF THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.
(THUS THE MESSIAH WAS RECOGNIZED ONLY BY THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS WHO PROLAIMED HIM ‘’THE CHRIST’’ ‘’THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.’ )
Why give him a unique title and not explain it’s significance?
Men of this world perceive and explain ACCORDING TO THE EYES & MIND OF THIS WORLD, because they are human and thus are called human beings.
Men of God perceive WITH THE EYES OF GOD & THE SPIRIT OF GOD, for God is Spirit and thus Mankind is called to become spiritual beings in the image and likeness of God.
Submit:
Good post! Jesus is truly the Savior of the world, but only for those those who believe! He is the center, the essence of life, what gives meaning and live to everything else. It is with a personal (spiritual) relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Messiah, that we come into union with the one who is the very heart of the matter. It is only through a personal relationship with God at the very core of our soul and spirit that we are transformed into His image. Laws, creeds, regulations, codes, commands, etc., are all external and can be ignored, but you cannot ignore God once you have come into a personal relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. May we let the Lord Jesus Christ continue to lead us by the Holy Spirit, draw us closer to the heart of God, and transform us into His likeness! Peace, love, mercy and grace be yours in abundance.
7)
As the centuries passed, we see the mention of Holy Spirit come upon believers in Old Testament times and were guided to proclaim the coming of the Messiah:
-Priests, to offer sacrifices and to teach the Law.
-Prophets, to work miracles and prophesy.
-Judges/Kings, to judge and rule the people.
Genesis 1:2
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters
Numbers 11:16,17
And I will take of the spirit which is upon you, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the poeple with you, that yo bear it not yourself alone.
Num. 11:25
“And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unot the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease
Joel 2:28
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions
Luke 1:34,35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee..
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
Acts 2:1-4
1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place
2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and( t filled the entire house where they were sitting
3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them
4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
So whom did Jesus promise to send to the Apostles WHEN THEY WERE STILL ALIVE?
And the Spirit of God SPEAKS THE TRUTH, coz
JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH & LIFE
God is spirit and
Our WORSHIP (prostration of oneself) NIGHT & DAY,
MORNING to EVENING,
THROUGHTOUT OUR LIFETIME and
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART
MUST be IN SPIRIT and IN TRUTH
ONLY to THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD
who LIVED AMONGST US and REVEALED THE MESSIAHSHIP to mankind
and POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.
ONLY JESUS IS PERFECT PURE & SINLESS. MANKIND IS CALLED TO FOLLOW JESUS – THE WORD OF GOD AND SPIRIT OF GOD —-NO OTHER —– AND TO BECOME PURE SUBMITTERS TO THE WILL OF GOD JUST LIKE JESUS AND NO OTHER.
Inorder to walk in RIGHTEOUSNESS like the Messiah
HOW ELSE CAN MANKIND REACH RIGHTEOUSNESS? – IF GOD IS NOT WITH US AND IF HIS OWN SPIRIT IS NOT UPON US AND ANNOINT US TO DO HIS WILL?
BE PERFECT AS MY HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT COZ THOSE WHO KNOW JESUS KNOW GOD, coz JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION & LIFE, coz JESUS IS THE GATE, coz JESUS AND THE FATHER ARE ONE. OTHER THAN JESUS WHO WAS PERFECT AND PURE AND SINLESS AS CONFIRMED BY THE ANGEL OF GOD & BY GOD HIMSELF?
We need His Holy Spirit and THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH & LOVE.
ULTIMATELY LOVE that was poured into the hearts and LOVE that is poured into the hearts of THOSE WHO AKS and IT SHALL BE RECEIVED.
One thing I’ve always been confused about is, for example, the sayings of Jesus on the cross. If Jesus and God are the same, why would there be sayings like,
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”
Just because the Bible claims, or implies that Jesus is the son of God doesn’t mean he is. The Bible also claims that planet earth is flat (Galileo was persecuted for claiming otherwise), and that rabbits chew cud, among other claims..
The Hindu Gita claims that Krishna is God. or a part of God. Should we believe simply because its written!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God (Allah) does not share divinity with anyone. May He be Exalted above what Hindus and Christians claim Him to be.
Christians believe Jesus is the unique, one and only, Son of God, not just because it is written, but because his Father is God and because of the historical fact of his life, death, resurrection and ascension. His own words and the testimony of his closest disciples who walked and talked with him on earth reveal that Jesus is the the Word of God who became man (ie. he is God in the flesh). Christians believe in only One True God, who has revealed Himself to man as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Not three gods but One God. There is God, His Word, and His Spirit, and these three are One and the same. At the incarnation, the Word of God became flesh (the son of Mary). He is the only one who has ever had a divine and a human nature. As a man he became the second Adam and as God he will judge the living and the dead. Christians are born-again through faith in the risen Jesus Christ. They are forgiven and accepted by God because of what the Son has done. The gift of God is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The gift of God is for all who will receive it by faith. If you truly seek him with all your heart you will find Him. If you have Christ in you, you too with have the hope of glory.
The claim that the earth is flat does not come from the Bible. Please see http://www.geocentricity.com/astronomy_of_bible/flatearth/doesbibleteach.html.
Salaam Alaykum.
I noticed several things wrong with this article.
“Muslims almost always object to using the title “Son of God” concerning Jesus. The main reason is that many Muslims believe the phrase “Son of God” implies that God the Father had sexual relations with Mary and that Jesus (the Son) was born of this union. Some understand the Christian Trinity as consisting of the Father, Mary and Jesus. Christians actually do not believe this and like Muslims we find the idea repulsive and blasphemous. Unfortunately this is often the Muslim understanding of the phrase “Son of God.””
Thank you. So I guess since Jesus, peace be upon him, is not God’s son, you admit he’s not divine, right?
“The Qur’an does say that Jesus was born of a virgin. Various Muslim traditions ascribe miracles to Jesus such as healing the sick and raising the dead. However, the Qur’an states that He was no more than a human being, a prophet like all other prophets. Islam thinks that Chrisians are trying to elevate Jesus to be God. Yet, the reality is that Jesus is not a man whom we are trying to elevate to be God; rather He is God who humbled Himself to become man.”
*smacks forehead* Of course, so you’re not saying that he’s God, you’re just saying that…he’s God. Makes perfect sense.
“Islam refuses to ascribe deity to Christ and rejects the doctrine that Jesus is the Son of…
Mhm. Listen, I’m going to break this down for you. Jinn in Islam are not seen as gods. They are seen as a race of creatures that God has created alongside mankind.
@SKhan. The Church has admitted several times that the Trinity is a mystery and has always been. Listen to yourself explaining how Jesus is God in human form. Yet he does not know when the day of Judgement is! And according to Christianity, he ends up being murdered. That does not describe the divine Supreme being, be it in spirit, human, or animal form, or whatever other form you choose to describe God. Immortal is Immortal. All-Knowing is All-Knowing, not Infinite knowledge (minus) knowledge concerning when the day of Judgement is. Anthropomorphism raises serious logical problems. Especially when you claim to be a monotheist and then believe in a God-man. That leads you closer to polytheism. Hindu doctrine concerning God is similar to Christianity, but it is accepted that Hinduism is polytheism, and Christianity is not.
Perhaps you should explain what John means by Jesus was born of God, and what the Church when it says Jesus is the literal son of God. This clearly is a Semitic metaphor taken literally in Greek. The trinity is a new idea introduced in the 1st century through heresy, of course with influence from the then pagan Roman Empire. All records of monotheism before Jesus only discuss the One God, without shape or form. There is ample evidence dating back from when writing first came about, roughly 3000BC.
Muslims don’t just use the word “Allah” in reference to God. Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh also use the Persian word “Khoda” to refer to God because of Persian influence in those regions of the world. Also, there are 99 names/attributes of God in Islam. Allah is simply one of those names/attributes. Please do your research instead of regurgitating/copy-pasting random “facts”.
Here are just few questions which I find confusing about this theory of “Jesus is son of God”
Do you agree with me that
1) the way Adam(a.s) was created is more miraculous than how Jesus (a.s)was created because a) he did not have a mother or a father & b) he was created from dust.
2) If the answer is yes , then don’t you think Adam(a.s) has more right than Jesus(a.s) to claim he is “the son of God”.
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. Quran Chapter 3 V 59.
Final question is when Christians say Jesus was God and he was crucified for our sin etc , etc. Does that mean human were able to kill God , how bizarre ?? Couldn’t he just protected himself by sending down lighting strike to kill all the people who tried to harm??