UNITY OF ESSENCE OR PURPOSE?

KNOTS UNKNOTTED

CONTENTS:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. INTRODUCTION A MUSLIMS VIEW OF JESUS (P.B.U.H) ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUOTATIONS NOT A SINGLE STATEMENT THE CONTEXT A GOLDEN OPPURTUNITY ETERNAL LIFE ONENESS OF PURPOSE EVEN AS WE ARE ONE PERFECT RECONCILIATION THE SECOND CHARGE DEVILS ADVOCATE SON OF GOD A TITLE THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION:

Islam and Christianity are two of the worlds major religions, each claiming a following of more than a quarter of humanity. The original founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ (p.b.u.h) is revered as a great prophet in the house of Islam. Muslims believe that God Almighty sent several prophets and messengers on the face of the Earth and that Jesus (p.b.u.h) was one of them. Jesus (p.b.u.h) preceding the last and final prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was sent for the reformation of the Jews who were under Roman rule. In that scenario, they were expecting and praying for the arrival of their Messiah, whom they would declare their king and who would reform them spiritually. Their prayers were answered and their hopes materialized in the form of the advent of this great prophet, Jesus (p.b.u.h). But instead of joyfully excepting this sincere man as a true messenger sent by God, they hardened their hearts and rejected him. As it is mentioned in the Bible, He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (Gospel of John ch1: v11)

He showed them many mighty miracles including giving life to the dead and healing the blind by Gods permission but many started accusing him of madness and that he was possessed by a devil. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? (Gospel of John ch10: v20) On one occasion, when the learned people of his time heard that he has healed a person possessed by a devil who was also blind and dumb, they asserted that it was by the prince of the devils that he was performing such amazing miracles. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (Gospel of Mathew ch12: v22-24) But Jesus (p.b.u.h) assured them that it was Gods mighty hand that was working behind such miracles. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Gospel of Mathew ch12: v28) But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (Gospel of Luke ch11: v20) But their rebelliousness knew no bounds and they even accused him of blasphemy. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (Gospel of John ch10: v33) Jesus Christ (p.b.u.h) seeing that they utterly rejected him, disobeyed him, persisted in their excesses and held on to their extreme formalism, cursed them. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Gospel of Mathew ch12: v34) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment,

mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Gospel of Mathew ch23: v23) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Gospel of Mathew ch23: v33) The Jews treated him as an imposter and a false prophet who by deceit was trying to mislead his chosen disciples and those who excepted him as a true prophet by showing them his miracles. Later their grudge materialized in the form of a devilish plot to kill him by getting him crucified. But God Almighty in His Divine Wisdom and Power raised him in to the heavens to Himself and saved him from a humiliating death on the cross.

A MUSLIMS VIEW OF JESUS (P.B.U.H):

Islam happens to be of the only non Christian faith which makes it an article of faith for its followers to believe in Jesus (p.b.u.h). No Muslim is a Muslim if he/she doesnt believe in Jesus (p.b.u.h). Muslims believe that he was, one of the mightiest messengers of God. He was born miraculously to the virgin Mary (p.b.u.h) without any male intervention. He is the Messiah (Maseeh Christ). He was given a Revelation - Injeel. He performed many miracles including giving life to the dead, healing those born blind and the lepers by Gods permission. God saved him from a humiliating death on the cross or simply that he was not crucified. And the Muslims expect his supernatural return.

From the above mentioned beliefs of a Muslim it should be obvious that he is closest to the Christian with regards to the concept of Jesus (p.b.u.h). However, the only point of real difference between a Muslim and a Christian is that the Christian says that he is God incarnate, the second person of Trinity as God the son and the begotten son of God. The Muslim says that God does not incarnate, is absolutely one not part of a Trinity and that He doesnt beget.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUOTATIONS:

As has been initially discussed that the Jews made several charges against Jesus (p.b.u.h) and one such charge was that of blasphemy. In contrast to the Jewish accusation, the Christians believe that it was no blasphemy and that he was really God Almighty in human flesh. Support for this doctrine stems from the belief that he actually claimed it. Thus, Christians in point of conformation to this belief quote several verses from the Bible some of which

are the sayings of Jesus (p.b.u.h). In doing so, they claim his divinity. One such verse which happens to be one of the most commonly and widely quoted is, I and my Father are one. (Gospel of John ch10: v30) The interpretation given to this verse is that Jesus (p.b.u.h) is claiming oneness of essence with God Almighty and hence, is himself God incarnate. However, to understand the Holy Bible and as such any other religious book some rules should be kept in mind. One should not ignore the context of a verse i.e. the text that goes before and after that verse. Secondly, ones interpretation should be inter-textual i.e. interpreting a verse in the light of other verses in the same book.

NOT A SINGLE STATEMENT:

Before discussing the verse in question in its context, it must be stated that Divinity of Christ (p.b.u.h) is a major doctrine of Christian faith. So, in that case the evidence supporting it should also be crystal clear. But surprisingly there happens to be not a single, straight forward, unequivocal and unambiguous statement in the whole Bible, in the 73 books of the Roman Catholics and 66 books of the Protestants, in any version, where Jesus (p.b.u.h) himself says that, I am God or worship me. On the contrary there are many of his sayings which prove the opposite. Some of which must be quoted here. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (Gospel of John ch17: v3)

for my Father is greater than I. (Gospel of John ch14: v28) I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (Gospel of John ch5: v30) It is mentioned in the Book of Acts, Peter, his disciple says, Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Book of Acts ch2: v22) So, he was a man chosen by God to deliver His Message and the miracles he performed was not his own but which God did by him.

THE CONTEXT:
After developing a background from the previous discussion we may move forward in analyzing the verse in its context. The incident from which the verse has been taken is mentioned in the Gospel of John chapter 10 and reads as follows in the New International Version of the Bible, Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomons Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus answered, I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Fathers name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Fathers hand. I and the Father are one. Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me? We are not stoning you for any good work, they replied, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I have said you are gods? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God cameand Scripture cannot be set asidewhat about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, I am Gods Son? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. (Gospel of John ch10: v22-39)

A GOLDEN OPPURTUNITY:
As has been previously mentioned, the Jews plotted and planned against Jesus (p.b.u.h). But most of the time when he performed his miracles he was surrounded by his disciples and by the public who after witnessing his mighty works which he performed by Gods leave, excepted him. Furthermore, Jesus (p.b.u.h) have been accusing them for their unbelief and their hearts moved even farther away from his Message therefore, they were in search for an opportunity to seize him when he was alone. Jesus (p.b.u.h) was walking all alone by himself in the Temple of Jerusalem. This was their golden opportunity. Hence, they surrounded him and started making false charges against him so that later they might have an excuse to kill him. The first charge they made against him was that he has been talking ambiguously. If he was the Christ, why he doesnt say so plainly. So, he answered them saying he had already told them that he was the Messiah and there was no use repeating the same thing again and again because they didnt believe him in the first place. They were in no mode for a dialogue or a debate

they were looking for a fight therefore, it was obvious that they will not be satisfied by any explanation. The miracles that he performed in Gods name bore witness of his truthfulness but they were not to believe him in any circumstance because their attitude was in contrast to that of his true followers who listened to his voice and followed him.

ETERNAL LIFE:
Jesus (p.b.u.h) after mentioning the faithfulness of his followers said that he gave them Eternal life and they shall never perish. Now at this point one may rationally argue that the act of giving Eternal life is limited to God alone and hence, by expressing his ability to give Eternal life to his followers he was claiming divinity. However, to know what Eternal life actually means one must refer to other passages of the bible. Jesus (p.b.u.h) says, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (Gospel of John ch17: v3) So, Eternal life means to believe that God Almighty is the only true God and Jesus (p.b.u.h) is the Christ and messenger of that God. Moreover, Jesus (p.b.u.h) was given the authority to convey this knowledge to his followers as he was a messenger sent by God.

ONENESS OF PURPOSE:
On further reading the passage, Jesus (p.b.u.h) says that no one can snatch his true followers out of his hand. God Almighty, who has given him his disciples, is greater than all and no one can snatch them out of Gods hand. When Jesus (p.b.u.h) is seeing to it that no one leads his true followers astray at the same time God Almighty is also looking after his followers so that no one is able to mislead them. It is this sense of unity of purpose that Jesus (p.b.u.h) makes the claim I and my Father are one i.e. in purpose and not in essence. If one were to reject the above interpretation, it would only give rise to more problems. If this verse is interpreted in the light of unity of essence then what about the verses which clearly show that God and Jesus (p.b.u.h) are two separate beings and that God is actually greater than Jesus (p.b.u.h). And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. (Gospel of John ch8: v16,17) God and Jesus (p.b.u.h) are separate as their testimonies are treated separately. And that God was greater than Jesus (p.b.u.h) as he himself testified. ..for my Father is greater than I.

(Gospel of John ch14: v28)

EVEN AS WE ARE ONE:

Even if one totally disregards the detailed explanation and the references mentioned in previous discussions and insist on taking the verse out of its context to assert Christs (p.b.u.h) unity with God Almighty then one must also interpret other verses in the same Gospel in the light of oneness of essence and not of purpose. Jesus (p.b.u.h) says, That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (Gospel of John ch17: v21-23) Jesus (p.b.u.h) spoke of his disciples as being one with him and with God Almighty. Notice the expressions, that they also may be one in us, that they may be one, even as we are one and that they may be made perfect in one. These expressions are much clearer and unequivocal that they may hardly need any explanation. If Jesus (p.b.u.h) is God caused he claimed oneness with Him then in the same breath all his chosen disciples should also be considered one with God. In that case they should all be considered as gods as they were made perfect in one with Jesus (p.b.u.h) and with God even as they were one. But, obviously no Christian would be willing to afford such an interpretation to this passage, which would then clearly reveal the inconsistency in interpretations of John ch10: v30 and John ch17: v21-23, on the part of the interpreter.

PERFECT RECONCILIATION:
What the passage in the Gospel of John ch17: v21-23 meant was the oneness of purpose. The light of Guidance, of Revelation and of morality which God gave to Prophet Jesus (p.b.u.h) was shared by him and his disciples. Gods purpose for the rectification and reformation of the Jews was shared by His Prophet (p.b.u.h) and his followers. His purpose was their purpose because they all had been rightly guided. It is in this sense of oneness of purpose that they all were one. If one interprets the statement, I and my Father are one, in this sense then it would be in perfect reconciliation with other passages of the Bible and hence, the contradictions in the inter-textual interpretations would then be removed. The passage further continues and is discussed and clarified in the following discussion.

THE SECOND CHARGE:

It was not over yet, the Jews just began warming up till the moment Jesus (p.b.u.h) made the statement, I and my Father are one. Now they found the chance to make their second false charge against him as they picked up stones to stone him. Their attitude surprised Jesus (p.b.u.h) as he failed to understand this unexpected reaction. He was speaking to them in their language and he didnt speak anything in their language that may amount to blasphemy. So, he questioned them that he had already shown them many miracles, was there any flaw in them that they might have an excuse to reject him? The Jews accused him that it was not on behalf of his miracles but for blasphemy as he being a mere man claimed to be God. Now he understood the reason behind their unexpected behavior. This was their second false charge against him for what he said. What was his reply to their accusation? Did he affirmed that he meant exactly what they misunderstood and their false charge against him was actually correct? And that he is one with God in essence? Instead of affirming that he was claiming divinity, he defended himself by quoting their own scripture, by saying that in their own Law people were called as gods. He was quoting from the Psalms ch82: v6, I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (Psalms ch82: v6) By doing so, he wanted to clarify that in their own Law people were called as gods and they took no exceptions to that then why are they accusing him of blasphemy just because he said that God set him apart as his very own and that he was Gods son. The fact that God set him apart means that He chose him as His messenger to convey His Message. Also, Jesus (p.b.u.h) wanted to assure them that whenever, he made such a statement it should always be taken as a figurative expression as is used in Psalms ch82: v6 and not in a literal sense.

DEVILS ADVOCATE:
It was almost a year back when I was having a discussion with a Christian, who probably belonged to a missionary, on the same topic. He quoted this verse and I started explaining and clarifying to him what Jesus (p.b.u.h) actually meant. The discussion came up to this point as our current discussion and he said that Jesus (p.b.u.h) actually claimed divinity but later he began playing the devils advocate and started defending himself by quoting passages from their scriptures. The discussion continued and we left on a good note. What he actually meant was that Jesus (p.b.u.h) was looking for a chance to evade the angry mob by quoting passages from their scripture in order to trick them. First of all, I dont think its befitting for a messenger of God to act in such a way. If he was God incarnate, what was the reason then to evade the discussion by way of confusing them because the Message was for them. Moreover, a righteous person would stand by the Truth in patient hope and constancy and

may not be afraid of the consequences even if it means to sacrifice his life. Neither did Jesus (p.b.u.h) wanted to run with the hare and hunt with the hound. His words were clear and are there in the Bible for every one to see. He defended himself by quoting their scripture with an example well known to them.

But, didnt he say the he was the son of God and God set him apart as His very own. The fact that God set him apart as his very own has been discussed previously. Many Christians hold that Jesus (p.b.u.h) by claiming the title Son of God claimed to be God Himself. However, in the Holy Bible, in the Old as well as the New Testament this title has been used for other prophets, for angels as well as for anyone who follows the path of righteousness. Following are ample references from the Old and the New Testament pointing to this fact. For Prophet Jacob (p.b.u.h), And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: (Book of Exodus ch4: v22) For Prophet Solomon (p.b.u.h), And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. (1st Chronicles ch28: v6) For Ephraim, They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. (Book of Jeremiah ch31: v9) For Prophet David (p.b.u.h), I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalms ch2: v7) For Prophet Adam (p.b.u.h), Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (Gospel of Luke ch3: v38) For Angels, Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (Book of Job ch1: v6) For anyone who is righteous,

SON OF GOD A TITLE:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Book of Romans ch8: v14) See also, Book of Job ch2: v1, ch38: v7, Book of Genesis ch6: v2, Book of Deuteronomy ch14: v1, Book of Hosea ch1: v10. Because, the Jews believed that God is absolutely one and had no wife and children therefore, the title ,son of God was used for a righteous person who because of his faithfulness and service to God is nearer to Him and under His Guidance just as a son is under his fathers supervision. son of God was taken in the sense of servant of God, because any literal attribution of a son to God was clearly sacrilegious in the sight of the Jews and breech of the first of the commandments, Thou shalt have none other gods before me. (Book of Deuteronomy ch5: v7)

Many Christians hold that the title Son of God should be taken to mean Servant of God when it refers to other prophets, to angels and righteous people. But, Jesus (p.b.u.h) was not like that and was unique in the sense that he was the begotten of God. God physically begot him and hence, the Christians refer to him as the only begotten son to make a distinction between him and others. Before mentioning the verse where Jesus (p.b.u.h) has been referred to as the only begotten son, it should be pointed out that begetting is an animal act and belongs to the lower animal functions of sex and we are not to attribute to God such an animal nature. The popular verse in the Gospel of John from the King James Version of the Bible is as follows, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Gospel of John ch3: v16, KJV) The phrase only begotten son does appear in the verse above but however, as previously mentioned this reference has been taken from the King James Version. Sir Winston Churchill said, The Authorized (King James) Version was first published in 1611 by the will and command of his majesty King James the 1st whose name it bears till today. (Sir Winston Churchill) However, later it was found out to have grave defects and which were so many and so serious that it called for a revision. Thus the King James Version was revised by 32 scholars of the highest eminence backed by 50 co-operating

THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON:

denominations and hence, the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was first published in its complete form in 1952. It was further re-revised and published in 1973 in its second complete form. This version claims to be in line with the most ancient manuscripts and more authentic and accurate than the King James Version. The verse in question from the Revised Standard Version read as follows, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (Gospel of John ch3: v16, RSV) Notice that the word begotten has been taken out. The actual word there was the Greek word Monogenes which in a phrase can mean the only one and NOT the only begotten. Therefore, the word begotten was removed as a fabrication, as an interpolation and as a concoction from the King James Version. Moreover, many of the newer versions produced as a result of revision have the word begotten taken out. The verse in the New International Version reads as follows, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Gospel of John ch3: v16, NIV) For the explanation of the expression son of God see previous discussion. God Almighty didnt wait for 2000 years for the Christian scholars to reveal this fabrication, He through the lips of His Final Messenger Muhammad (p.b.u.h) revealed in the Glorious Quran, He begets not nor is He begotten. (Surah Ikhlaas Surah 112: Ayah 3)

CONCLUSION:
Dear reader, I hope that you have gone thoroughly through this article and the references given in it. By now it should be obvious that Muslims regard Jesus (p.b.u.h) as one of the mightiest messengers of God. And it has also been discussed that he never claimed divinity as he was a messenger and some of the most commonly quoted verses to imply his divinity have been discussed in detail in their context and have been clarified. I, however, claim no originality for this work as it is based on the works of some of the well known scholars of comparative religion of our time. Affirming divinity to anyone besides the only True God is the greatest evil and the gravest sin anybody could do on this Earth. God Almighty is our Creator and He has certain rights over us that we worship only Him and associate no partners with Him. God Almighty can forgive any sin on the Day of Judgment that He wills but the sin of Shirk i.e. associating partners with Him, He would never forgive. Allah Almighty revealed in the Noble Quran that the act of attributing

divinity to Jesus (p.b.u.h) as an act of blasphemy and an unforgivable sin. Allah says in the Glorious Quran, They do blaspheme who say: "God is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship God, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with God,- God will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. (Surah Maidah 5: Ayah 72) On the Day of Judgment Allah Almighty will question Jesus (p.b.u.h), the son of Mary (p.b.u.h), if he taught his people to worship him and his mother alongside God. So, Jesus (p.b.u.h) will answer as it is mentioned in the Noble Quran, "Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'worship God, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things. (Surah Maidah 5: Ayah 117) I sincerely pray to Allah that He may Guide us all to the Straight path, give us courage and strength to stand up for the Truth and to worship Him in Truth. And that He may except this humble effort of mine.Ameen.Peace. (Dr. Abdul Moiz Ahmed Khan)