Do Christians Lose Jesus and Christianity When They Embrace Islam?
When it comes to the question of whether Christians lose their faith in Jesus and Christianity by embracing Islam, the answer is nuanced. While it is true that Islam views Jesus as a prophet, not as a divine figure, this belief is fundamentally at odds with the core tenets of Christianity.
The Concept of Jesus in Christianity and Islam
Christianity and Islam share a common belief in Jesus (known as Isa in Islam) as a prophet, but they diverge significantly in their understanding of his role and status. In Christianity, Jesus is revered as the Son of God and the incarnation of the Word of God. This belief is rooted in the New Testament and is encapsulated in the opening lines of the Gospel of Matthew, which begins with the phrase, 'The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.'
Islam, however, does not subscribe to the concept of Jesus' divinity. The Quran is clear about this, stating, 'They do not speak about God but vanity, and they think that by deceiving others they will be led nearer to Paradise. (Their reckoning is) rather unpleasant for the people in parades!' (Sura Al-Ma'idah: 70).
The Historical and Religious Context
The gulf between these beliefs arises partly from the historical development of each religion. Islam emerged out of the context of Arianism, a heresy in early Christianity that denied the full divinity of Jesus. Arianism declared that Jesus was a created being, rather than the divine Son of God.
This divergence in beliefs means that when a Christian embraces Islam, they are indeed embracing a view of Jesus that significantly differs from the Christian perspective. The Jesus of the Quran is presented as a righteous prophet, but not in the same divinity-driven, savior-like manner that is central to Christianity.
Historical and Critical Analysis
From a historical and critical perspective, the differences between the depictions of Jesus in the Quran and the New Testament are substantial. The New Testament documents, such as the four Gospels, are considered some of the earliest and most reliable sources for historical information about the life and teachings of Jesus. These are compiled from various sources, including Mark, Matthew, Luke, and Q, each contributing unique information and perspectives.
In contrast, the Quran's account of Jesus and his mother, Mary, is generally considered to be from a later period. Historical and source criticism reveal that many of the stories in the Quran about Jesus are derived from Gnostic writings and other early Islamic traditions. For instance, the story of Jesus creating birds from clay and giving them life, or the story of Jesus prophesying the coming of Muhammad, are not found in the New Testament and appear to be later additions.
Thus, when a Christian decides to embrace Islam, they are relinquishing not just the beliefs of their Christian faith, but also the historical and cultural context in which they understand Jesus' life and message. This means abandoning the New Testament depiction of Jesus and embracing a view that emphasizes his prophetic role rather than his divine status.
Conclusion
In summary, while Islam acknowledges Jesus as a revered prophet, the core Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the path to salvation is fundamentally incompatible with Islamic theology. When a Christian embraces Islam, they do indeed lose their past understanding of Jesus and Christianity, embracing a new framework that presents a different and more prophetic, rather than divinity-driven, portrayal of Jesus.