I do not know how much this site speaks for the main body of Islamic belief, but it records what I have understood from Muslims with respect to Jesus and His mission. Needless to say, it contradicts our scripture in major ways, and yet at the same time there are some important concurrences. Which is not to imply that Christianity=Islam or vice versa--merely to say that there are some surprising points of confluence.
We Muslims believe that one day the Antichrist will come, and then Jesus will descend from the heavens and slay him, and will live among the Muslims and rule them. During those times the earth shall be filled with justice and blessing. . .
Jesus will come again, and will marry and have children, and live for 40 years among us. And soon after he dies, the Day of Judgment will come.
These are just some thoughts peripheral to the discussion being carried on at Disputations regarding the article on the conduct of Cardinal McCarrick at a recent meeting. It is always good to know, as well as we can, the contours of the land.
It's interesting that they use the term Immaculate Conception as Jesus's conception not Mary's. Of course, so do a lot of Christians and even under-catechized Catholics.
It's chilling to me that the Koran relates the story of the birth of Jesus so similarly to the birth of Ishmael as related in the Bible. See Genesis 16:7.
Dear Psalm41,
It is not so chilling when one considers that the Qu'ran is a sacred text that derives from the descendants of Ishmael. Traditionally, Arabs are descended from Ishmael, so that the birth of Jesus would be more related to Ishmael than to say Moses.
I don't know what to make of it, but the site has at least one discussion of what Muslims believe. Given the strife between factions (Shi'ites seem not to care for Sunnis, Wahabbis seem not to care for either , and all three don't seem to have much truck with Sufis), I doubt the belief is monolithic.
But this connection might tell you why similar features of the stories are emphasized.
shalom,
Steven
No comment on this post--just saying hello. I've been absent from St Blog's for quite a while, and wanted to poke my nose in.
Hope all is well...
Brian
Dear Kairos Guy,
Always good to hear that you are back. Thanks for dropping by with a note.
shalom,
Steven
Steven,
Thanks for your comments. It's always a pleasure to read your replies. I was aware that Mohammed claimed to be a descendant of Ishamel. In Genesis 16:12, an angel of the Lord said to Hagar, Ishmael's mother, "....He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." I doubt very much if that part of Bible scripture is contained in the Koran. In the most kindest, gentlest terminology, Islam is heresy.
Ugh, pardon my grammatical brain burp above.
Dear Psalm41,
I don't think I meant to imply anything else. But heresy is simply true theology out of balance. Within the heresy is the kernel of the truth, and the heretic can still see some of the truth. That Muslims can recognize Jesus as something other than the ordinary, that they do see a special role for Him in God's salvation plan is a telling detail.
My concern is only to look at places where we might effectively communicate and attempt to honor the position of a person truly dedicated to honoring and serving God. I tire of the endless combat that comes in the name of religion. And I tire of hearing about how terrible all of Islam is.
Yes, there are terrible elements in Islam, I cannot deny the Wahhabi's and the internicine strife. But I look at the History of Christianity and recall that at one time the religion was in its childhood and we had all manner of horrible internicine wars, all seemingly in the name of Christ.
What I would like to encourage is not embracing heresy, but attempting to understand what a Muslim believes about Jesus and seeing what we have as common ground. (Admittedly not much.) But from there seeking to help and understand and honor and respect the person who clings to this system of belief. This person, who is a child of God and who, will be saved by the saving power of Christ.
Yes, I would like to correct the ideas and wash away the misapprehensions that appear to pock much of what I understand of Islamic theology; however, I first would rather love the person for the integrity of their belief and for their dignity as human persons and brothers in the Lord.
I go on too long, but I think I'm trying to say that if you see sympathy here, it is not for the ideas, but for the people who hold them. They may not see our kinship, but we are all children of God.
shalom,
Steven