Christianity and Islam both share their roots in Judaism, with all three religions exhibiting notable similarities. They all profess monotheism, emphasizing the belief in a single God. Additionally, the historical narratives of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are interwoven, featuring key figures such as Adam, Eve, Noah, Moses, and Abraham, among others. However, the emergence of Jesus Christ marks a pivotal divergence point in their respective trajectories. Jesus Christ's birth and teachings triggered significant controversies that reverberate through the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Jesus, despite his Jewish heritage, encountered a notable rejection from a substantial segment of the Jewish community. This rejection primarily stemmed from the perception that he had not fulfilled crucial messianic prophecies [1]. The fundamental basis for Jewish skepticism regarding Jesus as the Messiah lies in his inability to usher in a state of global peace. Furthermore, Jesus was unable to facilitate the establishment of Jewish political sovereignty or provide protection against their primary adversary, the Romans, which were essential expectations associated with the Messianic figure.
In Christian doctrine, Jesus is revered as the Son of God who was crucified and sacrificed for the redemption of humanity, a belief rooted in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The majority of Christians worship Jesus as the incarnation of God the Son, identifying him as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
It is a subject of scholarly debate whether Paul can be seen as the true architect of Christianity. Many argue that without Paul's pivotal contributions, Christianity might not have attained its status as a global religion [2]. However, it is worth noting that Paul's writings offer relatively limited information about the life and crucifixion of Jesus, and he does not delve into detailed accounts of these aspects of Jesus' life.
Within Islam, Jesus is recognized as Isa. He holds the esteemed position of being a prophet, akin to other revered figures such as Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and numerous others, as highlighted in the Qur'an (2:136). Jesus' remarkable abilities, including performing miracles, are attributed to the permission of God, as stated in the Qur'an (5:110). The Islamic perspective on Jesus differs from that of Christianity, as most Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was instead raised to God [3].
The teachings about Jesus in Muslim and Christian traditions frequently diverge, resulting in a variety of contrasting beliefs, narratives, and viewpoints [4]. These distinct accounts are notably not found in the Qur'an itself but are rather located in the Hadith (Muslim traditions) and other Muslim literature. This blog's primary objective is to delve into the depiction of Jesus in the Talmud, Bible and Quran. Additionally, it aims to examine the various beliefs held by Muslims regarding the true identity of Jesus; Jesus the Prophet and Jesus the Rebel.
References
1. Rivkin (1971)
2. Akenson (2000)
3. Khalidi (2001)
4. Lawson (2009)
