Muslims may reference various verses from the Bible in discussions with Christians, particularly when discussing theological points or prophetic figures. Here are a few examples of scriptures from the Bible that Muslims might cite:
The Christian response to the Muslim interpretation of these scriptures would typically involve providing alternative interpretations based on Christian theology and understanding of the context of these passages. Here’s how Christians might respond:
- Deuteronomy 18:18: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.”
Christians interpret this verse as a prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, not Muhammad. They argue that Jesus fulfills this prophecy as the ultimate prophet who speaks the words of God and perfectly represents Him. In the New Testament, Jesus is often referred to as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, including those found in Deuteronomy.
Genesis 25:13-15 (NIV):
“These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps.”
Kedar is often mentioned in association with other Arabian tribes in the Old Testament. For example, in Isaiah 21:16-17, Kedar is referenced along with other nomadic tribes:
“For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.”
Kedarites religious culture was characterized by the worship of multiple deities, often associated with natural phenomena, celestial bodies, and tribal gods. It’s likely that the Kedarites, like other Arab tribes of the region, worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
While the Quran does not specifically mention the names of these prophets, Hud, Saleh, Shu’ayb. Islamic scholars and historians have identified these individuals from Ishmael’s lineage who are considered prophets in Islamic tradition.
Prophet Muhammad, who lived in the 6th and 7th centuries CE. Therefore, the lifetimes of Hud, Saleh, and Shu’ayb are often considered to be many centuries before the time of Muhammad. Jesus lived in the 1st century.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, there are no prophets named Hub, Saleh, or Shu’ayb. The Old Testament primarily focuses on the history, laws, poetry, and prophetic messages of the Israelites and their relationship with God.
The prophets mentioned in the Old Testament include well-known figures such as Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, but none of them bear the names Hub, Saleh, or Shu’ayb. These names are associated with figures in Islamic tradition, particularly in relation to prophets sent to ancient Arabian tribes, but they are not found in the biblical texts of the Old Testament.
- John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Muslims may argue that the “advocate” or “comforter” mentioned here refers to Prophet Muhammad, whom they believe was predicted by Jesus.
John 16:12-14: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” Similar to the previous verse, Muslims may interpret this passage as a reference to Prophet Muhammad as the “Spirit of truth” who would come after Jesus.: Christians believe that these passages refer to the Holy Spirit, not Muhammad. They understand the “advocate” or “comforter” mentioned by Jesus to be the Holy Spirit, who would come after Jesus’ departure to guide and empower the believers. Christians see the Holy Spirit as part of the triune God, along with the Father and the Son. John 14:26 states “But the Comforter(Advocate), which is the Holy Ghost,”
John 14:25(KJV):
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
John 14:26 (NIV):
“But the Comforter(Advocate), which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
- Galatians 1:8-9: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Muslims might use this verse to argue against the divinity of Jesus or the concept of the Trinity. Christians would argue that this passage is not relevant to the question of the divinity of Jesus or the Trinity but rather addresses the importance of adhering to the true gospel message. They would emphasize that the gospel proclaimed by the apostles centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who offers salvation through faith in Him.
Matthew 28:19: This verse is known as the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs his disciples to baptize new believers “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This passage presents all three persons of the Trinity together.
2 Corinthians 13:14: This verse, often used in Christian liturgy, includes a Trinitarian benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Again, all three persons of the Trinity are mentioned.
- Mark 12:29: “Jesus answered, ‘The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This verse emphasizes the oneness of God, which aligns with Islamic belief in monotheism, Monotheism is the belief in the existence of only one God or a single, supreme deity. Christians agree with the emphasis on the oneness of God but interpret it within the framework of the Trinity. They believe in one God who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Christians would assert that while emphasizing the oneness of God, this verse does not negate the concept of the Trinity but rather complements it, refer back to Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14
In responding to these interpretations, Christians may also highlight the broader theological framework of their faith, including the doctrine of the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the centrality of His redemptive work in Christian salvation. The aim would be to engage in respectful dialogue, explaining their beliefs while also listening to and understanding the perspectives of Muslims.
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