Unbelievable? Classic: Who is Jesus in Islam vs Jesus in Christianity Mustafa Akyol vs Richard Shumack
Aug 5, 2025
Mustafa Akyol, author of The Islamic Jesus, champions a view of Jesus in Islam as a prophet without divinity, challenging extremist interpretations, while Richard Shumack, who wrote Jesus Through Muslim Eyes, defends early Christian worship of Jesus. They explore the profound theological differences and shared reverence for Jesus between Islam and Christianity. The conversation dives into historical contexts and contemplates bridging divides through constructive disagreement, emphasizing the potential for mutual understanding and respect among faiths.
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Early Christianity's Christology Debate
- Early Christianity had divisions on Jesus' divinity, with groups like Jewish Christians having a lower Christology.
- Islam's view of Jesus echoes these early, non-divine conceptions of him as a prophet and messiah.
Jerusalem Church's Jesus View
- The earliest Jerusalem church, led by James, likely viewed Jesus as Messiah but not divine, similar to views in Islamic tradition.
- This Jewish Christianity contrasts with Pauline Christianity which emphasized Jesus' divinity and law departure.
Origins of Quranic Christology
- Muhammad likely learned about Jesus from various oral Christian and Jewish traditions around him, shaping Quranic Christology.
- Quranic Jesus reflects a rejected divinity and sacrificial death, common objections rather than novel ideas.
