Chrislam / ˈkrɪslɑːm / (The Will of God Mission, The True Message of God Mission, Oke Tude or Ifeoluwa Mission) is a Nigerian syncretic religion which mixes elements of Christianity and Islam. Founded by Tela Tella in the 1970s, the sect predominantly exists in Lagos, Nigeria. Its followers recognize both the Bible and the Qur’an as holy texts, and practice "running deliverance," a distinctive practice of spiritual running which members liken to Unanswered questions from last week: What is Chrislam?
Transcript
Chrislam /ˈkrɪslɑːm/ (The Will of God Mission, The True Message of God Mission, Oke Tude or Ifeoluwa Mission) is a Nigerian syncretic religion which mixes elements of Christianity and Islam.Founded by Tela Tella in the 1970s, the sect predominantly exists in Lagos, Nigeria. Its followers recognize both the Bible and the Qur’an as holy texts, and practice "running deliverance," a distinctive practice of spiritual running which members liken to Joshua's army circling Jericho, or the Muslim practice of circumambulating the Kaaba.
Unanswered questions from last week: What is Chrislam?
Without reviewing everything from last week: The Islamic view of Allah controls all other doctrines.
Their view of Allah as a singular, indivisible Spirit without real connection to his creation prohibits the incarnation.
Their view of divine sovereignty and human freedom when combined with a low views of Sin prohibits a need for atonement.
With this in mind, lets move to tonight’s question.
What does Islam say about Jesus, the Cross, and the Gospel?
Most of what the Qur’an says about Jesus falls in two areas: 1. Birth and infant narratives about Jesus. 2. Statements from Allah or Jesus concerning controversies either contemporary with Jesus or Mohammad.
Let’s look at representatives of these passages.
"Verily, the likeness of Jesus in God's Sight is the likeness of Adam. He (Allah) created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!'-and he was" --The Qur’an 3:59
During the time of Muhammad, most of the “Christians” living in what is now the Arabian Peninsula were Nestorians who used the term God-bearer for Mary. This was understood by Arabs as God being physical involved in the conception of Jesus. In short most Muslims are surprised to know that Christians believe Jesus was virgin born.
"Relate in the Book the story of Mary, when she withdrew from her family, to a place in the East. She screened herself from them; then We sent to her Our spirit (angel Gabriel) and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She said: I seek refuge from you in God Most Gracious (come not near) if you do fear God. He said: Nay, I am only a Messenger from your Lord, to announce to you the gift of a pure son. She said: How shall I have a son, when no man has ever touched me, and I am not unchaste? He said: So it will be, your Lord says: ‘That is easy for Me; and We wish to appoint him as a sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': It was a matter so decreed" --The Qur’an 19:16-21
While the portion of Sura 19 we just read is very similar to Matthew or Luke, the passage goes on…
“It came about that she [Mary] brought him [baby Jesus] to her people…. [They accused her of lewd behavior which she allowed the baby to answer.] Then she pointed to him. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?' He [Jesus] said: ‘Verily! I am the servant of God, He has given me a Book and made me a Prophet; " --The Qur’an 19:27-30
"People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and attribute to God nothing except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He bestowed upon Mary, and a Spirit from Him. So believe in God and in His Messengers, and do not say: ‘God is Three.' Give up this assertion; it would be better for you. God is indeed just One God. Far be it from His glory that He should have a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth. God is sufficient for a guardian" --The Quran 4:171
What is Islamic teaching about the Cross?
Before we look at the one passage of the Qur’an which addresses the Cross, sin is dealt with by Allah’s sovereign choice of who He will show mercy and punishment. He has no need of a savior for mankind. Allah prohibits substitutionary atonement.
“No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to [carry some of] its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative. You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen and have established prayer. And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for [the benefit of] his soul. And to Allah is the [final] destination.--The Qur’an 35: 18
“that they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus son of Mary, the messenger of Allah,’ -- but they killed him not, nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that was shown to them. And those differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge. But only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not.– Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power and wise;" --The Qur’an 4:157-8
So what does the Qur’an say about the cross of Jesus?
They boast, who say…
They killed…
Did the Jews succeed in eliminating Jesus?
Only a likeness of that was shown them…
What about the Gospel?
"Then will Allah say: ‘O Jesus the son of Mary! recount My favor to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit so that you did speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Torah [of Moses] and the Enjiil [Gospel]. And behold: you made out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and you breathed into it, and it becomes a bird by My leave, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My leave. And behold! you brought forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the children of Israel when you did show them the Clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.‘”--The Qur’an 5:110
"Then will Allah say: ‘O Jesus the son of Mary! recount My favor to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit so that you did speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Torah [of Moses] and the Enjiil [Gospel]. And behold: you made out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and you breathed into it, and it becomes a bird by My leave, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My leave. And behold! you brought forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the children of Israel when you did show them the Clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.‘”--The Qur’an 5:110
• The word Injil occurs twelve times in the Quran and usually refers to the book of God’s teaching given to Jesus. Muslim believe the Injil was God’s book sent down to Jesus in the same way the Qur’an was given to Mohammad.
• These books were entirely God speaking and were delivered to the prophet or messenger by Gabriel usually called the Holy Spirit in the Qur’an.
• These books were given in the local language to warn that specific people. However the Book of Jesus named with a Greek word Injiil, for an Aramaic speaking people.
Of course, there is no record or indication of a book sent to Jesus. Most Muslims believe the Qur’an teaches the the message of Jesus was lost or corrupted"Know they not Allah Knoweth what they conceal and what they reveal? And there are among them illiterates, who know not the Book but (see therein their own) desires, and they do nothing but conjecture. Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: ‘This is from Allah,’ to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.” --The Qur'an 2:77-79
This passage does not teach that the Bible is corrupt but that Christian and Jewish teachers are corrupt.
The Qur’an actually implies the reliability of the Christian Bible.
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.--The Quran, 5: 46
“Let the People of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein” -- The Qur'an 5:47
“To thee (Muhammad) We sent the book in truth confirming the book that came before it, and guarding it in safety.” --The Qur’an 5:48
[Allah commands Mohammad to say] “I believe in the Book (of the People of the Book) which God has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you....”-- The Qur'an 42:15
