December 15, 2002, Vol.1, No.22.

Part 7 on Islamism

Jesus, The Son of God

(1) We have eliminated most theological studies in schools across the nation, yet the one remaining vestige of religious education is in the venerable Comparative Religion course. Our young people have taken these, perhaps, in the misguided notion that they might receive some remnant of religious training.

(2) Often this is not the case. Rather the courses are often an exercise attempting to establish that all religions are the result of man’s folly and are essentially the same. Thus, they often serve as a discouragement against religion generally. They also can serve as food for the notion that Christianity is just one among many and thus no better as a religion, but perhaps worse as a religious choice. Many come away with the notion that Christianity is merely the result of countless cultural choices, many of them bad, Thus zeal in Christianity is pointless, if not counterproductive and devotion is the pap of the uneducated, unsophisticated and the antithesis of the cosmopolitan.

(3) While there are some similarities that can be found in all religions that will make them subject to comparison, the conclusion that Christianity is somehow just another alternative means of worshipping God is definitely not true. The error of Mohammed is essentially this same error. Mohammedanism accepts the existence of Jesus and his status as an inspired prophet. His teachings are held as inspired as are the teaching of the Jews and others. Thus, Mohammedanism suggests that Mohammed was merely the final act in a succession of prophets of which Jesus was merely a predecessor. Consequently, this religion thinks it has achieved some moral high ground by accepting Jesus as inspired, while ultimately rejecting the thrust of his message. It makes the same error as the comparative religion courses.

(4) Jesus is not just another prophet. Jesus was not "merely" a man, "inspired" (neither in the comparative Moslem sense nor contemptuously used in the Modernist and atheistic camps) in the same sense as other men. Jesus was the Son of God. That has changed everything.

(5) At the Transfiguration, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, Peter makes the same mistake that these above make:

"And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Mark 9: 5-7)

(6) Peter’s obvious error was to put Jesus on a plane with Moses and Elijah. Both were men. Both were prophets. Jesus was in an entirely different class than this and not merely by a degree better. He was the Son of God.

(7) Jesus is elsewhere called the "only begotten Son." If the term "Son of God" were being used here in the sense that all obedience men are called the "sons of God," (John 1:12; 10:34) then the statement’s of the Father are completely misplaced. If Jesus is a son of God in that sense of "obedient man" then Moses and Elijah were also Sons of God. If that were the sense, the only question would be one of degree or importance. For that matter the argument in the Moslem mind would also argue that Mohammad was a prophet of the same order as these three and superior by virtue that he was last in line or received some superior message. God stifles that surmising by indicating in this instance that the issue is not one of degree, but that Jesus was of another order entirely. This was the Son of God, only begotten.

(8) Jesus, the acknowledged prophet of the Moslem, validates Peter’s statement concerning him.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

(9) Jesus is again distinguished from other men and from the prophets. He is clearly signaled as the Son of God in an entirely different sense than that which might identify other men as sons.

(10) If Jesus were truly a prophet as accepted by Mohammed then his statements would have to be understood as also true. Jesus says, not only that he was inspired, but that his apostles would be inspired by the same source:

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you….12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:7-15).

(11) In this statement Jesus has validated the sayings and writings of these men who followed him as inspired by the same source as himself. Jesus identifies himself as the "only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) The apostle John validates this in other places (1 John 4:9, John 1:18). Jesus cannot be accepted as a prophet without accepting his statement. He was the ONLY begotten. This identifies him as unique from all others who might, for various reasons, be called sons of God. Jesus statement as a prophet validates John, his apostle, when he says he was the "only" begotten. This establishes Jesus in unique position. Mohammed’ claims of being a prophet pale beside this statement. Since he has admitted the validity of Jesus claim to be inspired, he and his followers cannot now invalidate the statements of men that they have self-acknowledged were inspired.

(12) This does not even begin to gauge the manifold instances when those empowered and validated by Jesus identify him as God, the son of God, such as John 1.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

(13) Jesus statements, on their face, are mutually exclusive of all others. There is no room for a toleration of other religions. If it be true that Jesus is the "only" Son of God, then that "only Son" would not tolerate the worship of other Gods or competing religions worshipping His Father.

(14) Paul says, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8-9).

This is a statement of exclusivity that generates from the fact that Jesus is acknowledged as the only Son of God. In this day of cosmopolitanism and religious enlightenment this statement is viewed as bigoted and short-sighted. The Moslem religion cannot accept this statement as it will immediately rule out any future effort by such as Mohammed and others. Another prophet could not possibly arise speaking anything other than those things reported by Jesus and validated by him. All others were discredited immediately, because Jesus was the "ONLY begotten Son of God.

(15) Peter’s statement also affirms this exclusivity of power.

"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

(16) To reiterate the obvious, "neither is there salvation in any other." This statement stems from the poverty of any other’s sacrifice. None other could offer the perfect sacrifice. None other could offer such a great sacrifice. Again here is a religion that will brook no other claimants, because of its very nature.

(17) This Paul writes in Ephesians 4. Please note that his statements stem from the same logic that the Moslems had admitted. If there be a unity of the Spirit, which is our "given axiom" then it must also be true that these things are so.

"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

(18) By admitting Jesus as a prophet, all claim of Mohammed is lost. There can only be one body, and one Lord because of the unity of the Spirit.

(19) Once these basic axioms are postulated that Jesus is inspired the remainder follows with it. Those Jesus by inspiration identifies as inspired must also be speaking the truth. Because of his claims none other may apply. If the Only Son of God speaks all others would be only pale shadows and undeserving of a following. In fact all contradictory notions are identified as a lie.

(20) 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:1-3)

(21) No religion is comparative with Christianity. Any prophet with another gospel is accursed. When the son speaks there is no middle ground for compromise. There are not to be three tabernacles of remembrance. There is only one body, because there is only one head.