Jesus is Lord: A Conversation Between a Christian and a Muslim

I recently had an ongoing dialogue with a Muslim man I know from college on whether Jesus was a "man" in the worldly sense. I thought I would share it with you all...I pray that you are blessed by what God revealed to me through His Word during this two day discussion. As a friend recently wrote in his blog as Christians God commands us to "let our lights shine!" I attempted to do that here and I’m interested in reading your comments. Be blessed!!

Him:
"God is not a man" Numbers23:19; so Jesus can not be God.

Me:
Who said Jesus was a "man" like you or I? Jesus is the Messiah who was sent in the FORM of a "man" (flesh)...but He definitely was not a "man"! Jesus was, and remains, the Son of God (1 John 5). Plus, Numbers 23:19 did not proclaim (as you suggest) that God would never come forth in the form of flesh...what that passage of scripture you cite states are characteristics/qualities of God...namely, that God is not a liar and that God is perfection (the reason why there’s no need for God to repent because everything God does is perfect). The entirety of Numbers 23:19 states "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

Him:
Since you are convinced that God can be a man and a man can be God, just like the pagans of old. there is not much of anything that will convince you. Hopefully Jesus himself can persuade you. Read Matthew19:16-19. Here a man called Jesus good. Jesus refused to be called good and said only God should be called good. Jesus denied being called good, thus denying to be divine i.e. God. Also read Mark 12:29. Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment. He said that it is that "The Lord our God is one Lord." The key word is OUR. Meaning Jesus had a God which is one God and not a Trinity. Therefore he can never be God. Come to the truth and leave your former slave master’s religion alone. Follow Jesus but do not worship him.

Me:
That’s exactly what I did not say...meaning, I did not say God was a "man"...what I said was, that Jesus was not a "man" in the sense that Jesus was not like you or I. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is God manifested in flesh. So, Jesus and God are ONE in the same. As a Christian I believe in ONE God...I don’t believe that God is a trinity in the sense that there are three gods. What I believe is that ONE God is revealed (or manifested) to me, a follower and believer in God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Father in creation, the Son in redemption, and the Holy Spirit in resurrection – each define a characteristic of the ONE God). This is what is meant by the Holy Trinity.

Additionally, it’s dangerous to pick and choose incomplete portions of scripture and to not place the scripture in the correct historical context. In doing so a person may fallaciously represent the meaning of that scripture. With that being said, Matthew 19:16-19 states: "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." As you can see from the text, the man approached Jesus and called Him "Good Master." According to scholars, "Good Master" was a term used during those times to pay respect to the "elite" or "notable" men in society…for instance, a doctor or a priest might be referred to as a good master. In QUESTIONING why the man was calling him a "Good Master," Jesus was NOT REJECTING that He was the Son of God. Jesus was correcting the man and informing him that he (Jesus) was not a "Good Master" in the sense that he was no "elite man" of this world like the man had mistaken him to be. To put it in layman’s terms Jesus was basically calling the man out and saying, "Why did you call me good? Did you call me good because you think I’m a noteworthy man in this town because that’s not who I am! I’m so much more than that!!" Jesus then went on to explain to the man that the only ONE that is perfectly good is God. In doing so, again Jesus did not reject that He was the Son of God.

After the scribe asked Jesus which was the first commandment, Jesus answered in Mark 12:29 "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord;" Jesus goes on to quote the commandments…this was a quote of the laws that the Lord gave to Moses to proclaim to Israel. Jesus is quoting here (see Deuteronomy 5)…He’s not saying that He is not the Son of God. Read John 9:35-39 and take a look at http://www.everystudent.com/wires/whodoyousay.html.

God bless you!!

Him:
Sorry dear but you have lost the argument. If it was meant (Good Master) as a reference to the elites or Rabbis and not Jesus because he was much more than that. He would have said "why call me good master" and not "why call me good". In Hebrew Aramaic rabbi can be translated to master or teacher. This is a translation from Greek from the Aramaic text. I believe one must know this also. You can not just take things literally such as son of God. Anytime the scholars and lay men of that time would see a evil person. They would reference them to be the son of the devil. John8:44. If some was righteous according to God standard was call God’s son. Matthew 5:9. The act of having children is animal act. God is not a animal. Even the prophets are called the begotten son of God. Psalm 2:7. Like I said in the beginning of my last message you are already convinced so it is useless. The truth is throughout human history man has always tried to make God a man and even men God’s son. This belief is pagan! Greek and Roman pagan culture has been adopted by Christians so long ago that it has been forgotten. The lay person do not know this and when confronted with this information do not even care to investigate. Read this commandment (Deuteronomy 5:8) "...make not thee any graven image, or LIKENESS of any thing that is in the earth..." God is not begotten (parentless) and neither begets(childrenless). God is our Lord and only Lord and Savior. He is our Creator! May God bless you and be our guide.

Me:
Our dialogue, for me, was not an argument...it was not a point I was trying to make or get across...it was me sharing with you my truth...what I believe and what I know. Just as you stated, I think it’s important to not take "things" so literal and to place the text in context. That’s why I disagree with how you believe that Jesus would have responded if He was truly the Son of the Living God. The way YOU may have responded or what YOU think Jesus should have said is not the way that Jesus saw fit to respond...but I don’t believe that proves your point that Jesus was a man and not indeed ONE in the same with God for Jesus NEVER rejected that contention. I agree that Christians should not base their beliefs on one scripture where Jesus claims to be the Son of God....but that’s not what we have here. What we have is God’s Word...complete with the acknowledgment that Jesus was ONE in the same with God. From cover to cover as early as Genesis, God foretold His coming in an earthly form...He foretold Jesus’ entrance and departure from this world, thereby demonstrating His omniscience. Also, in calling Jesus THE Son of God I am not suggesting that God is a mammal like you or I who produces offspring in the worldly sense. That’s taking a "literal" meaning of the word "son" that was not intended. Jesus is referred to as the Son of God to demonstrate how God came to this world in an earthly form...we as Christians call that form the "son" and refer to God as the "father." Again, that’s not saying that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are not ONE in the same. I would also like to say that I think it’s important when trying to share God’s truth that I come from a place of compassion and love. The prayer in my heart and on my lips when I entered this dialogue with you was that I would share with you God’s Word...Interesting because I believe that in trying to share your truth (which I believe is what you were trying to do), you’ve repeatedly resulted to making attacks on me and my beliefs instead of just speaking what you believe to be true (i.e., referring to my beliefs as "pagan," saying that I need to "leave my former slave master’s religion alone," and suggesting that dialoguing with me on this issue is "useless"). I believe that such tactics serve only to turn people away...As a Christian I believe I can spread the gospel of Jesus Christ without attacking you and your beliefs. I just tell you what I know to be true about what I believe. I don’t pick up the Qur’an and demolish it piece by piece. I hold up my Bible and speak the Word of God to you...in love. No name calling...no belittling... Even though I know that in order to receive you must first believe (Mark 11:22-24)...and it’s clear because you practice Islam you don’t believe in what I do as a Christian, I would never attempt to share God’s Word with you by first acknowledging that everything I’m about to say is "useless" to you. In fact, the reason why I say it, the reason why I share is because I pray that it will be "useful" to you and bring you into a relationship with God unlike you’ve ever known. I do so because in fulfilling God’s plan for me to minister and witness to others I realize, "How can someone believe if they’ve never heard?" So, I wanted to share with you so that you would have the opportunity to hear the truth about Jesus Christ and not have a distorted image of Him and His true essence. I just thought I’d point that out to you. I am in no way offended by anything you’ve said and appreciated the dialogue. I will definitely keep you in my prayers...

Him:
You are right about the way I used the word "useless". Sharing God's truth with someone whether thay accept it or not, is never useless. I am the grandson of a Reverend. My mother is very religious. I was born into a devout Christian family. I was not resulting to insults when I mentioned that Christianity is mixed with paganism. Christian scholars themselves admit this. Some disagree about the level of paganism that is envolved. Also, this form of Christianity is the religion of our former slave masters. I grew up reading the Bible so I know this book very well. Maybe you should have a look at the Qur'an and break it down to me. I just believe you would be reading and learning the real Truth about God. As you can see I have read the word. You need to read God's word (The Qur'an). Take care and may God be our guide. Amen.

What's In a Name?

“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;”
[Romeo and Juliet: Act 2, Scene 2]

These are the oft-quoted famous words uttered by Juliet in that famous (or infamous, depending on whom you ask) Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. Although Juliet has a valid point, I think a name can be an important ingredient in providing direction. Thus I endeavor, in this -- my first -- blog posting, to explain the meaning behind the title of my blog: Moriah: Reflections on God’s Provision.

Why Moriah? The title of my blog was inspired by a powerful sermon delivered last Sunday by my Co-Pastor, Susie C. Owens, at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C. The topic for the sermon was, “What Happens When You Are In Over Your Head?” The text that inspired the message was Genesis 22, where God appeared to Abraham at Moriah and told him to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering unto the Lord (v. 1-2). Knowing that God would provide (v. 8), Abraham faithfully did as his Father commanded (v.9-10). Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, God spared Isaac’s life and provided a ram in his stead (v. 11-13). Abraham then called that place (Moriah) Jehovah-jireh, or the place where the Lord will provide (v. 14).

I’m sure a lot of us have heard the saying, “God will make a way.” If you’re into gospel music like me, you may have clapped your hands and stomped your feet while proclaiming, “Jesus will work it out, if you let him!” Well, the last year and a half that I have allowed God into my life and worked towards developing and strengthening my relationship with Him, I can say with confidence that God can and will provide for those who are faithful and obedient to Him. As I reflected on the last few months, I realized how time and time again God was shown me favor. And when I think of where God brought me from and how He has truly provided for me, I could think of no better title for my blog. After all, my life has been a true testament of just how God provides!

I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve been learning and what I continue to learn from the Lord as He continues to direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6); all the while giving God the glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). I desire for this blog to reflect God’s provision in my life and it is my desire that Moriah: Reflections on God’s Provision will encourage and inspire you to relinquish all control, live by faith, and watch as God provides!!