Published: January 05, 2007 08:17 am      

Reader responds to letter stating Muslims’ view of Christmas

Dr. Anis Ansari’s letter thoughtfully described Christmas from the Muslim perspective. I appreciate his desire to inform the non-Muslim reader of Islamic perspective and practices regarding Christmas, which are cultural, and may vary within families and countries.

However, his description of Christmas, more specifically his description of what the Quran teaches about Jesus Christ, is very different from what the Bible teaches.

Dr. Ansari stated Muslims believe very strongly in Jesus Christ. But is the Jesus described by Dr. Ansari and the Jesus described in the Bible the same person?

Jesus is one of 25 noble prophets mentioned by name in the Quran. The Bible teaches very clearly that Jesus Christ is not one of the prophets, but rather the creator of all, including the prophets.

One of the Biblical prophets, Isaiah, wrote of Jesus 700 years before his birth. He presented him not as a prophet, but as God in human flesh (Isaiah 9:6). And in foretelling the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), Isaiah was stating very clearly the coming one would be not merely a prophet, but God Himself.

The apostles John and Paul wrote concerning Jesus’ power (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17). The Bible clearly delineates the distinction between Jesus and the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The apostle Thomas, having seen and touched Jesus’ wounds after his resurrection, said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus himself testified he was God, stating, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Those who heard him understood he was claiming to be God, and they took up stones to stone him.

No man, prophet or otherwise, ever did the things Jesus did: Demons tremble before him, and he cast them out with a word. At his command storms ceased and seas were stilled. He gave the blind sight, made the lame walk and raised the dead. He astounded those who heard him teach and taught as one with absolute authority, claiming, among other things, to forgive sins, to have always existed and that he would one day judge the world. Only God could legitimately say the things Jesus said, and only God could do the things Jesus did.

The true meaning of Christmas is summed up in the announcement by an angel to some shepherds 2000 years ago (Luke 2:10-11).

In response to this wondrous good new of the birth of Jesus our Savior, we sing during the Christmas season the hymn, “O come let us adore him… Christ the Lord!”

Not Christ a prophet, but Christ the Lord.

I commend Dr. Ansari for the effort he makes in desiring the non-Muslim to become sensitive to the Quranic perspective. I likewise have a similar desire to have my Muslim neighbors know Jesus Christ not just as a historical figure, but as the Bible presents him; not as merely a prophet, but as the sovereign king of kings, lord of lords and savior of all who receive him!