Published: January 08, 2007 10:58 am      

A significant difference

The opinion “Do Muslims Celebrate Christmas?” by Anis Ansari reveals the difference between the Muslim view of Jesus and the Christian view in that the Muslim considers Jesus to be a prophet only while the Christian considers Jesus to be the son of God.

The inside inscription on the Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem in Arabic gives the Muslim view:

“O you People of the Book, overstep not bounds in your religion, and of God speak only the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is only an apostle of God, and his Word which he conveyed unto Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from him. Believe therefore in God and his apostles, and say not Three. It will be better for you. God is only one God. Far be it from his glory that he should have a son.”

While the Biblical view:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16.

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58.

Thus, at Christmas the Christian would celebrate God sending his son to pay for our sins, while the Muslims celebrate Jesus as only a prophet with a message. The Muslim earns his own salvation through works while the Christian receives through faith (not works) the gift of eternal life from the righteousness of Jesus. A significant difference.

So, the question becomes: Is your own righteousness good enough to satisfy God?