The journey of faith is rarely linear. For me, a former devout Muslim and socialist, the realization that Jesus Christ is God was not just a matter of theology but a profound spiritual awakening. It was a journey that required grappling with the doctrines of Islam and Judaism and their shared rejection of Christ’s divinity. While both religions offer a partial glimpse of divine truth, they miss the full revelation that is found in Jesus Christ.
In this article, I aim to explain why Jesus is God, where Muslims and Jews misunderstand His nature, and how these misunderstandings contrast with the Christian revelation.
The Case for Jesus as God
Central to Christianity is the doctrine of the Trinity: God is one Being in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully divine and fully human. This doctrine is rooted in Scripture and confirmed by centuries of Christian theology and personal testimony.
Jesus’ Own Claims of Divinity
Jesus explicitly claimed divine status. In John 8:58, He declared, “Before Abraham was, I am,” invoking the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. This claim was understood by His contemporaries, who accused Him of blasphemy (John 10:33).Similarly, in John 14:9, Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” affirming His unity with God. These statements are not merely symbolic; they are foundational to His identity as God incarnate.
The Witness of the New Testament
The apostles, who walked with Jesus, consistently taught His divinity. John’s Gospel begins with the proclamation: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Paul describes Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and states that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).The Resurrection as Proof
The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith and the ultimate evidence of Jesus’ divinity. Unlike any other religious leader, Jesus conquered death, proving His divine authority and the truth of His claims (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
Why Muslims Reject Jesus’ Divinity
Islam venerates Jesus as a prophet but denies His divinity, citing Surah 5:72: “They do blaspheme who say: God is Christ the son of Mary.” Muslims argue that God is indivisible and cannot take human form.
However, this view misunderstands the Christian concept of the Incarnation. Christians do not claim that Jesus is a separate God but that He is God manifest in the flesh (John 1:14). The Qur’anic rejection also ignores Jesus’ miracles, His authority over nature, and His unique birth, which point to His divine identity.
Moreover, Islam’s assertion that Jesus was not crucified (Surah 4:157) contradicts overwhelming historical evidence from Christian, Jewish, and Roman sources, undermining its credibility.
Where Judaism Falls Short
Judaism acknowledges the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah but denies that Jesus fulfills them. This rejection often hinges on the expectation of a political savior who would establish an earthly kingdom.
However, Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecies in ways that transcend human expectations. Isaiah 53 describes the Suffering Servant who would bear humanity’s sins—fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrificial death. Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of a divine figure who receives eternal dominion, a clear foreshadowing of Christ’s heavenly reign.
The Jewish misunderstanding lies in failing to recognize the twofold nature of the Messiah: first as a suffering servant, then as a reigning king.
Why This Matters
Understanding Jesus as God is not just a theological debate; it is the key to salvation. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If Jesus is not God, His sacrifice on the cross would be meaningless, and humanity would remain in sin.
Both Islam and Judaism, by denying Christ’s divinity, fail to grasp God’s ultimate plan for redemption. This is not a critique born of animosity but a call to truth.
My Journey
As an ex-Muslim, I once rejected the idea that God could have a Son. As a former socialist, I viewed religion through the lens of political struggle. But when I encountered the living Christ, all these objections fell away.
The Holy Spirit testified to me that Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher—He is the Son of God, my Savior, and my Lord. Through prayer, study, and the witness of the LDS Church, I came to embrace the fullness of His divinity and the transformative power of His grace.
Conclusion
Muslims and Jews hold pieces of the divine story but miss the full picture revealed in Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, the Word made flesh, and the Savior of the world.
My hope is that those who read this, especially my Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters, will seek the truth with open hearts. For as Jesus Himself promised, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Citations
- The Bible, John 8:58; John 1:1; John 14:9; Colossians 1:15; Colossians 2:9.
- The Qur’an, Surah 5:72; Surah 4:157.
- Historical references to Jesus’ crucifixion: Tacitus, Annals 15.44; Josephus, Antiquities 18.3.
- Isaiah 53, Daniel 7:13-14, Old Testament prophecy references.
- Christian theological writings: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity; St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation.
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