Page 12 of 12: How the Bible and the Qur'an Differ

One could briefly scan the list of people mentioned in both books and falsely think there are no contradictions between the two. Either what is written in Qur'an is right and the Bible must be wrong, or what is written in the Bible is right and the Qur'an must be wrong.

Who exactly is Jesus? The Bible and the Qur'an completely agree on the following:

Jesus was fully human

Born of Mary - with no sexual relationship

Jesus was a Jew, but His words were for all

Jesus was the prophesied Messiah

Jesus lived a sinlessly perfect life

Jesus performed many great miracles

Jesus was a type of Adam (See Sura 3:59)

Jesus disciples were men of God, excepting Judas. (See Sura 3:52-53; 61:14)

Jesus ascended to heaven (Sura 3:55; 4:158)

Yet the Bible alone affirms these things:

Jesus is the Son of God - non-sexually

Jesus is fully God - but not a separate God

Jesus was the ransom sacrifice for our sins

Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us

Jesus physically rose from the dead

Muslims often misunderstand what is meant by Jesus being the Son of God, and perhaps this illustration can help. Shi'ite Muslims say that 'Ali is the finger of God. Now Muslims do not believe that Allah has fingers. Rather, the term "finger of God" is not meant physically, but as an expression.

Other illustrations could be brought up, but Muslims can easily explain these by quoting Sura 2:26, "Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things,..." even of a gnat as well as anything above it. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; But those who reject Faith say: What Means Allah by this similitude?"