Day 5: The Quran in Islam and a Christian Understanding of Sacred Scripture
Todays question is “What is the Role of Scripture: The Qur’an and the Bible?”
Both Islam and Christianity regard their scriptures as authoritative, but there are differences in how these texts are viewed and interpreted.
The Qur’an in Islam:
Muslims believe that the Quran (often spelled Koran) is the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel (Jibril). It is considered the final and most complete revelation in a series of scriptures sent to humanity, which also includes previous revelations such as the Torah (given to Moses), Psalms (given to David), and the Gospel (given to Jesus).
Here are some key beliefs Muslims have about the Quran:
Divine Origin: The Quran is believed to be the direct and unaltered word of God, and it is considered the ultimate source of guidance for all aspects of life, including law, morality, and spirituality.
Infallibility: Muslims believe the Quran is perfectly preserved and free from any corruption or error. It has remained unchanged since it was revealed more than 1,400 years ago.
Miracle: The Quran is seen as a miraculous book due to its linguistic beauty, complexity, and depth of meaning. Muslims believe that no human can replicate the style and depth of the Quran.
Comprehensive Guidance: The Quran provides guidance on all aspects of life—spiritual, social, legal, and personal. It offers rules for worship, morality, family life, and interactions with others.
The Final Revelation: The Quran is considered the last and final book of God’s revelation to humanity. Muslims believe that there will be no new revelation after the Quran.
Preservation: It is believed that the Quran has been preserved in its original form since its revelation. Muslims traditionally memorize the Quran, and many strive to learn it in its entirety.
Universal Message: While the Quran was revealed in 7th-century Arabia, its message is seen as universal, meant for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or time period.
Recitation: The Quran is meant to be recited aloud in prayer (Salah) and in other contexts. The act of reciting the Quran is seen as a form of worship, and there is great emphasis on its correct pronunciation and memorization.
In summary, the Qur’an is seen as the literal, unaltered word of God, revealed to Muhammad over 23 years. It is considered the final and most complete revelation. Muslims are encouraged to memorize and recite the Qur’an in Arabic, as it is believed to be in its purest form in that language.
From a Christian perspective, the Bible is seen as the true and perfect Word of God, given to guide Christians in their faith and daily lives. The Bible is completely trustworthy, without mistakes, and is the highest authority in all matters of belief and practice.
The Scripture in Christianity:
Here’s what Christians believe about the Bible:
Inspired by God and Without Error: Christians believe that the Bible was written by human authors, but these authors were guided by the Holy Spirit. This means the Bible is inspired by God and without error in what it teaches. Everything in the Bible is true and can be trusted, from its historical accounts to its spiritual teachings.
The Bible is the Highest Authority: Christians believe that the Bible is the final authority for what we believe and how we live. This is part of the teaching of sola Scriptura, which means "Scripture alone." It means that nothing else—whether traditions, opinions, or other teachings—can replace or be more important than what the Bible says.
Old and New Testaments: The Bible is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the history and teachings of God’s people before Jesus came, while the New Testament focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Both parts are important, but the New Testament shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of everything the Old Testament pointed to.
Everything Points to Jesus: Christians believe that the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments, points to Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains promises about a Savior, and the New Testament shows that Jesus is the one who fulfills those promises. Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible.
The Bible is Enough: Christians believe that the Bible gives us everything we need to know to be saved and to live a life that honors God. The Bible teaches us the truth about God, how to trust in Jesus, and how to live as Christians. We don’t need anything else outside of Scripture to guide our faith.
The Bible is Clear: Christians believe the Bible is clear about the main truths that we need to know, especially about salvation. Even though some parts of the Bible can be hard to understand, the main message is clear: Jesus is the Savior, and faith in Him is the way to be saved.
God Works Through the Bible: Christians believe that the Bible isn’t just a book to read; it’s the way God speaks to us and works in our lives. Through reading and hearing the Bible, God helps us grow in our faith and become more like Jesus.
In short, Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired and perfect Word of God. It is the most important guide for our faith and life, pointing us to Jesus and showing us how to live as Christians. The Bible is the final authority for what we believe, and everything we need for salvation is found in it. Christians regard the Scripture as complete and to add to it is to error, therefore the Quran is rejected out of hand by Christians since it was written 600 years after the writings of the New Testament.
