Beliefs about Jesus in Judaism, Christianity, Islam

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Beliefs about Jesus in Judaism, Christianity,
Islam

• Felix Just, S.J. Dec. 1, 2006

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Who Is Jesus? Overview

• Judaism
• A Jew from Nazareth possibly a prophet
• Not the Messiah, nor Son of God, nor divine
• Christianity
• Christ/Messiah, Son of God, Prophet, King, etc.
• Fully human fully divine (both/and)
• Islam
• Last great prophet before Muhammad
• Miraculous birth but not crucified not divine

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Jewish Hopes for the Future

• Worksheet Q1) Based on the HB, describe some of
  the characters God may appoint to intervene in
  history
• An anointed or appointed leader
• Prophet like Moses Deut 1815-22 or Elijah
  Mal 323
• Priest (like Aaron) Mal 31ff Dead Sea Scrolls
• Anointed King (like David) Psalm 21-12
• Royal Shepherd (like David) Micah 51-8
• Son of Man (royal judge) Daniel 71-28
• or more than one figure? Dead Sea Scrolls
• or God Himself directly? Micah 41-10 59-14

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The Messiah Jewish Ideas

• Worksheet Q4) Acc. to the article, Why Cant a
  Jew Believe in Jesus, what are the expectations
  for the Messiah, from a Jewish perspective?
• Various Requirements Expectations
• Messiah is Human Jewish (Deut 1715 Num 2417)
• From tribe of Judah (Gen 4910)
• From family of David (1 Chron 229-10)
• Jewish Exiles will return (Isa 1112 2712-13)
• Jerusalem Temple will be restored (Micah 41)
• World will have peace (Isa 24 116 Micah 43)
• Everyone will believe in God (Isa 119 405
  Zeph 39)

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Hebrew Bible Messianic Texts?

• Texts interpreted by Christians, but not by Jews,
  as referring to the Messiah and/or Jesus
• Birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 71-17)
• Suffering Servant (Isa 421-4 491-7 504-11
  52135312)
• New Covenant (Jeremiah 3131-34)
• Crucifixion Foretold? (Psalm 22)
• Enthronement of the King (Psalm 110)
• Etc.

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Jesus New Testament Beliefs

• Worksheet Q2) List some core early Christian
  beliefs about Jesus, as found in NT texts
• Various Christological Titles Roles
• Prophet (Messenger) Christ/Messiah (Anointed
  One)
• Son of God (Equal to God One with the Father)
• Son of Man Judge Savior Lord
• Son of David King (of the Jews, of Israel)
• Sampling of NT Texts
• Matt 1613-20 Luke 414-30
• John 515-18 614-15 740-42 1022-42
• Acts 322 48-12 737 Phil 21-11
• Col 115-29 Heb 11--218

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Jesus The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty
• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only
  Son of God, eternally begotten of the
  Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God
  from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being
  with the Father. Through him all things were
  made. For us men and for our salvation he came
  down from heaven by the power of the Holy
  Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and
  became man.For our sake he was crucified under
  Pontius Pilatehe suffered, died, and was
  buried.On the third day he rose again in
  fulfillment of the Scriptureshe ascended into
  heaven and is seated at the right hand of the
  Father.He will come again in glory to judge the
  living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no
  end.
• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the
  giver of life

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Jesus / Isa Muslim Views

• Worksheet Q3) How does the Quran describe the
  significance of Jesus (Isa)?  What does it say
  about his birth, life, and death?
• Worksheet Q5) According to the article,
  Islamic Christian Views of Jesus, what are
  the main differences between the Muslim and
  Christian interpretations of the life and
  significance of Jesus?
• Readings from the Quran
• Assigned 2135-141 342-59 4150-173
  517-19, 67-77 1916-36 1121-4
• Additional 5109-120 930-31 4357-64
  5727 616, 14
• Hadith The prophets are like brothers from the
  same father with different mothers. Their
  religion is one although their Shariah (rules of
  religion) differed. I am the most deserving of
  Prophet Isa. There was no other prophet between
  us. (Muhammad)

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Jesus Contrasting Beliefs

• What do Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe
  about
• Jesus Nature Role ?
• Jesus Birth ?
• Jesus Life Actions ?
• Jesus Death ?
• Jesus Resurrection Ascension ?
• Jesus Second Coming ?

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Jesus Nature Names Titles

• Judaism (and secular history)
• From Nazareth son of Joseph Mary Carpenter
  (or Cs son)
• Christianity
• Lord, Christ, only Son of God eternally begotten
  of the Father God from God, Light from Light,
  true God from true God, begotten, not made, one
  in Being with the Father (Nicene Creed)
• Review Christological Titles webpage
• Islam
• Last great prophet before Muhammad (Surah 4359
  616)
• not divine, not son of God (Surah 575 930-31
  1934-35 1121-4)
• Muslim monotheism rejects concept of Trinity
  (Surah 4171)

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Jesus Birth Infancy

• Judaism (and secular history)
• Probably born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem ca. 6-4
  BCE
• Christianity
• For us men and for our salvation he came down
  from heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit he
  was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
  (Nicene Creed)
• Born in Bethlehem raised in Nazareth (Matthew
  12 Luke 12)
• Later Gospels add stories of his youth
  (G.Thomas G.James)
• Islam
• Miraculous birth from Virgin Mary (Surah 345-59
  1916-21, 34)
• Spoke while still an infant in the cradle (Surah
  5110 1929-33)
• Miracle of clay birds (Surah 5110 taken from
  Infancy G.Thomas)

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Jesus Life Actions

• Judaism (and secular history)
• Preacher, healer, magician, miracle worker,
  rebel, criminal, etc.
• Christianity
• Prophet, preacher, teacher, reformer (all four
  Gospels)
• Healer, exorcist, miracle worker (all four
  Gospels)
• not mentioned in Nicene Creed knowledge of
  Gospels presumed
• Islam
• Prophet of Allah (Surah 348-51 546, 72
  4359 616 etc.)
• Teaches Wisdom (Surah 4363-64)
• Works Miracles (Surah 5110, 113-115)
• Gathers Disciples (Surah 5727 6114)

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Jesus Passion Death

• Judaism (and secular history)
• Jesus was crucified outside of Jerusalem, ca.
  29-33 CE, at time of High Priest Caiaphas and
  Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate.
• Christianity
• For our sake he was crucified under Pontius
  Pilatehe suffered, died, and was buried.
  (Nicene Creed)
• See Mark 14-15 Matt 26-27 Luke 22-23 John
  18-19 Paul etc.
• Islam
• Jesus was NOT crucified and/or killed (Surah
  4157 5110)
• How not? Muslim opinions differ
• Most believe someone else (look-a-like) was
  crucified in his place.
• Some say Jesus survived the cross and later
  lived in India!

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Jesus Resurrection Ascension

• Judaism
• Many but not all Jews believe that God will raise
  the deadto new life in the world to come after
  the Messiah appears.
• Christianity
• On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of
  the Scriptureshe ascended into heaven, and is
  seated at the right hand of the Father. (Nicene
  Creed)
• See Matt 28 Mark 16 Luke 24 John 2021 Acts
  1 etc.
• Islam
• No resurrection (since he didnt die), yet
• God lifted Jesus up to heaven (Surah 355 4158
  5116-118)

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Jesus Return Role as Judge

• Judaism
• Still awaiting the FIRST coming of the Messiah.
• Christianity
• He will come again in glory to judge the living
  and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.
  (Nicene Creed)
• Apocalyptic Expectations (Mark 13 Matt 23-25
  Luke 19 etc.)
• Maranatha (1 Cor 1622) Come, Lord Jesus
  (Rev 2220)
• Islam
• Jesus will witness for believers on judgment day
  (Surah 4159)
• Later traditions say Jesus will return to earth
  (with the 12th Imam) to defeat the Dajjal
  (Deceiver Muslim Anti-Christ)

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Summary / Questions?

• How is Jesus viewed by
• Jews ?
• Christians ?
• Muslims?
• Your Questions / Reactions?
• ?
• ?
• ?