Sam Shamoun

In this article and rebuttal we documented from God’s true Word that Jesus is the Divine unique Son of God and the Most High. We looked at passages where both Jesus and the inspired NT writers expressly teach that, after his physical resurrection, Christ ascended to sit at God’s right hand and saw how this basically means that Jesus is exalted over all creation. Here are two such biblical texts:

"and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church," Ephesians 1:19-22

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison… who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." 1 Peter 3:18-19, 22

Some readers may be quite surprised to discover that the Quran agrees with the NT on the point that God exalted Jesus to the highest position there is:

Behold! God said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. S. 3:55 Y. Ali

Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise; - S. 4:158 Y. Ali

These texts are obviously echoing the Biblical teaching that God exalted Jesus to the highest level, to his very own heavenly presence. What makes this all the more interesting is that the Quran nowhere says this of any other prophet or messenger.

Even though the Quran speaks of people being raised in rank and honor:

Those apostles We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them God spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If God had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear (Signs) had come to them, but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If God had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but God Fulfilleth His plan. S. 2:253 Y. Ali; cf. 6:83, 165; 12:76, 99-100; 19:56-57; 43:32; 56:1-3; 58:11; 94:4

It never mentions someone else being raised to God himself.

{Note how Q. 2:253 mentions Jesus right after it refers to those whom Allah has exalted!}

This is obviously another case where the author of the Quran has borrowed Christian terminology and/or theology without realizing the serious implications that this has on the Person and work of Christ, as well as on refuting the Quran’s claim that Jesus was no more than a human being. After all, Jesus being taken to God himself is simply another way of saying that Christ has been exalted to the highest place in heaven, to a position that makes him the Most High over all creation!

Further Reading

http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Contra/jesus_creator.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/sura3_7.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/crucifixion.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/tabari_on_jesus.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/preserved-crucifixion.htm
http://answering-islam.org/Shamoun/last_prophet.htm

Articles by Sam Shamoun
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