THE ISLAMIC JESUS

Akyol, Mustafa.  The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims.  St. Martin’s Press.  288 pp.  [Reviewed by Tom Heneghan.  2017.  Muslim writer explores current relevance of Jesus’ message for Islam.  National Catholic Reporter, 53, no. 10, p. 15 & 18.]

I have not read the book, but found the review noted above very informative  and in agreement with a much more favorable view of Muslims than those following the recent campaign and election might have developed.  Akyol is a Muslim from Turkey that found Jesus, as depicted in the Christian Epistle by St. James, very much like the one depicted in the Quran as a prophet second only to Mohammad.  Heneghan quotes Akyol's book as saying

"As Muslims, who are latecomers to this scene, we have disagreements with both Jews and Christians," he writes in the book's final paragraph. "But we have major agreements as well.  With Jews we agree a lot on God.  With Christians, we agree that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he was the Messiah, and that he is the Word of God.  Surely we do not worship Jesus, like Christians do.  Yet still, we can follow him.  In fact, given our grim malaise and his shining wisdom, we need to follow him."

For Christians, it may also be a problem to get their minds around the fact that Jesus is fully human, but as the Son of God is divine for all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit as the One True God.  But I am sure Jesus appreciates those who get his message of love.

We may try to put limits on God.  Maybe reading the following post may help you see God's love is broader than many may think.

http://evolutioninsights.blogspot.com/2015/01/god-and-religious-traditions.html

Joseph Engemann     Kalamazoo, Michigan    February 23, 2017