Challenge: Jesus Didn't Die on the Cross
The challenge this week comes from the Qur’an:
[T]hey said (in
boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of
Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to
appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no
(certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed
him not:- Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power,
Wise;-
If you were talking to a Muslim friend
who denied Jesus’ crucifixion, you could ask questions to draw out why Muslims
are so repelled by the idea of Jesus dying on the cross. What, in their
theology, is so opposed to the idea? But since you’re not talking to a friend
right now, you may need to do a little reading online to find out more about
their view. Try to get to the bottom of this difference between us, because while
it’s important to respond to Muslims with the facts pointing to the resurrection,
merely talking about the facts won’t
resolve for them the contradiction between the crucifixion and their
understanding of what God would and wouldn’t do. Any fact can be dismissed as
impossible if it doesn’t make sense to them theologically.
So find out where they’re coming from,
and address this objection at its theological root. The difference between our
beliefs about Good Friday goes to the heart of the Gospel, and that’s always a
great place to take a conversation with a Muslim.
Give us your ideas in the comments
below, and then Alan will post a video with his response on Thursday.
