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#48283 in Books Akyol Mustafa 2017-02-14 2017-02-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .33 x 1.00 x 5.81l; .0 #File Name: 1250088690288 pagesThe Islamic Jesus How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims
Review
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful. To Follow Jesus; without Worshiping HimBy S. WatsonAkyol closes his book with these words. "As Muslims; who are latecomers to this scene; we have disagreements with both Jews and Christians. 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 sill; we can follow him. In fact; given our grim malaise and his shining wisdom; we need to follow him." (215)As two examples of how contemporary Muslims can follow Jesus without worshiping him; Akyol says that Jesus' teaching on Kingdom - "The Caliphate is within you" - could help contemporary Muslims embrace a vision of God's reign that is more interior; less tied to nationalism and militarism. The other powerful example of contextualizing Jesus' teaching is; in Akyol's words; "The Shariah is made for man." Jesus could help religious people; as he originally did; embrace a more holistic; less literal approach to law that would be better promote human flourishing.Akyol gets to this conclusion by way of two points he develops; with clear and accessible prose; supported by considerable scholarship; both Christian and Muslim.One is that Islam is a closer cousin to Christianity than both traditions have generally acknowledged. In fact; Akyol closely reviews the theory and evidence that Islam - either through direct influence or through divine revelation - could be a further development of a Jewish form of Christianity; in which Jesus is honored as a messianic teacher and prophet; without being worshiped as part of the triune godhead. Muslims; after all; honor Jesus as a word of God; a prophet; a miracle-performer; a son of the virgin Mary; and one who will come again to restore all things.The second and related point is that Jesus can continue to serve as a guide and teacher and prophet; not just to the world at large; but specifically to the Muslim world. The West generally; and Christendom in particular have ironically made it much more difficult for Muslims to do this. A defining question for Muslims (and indeed; for much of the world) over the past two centuries has been how to relate to an aggressively powerful; colonial West. Understandably; defensiveness and hostility have resulted; rather than dialogue and reflection.Thankfully; Muslims need not consider Jesus a product of the West. A Palestinian Jew; born to a people group oppressed by a Western empire themselves; Jesus' teaching and legacy and prophetic voice are not the property of the Western world or even of Christendom. Muslims can embrace Jesus as their guide and teacher and prophet as well.Much more could be said. As a non-Muslim who is deeply committed to the Way of Jesus; I find Akyol's treasure trove of scholarship and perspective fascinating and hopeful. I'll close; though; with one more quotation; this one from a Jesus-oriented; 20th century Egyptian Muslim; Khalid Muhammad Khalid."He is the love which knows no hatred; he is the peace that knows no disquiet; and he is the salvation that does not perish. And when all this is realized on earth; then at the same time; the return of Christ is realized. This is the Christ who will return; and whose return the Messenger prophesied: peace; love; truth; the good and beauty. With the truthful Messenger; we declare: 'Christ; not Barabbas; the true not the false; love not hatred; peace not war; life not destruction.'" (215)I follow and worship Jesus; but anyone who can view Jesus on such terms; regardless of the details of their theology; I will be glad to call friend and brother.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy M. JonkerWel written; thorough and highly interesting read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Michael TerryFascinating look at Jesus from a Muslim's perspective. Very thoughtful and thought provoking.
