Regarding Jesus’ (pbuh) Crucifixion and Resurrection…
I have come to believe that Mohamed was a genuine prophet, but I am concerned in that I do believe that there was a crucifixion and resurrection, not as Jesus proving himself to be God, etc, but as his final sign that his message was from God. I also believe Jesus had some form of pre-existence, as Jews were then looking for someone who was a "returning Elijah". I also think that in some sense, Jesus died for mankind’s sins. These concerns have held me back in my heart's search for God's Truth, and I write you to help me resolve it.
Anyway, I am of the belief
that Jesus experienced a "clinical death", but not a genuine death.
Please let me explain before deleting this email. There are cases of people
having "near death experiences", in which they may see the classical
dark tunnel with a light at its end, etc. And though they may have cessation of
heart activity and brain activity, we do not regard them as genuinely dead. For
one thing they experience no decay, and they are "dead" only a short
period of time, similar to early accounts of people "dying" then
regaining consciousness later (sometimes in their coffins), thus giving rise to
the practice of having "wakes" for the dead (lets make sure!). I
believe that Jesus had a similar "clinical death", but not a genuine
death. He had no decay,
unlike Lazarus, and He was comatose and in the grave less than 36 hours. In most
people's minds, this would not be considered a "genuine" death were it
any other person, and so I agree with the Koran's statement that Jesus was not
killed.
I have read a great deal on the resurrection, and I am quite convinced that it did happen, but not with the significance that post-Constantine Christianity placed on it.
Please, there is great potential for conversion of traditionalist Christians to Islam, and this may be but a trickle today, but it can well become a torrent. This matter of how one may view the death and resurrection of Jesus is a sticking point for any traditional Christian who has come to realize that Christianity is a dead religion and is looking for something more. I am convinced that those answers are in Islam, but this matter of the resurrection needs to be settled in my mind first, and this will be the case with other traditionalists as well.
I appreciate your time, and I wish you God's Speed,
Richard Cheek
Reply
My dear brother, I would encourage you to study more about Islam – especially the parts which relate to the Christ (pbuh) – before you even consider conversion to Islam. For I honestly do not think that your stipulated points are, in any way, supported by Islam. The Qur’an has strongly maintains the position that:
The above points give a, more or less, comprehensive summary of what the Qur’an says about Jesus (pbuh). As you would notice, there is absolutely no room for accommodating your inclinations in what the Qur’an says about Jesus’ (pbuh) life and teachings (especially his – lack of – crucifixion and resurrection).
You write:
Please, there is great potential for conversion of traditionalist Christians to Islam, and this may be but a trickle today, but it can well become a torrent. This matter of how one may view the death and resurrection of Jesus is a sticking point for any traditional Christian who has come to realize that Christianity is a dead religion and is looking for something more. I am convinced that those answers are in Islam, but this matter of the resurrection needs to be settled in my mind first, and this will be the case with other traditionalists as well.
My dear brother, I would like you to realize that I am obliged to present only what Islam says – without any additions, deletions or amendments. If, you are convinced that the message of Islam is true, then submit completely to it and accept it, even if it negates your notions, ideas and beliefs that you have referred in your letter. If, on the other hand, you are not convinced of the truthfulness of Islam, then the best thing for you to do would be to reject it with an open mind and a clear conscience. To be honest, what you imply in your letter is quite confusing to me. On the one hand, you express your inclination toward believing that Mohammed (pbuh) was a true prophet of God, yet, on the other hand, what I gather from your letter, please correct me if I am wrong, is that if what Islam says about Jesus (pbuh) is coherent (or is, at least, presented as such) with what you hold to be the truth regarding the life, times, incidents and teachings of the Christ (especially his crucifixion and resurrection etc.), then not only you but quite a few other traditional Christians may be interested in understanding, and even converting to, Islam. If my perception of your writing is correct, then I request you to seriously review your proposal. If I believe that Mohammed (pbuh) is a true prophet of God, then whatever he says about Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, teachings, life and death is the truth. If, on the other hand, I hold Mohammed’s (pbuh) teachings – even the smallest part thereof – to be false, I am, then, in fact, refuting his claim of prophethood.
I would, therefore, suggest that, if you still feel interested in Islam and the prophethood of Mohammed (pbuh) you undertake the study of Islam anew. Only this time, clear your mind of any preconceived notions of what should be the truth. I would like to remind you, my dear brother, of the required spirit in undertaking the study of any given set of beliefs, especially one, which claims to be the ultimate ‘Truth’ of God. Such a study must always be undertaken with a mind that is clear from any preconceived notions and standards about what ‘should be’ the ‘Truth’. For, obviously, if there is a fault (without our being aware of such fault) in the standards that we have set as the criteria to determine right from wrong, we are likely to accept things which, even though they meet our standards and notions, are not the real ‘Truth’, and vice versa. All efforts for discovering the ‘Truth’ must, therefore, proceed with a mind, which is clear from any preconceived ideas about what it ‘should be’. Truth, my dear brother, even if it is not what we want it to be, deserves acceptance and submission. For “Truth”... wherever it is to be found and whatever it is, our acceptance or rejection would have absolutely no effect on it... But if it really were the “Truth”, our acceptance or rejection would most certainly affect our own selves. “Truth”, therefore, be it to our liking or disliking deserves to be believed and followed, merely because it is the “Truth”. Sometimes I wonder how, strange as it might be, we believe that “the truth shall set us free” and yet are only willing to accept that, which we want the “Truth” to be.
In case you have any further question, please feel free in writing back to me.
Regards,
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