Shining God's Light on the Koran

This article is part of an on-going series contrasting the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Koran on a variety of topics. Previous articles include: "Was Abraham a Jew or a Christian?", Idolatry 101, 102, 103, Oneness, Unbelievers, God's Character, The Resurrection, The Proclamation, The Judgment, The Creation of Man, The Creation of Woman, and The Fall of Man: Part 1-The Command, Part 2 – The Disobedience, Part 3 – The Consequence, and Part 4 – Its Ramification.

Rightly Dividing (Interpreting) the Word, Part I

A reader of my blog article concerning the ramification of the Fall of Man, commented that the Koran was not speaking of the recreation of the planet earth but instead the recreation of man on the day of the resurrection for the Day of Judgment. The reader wrote that pagan Arabs were not expecting a resurrection of the dead at all much less judgment of them following. The Koran tries to point this out to them. The two passages in question are:

God brings the Creation into being and will then restore it. To Him shall you be recalled (1).

It is He who brings the Creation into being, and will then restore it; that is easier for Him (2).
“To Him shall you be recalled,” clearly shows a resurrection to life after death. One could argue that this sentence is equivalent to the previous sentence. Creation must then be interpreted as ‘people’ and added to ‘restore’. This is not obvious. Creation usually means the sun, moon, stars, earth, and seas, and all the plants, and creatures all at the same time. Something modifying the meaning of Creation would be helpful. Something to show ‘restore’ is referring to people would also be helpful.

There are other places in the Koran which clearly show there will be a resurrection with judgment following. The following text is one of many:

“The fate of each man We have bound about his neck. On the Day of Resurrection We shall confront him with a book spread wide open, saying: ‘Here is your book: read it. Enough for you this day that your own soul should call you to account (3).’”

This paragraph is very clear. People will be resurrected one day. A written record of their actions will be waiting to confront them. God and His angles will show them the record. As they read their record their own soul will either condemn them or acquit them. Being called to account can work either way; condemnation or acquittal.

In Holy Scripture the terms are often defined. Take the following verse:

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new (4).”

Notice, the ‘new creature’, this could also be new creation. Scientists are finding new creatures all the time and giving them names. New creations are also being invented all the time. The new creature or creation is defined in the context of the passage. It says, “If any man be in Christ.” We know then that the creature is not just any animal or invention. The term ‘man’ also includes woman, or child since this is included in the broader context of the term, man. The ‘new creature’ is not exclusionary of people for it says ‘any.’ The person, however, must be ‘in Christ’. This takes place with out a person dying or having to rise from the dead.

One may wonder what is meant by the term, ‘in Christ’. Just as husbands and wives are one flesh so those who believe in Jesus are one flesh with Him (5). If a believer is one flesh with Jesus then he is ‘in Christ’. A believer is one who believes that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, born of a virgin, that He lived a sinless life, took our sins in His own body on the cross, and received the wrath of God against those sins. Also, that He died and rose from the dead. They have repented for their sins and have invited Jesus into their hearts. The Spirit of God has then come into them.

Oneness with Jesus is shown when Saul of Tarsus was on the way to Damascus and he was met by Jesus in a great light. Jesus asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting me(6)?” Notice that Jesus did not say, “Why are you persecuting my followers.” Thus, Jesus is one flesh with those who believe on Him; they are in Christ.

If you would like to be in Christ, one flesh with Him, you may. Confess to God you are a sinner and invite Jesus into your heart. A sample prayer is: Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my life.

REFERRENCES

1. The Koran Page 284 Paragraph 30:11
2. The Koran Page 285 Paragraph 30:27
3. The Koran Page 198 Paragraph 17:13
4. The Holy Bible I Corinthians 5:17
5. The Holy Bible Ephesians 5:30-32
6. The Holy Bible Acts 9:1-7