Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? [Paperback]

Timothy George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

The days when western Christians could ignore the influence of Islam are over. Today as never before, the world's second largest religion is shaping our culture, and words such as jihad, imam, Quran, and fatwa have entered our vocabulary. While all Muslims are no more alike than all Christians are alike, there are certain fundamental beliefs that all Muslims hold in common---some of which Christians would agree with, including belief in one true God. But is it the same God? How does the God of Muhammad differ from the God of Christianity? Written in a clear, passionate style that is conciliatory, balanced, and uncompromisingly biblical, this book describes and contrasts the distinctives of Christianity and Islam. Its author, a noted historian and theologian who has studied Islam for many years, writes with an eye on helping Christians better understand how to interact with Muslims. Beginning with an overview of Islam---what it is and how it arose---here are fascinating and relevant insights on - the Five Pillars of Islam - the role of religious violence from the Crusades onward - the doctrine of the Trinity and the character of God - Christian and Muslim views of Jesus Christ and salvation - what Christians can learn from Muslims - how Christians can share Christ with their Muslim neighbors . . . and more

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Divinity-school dean George clarifies the two religions' conceptualizations of God. For Islam, God is nonhuman and transcendent, whereas Christianity conceives of God relationally, which is why the doctrine of the Trinity, encompassing physical and spiritual relationship, is fundamental to Christianity. For Islam, obedience to God is needed to obtain love, forgiveness, and mercy, and sin is a matter of personal ignorance or forgetfulness of the duties of obedience. Christianity regards sin as personally intrinsic and inalienable, and it is the grace of God's relationship that guarantees love and promises mercy and forgiveness. The Christian response to even terroristic Islam is to preach and pray that all souls may be brought to Christ. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Back Cover

The days when western Christians could ignore the influence of Islam are over.

Today as never before, the world’s second largest religion is shaping our culture, and words such as jihad, imam, Quran, and fatwa have entered our vocabulary. While all Muslims are no more alike than all Christians are alike, there are certain fundamental beliefs that all Muslims hold in common—some of which Christians would agree with, including belief in one true God. But is it the same God? How does the God of Muhammad differ from the God of Christianity?

Written in a clear, passionate style that is conciliatory, balanced, and uncompromisingly biblical, this book describes and contrasts the distinctives of Christianity and Islam. Its author, a noted historian and theologian who has studied Islam for many years, writes with an eye on helping Christians better understand how to interact with Muslims. Beginning with an overview of Islam—what it is and how it arose—here are fascinating and relevant insights on · the Five Pillars of Islam · the role of religious violence from the Crusades onward · the doctrine of the Trinity and the character of God · Christian and Muslim views of Jesus Christ and salvation · what Christians can learn from Muslims · how Christians can share Christ with their Muslim neighbors . . . and more

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310247489
• ISBN-13: 978-0310247487
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Timothy George (PhD, Harvard University) is the founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University. An executive editor of Christianity Today, Dr. George has written more than twenty books and regularly contributes to scholarly journals.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, readable, and thought-provoking, July 22, 2005

By 

readermom "TM" (Medford, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? (Paperback)

I thought this was a great book. One of the most interesting aspects of it was how much it teaches about Christianity. I've heard the Trinity talked about my whole life, but this book made me really think about what that means. I like the image of God's love spilling over into different persons, that God is a god of relationship and love as first demonstrated by the Trinity.

This book also made me interested to read the Quran.

It's a book that will make you think. It's also very easily readable. I read it as part of a book club, and I think we all liked the book. On a side note, I had a few people notice the book I was reading/carrying and inquire about it, so it's definitely a topic of interest to many folks right now. I think it's a good launching point for learning something about Islam.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For all Christians, June 14, 2005

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James Forsyth "www.jamesforsyth.net" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? (Paperback)

Timothy George is founding dean and professor at Beeson Divinity School. He has also been a pastor and editor of numerous Christian magazines. Currently he is executive editor of Christianity Today.

This thinish 159 page volume provides useful information for the Christian about Islam. As the back cover blurb states "The days when Western Christians could ignore the influence of Islam are over."

Not only does Dr George help make Islam more understandable, but he also explains the importance of various differences between Christianity and Islam. Perhaps most importantly, the doctrine of the Trinity is explained, defended and celebrated. Dr George says (p55) "Ironically, the doctrine of the Trinity may be at one and the same time the most important and the most neglected dotrine we hold."

The deity of Christ is another important point for any Christian wishing to examine Islam at close range. Page 62: To call Jesus Lord, not just with the lips but from the heart, is to become a Christian..."

It is at the beginning of the chapter "Why the Trinity matters" (p69) that Dr George answers the question of whether the Father of Jesus is the God of Muhammad "The answer to this question is surely both yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the Father of Jesus is the only God there is...also no for Muslim theology rejects the fatherhood of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit-each of which is an essential component of the Christian understanding of God."

I found the testimony of Lamin Sanneh (p102-103) quite moving. It is very reassuring to hear of converts from Islam to Christianity based on sound reasoning. This is especially the case when the convert concerned was a "leading theologian and scholar of Islam".

In chapter six, "Grace for the straight path", we are told "We need grace, not simply guidance" (p115). This points back to page 29, in which we are shown the first seven verses of the first surah of the Qu'ran that includes the words "Guide us in the straight path". I had to pause for a minute to understand this connection - but maybe that's just me.

Dr George counsels the use of both patience and perseverance (p128) in sharing the Gospel with Muslims. This means we need to employ neither "...the vilification of Islam and the denigration of Muhammad..." nor a pluralistic "...cavalier attitude toward truth..."

I didn't find one typographical error in the whole book!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this will clarify alot, October 21, 2004

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Daniel M. Hixon (mostly Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? (Paperback)

This book is a very good comparison of the worlds largest 2 religions in an age of religious violence (especially in the Middle East where Islam dominates). This discussion of Islam sites the Koran quite a bit, which is very helpful and appropriate. The author presents several perspectives on a few key points to give a more balanced presentation. The author also explains why the doctrine of the Trinity is a 'must' for Christians and why Islam can not accept it. This book is very informative and it is easy to read. The author is a master at what he does!