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More Than a Prophet: An Insider's Response to Muslim Beliefs About Jesus & Christianity

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It's one thing to suspect that Islam's view of Jesus and Christianity's view of Jesus are different. It's another to be able to argue it. Many of us firmly believe in Jesus, but we just don't have the Scriptural support to argue why He's so important, let alone the knowledge of the Qu'ran to be able to make that argument clearly to Muslims.

But this book helps, by posing the most common questions Muslims ask about Christianity, and showing how real answers are found not only in the Bible, but also ultimately in a personal relationship with Christ. Can you show that Jesus is the Son of God? Did you know many Muslims mistakenly believe our Trinity includes Mary? Do you know why Jesus is unique? If not, then you need this book, which takes you step by step through our most important doctrines. Even if you have no theological training, More Than a Prophet is easy to understand, and will help you, in turn, to understand your Muslim neighbors.

We are not enemies, and the Caner's go to great pains to show that. We are, instead, pilgrims on the same journey. More than a Prophet helps to reaffirm where that journey should be headed, and makes sure that we all get on the right road.

More Than a Prophet has been a helpful book in understanding the beliefs of Islam versus the traditional beliefs of Christianitiy. It is wonderfully organized for quick reference and in comparing and contrasting the religions, it offers insight into some of the contradictions of Islam and how the Christian might use those contradictions to show the deity of Christ to the Muslim. I found this book extremely useful and plan to soon read another book by the Caner brothers: Unveiling Islam.

I bought this book to learn about a religion that has somehow been interpreted to allow the attack of 9/11. Interestingly, I have felt fairly satisfied with my knowledge of Christianity until I read this book. I learned much about my own religion that I didn't know. This unexpected aspect of this book has given me a much deeper understanding. What a wonderful bonus!

I would like to thank M.Musa for writing this commentary, however I would also like to clear up a few misconceptions that he/she has about the things written.

The first point, when you refer to Mark Chapter 16 about speaking in tongues, driving out demons, handling snakes and drinking poison. There are indeed some Christians who perform these tasks. One need only see movies like the Exorcist to know about casting out demons. Others do speak in tongues and there are many churches in the south of the USA where handling snakes and drinking poison is part of their worship ceremony. But St Paul reminds us that while these things are good, it is good to speak plainly so that all may hear and understand.

As for Matthew 28 not including that information, so what? Have you ever told someone about something that happened and then told another person about the same situation but "left" some information out? Perhaps because what you told the first person really hand nothing to do with the other? Does that invalidate one of your versions? Of course not. Mark and Matthew were writing to two different audiences and as such their narratives were written to explain the life of Christ in the way that would speak to their readers most clearly.

Matthew chapter 15 talks of the Canaanite woman who came seeking aid. Jesus seems to rebuke her telling her that He came for the children of Israel. But if you read further than where you stopped, you will see that after his comment about giving the children's bread to the dogs, she replies "That even the dogs eat scraps from the table." What was really happening here was that Jesus was testing her faith. Did she really believe that he was the Messiah, or was she simply hoping for a cure, thinking him nothing more than a prophet? In seeing how strong her faith was, Jesus granted her request and "her daughter was healed from that very hour."

The sign of Jonah and the fullfillment of the prophecy by Jesus is in how you are counting the days. Jews of that period counted days from sundown to sundown. So while it might not be in the traditional 24 hour period as we would count it today, it was three days in this light.

The restriction on dietary consumption was removed by the vision of Peter. God showed him that all things were created by God and were meant to be eaten. The fact that some people do not crave cat sandwiches has little to do with this. That is more of a cultural artifact, than a religious artifact. For instance, in some Asian cultures, dog is considered a delicacy, however here in the USA, most people would freak out if you were to suggest serving fido up as lunch.

Snake is another popular food down in southern Texas and Mexico as well as in Asia, yet you probably won't see it on the menu at most restaurants (anywhere for that matter). Just as people eat venison (deer meat), there are others who are appalled at thinking of killing Bambi, let alone eating him.

Finally, Jesus crying from the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" This is the first line in Psalm 22. One practice that existed (and as far as I know still exists) is that a teacher would quote a single line from a Psalm to remind the listeners of the entire Psalm. Hebrew children were required to memorize the entire Torah and the Psalms. Hearing that one line would allow them to recall the entire Psalm. Especially read verses 24 to the end.

To be Christian is to be Jewish. Christianity is nothing more than Judiasm fulfilled in the person of Christ Jesus. We believe that there is no God but God. Jesus said, "anyone who has seen me, has seen the Father." When he was questioned by several different people, he admitted that he admitted to being God. John's Gospel tells us that "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt amoung us." God stepped out of eternity and became a man to walk amoung His people. When we worship Jesus, we worship God, because they are one in the same.

I agree that he was probably not born on the 25th of December and I also agree that he did not eat pork. He was a good and faithful Jew. As for when exactly he was born, what does that matter? Does it invalidate his birth? What about those who are born on the 29th of February. Does this mean that each year when there are only 28 days in the month of February we cannot celebrate their birthday? It's a ridiculous thought, no?

So we are keeping the commandment to have no other gods before God. For Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are one god in three persons known as the Trinity. It is a concept that no mortal mind could totally comprehend, but it has been revealed to us through the scriptures and through Jesus and so we believe.

I hope that I have been kind in my comments, I seek no argument, but only to help clarify what I perceived as a misconception.

God bless you and may our Lord Jesus Christ help show you the way.

Dr. Emir Caner and his brother Dr. Ergun Caner offer a powerful exposition on Islam in the light of their own religious upbringing and in light of what the true Word of God, the Bible, teaches. Like Paul the Apostle in Romans 10:1-4, the Caner's offer their love and prayers for 700 million Muslims to find true salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The entire book, I found, was written with a heart not only to reveal what Islam teaches but to help Christians make disciples of Muslims. And thankfully, because of brethren such as the Caner's, this is happening. The gospel is spreading with fire througout the 10/40 window as millions of Muslims are now hearing the truth of Jesus (Romans 10:14-17).

The book is a fast paced book to read. I got caught up with not only the beliefs of Islam (which are vague to me living in a strong Christian foundation in Georgia) but also to the lives of the Caner's and how they became disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20). Truly, Luke 14:25-35 applies to Muslims who count the cost, abandon the false religion of Islam, denouce Mohommad as a false prophet, and make Jesus their Lord and Savior. You can see that in the Caner's lives.

This book is great not only for understanding the false beliefs of Islam, their distortion of who Jesus truly is, and their confusion over Christianity but it also will strengthen your prayer life for the Muslims as you see God's grace in the lives of the Caner's.

I loaned this book, and I haven't received it back. This means the person enjoyed it so much he decided to keep it or he lost it out of disinterest. These brothers were previously reared in the Islamic faith. They converted to Christianity. Interesting comments, but I wasn't completely enthralled with the book.

If you have any questions on Islam in relation to Christianity, this is your BOOK!

This will help you to understand the difference in faiths, and see were muslin's are coming from.

This book is excellent and should be read by anyone concerned by the intentions of Islam. The format focuses on the fundamentals of how and why the Muslim and Christian think and act as they do, based on the stark differences in religion and thought.
The authors have impeccable credentials to know both Islam and Christianity intimately. Their scholarship is not only first class but is easily understood.
The book is set out so that future reference to specific topics is easy.
Presentation of the material is factual and unemotional, showing the situation exactly as it is, largely based on thorough familiarity with the writings of both religions.

The Caner Brothers expose the spiritual poverty of Islam and their antagonistic detractors only reinforce their argument. If Islam is superior on its own merit, why are Christians so feared? Perhaps Islam provides no answers to the yearnings of the human soul, i.e. Does God love me? Like all totalitarian systems, Islam thrives through force, represssion, exclusion and fear. Jesus Christ and his message of love appeals to every seeking human heart and it is this truth that Islam cannot abide.