The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements v
Contents vii
Preface ix

Introduction 1

The Muslim Jesus Is the Living Revelation of Allah 5

The Muslim Jesus’ Second Coming

Will Be the Climax of Human History 17

The Muslim Jesus is the Hope for Islam Today 27

Conclusion 43

Bibliography 49

Appendix: How Do Jesus and the Muslim Jesus Differ? 53

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jim Phillips founded the C.S. Lewis Institute in Annapolis, Maryland in 2009 and is currently a Senior Fellow helping CSLI facilitate the discipleship of Believers in Christ from non-Western cultural backgrounds. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After graduation he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an AV-8A Harrier pilot and in the corporate world as an information technology executive. He received a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, a Post Graduate Diploma in Theology and Religion from the University of Oxford in Oxford, UK, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies/Middlesex University in Oxford, UK.

QUESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
Following the publication of my research titled “Isa: Prophet of Hope for Islam Today!”, I received requests from several readers to publish a more concise version of the book, emphasizing its accessibility to both Muslims and Christians. This revised text delves into a significant event unfolding in Islam today, which elevates the Muslim Jesus to greater prominence and introduces tension within the Islamic narrative regarding the ultimate and greatest prophet of Islam. I believe it is crucial for both Muslims and Christians to become cognizant of this transformation of the Muslim Jesus, as it holds relevance for fostering constructive interfaith dialogue and Islamic reforms.

2. What is distinctive about the content of your book?
This book stands out for its unique presentation of the contemporary Western Muslim authors’ interpretations of the Muslim Jesus. These authors’ perspectives offer an evolution of Qur’anic and Hadith interpretations held for centuries. This implies that the Muslim Jesus has attained a significant prominence in Muslim thought, becoming the most important prophet of Islam for contemporary Muslims.

3. Why is this subject important?
As the Muslim authors in the book elucidate, Islam is currently experiencing a state of flux, seeking avenues to enhance its relevance to the societies and cultures in which Muslims reside, many of which are minority representations within those societies. The transformation of the Muslim Jesus and his significance in Muslim eschatology renders his teachings pertinent to contemporary Muslims, presenting an opportunity for internal reform and a heightened relevance of Islam to the global community.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
Christians should understand how the Muslim Jesus is evolving towards the Gospel understanding of Jesus. This will help them engage Muslims with Jesus’ teachings, leading to a reconciled understanding of Jesus and perhaps becoming instruments of the Holy Spirit for their reconciliation with the Father.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
Due to the Muslim Jesus’ eschatological significance and the widespread belief among Muslims that his Second Coming will transpire during their lifetimes, the Muslim Jesus is emerging as the most prominent prophet to Islam in the contemporary era. This presents an immediate opportunity for Christians to engage with Muslim neighbors and acquaintances with the Jesus of the Gospels and elucidate the distinctions between him and the Muslim Jesus, as outlined in the Appendix of this book.

The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus
The most significant prophet to Muslims today!

Tarif Khalidi, a contemporary Muslim scholar, has observed that the identity of the Muslim Jesus (Isa) has been changing since the canonical writings of the Qur’an and Hadith. He has moved from the ascetic saint of classical Islam to lord of nature, miracle worker, healer, and social and ethical model of modern Islam. He says that Isa has become much more than an argument for the truth of Islam; “he is a living and vital moral voice, demanding to be heard.” This short book examines Khalidi’s claim by analysing the understandings of Muslims who have written on the person of Isa in the past ten years. This book clearly demonstrates that Isa is evolving and is the prophet of hope for Islam today!