The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus (Jim Phillips) - A Review
It often comes as a surprise to non-Muslims that Jesus
figures prominently within Islam. He is considered to be one of the prophets of
Islam, along with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and John the Baptist, among
others. He is also the last prophet in this lineage before the advent of
Muhammad, whom most Muslims consider the final prophet. Islam not only
recognizes Jesus' prophethood, but they consider his message to be sacred as
well. That said, the Muslim Jesus differs at many points from the Christian Jesus,
though there are numerous overlaps. Muslims believe in Jesus’ virgin birth to
Mary. They expect his second coming, perhaps as the long-anticipated Messiah.
What they reject is the idea that Jesus is the divine Son of God. The way I
phrased this might seem redundant, but in a sense, Muslims can affirm that
Jesus is in some form God’s son, but not divine. While Jesus figures
prominently in traditional Islam, how do contemporary Muslim scholars view him?
Might there be an evolution of viewpoints? This is an important question
because for many Christians, and perhaps for Muslims, the two faith traditions
often find themselves at odds. So, might a conversation about Jesus serve as a
foundation for Christian-Muslim dialogue?
Before I get to the review of Jim
Phillips’ The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus, I feel the need to set the
context for my review. At this moment, the United States of America is at war
with Iran, a majority-Muslim nation (largely Shiite), in partnership with
Israel. As I read social media, I see expressions of anti-Islamic sentiment.
Some of this sentiment is put in apocalyptic terms, such that Islam, and
especially Iran, is understood to be fulfilling apocalyptic designs leading to
the end of the age. Islam is often portrayed in anti-Christian terms, but
perhaps we need to step back and look at how Christianity and Islam, as well as
Judaism, are intertwined. While Phillips’ book is brief, it’s suggestive.
Jim Phillips, the author of The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus, a part of the Regnum Mini Book Series, holds
a PhD in Islamic Studies from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies/Middlesex
University in Oxford. He also holds a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in theology
and religion from the University of Oxford. This book is a summation of his
research, which he has published in longer form as a Kindle Direct book titled ‘Īsā:
Prophet of Hope for Islam Today: The Evolution of the Jesus of Islam. In
this briefer version of his research, Phillips provides the reader with an intriguing
look at the Muslim Jesus. In The
Evolution of the Muslim Jesus, Phillips argues that a growing number of Muslim
scholars have sought ways to more fully integrate Jesus into Islam, believing
that this act of integration might lead to reform within Islam, including moves
beyond the legalism that is often present in contemporary Islam. While they
embrace Jesus and see him as the hope for a reformed Islam, in line with traditional
forms of Islam, these scholars still reject Jesus’ divinity. However, several
of these scholars believe that Jesus is the word of Allah. As such, Jesus is
the equivalent of the Qur’an. Unlike Muhammad, they believe that Jesus
is alive and sits beside Allah. While
these scholars seek to remain within Islam, their views do diverge at points from
classical Islam's view of Jesus. What they envision, however, is the
possibility of finding points of contact between Christians and Muslims so that
bridges of peace might be built between the two faiths, which in fact share
many things. What is important here is that this move to embrace the Muslim
Jesus involves greater engagement by Muslims with Jesus' teachings as they are found
in the gospels.
Phillips’ book, The Evolution ofthe Muslim Jesus, is divided into three primary chapters. The first focuses
on the concept that "The Muslim Jesus is the Living Revelation of
Allah," in other words, he is the living word of God. He points to the
work of scholars such as Mustafa Akyol, author of The Islamic Jesus, who
writes that the Prophet Muhammad was “a normal human being, who occasionally received God’s revelation, Jesus
becomes the revelation itself” (p. 12). The second chapter discusses "The
Muslim Jesus' Second Coming Will be the Climax of Human History.” This is an
important element of Islamic theology. Jesus is not only a prophet, who may as
some Muslim scholars believe, the word of Allah, but Jesus is expected to
return before the end of the age, either to prepare the way for the Messiah, or
as the Messiah. Thirdly, he offers a chapter titled "The Muslim Jesus is
the Hope for Islam Today.” In part, this concluding chapter focuses on how some
contemporary scholars look to the teachings of Jesus, hoping they might serve
as the foundation for reforming Islam. While the previous chapter focuses on
belief in the second coming, in this chapter, Phillips points out that some
scholars believe that Jesus’ second coming should be understood metaphorically,
not literally. If his second coming is understood metaphorically or
spiritually, then might Jesus already be present within Islam, providing the
foundation for reform? Not only might an embrace of the Muslim Jesus bring
reform to Islam, but it might also lay the foundation for peace within Islam
and with the wider world, including with Christianity. As such, Jesus “is the
prophet of hope, future, and present to all people” (p. 42).
While growing numbers of Muslims
are embracing the Muslim Jesus, we must note that the Muslim Jesus is shorn of
Christology, at least traditional Christian Christology. That said, for
Christians who question Jesus’ divine nature, this Muslim version of Jesus
might prove rather attractive. In his conclusion, Phillips writes about his
hope for the book. As such, he hopes the book will encourage readers “to love
your Muslim friends and neighbors and engage them about Jesus,” noting that
Jesus provides the grounds for “effective dialogue” (p. 47). Although the
Muslim Jesus might be evolving and could serve as a bridge to effective
dialogue, we must understand that the two views of Jesus differ at significant
points. Thus, he offers an appendix, in which he contrasts how Muslims view
Jesus and how Christians view him. The appendix should prove helpful, such that
readers can see how the two differ in significant respects, despite both
affirming his prophethood. In the end, The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus is
a brief but intriguing book that might provide a foundation for conversation
across Muslim-Christian boundaries. Right now, we desperately need that bridge.
Copies of The Evolution of the Muslim Jesus can be purchased at one's favorite retailer, including my Amazon affiliate bookstore and my Bookshop.org affiliate.
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