Jesus Meets Muhammad (Sharing Some Thoughts on Sin and Forgiveness)

Jesus Meets Muhammad (Sharing Some Thoughts on Sin and Forgiveness)

"CONVERSATIONS" BETWEEN JESUS AND MUHAMMAD. A "FASCINATING" DISCUSSION ON SIN (and the Nature of sin) and FORGIVENESS

Key words (tags): Christianity, Islam, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Muhammed, faiths, unity of religions, spiritual growth, sin, nature of sin, forgiveness

M: A 'heavy, heavy subject there, Jesus. Most people don't like talking about this subject, do they! Like the concepts of heaven and hell. So Jesus you were sinless?

J: Well, the New Testament says so, but it's not for me to say. They say I was "perfect" and totally without sin. That is how I was portrayed in the Bible; but as I lived on earth as no more than a "mere man", like everyone, I had my strengths and weaknesses, my temptations...although I was "pretty good" and tried to do my very best at all times. Often I could only resist big temptations, called Satan by "religious" people, through God's Spirit, when I called upon the Father in prayer. Funny word that Satan, and you use it too, Muhammad.

Still I didn't chase women and take a wife, or multiple wives, like you, Muhammad. Then that taking of more than one wife is permissable in the male-dominated Islamic culture.

M: No judging us now, please Jesus. Only Allah can ultimately judge... and enough "stirring the pot". Only joking, I think it's great that we can discuss our differences, both minor and the occasional major one or two with respect for each others beliefs. Good to even throw in a "dash" of humour ... ocasionally. So let's set a great example of tolerance for the people... even to the Islamic and Christian "fundamentalists".

J:
It's sad there is so much division in the Christian church, so many denominations "majoring in minor aspects of belief. I suppose it's much the same within Islam, Muhammad, Sunnis, Shiites and so many other sects. Different sects say only their way is the way to salvation, but I am the way.

Yes, sadly, I think only God can and will change the beliefs of the radicals, both political and religious.

On your other point, what you say is perfectly true, though both Islam and Christianity say I will return to judge the world... some day.

M: Will you?

J: Who knows! Only God the Father, can and will decide that; but in the meantime you judge your daily actions through the power of your own conscience. We know what is right or wrong, or whether to do good deeds or evil ones... but be aware God sees everything we do... and will be the ultimate judge!

M: So did you die for people's sins, as your faithful follower, John claimed in 3:16?
J: Those were my ACTUAL words in the famous Scriptures from John 3:16 and 17. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have ete
al life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
* New King James version
You may choose to believe that I was worthy of dying for your sins or not.
It doesn’t really matter what you feel about my purpose and I won’t take offense.
The key is believing in ME!

M: Illuminating and powerful. I’ll ponder those words, my friend.
Now to forgiveness…
You know that we Muslims believe that only Allah can forgive our sins and this fundamental to our faith.
However, Christians say that you claim indirectly to forgive sins (As you said: "Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more". However, You also says that only God can forgive sins (See the Lord's Prayer - Luke 11,2: "Our Father in Heaven forgive us our sins (or tresspasses)." However, I understand that mainstream Christianity believes Christ died for the sins of the world and your death atones fully for sin. Apparently, people just have to ask for forgiveness in Your name... and all sins are forgiven. Did You claim this directly; as your disciples (mainly John) do ("here comes the lamb of God, who forgives all sin")? .
J: Yes, that is another area of controversy within Christianity, as with whether I claimed directly to forgive people's sins. The early Christians claimed this, John's writings as a fundamental belief, a basic tenet of the religion. Still I never claimed to forgive people's sins directly, but I asked the Father to forgive and heal. I was merely a channel through my touch, or words; but the power came from God. My followers just have to ask anything in my name and God WILL answer their prayers.

Then my followers got a bit carried away by the excitement of the Resurrection and my Divinity. So they claimed that I had to die FOR (and because of)* the sins of the world and this belief got passed on through the ages. Though that wasn't my original purpose.. and my life mission. In a "nutshell", it really doesn't matter whether you believe John's words or not. My followers can CHOOSE and it really doesn't bother or not on this point.

* Is there a difference between these words?

J : I'll think about that and let you know about that next time, Muhammad.
M: Can we also talk about HEAVEN AND HELL?

J: Sure. Another time, perhaps.

M: Allah Akbar, Jesus

J: God, the Father dwells within you too, Muhammad”

"What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other... and how we live. Only when we can say, 'I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi'ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh...' will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. " - craigr
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let's plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.

The submitter's blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22&t=post and http://craiglock.wordpress.com
ZrnThese writings ("whether inspired or crazy") may be freely published