The Son of Man

Why is Jesus called the Son of God?

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:15-17

Jesus is more than the man who walked this earth about 2000 years ago. Being called the Son of God does not mean He is a created being. As the firstborn of all creation, Jesus occupies the eternal position of the heir entrusted with the kingdom and power of the Father. He is "the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world" (Hebrews 1:2).

What does "Son of Man" mean?

The prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah depicted two images of the coming Messiah: the suffering and the majestic Messiah. The designation "Son of Man" comes from a vision of the Old Testament prophet Daniel:

"[...] And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." - Daniel 7:13-14

Here (as well as in other places, e.g. Isaiah 9:5-6), it is attested that the predicted Messiah possesses attributes that are attributed to God alone, thereby equating Him with God. Jesus applies this designation to Himself during His trial:

"And the high priest said to him, 'I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus said to him, 'You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'" - Matthew 26:63-64

Understandably, many Jews of the 1st century, expecting a triumphant, glorious Messiah, were reluctant to recognize the carpenter from Nazareth as the Son of God—even though over 55 specific and a total of 300 prophecies were fulfilled in His person and life.

What does Jesus claim about Himself?

"I am God, worship me!"—Jesus never used these words. The purpose of His work on earth was to bring honor and glory to the Father. Jesus never sought to claim the honor due to the Father. Jesus prayed in John 17:4-5: "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." Jesus promises to fulfill our prayers in His name, "that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13).

However, He made it unmistakably clear to His listeners who He claimed to be. His alleged blasphemy ultimately justified His condemnation to death on the cross.

The Way, the Truth, the Life

Jesus makes His claim clear in John 14:6: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In this sentence alone, three of the 99 beautiful names of Allah can be found:

- Way: "The Guide" (AL-HADI) 
- Truth: "The Absolute Truth" (AL-HAQQ) 
- Life: "The Ever-Living" (AL-HAYY)

What is the truth?

The Quran rejects the sonship of God (Surah 4:171; 19:35)t,he atoning death on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus (Surah 4:157-158). It is explicitly stated that whoever associates Jesus with Allah will have only the fire of Hell as refuge (Surah 5:72) . Jesus Himself says in conversation with Allah that the claim to be equal to Him was never His message (Surah 5:116-117)

However, the core teachings of the Injil are primarily the doctrines that the Quran contradicts. God Himself, through Jesus, has wrought our salvation. Through His atoning death, it is possible for us to be freed from our guilt. Our justification is achieved through faith in exactly the Jesus whom the Quran rejects.

The Injil judges dissenting doctrines at least as harshly as the Quran: