Page 186 - Prophet Jesus (Pbuh): A Prophet Not A Son, Of God

184 Prophet Jesus (pbuh): A Prophet, Not A Son, of God

The misinterpretation of expressions and metaphorical
explanations that are open to interpretation

One of the subjects most concentrated on by Biblical scholars is the
need to interpret gospel expressions in a figurative sense. Looked at from
this point of view, it appears that the expressions in question bear very

different meanings. The Qur'an also uses many terms that are open to in-
terpretation. Indeed, many Christian researchers are seeking to establish
a relationship between Qur'anic expressions and certain New Testament
terms as they make their interpretations. In the book Three Gods or One?
The Trinity in Monotheism, Carlos Madrigal comments:
In describing Himself, God employs symbolic expressions that will
be easily understandable to human beings. These are called terms of
"human resemblance" (anthropomorphic). Physical attributes such
as the face, hands etc. are used to refer to God in both the Holy Book
and in the Qur'an. The expression "Nothing is like Him" (Surat ash-
Shura, 11) expresses a truth. Yet we must not confuse this with
analogies employed by God Himself in order for us to understand.
Terms such as "the hand of God," "the palm of God," "the face of
God," and "the eyes of God" can be found in the Qur'an… Nobody
has any difficulty in interpreting these metaphorically. Won't we in-
terpret the expression "the Father" or "the Son" metaphorically?
Terms peculiar to human beings that are ascribed to God present us
not with a true depiction, but only with hints and suggestions.
These are not therefore depictive analogies, but associative ones. No
one has the right to compare God to something by giving a physical
meaning. (That would be paganism)… He, however, can compare
Himself to any symbol He considers appropriate. God has created
everything with love. He is the source of everything. "Father" is an
excellent description to express that everything was created with
His love. 68