Understanding Islam and Christianity by Josh McDowell

Author:Josh McDowell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736949910
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

9

Muhammad and the Bible: Is He the “Prophet” Foretold by Moses?

Muslims’ question:

“Moses foretold that a new prophet would come with God’s Word. Couldn’t Muhammad be that prophet?”

The most frequently cited passage found in the Old Testament that Muslims claim foretells Muhammad is based on Deuteronomy 18:14-20.

Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do this.

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. This is what you requested from the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not continue to hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire any longer, so that we will not die!” Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that he speaks in My name. But the prophet who dares to speak in My name a message I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die” (HCSB).

Before we proceed a couple of important points need to be understood:

1. In chapter 8 we emphasized that “context” is key to understanding the meaning of a religious text. This is relevant for this passage’s meaning of “a prophet.”

2. We are going to touch on a variety of doctrines, both Islamic and Christian, and our intention is not to go into deep theological discussions related to Muhammad’s prophethood or Christ’s divinity in this chapter, but rather to take their words at face value and discuss them as such. This may trouble both Christians and Muslims but those discussions are outside the scope of this chapter.

Deuteronomy’s Context

“Deuteronomy” means “a repeating of the Law.” Moses was leading the Israelites and he retold them or “repeated” to them the Law of God. He recounted the commandments given in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Soon the Israelites were going to cross into the promised land, Canaan, and Moses was reinforcing God’s word to His people. He knew that strict obedience to God was essential if the Israelites were to succeed and be victorious when they entered Canaan. He also knew that he was not going to enter the land with them, so he gave them the best encouragement and admonition he could in his last words to his people.

Moses is giving his most heartfelt words and warnings to his people, God’s people, because he loved them and wanted them to succeed. He was repeating to them the commands they needed to obey to insure their success. Go back and review the passage in question, Deuteronomy 18:14-19, and take note of what stands out to you relative to the characteristics of the future prophet Moses is talking about.

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