Category: Islam and Christianity

WERE MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE & JOHN EYEWITNESSES?

A Scholarly Examination Through the Lens of Islamic and Biblical Theology

For centuries, Christians have claimed that the four canonical Gospels— Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — are eyewitness testimonies written by the original disciples of Jesus. However, modern biblical scholarship, Christian and secular alike, overwhelmingly rejects this claim. This article draws on the work of top New Testament scholars, including practicing Christians, to examine the authorship of the Gospels and how this supports the Islamic position that:

Jesus never preached Christianity
The original message of Jesus was altered
Only a divinely preserved revelation (the Qur’ān) can be authoritative

Let us begin with the core question – Were the Gospel Authors Eyewitnesses?

Leading Bible Scholars Say: NO

The academic consensus—across Protestant, Catholic, and secular institutions—is clear: the Gospels were not written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

Bart D. Ehrman (University of North Carolina, former Christian)>“The Gospels are not eyewitness accounts; the authors were anonymous Christians writing decades later. ” This means the authors were not present with Jesus.

Raymond E. Brown (Catholic priest, one of the most respected Christian scholars of the 20th century)> “Modern scholarship does not hold that the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses.” If even Catholic scholarship denies direct apostleship, the traditional claim collapses.

E.P. Sanders (Oxford & Duke University)> “The Gospels are anonymous, not written by those who knew Jesus personally.” This confirms that names like “Matthew” and “John” were attached long after the texts were written.

John Dominic Crossan (Jesus Seminar co-founder)>“The Gospels are second-generation narratives, not firsthand memories.” Meaning: stories passed down orally, then written by unknown Christians.

The Gospels Were Originally Anonymously Written

The earliest manuscripts of the Gospels had no names. Titles such as “According to Matthew” and “According to John” were added in the 2nd century to give authority to texts whose authors were unknown. Even Christian scholars admit this. Raymond Brown notes that all the Gospels were:> “Originally anonymous documents.” This means the names were not part of the supposed divine revelation—they were marketing labels used by early church leaders.

None of the Gospel Writers Claim to Be Eyewitnesses

Not a single Gospel declares:“I, Matthew, wrote this…” “I was present with Jesus…” “I am an eyewitness of the events…” Instead, Luke explicitly admits he is NOT an eyewitness:> “Many have undertaken to compile a narrative… just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses.”(Luke 1:1–2) Luke tells you directly: he received stories from other people decades after Jesus. This is not revelation. It is human compilation.

When Were the Gospels Written?

Decades After Jesus—Not During His Life. Even conservative scholars accept this timeline:

Mark: c. 70 CE (40 years after Jesus)
Matthew: 80–90 CE (50-60 years after Jesus)
Luke: 85–95 CE (55-65 years after Jesus)
John: 90–110 CE (60-80 years after Jesus)

This means:No Gospel was written during Jesus’ lifetime. No Gospel was written during the lifetime of most disciples. They were written after the destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE). Which means:Jesus’ original followers were likely dead when the Gospels were composed.

The Gospels Are Theologically Motivated, Not Historical Biographies

Scholars such as Marcus Borg, Rudolf Bultmann, and Dale Allison confirm that the Gospels were written anonymous authors to:

Promote particular theological agendas
Defend early Christian beliefs
Support the emerging Church

Not to provide historical biographies or preserve the true teaching of Christ. Each author modifies earlier texts:

The Author of Matthew rewrites Mark
The Author of Luke edits both Mark and additional sources
The Author of John invents new speeches not found in earlier Gospels

This shows a process of editing, adding, and modifying, not divine revelation.

The Synoptic Problem: Why So Much Copying?

80–90% of Mark is copied word-for-word by the Author of Matthew and Luke. If the Author were truly an eyewitness: Why did he copy 90% of Mark? Why did he rely on a non-eyewitness source? Why didn’t he write independently? The answer is simple: Because the Author was not Matthew. He was an anonymous Christian author writing long after the events in a twisted manner

The Gospel of John: The Most Theological, the Least Historical

Even Christian scholars admit the Gospel of John is:theologically shaped, not historically reliable – filled with speeches Jesus never delivered. F.F. Bruce (Christian scholar) says John contains:> “interpretations, not literal remembrance.” This means John reflects church theology, not Jesus’ teachings.

What Does This Mean for Christians and Muslims?

If the Gospel authors were not eyewitnesses but were anonymous individuals who wrote decades later—copying from one another and adding theological interpretations that altered the original message of Jesus—then Christians cannot claim that their Scriptures are the actual words of Jesus, divinely revealed, historically accurate, preserved, or authoritative. This directly supports the Qur’ānic position:> “They write the Book with their own hands, then say, ‘This is from God.’” (Qur’an 2:79)“They distorted words from their proper places.” (Qur’an 5:13)

Islam’s Position on Jesus and Revelation

Islam does not deny Jesus. It restores him.Islam teaches:

Jesus was a prophet, not God.
His message was pure monotheism.
He preached submission to God (Islam).
He never taught the Trinity.
His true Gospel was altered.
God sent Muhammad ﷺ to restore the original message.
The Qur’an corrects the historical errors and theological exaggerations of later Christian writers.

The Gospels Are Not Eyewitness Testimony — The Qur’ān Is the Only Preserved Revelation

Modern scholarship leaves no room for doubts or confusion

THE GOSPELS	THE GLORIOUS QUR’AN
The Gospels Are Not Eyewitness Accounts	The Qur’an is the only Preserved Revelation
They were not written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John	The Qur’an alone claims divine authorship
They were produced by anonymous Christians	It is fully preserved
Written decades after Jesus	It is internally consistent
Containing theological edits and contradictions	It confirms the true monotheistic mission of Jesus

The Qur’an restores the original message of God As the Qur’ān states:> “This is the Book in which there is no doubt.”(Qur’an 2:2)And:> “Say: God is One.”(Qur’an 112:1)

November 29, 2025

Why Islam Rejects Original Sin
Introduction:

Christianity teaches that humanity inherited a sinful nature from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. According to this doctrine — known as “Original Sin” — all humans are born guilty and estranged from God, and can only be saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Islam, however, presents a very different and more hopeful view of human nature. The Qur’an teaches that every person is born pure, innocent, and free of inherited sin. Each individual is responsible only for their own actions, and forgiveness from Allah is always available through sincere repentance.

What Christianity Teaches About Original Sin: The doctrine of Original Sin is based mainly on the writings of Paul, especially: “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”— Romans 5:12. From this, many Christian traditions conclude:
1. Adam’s sin corrupted human nature.
2. All humans inherit this sinful state at birth.
3. Only through the atoning death of Jesus can this inherited guilt be removed.
This belief underpins the ideas of atonement, redemption, and baptism, which are central to Christian salvation theology.

The Original Teaching of Salvation — Before Paul:

Before Paul’s reinterpretation, salvation in the message of Jesus and all earlier prophets centered on faith in God, repentance, and righteous deeds, not on the death of a mediator.
1. The Prophets’ Consistent Message: Throughout the Old Testament, salvation was tied to obedience and repentance: Ezekiel 18:21–22 — “If the wicked will turn from all his sins… and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ”Isaiah 55:7 — “Let the wicked forsake his way… and He will have mercy upon him.”
2. Jesus’ Own Words: Jesus reaffirmed this same principle of repentance and keeping the commandments: Matthew 19:17 — “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 7:21 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father.” Luke 6:46 — “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” Nowhere did Jesus say salvation depended on his death. Instead, he called people to righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness to God’s will.
The Islamic Perspective:

In line with the teachings of earlier prophets, including Jesus, Islam completely rejects the concept of original sin. Instead, it teaches that every human being is born with an innate, pure nature (fitrah). The sin of Adam was solely his own and not inherited by others. Allah forgave Adam and Eve after they repented, and no one is responsible for the sins of another. Salvation is attained through faith, righteous deeds, and repentance, rather than through blood sacrifice.

The Story of Adam and Eve in the Qur’an:

The Qur’an tells the story of Adam and Eve with a key difference: “Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:37) Unlike the Christian version, there is no concept of inherited guilt. Adam and Eve both repented, and Allah forgave them completely. Their sin did not taint humanity; rather, it served as a lesson in repentance and mercy. “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of sinners are those who repent.”— Hadith (Tirmidhi, 2499) This teaching restores hope and accountability to every person.

Individual Responsibility in Islam:

Islamic scripture emphasizes that each soul bears only its own burden: “No soul shall bear the burden of another.”— Surah Al-Isra (17:15) “Every person is accountable for what he has earned.”— Surah Al-Muddaththir (74:38)> “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”— Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7–8) There is no concept of inherited guilt or vicarious atonement in Islam.Each person has a direct, personal relationship with Allah — no mediator, priest, or savior is required.

Forgiveness Without Bloodshed:

In Christianity, atonement is tied to sacrifice — the belief that sin can only be forgiven through blood, as expressed in: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”— Hebrews 9:22. Islam disagrees. Forgiveness in Islam comes through repentance (tawbah), not through blood or intermediaries. “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah.Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”— Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) This verse is one of the most hope-filled messages in the Qur’an — declaring that no sin is beyond Allah’s mercy, and forgiveness is open to all who sincerely return to Him.

The Islamic View of Human Nature:

Islam views human beings as born good and capable of righteousness: “We have certainly created man in the best of forms.”— Surah At-Tin (95:4)Each person is born with a fitrah — a natural inclination to recognize and worship the Creator.It is only through environment, temptation, and choice that a person turns away from that natural purity.Unlike Original Sin, which views humanity as corrupt from birth, Islam teaches original goodness — with the potential for both good and evil depending on one’s choices.

Reason and Justice:

The concept of inherited sin contradicts both divine justice and human reason: How can a just God punish all people for one man’s mistake? Why would a newborn, innocent child be born sinful? Why would God need to sacrifice Himself to forgive what He already has the power to forgive? Islam answers these questions simply and consistently: Allah is perfectly Just and Merciful. He holds no one accountable for what they did not do.

Salvation in Islam:

Salvation in Islam is not about paying for another’s sins — it’s about faith, repentance, and striving for righteousness. “Those who believe and do righteous deeds — for them will be Gardens beneath which rivers flow; that is the great success.”— Surah Al-Buruj (85:11) Forgiveness is always available through:
1. Faith in Allah and His messengers.
2. Sincere repentance for sins.
3. Good deeds done for His sake.
4. Avoiding major sins and seeking His mercy regularly. No mediator is needed — only sincerity and turning back to the Creator.
Jesus in the Final Scripture:

In Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) is regarded as a noble prophet, rather than a divine savior. He was sent to guide the Children of Israel back to monotheism, and not to die for their sins. The Quran states, “They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it was made to appear so to them” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:157). Additionally, it is said, “And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another” (Surah Fatir, 35:18). Thus, Islam honors Jesus while maintaining the concept of God’s oneness and perfect justice. Consequently, any Christian who embraces Islam does not lose Jesus; rather, they come to know him even better.

Conclusion:

Islam’s rejection of Original Sin is not a denial of human imperfection — it is an affirmation of God’s mercy, justice, and wisdom.Adam’s sin was personal, and Allah forgave him. We are all born pure, not guilty. Forgiveness is earned through sincere repentance, not inherited guilt or blood sacrifice.Salvation is open to all who believe and strive for good. Islam restores a balanced view of humanity:we are neither fallen beyond hope nor divine beyond accountability — we are servants of Allah, created to know Him, worship Him, and return to Him. “Allah does not wrong anyone by even the weight of an atom.”— Surah An-Nisa (4:40)

References

1. Qur’an 2:37, 17:15, 39:53, 4:40, 35:18, 95:4, 85:11

2. Hadith — Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi (2499)

3. Bible — Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:22

4. “The Concept of Sin and Salvation in Islam” — Dr. Bilal Philips

5. “A Comparative Study of Original Sin” — Dr. Zakir Naik-
October 15, 2025
Did Jesus Die for Our Sins? — The Islamic Response

Introduction:

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice to atone for humanity’s sins. This event, known as the Crucifixion, is seen as the foundation of salvation—through Jesus’s death and resurrection, mankind is reconciled to God. In contrast, Islam presents a different account and understanding of salvation. The Qur’an explicitly teaches that Jesus (ʿĪsā) was neither crucified nor killed; rather, he was raised by Allah—his mission fulfilled, his honor preserved, while his followers were misled afterward. This article outlines Islam’s view of the Crucifixion, explores why the Qur’an rejects it, and explains how true forgiveness is achieved according to Islamic belief.

The Christian Belief in the Cross:

According to Christian doctrine:

1. Humanity inherited sin from Adam and Eve (Original Sin).

2. No human could atone for this sin; therefore, God became man in the person of Jesus.

3. Jesus’s death on the cross paid the price for humanity’s sins.

4. Believing in Jesus’s sacrifice is necessary for salvation.

The Apostle Paul wrote:“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3. While this belief is deeply held by Christians, Islam views it as a misunderstanding of both God’s nature and Jesus’s mission.

The Qur’anic Account:

The Qur’an is clear regarding the Crucifixion: “And for their saying, ‘We killed the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’—but they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. And those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except for the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:157)“Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:158)According to Islam:- Jesus was not killed or crucified.- It only appeared so to his enemies.- Allah saved him from humiliation and raised him to the heavens.- He will return before the Day of Judgment to finalise his mission.

The Nature of Jesus’s Mission:

In Islam, Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) was:- A prophet and messenger sent to the Children of Israel- A servant of Allah, not divine- A human born through a miracle, like Adam, who was created without a father “The likeness of Jesus before Allah is that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.” — Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:59)His message was consistent with that of all prophets: “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” — Surah Maryam (19:36)Thus, Jesus came not to die for sins but to guide his people back to the worship of the One True God.

Why Islam Rejects the Idea of Atonement Through Blood:

Islam rejects the notion that God requires a blood sacrifice to forgive. Forgiveness in Islam is not bought; it is earned through repentance, mercy, and sincere faith. “Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” — Surah An-Nisa (4:48)“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” — Surah Az-Zumar (39:53)In Islam:- God is All-Merciful—He does not need to punish Himself to forgive His creation.- No soul bears the sin of another (Qur’an 35:18).- Forgiveness is granted to those who repent and do good.The concept of vicarious atonement—one person dying for another’s sin—is inconsistent with both divine justice and personal accountability.

Biblical Support for the Islamic View:

Even within the Bible, there are passages that align more with the Islamic narrative than later Christian doctrine:

1. Jesus Prayed to Be Saved from the Cross: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” — Matthew 26:39 This prayer indicates that he did not desire death, and God does not reject the prayers of His prophets.

2. God Does Not Die: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” — Isaiah 46:9 The idea that God can die is theologically impossible.

3. The Alleged Cry of Jesus on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” — Matthew 27:46 If Jesus were truly God, to whom was he crying? This indicates a servant-to-Lord relationship, not divine identity.

4. The Early Christians Disagreed About Crucifixion: Early sects, such as the Basilidians and Docetists (1st–2nd centuries CE), believed that Jesus was not crucified—echoing what the Qur’an later confirmed.

The Return of Jesus (ʿĪsā):

Islam teaches that Jesus was raised alive and will return before the Day of Judgment to:- Defeat the false messiah (Dajjal)- Restore justice and peace- Reaffirm the truth of Islam- Die a natural death and be buried on earth “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just ruler.” — Hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3448) This prophecy illustrates that Jesus’s mission is not finished but will conclude according to Allah’s plan—not through crucifixion.

Salvation in Islam

In Islam, salvation is not earned by another’s death, but by faith and righteous deeds: “Whoever does righteousness, it is for his own soul; and whoever does evil, it is against it.”— Qur’an, Surah Fussilat (41:46) This aligns with the consistent teaching of earlier prophets, including Jesus. Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father… the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him.” Matthew 19:17 “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”. Romans 2:6–7 “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory and honor… he will give eternal life.” James 2:24 “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

To be saved:

1. Believe in Allah (The True God) and His messengers, including Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).

2. Repent sincerely for sins.

3. Live a life of righteousness and mercy. Islam’s message is simple and universal: “Worship Allah alone and do good — and you will be saved.”

A Message of Unity:

The Qur’an calls Christians and Jews back to their original message: “Say, O People of the Book, come to a word that is common between us and you — that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him.”— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:64) This is not a rejection of Jesus — it is an affirmation of his true mission: to call humanity to worship the One True God.

Conclusion:

Islam honors Jesus as one of the greatest prophets —born miraculously, speaking from the cradle, healing the sick, and raising the dead by Allah’s permission. But Islam rejects the idea that he was God or died for the sins of others. His mission was the same as that of every prophet: “O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” (Qur’an 11:50) Forgiveness in Islam comes not through crucifixion, but through mercy and repentance. And that mercy is open to all who turn sincerely to Allah. “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:85)

References:

1. Qur’an 4:157–158, 3:59, 3:64, 11:50, 39:53, 41:46

2. Hadith — Sahih al-Bukhari 3448

3. Bible — Romans 3:23, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 27:46, Isaiah 46:9

4. “The Cross and the Crescent” — Ahmed Deedat

5. “Jesus in the Qur’an” — Dr. Jamal Badawi

October 15, 2025

Category: Islam and Christianity

WERE MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE & JOHN EYEWITNESSES?

The Qur’an restores the original message of God As the Qur’ān states:> “This is the Book in which there is no doubt.”(Qur’an 2:2)And:> “Say: God is One.”(Qur’an 112:1)

Why Islam Rejects Original Sin

Did Jesus Die for Our Sins? — The Islamic Response