The Qur’an and Its Claims Versus the Bible
One of the central aspects of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light’s theology is its reliance on the Qur’an as an authoritative text alongside the Bible. In particular, they often refer to Qur’anic verses to substantiate their interpretation of various Biblical covenants, such as the Fourth Covenant with Moses. However, the claim that the Qur’an can be equated with the Bible is both theologically unsound and inconsistent with biblical doctrine. The Bible itself does not grant any authority to the Qur’an. When the Qur’an is quoted as having equal or superior status to the Bible, it fundamentally undermines the uniqueness and finality of God’s revelation in Scripture.
In this section, we will address why quoting the Qur’an cannot be considered equivalent to quoting the Bible and the theological errors introduced when the Qur’an is used as an interpretative lens for understanding biblical doctrines, such as the nature of the covenant with Moses.
1. The Bible’s Unique Authority: A Foundation of Divine Revelation
The Bible, comprising both the Old and New Testaments, is the final and complete revelation of God to humanity. It is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and serves as the standard by which all other teachings and doctrines should be measured. Jesus Christ himself affirmed the authority of the Scriptures in his ministry, constantly referencing the Old Testament as the authoritative Word of God. In John 5:39, he said to the Jews, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about me.” Jesus’ testimony highlights the supreme importance of the written Word of God in the Old Testament and, by extension, in the New Testament as well.
The doctrine of sola scriptura, or the belief that Scripture alone is the authoritative source for Christian doctrine, holds that no other book, teaching, or prophecy can hold equal weight or authority to the Bible. This principle is central to all major Protestant traditions and ensures that the Bible is the sole foundation of faith and practice.
By contrast, the Qur’an, while it claims to be the final revelation from God, was not accepted as divinely inspired by the biblical authors, nor is it recognized in the Christian faith as the Word of God. The Qur’an itself does not claim to offer a new or complementary revelation to the Bible but rather asserts its position as a correction and clarification of previous revelations that the Muslims believe were corrupted over time.
2. The Qur’an’s Own Testimony: Contradicting Christian Theology
The Qur’an presents itself as a book that supersedes and corrects the earlier scriptures, including the Torah and the Bible. In Surah 3:3, it states:
“It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.”
This verse implies that the Qur’an, though it acknowledges the Torah and the Gospel, is presented as the final and definitive revelation that corrects what the earlier Scriptures allegedly got wrong. However, this contradicts the Christian understanding that the Bible, particularly in its entirety, is the final and complete revelation of God to humanity. The Bible contains no hints that it will need to be corrected by another book in the future. Revelation is progressive, but it is also consistent, and no subsequent book, including the Qur’an, can replace or correct the authoritative Scriptures already given.
Furthermore, the Qur’an itself acknowledges that its teachings sometimes contradict those of the Torah and the Gospel. Surah 4:157-158, for example, presents a narrative that denies the crucifixion of Jesus, contradicting the Bible’s clear testimony in passages such as Luke 23:46 and John 19:30. While the Qur’an claims that it affirms and confirms previous scriptures, this assertion falls apart when examined against the contradictions found in its depiction of key events and doctrines central to Christianity, such as the nature of Christ’s death, his divinity, and the salvation he provides.
3. The Qur’an’s Divergence from the Biblical Covenant with Moses
In relation to the Fourth Covenant, the Qur’an often presents narratives that deviate from the biblical account, specifically regarding the life and mission of Moses and the covenants God made with him. While the Qur’an asserts the notion of the Fourth Covenant, it presents this as a confirmation of its own teachings and its own theological framework, not as an affirmation of biblical doctrine. As discussed in the previous sections, the Qur’an presents Moses as a prophet of Islam and the Torah as an incomplete or corrupted revelation that only the Qur’an can correct.
For instance, in the Qur’an, Moses is portrayed as a prophet who brings a new law to the Children of Israel, which is inconsistent with the biblical portrayal of Moses as the mediator of a covenant that already existed in the Torah. The Qur’an does not recognize the covenant as divinely established with the same authority that the Bible does, which becomes evident when we compare the detailed covenants made in the Bible with Moses in Exodus 19–24, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus to the more generalised references in the Qur’an.
Additionally, the Qur’an’s recounting of Moses’ life and mission does not align with the specific theological meaning of the Torah in the Bible, especially concerning the sacrificial system, the priesthood, and the role of the Law. This lack of congruence is critical because the entire biblical covenant with Moses hinges on the Law, the sacrifices, and God’s holy and just requirements for Israel. The Qur’an deviates from these elements, rendering its teachings on the Fourth Covenant as incompatible with biblical doctrine.
4. The Qur’an’s Insufficient Revelation of the Full Gospel
Another key point is that the Qur’an, while it acknowledges Jesus, does so in a manner that dramatically departs from the Bible’s presentation of Christ. Surah 3:55, for instance, states that Jesus was not crucified, but rather, God raised him up to Himself. This denial of the crucifixion is one of the Qur’an’s most significant divergences from Christian theology, which holds that the death of Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan of salvation. In Christian doctrine, the crucifixion of Jesus is not just an event of historical importance; it is the means by which God’s justice and mercy were fulfilled, as Christ atoned for sin on the cross (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Moreover, the Qur’an’s depiction of Jesus as merely a prophet is at odds with the Bible’s portrayal of him as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. The Bible clearly teaches the divinity of Christ (John 1:1-14; Colossians 2:9), and the rejection of this foundational truth by the Qur’an represents a major theological deviation from Christian orthodoxy.
5. The Role of Jesus Christ in the Bible versus the Qur’an
In contrast to the Qur’an, which acknowledges Jesus’ prophet status but denies his divinity, the Bible teaches that Jesus is God incarnate. Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the incarnate Word of God, sent to reconcile humanity to God through his death and resurrection (John 14:6, 1 John 5:20). The biblical Gospel is focused on Christ’s finished work on the cross, which is the means of salvation for all who believe. This is a central teaching of the New Testament and represents the heart of Christian faith.
The Qur’an, however, significantly alters the narrative, stating that Jesus was not crucified and was not divine. These changes fundamentally undermine the Gospel message, as it removes the very means of salvation that the Bible presents. In doing so, the Qur’an cannot be seen as having equal authority to the Bible, particularly in matters of salvation, Christology, and the work of Jesus Christ.
6. Why Quoting the Qur’an Cannot Equal Quoting the Bible
Given these significant doctrinal discrepancies, quoting the Qur’an as having equal status to the Bible is a theological error. The Bible itself claims final authority (Revelation 22:18-19), and there is no biblical justification for the Qur’an to be placed on par with the inspired Word of God. The Bible’s uniqueness lies in its divine origin, its consistent revelation, and its fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The Qur’an, by contrast, presents a theology that deviates from these essential truths.
In conclusion, while the Qur’an may contain some moral teachings that superficially resemble the Bible’s message, it does not possess the same theological depth, accuracy, or redemptive purpose. The Qur’an’s denial of key Christian doctrines—such as the divinity of Christ, the atonement, and the nature of salvation—renders it incompatible with biblical Christianity. The Bible, as the ultimate and final revelation of God, must not be subjected to the authority of the Qur’an.
7. Conclusion: The Finality and Authority of Scripture
In summary, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light’s attempt to elevate the Qur’an to equal status with the Bible is both theologically unsound and inconsistent with biblical doctrine. The Bible’s authority as the divinely inspired Word of God cannot be surpassed by any subsequent text, including the Qur’an. Furthermore, the Qur’an deviates from key biblical teachings regarding the nature of the covenant with Moses, the identity of Christ, and the means of salvation.
To truly understand the Fourth Covenant, one must turn to the Bible, which is the final and authoritative source for all Christian teaching. While the Qur’an may be a significant text within the context of Islamic belief, it cannot be used as an equal or superior source of divine revelation in the Christian faith.
By recognizing the clear distinction between the Bible and the Qur’an, we safeguard the integrity of Christian doctrine and uphold the authority of Scripture as the ultimate guide to faith and practice.