May 15, 2024
Approximately one-third of the people who enroll in WEI live in Islamic nations. Unfortunately, most drop out before they finish the course. Why?
One of the biggest roadblocks to their learning is their Islamic concept of Jesus. They have been taught that Jesus was a prophet of God but not the Son of God. The idea that God sired a son by Mary is repugnant to them. They are thinking in physical terms, not in spiritual terms.
Darrell Wallace, WEI Director of Teacher Recruitment and Training, sent the following document to his Muslem students to help them understand that the phrase “son of” can mean different things. Darrell’s tips to his students might also serve as tips to teachers of Muslim students.
Darrell writes, “This is the message I sent to all of my Muslim students who have a conscientious objection to Jesus being the Son of God. The goal is to get them past a stumbling block that prevents them from listening to Jesus.”
“To help explain this phrase, ‘Son of God,’ please read the following explanation. The Holy Bible uses the phrase ‘son of’ in different ways.
“It can be used to describe someone’s character. If we walk in the footsteps of Abraham, we can rightly be called ‘sons of Abraham.’ The Bible also speaks of some men as ‘sons of Satan.’
“We are ‘children of God,’ not through sexual reproduction, but because God is our Creator. We are made in his likeness through the creation of Adam and Eve. God feeds us. He loves us as a loving father loves his children, and he is responsible for us [our well-being].
“Someone may also be called a ‘son’ through adoption. Moses was an adopted son of the Egyptian king’s daughter.
“Another use or the phrase ‘son of’ is by biological natural birth to a mother and father through the process of natural reproduction.
“When the Holy Spirit uses the phrase ‘Son of God,’ this is to be understood, first, as a title of great honor. It does not refer to [anything] biological or physical. God is Spirit and does not have children as humans do. This was a title that was promised to the promised Shepherd King.
“It is also worth noting that the phrase ‘Son of God’ suggests a spiritual relationship with God unlike anyone else’s. This expresses uniqueness, and the one given this title is very special.
“I sincerely hope this helps clear up any confusion. There is a great misunderstanding about the phrase, ‘Son of God.’”
