“The Word of God” between Islam and Christianity

An expression is used“Word of God”In both Islam and Christianity, its meanings and connotations differ profoundly.
To understand the difference, we need to consider the linguistic, philosophical, and theological meaning of the term in each religion.

First: The meaning of the “word of God” in Islam

In Islam, the term “word of it” is given toJesus, son of MaryBased on the Qur’anic text.

Traditional Islamic understanding explains this as follows:

• God creates by His command: “Be and it is.”
• Jesus was created by a direct divine word without a human father.
• That is why it is called “a word from God,” meaning the result of the word of creation.

permission:

• The word is hereA divine, creative command.
• It is not an independent characteristic or entity in its own right.

In the Islamic faith, the word of God is one of His attributes, but it does not mean a multiplicity of divine essence.

Second: The meaning of the “Word of God” in Christianity

In Christianity, the concept appears clearly inGospel of John:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Here the word does not refer to a created thing, but rather to:

• The eternal expression of God’s essence
• The divine speaking mind
• God’s complete revelation

Christians believe that this “Word” became a human being in a personJesus Christ.

permission:

• The word is not created.
• Rather, it is eternal.
• It shares the nature of God.

Third: The deep philosophical difference

In Islam

• God is one, simple and uncomplicated.
• His qualities stand alone, but they do not mean internal personal differentiation.
• The word is an act of God.

In Christianity

• God is one in essence.
• But within it is an eternal relationship between the Father and the Word (the Son).
• The word is not a passing act but a permanent expression of God’s essence.

The difference can be summarized thus:

Fourth: The philosophical dimension (logos)

In Greek philosophy, the term “Logos” referred to the organizing mind of the universe.
When John used this term, he presented the idea that:

The divine mind by which the universe was created became human.

This is a bold proposition: not only does God speak, but his “word” enters history as a person.

Fifth: The question of monotheism

A Muslim may wonder: If the Word is eternal and a person, does this not mean pluralism?

The Christian answers:

• Not multiple gods
• Rather, differentiation within the unit
• Unity in essence, differentiation in relationship

Here lies the essence of the difference between “unity without internal differentiation” and “unity with eternal relationship.”

Sixth: The existential dimension

In Islam:

• God reveals His will through revelation and prophets.

In Christianity:

• God reveals Himself in a living, knowable person.

The difference is not only linguistic, but existential:
Is God’s revelation only a book?
Or a person and a book?

Deep comparative summary

• In Islam: the word is a creative command.
• In Christianity: the Word is a divine, revealing entity.
• In Islam: Jesus was created with a word.
• In Christianity: Jesus is the Word made flesh.

The open question remains before the researcher:

Could it be that God revealed Himself in the written word alone? Or also by the incarnate Word?