By Editorial Staff
Since God is the true Judge, and Jesus’ judgment is derived from God’s, Jesus cannot be God
One of the names and attributes of God is “the Judge”, Who “judges”, “recompenses”, “rewards” and “punishes” all creatures.
There is no doubt that the Lord and Creator of this universe did not create it for nothing but for a certain objective. He will requite all of His creatures for their deeds, be they good or evil.
The Judge in Islam
The Qur’an often confirms that God (called “Allah” in Arabic) only is “the Judge” Who judges among His creatures. We read:
The Jews say “The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on,” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on,” although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ. (Al-Baqarah 2:113)
We also read:
[Mention] when Allah said, “O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ. (Aal `Imran 3:55)
The Qur’an also emphasizes that God is the One Who requites people for their deeds. So He will reward whomever He likes and punish whomever he dislikes. For example, we read:
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And we will reward the grateful. (Aal `Imran 3:145)
We also read:
Paradise is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allah a protector or a helper. And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed. (An-Nisaa’ 4:123-124)
The Judge in Christianity
In the New Testament, the Bible tells us that God (called “Father” in Christianity) is the One Who rewards people for their deeds. Jesus is quoted as ascribing reward-giving to God rather than himself. We read:
“Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing[give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-6)
We also read:
“And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
We further read:
“If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.” (Matthew 7:11)
The Bible also tells us that it is God Who judges, i.e. requites, people for their deeds. We read: “On that day when, as my gospel proclaims, God will judge the secrets [all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins] of men through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16)
Though the Bible allegedly states that Jesus will judge people, it also states that Jesus’ judgment is not an innate one and that it is rather derived from God’s.
We read: “The Father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22)
We also read: “Also he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27)
Since God is the Judge, and Jesus’ judgment is derived from God’s according to the Bible, Jesus cannot be God for God is the true Judge Who may give judgment, and the one given judgment cannot be God.
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References:
1- The Glorious Qur’an (Sahih International Translation)
2- The Holy Bible (Visit biblegateway.com)