Michael R. Licona - Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection

2006 by Michael R. Licona

Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4313-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are the authors own translation from the original Greek.

Scripture marked NASB is taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture marked NLT is taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked NRSV is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Quotations from the Quran cited in this book are from The Meaning of The Holy Quran , New Edition with Revised Translation, Commentary and Newly Compiled Comprehensive Index, 10th edition, trans. Abdullah Yusuf Ali (Beltsville, MD: Amana, 1999). All rights reserved. Used with permission.

In a day of heightened awareness of Islam in the West, it is vitally important that Christians know how to give an answer when asked by a Muslim for the hope that is in us. Since the Quran denies the historicity of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the evidence for these events constitutes justification for thinking that Christianity rather than Islam gives us the truth about Jesus and the God he revealed. In this book Licona not only marshals that evidence but also refutes the typical objections brought by Muslim apologists against it.

William Lane Craig, research professor of philosophy,
Talbot School of Theology

The Islam/Christian debate all comes down to whether Jesus rose from the dead shortly after his crucifixion. If he did not, then Christianity is a sham. In his book, Paul Meets Muhammad , Michael Licona entertains and educates the reader with an ingeniously crafted debate that is fair to both sides. If you are a Christian looking for a resource on how to share your faith with your Muslim friend, look no further.

D. James Kennedy, senior minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida; chancellor, Knox Theological Seminary

Reconstructing debates between the greats of the past is a clever device occasionally attempted in the mediaprinted or airedbut never with such success as in Paul Meets Muhammad . St. Paul debating Muhammad? Forget the time warp and simply enjoy the interchange! Since Michael Licona is fast becoming one of Christianitys most eloquent apologists for the resurrection, you will assume a strong, pro-Christian bias in this book (St. Paul will have all the good lines and Muhammad the bad) but you will be wrong! Licona brilliantly presents also the Muslim arguments at the heart of the Christian-Muslim dialogue, claims that Jesus never died and so could not have been resurrected. Since the Muslim challenge to the church is becoming more acute each passing day, it is well for Christians to arm themselves with the arsenal of arguments presented in these pages.

Paul L. Maier, professor of history, Western Michigan University

This brilliant idea for reconstructing a dialogue between Paul and Mohammad plainly indicates Mike Liconas mastery of the subject matter of Jesuss resurrection. Islam postulates an alternate theory that is supernatural in nature. This book successfully critiques this approach and needs to be read by any Christian desiring to have constructive dialogue with Muslims. Since Mikes presentation of the Muslim view is actually stronger than I have heard presented by Muslim scholars, Muslims should enjoy reading it, too!

Gary Habermas, distinguished research professor, Liberty University

Paul Meets Muhammad is appropriately titled. In this book Michael Licona makes plain the differences that exist between Christianity and Islam concerning the central truth of the Christian faith: the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God.

The debate format between the apostle Paul and the prophet Muhammad will draw one quickly into the discussion. Liconas treatment of the issue, fair and balanced, draws on primary sources which allows each side to speak for themselves. The importance of historically credible evidence, careful reasoning, and logical consistency are clearly demonstrated. Read this book and learn. Read this book and be challenged. Read this book and see evidence mount for the empty tomb and the supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Donald L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

An engaging and delightful debate between St. Paul and Muhammad! Mike Licona does a splendid job of laying out the key differences between Christianity and Islam, which center on the historicity and theological significance of Jesuss death and resurrection.

Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics,
Palm Beach Atlantic University

Michael Liconas Paul Meets Muhammad highlights the key points of disagreement between Christian and Islamic faith in a way that is easy to understand and fun to read. The imaginary debate between the Paul the apostle and Muhammad the prophet is fair and respectful and will help Muslims and Christians alike to understand better the importance and centrality of the resurrection of Jesus. Although advanced students of religion will find this book useful and stimulating, it will prove especially helpful to non-experts. I highly recommend it.

Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor,
Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada

In his new book Paul Meets Muhammad , Michael R. Licona has, in one fell swoop, found the most unique manner of approaching Islamic evangelism that I have seen in quite some time. Licona is intelligent, on target, strong in conviction, and yet at the same time compassion and sensitivity flow through this work. I cannot give this work a higher endorsement. Buy it, use it. This book can change lives.

Ergun Mehmet Caner, dean, Liberty Theological Seminary

In this book one finds creativity mixed with solid information, resulting in a very interesting reading experience. Its biggest contribution is its honest attempt to introduce readers to the Christian-Islam debate, one that will only become more and more important in our global village.

Jan van der Watt, professor of New Testament studies,
University of Pretoria

To my mom and dad. Thank you for enduring my teens, encouraging and assisting me, and being there for me even afterward. I love you lots!

Contents

Foreword

I sat horrified as I watched the unthinkable: the World Trade Center buildings in New York City were collapsing after Muslim terrorists slammed two hijacked commercial jetliners into them. As the buildings were crumbling into rubble, Americas awareness of Islam began soaring to unprecedented heights.