Some major Christian beliefs and Muslim objections and responses to the person and work of Jesus Christ

Our aim in this thesis is to set out major Christians beliefs about the person and work of Jesus Christ, such as his conception and birth, his Incarnation as God’s Word, his crucifixion as atoning death, as well as His resurrection, ascension and return.We will also examine Muslim objections and responses to these beliefs and set out a Christian case for continuing to hold them with integrity and to commend them to Muslims.
Each chapter will be devoted to particular beliefs, the objections to them and to Christian responses to them. In each chapter there will be presentations of scholarly opinion on both the Muslim and the Christian sides, with an attempt to assess their respective strengths.
We will begin with the virginal conception and birth of Jesus and the estimates by Muslims and Christians of these events, affirmed by both traditions. We will then go on to the doctrine of the Incarnation of Jesus as God’s living Word and as the locus of his Spirit and from there to the historicity of the Cross and its atoning value. Finally, we will consider the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his ascension into heaven and his promised return to earth for both sides and how they understand these beliefs, It is hoped that this will provide some material for further Muslim- Christian discussion, debate and dialogue on these hugely important topics for both sides where there is both much in common, as well as major differences.