Definition: The Quran asserts that Jesus was given the 'Injil' (Arabic for Gospel).
Contradiction: If the Injil refers to the Gospels known to Christians today, it contradicts Islamic teachings, e.g., the Divinity of Christ and The Trinity.
Implication: If the Injil contradicts Islam, it suggests that Jesus received a revelation refuting Islam, thus questioning Islam's validity.
Challenges in Defining the Injil
Corruption Theory: Some Muslims propose the original Injil was lost or corrupted.
Issues: Conflicts with Islamic teachings and documented history.
Quran's Perspective: Suggests Christians of Muhammad's time had access to a written Injil, implying its existence.
Historical and Islamic Tradition Context
Historical Evidence: No evidence supports the idea that Jesus received or wrote a book called the Injil separate from the New Testament Gospels.
Christian Canon Debates: While early Christians debated the New Testament canon, no mention of a Gospel by Jesus himself is found.
Interpretation of Injil by Sunni Muslims
View: Injil is a tangible scripture revealed to Jesus, later corrupted.
Problems:
Historical Inconsistency: No evidence of Jesus leaving behind a written text like Muhammad did with the Quran.
Islamic Tradition Silence: No clear framework on the Injil's transmission or corruption.
Examination of Quranic Teachings
Surah 6:115: States God's words cannot be changed or corrupted.
Surah 3:3: Affirms divine origin of Torah and Injil, implies they were valid during Muhammad's time.
Surah 5:46-47: Commands Christians to judge by the Injil, suggesting it was considered a legitimate divine source.
Conclusion on the Sunni View
Mainstream View Issues:
Lack of Historical Support: No evidence of a distinct book called the Injil in Christian or Islamic sources.
Quranic Confirmation: Quran suggests Injil's validity in Muhammad's time, opposing the corruption theory.
Implications for Islamic Theology:
Conflicts: Contradicts historical facts and Islamic teachings regarding divine scriptures.
Further Exploration
Open Questions: Ongoing investigation to find plausible solutions to the Islamic Dilemma.
Continued Inquiry: Encourages further research and dialogue on this theological issue.
Final Note
Christianity's Truth Claim: The speaker concludes by affirming the truth of Christianity.