Given the prominence of Islam in the news since 9/11, there is a significant amount of polemic occurring between Muslims and Christians in terms of the truthclaims of Islam and Christianity.  Since Muslims have very little credible evidence in support of their views, a common strategy is for Muslim apologists to appeal to the Bible in their efforts to discredit Christianity.  In this entry, I want to discuss a few attempts frequently made by Muslim apologists to show that Muhammad is predicted in the New Testament.

1. Muhammad is the Prophet predicted.  In John 1:19-24, John the Baptist is asked regarding his identity:

This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “I am not the Messiah.” “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered. “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”  Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

Some Muslims argue that Elijah is John the Baptist, the Messiah is Jesus, and the Prophet is Muhammad.  They add that Christians have no reason to conflate two of these figures (Messiah, Prophet) into one.  

While it is clear that many Jews of the time had an expectation of three prominent figures, Jesus never affirmed this belief.  In fact, Jesus is not speaking in any of the verses related to this expectation, nor is He being addressed.  He is only ever being spoken about. We have no record that He ever confirmed—actively or passively—that the Jews were right to have this expectation of three prominent coming figures.  It is also interesting to note that the Jews of Jesus’ day were not in agreement pertaining to the number of prominent figures.  Consider the following:

•    Some Jews thought of 3 figures: Elijah, Messiah, Prophet (Pharisees in John 1:25)
•    The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal that some believed in a Prophet, a royal Messiah, and a priestly Messiah (1QS Col. 9 vs. 11).
•    Some Jews regarded Jesus as the Messiah (John 7:41)
•    Some Jews regarded him as the Prophet (John 6:14; 7:40)
•    Some Jews combined the royal Messiah and the Prophet (John 6:14-15)
•    Early Christian Jews regarded Jesus as the Messiah and the Prophet of Deut. 18:15, 18
(Acts 3:19-26 [esp. 3:22]; 7:37)

The bottom line is that in claiming that Muhammad is the Prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy (18:15, 18), Muslims align themselves with the Jews of Jesus’ day who were mistaken in their understanding of His identity.  The earliest followers of Jesus regarded Him as the One Who was both the Prophet, the priestly Messiah, and the coming royal Messiah.

Let’s look at one more.  

2. The “Comforter” spoken of by Jesus is not the Holy Spirit but Muhammad.   

It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. (John 16:7 HCSB)

Some Muslim apologists claim that the “Counselor” or “Comforter” mentioned by Jesus cannot be the Holy Spirit since Jesus said the “Counselor” could not come until Jesus had left.  However, it is the Holy Spirit Who is said to lead Jesus into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1).  This argument is easily answered.  There are 4 Comforter Statements made by Jesus; all in John.  In every case the “Helper” is said to be the “Holy Spirit” or the “Spirit of truth.”

•    John 14:16-17: “[The Father] will give you another Comforter…that is the Spirit of truth”
•    John 14:25-26: “the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send…He will teach you all things”
•    John 15:26 - 16:1: “When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth…He will testify about Me”  
•    John 16:7-30: “if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you….when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth…He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and disclose it to you.”

While the Comforter can only come after Jesus has left (John 16:7), it is in a different manner.  In John 14:16-17, Jesus says that the Comforter abides (present tense) with you and he will be (future tense) in you.  Moreover, in Acts 9:31 we see that the Holy Spirit was indeed comforting after Jesus had ascended: “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”

In conclusion, we have noted two examples of New Testament texts being twisted by Muslim apologists in order to argue that Muhammad is predicted within its pages.  Although the average Christian has no idea how to reply to Muslim arguments, one can see that is not that difficult with a closer look at the biblical texts.