Title:
Textual Dependency and Theological Divergence: A Critical Evaluation of Quranic Appropriations of Biblical Narratives
Author:
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute, New York, NY
Abstract
This article examines the Quran’s extensive appropriation of Biblical content and its simultaneous theological divergence from Judeo-Christian doctrine. While the Quran purports to be a divine and inerrant revelation in “clear Arabic,” its reworking of key Biblical figures and narratives—such as Mary, the crucifixion, and the Christian doctrine of the Trinity—demonstrates historical confusion and doctrinal misrepresentation. The Quran's dependence on the Bible, juxtaposed with its reconfiguration of Biblical theology, raises critical questions about its claimed independence, authenticity, and divine origin.
Introduction
Islamic theology posits the Quran as the final, infallible revelation from Allah, correcting distortions in the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel. Yet, an in-depth analysis of the Quranic text reveals that it leans heavily on earlier Biblical scriptures for characters, stories, and theological frameworks. This dependency becomes problematic when the Quran diverges significantly from both the content and theology of the Bible. This study explores specific examples where the Quran borrows from the Bible but introduces contradictions and historical inaccuracies that undermine its divine claims.
1. Quranic Echoes of Biblical Narratives
From Adam to Jesus, the Quran recounts stories that are unmistakably derived from Biblical tradition. However, many of these accounts are presented in truncated, ambiguous, or distorted forms. Quranic retellings assume prior knowledge of the stories, indicating a derivative, rather than revelatory, origin. Scholars such as Sidney Griffith and Angelika Neuwirth have highlighted this textual interdependence, noting the Quran’s reliance on extrabiblical Jewish and Christian oral traditions circulating in the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad’s time.
2. Maryam and Miriam: A Genealogical Anachronism
A prominent error is the confusion of Mary (mother of Jesus) with Miriam (sister of Moses and Aaron). In Surah Maryam 19:28, Mary is called the “sister of Aaron,” and in Surah At-Tahrim 66:12, she is described as the “daughter of ‘Imran”—the same name given to Moses and Aaron’s father in the Torah (Exodus 6:20). This conflation ignores the historical gap of over 1,400 years between the two women. Islamic apologists have attempted to explain this away as a spiritual or honorary title, yet the textual evidence suggests a deeper historical misunderstanding within the Quranic narrative.
3. Denial of the Crucifixion: A Historical and Theological Crisis
The Quran’s assertion that Jesus was neither killed nor crucified (Surah An-Nisa 4:157) stands in direct opposition to historical evidence and the central message of the Christian Gospel. The crucifixion is attested not only by the New Testament but also by non-Christian sources such as Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3), Tacitus (Annals 15.44), and the Babylonian Talmud. Rejecting the crucifixion nullifies the salvific message of Christianity and isolates Islam from the foundational truths of Christian theology.
4. Misrepresentation of the Trinity as Polytheism
The Quran charges Christians with polytheism (shirk), particularly for their belief in the Trinity (Surah An-Nisa 4:171, Surah Al-Ma’ida 5:73). However, this criticism rests on a fundamental misrepresentation. Christianity affirms monotheism—one God in three persons, not three gods. Moreover, Surah Al-Ma’ida 5:116 appears to assume that Christians worship Mary as part of the Trinity, a doctrine held by no orthodox Christian tradition. This strawman argument reveals a theological misunderstanding incompatible with historical and doctrinal accuracy.
5. The Quran’s Theological and Narrative Dependence
Despite its claim to supersede previous scriptures, the Quran cannot stand independently of the Bible. Its characters, moral lessons, and eschatological themes are only intelligible when understood through the lens of Judeo-Christian scripture. Paradoxically, while claiming to correct the Bible, the Quran relies upon it for narrative substance. Without the Bible, the Quran's references to figures like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus would lack coherence and context.
Conclusion
The Quran’s dependence on Biblical material—combined with its distortion of foundational doctrines such as the crucifixion and the Trinity—undermines its claim of divine perfection. The confusion of historical timelines, theological mischaracterizations, and reliance on prior scriptures point not to a transcendent origin, but to a composite text drawn from oral and written traditions prevalent in 7th-century Arabia. Far from confirming the Bible, the Quran appears to borrow from it—and misinterpret it. The Bible stands independently as a coherent and historically anchored revelation. The Quran, however, cannot claim the same without facing its own internal contradictions.
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