Only Jesus Gives Eternal Life: A Theological Challenge to Allah and Muhammad
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba – Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract
The question of who possesses the authority to grant eternal life lies at the heart of both Christian and Islamic theology. In Christian Scripture, Jesus Christ speaks with unambiguous authority, declaring: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28, NIV). This statement is not merely a promise; it is a divine claim to the ultimate power over life and death. In contrast, the Qur’an—Islam’s sacred text—presents no parallel claim from Allah or Muhammad. This paper examines the theological implications of this absence, exploring the Christological identity of Jesus as God Almighty in Christian doctrine and challenging the Islamic narrative that denies His divine nature.
1. The Explicit Claim of Jesus in the Bible
In John 10:28, Jesus asserts:
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
This declaration carries three theological weight points:
Source of Eternal Life – Jesus claims personal agency in granting eternal life. He does not say He will “show” the way, but that He is the giver.
Irrevocability – The eternal life He gives is secure; it cannot be taken away by any spiritual or physical power.
Divine Authority – The ability to grant eternal life belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:39). Thus, for Jesus to make such a claim without blasphemy implies His divine nature.
The apostle John reinforces this in 1 John 5:11–12:
"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
2. The Absence of an Equivalent Claim in the Qur’an
An examination of the Qur’an reveals no verse in which Allah or Muhammad personally declares the power to give eternal life in the same direct manner as Jesus. While the Qur’an affirms resurrection (e.g., Surah 36:78–79; 22:7), the emphasis is on Allah resurrecting the dead for judgment—not on the personal bestowal of eternal life as a guaranteed gift to believers.
Muhammad, as depicted in Islamic tradition, never claims to be the source of eternal life. In fact, the Qur’an reminds Muhammad of his mortality:
"Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die" (Surah 39:30).
This distinction is stark:
Jesus: Claims eternal life is in Himself (John 14:6; John 11:25).
Muhammad: Is subject to death, awaiting the same resurrection as his followers.
3. Theological Implications and Challenge
If eternal life is the highest divine gift and the true hallmark of God’s salvific work, then the failure of Allah or Muhammad to speak with Jesus’ direct assurance raises serious theological questions for Islam:
Authority Gap – Why does Muhammad never claim the ability to grant eternal life if he is the “seal of the prophets”? If his mission was the final revelation, why does it lack this ultimate assurance?
Christological Exclusivity – Jesus’ claim to give eternal life is either ultimate truth or ultimate blasphemy. The Qur’an affirms Jesus as a prophet but denies His deity (Surah 5:72). Yet if He is merely a prophet, His statement in John 10:28 would constitute a violation of strict monotheism under Islamic logic.
Soteriological Assurance – In Islam, salvation is dependent upon Allah’s will on Judgment Day (Surah 46:9). In Christianity, salvation is assured now through Christ (John 5:24). This fundamental difference points to Christianity’s unique offer of certainty, as opposed to Islam’s uncertainty.
4. The Divine Identity of Jesus
The Old Testament consistently teaches that only God gives life (Deuteronomy 32:39; Job 33:4; Psalm 36:9). Therefore, Jesus’ self-ascription of this divine role confirms His equality with the Father (John 10:30). The unity of power (“no one will snatch them out of my hand”) mirrors the Old Testament depiction of God as the sole shepherd of His people (Ezekiel 34:11–16).
From a theological standpoint, Jesus’ words cannot be reduced to metaphor. His authority over eternal destiny transcends the role of any prophet and identifies Him with the very nature of Yahweh.
Conclusion
The inability of the Qur’an or Muhammad to match the direct and personal assurance given by Jesus in John 10:28 exposes a crucial doctrinal deficiency in Islamic theology. Eternal life is not merely about resurrection but about union with God secured by the One who is Himself life (John 1:4; 14:6). Jesus’ words demand recognition of His divinity and His role as the sole source of salvation.
Thus, the challenge stands: if Allah and Muhammad cannot speak as Jesus spoke, it is because neither is God incarnate. Jesus Christ alone gives eternal life—therefore, Jesus Christ alone is God Almighty.
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