The Question of Divine Truth: A Christian Apologetic Examination of Qur’anic Claims About Miracles
Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Shimba Theological Institute
Introduction
A central question in comparative theology concerns the nature of divine revelation: Can a revelation from God contain internal tensions regarding the character and actions of God? Christian apologists have often examined Islamic claims about prophecy, miracles, and revelation by comparing Qur’anic statements with biblical teachings concerning God’s nature.
One argument frequently raised concerns the Qur’an’s explanation of why Muhammad was not given miraculous signs comparable to those associated with earlier prophets, while at the same time affirming that Jesus performed extraordinary miracles by divine permission.
This article examines that question from a Christian theological perspective.
1. Muhammad’s Response to Requests for Miracles
The Qur’an records that Muhammad’s contemporaries demanded extraordinary signs as evidence of his prophetic authority:
Qur’an 17:90–93
“We will not believe you until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth… or you bring Allah and the angels before us… or you ascend into heaven…”Muhammad’s response:
“Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a human messenger?”
From this passage, the argument is made that Muhammad presented himself not as a miracle-working figure but as an ordinary human messenger carrying revelation.
The question naturally arises:
If earlier messengers performed public miracles, why was Muhammad not given similar signs?
2. The Case of Prophet Salih and the She-Camel
The Qur’an describes Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud:
Qur’an 7:73
“To the Thamud people We sent Salih… This she-camel of Allah is a sign unto you…”
The miraculous camel became a test for the people of Thamud. After they rejected the sign and harmed the camel, judgment followed:
Qur’an 7:77
“Then they hamstrung the she-camel and insolently defied the command of their Lord…”
The argument presented by some Christian critics is based on Qur’an 17:59:
“Nothing prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them.”
Some interpret this verse as meaning that after earlier nations rejected miracles, Allah ceased giving miraculous signs.
3. The Question of Jesus’ Miracles
However, the Qur’an also attributes many miracles to Jesus:
Qur’an 3:49
“I heal the blind and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s permission.”
The Qur’an further states:
Qur’an 2:87
“We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.”
This creates an important theological question:
If miraculous signs were discontinued because earlier nations rejected them, why does the Qur’an affirm that Jesus performed miracles centuries later?
A Christian critic may argue that this presents a tension requiring explanation.
4. The Christian Understanding of Jesus’ Miracles
Christian theology explains Jesus’ miracles not as random signs but as evidence of His divine identity and messianic mission.
The Gospel records:
John 20:30–31
“Jesus performed many other signs… but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”
The apostles also testified:
Acts 10:38
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power…”
According to Christianity, the miracles of Jesus reveal the work of God Himself through the incarnate Son.
5. The Nature of God and Truth
The Bible presents God’s character as perfectly truthful:
Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that he should lie…”
Hebrews 6:18
“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Christian theology argues that God’s revelation must reflect His nature. Since God cannot deceive, His message must be consistent with truth.
Jesus Himself declared:
John 14:6
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
6. The Apologetic Challenge
From a Christian apologetic viewpoint, the issue is not merely whether miracles occurred, but whether a revelation gives a consistent account of:
The nature of God.
The purpose of miracles.
The identity of Jesus Christ.
The relationship between previous revelation and later revelation.
The Christian argument is that the Bible presents a unified testimony:
God performs signs to reveal His character.
Jesus’ miracles testify to His divine authority.
God’s nature is consistent and truthful.
Conclusion
The debate between Christianity and Islam ultimately concerns the identity of God and the reliability of revelation. Christian theology maintains that the God revealed in Scripture is a God whose nature is truth itself:
“God cannot lie.”
Therefore, Christians argue that any claim of divine revelation must be examined according to whether it reflects the consistent character of a truthful God.
The central question remains:
Does a revelation accurately reveal the character of the God who cannot lie, or does it present theological tensions that require further explanation?
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
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