Numerous books and articles have been published about the crucifixion. Western studies have focused on the Christian narratives and historical sources, but most of them have completely ignored the Qur’an, which denies that Jesus was crucified. Muslim scholars have also studied the Qur’an’s account but mostly in exegetical works that focused on the Qur’an’s version of the story, with some comparative references to the Gospel narratives but almost no consideration of historical sources.
This book takes a new approach by considering the crucifixion in the Qur’an, Christian writings, and early historical sources. It discusses the serious flaws in the Gospel accounts and the unreliability of the few non-scriptural sources. The book also challenges common modern alternative readings of the history of that event. One new contribution that this study makes to the literature of the crucifixion is its new interpretation of all related Qur’anic verses. It also presents a coherent explanation of the development of the fictitious story of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The theology of the cross that Paul developed is also examined. The book shows that the doctrine of the atonement conflicts with the Gospel teachings and is refuted in the Qur’an.
Detailed, yet easy-to-read and highly enjoyable, this book is intended for both the general reader and the expert. This thought-provoking study is for anyone interested in the crucifixion in the Qur’an, New Testament, and historical sources. Those interested in comparative studies of the Qur’an and the Bible will find this book highly informative. No specialist knowledge is required for reading the book.
This is the Table of Contents of the book:
Part I: The Crucifixion in the New Testament
1. Inconsistencies in the Gospel Accounts of the Crucifixion
2. Historical Problems in the Gospel Accounts of the Crucifixion
3. Who Killed Jesus: The Romans or the Jews?
The Gospels’ Indictment of the Jews
The Attempts to Exonerate the Jews and Indict Pilate
The Peaceful Messiah
Did the Jews Have the Power to Execute Jesus?
4. The Date of the Crucifixion
5. Paul’s Theology of the Cross: The Doctrine of the Atonement
Part II: The Crucifixion Outside the Scriptures
6. The Crucifixion in Historical Sources
Flavius Josephus (37 100 CE)
Cornelius Tacitus (56 – ca. 120 CE)
Mara Bar Serapion (ca. 73 CE)
Lucian of Samosata (120 – after 180 CE)
Thallus
Jewish Sources
So What Does History Really Say?
7. An Empty Tomb and Appearances After the Crucifixion:
The Crucifixion
The Empty Tomb
The Appearances
Part III: The Crucifixion in the Qur’an
8. The Fiction of Jesus’ Crucifixion
9. The Crucifixion of Jesus’ Substitute
10. After the Crucifixion
11. The Flawed Theology of the Cross
12. The Real Story of the Crucifixion
References
Modern Works
Classical and Ancient Writings
Religious Texts
Index of Qur’anic Verses
Index of Biblical Passages
http://www.quranicstudies.com/
