Journal of Seven Heavens

Journal of Seven Heavens

The Concept of Children of God in the Bible and the Holy Quran Fatemeh Tofiqi

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Fateme Tofoghi
Resercher study center Religions and Dinomination univercity
Abstract
The concept of child of God has been important both in the interreligious polemics and intrareligious discussions. The issue is highlighted when we notice that, relying on the sacred scriptures, monotheists have presented different pictures of the child of God. In this research, we will see that in the Hebrew Bible there was no agreement on the meaning of the child of God. It could refer to supernatural beings, the righteous people, and the Davidic king. The New Testament emerged in a totally new environment. Furthermore, the meaning of Jesus’ proper Sonship is not the same all throughout the Synoptics, Pauline and Johannine writings. In the Qur’an there are references to the use of the “daughters of God” for supernatural beings such as the angels, the jinn, and pagan deities; and the use of “Son of God” for Jesus and Uzair; as well as the use of “children of God” for the Jews. But, the Qur’an condemns such usages and substitutes the title "abd" (=servant), so that there would be no divergence from monotheism.
 
Keywords
Child of God
son of God
daughter of God
servant of God
Son of Man
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  • Receive Date 25 March 2011
  • Revise Date 26 May 2011
  • Accept Date 26 June 2011