The Bible Through a Muslim Lens: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John | Dr. Ali Ataie
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2023-06-01

In this course, Ustadh Ali Ataie, an expert on Christianity, takes us through the Bible giving us a detailed explanation of each gospel, Christology, and how the Bible was compiled.

He is also provides an introduction to the four gospels found in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), with new insights and a more nuanced understanding of who Jesus (peace be upon him) was for the objective of calling others to Islam.

This lecture series over 12 weeks was delivered in Winter 2014 via SeekersHub. It was delivered via the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California.

0:00:58 - Introduction and Background
1:15:33 - Gospel of Mark
2:42:48 - Gospel of Matthew
3:45:45 - Gospel of Luke

About this Course
This course introduces students to the four gospels found in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and analyzes them in terms of authorship, history, Christological emphasis (nature and function of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him), textual analysis, and syntactical exegesis. In addition, students will look closely at the sacred literature found in the Qur’an and hadith about Jesus (peace be upon him) and thus be able to apply a normative Islamic hermeneutic to the four gospels that will provide them with new insights and a more nuanced understanding of who Jesus (peace be upon him) was for the objective of calling others to the truth of Islam.

Among what students will come to understand include how the eschatological prophet and hidden Messiah of Mark (70 CE) became the “Word (Λογος) made flesh” of John (90-110 CE) and then be able to reflect upon and articulate the significance of such Christological evolution in light of their Islamic faith. Students will examine the hermeneutical methodologies of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111 CE) and Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 CE) with respect to the New Testament writings; the former affirming the text but rejecting the orthodox Christian interpretations while the latter rejecting the text (in many cases) as well as rejecting the orthodox Christian interpretations.

Lesson One 0:00:58

    The importance of interdisciplinary knowledge
    Jesus (peace be upon him) and his confirmation of the theology of the Old Testament
    An introduction to the Gospel of Mark

Lesson Two 1:15:33

    The two parts of the Gospel of Mark
    Eschatology and expectation of the end of time
    The two strands of Christianity
    The Messianic secret

Lesson Three

    Gospel of Mark represents Oral Proclamation of Pauline Christianity
    Matthew uses Mark’s chronological structure
    Interdependency of the Four Gospels
    Four Gospels are called Synoptic Gospels

Lesson Four 2:42:48 

    An introduction to the Gospel of Matthew
    Jesus (peace be upon him) as the interpreter of Sacred Law
    Matthew's use of Old Testament to foreshadow life of Jesus (peace be upon him)
    The influence of Paul on the Gospels

Lesson Five 3:45:45

     Sources of the Gospel of Matthew
    Matthew changes the Gospel of Mark
    Gospel of Luke
    An introduction to the Gospel of Luke
    New characters and their significance

Lesson Six

    The role of Jesus (peace be upon him) in salvation
     Portrayal of Jesus (peace be upon him)'s character
    The nature of Jesus (peace be upon him) as a savior
     Sections of the Gospel
     Sources of the text
    Unique Lukan material and its significance

Lesson Seven

     Differences between Gospels of Luke, Matthew and Mark
    Authenticity of verses on the Communion
    An introduction to the Gospel of John
    Comparing John to the other Gospels
    Historicity of the Gospel of John

Lesson Eight

    The person and essence of Jesus: only human, only divine, or both?
    Was Jesus created?
    Comparison of various views of Jesus
    Authorship of John

Lesson Nine

    The importance of the Gospel of John
    The word "god" in Hebrew and Greek
    Jesus (peace be upon him) as the Messiah

Lesson Ten

    Jesus (PBUH) in the Gospel of John 
    Who is Paraclete?
    Understanding sin and forgiveness

Lesson 11

    Oneness of God
    Jesus (PBUH) has limited knowledge 
    Jesus (PBUH) does not say he is God

Lesson 12

    Review
    Source of names Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
    Source of the claim that Bible is Divinely Inspired
    Language of the Bible

Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20131213041922/http://seekersguidance.org/courses/GEN165

Ustadh Ali Ataie is a perennial student and researcher who has been involved in interfaith activities for over two decades. He holds a Masters in biblical studies with a focus on New Testament and biblical languages. He also holds a PhD in cultural and historical studies in religion from the Graduate Theological Union. His doctoral work focused on Muslim hermeneutics of biblical texts, especially the Gospel of John. He lives in San Ramon, CA with his wife Roya and three daughters. Learn more about him at https://zaytuna.edu/academics/faculty/ali-ataie