The Word Made Flesh versus the Word Made Book: A Biblical-Theological and Historical-Critical Evaluation of Qur’anic Origins and the Promise-Plan of God

ARTICLE GUIDE

At a Glance

This study contrasts incarnation and inlibration through biblical theology and the historical study of Qurʾānic origins. It surveys manuscript corrections, transmission, Late Antique intertexts, Islamic biographical traditions, and the author’s argument concerning the Islamic Dilemma.

How do manuscript history and different accounts of revelation shape Christian–Muslim debate?

This guide introduces the argument developed in the complete article and its main lines of investigation.

Key Claims

• The essay contrasts the incarnate Word with the theological model it describes as inlibration.
• It draws on manuscript studies to evaluate claims of letter-perfect Qurʾānic preservation.
• The article examines the compilation of Islamic narrative sources and proposed connections with Jewish and Christian traditions of Late Antiquity.
• It surveys revisionist arguments about geography and prayer direction as part of its wider critique of Islamic origins.
• The study presents the Islamic Dilemma and reads Christian revelation through the promise-plan, divine council framework, and Israel’s continuing calling.

Primary Textual Anchors

• John 1:14; Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3
• 2 Samuel 7; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:26–27
• Deuteronomy 32:8–9; Psalm 82; Romans 11:28–29
• Qurʾān 3:49; 5:31–32; 19:29–33; 27:17–44

Scripture Connections

John 1:14; Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3; 2 Samuel 7; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:26–27; Deuteronomy 32:8–9; Psalm 82; Romans 11:28–29; Qurʾān 3:49; 5:31–32; 19:29–33; 27:17–44

Selected Scholarship

• Brubaker, D. A. (2019). Corrections in early Qurʾān manuscripts: Twenty examples. Think and Tell Press.
• Déroche, F. (2014). Qurʾans of the Umayyads: A first overview. Brill.
• Reynolds, G. S. (2010). The Qurʾān and its biblical subtext. Routledge.
• Sadeghi, B., & Goudarzi, M. (2012). Ṣanʿāʾ 1 and the origins of the Qurʾān. Der Islam, 87(1–2), 1–129.

Related Guides

• Mohammad vs Jesus: Who Has Better Historical Evidence?
• The Cross, the Text, and the Dilemma: An Academic and Exegetical Evaluation of Islamic Crucifixion Views, Covenantal Promise-Plan Theology, and Historical Apologetics

Explore This Topic

• Early Islam & Qurʾānic Origins

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