From AL, 3/03:  The gospel can be applied to the belief the Sufis hold concerning Christ as model of perfection by expressing why he had to be perfect.  The cross is a wonderful example of selflessness and supports their understanding of Christ as a model of perfection.  “The Messiah himself gave his life; no one could take it from him, for certainly no one could slay the eternal Word of God.  Although he gave himself unto death on the cross at the hands of evil people, they could not destroy him” (Kateregga and Shenk 176).  Because this paper assumes that they have at least heard the truth about the sinful nature of mankind, the completion of that truth is mankind being made pure through the death of the one perfect man who then rises in defeat of the sin that had killed him.  Although the beliefs of Islam do not work with the action of the cross they do teach that God is both loving and just.  These two concepts can be applied to the action of the cross as God being loving us as well as justice being accomplished through the death of Christ.

 Kateregga and Shenk.  A Muslim and A Christian In Dialogue. Herald Press:Pennsylvania -1997.

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