Episode 206

Christianity and Islam are often grouped together as Abrahamic religions.

Many branches of both faiths acknowledge, to some extent, that God and Allah are the same deity.

However, this doesn’t mean that Christianity and Islam can easily reconcile their doctrines.

In fact, because they both claim the same God, they often find themselves in deeper conflict.

If they were entirely different religions, they might simply dismiss each other as idol-worshipping ignoramuses.

But since they share the same God, their fundamental views on divinity are so different that one side inevitably negates the other.

The biggest issue lies in how each religion interprets God.

Islam views God as absolutely singular, while Christianity embraces the concept of the Trinity.

This doesn’t mean Christianity denies monotheism.

The Trinity doesn’t imply three gods, but regardless of theological complexities, Islam refuses to accept it.

For Islam, Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God, is merely one of the great prophets.

Conversely, Christianity doesn’t recognize Muhammad as the final prophet, or even as a legitimate one.

Until this fundamental issue is resolved, the two religions are destined to remain in opposition.

While the great prophet and apostle Edward Marshall is alive, there might be peace, but what happens when he passes away?

In a few decades or centuries, things could revert to their original state.

Or worse, they might argue over who best interpreted Marshall’s teachings.

Thus, both sides believe they must find common ground while the apostle is still alive.

Even if it’s a sensitive topic, this might be the only chance to discuss it.

At Cardinal Cencio’s cautious suggestion, the Islamic delegation sighed deeply, as if bracing for the inevitable.

“So… who will begin? Will Cardinal Cencio start?”

“No, I’ve spoken enough. I’ll pass the baton to the next speaker.”

With a sidelong glance, Cardinal Cencio gestured to Sinibaldo de’ Fieschi, who was about forty years younger, to step forward.

Ibn Arabi, relieved not to have to speak himself, nudged a young scholar forward.

The opinions had been coordinated in advance, so it didn’t matter who spoke.

The young theologian pushed to the front was named Hassan.

‘These old fools. They want the job done but don’t want the burden.’

Not that he couldn’t understand their hesitation.

This was about overturning centuries, if not millennia, of established order.

If anything went wrong, their names would be etched in history forever.

Even if nothing went wrong, if Marshall disapproved of the meeting, that alone would be problematic.

The apostle had given only the most essential guidance, leaving the rest to human progress.

He likely wanted humanity to move beyond the past and reach greater heights.

That was the will of God, not just the apostle.

But those who had long used religion as a tool of control couldn’t grasp this.

So they passed the responsibility to the younger representatives.

The young priest representing Christianity seemed to be in the same boat.

In the end, this wasn’t a bad thing for them.

Unlike those stuck in outdated beliefs, they had confidence in a new order for the future.

“Let’s be clear. This isn’t just a meeting. Many are watching, and everything we say is being recorded. So, I won’t use abstract or academic language. We need to be clear to avoid misunderstandings and disputes over interpretations.”

This unscripted statement caused some conservative members to frown.

Knowledge is power, and those who possess it can influence perceptions.

Many still preferred to speak ambiguously to manipulate the uninformed.

While the dignitaries here wouldn’t stoop to such tactics, they might think simple language lacks sophistication.

Truly old-fashioned.

Perhaps they thought attending this meeting made them important.

In a way, they were.

Most were esteemed priests from across Europe and Asia, or promising young scholars from influential families.

But Hassan felt no pride or vanity about being a key player in this meeting.

This was merely preparation for a new era.

He had already discussed with other young scholars, who agreed with him.

The key was whether the young Christian priest felt the same, and it seemed he did.

That was enough.

If they followed God’s will, the results would follow.

“To summarize Cardinal Cencio’s point: the reason Christianity and Islam are eternally opposed is the divinity of the prophet Isa, which Islam doesn’t accept. Isn’t that what we’re here to clarify?”

“It would be appreciated if you referred to him as Jesus Christ.”

“That requires agreement between us. It’s a matter of whether your Bible or our Quran is correct.”

Until now, this issue seemed beyond compromise or discussion.

As mentioned, one side’s affirmation is the other’s negation.

If one is true, the other must be false.

This absolute principle seemed unbreakable…

“Why not just admit both the Bible and the Quran are wrong? They’re just distorted versions of our Tanakh.”

Ignoring the Jewish rabbi’s outburst, the Christian and Islamic delegations exchanged silent glances.

This topic had sparked many debates, nearly leading to conflict.

They had no choice but to seek Marshall’s guidance.

His response was surprisingly simple.

“Before we proceed, the apostle left us with one piece of advice: ‘Focus on the essence, not the branches.’”

“We’ve heard that too. This meeting should reflect that.”

“Good. So, the question should change. The divinity of the prophet Isa isn’t the main issue. We acknowledge that not every part of the Quran can be taken at face value. The Quran is absolute truth, but we must question if the truth has been perfectly preserved.”

With that perspective, perhaps Isa was granted divinity, just as the current apostle is.”

The Quran speaks of a final prophet, yet another has undeniably appeared.

This doesn’t mean the Quran is false, but that someone distorted Muhammad’s words.

If so, the emergence of a new apostle makes sense.

God couldn’t allow His words to remain distorted.

“Does that mean you accept the Trinity?”

“No. Just as we acknowledge the Quran’s potential distortion, you must reconsider your stance. I apologize if this offends, but as I said, I won’t use abstract language here. So, let me ask: is the Christian Bible the perfect word of God?”

“Of course…”

“Are all the originals intact? Did the divine prophet Isa write every word?”

“Well… no.”

The Jewish rabbis might not have intended it, but their point had some merit.

Truth is singular, but noise can always interfere in its transmission.

“Progress begins with reflection and acknowledgment. The reason the Apostle, who vowed never to return, has come back to this world is because it has strayed too far off course. We need to admit our part in this and take time to reflect.”

”…We agree on that point as well.”

Hassan glanced at the podium, where Marshall was watching them with his usual gentle smile.

‘Oh, the Apostle is looking at me. What an honor.’

Their beliefs were not misguided after all.

Without thorough self-reflection and destruction, nothing new can be born.

To dismantle the old order and cultivate a new one, they must become the foundation.

And this applies not only to Islam but to Christianity as well.

“We hope you acknowledge that just as we have gone astray, your side has made numerous mistakes too. For instance, the Crusades. The claim that God commanded the capture of Jerusalem and the slaughter of infidels was clearly wrong, as confirmed by the Apostle in the past. We’ve heard that the Christian Pope paid the price for that.”

”…That was indeed our mistake. We will never again use religion as a tool for war.”

“That’s not all. Can you truly assert that every council held by Christianity, and the doctrines established therein, are pure truth without a speck of falsehood? The Apostle is here, and God is watching. Please speak with certainty.”

The Islamic side had even opened up to the possibility that Jesus, whom they considered merely a great prophet, might possess divinity.

With such a significant concession, it wouldn’t be wise for the Christian side to be obstinate.

Moreover, Sinibaldo, who had been thrust into the role of the Christian representative, had no intention of being stubborn.

Though it wasn’t a consensus decision, since he was pushed forward as the representative, no one would contradict him now.

So, regardless of what the elders behind him might say, Sinibaldo nodded decisively and declared, “Of course. We are willing to re-examine all our claims from the ground up, without exception for any council.”

The unexpected statement caused a stir all around.

“Is he serious?”

“But the Council of Nicaea…”

Voices filled with disbelief and confusion echoed everywhere.

And understandably so, for among the core doctrines proclaimed at the Council of Nicaea was none other than the Trinity.