This and the next 10 episodes contrast the god of Islam with that of Christianity. The program begins with an excerpt from the popular biography of Mohammed by Ibn Ishaq, describing his initial encounter with the angel Gabriel. Mohammed purportedly received divine revelation that was later written in the Quran. Divided into 114 surahs, or chapters, the Quran presents a description of Allah (god) that differs significantly from the Christian God. Surah 112 captures the differences, affirming that Allah "begetteth not" and there is "none like unto him." The former description posits that no distinct persons exist in the "godhead," and even the word "godhead" is inappropriate. Christianity of course affirms the Trinity, and that Christ is a distinct person in the godhead. The second description, that there is "none like unto him" contends that Allah is so radically transcendent that nothing in the created order describes his essence. Christianity also affirms a transcendent God, but nevertheless insists that creation points to His essence, Romans 1:20 noting "for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.."
Jesus: the Lord of Jews
This episode elaborates on the most pivotal event in history, the resurrection, and the appropriate Scriptural response. The resurrection of Christ signaled, according to Peter, that Christ was the exalted Lord spoken of in Psalm 110:1. Peter declared in his first sermon at Pentecost that Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God. He then cites as proof Psalm 110:1, "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" The significance of the resurrection? "God has made Him both Lord and Christ.." (Acts 2:33-36) Christ is the exalted Lord seated at the right of God, and the resurrection is the proof. When asked by the Jewish crowd what their response should be, he said they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Identification with Christ, the Lord of David, indicates one believes in the God revealed to the Jews in the Old Testament. And Jewish failure to come under His Lordship means all "Jewishness" is forfeited. (Acts 3:23, (1 John 2:23) Consequently, Jews who reject the Lordship of Christ do not believe in the same God as Christians and Jews faithful to the God of Abraham, Moses and David.