Comparative Theology · Monotheism & Christology
"The Father and I Are One" (John 10:30)
In short
- 1.The Greek word for "one" here is **hen** (neuter) — unity of purpose, will or action — not **heis** (masculine), which would denote ontological identity.
- 2.In **John 17:21-22** Jesus prays that his disciples may be **one (hen)** just as he and the Father are one.
- 3.If John 10:30 makes Jesus God, then John 17:21 makes all twelve disciples God too.
The claim being examined
The interpretation that "one" in John 10:30 denotes a shared divine essence between the Father and the Son.
The Islamic position
The oneness Jesus describes is unity of purpose and will — the very same oneness he prays for his disciples to share.
Analysis
Substance ontology was imported later via Hellenistic Neoplatonic philosophy. In first-century Jewish thought an agent (Shaliah) representing God speaks with God's authority; unity represents functional alignment, not shared essence.
From the Qur'an
Qur'an 4:171
وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ
And do not say 'Three'; desist — it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God.
From the Bible
John 17:21-22
ἵνα πάντες ἓν ὦσιν, καθὼς σύ, πάτερ, ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν σοί
That they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you...
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