Comparative Theology · Monotheism & Christology
"The Father and I Are One" (John 10:30)
In short
- 1.The Greek word for "one" here is hen — one in purpose, will and action — not the word that would mean one and the same being.
- 2.In John 17:21-22 Jesus (PBUH) prays that his disciples may be one in exactly the same way he and the Father are one.
- 3.If John 10:30 makes Jesus (PBUH) God, then John 17:21 would make 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 (PBUH) describes is unity of purpose and will — the very same oneness he prays for his disciples to share.
Analysis
In the Bible's own world, being "one" with someone usually means being united in purpose, not being the same being. In John 17:21 Jesus (PBUH) prays that his followers may be one "as we are one" — and nobody says the disciples become part of God. The idea that "one" here means sharing one substance came from later Greek philosophy, centuries after Jesus (PBUH). In Jewish thinking of his time, someone sent by God speaks with God's authority while remaining a separate person.
From the Qur'an
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ ۚ ٱنتَهُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۖ
walā taqūlū thalāthatun intahū khayran lakum innamā l-lahu ilāhun wāḥidun
And do not say 'Three'; desist — it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God.
From the Bible
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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