I heard that the Qur'an says Jesus is the Word of God. Is this true? If yes, what does this mean?
It is true! In three passages Jesus is called the Word (Qur'an 3:39; 3:45; 4:171).
Now while Muslims reject the divinity of Christ, they do allow that he is God's Word. This provides a powerful opening into a discussion of Jesus's true identity. Let me explain.
John of Damascus (675-747 AD) wrote on this topic in Dialogue between a Christian and a Saracen. The Word of God is as eternal as God's essence, John explained. If Christ is the Word, then he too is eternal. If Muslims deny that Christ (the Word) has eternally existed, then they are at risk of blasphemy, according to their own theology, because they are implicitly attributing "change" to God's essence. That is, at one time God was silent, without a "Word," yet at another he had a Word.
Reasons like this can really cause our Muslim friends to think!
Another thing I like to share with Muslims—not trying to convert them in a single conversation, but rather giving them pause—is to inquire about Muhammad's parents. "Were they believers?", I ask. The Muslim will admit that they were not. Although Muhammad persuaded other family members, his own parents died as infidels. I continue, "But this was not the case with Jesus's parents. The Qur'an praises Miryam [Mary, mother of Jesus: see surah 19]." With these words, I am comparing Jesus and Muhammad, Jesus's parents and Muhammad's. "If Muhammad was the ideal human, why was he unable to win over his father and mother? It seems to me that Jesus was more than a prophet."
I would be seriously understating the case, but better to make our Muslim friends think than risk starting a quarrel. As Paul reminded Timothy, the teacher must be patient (2 Tim 2:14, 24-26)!
