MSI Press Blog

  Calling God a Rock is a major divine epithet. It carries a cluster of meanings: strength, protection, permanence, reliability, and life‑giving power. Christianity inherits this imagery directly. Islam does not commonly use “Rock” as a divine name, though it shares the underlying ideas of God as steadfast, unshakeable, and protective, expressed through different metaphors. 🪨 1. Why “Rock” in the Bible? The Hebrew Bible uses ṣūr (“rock”) as a formal title for God. A major scholarly study identifies four core functions of this epithet: Protective agency — God as fortress, refuge, shelter Strength — God as unmovable, reliable, unassailable Ontological status — God as the stable ground of existence Creator — God as the one from whom life and sustenance flow (e.g., water from the rock) This is why verses like: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress” (Ps 18:2) “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD is an everlasting rock” (Isa 26:4) are so central. The metaphor is not casual — i...

  In Islam, Mary — Maryam in Arabic — is deeply revered, honored far more than many non‑Muslims realize. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an and has an entire chapter dedicated to her: Surah Maryam . Here’s how her role is understood: 🌿 Maryam: The Pure and Chosen One The Qur’an calls her “chosen above all women of the worlds” (Qur’an 3:42). She is celebrated for her faith, chastity, and obedience to God. Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus ( Isa ), seeing it as a miracle by God’s command — “Be, and it is.” Mary is not divine, nor is she part of a trinity; she is a human exemplar of devotion and purity . 🕊️ Mary in Islamic Devotion Muslims do not pray to Mary or venerate her as an intercessor. She is honored in sermons, art, and literature as a model of righteousness and courage. Her story is often told to inspire trust in God’s will , especially among women and families. ✨ Shared Reverence Across Faiths Like Catholics and Orthodox Christians, Musl...

  1. The Question Why do Christians and Jews share one sacred city — Jerusalem — while Muslims hold two, Mecca and Medina , and also revere Jerusalem? The answer lies not in rivalry, but in revelation and memory — how each faith locates its encounter with the Divine. 2. Judaism: Jerusalem as Covenant Center For Jews, Jerusalem is the heart of the covenant — the city chosen by God, the site of the Temple , and the place where heaven and earth meet. King David made Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Solomon built the First Temple there, the dwelling place of God’s presence ( Shekhinah ). Even after the Temple’s destruction, Jews pray facing Jerusalem. The city symbolizes return, restoration, and divine nearness — “Next year in Jerusalem” remains the closing line of Passover. Jerusalem is not just geography; it is the axis of sacred history . 3. Christianity: Jerusalem as Fulfillment For Christians, Jerusalem is sacred because it is the stage of Christ’s passion, death, and resurre...