The Light of Truth — Page 167
REFUTING OBJECTIONS say that the Father had power to beget another son—surely He was not like the powerless and bewildered. So there can be no doubt that he forsook the Jinn, knowingly or out of forgetful- ness. Perhaps He did not crucify a second son fearing separa- tion from him, like a coward. It is also possible that the Father, feeling an intense longing, loved the younger son more than the elder. This is not strange to the people of understanding, for it happens on occasion that the youngest child becomes the favourite of fathers. So think carefully about these beliefs, and about a god who has sons and daughters. Our Lord is far above that which comes out of the mouths of the unjust. Then, we see that Adam was the first son of God among mankind. The Gospels of the Christians acknowledge this point. It is well known that reverence is given to the one who comes first, not the one who comes after him like those who simply emulate. Moreover, God created Adam with His own hand and in His own likeness and breathed into him His spirit with His perfect love. As for the Messiah, he was not the first brick of the foundation; rather, he came to a later people and was from among them. Moreover, it is surprising that the God of the Christians begot a son but no daughters. It was as though He did not wish to have a son-in-law, or He disliked becoming related to anyone through marriage, save those of similar status. Or perhaps He did not find any honourable ones like Himself [for his daughters]. Are there any beliefs quite so strange as this novel tale of the Christians? Or have you seen their like among those who wander about in the pitch-dark night? The real reason that Christians were drawn to such false beliefs and unwanted goods was their complete immersion in the material world—wherein there is an onslaught of various kinds of disobedience-alongside their desire to attain the favours of Paradise without first cleansing the filth from their hearts. You know that greed blinds the eye 167