The “Jesus” of the Nation of Islam

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:4

In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul expresses his sincere concern for the Christians there.  He expresses worry because he knew that there would be some who would come in, preaching another Christ, in an attempt to deceive and lead as many from the truth as possible. Paul’s concern should be the same sincere concern of Christian leaders and laymen today, for The Nation of Islam (NOI), currently headed by Louis Farrakhan, clearly and undeniably preaches another Jesus.

It must be understood that the Nation of Islam is not a Christian organization by any stretch of the imagination. Founded in the 1930’s by Elijah Muhammad, the organization denies most, if not all, of the basic tenets of biblical Christianity. In this article, we will deal briefly with their doctrine on Jesus Christ, for it is a person’s belief or disbelief in Christ and His work on the cross that determines their eternal destiny.

Like most cults, the NOI attacks the deity and person of Jesus Christ. Stripping Christ of His deity, the “Jesus” of the NOI is a human being by the name of Wallace Fard Muhammad. According to “The Fall of America,” a book authored by the founder, Wallace Fard appeared July 1930 as Allah (God) in the flesh. In the appendix of the book it is recorded that Master W. Fard Muhammad is the “long-awaited Messiah of the Christians.” It is clear from this one statement that the “Jesus” of the NOI is not the incarnate Son of God, but a mere man. His origin and eventual, disappearance are debatable topics. Unlike the historical and biblical accounts of the Christian Jesus, not much information is available on this self-appointed messiah.  However, we do know that he was released from prison shortly before is “appearance” in the city of Detroit and that he claimed to be the reincarnation of Noble Drew Ali. We also know that his real name is Wallace Dodd Ford, and that he was born in Hawaii to an earthly mother and father. Furthermore, we also know that belief in him for salvation is futile and the most grave mistake.

The teachings and the “Jesus” of the Nation of Islam are supremely unorthodox. There is neither forgiveness for sins nor salvation in their “Jesus.” Faith in the deceased, Fard, will not and cannot make the atonement. God requires for sin-sick man to receive eternal life. God said, “…without the shedding of blood is no remission.” (Heb. 9:22)  Jesus Christ shed His blood on Calvary for sinners; Master Fard did not.  Without the blood, there is no atonement. Without the atonement, there is no salvation. Without salvation, there is eternal separation from God in the place, appropriately named, Hell.

In which Jesus will you believe? “…he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18