Who is Jesus Christ to you?

Heres a quick question, you said that you see Jesus as a messanger to "the children of Israel (exclusively)" is that Israel as in Jacob (of Jacob and Esau fame) who "wrestled with God and men"?I was under the impression that the Arabic tribes claimed descent from Abraham through Ishmael, does this imply that they also claim to be descendants of Jacob, or is Mohammed seen as opening faith to everyone in a way that Jesus (or "Isa" right?) did not?Just curious so don't worry that I'm going to jump on you.....

Um I'm pretty sure it was Jacob....

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Genesis 32:22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
27So He said to him, "What is your name?"
He said, "Jacob."
28And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;[2] for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray."
And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.
30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel:[3] "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." 31Just as he crossed over Penuel[4] the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's hip in the muscle that shrank.

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What I was trying to figure out was...1)If "children of Israel" = descendants of Jacob.Assuming that Jesus (Isa?) was also a messanger or prophet for Islam does this mean that...2)a)Muslims are descendants of Jacob? I thought you identified with Ishmael?Or2)b)That Mohammeds message was meant for everyone regardless of ancestry in a way that you believe Jesus's message was not?Just trying to get it straight in my little head....I'm guessing 2)b) for now....

I'd say he was a smart guy who had some good (if unwelcome at the time) ideas about morality etc who was seized upon and reinvented to suit their own purpose by a bunch of fanatical, malcontent, religious loonies......

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Correction to my own correciton. Arabs are descended from Ishmael.

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I'm actually annoyingly good at this for an atheist aren't I?[This message has been edited by joz, 04-16-2003]