CONTRADICTION · ASCENSION
Non-Jesus figures ascending to heaven?
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven ...
... and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
This contradiction is crucial because it questions a foundational theological statement. If one passage denies anyone’s ascent and another shows Elijah ascending, it contradicts a straightforward reading, challenging claims of biblical uniformity and inerrancy.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Jesus’s statement in John can refer to ascending by one’s own authority or to understand heavenly truths. Elijah’s ‘ascent’ was a special divine act, not an independent journey. These are different concepts and not a true contradiction.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
The text is plain: John says no one ascended, yet Elijah did. If divine inspiration ensured accuracy, we wouldn’t need subtle reinterpretations. This evident conflict suggests human authors imposing differing views, not a single, perfect divine source.
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Non-Jesus figures ascending to heaven?