In terms of the above, there is a huge difference between how the
issue is played out in this case. In the case of Qadianis, there is a
strong consensus that they actually aren't Muslim, specifically for
the reason that they say Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was a prophet.JS> Some questions I would ask are, do the Ahmadis who are believers in Ahmad's prophethood, themselves, self-designated non-Muslims, or are they non-Muslims because they are declared as such by the Muslim nation or by Pakistan? Also, do they believe that Ahmad is a prophet like unto Muhammad, or a prophet of lesser stature than Muhammad? If a prophet of lesser stature, then I would say that 'prophet' is a loose word used in many different ways. It may be that 'prophet' is another way to say saint. If they believe Ahmad is equal to Muhammad, where is Ahmad's Book, and is it as miraculous as the Qur'an?
G: Finality of prophethood, simply is not that clear, central, or as
important an idea in Christianity. And the group which accepts
different forms of prophethood is more prevalent and varied in
Christianity.JS>: I think one reason why I do not see what you are saying is that I am taking Muhammad's declaration of 'katam' in the same light as Jesus's declaration that he will return at the end of time as he went up to heaven from the cave. Neither event will happen until the End Time.
Prophethood, as accepted by some Christian sects, does not mean that these prophets, Joseph Smith. White, or others, are the Return of Christ. All these groups, even Mormons, preach that Jesus will return later.
Therefore, their view of 'Prophethood' does not equal the Islamic view of Prophethood. In Islam, Muhammad Himself is a Prophet. Why? Because the word 'Khatam' is a reference that no other Muhammad will return until the End. In Christianity, though some recognize prophets, none of them recognize these prophets as Christs. Christ (the Real Prophet) based on Christian thought, was the khatam until the End Time.
The Christian prophet does not equal the Qur'an prophet because in the Christian sense, Jesus was not a Prophet. None of the Prophets accepted by some Christian sects are Christ or equal to Christ. The Qur'anic Prophet is equal to Muhammad and to Jesus.
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