Differences Between Christian and Islamic Beliefs
83How Does Christianity Differ From Islam?
The Bible warns about the folly of accepting every spiritual or religious idea. Although, western culture is constantly pressured by the liberal media to embrace all faiths and tolerate all religions except Christianity. There are clear and Biblical reasons to be less "inclusive" than what might be consider "politically correct".
Any faith that denies Jesus Christ is Lord, God and Savior of the world is nothing less than the spirit of the Anti-Christ. It is demonic and seeks only to "steal, kill and destroy..." This is the spirit behind false religions and it is the spirit behind the violence and hatred that fills the world in the name of some people's faith in false "gods."
1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
People have long talked about the idea that "all religions are basically saying the same thing." But the test for orthodoxy needs to at least involve an examination of what is taught about these 5 areas: God - Jesus - Scripture - Man - Salvation
When you consider what different faiths teach regarding these key areas, you realize that all religions are not the same. People of faith do not all believe the same things.
This morning we want to examine that idea a little more closely when it comes to Christians and Muslims. We're going to be looking this morning at some of the key differences between Muslim and Christian belief.
There are Fundamental Differences In Muslim and Christian Beliefs:
CHRISTIAN: The Bible is God's Word. VS. MUSLIM: The Quran is God's Word.
We as Christians believe that the Bible - Old and New Testament - is our authoritative Word for God. Muslims believe that the Torah of Moses, the Psalms of David, and the Gospel of Jesus (while being on their list of holy books) have been corrupted by Christians and Jews to the point where they are not fully reliable. The Quran is God's most recent and final work,it supercedes all others.
CHRISTIAN: Jesus is the Son of God. VS. MUSLIM: Jesus is one of the prophets.
Christian belief is plainly stated by Jesus in John 10:30 where Jesus said, "I and the Father are one."
Conversely, Muslims believe that Jesus is simply a prophet like Ezekiel or Daniel, but not as important a prophet as Muhammad. In fact, the very idea that God had a son is repugnant to Muslims. The Quran states in Surah 4:17 - "Jesus. . . was only a messenger of Allah. . . Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son."
For Muslims, being a son is a pampered and privileged position, not a role associated with being a servant or enduring a cross.
The Bible makes it clear that the rejection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died on the cross to save His people from their sin, is nothing other than the spirit of the anti-christ.
1 John 2:22-23
22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
2 John 1:7
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
CHRISTIAN: Jesus died on the cross. VS. MUSLIM: Jesus did not die on the cross.
Muslims believe, however, that Jesus was condemned to die on the cross, but was not crucified. The Quran states in Surah 4:155 - "they did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them." Many Muslims believe that Judas was crucified in Jesus' place and that Jesus went straight to heaven. The Muslim view is that if He died, He failed.
CHRISTIAN: Humans are inherently sinful. VS. MUSLIM: There is no original sin.
Ephesians 2:1-2:10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind , and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Muslims believe that Adam and Eve sinned, but they repented and were restored. They believe that no permanent consequences came from their actions. Therefore, because no one is lost, there is no need for a Savior.
CHRISTIAN: Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ VS. MUSLIM: Salvation comes by works.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Muslims, on the other hand, pursue heaven by following the five pillars of Islam:
a. the Creed (Kalima) - "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." You state this publicly in order to become a Muslim and it is repeated regularly by believers.
b. Prayer (Salat) - You must pray five times a day (upon rising, at noon, in the middle of the afternoon, after sunset, and before going to sleep) in Arabic while facing Mecca.
c. Almsgiving (Zakat) - All Muslims are to give a percentage of their income for the poor.
d. Fasting (Ramadan) - You are to eat no food from sunup to sundown during the holy month of Ramadan.
e. the Pilgrimage (Hajj) - A Muslim is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in
their life.
By faithfully living out the five pillars, Muslims work toward heaven.
But for the Christ, salvation has been purchase by the vicarious death of Jesus Christ on the cross. That salvation is given freely to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord, God and Savior.
CHRISTIAN: Religious violence violates Jesus' teaching. VS. MUSLIM: Religious violence fulfills Muhammad's teaching.
Some Muslims teach that the sixth pillar of Islam is Jihad - Holy War against unbelievers.
The Quran is clear on the place of religious violence:
Surah 9:5 - "Fight and slay the pagans whenever ye find them."
Surah 9:29 - "Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day."
Chuck Colson once commented, "The truth is bin Laden and his followers did not hijack Islam; they simply took it seriously."
The truth is, terrorism and hatred are at the heart of Muslim belief. It's the spirit of the anti-Christ. Those who take it seriously will seek to kill and destroy anyone who does not.
1 John 2:18
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
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Comments
The problem is that Christian and Muslims are just as violent both religions, and all religions are not hijacked by Fundamentalists they are the ones just living it to the stated letter. Regardless of which book you read and follow you are still following a book which is flawed and which teaches you inherently to hate anybody who disagrees with a belief you can never prove, and for which merely questioning is the worst possible action.
But did you also know that in the missing gospels that Jesus also said, there never was any sin of the world except that of adalutory. Also, I have visited spoken to some muslim folks and it's not true that they only believe that Jesus was a prophet, but also the son of God, but that he was not begotten. In the Qu'ran, it is a little more apperant that it is neccessary to wage war if it is for God, while God and Jesus tells us that is was never ok to murder. He also said, to have no other God besides the Creator.
To the person who commented above, to hate is a flaw, it's almost like you have already fallen into one of the traps. I think the point is that we need to be on the same page, and to be on the same page all you have to do is accept all differences, which ever one suites your needs and beliefs is fine, so while some Christians say that Jesus is God...I read the same book (bible) and it doesn't say that, so I don't know where they get this idea but not all think that way and Muslims also believe that there is one true God, and I believe there is just one true God a soul of our origins, and so do so many other different beliefs, even Budhist, while they are actuallized in the "self", they also believe in the true Holy state, scientist belive in a big bang, a beggining and and end. The point is that there are too many different ways, but for so many to know of one that suites them is enough in itself to get you to where you want to go. But on Earth, one message is clear, we are all equal, there is no difference in our origins, only differences in our ideas.
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i think you dont like muslims . and also you belive in essa as agod or son of god i dont know who son of god or god at the same time killed by jewes cant protected himself or his son .
Good article! I don't see hate there, just truth as you and many others see it. As non-Muslims we cannot possibly know everything that the Quran says but we do know what we see happening around the world and what we hear when Muslims who shout Jihad speak to the peoples of Islam around the world. You want hate, listen to Bin Laden and his followers or other extremists and their followers. I know not all Muslims fall for this rhetoric, but enough do. Unfortunately for the majority of Muslims the minority of extremists are hurting the majority. There is too much bad blood between Ishmael and Isaac (which is where this all really started) for there ever to be lasting peace between the Muslims and the Christians and Jews. This will probably be denied but check out your history people - Ishmael was the "father" of the future Muslims as Abraham was the "father" of the Jewish tribes. Ishmael was sent away by Abraham so that Isaac would be the one to inherit all God had promised Abraham. This kind of history (even though many will deny it) is what causes the problems in the first place. It is called JEALOUSY. The Green Monster and any other name you can think of. Most Muslims may not even know the story of Ishmael and Isaac (then again they may).
To Sandrea Rinck,
Missing Gospels????? Miss guieded sole. Obiously you haven't read the bible.
How sad that you as well as many other will meet our maker with that explanation. I myself that people who read the bible for the sack of proving wrong either come to the knowledge that JESUS Christ is the true Savior or they force them selvs to see something else. But the ones that comment on a book that they have never read are simply that simple minded people with no thoughts of your own and a void in your heart. Funny that the ones that denie Jesus are the one who call upon Him when things get hard. THANK YOU JESUS for Blessing with with the truth.
Sandra, i read your comment and i find it very interesting, odvi you haven't read the bible, just as gene exavaliber says. There is only one true religion, lets get that straight. You can't just choose one and obey it and then believe that what that religion believes is what you will get. One day everyone will come to be judged by the one true God, what will you say to him then when he asks you why didn't you believe in him. You can't hide the truth and you never will. God (Jesus) was and always will be. I feel extremely bad for those who do not belive in Jesus and go to hell. It's not a joke, it's a horrible place. Every human being has a religion wether you like to admit it or not. Every human being searches for the right religion, the one true God. When you find him, your life will be a lot better. It will change drastically- not always for the better. I once met a muslim guy who was supposed to take over his father's occupation as a high priest. Shortly after, he decied to read the Bible (Christianity) and cam eto conlcusion that the religion he had been studying his whole life was wrong. He became a christian and once his parents found out, they had to kill him. Whne i met him, he was still on the run from his parents. Now you tell me in a situation like that, how could you not believ in God?
Also how could you look at the world and it's beauty and not believe that God created it?
yes it is hate we Muslims didnt call christians terrorist when hitler (who is christian) killed more or less 6million people. so why is everyone blaming Muslims for bin ladens mistakes?
Kmowery
You don't know the meaning of jihad. The greatest jihad is the war to conquer our emotions, hatred, desire. I suggest you to study more on the true meaning of Jihad. it is more than just military war. You mislead people with this simplistic understanding.
I read most of the comments i am very upset because people just go one way only. Read one book and make dicision I dont want to say about anything on any religion but only this thing please first read everything then make dicision if u read muslim book "Quran". which god (Allah) sent us and this is true book if u check there is every problem solution over there also there are lots of things god told us in this book which scientist proof now.So I suggest all of the people before take any dicision first go and check both of the books and then say anything if anybody have any complaint or any question about this please e-mail me on atif_m999@hotmail.com
Our God, Lord, does not want us to fight over who is right, or who is wrong. He wants us to live our life according to him, and serve as examples. To argue in his name only upsets, and seperates. He gave us free will. In our world today, we have to stick together. I am a Christian, and I was just reading Muslim practices, and beliefs, and I was impressed. I wish that we as Christians held our beliefs as closely, and Muslims. So many of us call ourselves Christians, but we don't act like it. I'm including myself. Maybe if we acted like our New Testament tells us to act, we wouldn't have to feel like we had to defend our faith. I know that we have fears about the Muslim, because of the media, but I don't believe that most of the people of Muslim faith are like the ones that we hear about. I think that the media tries to keep us distracted so that we aren't aware of what our government is doing.
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I don't know how anyone can say that Christians are racist. We love ALL people. Our loving God died for ALL. He made a beautiful rainbow of color, personalities, people of many regions, countries, ect... My husband and I have adopted many children. Some domestic and some International. Each one is a different so called color if that is how you want to put it. They are each wonderful children. Why do you all want to bring up the COLOR issue? You are the ones that must see COLOR or you wouldn't bring it up every time someone sneezes. When my husband and I sit down with our children we see them as children, our family, we don't look at them and think," Your skin is different than ours, your eyes are different than ours. We are so use to what each other looks like that it goes unoiticed. We forget they were not born to us. They are OURS. Our God is the lover of ALL SOULS. He does not want any to perish. He teaches us to love ALL and to forgive ALL. Infact if we don't we can not enter the Kingdom of God. Because of The Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts we have been transformed and we can LOVE and FORGIVE those who have hurt us. But God gave us brains and we are to use them and to test spirits to see if they are from God or not. He gives us discernedment of evil and good. If you follow a god other than the True God, you are an enemy of God and His Followers. We love you but hate your evil ways. As God does, we love the sinner but hate the sin. If a dog bites you do you hate the dog or hate the bite? No, we love the dog. And hate his bite. God calls us to love our enemies. We love Muslim's, God loves them and died for them, but because they follow another god and refuse Jesus as their Saviour, they are enemies of God. They go against Him. They do not love Him who loves them. As Christians we love them and want them to have eternal life. We want them to join us in Heaven and recieve all that has been paid for them on the cross. It is their choice. God does not force Himself on them or YOU. If YOU reject Him then you are no different than the Muslims. You both will not enter the Kingdom of God. You both will be lost and no longer in the Presence of God. It is your choice. I was lost too. My eternal place was not Heaven. I was not a bad person at that time but I was not a follower of Gods either. I was His enemy. I did things that were not godly things. I lived my own life and was living it my way. When I was 23 I became a Christian. And I can tell you , wow, for the first time in my life I felt fulfilled. Life wasn't about me anymore. It was all about the God who loved and died for me. My heart began to love others in a way I had never loved before. I actually looked at strangers and had a love and concern for them. When they walked down the street I saw them with Gods eyes. I saw the goodness in them and I prayed for them to have a good day and to know the new found Love I had found. God has already given each one His free gift. Now all you have to do is take it, unwrap it, and keep it close to your heart. The gift is His Son Jesus. You don't have to do anything good to be given this gift. Just take it and it yours. GOD LOVES us ALL !! To every person of every so called, "color", to every non-American & every American, GOD LOVES YOU. Please open His free Gift as I did. Come in to the family of the ONLY ONE AND TRUE GOD. You will too be supernaturally transformed. Its nothing you do but everything God does. It is AWESOME. A new life awaits you. Come join us !!
All I can say is to direct your readers to this website which on Mohamed (PBUH ) to know the facts about :who is Mohamed? and what is the Quraan is all about? Please publish this comment. http://www.rasoulallah.net/index_english.asp
i think that we should respect each others religion. Part of both religions are forgivness so why dont we just forgive each other and start all over. i dont get it
Interesting hub. It really helps me understand better about muslims religion vs christianity. My older sis is going to marry a muslim one day and I'm trying to understand and respect their religion. Not saying I'm against it or anything.
Can someone tell me the somilarities and differences between the Christian and Islamic views on war? Also, how are religious teachings relevant to non-religious people?
Thank You :)
To the Islamic believers that say they don't believe in a God that couldn't save himself or his son, I say that the point isn't that he couldn't its that he didn't. He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, and even though God provided a Ram to sacrifice in his stead, Abraham was still willing to make this sacrifice. I serve a God that wouldn't ask me to do anything he wouldn't do himself. So his sent his son and inturn also himself (John10:30 "I and the Father are one." ) to be a sacrifice for all man's sin. God could have saved Jesus but he loved us so much that he wouldn't.
Islam and christian,s have many similarities too.
THank you very much!! this helped me a lot in our class' debate... i learned so many things!! Expiriences, thoughts, etc... THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! keep it up! please never stop sharing your thoughts, expiriences... you guys may serve as inspiration to others! ???
Dear kmowery, I totally understand you when you say that islamnpromotes violence on a cursory glance. But if you read the verse that you write carefully you’ll find that it doesn’t. I hope you will be patient enough to be with me throughout the end of this article.
The verse says “Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth”.
My question to you brother. Does this verse stop here? No it doesnt. It continues and gives the actual reason as to the fighting. This is the continuation: – “until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued”.
1. PAYING JIZYA IS THE CONDITION FOR FIGHTING. THIS STATEMENT IS TOTALLY IGNORED OR OVERLOOKED WHEN LEVYING THIS ALLEGATION OF VIOLENCE ON MUSLIMS.
This verse doesn’t ask the Muslims to do mindless slaughter as the media portrays or deceives. It gives the Muslims the permission to fight only those non-Muslims who do not pay jizya – the state tax. And we all know that jizya is applicable only in an Islamic state. Neither India, nor US or Britain are Islamic states. So to put this verse as an excuse for what happened there only shows how biased, unknowledgable and unfair the media is and it hurts us deeply.
I can show whole verses from other scriptures that are truly inhuman, yet no one questions them. Do you want a sample? Ill give it to you at the end. I promise.
2. THE VERSE DOES NOT ASK THE MUSLIMS TO DO FORCEFUL CONVERSIONS.
Again, the verse permits the muslims to fight the non –muslims in an islamic state ONLY and ONLY if they refuse to pay the jizya – Willingly . Re-read the verse from ANY translation if you are not sure. But once they pay the jizya tax they can continue to believe in their atheistic pagan beliefs, but it will be under an Islamic state. You can still forgive them by not forcing them into Islam, nor oppressing them or being bad to them because of their wrong beliefs.
3. QURAN NEVER SAYS TO KILL THE DISBELIEVERS JUST BECAUSE THEY DISBELIEVE.
This is not to you brother coz I consider you as a truly respectable friend. To others who read this article – I openly challenge you to show me ONE verse from the Quran which says to kill the disbelievers just because they are disbelievers. There are verses which permit the Muslims to fight. But every time sensible and reasonable conditions are laid. I can show you all verses from other religious scriptures where slaughtering is done for reasons that are as silly and stupid as honor, glory and greatness. Sometimes for fun too. Wait till the end of the article to have a sample.
islam is the best, the relegion of mercy
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so this recent shooting at Fort Hood in Texas is simply an example of a muslim person truly following the example and teaching of muhamad and the koran - show me a muslim and i will show you a terrorist - why does the american military let these people in the army?
angeli says:
2 years ago
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