Day 4: Salvation Muhammad vs Jesus

This is Day for of our series exploring the differences between Islam and Christianity. I like to write on Islam during the celebration of Ramadan to remind Christians to pray for those who have set apart a holy season to pray to their God. We believe they do so because of ignorance or willful rebellion. Rather than judging Muslims, we pray that the Lord of Moses, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob would open the eyes of the sons of Ishmael.

The doctrine of salvation is known as soteriology. Both Islam and Christianity teach that salvation is the ultimate goal, but they differ significantly in how salvation is obtained.Christian and Islamic soteriology, or the doctrine of salvation, share some common themes but also have significant differences in their understanding of how salvation is achieved. Below are some of the key differences:

1. Nature of Salvation:

• Christianity: In Christianity, salvation is primarily seen as a gift from God, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that salvation is obtained through the grace of God, with Jesus' death and resurrection being central to this process. Christ’s sacrificial death atones for the sins of humanity, and believers are saved by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

• Islam: In Islam, salvation is achieved through belief in the oneness of God (Tawhid) and by following His guidance as revealed in the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While God's mercy is emphasized, salvation also requires righteous actions, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and repentance. There is no concept of original sin or vicarious atonement in Islam.

2. Role of Jesus Christ:

• Christianity: Jesus is central to Christian soteriology. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the savior of humanity. His crucifixion and resurrection provide the means by which sins are forgiven, and eternal life is made available to believers.

• Islam: In Islam, Jesus (Isa) is a revered prophet, but he is not considered divine or the Son of God. Islam rejects the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as a means of salvation. Instead, Muslims believe Jesus was not crucified but was taken up to heaven by God. His role is that of a prophet, and salvation is achieved through submission to God’s will, not through belief in Jesus' sacrifice.

3. Grace and Works:

• Christianity: Christian salvation is often understood as being based primarily on God's grace. While good works are seen as evidence of faith, they are not the means of salvation. According to many Christian denominations, salvation is not something that can be earned but is freely given through faith in Christ.

• Islam: In Islam, salvation is based on both faith and works. Belief in God is essential, but it must be accompanied by righteous deeds and good conduct. The balance of good and bad deeds is crucial, and Muslims believe that they must continually seek God's mercy through repentance and strive to live according to His will.

4. Original Sin and Atonement:

• Christianity: Christianity teaches that all human beings inherit original sin from Adam and Eve, which separates them from God. The atonement of Jesus is seen as the means by which this sin is forgiven, allowing individuals to be reconciled with God.

• Islam: Islam does not have a concept of original sin. It teaches that every person is born pure and free from sin. While humans may commit sins, they are not inherently sinful from birth. Forgiveness is available through repentance, and there is no need for a sacrificial atonement like that in Christian belief.

5. The Role of Jesus' Death and Resurrection:

• Christianity: The death and resurrection of Jesus are foundational to Christian soteriology. Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross atones for the sins of humanity, and his resurrection guarantees eternal life for believers.

• Islam: Islam denies the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified, but instead, God raised him to heaven. Therefore, there is no concept of Jesus' death as a means of salvation in Islam. Instead, salvation is achieved through faith in God, righteous deeds, and repentance.

6. Final Judgment:

• Christianity: Christians believe in the final judgment, where all individuals will be judged by God based on their faith in Jesus Christ and their deeds. Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior will be rewarded with eternal life, while those who have not will face eternal separation from God (hell).

• Islam: Islam also believes in the Day of Judgment, where individuals are judged based on their faith in God, their deeds, and their adherence to Islamic teachings. Muslims believe that those who follow God's guidance will be rewarded with eternal life in Paradise (Jannah), while those who reject it will be punished in Hell (Jahannam). However, Muslims believe in the possibility of God's mercy overriding judgment for some individuals.

7. Intermediary Role:

• Christianity: In many Christian traditions, Jesus acts as an intermediary between God and humanity. Belief in Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection is key to reconciling humanity with God.

• Islam: In Islam, there is no intermediary between God and humans. Muslims believe in a direct relationship with God, and salvation is sought through submission to His will and through righteous deeds. Jesus, like other prophets, is highly respected, but he does not serve as an intermediary in the process of salvation.

Conclusion:

In summary, while both Christianity and Islam emphasize the importance of faith in God and good deed works. However the two cannot be equated as Christians believe that “good works do not save, but that saved people do good works. Other doctrines diverge significantly in terms of the role of Jesus, the concept of original sin, the nature of grace, and the means of atonement. Christianity focuses on faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice, while Islam centers on submission to the one true God and the performance of righteous actions in accordance with divine guidance. The cardinal difference between the two religions is whether or not a person is saved by meritorious, or “good works” or whether by grace and faith alone. Christians would say “good works do not save, but saved people do good works.”