-Islam and Christianity: Some Major Differences

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There are many differences that separate the two largest world religions- Islam and Christianity.

Some of the greatest disparity revolves around their very different understandings about the character of God (or Allah in the case of Islam) and how one can have a relationship with God the Father and receive eternal salvation.

The Following is a short summary.

1.  The Character of God

Christianity teaches that God loves the world and all mankind: *

     ”…God is love.” – I John 4:8;  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son…” –I John 4:10;  “I have Loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” –Jer. 31:3;  ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his one only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  –John 3:16

Islam teaches that the love of Allah is conditional- he only loves those who believe and do good works:

     -Sura 19:96  Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love.

Christianity teaches that God is righteous and treats all of his creatures with perfect justice.

“For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice” –Psalm 11:7; “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.” –Psalm 89:14; “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” –Psalm 98:9; ”I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” –Acts 10:34

In Islam, Allah does as he pleases. Guiding some men to go the right way and tricking others to go astray.

“If we so willed, we could have brought every soul its true guidance, but the word from me will come true: ”I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together” “. -Sura 32:13

2. Human Relationship with God

Christianity teaches that God loves humanity and that believers can have an actual relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ His Son. God the Father sends His Holy Spirit to live and abide with Believers to help them live and become adopted members of His family.

”But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” –John 1:12-13

In Islam, It is a one way relationship. No one can be certain that they have found favor with Allah. Muslims are called upon to love and respect Allah and be obedient to his laws without any expectation of any kind of response.

3. Eternal Destiny

Christianity teaches that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can be certain of their  salvation -that Heaven is their eternal destiny.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” –1 John 5:13

In Islam, Muslims can never be certain that they have done enough to secure the favor of Allah and be received into Paradise following their death.