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ARABS FOR JESUS
A Comparison
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| ISLAM | CHRISTIANITY | |
| GOD | A singular unity. No partner is to be associated with God. | A compound, or complex, unity - one in essence, three in person. |
| HUMANITY | Good by nature. | Sinful by nature. |
| SIN | Sin is thought of in terms of rejecting right guidance. It can be forgiven through repentance. No atonement is necessary. | Sin is serious in that it is spoken of as causing spiritual death (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1). It is serious because it reflects an attitude of moral rebellion against the holy God, which causes us to be alienated from Him. An atonement is necessary before our relationship with God can be restored. |
| SALVATION | The standard for salvation is having one's good deeds outweigh one's bad deeds. Therefore, it is based on human effort. | The standard for salvation is the absolute holiness of God (Matthew 5:48). Therefore, it can only be offered as a gift by God, based on His grace and Jesus' atoning work, and it can be received through faith. Salvation cannot be earned. |
| JESUS | One of the major prophets. To associate Jesus with God (for instance, to call Him the Son of God) is blasphemy. Muslims affirm the virgin birth of Jesus and the miracles that He performed. | The one and only son of God. John wrote "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." (1 John 2:22-23) |
| THE DEATH OF JESUS | According to the Islamic tradition, Jesus did not die on the cross. Instead, He ascended to heaven, and Judas died in His place on the cross. Muslims believe that it is disrespectful to believe that God would allow one of His prophets - and especially one of the most honored of the prophets - to be crucified. | Jesus died a physical death and gave His life as the substitutionary atonement for our sins. He then rose from the dead in a physical but immortal body and appeared to hundreds of witnesses (1 Corinthians 15). God's specific purpose for sending Jesus into the world was for Him to be crucified and to die for our sins (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:19-20). Jesus voluntarily gave his life for us (John 6:51; 10:11-17). The end was not that of dishonor but that of the highest exaltation (Acts 2:29-33; 5:30-31; Philippians 2:8-11) |
| THE BIBLE | Corrupted; Abrogated by the Qur'an (Koran). | Authentic. Divinely inspired. The final authority in all matters of faith and truth. |