IV.

 

Similarities And Differences

 

From what has been presented so far, one can detect many areas of similarity and difference.  Permit me to bring out the most significant ones.

 

A. Similarities

  1. Sin

Both Islam and Christianity graphically present that sin is the root of the problems of the world today.  They both present it as having a real and pervasive influence in every person’s life.  They both present the fact that sin and its effects are devastating to individuals, families, communities, and nations.  They agree for the most part on the what actions and attitudes are sinful.  They both present the situation that one of a person’s main responsibilities before God is to learn to overcome sin by the means God provides.

  1. Why we sin

Both faiths present mankind as having a problem with sin.  Both present that mankind chooses to sin a lot.  Both present mankind as showing a great amount of rebellion toward God.  They also both present even believers as showing a great amount of rebellion toward God.  They both present this rebellion as coming from man’s heart, as well as temptation from Satan. 

  1. Forgiveness

Also, both faiths recognize that as individuals we need forgiveness from God in order to carry on with God’s purposes for our lives, and for our personal and social well-being.  Both recognize that sincere confession and repentance are necessary in order for forgiveness to be granted.  Both faiths also recognize that it is God that grants forgiveness, that sins are committed first against Him and after that against people.  He is the one to whom we are responsible for our behaviour and attitudes.

B. Differences

 

Though there are these tremendous similarities, there are also deep and significant differences.

  1. Sin

Islam and Christianity disagree as to the exact nature of sin and the penalty it deserves.  Christianity presents that even one sin merits death before God because of  His uncompromising moral character and justice.  Islam does not make it out to be this grim.  Islam presents many sins as errors and weakness that do not warrant substantial penalties from God and therefore in His mercy are overlooked.  This situation points to two different views of the character of God and the exercise of His attributes, of the way His mercy, justice, and love relate to each other.

  1. Why do we sin?

Also, Islam and Christianity present two different views of our basic nature as human beings.  Islam presents that we are created essentially neutral or with a leaning toward good, but that this can be influenced toward evil by bad choices and temptation.  Islam looks at people as basically able by their own will power and choice to be able to avoid and overcome evil.  The Qur’an, though, also presents people as being created weak and inadequate so that they inevitably choose to sin.  It presents that this can be overcome by attention to one’s thoughts and actions and attending to one’s religious duties in Islam.  Though weak, Islam still presents mankind as having a stronger willpower to resist sin than Christianity does.

 

Christianity presents that our problem is deeper than our will power or abilities can handle.  The Bible teaches that our very nature is tainted with sin leaving us with an inability to live up to God’s righteous standards.  Also, the Bible presents that man does retain enough free will to make his choices to sin real and worthy of judgement.  It  teaches though that there is no way in ourselves we can overcome our sin and guilt so that we can merit God’s favour.  In and of ourselves, our thoughts and actions merit the wrath of God.

  1. Forgiveness

The difference between Islam and Christianity on this is that Islam presents that man can obtain forgiveness for his sins by repentance and good works, while Christianity and the Bible teach that repentance and good works are not enough.  The Bible teaches that the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only sufficient grounds for man’s sins to be forgiven, because of the nature of sin as rebellion against God and the nature of God’s complete moral holiness.  Islam puts the initiative for obtaining forgiveness on people that they must repent and then prove their repentance with good works.  Christianity puts the initiative with God, that He in love and grace provided a way of atoning for mankind’s sins while people were still helpless to repent or work well enough to make God’s standard.