Islam from a Christian
Perspective
By
Nick Bibile
Since the events of 9/11, Islam has drawn global attention. Discussions about Islam often come with strong emotions, political tensions, and misunderstandings. As Christians, we must resist both ignorance and hostility. We are not called to live in isolation or react in fear, but to think clearly, speak truthfully, and engage others with both conviction and compassion.
The Christian calling is not merely to defend a position, but to proclaim the truth of the gospel. This requires understanding—not caricatures. The Apostle Paul modeled this well when he engaged with the philosophers of Athens:
Acts 17:18–21 — Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic thinkers and reasoned with them concerning Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts 17:28 — “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said…”
Paul did not argue from ignorance. He understood their worldview, even quoting their own poets, and used that knowledge to point them to Christ. In the same way, Christians today must be informed if they are to engage meaningfully with Muslims.
Islam is a monotheistic religion whose name is derived from an Arabic word meaning “submission” or “devotion to God.” A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.
Historically, there is a connection between Arabs and the biblical narrative. Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, is often associated with the origins of many Arab tribes:
Genesis 16:1–2 — Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, and Ishmael was born.
Ishmael’s descendants spread throughout regions of Arabia, forming various tribes.
Islam was founded in the 7th century by Muhammad, whose name means “highly praised.” At around age 40, he began claiming to receive revelations, which were later compiled into the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. These revelations became the foundation of Islamic belief and practice.
Today, Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, with over a billion adherents across many nations, including Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and parts of Africa and the Middle East. Its influence extends into Europe and North America.
Islam is not only a religious system but also historically includes social and political dimensions. In many societies, religion and culture are closely intertwined.
It is important to understand that Muslims are not all the same. The two main branches are Sunni and Shia, with the majority being Sunni. Within these groups, there is a wide spectrum—from deeply devout and peaceful practitioners to those who adopt more militant interpretations.
Oversimplifying all Muslims as extremists is not only inaccurate but also unhelpful for meaningful dialogue and evangelism.
The concept of jihad is often misunderstood. While it can refer to struggle or striving in a spiritual sense, it has also been interpreted in some contexts as armed struggle. Certain passages in the Qur’an have been used by extremist groups to justify violence.
However, it must be recognized that not all Muslims interpret these texts in the same way. Many reject violence and seek peaceful coexistence.
When we compare the teachings of Jesus Christ with other religious systems, the contrast is striking.
Jesus commanded His followers:
Matthew 28:18–20 — Go and make disciples of all nations.
Luke 6:27 — Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Exodus 20:13 — You shall not murder.
The mission of Christ is not advanced through violence, but through truth, love, and sacrificial witness.
Islam teaches that Muhammad is the final prophet. However, Scripture gives clear criteria for testing any prophetic claim:
Deuteronomy 18:21–22 — A true prophet speaks what God commands, and what he says comes to pass.
Christians must evaluate all later claims of revelation in light of God’s already revealed Word.
A major difference between Christianity and Islam is the denial of the crucifixion in Islamic teaching. Yet the Bible consistently affirms the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Psalm 22:16 — “They pierced my hands and my feet.”
Luke 24:39 — Jesus shows His resurrected body to His disciples.
Isaiah 53 — A prophetic description of the suffering Messiah.
The death and resurrection of Christ are central to the gospel. Without them, there is no salvation.
Islam, like many religions, teaches a form of salvation based on works. The Bible, however, declares:
Ephesians 2:8–9 — Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
John 3:15 — Whoever believes in Him has eternal life.
1 John 5:11–12 — Eternal life is found in the Son.
This is a foundational difference: salvation is not earned—it is given.
Muslims believe the Qur’an is the final and perfect revelation of God. Christians, however, affirm the authority and sufficiency of the Bible:
Psalm 119:89 — God’s Word is settled forever.
Isaiah 40:8 — The Word of our God stands forever.
Any new revelation must be tested against what God has already spoken.
Certain interpretations within Islam permit harsh treatment of women. In contrast, the Bible calls husbands to sacrificial love:
Ephesians 5:25 — Love your wives as Christ loved the church.
Colossians 3:19 — Do not be harsh with them.
Christianity elevates love, dignity, and self-sacrifice in relationships.
Christians are called to engage Islam not with fear or hatred, but with truth and clarity. Ignorance helps no one. We must understand what Muslims believe, identify where those beliefs differ from Scripture, and faithfully present the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The goal is not to win arguments—but to win souls.
Truth matters. And so does how we speak it.