Islam vs. Christianity Comparison

Allah and God

Islam: Allah is distant and unknowable; Allah does not reveal himself to mankind; merciful (forgives at his will). Allah is capricious (both leads and misleads); vengeful (honor restored only by "getting even"); Almighty (emphasis on power)

Christianity: God is personal and you can know Him; God revealed Himself in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ; loving; just, holy and forgiving; Almighty (power balanced with love)

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Christ

Islam: Prophet; total denial of Christ's incarnation; people are inherently good

Christianity: God's son; all people are born with a sin nature, but a just God requires that the penalty be paid; Jesus paid it
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Bible

Islam: Revealed by God; changed and corrupted by unfaithful Jews and Christians

Christianity: Revealed by God; authorative Word

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Trinity

Islam: God, Mary, and Jesus (Islam's view of the Christian Trinity)

Christianity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
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Faith

Islam: Intellectual agreement that Allah is One and Muhammad is Prophet

Christianity: Recognition that man is a sinner unable to save himself but trusts in Christ's substitutionary payment for his sins
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Sin

Islam: Shame, embarrassment & dishonor to family; rebellion against God; absolved by works

Christianity: Rebellion against God (primarily) and man; result is guilt; requires divine forgiveness

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Salvation

Islam: Salvation provided by Allah at his will; faith and works are perquisites; salvation cannot be assured

Christianity: Provided by God to all who trust in Jesus Christ's atoning death on the cross;

works do not lead to salvation

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Sanctification

Islam: Emphasis on ritual and obedience to Koran; external and ceremonial; keep Five Pillars

Christianity: Emphasis on the growth of the Christian into Christ-likeness, through the work of the Holy Spirit
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Love

Islam: Erotic and familial

Christianity: Spiritual (God's love - agape, sacrificial love); family, romantic love, friendship and erotic love all recognized

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Supernatural

Islam: Believe in unseen world; realm with angels on left and right (good/bad); Satan is regarded as force of hate and power; fatalistic - all is preordained by God

Christianity: Believe in angels and demons as described in Bible; Satan is arch enemy of God' totally evil with lesser power than God; Man can overcome evil only through the power of God given to him by the Holy Spirit.

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