11 Ways Islam and Christianity Are Different

Whether you are a Muslim seeking to understand Christian beliefs, or a Christian curious about the Islamic faith, this will give you a basic understanding of the worldview of both religions.

Islam began in 610 AD with Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation from Angel Gabriel. Today, there are over 2 billion Muslims globally, making Islam the second-largest religion behind Christianity. The Islamic empire once spanned from Spain to India, but today, Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country.

In America, there are about 3.4 million Muslims who practice their faith.

The Main Differences

1. The Holy Books

Islam says the Quran was dictated (given word for word) to one man, the Prophet Muhammad. According to Islam, it was dictated in Arabic by the angel Gabriel in Arabia over a period of 22 years. In Islam, the Quran takes precedence over the Bible, which has been corrupted by Jews and Christians.

On the other hand, Christianity says that the Bible was not dictated, but given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, combined with the personalities of the human recipients of the revelation. It was revealed to over 40 authors writing in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek in Israel and Mesopotamia, over a period of 1,400. 

According to Christians, it is the final rule for faith and practice.

2. God and Oneness

The concept of god in Islam and Christianity is very different. Islam strictly adheres to the oneness of Allah, with no division. In Islam, there is no trinity and Allah has no son.

Christians believe in one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, a fundamental belief.

3. God and Love

In Islamic teachings, Allah is not a god who loves sinners, rather he judges sinners.

According to Christianity, God so loved the world that He sent His Son (Jn 3:16), meaning He is portrayed as a God who loves sinners enough to die for them.

4. God as “Father”

The portrayal of god as a father is absent in Islam, where Allah is viewed as unknowable.

In Christianity, God is not only the creator but also a father to those who are saved through faith in Jesus, offering an intimate relationship to humanity.

5. Revelation of God

Islam teaches that Allah has not personally revealed himself to humanity.

Christianity, however, believes that God came down to humans. We couldn’t reach Him; He reached us and took on human nature, while not forsaking His divinity.

6. Destiny and Decrees

In Islam, Muslims believe that Allah predestines all events.

In contrast, Christianity, especially the Armenien version, embraces the concept of free will because God didn’t create robots. Christianity believes that God allows humans and even Satan to make their own choices, influencing the course of history while maintaining divine control.

7. Jesus or Isa

Islam views Isa (Jesus) as a prophet, not divine, and denies his crucifixion and resurrection.

Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, divine, died on the cross, and resurrected, and He provides the only path to eternal salvation.

8. Jesus’s Return

In Islam, “Isa will return to earth as a Muslim at the Second Coming. He will get married, have children, convert all Christians to Islam, some traditions say destroy the Jews, break all crosses, rule as king of the Muslims, kill all swine, die and be buried alongside Muhammad in Medina” (Barnabas Aid).

In Christianity, Jesus will return to earth in a physical, but immortal, never-dying body. He will rule over the planet from Jerusalem for 1,000 years.

9. The Holy Spirit

In Islam, the Holy Spirit is the Angel Gabriel.

In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity.

10. Creation of Adam and Eve

Islam teaches that Adam was created weak, imperfect.

In Christianity, however, Adam was created perfect but then he fell because of sin.

11. Going to heaven

Lastly, Islamic doctrine states that no one is guaranteed paradise, not even the prophet Muhammad; followers must hope their good deeds outweigh their sins.

Christianity on the other hand, offers guaranteed salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, emphasizing that human works cannot earn entry to Heaven.

Final Thoughts

If you are becoming aware of the differences that Christianity offers for the first time, Jesus desires to come to live in your heart. He will forgive you of your sin and you will have peace with God not because you’re trying harder but because you’re trusting in Jesus. If you would like to put your trust in Jesus for salvation, repeat this with me:

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the Son of God. You died on that cross according to the Scriptures for my sin. I believe You were buried and You rose again. I believe You’re coming back. Today, I repent of my sin and I put my full trust in what You did on that cross. Forgive me Jesus and wash me with Your precious blood. Give me the gift of eternal life and fill me with the Holy Spirit, amen.

If you prayed this prayer, comment below.

Read: Scriptural Case for Islamic Antichrist