Barriers Between Muslims and the Christian Faith, Part 2

Islam is fundamentally opposed to Christianity – from its core. This is not a new, modern idea based on tensions between the Middle East and the West. No, it’s foundational to the Islamic faith.  

In the previous installment of this two-part blog post – based on the teachings of Muslim apologist Brother Rachid – we learned about the first two major objections that Muslims have to the Christian faith: the claims that Christianity is a religion of idolatry and that Jesus was only a human messenger. 

Now let’s consider Brother Rachid's words about the third primary reason that Muslims outright reject Christianity:

A third reason is something you will often hear repeated: “Your book is distorted.”  

God has always sent messengers with a message, whether a book or an oral message. He sent Moses with the Torah and David with the Zabur (Psalms). At the end, the Qur’an came. So, Muslims say: “The problem is with you Christians, because you do not believe in the last message, the Qur’an.” 

They are taught that the Qur'an was necessary because the teaching of the Bible had been distorted — an idea passed down by Muslims throughout the generations since the seventh century. Yet the evidence is on the plaintiff: They must prove the distortion.

And they cannot. 

The Qur’an does not, in any specific verse, speak of errors in the Torah or the Gospel (Injeel). The Qur’an (in al-Baqarah 2:79) does mention that People of the Book (a group of Jews during the time of Muhammad) tried to sell writings to Arabs that they falsely claimed to be the words of God. 

So over the years, religious leaders repeatedly issued fatwas (legal edicts on points of Islamic law) that forbid Muslims to read the Bible and the Torah. Some Islamic countries enact laws against reading it. So this is one of the biggest obstacles in reaching a Muslim.  

According to God’s words through the prophet Isaiah: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).  

But if a Muslim will not read it . . . ? 

In addition to these three primary reasons that Muslims object to Christianity, consider that Islam teaches salvation through actions: Pray, fast, praise, do good deeds, and gather together. There is a balance in the end if your good deeds are more than your bad ones. 

Yet in Christianity you are saved by faith in Christ. Actions are only a natural result of your faith.  

Thus the Muslim wonders: What is this religion in which there are no obligations, where you can pray whenever you want?  

Thus, this difference becomes another barrier for Muslims to consider Christianity.  

Lastly, let me say this: When you dedicate yourself to befriend a Muslim and speak about Christianity, he may lose his family, his job, and his home. His life will be threatened. So, little bit by little bit, gently, tell the story of Jesus. If he attacks you, do not get defensive or make fun of him if he is coming to you sincerely. Answer his questions. 

Even though a Muslim man or woman is fundamentally wired to dismiss Christianity, we know that God’s Word will achieve God’s purpose, and His Holy Spirit will draw people to Himself.