When Misunderstanding Becomes Doctrine: How the Quran Misconstrues Biblical Christianity

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba | Shimba Theological Institute

One of the clearest evidences of theological confusion within the Quran is its misrepresentation of core Christian doctrines — particularly concerning the identity of God and the Messiah. A prime example is found in Surah 9:31, which astonishingly states:

“They take their rabbis and their monks as lords besides Allah and the Christ, the son of Mary.”

Here’s the issue: the Quran inadvertently admits what it elsewhere denies — that there are two Lords to whom allegiance is due: Allah and the Christ. In Islam’s own theological system, this is a grammatical and doctrinal anomaly. Islamic theology teaches strict monotheism (tawhid), yet this verse pairs Allah and the Christ together in a way that echoes the biblical distinction between God the Father and God the Son.

This flawed framing arises from a profound misunderstanding of biblical Trinitarian theology. In the Bible, God reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one Being, three persons. The Quran, however, consistently mischaracterizes Christian belief as either polytheistic or confused, often suggesting Christians worship Mary as part of the Trinity (Surah 5:116) — a claim historically and theologically false.

Compare this with the consistent testimony of Scripture:

• Psalm 110:1 prophesies, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand.’” A clear distinction within the Godhead.

• Luke 22:69, “The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

• Jeremiah 30:9 speaks of a future where people serve both the LORD their God and David their king (Messiah).

• Revelation 11:15 declares the kingdom belongs to “our Lord and of his Christ.”

The biblical message is harmonious: God’s identity includes the eternal Son, Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, reigning in power and glory. The Quran, while trying to dismiss this, paradoxically affirms it through accidental admissions like Surah 9:31.

This serves as a theological caution: When a religious text critiques another faith without truly grasping its doctrines, contradictions and misrepresentations are inevitable. The Quran’s portrayal of Christianity is not a reflection of biblical truth but of 7th-century misunderstandings recycled into religious text.

At Shimba Theological Institute, we urge serious students of theology to engage with primary sources — the Bible itself — and not secondhand interpretations. Truth is too precious to outsource to error.

In Christ’s wisdom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba