Islam and the Gospel: An Academic Exposé of Theological Contradiction
By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute
Abstract
The relationship between Islam and Christianity, especially in their foundational texts, is marked by profound doctrinal divergence. While both faiths invoke Abrahamic heritage and affirm certain shared figures, the Quran's portrayal of Jesus Christ, Christian doctrine, and Christian believers is not merely different—it is fundamentally antagonistic to the heart of the Gospel. This article systematically examines Quranic statements about Jesus and Christians, demonstrates their incompatibility with Christian revelation, and exposes the Quran’s polemical agenda as irreconcilable with the New Testament message of redemption.
Introduction
Since the advent of Islam in the 7th century, Muslims have asserted continuity with the Biblical tradition. However, the Quran repeatedly contradicts the central claims of Christianity. This article examines the most significant of these contradictions, analyzes their theological import, and shows that, contrary to the claims of Islamic apologetics, the Quran does not affirm the Gospel but rather sets itself in opposition to its most foundational truths.
1. The Crucifixion of Jesus: History and Revelation Denied
Quranic Claim
"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them."
Quran 4:157
Christian Teaching
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the historical and theological core of the Gospel:
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“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3)
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All four Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19) attest to the crucifixion, as does the testimony of secular historians such as Tacitus and Josephus.
Analysis
The Quranic denial of the crucifixion constitutes a repudiation of the Gospel itself. The Christian doctrine of atonement—Jesus' sacrificial death for sin—is not an optional belief, but “of first importance.”
If Christ was not crucified, there is no salvation, no resurrection, and no Christianity (see 1 Corinthians 15:17).
Scholarly Consensus
Historians, both secular and religious, agree on the historical certainty of Jesus’ crucifixion. Noted historian Bart Ehrman writes:
“One of the most certain facts of history is that Jesus was crucified on orders of the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.”
The Quran’s denial is a unique and much later claim, unsupported by historical evidence.
2. The Identity of Jesus: Muslim Prophet or Divine Savior?
Quranic Claim
“But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, 'Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?' The disciples said, 'We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].’”
Quran 3:52
Christian Teaching
Jesus never called himself a Muslim. The Gospel records Jesus as the unique Son of God (John 3:16), the Word made flesh (John 1:14), and the only Savior of mankind (Acts 4:12).
Analysis
To retroactively call Jesus and his disciples “Muslims” is anachronistic and historically untenable. It is an attempt by the Quran to subsume Christian revelation into a new, incompatible framework.
3. The Quran’s View of Christians: Condemnation and Hostility
Christians Are Deluded
Quran 9:30: "The Christians say, 'The Messiah is the son of Allah.' That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?"
Christians Lie About God
Quran 10:68: "They have said, 'Allah has taken a son.' Exalted is He; He is the [one] Free of need. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. You have no authority for this [claim]. Do you say about Allah that which you do not know?"
Christians Are Disbelievers, Destined for Hell
Quran 5:72: "They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary'... the Fire will be his refuge."
Christians Should Be Fought and Subjugated
Quran 9:29: "Fight those who do not believe in Allah...among the People of the Book...until they give the jizya [tax] willingly while they are humbled."
Christians Are Enemies
Quran 5:51: "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies...they are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you—then indeed, he is [one] of them."
Christians Worship Mary and Jesus
Quran 5:116: "[And beware the Day] when Allah will say, 'O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, "Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?"'"
4. Contradiction with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel’s Teaching
The New Testament presents a radically different message:
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Salvation is through Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
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God is love and desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; John 3:16).
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Christians are called to love, not to subjugate (Matthew 5:44).
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Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16–17; John 20:31).
On the Deity of Christ
The Quran’s repeated denials of Christ’s Sonship and deity (e.g., 5:72; 9:30; 10:68) are not mere misunderstandings; they are explicit rejections of the apostolic proclamation (see 1 John 2:22–23).
On Christian Worship
The charge that Christians worship Mary is a straw man. Nowhere in the canonical Gospels or apostolic writings is Mary worshiped or elevated to divine status.
Christian Trinitarian doctrine is monotheistic, affirming one God in three Persons—not the polytheism alleged by the Quran.
5. Theological Consequences and Historical Outcomes
The Quran’s polemic against Christians results not only in theological separation but also in social and political animosity:
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The doctrine of fighting and subjugating Christians (Quran 9:29) became the basis for centuries of Islamic dhimmitude, whereby Christians in Muslim lands were made second-class citizens, subject to extra taxation and legal discrimination.
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The explicit injunction not to take Christians as friends or allies (Quran 5:51) institutionalizes hostility, contrary to the Gospel’s call for peace and reconciliation (Romans 12:18).
6. Conclusion: The Incompatibility of Islam with the Gospel
It is impossible, with academic and theological integrity, to affirm both the Quran and the Gospel.
The Quran denies the crucifixion, the deity and Sonship of Jesus, and the very heart of the Christian message. It misrepresents Christian worship and openly declares Christians to be deluded, disbelievers, and enemies of God.
Christians must recognize that Islam, as defined by its primary text, is not a friendly neighbor but a system of belief that stands in direct opposition to the saving truth of the Gospel.
For the faithful follower of Jesus Christ, allegiance to the Gospel means exposing error and holding fast to the apostolic faith delivered once for all to the saints (Jude 3).
References
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The Holy Bible (ESV, NIV, KJV)
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The Quran (Sahih International Translation)
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Ehrman, Bart D., Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium
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Cragg, Kenneth, The Call of the Minaret
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Wood, David, The Quran vs. the Bible: A Critique of Islam’s Sacred Texts
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White, James R., What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Quran
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McDowell, Josh, The Resurrection Factor
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Josephus, Flavius, Antiquities of the Jews
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Tacitus, Cornelius, Annals
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute
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