A Theological Critique of Islamic Revelation: An Academic Perspective

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

Religious claims must be evaluated through historical analysis, theological consistency, textual reliability, and the moral fruit they produce. Within Christian scholarship, one of the enduring debates concerns the origin of Muhammad’s revelations and the legitimacy of Islam’s claim to divine authority. This article presents a Christian apologetic argument asserting that the revelations received by Muhammad were not from the God of the Bible and that Christianity alone presents the true and salvific revelation of God.

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1. The Question of Revelation: Divine or Non-Divine?

The central claim of Islam is that Muhammad received revelations directly from Allah through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). However, from a biblical perspective, this claim raises significant theological difficulties. The content of Muhammad’s revelations—particularly their denial of the deity of Christ, the crucifixion, and the Trinity—stands in stark contradiction to the previously revealed Scriptures (Torah, Psalms, and Gospel), which the Qur’an itself acknowledges as divine.

According to classical Christian theology, any revelation that contradicts prior revelation from the true God cannot originate from Him. This echoes the apostolic warning:

“Even if an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
(Galatians 1:8)

Thus, Christian scholars historically concluded that Muhammad’s revelations cannot be considered divine in origin.

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2. Islam and the Question of Peace

Islam often identifies itself as a religion of peace. However, the historical and textual evidence within the Qur’an and early Islamic tradition reveals a more complex picture. Several passages advocate the use of force in spreading the faith, and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) historically integrates religious authority with political and military power.

By contrast, Jesus Christ preached a message of peace rooted in transformation of the heart, forgiveness of enemies, and the separation of spiritual authority from political coercion:

“My kingdom is not of this world.”
(John 18:36)

Thus, Christian theologians conclude that the ethical framework of Christianity is fundamentally different from that of Islam, particularly on issues of violence, salvation, and human dignity.

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3. The Exclusive Claim of Christianity: Jesus as the Only Way

Christianity stands on the historic and theological foundation that Jesus Christ is the sole and final revelation of God, the fulfillment of all prophecies, and the only mediator between God and humanity. Jesus declared:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
(John 14:6)

Unlike the claims surrounding Muhammad, the ministry of Jesus is supported by fulfilled prophecy, miraculous works, eyewitness testimony, and the resurrection—a historical event that no other religion can parallel.

Christianity is not merely a belief system; it is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan through Christ. Therefore, any later religious movement that denies the identity and mission of Jesus cannot be considered a continuation of God’s revelation.

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4. Conclusion

From a Christian theological standpoint, Islam does not represent a divinely inspired faith. Its teachings conflict with the established revelations of the Bible, its portrayal of Jesus contradicts historical and prophetic truth, and its doctrine deviates from the character of God revealed through Scripture. Christianity—grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—remains the only true path to salvation.

This critique is presented not out of hostility toward Muslims as individuals but out of commitment to biblical truth and sound theological inquiry. The Christian mission remains the proclamation of Christ’s saving grace to all peoples, including those within the Islamic world.

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