The Theological Infiltration of Islam into Christian Thought: A Critical Examination

The Theological Infiltration of Islam into Christian Thought: A Critical Examination

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Throughout history, various theological systems have attempted to align themselves with or reinterpret elements of Christian doctrine. One of the most persistent efforts has come from Islamic theology, which claims continuity with the Judeo-Christian revelation while fundamentally diverging from its core tenets. Islam asserts that Allah is the same deity worshipped by Christians and Jews; however, this claim warrants serious theological scrutiny.

From a biblical and doctrinal standpoint, the God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ — the incarnate Son of God and the second person of the Holy Trinity — is fundamentally distinct from the Allah described in the Qur’an. The Christian understanding of God emphasizes divine love, relationality, and incarnation, culminating in the redemptive work of Christ (John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15–20). Conversely, the Islamic conception of Allah explicitly denies the Trinity and the Sonship of Christ (Qur’an 4:171; 5:116–117), positioning itself in direct theological opposition to the essence of Christian revelation.

This persistent attempt to merge Islamic monotheism with Christian theology represents not a harmonious synthesis, but a form of doctrinal infiltration — an effort to obscure the uniqueness of the Christian faith. The Church must, therefore, remain vigilant in guarding the integrity of its message. As Scripture commands, believers must “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). The distinct identity of the Christian God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — must be upheld without compromise or confusion.

The safeguarding of Christian orthodoxy demands theological clarity, spiritual discernment, and unwavering commitment to the truth revealed in Christ alone (John 14:6). The Church must resist all attempts, however subtle, to conflate the God of the Bible with theological constructs that deny His triune nature and redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

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