Islamic View of Jesus and Salvation
The Islamic view of Jesus and salvation differs fundamentally from Christian doctrine, though both traditions honor Jesus as a significant figure. In Islam, Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is regarded as a prophet and messenger of God, born of the Virgin Mary, but emphatically not divine and not the Son of God. The Qur'an explicitly denies the crucifixion, stating that Jesus was not killed but rather raised to heaven by God, with someone else made to appear in his place. This rejection of the cross eliminates the foundation of Christian soteriology.
The Christian Understanding of Salvation
Christian theology centers salvation on Christ's atoning work. The Westminster Confession articulates that "the Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him" [6]. This salvation is "not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" [3], received through faith rather than works.
The resurrection stands as essential to this salvation. Calvin notes that "by his death sin was taken away, by his resurrection righteousness was renewed and restored" [1]. The New Testament consistently presents Jesus as "God's salvation" because "the salvation of God's elect is put into his hands, and he has undertaken it; and because he is the author of it" [4]. Believers are described as "receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" [2], a salvation that is "spiritual and eternal" [2].
The one tradition teaches salvation through submission to Allah's will, adherence to the Five Pillars, and righteous deeds, with final judgment resting on the balance of good and evil works. There is no concept of original sin requiring atonement, no mediator between God and humanity, and no substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus in Islamic thought performed miracles and will return at the end of time, but he remains a created being who pointed to God rather than claiming divinity himself.
The two systems are therefore incompatible at their core: Christianity proclaims salvation accomplished by Christ's death and resurrection [1, 5], while Islam denies both the necessity and the historical reality of that death.
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 52: his death, but by his resurrection, that we are said to be begotten again to a living hope ( 1 Pet. 1:3 ); because, as 447 he, by rising again, became victorious over death, so the victory of our faith consists only in his resurrection. The nature of it is better expressed in the words of Paul, “Who (Christ) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification,” ( Rom. 4:25 ); as if he had said, By his death sin was taken away, by his resurrection righteousness was renewed and restored. For how could he by dyi”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:9: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Which is a just and sufficient ground of joy and rejoicing. "Salvation" intends spiritual and eternal salvation; that which God appointed his people to from all eternity, which is obtained by Christ, applied by the Spirit, and will be fully enjoyed in heaven: this is the salvation "of souls": which are of more worth than a world; and the redemption of which is precious, and requires a great price, and for which a great price is paid, as in Pe1 1:18. It is rightly supplied in our version by "your", as i”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 2:30: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,.... The Messiah, who is often so called; see Gen 49:18. He goes by the name of "salvation", because the salvation of God's elect is put into his hands, and he has undertook it; and because he is the author of it, he has fulfilled his engagements, and has accomplished what he promised to do; and because salvation is in him, it is to be had in him; and in him the true Israel of God are saved, with an everlasting salvation: and he is called "God's salvation" because he is a Saviour of his choosing, calling, and constituting; whom he p”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 103: says, Luke xxi. 28 , that when the Son of Man shall appear in his glory, then his disciples may be sure that their “redemption draweth nigh.” They are sealed unto the day of redemption. ( Eph. i. 14 .) Christ has “obtained eternal redemption.” ( Heb. ix. 12 .) Believers are represented as waiting for their redemption. ( Rom. viii. 23 .) It is therefore the plain doctrine of Scripture that, as before said, Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which He ex”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 8 (part 2): end of the world. 5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him. 6. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in”