Three Streams

Questions of personal Salvation.

Critical issues of engagement between an Islamic position on the question of Salvation and a Christian position are not as clear cut as we would perhaps like it to be. David Pawson[1] highlights an interesting parallel, while in danger of being too simplistic it does draw an insightful parallel in Islam and Christianity. Pawson highlights different types of ‘followers’ from ‘nominal’ to ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative/fundamental to mystical and ‘charismatic’. Depending which category a follower falls into will depend on which ‘interpretive approaches’ are used in regards to their scriptures and their own particular social context.

For purposes of this essay, I will largely focus on ‘conservative’ and ‘fundamental’ approaches to understanding Salvation (while acknowledging the risk of imposing superficial boundaries) since for both Islam and Christianity this will involve engaging with ‘views of salvation’ that are drawn most clearly from their own scriptures. This poses a more challenging task for the Christian position since there are myriad of views even within this sector of the Christian faith in regards to interpretations of soteriology. However while this is challenging all is not lost as there is enough on this issue that most Christians are in agreement about.

Also, while engaging with questions of soteriology it is also necessary to engage with questions regarding knowledge of God. That is, in looking at the workings of God in salvation it is essential that this is done in the context of the nature of God since what he does in salvation is inextricably linked to who he is, similarly ‘salvation’ however it is understood involves some sort of knowledge or understanding into the ‘Deity’ to whom this ‘salvation’ is linked.

Scriptures

Both Muslims and Christians are ‘people of the book’ (a term coined by Mohammed), that is both religions derive their teachings from ‘sacred texts’ claiming to be authoritive on the basis that they are the Word of God. However while both see their texts as scripture both do not understand their texts in the same way. The Koran is claimed to have dictated straight from heaven wheras the Bible is believed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by human authors. It is clear while both religions claim that their texts are the Word of God both texts do not present the same message of salvation. While there are surface similarities the incompatibilities are obvious.

“One thing is crystal clear. The Bible and the Quran cannot possibly both be the Word of God. So many are the contradictions between them that a choice has to be made. Of course they could both be wrong, neither being Gods revelation, but they cannot both be right, genuine revelations of the Same God. To recognise one is to reject the other.”[2]

Understanding of God

Both religions believe in One God. Both believe this God is Sovereign. Both believe that this God will judge the world at the end of time and that there are two destinations heaven for the righteous and hell for the wicked, albeit these terms are not defined in identical ways. It has been argued that ‘Allah’ is just another name for ‘God’, however many evangelicals are keen to question this assumption whereas other Christians see the One God of both religions being the same God. The argument that ‘Allah’ is understood as the Arabic word for God, this coupled with the belief that ‘Allah’ is the ‘One true God’ has been contested by concerned evangelicals. In regards to the Name of God it is argued that the Hebrew name for God was YAHWAH. Although out of reverence YWWH was used instead, this was translated into English as JHVH OR JEHOVAH, however this term is rarely used in modern translations but ‘LORD’ is preferred. ‘Allah’ on the other hand was a ‘moon god’, one of the many gods at the time of Mohammad. While rebelling against the polytheism of his day Mohammed did adopt the name of this pagan god as the name for his monotheistic deity.

Leaving aside the questions of names, a more serious (if not just as serious) distinction is over the nature of God. Muslims are ‘Unitarian’ whereas Christians are ‘Trinitarian’ that is, they believe in One God who is three persons or three persons who are all God but by nature are so united that they are not three Gods. Christians are neither ‘Unitarian’ (God is one individual) nor polytheistic (God is many), nor Tritheistic (Three Gods) they are ‘Monotheistic although distinct, in that, it is understood in Trinitarian terms. (One God in three persons).

Nature of God

There are several distinctions concerning the nature of God. Both the religions claim that God is Transcendent, that is ‘Wholly Other’, [3] and that He is set apart. However Christians also believe that God is Love. A Unitarian concept of God cannot be Love, The Triune God is both immanently and economically ‘Love’. That is Love is the essence of Gods being and Love flows out of Gods being towards His creation. For the Christians this Love was climaxed through the Incarnation. In the Incarnation this God who is ‘Wholly Other’ became flesh and dwelt among us for the purpose of redemption. Love is at the heart of Christian Salvation.

Salvation

For the Muslim Salvation is about ‘submitting to the will of Allah’. People are born ‘neutral’, neither good nor bad (although have an inward inclination towards Allah which can be denied or obeyed). ‘Salvation’ involves well being and ‘heaven’ when one dies. However one cannot be assured of Heaven since ultimately it is up to Allah. If one is faithful in following the teaching of Mohamed, then one ha the possibility of salvation. Salvation is by works, however it is never ‘secured’ until the day of judgement. For the Christian, Salvation is from God. His love has provided what his creation could not. Humans are not born .neutral but rather born ‘sinful’ and under Gods judgement. However because of His love, demonstrated through incarnation, atonement and resurrection ‘Salvation’ is possible through Repentance towards God from sin (and sins), faith in the Son of God and His substitutionary work. The traditional protestant understanding is ‘Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone through Christa alone.’

Sinful man is not primarily saved for heaven, but for a relationship with God that begins on earth and leads to heaven. This relational aspect of religion is not at the heart of Islam. While both religions use the servant/master illustration when defining ‘God’ and His ‘followers’, Christianity is unique in that it emphasises ‘Sonship’. Therefore family is a concept that flows from God to His creation.

There are many critical issues of engagement and many of these issues are interrelated. While the flagging up the Trinity as a critical issue may be seen as irrelevant, in the issue of salvation it is very relevant. The fact that God has a Son called Jesus is a point of departation for the Muslim. In fact in Mecca written in the mosque is the phrase ‘God has no Son’. Since Christians claim that Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12), this is perhaps the most critical issue.

Bibligraphy

Clarke, B. Peter The Worlds Religions: Understanding the Living Faiths (Readers Digest)

Grenz, J. Stanely, Rediscovering the Triune God

Morey, Dr R.A Islam Unveiled

Pawson, David,The Challenge of Islam to Christians

ZWEMER, Samuel, M. The Muslim Christ