Islam: A False Gospel and a Misrepresentation of the God of Abraham

Hey friends,

In a world that preaches religious tolerance as the highest virtue, we often hear that Christians, Jews, and Muslims all worship the same God. Islam claims to be the final revelation of the faith of Abraham, correcting the supposed corruptions of Judaism and Christianity. But is that true?

The Bible gives us clear categories: There is one true God, and all false gods are idols. While Islam claims to worship the God of Abraham, it fundamentally denies the triune nature of God, rejects Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and distorts the gospel of salvation.

So, grab your coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing), and let’s examine what Islam teaches, the historical errors it revives, and the biblical response we must uphold.

What Is Islam?

Islam is a religion founded in the 7th century by Muhammad, who claimed to receive divine revelations from the angel Jibril (Gabriel). These revelations were later compiled into the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet, bringing the last and most complete revelation of God, correcting the previous scriptures of the Jews and Christians.

Islam teaches strict monotheism (tawhid), rejecting the Trinity and denying that Jesus is the Son of God. Instead, Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is considered just a prophet—one among many. Salvation in Islam is based on good works, with no certainty of redemption apart from the mercy of Allah.

The two major sects of Islam are:

Sunni Islam – The majority branch, following the traditions (Hadith) of Muhammad and the early caliphs.
Shia Islam – A smaller sect that believes Muhammad’s cousin Ali was the rightful successor.

While there are doctrinal divisions within Islam, all Muslims reject the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the gospel of grace.

The Heresies Behind Islam

Islam is not just a different religion—it is a direct attack on biblical Christianity. But Islam’s core errors are not new; they are old heresies revived.

Arianism (4th Century AD) – The Denial of Christ’s Divinity
- Islam teaches that Jesus is only a man, not divine. This is nothing new. The heretic Arius in the 4th century denied that Jesus was God, claiming instead that He was a created being.
- The Council of Nicaea (AD 325) condemned Arianism, affirming that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Gnosticism – The Denial of Christ’s Death and Resurrection
- The Qur’an teaches that Jesus was not crucified (Surah 4:157). Instead, it claims that God made it look like He was crucified but took Him to heaven instead.
- This echoes ancient Gnostic heresies, which denied the physical suffering and resurrection of Christ.
Pelagianism – Salvation by Works
- Islam teaches that salvation is based on good deeds outweighing bad deeds (Surah 23:102-103).
- This is the same Pelagian heresy that the church condemned—teaching that man can earn salvation apart from divine grace.

Islam’s Denial of the True God

Islam does not worship the same God as Christians. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not the god of Islam. Here’s why:

The God of the Bible Is Triune
- Genesis 1:26 – “Let us make man in our image.” From the beginning, God reveals Himself as a plurality of persons.
- Matthew 28:19 – Jesus commands baptism “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
- Islam denies this, calling the Trinity shirk (blasphemy). The Qur’an says: “Say not, ‘Trinity’… Allah is but one God” (Surah 4:171).
The God of the Bible Has a Son
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
- Islam explicitly rejects this, saying: “Allah has no son” (Surah 6:101).
- If someone denies the Son, they deny the Father (1 John 2:23).
The God of the Bible Saves by Grace, Not Works
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
- Islam teaches that salvation depends on human effort, with no assurance of paradise apart from Allah’s arbitrary will.

Islam’s Influence Today

Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, with over 1.9 billion followers. It is expanding rapidly through immigration, high birth rates, and aggressive missionary efforts (da’wah).

Many Westerners convert to Islam because they see it as a simple, disciplined religion in contrast to the moral chaos of secular culture. Unfortunately, many churches are weak in doctrine and fail to teach the Trinity and the exclusivity of Christ, making Christians vulnerable to Islamic arguments.

Even in some so-called Christian circles, people are embracing Chrislam, a dangerous attempt to merge Christianity and Islam. But light has no fellowship with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14).

A Biblical Response to Islam

How should we respond?

Proclaim the Trinity
- Islam’s greatest error is its rejection of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We must boldly declare the truth that Jesus is not just a prophet—He is God in the flesh (John 1:1,14).
Defend Christ’s Death and Resurrection
- The cross is the heart of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Without it, there is no salvation. Muslims deny it, but we must preach it all the more.
Reject Salvation by Works
- Islam, like every false religion, is a system of self-righteousness. But Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Salvation is not something we achieve but something God gives by grace alone.
Love Muslims, But Do Not Compromise
- Many Muslims are sincere but deceived. We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but we must never affirm their false beliefs. Islam is not an alternate path to God; it is a road to destruction.

Encouragement: Hold Fast to Christ

Islam is a powerful and growing force in the world. But the gospel is more powerful. The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church (Matthew 16:18).

If you ever doubt, remember this: Jesus is Lord—not Muhammad, not Allah, but Christ alone. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

So stand firm. Proclaim Christ boldly. And never waver in the truth:

Soli Deo Gloria!