Chrislam is an attempt to blend Christian and Islamic principles and practices into a single unifying theological perspective. It began in the 1970s in Lagos, Nigeria, in part to lessen the tensions between Christians and Muslims. The idea has spread throughout the world and has taken root here in America. The main principle of Chrislam is to work with what is common between Christianity and Islam. Therefore, in Chrislam, both the Bible and the Quran are recognized as equal holy books, and they affirm that both religions worship the same God.
There are definitely similarities, but there are some serious differences, too. Both religions teach there is only one God who has communicated to us in Scripture and that God has sent prophets into the world. Both speak of Adam (Gen. 2:20; Quran 2:33), Moses (Exodus 2:10; Quran 26:10), David (1 Sam. 16:13; Quran 38:17), Mary (; Quran 33:7), and Jesus. In fact, the Quran says many things about Jesus. For example, he was born of the Virgin Mary (Quran 19:19-21), strengthened with the Holy Spirit (Quran 2:87; 253), worked miracles (Quran 2:253), was taken bodily into heaven (Quran 3:55), and that he was sinless (Quran 19:13). These are things Christians could agree with. However, there are things Christians cannot agree with, such as Jesus saying that he was a servant of Allah (19:30), was no more than a messenger of Allah (Quran 4:171), that he was as not God’s son (9:30), and that Jesus was not crucified (Quran 4:157).
Chrislam is neither Christian nor Muslim. It is a false blend between the two religions and compromises the truth of the Christian revelation.
Unfortunately, Chrislam is growing in the world.
“The United Arab Emirates will build a new synagogue as part of an Chrislam interfaith compound that will also house a mosque and church and is reportedly set to open in 2022.” https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/catholic-muslim-interfaith-council-created-by-pope-francis-announces-new-chrislam-headquarters-in-2022-that-combines-mosque-church/
On September 23, 2015, Pope Francis called Muslims his brothers. In the catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 841, it says,
“The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.” http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/841.htm
Of course, there are a lot of problems with Catholicism that go beyond the scope of this article. But, the fact that the combination of the two religions means that the teachings of both will have to be compromised. Now, of course, Islam is not the truth. It is a false religion. But, Christianity must be proclaimed and kept pure in its teachings. We are warned in Scripture about a coming apostasy. Chrislam is part of that apostasy.
- “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires” (2 Tim. 4:3).
- “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thess. 2:3).
Similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam
In order to see those similarities and differences between the two religions, I’ve created a table. It will help you quickly see that though there are things between the two religions that are similar, there are significant differences. I’ve highlighted in bold those essential Christian teachings that we cannot compromise; otherwise, Christianity is no longer Christianity.
SIMILARITIES | DIFFERENCES | |||
Christianity | Islam | Christianity (bold means it cannot be compromised) | Islam | |
God | One God (Isa. 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5) | One God (Quran 5:73; 112:1-4). | ||
Eternal and uncreated (Psalm 90:2; Mal. 3:6) | Eternal and uncreated | Trinity (three persons) | Not a Trinity (Quran 5:73-75). The Trinity is blasphemy. | |
Creator of all (Col. 1:15-17) | Creator of all (Quran 2:29; 6:1, 73; 25:61-62; 36:81; 46:33) | |||
Omniscient (1 John 3:20) | Omniscient (Quran 42:12) | |||
Knows all things (1 John 3:20) | Knows all things (Quran 2:268; 10:61) | Knowable (Gal. 4:8-9) | Unknowable | |
Loves All (Matt. 5:43-48) | Does not love all (Quran 3:32) | |||
Jesus | Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9). | Jesus is not God in the flesh (Quran 5:17) | ||
Strengthened by an angel (Luke 22:43) | Strengthened with the Holy Spirit (Quran 2:87) | |||
Prophet – Revealer of God’s word (Matt. 11:27; Luke 22:42; John 8:28; 12:49) | Only a prophet No more than an apostle (Quran 5:75) | |||
Jesus was crucified (Matt. 27:35) | Jesus was not crucified (Quran 4:157) | |||
Resurrected (John 2:19-21; 20:25-28) | Not resurrected because Islam says Jesus was not crucified. | |||
Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5) | No mediator because they have no covenant | |||
Holy Spirit | Third divine person of the Trinity | The angel Gabriel who gave the Quran to Muhammad | ||
Scripture | One sacred Book | One sacred Book | Bible | Quran Islam teaches that the Bible has been corrupted |
Sin | People sin | People sin | Sinful nature of people (Eph. 2:3) | People are sinless until they sin |
Salvation | Salvation is by God’s grace | Salvation is by God’s grace – yet works are needed | Grace through faith in Christ with no works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23) | Faith in Allah and works (Quran 5:9; 42:26; 8:29). |
Day of Judgment | Occurs on the day of resurrection (John 12:48) | Occurs on the day of resurrection (Quran 3:142, 183-185) | ||
Heaven | For the faithful of God | For the faithful of God | The presence of God granted to all who’ve trusted in Christ (John 14:2–3) | Unimaginable bliss (Quran 32:17), a garden with trees and food (13:35;15:45-48) where the desires of faithful Muslims are met (Quran 3:133; 9:38; 13:35; 39:34; 43:71; 53:13-15). |
Hell | Eternal Torment (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 14:11; 20:10) | Eternal Torment (Quran 14:17; 25:65; 39:26) | For all non Christians (Mark 3:29; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 14:11; 20:10) | For all non Muslims |
Resur-rection | Of the Good and wicked (1 Cor. 15:50-58) | Of the Good and wicked (Quran 3:77; 15:25;75:36-40; 22:) | ||
Man | Made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26) | Not made in God’s image (Quran 42:11) | ||
Devil | Fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-15) | A fallen Jinn (different than angels). Jinn are created from fire (Quran 2:268; 114:1-6) | ||
Jews | God’s chosen people (Isaiah 43:20) | Cursed people (Quran 5:51) |
As you can see, there are significant differences between Christianity and Islam. These differences are so big, that there can be no compromise between the two. Christians and Muslims do not serve the same God nor do they teach the same Jesus. The truth of who both God and Jesus are is found in the Bible, not in the Quran.