Evangelist Shane Pruitt, the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) director of next gen evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB), shared a social media post outlining what he described as the key differences between biblical Christianity and Islam.
In the post, Pruitt stated plainly that “Christianity is true. Islam is not.”
According to the Pew Research Center, Christianity is the largest religious group in the world, consisting of more than 2.3 billion followers. The United States has the most Christians, with more than 217 million, representing 9.6% of Christians worldwide.
RELATED: Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?
Islam, believed to have originated in the 7th century, is the second-largest religion in the world, with more than 2 billion followers. Pew Research Center found that from 2010 to 2020, Islam was the fastest-growing religion, increasing by 347 million followers during that time, while Christianity grew by 122 million.
Muslims—the term used to describe followers of Islam—make up about 1% of the U.S. population.
Shane Pruitt Explains the Differences Between Christianity and Islam
“GOD AND ALLAH ARE NOT THE SAME,” Pruitt wrote before outlining each religion’s view of God, Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation, sin, Scripture, final authority, Muhammad, God’s relationship to humanity, the afterlife, and the role of law.
View of God:
Christianity: One God in Trinity—Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
Islam: Strict monotheism (Tawhid)—God (Allah) is absolutely one; no divisions or partners.
Jesus:
Christianity: Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human; Savior of humanity.
Islam: Jesus (Isa) is a great prophet, born of the Virgin Mary, but not divine and not God’s son.
Crucifixion & Resurrection:
Christianity: Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of sins.
Islam: Jesus was not crucified; God raised him up, and someone else was made to appear like him.
Salvation:
Christianity: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works alone.
Islam: Salvation comes through submission to Allah, faith, and good deeds, with Allah’s mercy being decisive.
Sin:
Christianity: Humanity is affected by original sin; redemption is needed through Christ.
Islam: Humans are born sinless; sin is the result of forgetfulness or disobedience, not inherited guilt.
