Christians, how could you convince a Muslim of Atonement, that Jesus died for our sins?

Question

Islam teaches there was no such thing as original sin and that each individual will be judged on his or her own merit. Apart from that, they do not accept that Jesus was divine or that he was resurrected. How, then, could a Christian present and defend the teaching that Christ died for our sins?

Thank you to Dagah and CeeT for reminding me that conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of saying how could a Christian convince a Muslim, I should have said how could a Christian respond to Islamic claims that there is no such thing as original sin.

Yes, Steve, it's a very tall order and, given some of the negative responses so far, perhaps I shouldn't have bothered. But I am genuinely concerned that so many people out there just don't get it. It's been suggested that I should leave Muslims alone (and worse), but how can I when I fear for their eternal souls?

Muslim by choice, I'm looking forward to the answers too (lol)!

It's good to get the Muslim perspective but, so far, the Christians are suspiciously quiet. You would think they'd be bombarding this post with some sort of defence to this, the most fundamental cornerstone of their beliefs.

Let's put it another way - is faith in God and good works enough to get to heaven? Can we get there on our own merits?

I really liked Marianne T's answer - up to the bit about discussion is useless. After all, isn't this why we're all spending time on this site? To question? To respond? To discuss?

Ah, at last, a Christian perspective on the subject. I am truly interested in what Muslims think - and I respect your beliefs. What I wondered, though, was whether Muslims had the right understanding of the Christian view on this subject. The last three answers give you that perspective. I hope you find it interesting.

My sincere thanks to you all for sharing your views. I have learned much - and am grateful to the reminders that conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ah, where would we all be without Him?

Answer 1

Princess,

Everyone knows in their gut that sin MUST be paid for. Its why all want to see really evil people get whats coming to them.
So when muslims tell you that christianity doesnt make any sense to them, because God if He wanted to, could just "forgive" all, and shower mercy on all, without any thought of Justice, or recompense for all of the evil that has been done by each and every person, dont believe it.
They have no sure hope for the future. No assurance of anything. They just hope that somehow Allah will be appeased with their life. Which is why you see the strong emphesis in good works, such as prayer so many times a day, alms giving, etc.
The muslims that I have known that have come to Christ, all relate the overwhelming sense of freedom they received from the Gospel.

Nearly all of them that I have known have told me that Islam is a religion of fear. Fear of their own religious leaders, fear of Allah, and fear of always falling short of what is required. It was like a breath of fresh air for the rest of ones life when they believed and were saved.

"Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me. For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light"-----Jesus Christ

Even after years of being saved they are still filled with a sense of wonderment about it.

There is Power in the Gospel. Just preach it. Remember, the Cross WILL offend many. It usally does not do any good to try to "convince" or "argue" the Truth. But as long as we just present :
Jesus Christ,- Crucified, and Resurrected FOR us, in our stead, God WILL bring to Himself all whom He wills.

The results are up to Him.


....theBerean

Answer 2

We can't convince a Muslim of atonement because it's something they don't understand. However the way to reach them so they understand atonement is through the Law or Ten Commandments.

Ask them if they've ever lied, stolen, hated, murdered, etc.

Remind them of judgment day.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Heb. 9:27

Remind him of where God puts unrepentant sinners.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

If the Muslim is convicted by the Holy Spirit then he'll desperately want a savior. Then all the sudden he understands Jesus and atonement and he's driven to the foot of the cross repents and get converted. It's a work of the Holy Spirit. They also know that their false god allah isn't cutting the cake and that he won't save them.

I'm glad this question was asked. We Christians need to learn to stay away from the intellect and speak to the conscience. We always have an ally in the conscience.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal. 3:24

Answer 3

Muslim by choice gave such an appealing answer, it helped off-set anno's arrogance. One showed understanding of Christianity, the other showed blind acceptance of a sham-Christianity portrayed by Islamic spokesmen. Yet both Muslims clearly have had no encounter with the living, risen Christ. That is what's wrong. That's the problem. And all the debating in the world won't really help, except that it WILL leave individuals without excuse on the Day of Judgment.

And that's what Muslim theology offers - excuses - and a minimising of what sin is. "Oh, everybody sins. But I try not to, and God understands my weaknesses, and he'll be pleased with my monetary gifts, and good deeds for the ppor, and pilgrimmages, and of course I pray 5 times a day, and fast, and have faith in...." Yes? Faith in what? God? Well, even the demons believe in God - and shudder! Faith in God being reasonable?

Well, just how reasonable is this account in the Hadith...?
The story is told of the man who murdered 100 people but his soul went to heaven because he died nearer to the town where he hoped to learn about forgiveness than the town he had come from where he murdered his 100th victim.

What kind of a capricious deity is this? Just how indifferent is this deity to the murders of 100 people? Did the murderer not have to repent, to turn around from his sin? Is a mere intention to 'learn' (as an academic subject?) about forgiveness enough to atone for hideous sins? If that's the deity of the Muslims, I am disgusted. My God is so holy and righteous, and so constant and consistent, he demands back the life of one who unlawfully kills another human. And because he is true to himself, he had to 'receive' the life of a perfect, sinless man in place of the death that all humanity was plunged into due to sin. No human could pay that price. Only the Saviour could, and that's why he chose to empty himself of his glory with God and be born through the Holy Spirit as a man.

The huge barrier that prevents Muslims appreciating why Jesus had to die for our sins is their inadequate grasp of the holiness of God, and just how heinous sin is to a holy God.

Answer 4

Islam is pretty much like all other religions - salvation by good works. Christianity is the exception because salvation by grace through faith is taught. All you can do to help a Muslim or any other unbeliever to be saved is to present the gospel and pray for them, and try to show them the love of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings conviction, showing them their need for Christ. All the arguing in the world and presentation of historical facts will not change a person's heart if he will not receive it with a humble spirit.

Answer 5

God doesn't just make up rules and do anything He pleases. He's holy and good, and the rules for what is and is not good could never have been otherwise. God told the early humans that their only happiness lies in Him, and any other choice would lead them to death and misery. That's not something God could have made otherwise if He felt like it- it's just a simple description of the nature of reality. . . sort of like telling someone that if they jump off a tall building they'll die. But, they chose to go their own way and do their own thing anyway, and, just as He told them, they suffered the consequences for that. God wouldn't be righteous or holy if he simply overlooked that sin and let them do anything they pleased. The penalty for sin is death, and if God is to be just, then that debt must be paid, somehow. But God, being the loving creator that He is, wasn't willing to let that be the end of it. He was willing to pay that price Himself, so that we could be saved from hell. Because if we don't pay the price, then somebody surely must do it in our place. Jesus could do that for us because He never sinned, and therefore he didn't owe a sin debt at all. It's sort of like if you commit a crime and get thrown in jail. The other prisoners are not going to be able to help you post bail. Only somebody who hasn't commited a crime and is therefore not in jail himself will be able to come bail you out. So our sin-debt was paid by Jesus' death, and because of that, we can be right with God again. The righteousness of God is satisfied, and His love for us is proved at the same time.

Answer 6

I'm looking forward to the answers on this one. You really can't convince Muslims.

I tried my best to believe it and it just doesn't make any sense. Does it really seem logical that God would have Himself killed to offer Himself as a ransom to Himself? Surely He could just say, ok you're not perfect, but I forgive you anyway?

What is the whole point of our lives if this teaching is true? Any six year-old can be "convinced" that Jesus died for her sins, so what is the point of the rest of her life? She has already accepted Jesus, and that's all that is necessary.

And if God loves us so much and wants us to be saved in this way, why throw everyone in Hell who didn't happen to hear about it? Why throw everyone in Hell who couldn't believe something so illogical?

That is the typical Muslim response in a nutshell, so if you can answer all of that, you are ready to begin missionizing.

EDIT: Muslims do believe in sin, but not original sin. We believe every child is born pure.

Also, we cannot enter Heaven on our own merit either. We must have faith in God. However, the righteous deeds of a believer do have their rewards.

EDIT: The Muslim belief is that we could fast and pray the rest of our lives and it wouldn't equal to the blessings that we have received from God. So we are not trying to buy our way to heaven by doing good deeds. It is ultimately God's grace and mercy which saves us. That is similar to the Christian belief, only we don't think someone needs to die to receive the grace.

God is willing and able to shower His mercy on us without making an atonement to Himself with Himself. Sometimes I get the impression that Christians believe God "had to do it", He "required" an atonement. He's God! He doesn't have to require anything! He knows he created us to be imperfect and He did it for a reason. I asked a question about this before if you want to check out my questions page.

Answer 7

Judgement! Stupid notion. We are but apes and it is time to face the facts. Million of years and evolution brought things this far. Somehow apes have edged our the others. Ugly, hairly, smelly apes. But it has happened it would seem unless we have vistors from other places. Who knows. Can only guess based on partial facts and some unreliable data. Who knows. You damn sure don't, and i dont care if you are Hawkins himself. Take that big black holes and the big bang and now tell me all about the endless space per se. You can't. You can only make up silly mathematical analogies and theory. Silly time warp, foruth dimension, eighth dimension etc. silly manipulation like a childs puzzle. No basis but pure airhead theory. Cloud gathering. No, you have not a clue. Or i would be reading about it. I think until you suggest someting better, God is as good an aswer as you wacked out boys have. Mark it up for the X files.

Answer 8

One cannot convince a Muslim. One can only present the Gospel. Convincing is left to the Holy Spirit.

Answer 9

Partly, the reliability of the Gospels versus the reliability of Muhammed's angelic encounter (number of witnesses). It depends whether the Muslim is open to Biblical doctrine - some hold the Bible in high regard, others don't.

Answer 10

Since they do no accept the scriptures of the Bible as references....this will not be possible...they only accept the Quran....which contradicts the Bible.

no one is righteous on their own merit to achieve heaven.....everyone is a sinner, selfish, and corrupt, even when they do righteous things.....no one is pure enough, sinless enough, repentant enough, faithful enough, humble enough, holy enough to stand before an all powerful and holy God.....

Jesus prooved himself when He was here....it is up to non-believers to be open to what he said ,and what he did, and who he really was, or there is no use in discussing anything....