A Different Gospel: Paul's Anathema and the Islamic Message

By Dr. Tim Orr

📘 Now Available: Grace and Truth: Paul, the Gospel, and the Challenge of Islam

In today’s pluralistic society, it’s increasingly common to hear that Christianity and Islam are simply two paths to the same God. This notion often stems from a well-meaning desire for harmony and mutual respect. Yet, such a perspective tends to downplay or ignore the fundamental theological differences that distinguish each faith. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians, speaks with striking clarity: “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8, ESV). Paul is not merely guarding a tradition—he is defending a divine revelation with eternal consequences. For him, the gospel is not negotiable; it is the very message that defines salvation. Even supernatural visions or angelic appearances must be measured against the gospel of Christ crucified and risen. In an age of spiritual openness, Paul’s urgency calls Christians to discernment and theological clarity.

Islam’s Revelation: A Different Gospel

Islam presents a unique challenge to this gospel. At its foundation lies the belief that the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Jibril (Gabriel), making it, in Islamic theology, the final and uncorrupted word of God. From a Christian standpoint, however, any revelation must align with the gospel of grace revealed in Jesus Christ. The Qur’an, by contrast, explicitly denies Jesus’ crucifixion (Qur’an 4:157), rejects His divine Sonship (Qur’an 5:72), and redefines salvation apart from atonement. Instead of pointing to a finished work accomplished on the cross, Islam presents a framework built on human submission, moral performance, and God’s mercy. Though sincere and morally serious, this system shifts the burden of salvation onto the individual. As Carson and Keller (2012) remind us, the gospel is not advice or moral instruction—it is the proclamation of what God has done in Christ. Any message that removes the cross from the center cannot be called the gospel.

Paul’s Defense of the Gospel in Galatians

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is particularly relevant when examining this difference. His fiercest opposition wasn’t directed at pagan outsiders but at those within the church who subtly distorted the gospel by adding requirements to it. These Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile believers adopt certain Mosaic laws, like circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul considered this a direct assault on the gospel’s foundation. As Schreiner (2001) and Moo (2013) emphasize, justification in Paul’s theology is not a process of moral improvement—it is a legal declaration based solely on Christ’s righteousness. This is what makes the gospel so liberating: it relieves believers from the exhausting task of earning divine approval. Islam, however, offers no such assurance. Though it teaches God is merciful, there is no historical event—no cross—that guarantees that mercy. The result is a spiritual posture of aspiration rather than assurance.

The Word Became Flesh: A Different Kind of Revelation

Beyond the message of salvation, Christianity and Islam differ fundamentally in their understanding of divine revelation. Islam teaches that the Qur’an is the literal, verbatim speech of God, delivered without corruption through an angel. In contrast, Christianity proclaims that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). As David Bentley Hart (2013) writes, Christian revelation is not just informational but incarnational. God did not merely send a message; He came Himself. This distinction profoundly shapes the way believers relate to God. In Christianity, God is not a distant voice to be obeyed, but a present Savior to be known and loved. Revelation is not only a transmission of truth but an invitation into relationship. That relational depth is absent in Islam, where God’s mercy is hoped for, but not personally demonstrated through redemptive action in history.

Love, Respect, and Gospel Integrity

Affirming the uniqueness of the gospel does not mean Christians must be dismissive or harsh toward Muslims. On the contrary, Paul’s own tone in Galatians reveals a deep pastoral concern. “My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Gal. 4:19). His warning against false gospels flows from love, not arrogance. We should approach Muslims with compassion and curiosity, seeking to understand their beliefs while remaining grounded in our own. As Shumack (2011) wisely notes, real interfaith dialogue does not flourish through flattery or avoidance, but through honesty and conviction. Respect does not require theological compromise. In fact, true respect honors another enough to speak the truth, especially when eternal stakes are involved.

One Gospel, One Cross, One Savior

Paul’s warning in Galatians is not just a theological footnote—it is a vital reminder in our present cultural moment. Revelation, as Karl Barth (2004) asserts, is not a stream of religious insight but a once-for-all act of God in Jesus Christ. The gospel is not a human search for God, but God’s definitive self-disclosure. To preach a gospel without the cross, without the resurrection, without the incarnate Son, is to offer a message that cannot save. The scandal of particularity—that salvation is found in Christ alone—is not an obstacle to be avoided but the very heart of Christian faith. In a world teeming with spiritual options, this gospel remains uniquely good news. One gospel. One cross. One Savior.

📚 References

Barth, K. (2004). Church Dogmatics: Vol. I/1: The Doctrine of the Word of God. T&T Clark. (Orig. 1936)

Carson, D. A., & Keller, T. (2012). The Gospel as Center: Renewing Our Faith and Reforming Our Ministry Practices. Crossway.

Hart, D. B. (2013). The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Yale University Press.

Moo, D. J. (2013). Galatians (BECNT). Baker Academic.
Qur’an 4:157; 5:72

Schreiner, T. R. (2001). Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology. IVP Academic.

Shumack, R. (2011). Witnessing to Western Muslims: A Worldview Approach to Sharing Faith. IVP.

📘 Explore the full argument in the book:
👉 Grace and Truth: Paul, the Gospel, and the Challenge of Islam

✉️ Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or share with others navigating the intersection of gospel clarity and interfaith respect.

Who is Dr. Tim Orr?

Tim serves full-time with Crescent Project as the assistant director of the internship program and area coordinator, where he is also deeply involved in outreach across the UK. A scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant, Tim brings over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six academic degrees, including a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University and a Master’s in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College in London.

In addition to his ministry work, Tim is a research associate with the Congregations and Polarization Project at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. His research interests include Islamic antisemitism, American Evangelicalism, and Islamic feminism. He has spoken at leading universities and mosques throughout the UK, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, and the University of Tehran. He has published in peer-reviewed Islamic academic journals. Tim is also the author of four books.