A Respectful Appeal to Muslims: Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).
Dear Muslim friends,
I write this with respect for your faith, your devotion to God, and the many shared values we hold as people seeking the truth. As a Christian, I see a profound difference between Christianity and Islam in how they relate to this world versus God’s eternal spiritual Kingdom, and would like to share five points by way of illustration. My hope is not to win an argument, but to extend a respectful invitation to consider whether Islam is founded in the patterns of this world, and to open your mind and heart to the transforming spiritual power of Jesus and His Spirit.
A Note on Approach
Directly comparing Bible verses with Qur’an verses often leads to circular discussions that inevitably end with no conclusion. Instead, let’s consider broader historical patterns, the lives of key figures, basic human nature, general observation and common sense. My prayer is that these thoughts will encourage you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
1. Founding: Conquest and Power vs. Self-Sacrifice and Love
Islam was founded on and grew through conflict. Muhammad served as both a spiritual, political and military leader. He participated in and directed military expeditions, raids, and battles that helped unify Arabia under Islam. Historical sources confirm he participated in or directed as many as 27 ghazawat (expeditions he joined) and oversaw many more sariya (raids/expeditions), with 8-9 major battles. Scholars and historians differ in their interpretation of whether these battles were offensive or defensive, some claiming they were all defensive, while others note that many of them were offensive. Regardless of their ongoing debate, fighting was clearly part of the founding, growth and way of Islam.
Christianity began with Jesus willingly laying down His life. He taught and lived a path of self-sacrifice: I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord (John 10:17-18). Jesus didn’t need to conquer the physical world because he transcends it. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting (John 18:36).
Jesus was not building a kingdom in the world, but in the spiritual kingdom of Heaven. His kingdom is spiritual and he reigns in the hearts and minds of those who have put their faith in him and make him the Lord of their life. Please see my blog: What Did Jesus Mean When He Said ‘The Kingdom Of God Is Within You’?. His approach was one of love and spiritual renewal rather than fighting and earthly conquest.
2. Extremists and Devout Believers
Both Christianity and Islam have nominal or cultural believers as well as those who pursue it with deep commitment. And the actions of the most devoted ones can reveal something important about what they believe to be the true teaching of the faith.
In Islam, some who pursue it to the extreme have turned to violence - terrorism, beheadings, and suicide attacks - that cause immense suffering for themselves and others. In Christianity, those seeking to fully follow Jesus often focus on the “Fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Many sell their possessions to serve the poor, become missionaries, or dedicate their lives to caring for others in the name of Jesus.
Of course, no faith should be defined solely by its extreme examples. The vast majority of Christians and Muslims pursue peaceful lives. Still, these contrasting expressions of devotion are worth prayerfully considering in seeking the truth.
3. Martyrs
Both religions have those willing to die for their beliefs - a powerful sign of conviction.
Muslim martyrs have often died in battle or conflict, sometimes taking the lives of others with them. Christian martyrs, such as Peter, Paul, Stephen, and many others throughout history, were martyred while peacefully proclaiming the Gospel and the resurrection of Jesus. Their only “weapon” was their testimony and love, even for their persecutors.
4. Retaliation and Vengeance vs. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The relationship between many Arab and Muslim communities and Jewish people has been marked by deep conflict and cycles of retaliation for generations, tracing back even to the biblical story of Isaac and Ishmael, involving family brokenness that has echoed through history. Such patterns are deeply human and understandable in terms of the world.
Jesus, however, taught a radically different way: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:44-45). He said, You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. (Matthew 5:38-41).
Forgiveness and reconciliation are central to Jesus’s message. This stands in beautiful contrast to the world’s way of retaliation and vengeance. Jesus’s kingdom is spiritual - focused on transformed hearts rather than earthly power struggles.
5. The Way to Heaven
Islam emphasizes submission to God through the Five Pillars: declaring faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. These are acts of devotion and discipline, but they are all things that you have to do to earn salvation.
Christianity teaches that salvation is not something we earn through our own efforts, but offered by God’s grace as a gift through the work of Jesus. 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, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The invitation to receive the gift is simple: repent, believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, confess Him as Lord and you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
Works are certainly a part of a surrendered Christian life. But works are not a requirement to earn salvation, rather, a result of it.
A Loving and Respectful Appeal
There is a noticeable difference. In many visible ways, Islam engages deeply with this world - through structure, law, conquest, and disciplined action. Christianity points toward the spiritual kingdom Jesus established through humility, sacrifice, reconciliation and grace.
My appeal to you, with genuine care, is this: Do not be conformed any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Consider the possibility that Jesus truly is the way, the truth and the life, offering something uniquely different - new birth into God’s eternal family: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).
Lastly, ask Jesus to reveal himself to you. He said, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). It’s spiritual.
May God guide you into His eternal Truth.
