Home > Other critiques of Christian doctrine - salvation
"The Christian idea that you can sin as much as you want because Jesus (peace be upon him) paid for it is flawed and dangerous. The Qur'an says, ‘And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful' (Surah An-Nisa, 4:110)—forgiveness comes with turning back to Allah, not a free pass to sin. Their claim twists Allah's justice, letting people act reckless, thinking a cross covers it all.
Jesus taught righteousness—‘We gave him the Injeel, in which was guidance and light' (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:46)—not lawlessness. The Qur'an says, ‘The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger' (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:75). He called people to obey Allah, as he said, ‘Keep the commandments' (Matthew 19:17). Islam holds us accountable—sin has weight, but Allah's mercy awaits the sincere, not those who abuse His grace with endless wrongdoing."
The Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin (Penal Substitutionary Atonement) does not mean a believer can sin freely; this is a serious and explicit misinterpretation of grace (known as antinomianism) that is strongly rejected in the New Testament.
Christian View: Transformation and Obedience
- Direct Refutation of Lawlessness: The Apostle Paul, the key proponent of grace, directly addresses this question: "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). This is the foundation of the Christian response.
- Freedom To Sin: The purpose of Christ's work is not only to forgive the penalty of past sins but to break the power and dominion of sin in the believer's present life. True faith results in the believer being united with Christ, leading to a new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit to pursue righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Works as Proof, Not Cause: In Christianity, good works are the proof and inevitable result of genuine saving faith, not the means of earning it. A "faith" that leads to continuous, willful sin is considered a dead or false faith (James 2:17).
Key Differences with the Islamic View
The Islamic objection correctly emphasises accountability, but the mechanism for dealing with sin differs fundamentally:
- Core Problem and Solution: Islam primarily addresses the need for guidance and individual repentance; forgiveness is direct mercy from Allah upon sincere turning back (Surah An-Nisa, 4:110). Christianity addresses an inherent sinful nature that requires a radical change. Forgiveness is atoning grace, which pays the penalty to secure both salvation and a new identity that is actively enabled to obey.
- Motivation for Righteousness: In Islam, the motivation is primarily rooted in obedience to divine law and seeking frequent mercy (Tawbah). In Christianity, the motivation is rooted in gratitude and love for Christ's sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), which provides the power to keep the commandments that Jesus taught (Matthew 19:17).
Therefore, Christian grace does not encourage abuse; it transforms the heart, making a life of righteousness the natural expression of a saved soul.