Islam and the Cross

John Stott has written thus about the Muslim attitude towards the cross of Christ:-

One of the saddest features of Islam is that it rejects the cross, declaring it inappropriate that a major prophet of God should come to such an ignominious end.  The Koran sees no need for the sin-bearing of a Saviour.  At least five times it declares categorically that “no sould shall bear another’s burden’.  Indeed, “if a laden soul cries out for help, not even a near relation shall share its burden”.  Why is this?  It is because “each man shall reap the fruits of his own deeds”, even though Allah is merciful and forgives those who repent and do good.  Denying the need for the cross, the Koran goes on to deny the fact.  The Jews “uttered a monstrous falsehood” when they declared “we have put to death the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, the apostle of Allah”, for “they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did”.

The Cross of Christ, 40f.

Top Audio Downloads on Christianity & Islam

Mark Ryan has a helpful series of lectures called, ‘An Islam Primer’.  The first four talks are mainly descriptive, giving a balanced and informative account of Islam and its beliefs and practices.  The last lecture is, as the title suggests, more evaluative but even here the discussion is irenic and even-handed:-

1. Islam’s Holy Prophet
2. The Qu’ran
3. The Pillars of Islam
4. Islam’s One and Only God
5. Why I am not a Muslim

 Jay Smith engages in regular debate with Moslem scholars, and offers a more forceful – but still respectful – critique of Islam.  The Real Problem with Islam faces up to the question, Is Islam fundamentally a religion of peace, or of violence?