I was scanning through my reader yesterday and came across a surprising quote:
There is enough gospel in the Koran to lead people to Jesus. Know the Koran. #mday10 (source)
Redeemer City to City, a church planting network, held a conference this week in New York. They are doing a lot of great things. As a church planter I benefit greatly from many of their resources. This quote however, was puzzling.
IS THERE ANY GOSPEL IN THE KORAN?
Is there enough gospel in the Koran to lead people to Jesus? This is the question. Is there any gospel in the Koran?
The gospel is the announcement of what Jesus has done in history for sinners (1 Cor. 15.3-5). It is good news that is heralded. It trumpets Jesus as the only mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2.5) It declares that by virtue 0f his obedient life and death that he, though sinless, became sin for us (2 Cor. 5.21). By his death he fully satisfied the just penalty of God’s wrath for sinners (Rom. 3.23-26). Further, he was raised from the dead showing that he has in fact conquered sin, Satan, and death. He is coming again to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17.31).
The truth is, as Muslims know and Christians should know, the Koran does not have any gospel in it. It does not accept but rather rejects the perfect work of Jesus. It rejects the Trinity. When you reject the Trinity you reject the gospel.
THE DANGER OF CONFUSING LAW AND GOSPEL
What the Koran does have is law. It presents Allah as righteous, holy, and sovereign. It presents requirements. It addresses sin. It leaves you guilty. It shows your problems. The answer to the law is more law. It tells you what to do. It does not give you gospel, telling us what Christ has done.
It is a regrettable commentary on our handle on the distinction between law and gospel if pastors are telling people that “there is enough gospel in the Koran to lead people to Jesus. Know the Koran.”
I would slightly alter his statement: “There is enough law in the Koran to show that you are a sinner. Love your Muslim friends with the gospel. But remember, there is no gospel in the Koran. Therefore, know the gospel.”
A good resource on being a missionary to Muslims is bringing The gospel for Muslims by Thabiti Anyabwile (an evangelical pastor and former Muslim).
