Salaam Amy,

Thank you very much for your question.

In response to our statement that in Christianity those who believe in Christ’s atonement are guaranteed of Heaven irrespective of their actions, you wrote: “This is not true. It is stated in the Gospels that Man is saved by faith and good works.”

Indeed, the basis of our statement is the theology of most of the Christian churches and their interpretation of key Biblical passages. Please read the following verses from Romans - in the New Testament of the Bible (2 - 4, 13 – 15):

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice. Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace but according to debt… … …”

“For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed, that he should be heir of the world: but through the justice of faith. For if they who are of the law be heirs, faith is made void: the promise is made of no effect… … …”

“For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression.”

Again, read please Romans (3: 28):

“For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law.”

These are the words of St Paul; he wrote to the Ephesians (2:8 – 9):

“For by grace you are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God. Not of works, that no man may glory.”

The above verses clearly state that faith alone saves a Christian from damnation. Good works have no place. Yet, it is true that there is an emphasis on good works elsewhere in the Bible.

For instance, Jesus is reported to have said:

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Also, James the brother of Jesus wrote in his Epistle:

"faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

Yet, I need to mention that it is a fact that many Christians do dismiss James’ Epistle as “an epistle of straw” - quoting Martin Luther. They cannot reconcile Paul and James. The present Christian churches (including the Catholic church) actually embrace Paul rather than Jesus or James, when there is a conflict of ideas.

As for Muslims, they agree with Jesus and James. They reject Paul’s intellectual stand, which they see as conflicting to what Jesus preached and his own apostles believed in. Please read what Paul says about the law in Galatians (2: 16 – 21):

“But knowing that Man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? God forbid!

For if I build up again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a prevaricator. For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God; with Christ I am nailed to the cross. And I live, now not I: but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself for me. I cast not away the grace of God. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Again in Galatians (3: 1 – 3; 6 - 11), please read:

“O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh … … …”

“As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice. Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that in the law no Man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.”

Dear Amy, you have written:

“Christians do not claim exclusive rights to Heaven. Anyone can reach Heaven by loving God as they know Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, be they Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist.”

Does this mean that if a Muslim, for example, loves God as he/she knows Him with all his/her heart, soul, mind and strength, he/she will reach Heaven – according to the Christian belief? I think this is your personal view, which I do respect very much. Yet, I do not think that the Christian dogma or the present churches can endorse your view.

Anyways, thank you again for your question and for your enlightened opinions. I hope you remain in touch as an appreciated friend of Ask About Islam.

Thank you and salaam.

More about Christianity and Islam:

Two Religions: Two Waters!

Original Sin or… Innocence?

Conversing with a Catholic Friend