If There is No Atonement For Sin

Passover 2026 is approaching and once more we will begin our annual walk-through of God's plan of redemption and salvation... for the first-fruits in the present age... and for all of humanity in the age to come.

 

The first (and essential) step in God's program of salvation for humanity is atonement for sin. Its an approach to sin that is absent from religious traditions other than those based on the bible; Christianity and to some extent Judaism. Although, for the past 2,000 years Judaism has not had a working method for atonement. They do not accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as redemptive and there has not been an animal sacrifice for sin since the destruction of the Jerusalem temple around 70 A.D. How then is the penalty of sin being paid?

 

That's a lot of un-atoned sin piling up... and one of the biggest logical holes in Judaism in my opinion. As Paul said "there is much good to be said about the Jews... principally the transmission of the oracles of God"... however, God's plan of salvation is not of the Jews.

 

There is another major religious tradition on the planet that claims to have a comprehensive means for dealing with sin... Islam. Today, I would like to compare the Islamic plan for dealing with sin with what we have in the bible. Along the way I hope to draw your attention to the uniqueness of biblical atonement and salvation... as well as give you a meaningful start for addressing the growing influence of Islam in our world.

Islam is often presented and perceived as another large monotheistic religion... different in its ethnic flavor... but based on the same fundamental principles as Judaism or Christianity: One God,  revealed laws, sins, mercy, worship, prayer, good works, judgment, and an afterlife.

 

Islam fosters this impression by speaking of itself as a purified version of the revelation of the one true God. According to them Judaism and Christianity are really just corrupted versions of the original scriptures given by God. Muhammad was used by the one true God to get humanity back on track some time around 700 AD.

 

Islam speaks and writes of biblical personalities like Abraham, Moses, even Jesus in respectful tones (although they say Jesus was merely a human prophet, not God come in the flesh). Muslim's story is that if these men were alive and teaching today... they would be teaching Islam.

 

There is a lot of overlap between Islam and the teachings of the bible. We'll see that as we make our comparison. It appears to be a mix of Jewish, Christian, and Arabian customs, legends, and moral codes.

 

However, there is a fundamental difference between the biblical approach to sin and the Islamic approach to sin. I am speaking of the concept of atonement. There is an unavoidable  penalty for sin... and it must be paid... if that penalty is not paid then eternity has no justice.

Islam has a clear means to address and overcome sin. That approach is centered on repentance (tawba) and sincere effort to rectify wrongs. Tawba, which roughly meaning repentance, involves:

 

For the most part that aligns with what the bible outlines as how we are to address and overcome sin. The key difference being the 4th point. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-13 This corresponds to the first point. Sorrow is part of the biblical process for confronting sin. Not just regret that we got caught, or that we will be punished... but a sorrow brought on by seeing ourself as we really are in comparison to God's glorious and righteous standards. We are sorrowful because we realize how much we have fallen short of the glory of God.

 

John 3:7-9 This corresponds to the second point. The bible teaches that there ought to be observable differences in your life as a result of true repentance. That's why I don't just baptize people without getting to know them.  I want to find out a bit about real changes that have taken place in a person's life. Not that the Church expects a person to have overcome all sin before we will baptize... but, we are looking for sins of change. We call this fruits of repentance.

 

Romans 6:12-14 This corresponds to the third point. There are lots of verses that exhort us to persevere in overcoming sin. A firm resolve not to repeat the sin in the future. 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 3:6-7, Revelation 3:21.

 

Anything less that this firm resolve could be considered using Christ as a license to sin Galatians 2:17 “Christ is not the servant of sin (ESV)”.

 

Now let’s talk about point number 4 which is partly in alignment with the bible… but diverges from it in a significant way.

 

The bible also teaches that we ought to seek God's forgiveness. This is true in both the old covenant and the new:

Isaiah 55:7 and 1 John 1:9

it is also clear that God wants to be known for His quality of mercy This is true in both the old covenant and the new:

Exodus 34:6-7 and Romans 9:22-24

In Islam all the previous points (1,2, and 3) lead the sinner up to the throne of Allah who extends mercy. That is where the process ends.

 

The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes His willingness to forgive: "Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Qur'an 2:222). The Prophet Muhammad said: "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than a person who finds his lost camel in the desert." (Sahih al-Bukhari) but there is no substitutionary atonement like a sacrifice .

 

With the biblical means of addressing sin all the previous points (1,2, and 3) function to bring a person to God’s Mercy. But then God’s mercy leads to something else… payment of the penalty incurred by your sin. God’s grace, His mercy, His desire to forgive lead to the  application of a means of atonement (or propitiation as its sometimes called).

 

This is true in both the old covenant and the new. Under the old covenant the death penalty for sin could be paid by the life of bull, lamb, goat, or dove (a life for a life). Under the new covenant the death penalty for sin can be paid by the life of Jesus Christ (a life for a life).

Mercy is how someone responds to wrongdoing. For example to withhold, lessen, or exchange a punishment that is deserved.  Atonement is how wrongdoing is dealt with or repaired. Something that must be done to set things right. Mercy and atonement may overlap but they are different.

 

In His gracious mercy, He applies this method of atonement to your sins, and you are forgiven.

 

The God of the bible does not, in His mercy, wave away the legal demands of justice. God does not suspend the laws of the universe for you, or anyone.  But He does decide to pay the price of a life for the penalty of sin with the life of His Son, Jesus.

 

This matters because… If God were to wave away, or suspend the moral laws of the universe then all of reality becomes unpredictable, eternity becomes chaotic, all is subject to the emotional state of the supreme being. What is good today might become unacceptable tomorrow.

 

Malachi 3:1-6 the biblical God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. If He says the penalty of sin is death… that does not change based on His mood.

 

The penalty must be paid. But, in His great mercy He will allow the penalty to be paid by His own son Jesus Christ. Whom God allowed to die, but also raised up from the dead. So, not only are you forgiven, but you have hope for everlasting life.

 

Romans 3:23-26 He is both the righteous God who sees that justice is done… and the merciful God how allows you declared free of all charges against you because you accept and believe Jesus Christ, and that His death paid your penalty for you.

 

That’s the meat and potatoes… Now for a couple of minor points:

Isalm also teaches the necessity of restitution, and reconciliation for sins such as theft, personal injury, lying, adultery etc. Sins where the actions of one human being cause damage to another.

 

The biblical approach to sin also urges making amends with others you may have a grievance with but they do not affect or erase the penalty brought on by the sin.

 

Matthew 5:23 covers the principle (greater detail concerning restitution and reconciliation can be found in Exodus chapter 21-23.

 

The bible also includes the understanding that all sins are against God.

 

Samuel 12:13 David had committed a serious sin against another person. But, he knew he had sinned against God…. and must be considered in light of the points previously made  about sorrow, repentance, overcoming, mercy and atonement.

 

I am not enough of a student of Islam to know if this is covered in the Muslim texts or not.

Good deeds play a vital role in expiating sins.  The Qur'an states: "Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds" (Qur'an 11:114). Performing acts of worship, charity, and kindness can help cleanse one's record. 

 

The biblical approach to sin does not consider subsequent good deeds to play any role in rectifying the damage caused by sin. Only the atonement provided by Christ can do that. Good deeds may play a role in how righteous reward will be given to those resurrected. But the gift of life instead of death is a free gift.

Both the bible and Islam provide moral codes. Both define sin as violations of that code. But, they differ greatly in how that sin is to be addressed… what happens when that moral code is violated.

 

As I mentioned, we heading into the Passover season. Once again we will begin our walk through of God’s plan for dealing with sin… payment of the penalty of sin. Then the rest of the plan for bringing humanity to a glorious future where there is life, there is love, there is forgiveness, there is mercy… and there is CONFIDENCE in the basic justice of the universe.