Drawing Near: The Superiority of Worship in Hebrews 10 vs. Islamic Worship

By Dr. Tim Orr

Worship is central to human religious experience, shaping our understanding of God, our relationship with Him, and how we express devotion. Yet, different religious traditions approach worship in vastly different ways. The New Testament book of Hebrews 10 presents a deeply relational and grace-centered view of worship, where believers draw near to God through the completed work of Jesus Christ (Bruce, 1990). Islam, by contrast, emphasizes worship as an act of submission and ritual purity, with strict legal requirements and prescribed acts (Denny, 2010).

The differences between Christian and Islamic worship are not merely external or procedural; they reflect fundamentally different theological understandings of God, salvation, and human nature. As presented in Hebrews 10, Christianity teaches that worship flows from an intimate relationship with God made possible by Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Guthrie, 2007). Islam, however, emphasizes that worship is a means of earning divine favor, requiring continual purification and ritual obedience (Esposito, 2002). Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how each faith sees humanity's approach to God.

Worship in Hebrews 10: A Gospel-Centered Approach

Christian worship is rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ, encompassing both His atoning death and His resurrection. The resurrection is central to Christian worship because it validates Christ’s victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:17, Wright, 2003). Without the resurrection, Christian worship would be meaningless. Still, through it, believers celebrate the living Christ who intercedes for them (Romans 8:34) and grants them new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Unlike the Old Testament sacrificial system, where repeated offerings were necessary, Hebrews 10 declares that Jesus’ sacrifice was made once for all. “And by that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10, English Standard Version [ESV]). This is not merely a theological statement; it is the foundation of Christian worship.

Worship is no longer about appeasing God or ensuring one’s purity through ritual acts; rather, it is a deeply reverent response to His holiness and grace. While it is not based on works, true worship involves repentance, humility, and a heart continually transformed by the gospel (Carson, 2013). Instead, it is a response to the grace and mercy of God, who provided the perfect atonement through Christ. The gospel proclaims that humanity’s greatest need—reconciliation with God—has been accomplished by Jesus’ death and resurrection. As a result, worship is not a duty to fulfill but a joy to embrace. It is a celebration of freedom in Christ, not a checklist of obligations.

In contrast, Islamic worship is fundamentally centered on submission to Allah’s will, emphasizing obedience, ritual purity, and adherence to prescribed acts of devotion. The five pillars of Islam—Shahada (faith declaration), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage)—define the structure of worship, reflecting Islam’s emphasis on discipline and duty. Unlike Christian worship, which is rooted in Christ’s finished work, Islamic worship is a lifelong endeavor to earn divine favor. In Islamic theology, sin is not addressed through a once-for-all atonement but through continuous acts of repentance and righteous deeds, which are weighed on the Day of Judgment (Surah 23:102-103). While Christians worship in response to salvation already secured, Muslims worship in the hope of attaining it.

What's more, the concept of intercession is vastly different in Islam. In Christianity, Jesus is the eternal high priest who intercedes for believers (Hebrews 7:25), ensuring their standing before God. In Islam, there is no mediator between Allah and humanity; each person is accountable for their own deeds (Surah 35:18). Worship, therefore, is not about resting in divine grace but about demonstrating submission through external expressions of faith. The five daily prayers, for example, are not just acts of devotion but obligations that mark a Muslim’s faithfulness. This distinction highlights the fundamental difference between Christian and Islamic worship: one is grounded in the assurance of redemption through Christ, while the other is built on striving toward divine approval through human effort.

Direct Access to God through Christ

One of the most profound aspects of Christian worship is direct access to God, granted through Christ. Under the Old Covenant, access to the Most Holy Place was restricted to the high priest, who could enter only once a year with a blood sacrifice. But Hebrews 10:19-22 proclaims that all believers can now “enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (NIV). This means Christian worship is bold, relational, and confident, yet also marked by deep reverence and awe. While believers approach God with assurance through Christ, they do so with a heart that recognizes His holiness and majesty (Hebrews 12:28-29, Lane, 1991). Christian worship is intimate and reverent, balancing the joy of access with the humility of standing before the Almighty.

Imagine a courtroom where a defendant stands before a judge, condemned by overwhelming evidence. Then, imagine that the judge’s son steps forward and takes the penalty on behalf of the accused, granting full pardon and unrestricted access to the judge’s presence. This is what Christ has done for us. Worship is no longer about earning God’s favor but enjoying God’s presence through Jesus.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit plays a key role in Christian worship. Unlike in Islam, where worship is primarily external, Christian worship is Spirit-filled and transformative. Jesus said, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). True worship is not about rituals or locations but a heart responding to the gospel. Worship is not confined to church services but is expressed in daily communion with God through prayer, song, Scripture, or service (Piper, 2011).

The Transformative Nature of Christian Worship vs. Islamic Worship and Wudu

In contrast to Islam, where worship is about fulfilling obligations, Christian worship transforms the believer. Hebrews 10:14 states, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (ESV). Worship is not about proving one's devotion but being changed by God's love.

Paul echoes this in Romans 12:1, calling believers to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (NIV). Worship in Christianity is a whole-life response to the gospel. It involves singing praises (Colossians 3:16), confessing sins (1 John 1:9), and living in obedience (John 14:15). Unlike in Islam, where prayers are fixed and formulaic, Christian worship is deeply personal and relational (Miller, 2008).

Islamic worship, by contrast, places a heavy emphasis on external purification as a prerequisite for approaching Allah. Before praying, a Muslim must perform wudu, a ritual washing that purifies them externally. This act of wudu symbolizes physical cleanliness, which is necessary before standing in the presence of Allah (Denny, 2010). However, in Christianity, purification is entirely spiritual, accomplished by the blood of Christ. Hebrews 10:22 states, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (ESV). This internal transformation sets Christian worship apart—believers do not need continual ritual washing because Christ has already provided complete purification.