Christianity's foundation is built on the understanding of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who is fully human and yet fully divine, explained the Rev Dr R Albert Mohler Jr, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and one of America's pre-eminent Evangelical leaders.
The Christian faith also points to Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection as the only way for mankind's salvation, he added. Islam, on the other hand, "explicitly denies" that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross and resurrected from the dead, acknowledging only Jesus as a great prophet, His virgin birth, and His future role in judgment.
"These are merely the most obvious foundational contradictions between Christianity and Islam," Mohler wrote on his blog. "Furthermore, these most obvious contradictions are affirmed by all major Christian denominations and both historic branches of Islam."
Dr Emir Caner, dean of the College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, described Redding's faith conviction as "an extraordinary illustration of what has become post-modern Christianity in America".
Postmodernists are characterised for criticising the conventional and embracing contradictions.
"It is a logical impossibility for someone to be both a Muslim and Christian since they stand in direct opposition to each other on such crucial theological issues as the cross, resurrection, and salvation," Caner, a former devout Muslim told Christian Today.
Chuck Colson, founder of the Christian ministry Prison Fellowship, commented that "there's so much wrong here that I scarcely know where to begin".
Colson pointed out that religion is not only about "feelings", but being Christian is about believing in undeniable truths such as original sin, the Trinity and the divinity of Christ.
"Redding is simply an extreme example in the Episcopal Church," concluded Colson in a commentary last month.
The Episcopal Church is divided over a number of issues and facing a possible split with the worldwide Anglican Communion over its pro-gay stance, which the majority of Anglican leaders have called a departure from Anglican tradition and a violation of Scripture.
The Anglican body in the United States has been given until 30 September to unequivocally pledge not to consecrate another openly gay bishop or authorise official prayers for same-sex couples. If Episcopalians fail to agree to the demands, they risk losing their full membership in the communion.
Christian Today Correspondent Michelle Vu in Washington contributed to this report.
