I asked myself, this afternoon, what was more important, whether the outward actions of a body or the inner resolutions of a heart evinced the goodness of a person. Specifically, I was considering Islam. What I know of this religion is scant, I’m too ignorant to talk about it, but I have heard this issue raised by a Muslim: Christianity is insufficient. Christianity merely gives, “a way of life,” to an individual, but Islam (or the Mosaic Law, and really many other religions) provides the blueprints for the running of whole societies, laws directing the smallest acts of an individual.
So, what’s more important, the tangible acts of man, or the invisible workings of a heart? My mind recalls these scriptures, “and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,” and, “None is righteous, no, not one.” It seems irreproachable to me, by the evidence of history and the experience of dealing with my own self, that the actions of a man cannot make him good.
Nor, indeed, can he change his heart by it. Speaking for myself, no amount of self-imposed goodness ever corrects the errors of my heart; often, this is merely the jumping off point into a worse state. I use the law as a mask, and thus hiding my depravity under conformity, fool not only society, but myself, into thinking me good. The actions of man may be good or evil, but always his heart is wicked.
No, I find Islam the meaner[i] choice here. Christianity does not fail to provide a codex of laws as it was never meant to give any. The Law already existed—for Christianity, this was the Mosaic Law—and Christ says he came to fulfill the law. The New Testament does not meddle with setting up a government or giving clear cut instructions for how one should order their every step. Christ does not demand our simple practiced devotion, but our whole selves.
This charge against Christianity is then partially true, there is no law in Christianity to mask our sins. Christ came, not applying another bandage to the wound, but unwrapping the filthy rags we had covered ourselves with. The stench was ripe, unbearable, as He peeled back unwashed layer after unwashed layer. Finally, He came to the infected skin. No new bandages were given, for no more masks were needed. The Healer had come to give life to the black necrotic flesh underneath.
[i]
Meaner as in smaller, not cruel or uncivil
Below is, I think, where I first heard this criticism of Christianity. Of course, my writings are by no means as fluent or well thought out as Ravi Zacharias’ answer.
Tale Told 
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