Comparing Christianity and Islam
Christianity and Islam are two of the fastest growing religions, and they both have a lot in common. In this essay I will explain their differences and similarities, their messages, how they treat their believers and other religions, their historical relationship, and other topics along these lines.
I will start this essay by explaining Christianity, and many things about it. The word “Christianity” itself, means “Believer in Christ.” If you are a believer in this religion, you are called a “Christian”. There are many different denominations of this religion, and the things they share are the belief that the Bible is the Word of God, and that Jesus Christ was the savior sent by God through His love. It is hard to say everything about Christianity, because there are about 34,000 different Christian groups and many different customs and practices.
Christians have many beliefs derived from the Bible. They believe in the Trinity, which is three persons in one Godhead; the Father (God), Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. They believe that Jesus was the Son of God, but Jesus is worshipped as God. They believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and some denominations believe that Mary was also holy, and she is worshipped. Some denominations believe Jesus is now with God in Heaven, but other denominations believe His spirit is living here on Earth with all of us. Christians believe that Jesus will return a second time to take all his believers back to heaven with him, so they try to follow all his ways so He will be pleased when He comes to get them. Christians believe that the Bible is the complete Word of God, and they try their hardest to live according to everything it says. Christians believe that a baby is born into sin, and can only be saved and accepted into Heaven by accepting Jesus by its own will. Some denominations also rely on good works, baptism, and church sacraments to get you into Heaven. The Christian term “saved” means you have confessed your sins to either God, or a priest, and you have repented from your sinning ways. Different denominations have different looks on who Jesus really was. Some think he was just a perfect man, who never made a mistake, and others think he was the actual son of God, and he lived a Holy life and was the perfect sacrifice to get into Heaven. They all belie...
... middle of paper ...
...if it agrees with the Qur’an. Muslims also believe that Jesus was not crucified, and God made Judas look like Jesus and Judas was crucified, and Jesus entered Heaven unhurt; but Christians believe that Jesus was tortured and killed by Romans, for our salvation. Both religions also have very different views on the Devil. Christians believe that he is a fallen angel, who is against God in every way; and Muslims believe that the devil is a fallen jinn (not an angel, but a being created from fire). Muslims also have a different view on the Holy Spirit. They believe that it is the arch-angel Gabriel, who delivered the words of the Qur’an to Muhammad; but Christians believe that it is fully God in nature. Another disagreement in beliefs is the way to salvation. Christians believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was enough to get into Heaven; but Muslims also rely on good deeds to get into their Paradise. Those are some of the differences and similarities between Islam and Christianity.
Works Cited:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0009.html
http://dianedew.com/islam.htm
http://www.carm.org/islam/grid.htm
Although there are some aberrations in Christianity and Islam, there are many more similarities between the two. Those who practice Christianity consider being Muslim taboo because they are said to have renounced Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Aside from that factor, most practices are equal. Sadly, most Muslims and Christians will never get along because in their eyes, the few differences are colossal enough to keep them divided. Each side is too blinded by the error of the others ways to see how analogous to one another they actually are.
The two most polarizing and influential religious figures of time, Jesus Christ and Muhammad, have been considered to be two people who, at two different times, attempted to bring messages that would change the landscape of the spirituality of the world and gain followings from the masses. Timothy George shows the two for being responsible for creating two of the three historical religions in the world, with both descended from the third, Judaism, in his article in Christianity Today. While both may have lived a parallel path for some parts and shared a similar message amongst a few issues, they severely disagreed in their teachings on others, and encountered different events in their life span, especially towards the end. From their lives’, to their actions, and to their teachings, this paper will examine the similarities and differences in the two great “teachers” of the religious movements of the Anno Domini age, and how vastly contrasting the two truly were at the core of their leadership and values. The heart of Islam and Christianity, examined to the core of their founders.
I will begin with Christianity from the in class lecture portion. Christianity has four prophets that were born in Israel between 740-536 BC. Their names were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christianity believes in one God; the “supreme being.” They believe that God is eternal and the creator of the world. Being the “creator of the world” Christians consider God to be the almighty father. Christianity is a theistic religion; this means a “Belief in the existence of a divine reality; usually referring to monotheism (one God).” "Theism." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.” Christians believe in sin and that confession is the only way to redemption. They believe that those who sin and do not confess will be sent to hell. Each christian goes through a spiritual rebirth called Baptism. Lastly, christians believe that salvation only comes through God. When one believes in Jesus and does good work they will be rewarded with the afterlife and acceptance into heaven.
Both Christianity and Islam mirror Judaism. From Judaism, Christianity and Islam derived the doctrines of monotheism, prophecy, resurrection, and a belief in the existence of heaven and hell. Both Islam and Christianity have a holy book. Christians consider the Bible the inspired word of God, however Muslims believe that the Koran is the literal word of God. Mohammed was merely transcribing the words of Allah, much as a court reporter does. Muslims therefore attribute greater spiritual
Two of the world 's largest religious practices are Christianity and Islam. Christianity is the biggest religion in the world with 2.4 billion followers while Islam has 1.3 billion followers. Both religions have similar straits especially since the two histories begin with the first human creation of Adam and Eve and the Prophet Abraham. Despite their similarities, there has been intense wars between the two faiths and tension between the two religions exist today. Major similarities and differences between the two faiths are seen in how the religions view God, the understanding of heaven and hell, along with important prophets. Christians and Muslims believe in the same heaven and hell, same God despite different names, and same prophets however
Both Christianity and Islam mirror Judaism. From Judaism, Christianity and Islam took hold of the concepts of monotheism, prophecy, resurrection, and a belief in the existence of heaven and hell. Both religions also have a sacred text; Christians consider the Bible the inspired word of God, His words written and spoken through his followers. However Muslims hold the belief that the Koran is the literal spoken breath of God. Mohammed was merely transcribing the words of Allah, much as a court reporter does. With this knowledge they hold to be true Muslims hold the Koran and Islam at a higher level of truth and authenticity then the beliefs held by Christians and the Bible.
According to a Christian, there is one true God, and he revealed Himself through the Holy trinity, which is made up of three people; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also believe that God alone created the world and everything that encompasses it from nothing in six days. They believe that the world was good until Adam sinned against God, and now all people are born into sin. They believe that God sent his only son Jesus to save the world from sin and that Jesus died for all their sins and rose from the dead. They believe that the Holy bible is the sacred word before and after Jesus’s time and that they should live by it to please God and thank him for his son. They believe that people are saved by faith through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Christianity has grounded our lives in the living God as revealed through Jesus. This belief must be a choice people make as well as a gift we all receive within the Christian community. Christians must trust in and rely upon God as the source of everything in their lives. Faith is about believing in the trinity; God, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit as three in one. Christians follow Jesus’ teachings and answer the call to be his disciples in the world. Christian faith is looking forward to joining God in the future and entering into the coming kingdom that God has promised His followers through Jesus. Christians join together in reflecting with each other in the Christian community about the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Christians believe in the “new life in Christ,” which is the gift of God’s grace; such rebirth and personal assurance gives all new eyes to see the living truth in Scripture. The Christian worldview may differ in different denominations of Christianity but only exist because of their belief of God and Jesus.
The world religions of Islam and Christianity may have their differences to the naked eye, but when you take a closer look into their histories similarities arise. They both went through transformations that had drastic impacts on the way they were controlled and the way that the religion was taught to the followers. Christianity and Islam have both experienced splits between their members due to the fact that followers thought that their beliefs were the correct way to practice the religion. While these transformations are long in the past, the splits that have occurred within each religion continue to have lasting effects on Islam and Christianity to this day.
However much Islam and Christianity would seem to share common ground, the discussion is not complete without noting the parallels between this two that have taken center stage. Some of the remarkable differences as they try to answer deep life complexities arise in the areas of religious practices by both their adherents and the clergy (Dorothy 13-28). “There is also a stark contrast to the belief system subscribed to, means of salvation, scriptures”. The most prominent difference present concerns the belief of life after death and practices of depicting the metaphysical
Christianity teaches that there is merely one God in all existence and that God created the universe. It also teaches that Jesus is the only way to be set free from the coming judgment of God and that Jesus desires his values and his standards to abound. Moreover, Christianity is the only religion that
From the information above it is clear that Christianity and Islam believe in one Supreme God. All believers should focus on following the commandments and rules as stated in the respective holy books. However, Christianity and Islam share great differences hence it is appropriate to conclude that Christianity is different from Islam.
Although Islam and Christianity differ in major ways, they also share some similarities in their belief in God. First of all, Christianity and Islam are both monotheistic religions; worshipping only one God. While both believe in the same God, he is called by two completely different names. He is referred to as "Allah" by Muslims and "God" by Christians. The basic creed of Islam is brief: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah”.
Islam and Christianity have a vast amount of similarities and differences. Islam searches for guidance from the Qur’an and Christianity depends on faith in Jesus. Islamic faith believes in the God, Allah. Above anything else, all religious Muslims obey Allah and his commandments to obtain peace. However, Christianity puts faith in Jesus who is the son of God.
There are many similarities and differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There are also many differences that separate the three major religions of the world. This paper will delve into all three of them.