This blog is written by a Christian living in the Middle East. My desire is to discuss Islam and Christianity in ways that will be helpful for people of the other religion.
Monday, March 22, 2010
What is the difference between Islam and Christianity?
A Muslima friend of mine asked me this recently. What do you say? How would you answer this question to a Muslima who sincerely wants to know your point of view?
We're evil guys who ascribe partners to God, bow down to some guy we think is God in the flesh, and have a higher moral teaching than they can even begin to fathom.
That, and that we recite mantras like the Buddhists. :D -- I think that should do it for now. >:)
Oh, and we bow down to idols and worship dead ancestors in faith, and our most treasured saint is a woman!!!
The difference can be found in how God revealed himself to Mohammed through an angel, and how God revealed himself using angels to persons of the Judeo Christian faith. . In one, the messenger of God terrorizes and shakes his prospective prophet so bad that he wants to commit suicide by throwing himself off a mountain. . In the other, the messenger of God has no need of terror/despair/fear to get the cooperation of a prospective prophet. There is never a doubt of God's authentic presence.
Christianity is an orthodox faith. Christian's believe in a creed that says Jesus died for the sins of humanity and this gift is free for anyone who believes. Islam is an orthopraxic faith which says that salvation is something achieved through works and human effort. Christianity assumes original sin and therefore the only answer is the cross and Jesus, while Islam assumes people are born without sin and therefore sin is not a condition but an action that humans can control...
Christians believe that God is beyond anything we could possibly imagine (in the most strict and literal sense); the Holy Trinity is a "mystery" in the sense that our finite minds cannot contain it. Muslims believe in a simple god.
Christians believe that "God is Love," (1 John 4:8) which is meaningless without the doctrine of the Trinity.
Muslims say that Allah hates sinners, but loves those who obey him; Christians say that God loves sinners and became man to deliver us from our sins. We cannot please God on our own efforts, but He takes away our sins so that we can love Him properly. "Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us." 1 John 4:19
In Islam, God is aloof. In Christianity, God becomes one of us and demonstrates first-hand what he desires of us. Then after he goes away he sends a Helper to help us live that way.
Biblical faith is trusting completely in the redemptive work of God in Christ, whereas Islam is trying to constantly remember God by following his guidance.
16 comments:
We're evil guys who ascribe partners to God, bow down to some guy we think is God in the flesh, and have a higher moral teaching than they can even begin to fathom.
That, and that we recite mantras like the Buddhists. :D -- I think that should do it for now. >:)
Oh, and we bow down to idols and worship dead ancestors in faith, and our most treasured saint is a woman!!!
We worship that which we know.
Our God loves us unconditionally. What he has done for man is motivated by that same love.
The difference can be found in how God revealed himself to Mohammed through an angel, and how God revealed himself using angels to persons of the Judeo Christian faith.
.
In one, the messenger of God terrorizes and shakes his prospective prophet so bad that he wants to commit suicide by throwing himself off a mountain.
.
In the other, the messenger of God has no need of terror/despair/fear to get the cooperation of a prospective prophet. There is never a doubt of God's authentic presence.
Christianity is an orthodox faith. Christian's believe in a creed that says Jesus died for the sins of humanity and this gift is free for anyone who believes. Islam is an orthopraxic faith which says that salvation is something achieved through works and human effort. Christianity assumes original sin and therefore the only answer is the cross and Jesus, while Islam assumes people are born without sin and therefore sin is not a condition but an action that humans can control...
Jesus healed a 9 year old girl. Mohammed had sex with one.
Christians believe that God is beyond anything we could possibly imagine (in the most strict and literal sense); the Holy Trinity is a "mystery" in the sense that our finite minds cannot contain it. Muslims believe in a simple god.
Christians believe that "God is Love," (1 John 4:8) which is meaningless without the doctrine of the Trinity.
Muslims say that Allah hates sinners, but loves those who obey him; Christians say that God loves sinners and became man to deliver us from our sins. We cannot please God on our own efforts, but He takes away our sins so that we can love Him properly. "Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us." 1 John 4:19
Ed.
In Islam, men submit to God and thereby get to paradise.
In Christianity, God submits to men and thereby makes them fit for paradise.
Islam is a religion about how to do right. It's when you discover that men cannot do right that you turn to Christianity.
Our prophet was never deceived by Satan and never had to retract part of his teachings.
My answer was this:
In Islam, one can never know the essence of Allah, only his traits. In our faith we do know the essence of God: love.
May God bless us and keep us on this great feast of the Annunciation.
In Islam, God is aloof. In Christianity, God becomes one of us and demonstrates first-hand what he desires of us. Then after he goes away he sends a Helper to help us live that way.
Very good answer, Abu Daoud! :)
Well, I wouldn't have been able to answer so shortly. But I would have began like that : "Let me tell you about Jesus Christ"
The absolute unity of Allah versus the Christian Trinity.
See this post.
Biblical faith is trusting completely in the redemptive work of God in Christ, whereas Islam is trying to constantly remember God by following his guidance.
In Islam, with respect to God you're a slave, a slave-master relationship; in Christianity you're an adopted son, a son-father relationship.
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