Throughout the world both Christianity and Islam are practiced by multitudes of people, greatly impacting their lives. These religions are widely embraced by governments and many of their respective constituents–these religions sparing no minor influence over the two. In many ways, Christianity and Islam are of two pieces to the same puzzle, while one can easily discern key differences, they share much common ground. Their shared uniqueness, morals and some key beliefs have empowered and served as a catalyst to {most} of their followers to show tolerance and try to learn more about each other’s respective creed. Both share origin to Abraham. Both believe in a divine prophecy, God’s message via the word of apostles such as Jesus, dependence of scripture, the resurrection of dead, and the importance of a spiritual society and community.
As both are monotheistic religions, both Muslims and Christians believe there is only one true God or Allah. (Strachey, 1986) The simple testament of Islam is called the ‘shahada’, the first passage states that ” لا إله إلا الله ” — “There is no god but God.” This is certainly a declaration that Christians would find both familiar and echoed in their own religious practices. On a relevant point, is Jesus, and as Christians would proclaim: one of the most prolific men to ever have walked the Earth. The two religions both embrace him in great esteem. Islam defines Jesus as God’s Prophet, Messiah, and a humble, virtuous servant. Christianity defines him as all of these…and even more. Christians think that Jesus is God, but an equal second part of the Holy Triune. While to Christians the term “Son of God” is synonymous to being God himself, Islamic believers think that ‘Son of God’ is a designation that can be denoted to an individual who is specifically chosen by God; and that it relates to Jesus more appropriately because he was privileged by God to an extraordinary degree. Muslims and Christians both believe that Jesus arrived into the world in an astounding fashion; that he composed monumental actions during his time here on Earth; that his departure was cryptic; and that his second coming will be truly remarkable.
There are three key differences between the practicing of Christianity and Islam. The first, is the Quran denotes that Jesus did not die on the cross, Jesus’s death on the cross was simply a perception from God to people. Additionally, while Islamic followers fully acknowledge that Jesus ascended into heaven with God, by God. Christians believe that Jesus did in fact die on the cross and did not immediately ascend into heaven but waited two days after. Next is the Christian mentality that believes all sin is inherent, that every human being is born tainted with sin and by default. This is a core factor that Muslim ideology disagrees with. In the Quran it denotes that God forgave Adam for the sins he initially committed in the Garden, and more so no one should have to bear the punishment and brunt of another person’s {Eve’s} sins because that is unrighteous and unjust. Last, is the concept of the Holy Triune, a concept that is the bedrock of the Christian faith, this is something Islam and the Quran fully branch away from. The Trinity in Islam is entirely rejected. Jesus is in no way God, nor the Son of God (In the literal tantamount sense). While Jesus was a pivotal, vital figure for the progression of both religions and held in very high esteem, in the Islamic faith he was a human prophet and not divine. In short, while Christians honor a Holy Triune, members of the Islamic faith only worship God, the sole creator of the universe and its inhabitants.
From the end of the 8th century until the conclusion of the 11th century, scientific advances made in the Islamic world were the foundation of knowledge that would undulate throughout history (Al-Rodhan, 2012) It was at this point in history when the scientific and philosophical achievements and legacy of the ancient world were about to be vanish, it was Islamic scholars that stepped in to protect that culture from ruin. Many have theorized, with little contest, that without the interloping and preservation of ancient texts, and refinement of early ancient achievements by Islamic scholars, it is highly likely that the texts which later implemented a formative effect over the evolution of Western culture would never had survived (Moaddel, 2002). However, what can be assured, is the postulate that our current reality would be very different if it was not for the involvement and contributions made by both Islamic society and scholars alike. For not only preservation of ancient texts that allowed Europe to vault itself into the Renaissance, but the modification, critique, and codification of these texts. (Abu-Lughod, 1963)
In conclusion, it is evident that while Christianity and Islam may share a stigma of being diametric in their religious practices, they are in fact much more relatable that one may initially think. While they do have key differences, such as The Holy Triune or belief of inherent sin, they share common ground such as being monotheistic, the involvement and adoration of Jesus Christ.
Works Cited
- Abu-Lughod, Ibrahim A. Arab Rediscovery of Europe. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1963.
- Al-Rodhan, Nayef R. F. The Role of the Arab-Islamic World in the Rise of the West: Implications for Contemporary Trans-Cultural Relations. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
- Moaddel, Mansoor. “The Study of Islamic Culture and Politics: An Overview and Assessment.” Annual Review of Sociology, vol. 28, 2002, pp. 359–386. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3069246.
- Stern, Bernard, Joseph. Science & society, Volume 12, 1-3, Concept Publishing Company, 1948.
- Strachey, Lytton & Holroyd Michael. Eminent Victorians, Nile Penguin Classics, 1986.
- Hoogvelt, A. M. M. Globalization and the Postcolonial World: The New Political Economy of Development. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1997.
Originally published 15.10.2019