Although they share several basic theological ideas, Christianity and Islam differ on countless key characteristics. The most prominent differences include atonement, the identity of God, heaven, view of Jesus, and the means views of the Bible. It is these not-so-subtle contrasts of thoughts that separate the two most prevalent religions in the world.
One of the most important differences in Christianity and Islam is the concept of atonement. In Christianity, Jesus’ death on the cross allows Christians to repent from their sins and gain forgiveness from God. Conversely, in Islam there is no atonement from sins with Allah, though they still repent and confess their sins. While Christians believe that their sincere repentance provides them with a new, clean slate with God, Muslims believe that, despite their repentance, their sins will always be held against them when judged on the final day. These differing views on forgiveness set the tone for each respective religion, with Christianity seen as a forgiving, loving religion, and Islam being viewed as a hard-nosed, action-based religion.
Another important difference between Christians and Muslims is their views of God. Despite the fact that Muslims claim Allah is the same as God the Father, Christians deny such claims, citing the fact that they worship the Holy Trinity. Christians follow a triune God, equal parts God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though each has specific roles and responsibilities, Christians view them as one God. This differs from the Islamic point of view of a singular God, called Allah, holding a similar role as creator and maintainer as God the Father. Interestingly, Muslims apply a similar role of Christians’ Holy Spirit to the angel Gabriel, who makes appearances in both religions’ history. These very different beliefs in the nature of God as either triune or singular prove to be one of the key differences between Christianity and Islam, and have long served to create controversy between the two popular world religions.
The Essay on Assess The View That Religion No Longer Acts As A ‘shared Universe Of Meaning’ For People Today
Some sociologists would agree with this statement that religion no longer acts as a shared universe of meaning for people today and they explain this using secularisation. The word secular means not sacred, not spiritual and not religious therefore secularisation refers to the process of becoming less religious. Woodhead and Heelas identified two versions the disappearance thesis which states that ...
While they share the basic concept of heaven as a final resting place for those who have done their God’s will during their time on Earth, the descriptions of heaven vary significantly. Christians believe that heaven is the dwelling place of God, and fellowship with Him provides the unimaginable happiness associated with heaven. Muslims hold a more worldly belief of heaven; a state of perpetual bliss, rewarding Muslims who have lived righteous lives. This blissful heaven fulfils its occupants’ earthly desires, including rewards such as dozens of virgins awaiting martyrs of Islam. The key difference between these two views of heaven is the nature of their rewards; while Islam provides earthly gifts to deserving Muslims, the Christian heaven provides spiritual satisfaction to those Christians who have maintained the faith.
Yet another very important difference between Christianity and Islam is their views of the Christian Bible. The Bible serves as the guide to Christianity, offering aid and advice for daily living as well as describing the acts and life of Jesus. Muslim views of the Bible offer a stark contrast to those of Christianity. The Muslims respect and follow the teachings of the prophets, but agree with the Bible only as far as it supports the Koran. They claim that the Bible has been corrupted through the centuries, thus making many of its teachings obsolete.
The Essay on Christian And Muslim View On Marriage
Marriage What are the Christian teachings on remarriage? Christians look to the bible for advice. I found a passage about divorce. In the bible it says: Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery. (St Mark 10: 11-12) This means that remarriage isn't allowed in the eyes of the ...
The final and most important difference between Christianity and Islam is their views of Jesus. Christians view Jesus as their Lord and savior, part of the Holy Trinity as the Son of God, and the key to their entire religion. They believe that Jesus came to Earth as the Hebrew Messiah, thus finally saving the Jews from their sins. His death on the cross and resurrection provided Christians with the opportunity to be forgiven from their sins and have a chance to live with God for eternity in heaven. While Muslims respect the teachings of Jesus, they view Him only as a great prophet, but not as great as Muhammad. They believe that God replaced Him with Judas on the cross, thus dispelling the Christian belief that His death saved them from their sins.
While they are conceptually similar, the major differences between Islamic and Christian theology become obvious upon further inspection. The aforementioned differences, most importantly each religion’s view of Jesus, prevent Muslims and Christians from agreeing on anything theological, and have created a chasm between the two cousin religions currently dominating world theology.
