Comparison between Christianity and Islam (Research Paper Sample)

Name Institution Lecturer Date Comparison between Christianity and Islam Christianity and Islam are two religions that grew from the same central idea of one divine being; they also originate from Jerusalem. However, the two religions bear great disparity but they also hold a few similarities. Both Islam and Christianity believe in Abraham as the forefather of both religions; they believe Him to be the founder of the two religions. The two religions have a holy book; Islam uses the Quran while Christians use the Bible. Even though the two books do not bear the same teachings they are considered sacred in both religions. However, Christianity and Islam share a great deal of differences starting from the holy books, their beliefs, and the information contained in the respective holy book (Kavanaugh, 5). The essay will compare between Christianity and Islam and the comparison will be reflected through study of the similarities and differences. Differences between Christianity and Islam The understanding of God Both Christians and Islam believe in one Supreme Being but according to Christian they call Him God while Muslims call him Allah. The two religions conceptualize God in different ways. Muslims view Allah as one God, this is emphasized through the word ‘tawhid’ which in Islam means “absolute unity”. Christians on the other hand view God as three holy beings, God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. According to theology this is known as the Holy Trinity. Early Christians did not understand the meaning of the word trinity which led to the thought that they worship three gods. However, through Christian teachings the meaning of trinity is brought out through the concept of love. Love cannot exist in seclusion ’God is Love’; hence God cannot exist in one form. This is considered blasphemous according t the Muslim religion but according to Christians God must exist in different perfect forms so as to implement love (Renard, 20). The understanding of revelation Christians believe that God revealed himself to us in form of his son Jesus Christ as a way to redeem us from sin and break the bonds of sin. On the other hand Muslims believe that revelation is for the purpose of guidance but not redemption. In both religions God is seen through the word written in the Holy books but the difference comes in where Christians believe that God’s word was mediated while Muslims believe that the word was not mediated. Christians believe that as the scripture was being written, God inspired the writers but did not mechanically transmit the message into the writers. While according to the Muslim religion, Allah mechanically transmitted information through Muhammad; what is in the Quran is actually Allah’s words (Renard, 21). The religion community What the church is to Christians is similar to what the Umma is to Muslims; both communities believe that they are a community of faith. It is inadequate to believe in isolation; Christians and Muslims need to worship together with their brothers and sisters. However, there is a difference in the Christian church and the Islamic Umma. There is no hierarchical ministry in the Muslim community. Muslims also believe in homogeneity across the world, that is, no different dominions. While in the Christian community there are different dominions and churches. Muslims use one sacred language while Christians have tried translating the bible and the hymn books into different languages based on the respective culture (Renard, 22). Life after death According to Christian faith man shall die and face judgment; believers will spend a life of eternity in heaven but those that do not believe shall suffer an eternity in hell. According to the book of revelation, all believers shall resurrect bodily. On the other hand according to the Muslim religion all beings shall face Allah on Judgment Day. Similarities between Christians and Muslims Believe that there is...