Theism is known to be the existence of the Supreme Being. Deism describes the concept of God and is referred to as classical theism. Atheism is a rejection of theism concepts. Both Christians and Islam practice theism (Sire). Christianity affirms theism and belief in existence in God. Christians rest their foundations in the Bible and the created order. Christians’ is belief that God defines the universe and He is Omniscient, good, immanent, sovereign, and transcendent. Second to Christianity is Islamic theism. Its belief is grounded on Allah, Mohammad, and the Holy Quran. Islam means submission to Allah who is the basis of reality. This article gives similarities and differences that are found in Christianity and Islamic Theisms.
Similarities
Both Christianity and Islamic beliefs share some theological ideas. They both can repent and be forgiven by the Supreme Being from their sins when they confess. The two share the concept of heaven being the Supreme Being’s resting place. They believe that they will too dwell there after their time on earth. The two holds universal regard about Jesus. Islam considers him as the Messiah, the righteous Servant, and the Prophet of God (Ally). The Christians hold him as above and more. Christians regard Jesus as being second in the Holy Trinity. They link him to the Son of God which is a reference to a person God favors most.
Even though they believe in him differently, they believe that Jesus entered the world miraculously. Both think that Jesus worked mighty things and his exits was also a mystery. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke has similarities with chapters 2 and 19 of the Quranic story about Jesus. They show a common interpretation in the virginal concept of Jesus’ miraculous entry. The four Gospel New Testament books and the Quran affirm that God provided the Holy Spirit for Jesus' deeds, particularly during the last days of his gospel ministry (Wanjohi). They further show that God raised Jesus and that Jesus is still alive with God. They both wait for a spectacular second return of Jesus. In general, both faiths hold a universal reverence of Jesus.
Differences
The noticeable difference between Christianity and Islamic Theism is the atonement. In Christianity, the death of Jesus on the cross allows them to repent and gain forgiveness of God. On the other hand, Islam has no atonement from their sins (Sire). Though they share the same concepts of heaven, its descriptions vary greatly. Christians believe that God dwells in Zion. The fellowship with God provides heavenly and unimaginable happiness. Muslims, on the other hand, hold a worldly belief in heaven. This is a perpetual bliss that the righteous lives will be rewarded with. The blissful heaven fulfills the occupant's earthly desires like the martyrs being awarded virgins (Wanjohi). The critical difference in the concept of happiness is based on the nature of their rewards. Islam provides natural gifts while Christians provide spiritual satisfaction to the righteous.
The Bible according to Christianity is the word of Almighty and man’s word inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. Some Christians believe that the writing of the Bible promises inerrancy while others consider and trust the Bible as being Free of error. Muslims believe in Biblical prophets, and they don't see a reason that the Bible is God's final revelation (Ally). To them, after the Old Testament, God revealed the Quran which is God’s final revelation. Muslims and Christians hold different scriptural authorities. Muslims do not agree that Jesus’ death was on the cross as described by the Gospel. The Quran doesn't describe Jesus’s death but insists that his enemies were unable to kill him. Christians believe that Jesus died for the sinners’ to be forgiven. However, Muslims hold that God is Gracious and that He can forgive any servant without the impedes of Jesus. Finally, on the concept of Jesus, Muslims disagree with Christians’ views that Jesus was God in a human body (Wanjohi). To them, if Jesus was a man, he was not the perfect God. Also, they disagree on the doctrine that Jesus Christ is second to God in the definition of Trinity.
Works cited
Ally, Shabir. "Christianity And Islam." Facts About The Muslims " The Religion Of Islam - Toll-Free Hotline 1-877-WHY-ISLAM, 2015, https://www.whyislam.org/common-ground/christianity-and-islam/. Accessed 22 Nov 2018.
Sire, James W. " The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, InterVarsity Press," Ebookcentral.Proquest.Com, 2009, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/calbaptist/detail.action?docID=3316519. Accessed 22 Nov 2018.
Wanjohi, Anthony M. "Comparison Between Christian And Islamic Teachings." Kenpro.Org, 2011, https://www.kenpro.org/papers/islamic-Christianity-teachings.htm. Accessed 22 Nov 2018.
