Article Title: “THE RELIGION OF ISLAM”: A Comparison Of Islam And Christianity
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words/tags):
Islam, The Koran, Christianity, religion(s), faith, beliefs, religious tolerance, spiritual unity, unity of religions
Web site: http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
Submitter’s web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
Craig’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com.wordpress.comwww.buildbridgesofunity.wordpress.com www.buildbridgesofunderstanding.wordpress.com www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com http://religiousunity.wordpress.comwww.peacepursuit.wordpress.com http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com + so many others I can’t keep track (obsessive or WHAT!)
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig )
Publishing Guidelines:
All my articles may be freely published. If tghis article is published, please acknowledge the source, thanks. As I share, I learn myself.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
“THE RELIGION OF ISLAM”
A Comparison Of Islam And Christianity
Sourced from: http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
INTRODUCTION
1. In previous studies, we have directed our focus on Islam…
a. The beginnings and early history of Islam
b. The origin, importance and content of the Qur’an
c. The faith and practices of Islam
d. The issue as to whether Islam is a religion of peace
2. It may be beneficial to look at Islam in comparison with Christianity…
a. What might they have in common?
b. How do they differ on fundamental issues?
[In this study, we shall consider what the two religions believe on various issues as we seek to gain a better understanding of Islam. We begin with…]
I. GOD
A. ISLAM…
1. Teaches there is one God – Qur’an 3:64
2. Rejects the concept of the Trinity
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Teaches there is one God – 1Co 8:6
2. Reveals that the Godhead is composed of three distinct personalities – Father, Son, Holy Spirit; one in essence and substance – cf. Jn 1:1-5; Php 2:5-8; 2Jn 9; Mt 28:19
[Closely related to any concept of God is one’s view regarding…]
II. JESUS
A. ISLAM…
1. Considers Jesus a prophet, like Noah, Abraham, Moses (and Muhammad)
2. Rejects the divinity of Jesus, denies his pre-existence – Qur’an 4:171
3. Believes in the virgin birth, however
4. Does not believe Jesus died on the cross nor was raised from the dead – Qur’an 4:157
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God – Mt 16:13-18
2. Teaches the pre-existence of Christ – Jn 1:1-5; Col 1:16-17
3. Proclaims that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and was raised from the dead
[What one believes regarding Jesus certainly has a bearing on one’s understanding of…]
III. SALVATION
A. ISLAM…
1. Salvation comes by works
2. Personal righteousness is weighed against personal sin, which ever is greater determines salvation – Qur’an 23:101-103
3. A Muslim can be forgiven by repenting of sin – Qur’an 39:53-54
4. Paradise is assured for one who dies as a martyr for Islam
5. One becomes a Muslim by confessing “There is no other god but God; and Muhammad is the Prophet of God” (la ilaha ill’Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah) from the heart
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Salvation is by grace through an obedient faith – Ep 2:8-9; Ti 3:4-7
2. Jesus died on the cross as atonement for our sins – Ro 3:21-26
3. He is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him – He 5:9
4. Those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life will be spared condemnation – Re 20:11-15
5. One becomes a Christian by:
a. Believing that Christ died for your sins – Jn 8:24; Ro 10: 9-10
b. Repenting of your sins – Ac 2:38; 17:30-31
c. Confessing your faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God – Mt 10:32,33; Ro 10:9-10
d. Being baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins
– Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-6; Ga 3:27;
Col 2:11-13; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:21
[Doctrines pertaining to salvation are naturally related to views pertaining to…]
IV. ETERNAL JUDGMENT
A. ISLAM…
1. Believes in a resurrection of the dead and judgment at the Last Day
2. Paradise for the faithful, served by beautiful virgins – Qur’an 56:1-38
3. Hell for unbelievers, with eternal torment – Qur’an 56:39-56
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Believes in a resurrection of the dead and judgment at the Last Day
2. The eternal City, New Jerusalem, in the new heavens and new earth for those whose name is in the Lamb’s book of life
– Re 21:1-7,9-27; 22:1-5
3. The lake of fire for the unbelieving and wicked – Re 20:15; 21:8
[What one believes about God, Jesus, salvation and the judgment depends heavily upon what one considers to be…]
V. THE WORD OF GOD
A. ISLAM…
1. Believes in 4 inspired books – the Torah (5 books of Moses),
Zabur (the Psalms), lnjil (the Gospel), and Qur’an
2. The first three have been corrupted; the Qur’an provides the final revelation of God’s Word
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Believes Old and New Testaments contains the revelation of God’s Word – 2Ti 3:16-17
2. Believes that God’s Word cannot be corrupted, but is preserved
– 1Pe 1:23-25; Mt 24:35; Isa 40:8
3. Believes that revelation of God’s Word is fully and finally revealed – 2Pe 1:3; Jude 3
[It is of interest to note some of the differences in the two religion regarding…]
VI. PRAYER, FASTING, AND WORSHIP
A. ISLAM…
1. Has set times to offer prayers (five times per day)
2. Has set periods and procedures in which to fast (the month of Ramadan)
3. Places emphasis on ceremonial rituals such as washings, posture in prayer
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Calls for fervent and steadfast prayer, with no set times proscribed – 1Th 5:17; Col 4:2
2. Has a place for fasting, but left up to the individual – Mt 6:
16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23
3. Places emphasis upon the spiritual aspect of worship – Jn 4:
23-24; Ep 5:19; Col 3:16
[A major difference between Islam and Christianity in spreading their faiths involve the issues of…]
VII. WAR AND VENGEANCE
A. ISLAM…
1. Allows war and vengeance for self-defense against persecution
2. Allows use of war in promoting the faith against unbelievers and idolaters
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Forbids war and vengeance when persecuted for righteousness’ sake – Mt 5:10-12,38-48
2. Forbids use of war to promote the cause of Christ and the gospel – 2Co 10:3-5
[Some other differences between the two faiths relate to…]
VIII. MORALS
A. ISLAM…
1. Forbids alcohol and gambling – Qur’an 5:93-94
2. Forbids eating pork
3. Allows up to four wives, may divorce and remarry them twice – Qur’an 2:229
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Forbids drunkenness, covetousness, and other “works of the flesh” – Ga 5:19-21
2. Allows all foods, if received with thanksgiving and prayer
– 1Ti 4:4-5 (with the exception of drinking blood and eating animals that were strangled, Ac 15:20,29; 21:25)
3. Teaches monogamy, divorce only for fornication – Mt 19:9; 1Co 7:2
[Both religions distinguish between the role of men and women, though with important differences…]
IX. TREATMENT OF WOMEN
A. ISLAM…
1. Men have more rights than women – Qur’an 2:228
2. Women do not attend public prayers at the Mosque
3. A husband may punish a wife by withholding what is due, and then beat her if necessary – Qur’an 4:34
B. CHRISTIANITY…
1. Men and women are fellow heirs of the grace of life – 1Pe 3:7; Ga 3:28-29
2. Women do not have leadership roles in the church – 1Co 11:3; 14:34-37; 2Ti 2:11-12
3. Forbids withholding what is due, and requires treating the wife with tenderness and understanding – 1Co 7:3-5; 1Pe 3:7
CONCLUSION
1. This has not been an exhaustive comparison between Islam and Christianity…
a. It has been a simple examination at some of the more notable features of comparison
b. Undoubtedly, many other similarities and differences could be noted
2. In considering such comparisons, one should note the following caveat…
a. Islam contains many different sects; not all professing Muslims might agree with some of the representations of Islamic beliefs made in this comparison
b. In a similar vein, not all professing Christians may agree with what has been offered as that which Christianity teaches
But perhaps this comparison can serve as a starting point in identifying key issues for discussions between Muslims and Christians who seek to better understand one another’s faiths….
Sourced from http://executableoutlines.com/islam/islam_05.htm
#
To end off… I love these inspiring words, so will share with you…
“It is time for people of good will from every faith and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside our international and partisan bickering and join to confront the danger that lies before us. Our goal must be to illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity, and offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia, in the ‘Wall Street Journal’
Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– Jahrulal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India (1947)
I hope that this information may be of interest to you (as it is to me)…
Those of us who long for (and are passionate about) the ideals of moderation and religious tolerance will continue to hope for a better understanding of complex issues between people of different cultures and faiths through reasoned and ‘informed’ dialogue in a spirit of mutual tolerance and respect. God’s greatest gift to us is to find, then follow our own truths. We can ALL nurture the real values common to ALL humanity: those highest ideals of tolerance, righteousness, justice, mercy and respect for all of life must surely triumph.
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.”
– John F. Kennedy
With UNDERSTANDING comes TOLERANCE and with TOLERANCE comes MORE UNDERSTANDING.
So Let each one of us in our own ‘little ways’ attempt to build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of openness, acceptance of our differences, helpfulness, co-operation, mutual tolerance, respect, trust, peace and especially in a spirit of love, the most powerful force in existence. Let our leaders and each ONE of us look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become. What divides us as fellow citizens on planet earth is not nearly as powerful as the force, the divine spirit that UNITES us: The Spirit of God, the Ultimate Source that let’s us accept and even celebrate our differences … and let’s the Love of humanity within EACH one of us to conquer anything at all.
Shared by craig (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder… and a ‘passionate moderate’ for religious tolerance”)
“People fight and die for religion but they seldom LIVE for religion”.
– Jahrulal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India”
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
“The greatest good we can do for others is reveal the rich treasure inside themselves; so shine your own bright light on an often darkened world… with the highest level of humanity …and have great fun along the journey of life.”
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
“There is neither east nor west, tribe nor ethnicity, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Christian nor Jew. There is only a God-filled humanity.”
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope” – craig
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down and economic, social, cultural and religious barriers. Craig believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share in the form of our common humanity is way more important than what divides us.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books/74-craigs-books http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock + www.lulu.com/craiglock
Craig is currently writing true stories of life in the Middle East. And as he writes, is posting extracts on his new WordPress blogs.
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstores”
“Let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED, electronically or in print
“God is leading us to the light. What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light
May the Grace of our loving Creator care for and watch over you all… always
WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 
Reblogged this on JESUS MEETS MUHAMMAD.
LikeLike
Hi
CAN’T KEEP UP…BUT THANKS FOR THE “THANX”
MANY MORE COMMENTS OVERNIGHT (hundreds of thousands already on this blog…true!) …so hope it’s not slowing down your loading speed!). Am really pleased you are enjoying my writings, as the reason I write is to share.
Am having to remove many and so sorry can’t reply individually, but DO try to read as many as possible daily
so “thanks for the thanx”
“As we live and move and have our being, so from this vision, we create heaven in our own lives… and perhaps even heaven on earth.”
– craig (as inspired by Acts 17:28 and the words of Felicia Searcy)
“Aim at the earth and you may not get off the ground.
“Aim at the stars and you may reach the moon.”
“Aim at heaven and you’ll have earth thrown in…
and you may even hit the stars.”
– craig (as inspired by the famous quote by CS Lewis – 24th May 2012)
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
“If a man is called to be a street-sweeper,
he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted,
or Beethoven composed music, or
Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well
that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say,
here lived a great street sweeper
who did his job well.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://peacepursuit.wordpress.com/
http://breakdownwalls.wordpress.com/
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
PPS
Instead of trying to reply to each one of you, I’ll just keep on writing
“If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I’d type a little faster.”
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 and and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
“Let not our beliefs set us apart, but rather let our shared humanity define and unite us.”.
– me
LikeLike
for the follow/link/like/reblog and/or comment
Hi
CAN’T KEEP UP…BUT THANKS FOR THE “THANX”
MANY MORE COMMENTS OVERNIGHT .. together with hundreds of thousands already on my various other blogs at https://craigsblogs.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/craigs-list-of-blogs-updated-sept-2011/
…true!) …obsessive or WHAT! *So hope it’s not slowing down your loading speed!). Am really pleased you are enjoying my writings, as the reason I write is to share.
Though I’m rather “driven”, I still get really, really fatigued, so sorry can’t reply individually to all you good people scattered around the planet, but DO try to read as many as possible daily (and even moderate a few when I get a “mo”), I got swamped with comments on my various blogs, so have had to close them off on all of my blogs, except for one or two of particular interest to me – sorry and hope you can understand..
* “Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
~ Franz Kafka
I do really appreciate your liking, linking to and/or following this blog (and “writing in”), so “thanks for the thanx”
“As we live and move and have our being, so from this vision, we create heaven in our own lives… and perhaps even heaven on earth.”
– craig (as inspired by Acts 17:28 and the words of Felicia Searcy)
“Aim at the earth and you may not get off the ground.a
“Aim at the stars and you may reach the moon.”
“Aim at heaven and you’ll have earth thrown in…
and you may even hit the stars.”
– craig (as inspired by the famous quote by CS Lewis – 24th May 2012)
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
When (or if ever) you arrive in heaven, let faith, hope and love be the wings that carried you there.”
– as adapted from the inspiring words of Jonathan Edwards, former minister in New England, Massachusetts
“The Greatest Race: Living by (with) faith, hope and love is the highest podium any person can reach, God’s podium that anyone stand on.”
– c
“Having pursued the goals, the dreams set before us and run the race with persistence and endurance, after giving it all. Then one day standing on the summit of life, breathing in the pure sweet oxygen of achievement, totally satisfied in running the greatest race, the race of life one that ANYONE can run and win.”
from http://racetothechequeredflag.wordpress.com/
and http://www.godandformula1.wordpress.com
“If a man is called to be a street-sweeper,
he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted,
or Beethoven composed music, or
Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well
that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say,
here lived a great street sweeper
who did his job well.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
PPS
Instead of trying to reply to each one of you, I’ll just keep on writing
“If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I’d type a little faster.”
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock
https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=%22craig+lock%22&sitesearch_type=STORE
http://www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books
and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
as it’s already tomorrow in scenic and tranquil ‘little’ New Zealand
PPS
”Since I can never see your face,
And never shake you by the hand,
I send my soul through time and space
To greet you. You will understand.”
– James Elroy Flecker (1884-1915)
LikeLike