Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are referred to as the Abrahamic religions because of their belief in Abraham. The three religious factions’ faith was founded upon the belief that God made a covenant with their father of faith, Abraham, that he would believe in God, worship Him as the only true God, and that he would ensure that the faith in God and the practice of worshiping the one and only true God would be passed from generation to generation. As such, the God of Abraham is one of the unifying factors in the three religious denominations. The three religions believe that there is only one God who is the maker of heavens and earth, creator of mankind, Almighty, and omnipresent. They also conceive God as a being that possesses the persona attributes as well as transcendent features. Although Abrahamic religions have many differences, they also possess similar roots and elements, which will form the direction of this paper.
As aforementioned, Abraham is one of the most important features that is similar in the three religions. The religious factions believe that Abraham was blessed with two sons that include Isaac and Ishmael, who settled in different parts of the Arabian land. While Isaac settled near the City of Jerusalem, Ishmael, on the other hand, settled near Mecca. Isaac’s offspring became followers of Christianity and Judaism while those of Ishmael became Islam. In the three factions, Abraham is viewed as an icon of peace, love, unity, and obedience. When God told him to sacrifice his only begotten son, he did so without further ado, but God provided a sheep for the sacrifice and saved the son. Indeed, Abraham did not question God but followed His command. The only difference among the Muslim and Christians is that while Christians believe that Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, Muslims hold that the son was Ishmael.
Abraham is regarded as the father of the three religions. For the Jews, they regard to him as their father Abraham. Christians, on the other hand, hold that Abraham is the father of all people. According to Romans chapter 4 verse 11 to 12, Paul terms Abraham as the father of all people who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their savior. He continues to say that it does not matter whether the person is a Hebrew or Jew, whether circumcised or not, so long as they have faith in God and Jesus Christ His son, then Abraham is their father. In the Hebrew Bible, Abraham is indicated as an ancestor of the children of Israel.
In contrast, Christians approve the lineage of Jews in father Abraham, but believe that it is not the ancestral lineage that determines Christianity but faith. Christianity was established as a sect of Judaism, which regards itself as the real followers of the religion that belonged to the offspring of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. Over time, other branches that include Gnosticism, orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism arose from Christianity. Unlike other branches of Christianity, Protestantism organizations do not have ecclesiastical form of church administration. In addition, their belief system and practices differs across protestant factions. Although they have some differences in their religious practices, their ideology is related. For Muslims, Abraham is also their father as Muhammad, the founder of their faith, also stems from the lineage of Abraham through Ishmael.
The Rabbinic traditions also teaches that when God created man, he did so to accentuate the inviolability and sanctity of human life, which is also affirmed by the fact that all human beings share the same ancestor, Adam. Human beings are therefore supposed to live in peace and harmony and to reconcile in case of conflicts. Owing to the fact that human beings are social beings, they are therefore supposed to coexist. The Jews tradition emphasizes on the need for peace and reconciliation. For instance, Aaron, who was a priest according to the Hebrew Bible, is praised for the various roles he played in uniting people who were in conflict. Therefore, the Hebrew Bible teaches the followers of Judaism on the importance of living peacefully, harmoniously, and in one accord.
Likewise, Christianity believes in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, makes Christianity belief to have more similarity with the Judaism followers. Among the most important tenet is on the concept of love. The bible says that for one’s joy to be full, people should love one another. In fact, it is also referred to as one of the greatest commandment. According to the bible, a messiah will come who will establish an earthly administration that is free, just, and peaceful. The various verses written by Paul and Peter in the Christian Bible echo the teachings of the Hebrew bible that associate peace and fairness as well as righteousness. In a similar manner, Islam religion also teaches about the importance of peace and harmony. Indeed, the Quran is explicit about the code of conduct that Muslims are expected to practice.
Another similarity in the Abrahamic religions is the expectations they have for the future. However, their expectations are distinct and diverse. For Judaism, they are still awaiting for the promised Messiah, who will not bear the trinity as in the case of Christianity. They hold that although the Messiah will be a mortal man, his holiness will surpass that of common man. Christians, on the other hand, believe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah who came to bridge the gap between mankind and God after sinning in the Garden of Eden. They hold that Jesus came to this world, made 12 disciples, taught the word of God, and when his mission on earth was accomplished, he ascended to heaven. However, they are awaiting for his second coming to reign in the world and take home those who will have lived a just and peaceful life. Muslims, In contrast, is awaiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, who they hold that his life on earth is not complete, and the imminent coming of Mahdi both as Sunnis and Shia. On the one hand, Judaism focuses on leading a just life here without necessarily having the promise of a good life after death. Christians, on the other hand, hold that people will be judged by their own deeds. Those who lived a righteous life will enjoy a beautiful life in heaven while the wicked and unjust will be burned in the lake of fire, which is the second death. For Muslims, people who obey the teachings of Allah will be rewarded in paradise while wrongdoers will be punished according to the magnitude and severity of their offenses.
Another similar practice in the Abrahamic religions is the observation of the seven days worship context. Although the religions do not worship in similar days, their cycles takes a period of seven days whereby one is set aside for Sabbath for Christians, Shabbat for Judaism, and Jumu’ah for Islam. The main reason why these factions observe the seven days progression due to the belief that God created the universe and all the things in it in six days and rested on the seventh day. Orthodox Judaism faction conduct their worship by following the rules and regulations in Torah and Rabbinic law. However, the Reconstructionist, conservative, and reformed Judaism do not strictly adhere to the teachings of Torah and Talmud in their practices. For Christians, their way of worship varied across the various denominations such as Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodoxy. In contrast, Muslims religious practice follows some doctrines referred to as pillars in the religion. They include the singleness of Allah and in His prophet Mohammed, the salat that includes holding prayers five times each day while facing Mecca their holy city, and giving Zakah. Giving Zakar entails giving offerings and a portion of members’ wealth in order to take care of those less fortunate in society. The fourth pillar is observing Ramadan while the fifth one is pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. For one to be termed as a stout follower of the religion, he or she is supposed to take the pilgrimage at least one time in their lifetime.
Abrahamic religions share a wide range of practices, traditions, beliefs, and customs. The main strengths and values of the religions is their emphasis on peace and reconciliation, which is key to harmonious living. Certainly, peace is a highly exquisite commodity. When we all treat each other as brothers and sisters, peace and reconciliation will prevail in the earth. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are referred to as the Abrahamic religions because of their belief in Abraham. The three religious factions’ faith was founded upon the belief that God made a covenant with their father of faith, Abraham, that he would believe in God, worship Him as the only true God, and that he would ensure that the faith in God and the practice of worshiping the one and only true God would be passed from generation to generation. As such, the God of Abraham is one of the unifying factors in the three religious denominations. The three religions believe that there is only one God who is the maker of heavens and earth, creator of mankind, Almighty, and omnipresent. They also conceive God as a being that possesses the persona attributes as well as transcendent features. Although Abrahamic religions have many differences, they also possess similar roots and elements, which will form the direction of this paper.
As aforementioned, Abraham is one of the most important features that is similar in the three religions. The religious factions believe that Abraham was blessed with two sons that include Isaac and Ishmael, who settled in different parts of the Arabian land. While Isaac settled near the City of Jerusalem, Ishmael, on the other hand, settled near Mecca. Isaac’s offspring became followers of Christianity and Judaism while those of Ishmael became Islam. In the three factions, Abraham is viewed as an icon of peace, love, unity, and obedience. When God told him to sacrifice his only begotten son, he did so without further ado, but God provided a sheep for the sacrifice and saved the son. Indeed, Abraham did not question God but followed His command. The only difference among the Muslim and Christians is that while Christians believe that Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, Muslims hold that the son was Ishmael.
Abraham is regarded as the father of the three religions. For the Jews, they regard to him as their father Abraham. Christians, on the other hand, hold that Abraham is the father of all people. According to Romans chapter 4 verse 11 to 12, Paul terms Abraham as the father of all people who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their savior. He continues to say that it does not matter whether the person is a Hebrew or Jew, whether circumcised or not, so long as they have faith in God and Jesus Christ His son, then Abraham is their father. In the Hebrew Bible, Abraham is indicated as an ancestor of the children of Israel.
In contrast, Christians approve the lineage of Jews in father Abraham, but believe that it is not the ancestral lineage that determines Christianity but faith. Christianity was established as a sect of Judaism, which regards itself as the real followers of the religion that belonged to the offspring of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. Over time, other branches that include Gnosticism, orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism arose from Christianity. Unlike other branches of Christianity, Protestantism organizations do not have ecclesiastical form of church administration. In addition, their belief system and practices differs across protestant factions. Although they have some differences in their religious practices, their ideology is related. For Muslims, Abraham is also their father as Muhammad, the founder of their faith, also stems from the lineage of Abraham through Ishmael.
The Rabbinic traditions also teaches that when God created man, he did so to accentuate the inviolability and sanctity of human life, which is also affirmed by the fact that all human beings share the same ancestor, Adam. Human beings are therefore supposed to live in peace and harmony and to reconcile in case of conflicts. Owing to the fact that human beings are social beings, they are therefore supposed to coexist. The Jews tradition emphasizes on the need for peace and reconciliation. For instance, Aaron, who was a priest according to the Hebrew Bible, is praised for the various roles he played in uniting people who were in conflict. Therefore, the Hebrew Bible teaches the followers of Judaism on the importance of living peacefully, harmoniously, and in one accord.
Likewise, Christianity believes in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, makes Christianity belief to have more similarity with the Judaism followers. Among the most important tenet is on the concept of love. The bible says that for one’s joy to be full, people should love one another. In fact, it is also referred to as one of the greatest commandment. According to the bible, a messiah will come who will establish an earthly administration that is free, just, and peaceful. The various verses written by Paul and Peter in the Christian Bible echo the teachings of the Hebrew bible that associate peace and fairness as well as righteousness. In a similar manner, Islam religion also teaches about the importance of peace and harmony. Indeed, the Quran is explicit about the code of conduct that Muslims are expected to practice.
Another similarity in the Abrahamic religions is the expectations they have for the future. However, their expectations are distinct and diverse. For Judaism, they are still awaiting for the promised Messiah, who will not bear the trinity as in the case of Christianity. They hold that although the Messiah will be a mortal man, his holiness will surpass that of common man. Christians, on the other hand, believe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah who came to bridge the gap between mankind and God after sinning in the Garden of Eden. They hold that Jesus came to this world, made 12 disciples, taught the word of God, and when his mission on earth was accomplished, he ascended to heaven. However, they are awaiting for his second coming to reign in the world and take home those who will have lived a just and peaceful life. Muslims, In contrast, is awaiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, who they hold that his life on earth is not complete, and the imminent coming of Mahdi both as Sunnis and Shia. On the one hand, Judaism focuses on leading a just life here without necessarily having the promise of a good life after death. Christians, on the other hand, hold that people will be judged by their own deeds. Those who lived a righteous life will enjoy a beautiful life in heaven while the wicked and unjust will be burned in the lake of fire, which is the second death. For Muslims, people who obey the teachings of Allah will be rewarded in paradise while wrongdoers will be punished according to the magnitude and severity of their offenses.
Another similar practice in the Abrahamic religions is the observation of the seven days worship context. Although the religions do not worship in similar days, their cycles takes a period of seven days whereby one is set aside for Sabbath for Christians, Shabbat for Judaism, and Jumu’ah for Islam. The main reason why these factions observe the seven days progression due to the belief that God created the universe and all the things in it in six days and rested on the seventh day. Orthodox Judaism faction conduct their worship by following the rules and regulations in Torah and Rabbinic law. However, the Reconstructionist, conservative, and reformed Judaism do not strictly adhere to the teachings of Torah and Talmud in their practices. For Christians, their way of worship varied across the various denominations such as Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodoxy. In contrast, Muslims religious practice follows some doctrines referred to as pillars in the religion. They include the singleness of Allah and in His prophet Mohammed, the salat that includes holding prayers five times each day while facing Mecca their holy city, and giving Zakah. Giving Zakar entails giving offerings and a portion of members’ wealth in order to take care of those less fortunate in society. The fourth pillar is observing Ramadan while the fifth one is pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. For one to be termed as a stout follower of the religion, he or she is supposed to take the pilgrimage at least one time in their lifetime.
Abrahamic religions share a wide range of practices, traditions, beliefs, and customs. The main strengths and values of the religions is their emphasis on peace and reconciliation, which is key to harmonious living. Certainly, peace is a highly exquisite commodity. When we all treat each other as brothers and sisters, peace and reconciliation will prevail in the earth.