Brief Look at Faith: Christians and Muslims
God
Christian Belief
God is three gods merged into one God. This one God is called a Trinity.
However, to say that God is three is a blasphemy of the highest order. All
three parts of the Trinity are "coequal" "co-eternal"
and "the same substance." For this reason, this doctrine is
described as "a mystery."
Muslim Belief
God is one God in the most basic, simple, and elementary meaning of the
word. He has no children, no parents nor any equal. In Islam God is known by
the name "Allah" and more than 99 other venerated names, such as
"the Merciful," "the Gracious," "the
All-Powerful," etc.
Jesus
Christian Belief
The second member of the Triune God, the Son of the first part of the Triune
God, and at the same time "fully" God in every respect.
Muslim Belief
A very elect and highly esteemed messenger of God. No Muslim is a Muslim if
he does not believe this.
The Holy Spirit
Christian Belief
The third member of the Triune God, but also "fully" God in every
respect
Muslim Belief
He is the angel Gabriel. The angel Gabriel is highly esteemed as the
"Trustworthy Spirit"
Mary the mother of Jesus
Christian Belief
A chaste and pious human woman who gave birth to Jesus Christ, the second
member of the Trinity, the Son of God, and at the same time
"fully" God Almighty in every respect.
Muslim Belief
A chaste and pious human woman who was chosen, purified, and preferred over
all of the women of creation to be the one to give birth to Gods elect
messenger Jesus through the command of God without any father whatsoever.
The Word
Christian Belief
Part of God which was "with" God but also "fully" God
and then became Jesus the Son of God.
Muslim Belief
God’s command "Be!" which resulted in Jesus’ conception in the
womb of Mary without the need for a human father.
Previous Prophets
Christian Belief
All accepted, respected, and believed.
Muslim Belief
All accepted, respected, and believed.
The Bible
Christian Belief
Accepted as 100% the faultless word of God
Muslim Belief
Muslims believe in the books of the previous prophets including the
"Torah" which was sent to Moses, the "Zaboor" (Psalms)
which were given to David, the "Injeel" (Gospel) which was given
to Jesus, and the Qur’an which was given to Muhammad However, Muslims are
told that the previous scriptures were tampered with by mankind and the
Bible should only be accepted in as far as it is confirmed by the Qur’an.
It is to be treated with respect, however any statements which clearly
oppose those of the Qur’an are to be rejected as the work of mankind.
Muhammad
Christian Belief
Varying beliefs. Some believe that he was a liar, some believe he was a
lunatic, some believe he was the False Messiah, and yet others claim he was
deceived by the Devil.
Muslim Belief
The last messenger of God to all of humanity. He was known as "The
Truthful, the Trustworthy" before he received his first revelation. He
was sent by God as a mercy to all creation. He was a human being but
performed a number of miracles during his lifetime by the will of God.
The Qur’an
Christian Belief
Varying beliefs ranging from it being a copy of the Bible to it being the
work of Muhammad (pbuh), to its being the work of Christians and Jews who
were conspiring with Muhammad.
Muslim Belief
The last book of God sent to mankind. It was given the distinction of being
personally guarded by God from human tampering. It is on a literary level
never before seen by mankind. No human to this day has ever been able to
meet its challenge to "write a work similar to it." It shall
remain safe from the tampering of mankind till the day of Judgment as a
guidance for all Humanity.
Message of Jesus
Christian Belief
That he was sent by God (who was at the same time "fully" Jesus)
in order to die on the cross and save all mankind from the sin of Adam.
Without this sacrifice all of humanity was destined to perish in the sin of
Adam. After the crucifixion all that is required of humanity is faith
without any works.
Muslim Belief
That he was sent by God as a messenger to the Jews in order to return them
to the pure and true religion of Moses, and to relieve them of some of the
regulations which had been placed upon them in ancient times. He taught them
to have faith as well as works. Neither one can stand alone.
Jesus’ giving life to the dead, healing the blind and the lepers
Christian Belief
All accepted. He performed them because he was the Son of God and also at
the same time "fully" God and the "incarnation" of God.
Muslim Belief
All accepted. They were performed through the will of God just as Moses,
Noah, and all other prophets did so in ancient times through the will of
God.
The Crucifixion
Christian Belief
Jesus was given over to the Jews. He was spat on, cut, humiliated, kicked,
striped, and finally hung up on the cross and killed very slowly and
painfully.
Muslim Belief
Jesus was not forsaken to the Jews to be abused and killed, however, it was
"made to appear so to them." God saved Jesus by raising him up
unto Himself.
The Second coming of Jesus.
Christian Belief
Accepted. Originally expected to happen during the lifetime of the first
disciples, many predictions have been made later and he is still expected at
any moment. He is currently anticipated to arrive around the turn of the
century (2000 C.E.)
Muslim Belief
Accepted. Jesus did not die but was raised up into heaven by God. He shall
return to earth just before the Day of Judgment in order to kill the
"False Messiah" and to establish peace and justice on earth. He
will kill the pigs, break the cross, and call all humanity to Islam.
The Original Sin
Christian Belief
All of humanity has inherited the sin of Adam. Only the death of the sinless
offspring of God could erase this sin. No one is born clean, no matter if
his life is only for a single day. Only baptism and faith in the death of
Jesus can save one from this destiny.
Muslim Belief
There is no such thing. Humanity is created by God destined for heaven
unless they chose to disobey Him and refuse His mercy. God can very
trivially and effortlessly forgive the sins of all of Humanity no matter if
they were to fill the lofty regions of the sky. Such a matter would be
trivial and inconsequential for Him since He has already done much more than
that such as creating everything we can ever see, hear or imagine. He loves
to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on His creation and rewards the most
trivial acts with the most tremendous rewards. In order to achieve God’s
reward one must have faith as well as works
The Atonement
Christian Belief
The sin of Adam was so great that God could not forgive it by simply willing
it, rather it was necessary to erase it with the blood of a sinless innocent
god named Jesus who was also "fully" God.
Muslim Belief
Adam "atoned" for his sin by saying "My Lord I have sinned
and if you do not forgive me and have mercy upon me then I shall indeed have
lost." So God forgave him. Similarly, all human beings have the door to
forgiveness left open to them by God until the day they die. There are no
intermediaries between mankind and God. If they sincerely repent to God, ask
His forgiveness, and forsake their evil deeds before their hour comes then
He shall forgive them and there is nothing more pleasing to Him than to
forgive the sins of one who comes to Him in sincere repentance
The Path to Salvation
Christian Belief
If you have faith in the atonement of Jesus for the sin of Adam which you
have inherited then you shall be saved. You only need faith. No work is
necessary.
Muslim Belief
If you have faith in God, believe in His messengers, and obey His commands
then He shall multiply every single good deed that you do many, many times
and erase your evil deeds, until on the Day of Judgment His mercy shall
cause your good deeds to far outweigh your evil deeds and grant you passage
into an ecstasy and Paradise so great that we can not even imagine it, to
abide there eternally. In the Hereafter there is only reward and no work.