Comparative Study of Christianity and Islam: History and Theology

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Christianity and Islam, two of the world's largest religions, highlighting their historical connections, theological disparities, similarities, and differences. Originating in the Middle East, both religions are monotheistic and Abrahamic. Christianity, founded in the 1st century CE from Second Temple Judaism, centers on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while Islam, established in the 7th century CE based on the teachings of Muhammad, views Jesus as a prophet but not divine. The essay discusses the Muslim view of Christians as fellow scripture possessors and heretics, and the Christian perspective of Islam as a related Abrahamic religion. It addresses theological differences, such as the Islamic emphasis on pure monotheism and criticism of the Christian Trinity, and historical interactions, including periods of harmonious coexistence like Medieval Andalusia and conflicts like the Crusades. The essay concludes by examining contemporary relations, influenced by fears of Islamic violence and Western intervention in Muslim countries, and the ongoing issue of sovereignty over Jerusalem. Desklib offers a wealth of resources for students seeking to further explore these topics.

Running Head: CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM RELIGIONS 1
Historical Relationship Between Christianity and Islam Religions
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ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES 2
Historical Relationship Between Christianity and Islam Religions
Introduction
Christianity and Islam are two of the largest religions in human civilization. The two
religions share both a historical as well as traditional connection with some theological
disparities (Armstrong, 2011). Christianity and Islam share a common place of origin that is the
Middle East and both regard themselves as being monotheistic. The aim of the following paper is
to provide a comparative analysis of Christianity and Islam thus making an argument of the
similarities and differences of the two religions.
Christianity was established in the 1st century CE. Consequently, this was from the
Second Temple Judaism. Islam on the other hand was established in the 7th century CE
(Richards, & Bergin, 2014). Moreover, it is founded on the teachings of Muhammad and the
people following the religion are referred to as Muslims. Christianity is founded on the teachings
of life, death as well as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Persons that follow Christianity are
referred to as Christians. The two religions hold their original conceptualization to be in the
Middle East as they both assert that they are Abrahamic religions (Richards, & Bergin, 2014).
Muslims and Christians have an array of views regarding each other. A good example is
the Muslim view of Christians as fellow monotheistic scriptures possessors and heretics.
Christians on the other hand regard Islam as fellow Abrahamic religion that worships the same
God to the perception that it is also a heresy (Asad, 2009). According to Islam, Christianity is
defined as being a Christ follower. Islam call Christians as people pf the scripture and asserts that
Christianity has distorted Abraham. Consequently, Islam claims that Abraham was a monotheist
and did not have anything to do with the Jewish race. Additionally, was the grandfather of Israel
that is Jacob and with a Christ to worship (Burbank, & Cooper, 2010).

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES 3
Many of the prophets that are in the Hebrew Bible are also utilized in the Qur’an
However, it stipulates that Muhammad is the last true prophet (Asad, 2009). Jesus is the next to
importance to Muhammad who the Qur’an asserts that is not the son of God thus not divine.
Christians believe in the opposite. The political resistance to Islamic teachings is the one that
resulted in a series of conflicts that led to the emergence of Islam as its own separate religion
with its own identity (Asad, 2009). Therefore, the theological differences that have continued to
exist throughout history is what has led to challenges of interfaith relationships (Asad, 2009).
Islam regards itself as a religion of submission to God only. Islam is a pure monotheistic
faith and has a criticizes trinity or any other type of polytheism (Armstrong, 2011). According to
the Quran anything that is similar to Polytheism is mentioned with anger. The mention of the
concept of a son is mentioned as being the most atrocious thing which could result in the
collapse of the universe (Armstrong, 2011).
Furthermore, there are certain periods in the world history that reveal a harmonious
interaction of the two religions. A good example is the Medieval Andalusia where an avenue for
Muslims and Christians to live not only in proximity but mutual appreciation was developed
(Berkes, 2013). During this time, several Christians converted to Islam. However, this was short
lived as minorities ill-treatment, tensions, prejudices are what that characterizes the two
communities. other encounters for example, the Crusades have also left the two communities
bitter and angry (Burbank, & Cooper, 2010). The ongoing question sovereignty of the Jerusalem
has remained an issue for the longest time. Christians regard this city as the Holy City and
Muslim also have greatly venerated it as well. The venerated interest is what has contributed to
shift in relations between the two communities (Burbank, & Cooper, 2010).
Conclusion

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES 4
Christianity and Islam relations today are influenced by centuries of fears of Islamic
violence, the fears have been escalated as a result of the various terrorists’ events that are
continuing to occur in several parts of the world (Armstrong, 2011). Today, nearly 70 percent of
the world’s refugees are muslims. Moreover, there is also widening concern of the rise of
immigrants that are coming into various countries from some parts considered as Muslim regions
thus raising the fear about the presence of Islam. The fear as well as mistrust has tapped into the
history of mutual aggression. Consequently, on the practical domain most of the people fear that
Islam will contribute to the loss of jobs, reduction in social services as well as cultural integrity.
Muslims on their perspective view what they are experiencing as international
colonialism. A good example is Western powers controlling Muslim countries especially in those
in the developing world through such mechanisms as the UN Security Councils, the International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank. Consequently, the western countries have also been known for
providing support to corrupt dictators so as to gain in terms of economic needs thus it is not
surprising that Muslims question the sincerity of the belief in both democracy and justice of the
west (Richards, & Bergin,2014).

ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES 5
References
Armstrong, K. (2011). A history of God: The 4,000-year quest of Judaism, Christianity and
Islam. Ballantine Books.
Asad, T. (2009). Genealogies of religion: Discipline and reasons of power in Christianity and
Islam. JHU Press.
Asad, T. (2009). The idea of an anthropology of Islam. Qui Parle, 17(2), 1-30.
Berkes, N. (2013). Introduction. In the Development of Secularism in Turkey (pp. 35-54).
Routledge.
Burbank, J., & Cooper, F. (2010). Empires in world history: Power and the politics of difference.
Princeton University Press.
Richards, P., & Bergin, A. E. (2014). Handbook of psychotherapy and religious diversity.
American Psychological Association.