Thinking about Islam
Understanding another religion or culture
A reading of the Apostles Creed can clarify some
differences and similarities between Christianity and Islam.
John
Harrower explains.
A useful way of exploring the interface between the
beliefs we hold as Christians and the beliefs of people of
other faiths is to underline those elements of the
Apostles’ Creed that are held by both religious
communities.
This exercise helps clarify what we believe in
common. Further work then needs to be done to explore what
this similarity and difference means. Are there sufficient
beliefs in common to assert that the religious beliefs about
God, Jesus Christ, eternal destiny, the community of the
religious, salvation, etc are the same?
Let me share with you my underlining of what
Muslims and Christians have in common when expressed in this
particular way.
(The words underlined are accepted by Islam):
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
Note the similarities in terms of the basic affirmation
of God, the birth of Jesus Christ, his coming back to the
earth, God’s capacity to forgive sins and the
resurrection to life after death.
Do the differences matter?
Islam claims that Jesus was not crucified, there is no
belief in his resurrection, no Holy Spirit, no God the
Father, no God the Son and hence the personal relationship
within the Godhead is absent, as is the Christian
understanding of a personal relationship with God.
Also, how would we then pray? Absent is ‘. . . to
the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy
Spirit’.
What do these similarities and differences mean
for your beliefs and for the way in which you practise your
Christian faith? For your relationship with God, with family
and neighbour? For the character and nature of God? For the
grounds for forgiveness and assurance of salvation? For
strength to live each day? For the character and nature of
everlasting life?
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give wisdom and discernment
as you explore your own discipleship and live out the way of
Christ in the world.
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