Difference Between Islam and Christianity
In the past 2000 years, two major world religions have emerged from the sandy peninsula we now call the Middle East: Islam and Christianity. While these two religions vary in history, belief, and practice, they also have many similarities.
History
Islam –in 610CE, God gave his first declared revelation to the Prophet Muhammad at a cave in Hira. The first year of the Islamic calendar begins in 622CE, when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers moved to Medina.
Christianity – Jesus Christ was born in 1CE in Bethlehem. When he was thirty, he began to preach the word of God. In 33CE, Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem; Christians believe he was resurrected three days later and eventually ascended into heaven.
Beliefs
Islam – is centered on the belief that there is no god but God, and Mohammad is his prophet. They belief that their holy book, the Koran, is a direct transcription of the word of God. Islam means a submission to the will of God
Christianity – believe that God sent his only son, Jesus, to save them from sin. Those who believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will have eternal life.
Practices
Islam – there are five pillars that create the core Islamic practices. Shahadah is the recitation of their fundamental belief. Salah is the ritual prayer that must be said five times a day. Zakat is the giving of charity to the poor. Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan. Hajj is a once in a lifetime pilgrimage all Muslims make to Mecca.
Christianity – asks its followers to attend church every Sunday. They should confess their sins and partake in communion. Penance for sins can include alms-giving or good works.
Other general aspects
Began in the Middle East and consider Jerusalem to be a holy city.
Are monotheistic – believing in a single supreme being.
Have been successful proselytizers, spreading far beyond the Middle East to become world religions.
Have a holy book in which they believe the word of God is written.
Espouse daily, weekly, and yearly rituals and ask their followers to adhere to a specific moral code.
Have had internal division, leading to different branches or sects.
Summary:
1.Both religions were founded by the works of one man, with Islam beginning 600 years after Christianity.
2.Islam believes Mohammad was a prophet while Christianity believes Jesus was the son of God.
3.Islam asks its followers to adhere to the Five Pillars while Christians do most of their formal worship on Sundays.
[In this article we highlighted only the facts not opinions. If you find fault in any fact, please leave us a comment below]
(7 votes, average: 2.43 out of 5)
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Christianity does not require penitance, only repentance. Ephesians 2: 8 explains “For we are saved by Grace through faith, not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”
So you see salvation is a gift and is predicated (Solely dependent) on faith in Jesus Christ; Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This the bases of salvation
1 John 1:9 also validates “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I agree with Blouin’s point.
And at the same time, to be a follower of Jesus is to do what he’s done, which is feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, caring for the sick and shut in, clothing the naked, loving God, loving the tangible (each other) before talking about loving the intagible (God — how can we talk about loving God while hating each other?), loving one another as ourselves, and loving our self… not for the sake of pentinence (this is not community service) or salvation (we’re saved through grace, not works) or whatever, but for the sake of love of God and each other.
This site is awesome, but I think this is a very poor and innacurate explanation of Christian practice… despite denominational practices, just talking about general Christianity practices. Hopefully the provided explanation for Muslim practice is more accurate.
John Blouin and KS Harris… I think you are both right… James 2:17-19 says that faith without works is dead but those works should be a natural response to the grace and love shown to us by Jesus.
I would sure like to hear some Muslims weigh in on the Islamic explanation.