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Dr Cathy Northrup
The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26.
Religion
2007-02-01 14:25:00
What are the different beliefs between Christianity, Judaism and Islam?
Can you provide a synopsis of your faith's teachings on the different beliefs of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and a statement on who is to say, which is right, if any at all?
Our Christian Presbyterian faith understands Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to be the three Abrahamic faiths. We all have Abraham as our spiritual ancestor. God called Abraham to be the father of a nation, Israel, the people we know as the Jews. Jesus was born a Jew, and he brought Christianity to the world. The prophet Muhammed began Islam, which he said was a further development of Christianity. It is important to note, however, that Muslims believe that Jesus was only a prophet, not the Son of God. Some Presbyterian Christians believe that Jews, Christians, and Muslims ultimately worship the same God, though in different ways and through different names. Others believe that Jews worship God the Father and Creator, (and as the Bible notes will not be forgotten by God), and Christians worship the full Trinitarian God, while Muslims worship some other God or are mistaken in their understanding of God. Our PCUSA Study Catechism has several important questions and answers in this regard: Will all human beings be saved? No one will be lost who can be saved. The limits to salvation, whatever they may be, are known only to God. Three truths above all are certain. God is a holy God who is not to be trifled with. No one will be saved except by grace alone. And no judge could possibly be more gracious than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Is Christianity the only true religion? Religion is a complex matter. When used as a means to promote self-justification, war-mongering, or prejudice, it is a form of sin. Too often all religions---and not least Christianity---have been twisted in this way. Nevertheless, by grace, despite all disobedience, Christianity offers the truth of the gospel. Although other religions may enshrine various truths, no other can or does affirm the name of Jesus Christ as the hope of the world.
 
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