 | Dr. John Click, has been the Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church for 27 years now he is the pastor emeritus. He’s a graduate of Baylor University with a BA and Southwestern Seminary with a BD. He received his DMin at Midwestern Seminary. He has served in numerous positions in the Southern Baptist Convention, including: President of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, Executive Committee of SBC, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Houston Baptist University Board. He has traveled to preach in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East. Dr. Click is the founder and first President of Harvest Communications, which is a TV production company specializing in producing teaching materials for Para- Church organizations. You may contact him for comments or questions by e-mail at: Jcclick99@aol.com. |
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?
I will try to give a short answer to a very long question, calling on Dr. Ergun M. Caner to help. He was a very well trained Moslem before becoming a Christian. Here is a table giving beliefs of Christians (C), Hindus (H), Buddhists (B), Moslems (M) and Jews (J) in five main areas.
GOD
(C) One, revealed as 3 persons. Knowable; Creator; Loving. (H) Impersonal. Unknowable; A part of all creation. (B) None. (M) Allah, Unknowable; All powerful, but merciful. (J) One; Creator; Self-revealing through prophets.
AUTHORITY
(C) Bible; Inspired, Preserved and True.(H) Vedas and other writings. (B) Buddah's sayings and others. (M) Koran; Allah's exact words. (J) Torah (Old Testament).
HUMANS
(C) Valuable/spiritual, but separated from God by sin. (H) Part of God; Good. Reincarnated after deaths. (B) Valuable as part of Life. Reincarnated. (M) Born pure; naturally religious. (J) Valuable as God's special creation.
HUMAN PROBLEM
(C) Sinful nature; rebellion against God. (H) No sin, only ignorance. Reincarnate to improve. (B) Human desires. Reincarnate to improve. (M) Breaking Allah's rules. (J) Choosing to do wrong; breaking God's Law.
SALVATION
(C) Accept God's provision of Christ's sacrifice gives assurance of Heaven.
(H) Escape Karma; become part of God after many reincarnations.(B) Be absorbed into non-existence after many reincarnations. (M) Obey Koran's rules. Hope for Paradise after purification .(J) Please God by keeping His Law and praying.
.....Who is to say which is right, you ask? (1) Get to know persons who are committed believers in each and see how their lives are affected. (2) Read the basic parts of the authoritative writings. (3) Pray: "God, if You are there, show me the truth". I am convinced that God has acted in love to recover us rebellious humans. Despite our proud arrogance, He came to show us His love, live life as we live it so that we can believe that He does understand our needs. He paid the penalty due for our rebellion and offers to forgive all our sins...past and future...if we will submit to Him in trusting faith and invite Christ to come into our lives and change our hearts. Because He rose from the dead, the fear of death is replaced by the hope of Heaven.
