Introduction
In a society with many different belief systems, the relationship between philosophy and religion frequently becomes the main topic of discussion and controversy. Christian theism and Islam are two important worldviews that are compared in this paper. The essay seeks to clarify their main issues and guiding principles while exploring the difficulty of using logic to determine which worldview is more persuasive. It aims to find possible points of agreement that promote harmony and collaboration amongst supporters of these divergent worldviews. It is crucial to compare and contrast Christian theism and Islam to promote peace and cooperation between the two worldviews.
The Central Ideas
Islamic Worldview
Religion’s main concerns involve complex theological and philosophical issues that significantly impact people’s lives and society. Rahman (2019) shows that submission to Allah’s (God’s) will is central to the Islamic worldview. The idea of Tawhid, which emphasizes God’s unity and ultimate sovereignty, is a core concept (Rahman, 2019). According to Alghafli et al. (2019), the core religious obligations of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and making the journey to Mecca are encompassed in the Five Pillars of Islam.
The ultimate aim of the Islamic worldview is redemption and intimacy with Allah, which is attained by following the Hadith (proverbial sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad) and the Sunnah (prophetic customs) (Alghafli et al., 2019). Islam’s ethics are based on justice, compassion, and accountability principles. The religion stresses conviction, showing there will be a day of judgment on which everyone will be held accountable for their deeds.
Christian Theism
The belief in the Triune God, which encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is central to the Christian theistic worldview. The idea of salvation by Jesus Christ is one of the main themes, focusing on grace, reconciliation, and forgiveness (Haikola, 2023). The essential foundations of faith are the teachings of Jesus and the Bible as the final authority (Myers & Noebel, 2015). The reconciliation of humanity and God by trust in Jesus, leading to eternal life, is the ultimate aim of the Christian theistic worldview. Love, compassion, and the moral requirement to treat others as one would want to be treated are ethical concepts. Christianity strongly emphasizes the ideas of sin, forgiveness, and divine grace as essential tenets that lead followers toward redemption and spiritual development.
Comparison and Contrast
There are notable theological distinctions and commonalities between Islam and Christian theism. Both views in theology emphasize monotheism; however, Islam places a strong emphasis on fixed unity and divine sovereignty, adhering to monotheism and the idea that Allah is the only God. On the other hand, Christian theism recognizes the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as separate but coeternal entities (Haikola, 2023). Regarding salvation, Islam emphasizes works-based righteousness, while Christian theism holds that redemption is obtained via faith in Jesus Christ (Godawa, 2009). Both views in philosophy advocate for similar ethical values; however, Islam tends to have a more deterministic belief that human lives are shaped by divine predestination. Christian theism accepts human moral agency and free will as factors in determining one’s ultimate destiny.
Islam and Christian Theism
Christian theism and Islam provide unique moral principles and ethical systems. Both views in ethics emphasize compassion among their followers. Following Sharia law, which provides a comprehensive set of moral and ethical rules guiding everything from social justice to personal behavior, is fundamental to Islam (Myers & Noebel, 2015).
On the other hand, the Bible and Jesus’ teachings provide the ethical basis for Christian theism (Myers & Noebel, 2015). It emphasizes the golden rule, love, and forgiveness as guiding concepts. In biology, both views underline the value of human life; however, Islam generally emphasizes the sanctity of life from conception and takes a strong pro-life position. Conversely, Christian theism includes different viewpoints on bioethics in the framework of faith, even though it shares comparable pro-life principles.
In psychology, both Islam and Christianity emphasize the importance of moral development. The idea of “Nafs,” which denotes the fight against the lower self and the pursuit of spiritual growth and self-control, is fundamental to Islam (Myers & Noebel, 2015). Islamic psychology strongly emphasizes forming moral character and self-control (Myers & Noebel, 2015). While morality is still highlighted, Christian theism emphasizes the idea of divine transformation and mental renewal by trust in Christ. Both religions strongly emphasize community and social bonding in sociology to promote cohesion. To establish a just society, Islam frequently encourages a strong sense of community and obedience to Sharia law. Conversely, Christian theism promotes charity, love, and compassion as vital to societal well-being.
Regarding justice and the law, both Islam and Christianity provide a moral and ethical foundation for legal principles. Sharia law, a comprehensive legal system drawn from the Quran and Hadith that governs all facets of life, is the main foundation of Islamic jurisprudence (Myers & Noebel, 2015). In Islam, justice is frequently understood as applying divine law, focusing on punishment, accountability, and equity. On the other hand, Christian theism emphasizes human conscience and gives people what belongs to them, even as it upholds moral principles (Myers & Noebel, 2015). In politics, religions provide moral and ethical foundation principles for leadership.
Islam unifies religion and government in politics, as seen by the idea of the Islamic state, in which politics and legislation are intertwined. Contrarily, depending on denominational interpretations, Christian theism can take on various political forms, with the separation of church and state frequently upheld. These differences highlight how the two worldviews influence political and judicial institutions differently.
Both religions emphasize ethical economic principles, such as honesty, fairness, and integrity in financial transactions. The ideas and values of Islam and Christian Theism diverge regarding the economy. Islamic economics promotes economic justice, fairness, and the outlawing of usury by Sharia-compliant finance. “Zakat” emphasizes the significance of redistributing wealth and helping the less fortunate (Myers & Noebel, 2015).
Although Christian theism has the same ideals of kindness and generosity, it permits various economic systems because denominations’ interpretations might differ. Christianity’s sacred historical sites include Jerusalem and Vatican City, while Islam’s sacred cities are Mecca and Medina, with Mecca being the holiest site, home to the Kaaba. Both worldviews have had a significant impact on historical events in their historical context. The early spread of Islam was crucial in forming the Middle East and worldwide (Myers & Noebel, 2015). The history of Christian theism is characterized by the diverse faiths and their contributions to advancing Western civilization, encompassing art, culture, and international adventure (Myers & Noebel, 2015). These historical viewpoints highlight the lasting impact of both worldviews on cultures and civilizations over generations.
A Logical Defense
When comparing the two worldviews, Christian theism makes more logical sense. This inclination stems from Christian theism’s conceptual consistency, especially in addressing evil. Both worldviews admit pain and evil in the world, but Christian theism offers a more thorough framework for comprehending how a kind, all-powerful God and evil can coexist (Myers & Noebel, 2015). Christian theism’s acceptance of the idea of free will provides a logical justification for the existence of moral evil and human suffering. It asserts that God gives people the ability to choose between right and wrong, enabling moral development and progress on an individual basis. This logical argument provides a more acceptable solution to the everlasting theological dilemma of doctrine than some other worldviews.
Furthermore, Christian theism has had a significant historical and cultural influence on advancing Western culture. The principles of love, mercy, and the golden rule have aided in advancing human rights, compassion, and selflessness (Myers & Noebel, 2015). This influence on the development of philosophy, art, human history, and social advancement shows how Christian theism improves society. The emphasis on moral guilt on an individual basis and the possibility of salvation is consistent with the justice and accountability concepts that form the foundation of legal and political structures in many Western cultures.
Christian theism is a more persuasive worldview from a purely rational standpoint due to its logical consistency and historical significance. The focus placed by Christian theism on reconciliation and forgiveness is consistent with the ideals of peacemaking and conflict resolution, which promotes social harmony. People might find inspiration and hope for self-improvement in the Christian idea of grace and transformational potential. These features show the human desire for moral advancement and self-realization, which logically strengthens the case for Christian theism.
Personal Reflection
I prefer Christian theism because its core principles make greater sense to me. The existence of an all-loving, all-powerful God is claimed by Christian theism. Although Muslims share this idea, it offers a more logical explanation for how the universe came to be and how complex living forms may emerge. Intelligent design and global fine-tuning are consistent with the idea of a Creator who purposefully created the universe and life. A more satisfying response to the question of why the world and life display such outstanding order and complexity can be found in this logical reasoning.
Despite its complexity, Christian theism’s view of the Holy Trinity emphasizes the depth and richness of divine life while being consistent with the philosophical idea of unity in diversity (Myers & Noebel, 2015). God’s triune nature provides a rational foundation for comprehending the complex facets of divinity. The idea of God’s transcendence and immanence and this conceptual consistency offer a compelling explanation for the Almight’s existence.
Regarding moral responsibility and human nature, the core idea of Christian theism, salvation via faith in Jesus Christ, makes sense. It argues that humans are flawed, need reconciliation, and are ethically defective by nature (Haikola, 2023). This idea is consistent with how people behave and the everyday struggle to uphold moral principles. This concept can be rationally supported by acknowledging the human predicament, emphasizing the need for reconciliation, and providing an ethical framework. On the other hand, Islam’s doctrine of salvation by actions could not offer as convincing an explanation for human nature or the moral dilemmas that people encounter. Thus, the tenets of Christian theism provide a more coherent worldview from a logical perspective.
Common Ground
Finding common ground and fostering harmony between Islam’s and Christian theism’s worldviews requires concentrating on areas of agreement and shared ideals. Compassion, generosity, and consideration for the underprivileged are central to both worldviews (Haikola, 2023). Projects that address social justice, hunger, and poverty can provide common ground for communication and collaboration.
Interfaith dialogues and educational initiatives can facilitate constructive dialogues that foster tolerance and respect. Accepting the forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation tenets shared by the two worldviews can foster cooperative efforts toward peacemaking and conflict resolution, particularly in areas where religious differences still exist. Highlighting the moral pillars that all individuals share and appreciating one another’s contributions to society can promote collaboration and solidarity, enabling people from various backgrounds to coexist peacefully.
Initiatives for interfaith philanthropy can help close the gap between different worldviews. Shayan et al. (2022) show that cooperative initiatives to solve social concerns such as poverty, hunger, or disaster prevention can emphasize the shared commitment to helping those in need without imposing religious views. These partnerships can encourage kindness and cooperation by serving as an example for others to follow.
Mutual understanding may be fostered via educational programs that examine the parallels and discrepancies between Islam and Christian theism. These activities can dispel preconceptions and prejudices and promote tolerance and empathy by fostering civil discourse. Long-term, these efforts have the potential to create a more harmonious and inclusive society in which individuals from various religious backgrounds collaborate for the benefit of their local communities and the global community. Therefore, it helps bridge religious differences and encourages more peaceful cohabitation. These efforts to find common ground and advance people’s understanding can help both worldviews become essential assets in strengthening social structures.
Conclusion
Both worldviews ‘ profound theological, philosophical, and ethical aspects influence the beliefs and direction of their adherents’ lives. The contrast emphasized disparities in their approaches to salvation, theology, and conceptions of the divine. However, a rational examination revealed that Christian Theism was preferred by me mainly because it provided a logical explanation for the existence of evil and the idea of salvation by Jesus. It acknowledged the importance of Christian theism in Western civilization, historically and culturally. Building cooperation and harmony between these two worldviews is still essential in a society.
References
Alghafli, Z., Hatch, T., Rose, A., Abo-Zena, M., Marks, L., & Dollahite, D. (2019). A qualitative study of Ramadan: A month of fasting, family, and faith. Religions, 10(2), 1–15. Web.
Godawa, B. (2009). Hollywood worldviews: Watching films with wisdom & discernment. IVP Books.
Haikola, A. (2023). Conversations with God: How are religion and spirituality used to make sense of forgiveness? Pastoral Psychology, 1–17. Web.
Myers, J., & Noebel, D. A. (2015). Understanding the times: A survey of competing worldviews. David C. Cook.
Rahman, M. (2019). Sovereignty in Islamist political thought: Continuity and change [ Doctoral Thesis, Illinois State University]. Web.
Shayan, N. F., Mohabbati-Kalejahi, N., Alavi, S., & Zahed, M. A. (2022). Sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework. Sustainability, 14(3), 1–13. Web.