Do Christians and muslims worship the same God?

[ccs]

I've always taken it for granted that we (Christians/Jews/Muslims) are all worshiping the same diety. Obviously since we're all doing it differently someone might not be doing it right. Or, maybe we're all doing it correctly (or at least correctly enough?). I don't know. But I figure I'll find out one day....

 

[Morrus]

I also don't think the consequences of her statement should surprise her/anyone.

Getting suspended for your religious beliefs is to be expected?

 

[Ryujin]

Getting suspended for your religious beliefs is to be expected?

In a private religious college, I suppose so.

 

[Cristian Andreu]

At least as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, Muslims worship the same God we Christians do.

Catechism #841 goes as follows:

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

 

[Eltab]

In fact (and despite the comments above), NO the three Monotheistic Faiths do not worship the same Being.
I don't know if there is an equivalent of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" for the other two faiths. I am sure that there are analogues for Luther's "Small Catechism". (Yes I'm sending you to better theologians than I.)
Compare and contrast the attributes of the Supreme Being as expressed in the unique sections of their Holy Books.

It is possible that (1) the Being who called Abraham "My friend" is the same Being (2) who Jesus of Nazareth described as his "heavenly Father". But it is not possible that same Being (3) sent a messenger to reveal Himself to Muhammad; that Being is described differently.

The professor's biggest problem, were I on the review committee, is that she speaks in the manner of those who endorse the Big Warm Lovable Fuzzball in the Sky. I expect her to know better and speak more precisely than that.

 

[Eltab]

Getting suspended for your religious beliefs is to be expected?

When her job is to describe her Church's beliefs and doctrines to others, and she - publicly - offers fuzzy good-feelings instead, yes it is time for a review.
It may be that her thought has evolved to the point where a different job is in order.

 

[Umbran]

Compare and contrast the attributes of the Supreme Being as expressed in the unique sections of their Holy Books.

Because a supreme, omnipotent being is in any way limited by what appears in mundane, Earthly books?

 

[GishBandit]

Most religions in some form or fashion will argue that they worship God the Lord Creator. They may say they call him a different name or have a belief that the way they were taught to worship the Lord Creator is the only way to worship God. To look at a non judgmental view on how most religions worship the lord Creator is see how these religions practice the idea of going to heaven.

Whether Islam, Wicca, Morman or most religions in the world the idea is to practice doing more good than bad. Most religions you have to work in order to get through the gates or doors into heaven. I believe Jehovah's Witness have to go door knocking as part of their dogma for getting into heaven. I do not want to get into a discussion on how it is done, stating working to go to heaven is what I'm trying to get at.

Christian means "Christ like" or to be just like Christ. It has nothing to do with being good or having a good personality.

Catholicism or protestants from what I know look back to the cross of 2,000 years ago. Belief in the idea of the resurrection of Jesus and all the work is done for you. The work you do is for a reward and not to get into heaven. In other words there is going to be a certain kind of nobility for those that believe in Jesus in heaven. Once a prayer is done telling God you believe in Jesus resurrecting on the cross, that is all you have to do to get into heaven.

There are caveats to what I have said, but to look at the bare bones of getting into heaven from most of the worlds religions, that is it in a nutshell.

 

[Ryujin]

In fact (and despite the comments above), NO the three Monotheistic Faiths do not worship the same Being.
I don't know if there is an equivalent of C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" for the other two faiths. I am sure that there are analogues for Luther's "Small Catechism". (Yes I'm sending you to better theologians than I.)
Compare and contrast the attributes of the Supreme Being as expressed in the unique sections of their Holy Books.

It is possible that (1) the Being who called Abraham "My friend" is the same Being (2) who Jesus of Nazareth described as his "heavenly Father". But it is not possible that same Being (3) sent a messenger to reveal Himself to Muhammad; that Being is described differently.

The professor's biggest problem, were I on the review committee, is that she speaks in the manner of those who endorse the Big Warm Lovable Fuzzball in the Sky. I expect her to know better and speak more precisely than that.

And yet Islam, itself, disagrees with you.

 

[Cristian Andreu]

Catholicism or protestants from what I know look back to the cross of 2,000 years ago. Belief in the idea of the resurrection of Jesus and all the work is done for you. The work you do is for a reward and not to get into heaven. In other words there is going to be a certain kind of nobility for those that believe in Jesus in heaven. Once a prayer is done telling God you believe in Jesus resurrecting on the cross, that is all you have to do to get into heaven.

That's "Sola Fide" - "By/Through Faith Alone". It's a predominantly Protestant belief (I think there are some Protestant denominations that eschew it, though. Can't remember which ones); neither Catholics nor Orthodox ascribe to it, believing instead that salvation requires inner qualities (Faith and Grace) as well as external qualities (Good Works, ie acts that make Faith manifest and which are empowered by Grace).

If memory serves (and my apologies to Protestants if I'm misremembering here), the core of the Protestant belief of the Sola Fide is that, since humanity became "entirely depraved" (ie, fell completely into sin), it doesn't matter what a person does, salvation is denied. However, even despite that God granted humanity salvation and thus it is guaranteed if one believes,

Although similar ideas existed long before the Middle Ages, it was Martin Luther who structured the concept.