The relationship between Christians, Jews, and Muslims have been molded over the past centuries not only by their beliefs and theologies but on the basis of the historical conditions on which they were formed. As a result, their histories have been regarded as a focal point in understanding their religious nature. This study seeks to explore the historical relationship amid Judaism, Islam, and Christianity on the nature of God and Jesus as well as the influence of globalization on the relationship between these three religions.
Primarily, it is always presumed that Islamic God is a god of vicious war in contrast with God Jewish and Christianity who is merciful and loving. Despite these differences, they all worship the same God. Muhammad, the founder of Islamic religion, believed he was the last amongst the prophets who reached back to Jesus through Moses, Abraham, and Noah. According to the Quran, Allah (God of Islam) disclosed the Book, Quran which contained the truth of what was there before its existence. Furthermore, before Allah sent the Quran, he sent the Torah of Moses together with the Gospel of Jesus to guide people. As a consequence, Muhammad inherited the concept of Jewish God and Christianity God (William, 2017). Therefore, the God of Muhammad, Jesus, and Moses blended all the traits of compassion, wrath, and anger. Individuals who are obedient to His commandments would receive all their desires but those who would go against His command risked facing His judgment and wrath. However, those who turned to repentance would receive forgiveness as He is a merciful God.
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Meanwhile, the God of Jews was revealed in the first five books of the Old Testament known as the Torah. In the Torah, God had both good and evils personalities. For instance, he went beyond the good when approved the slaughter of 450 prophets by Elijah and also murdered all the firstborn of Egyptians as well as drowning Pharaoh's army. Similarly, God requested Abraham to offer his own son to Him as a burnt sacrifice (William 2017). Above all, He was still a compassionate and loving God. This is evident in Psalm 23 which refers Him as a shepherd enriched with goodness and mercy who guided and supported His followers and treasures Israel just like how a father would treasure his own son.
On the other hand, in the New Testament, the four Gospels identifies God of Jesus as an ambiguous God. In contrary, Jesus spoke of an individual God in prayers offered to His disciples referring to God as "Father". Nevertheless, behind this "Father" of affection and sympathy, existed as a ruthless God of righteousness (Matt, 2019). Similar to the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus spread the message of doom and gloom. Jesus was giving Israel the last chance to repent, similarly, His father would be ruthless to those who don't adhere to his message. God would appear on the judgment day and resurrect the dead. Those who are fortunate would receive eternal life while the wicked ones would perish in eternal fire hell.
Correspondingly, God of Muhammad would act as God of integrity at the end of the world. The dead would be resurrected to face judgment. In turn, each person would be judged depending on their actions. The fortunate few will have the privileged to enter the gardens of paradise while the wicked majority would burn in the eternal fire of hell. Each person would be given a record of their deeds, on the right-hand side to those who will be saved and on the left side to those who are doomed to perish in fires of hell. The door to salvation is to surrender all to Allah, obey his commands as directed in the Quran and preached by his messenger Muhammad. Same as with the God of Moses, Allah is a lawmaker. In essence, the Quran provides a foundation of what is to be done to offenders of various crimes as outlined in the sharia law.
Overall, Muslims, Jewish, and Christians worship the same supreme God. Regardless of this, they all have faith that their religion encompasses the whole and ultimate revelation of the same God. Basically, this is the origin of their unity and also the reason for their division. Belief in one religion and underestimating other religion creates an inevitable conflict amongst believers and non-believers, the selected and the excluded, the saved and unsaved. Here exists the foundation of intolerance and violence. In conclusion the God of Muhammed, God of Jesus and Moses gulfs as much as he bridges, the reason for strife between each religion.
Influence of Globalization on the Relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Globalization has changed the cultural makeup of the world with monetary goods being exchanged across the globe (Daniel, 2014). This has affected the political, social and economic nature of individuals globally so as their religion. To begin with, globalization has established a global political forum that constitutes the ethnic, cultural and religious difference. Nonetheless, when discussing global issues affecting the environment, peace, security, and poverty, through organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), and European Union (EU), all these religions share the same commitment in caring for humanity and avoid conflict. On the economic perspective, since globalization encourages the growth of the economy in different countries, religions in these countries also improve their financial ability. This, in turn, provides enough financial resources for these religions, Islam, Jews, and Christianity to spread their beliefs in different parts of the world particularly in third world countries (Daniel 2014). In other words, globalization has enabled religions which had been initially isolated to have regular contact.
In addition, globalization has created a backlash between these three religions. It has broken the ancient traditions societies and replaced them with larger organizations such as the European Union (EU). For instance, the EU does not identify their members by country of origin, instead, they use other titles, European citizens. The universal standard of address among all members makes other individuals feel that they were not well represented. Thus, many of these individuals seek comfort in their various religions. Hence, to these individuals, religion provides a sense of inner peace and personal fulfillment. For example, those who are uncertain in the globalized world, both in personal life and business world, would often seek spiritual support from God.
Finally, religious identity and globalization have created a much bigger rift. Subsequently, God gave us rules to follow and it has become impossible to question, however Islamic, Christianity and Jewish answers questions related to self-identity. Practically, globalization has reduced the collective identity of religions to "them", "us", "they" and "our" (Daniel, 2014). Consequently, the abject has been recognized as a threat. For example, the Islamic religion has been associated with terrorists' practices ever since the 2009/2011 attack on the US while AL-Qaeda refers to the US as a Christian nation. In this time where globalization is in the process completion, Islam, Christianity, Jew should embrace communication platforms and the advancement in technology to spread valuable information in their teachings which encourages the universal need of humanity and peace. This will help in bridging the rift and manage religious diversity while at the same time avoiding violence. In fact, religion does not have fixed beliefs but rather fixed explanations of these beliefs which are subjected to changes.
References
877-WHY-ISLAM Brochure (2014), “Concept of God in Islam”. Retrieved from https://www.whyislam.org/brochures/conceptofgod/
Christianity in View (2016) “ Comparison Table between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism”. Retrieved from http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html
Daniel Golebiewski, (2014), “Religion and Globalization: New Possibilities, Furthering Challenges”. Retrieved from https://www.e-ir.info/2014/07/16/religion-and-globalization-new-possibilities-furthering-challenges/
History (2019), “Judaism”, Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/religion/judaism
Matt Stefon et al. (2019), “Christianity”. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity
William Blake (2017), “In spite of their differences, Jews, Christians, and Muslims worship the same God” . Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/in-spite-of-their-differences-jews-christians-and-muslims-worship-the-same-god-83102
