Understanding the Christian Perspective
From a Christian standpoint, our understanding of God is deeply rooted in the concept of the Trinity. We believe in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This doctrine is foundational to our theology and is supported by various scriptural references:
1. The Trinity:
✓Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
✓2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
2. Jesus as God:
✓John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
✓John 10:30: "I and the Father are one."
✓Colossians 2:9: "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."
3. The Holy Spirit:
✓John 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth."
Our God is not only a singular divine entity but also a relational and triune being. This belief in the Trinity distinguishes our understanding of God from that of Islam.
Understanding the Muslim Perspective
In Islam, the concept of God is strictly monotheistic. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, who is indivisible and unique. The central tenet of Islamic faith is encapsulated in the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."
1. Tawhid (Oneness of God):
✓Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4): "Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"
✓Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255): "Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth."
2. Rejection of the Trinity:
✓Surah An-Nisa (4:171): "O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, 'Three'; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God."
3. Jesus in Islam:
✓Surah Maryam (19:30-35): "He [Jesus] said, 'Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet... And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.' That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute."
Islam firmly rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, viewing him instead as a prophet and messenger of Allah. This fundamental theological difference underlines the distinct nature of the Islamic conception of God.
Historical Context and Theological Origins
To further understand the differences between the Christian and Muslim views of God, it is helpful to consider the historical and theological origins of both religions.
Christianity:
Christianity emerged in the 1st century AD, rooted in the Jewish tradition. The belief in the Trinity developed over the early centuries of the Church, formalized in the Nicene Creed (325 AD) and the Athanasian Creed (5th century AD). The incarnation of God in Jesus Christ is central to Christian belief, emphasizing God's active participation in human history and His plan for salvation.
Islam:
Islam arose in the 7th century AD in the Arabian Peninsula, with the prophet Muhammad receiving revelations from Allah, which were later compiled into the Quran. Islam considers itself a continuation and completion of the monotheistic faiths of Judaism and Christianity, but with a clear emphasis on the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid). The Quran and Hadith (sayings and actions of Muhammad) form the basis of Islamic theology and practice.
The historical development of these religions has shaped their respective understandings of God, leading to the divergent views seen today.
Key Differences Between Christian and Muslim Beliefs About God
1. Nature of God:
✓We Christians believe in a triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
✓Muslims believe in a singular, indivisible God (Allah).
2. Jesus Christ:
✓We believe Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, fully divine and fully human.
✓Muslims believe Jesus (Isa) is a prophet, not divine, and did not die on the cross.
3. Holy Spirit:
✓We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son.
✓Muslims do not recognize the Holy Spirit as a divine person but may refer to the spirit (Ruh) as an angel or a creation of Allah.
4. Revelation:
✓We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, with the New Testament revealing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
✓Muslims believe the Quran is the final and unaltered revelation from Allah, superseding previous scriptures.
5. Salvation:
✓We believe salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
✓Muslims believe salvation is achieved through faith in Allah, good deeds, and adherence to Islamic practices and laws.
The Term "Allah" in Hausa Context
The term "Allah" in the Hausa language has a unique historical context that predates the advent of Islam in Northern Nigeria. Before the arrival of Islam, the Hausa people already used the term "Allah" to refer to a supreme deity or god within their traditional religious practices. This usage was prevalent among various indigenous Hausa-speaking communities, even among those who were not influenced by Islam.
When Christian missionaries arrived in Northern Nigeria and began translating the Bible into Hausa, they sought an equivalent term for God that the local people would recognize. They adopted the term "Allah" because it was already familiar to the Hausa people as a name for a deity. Thus, the use of "Allah" in the Hausa Bible reflects this indigenous understanding rather than the Islamic conception of Allah.
It is important to clarify that the "Allah" in the Hausa Bible and the "Allah" of Islam are not the same. The Christian usage of "Allah" in Hausa translations aligns with the pre-Islamic understanding of a supreme deity, not with the Islamic doctrine. This distinction is crucial for understanding why Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God, despite using the same term in different contexts.
In Christianity, God is understood as the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—an essential belief that sets it apart from Islamic monotheism, which strictly emphasizes the oneness of Allah without any division. The Christian belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to God further differentiates the Christian God from the Islamic concept of Allah.
Why We Do Not Serve the Same God
Given these significant differences, it is clear that we do not serve the same God as Muslims. Jesus Christ said in John 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement makes it clear that the only way to our God is through Jesus Christ. Since Muslims do not follow Jesus in the way we do, they cannot be serving the same God.
While people are free to claim they worship the God of heaven, our faith and beliefs show that we serve a different God – the triune God of the Bible. It is crucial for us as Christians to understand and affirm this distinction clearly.
Theological Implications and Interfaith Dialogue
The differences between our conception of God and that of Muslims have profound theological implications. These differences are not merely semantic but reflect deeply held beliefs about the nature of God, revelation, and salvation.
In interfaith dialogue, it is essential to approach these discussions with respect and a willingness to understand the other perspective. Both Christians and Muslims believe they worship the true God and that their faith provides the correct path to understanding and relating to the divine. However, acknowledging these differences is crucial for meaningful interfaith dialogue and coexistence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite some superficial similarities, Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. Our belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ sets us apart from the Islamic understanding of God. By recognizing these fundamental differences, we can better understand our own faith and engage in meaningful discussions about our beliefs.
Understanding and respecting these differences is crucial for us as we share our faith and seek to explain why we believe in the triune God, who has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
