Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? A Brief Reflection

By Austin Brown - Posted at Gentle Reformation:



Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?

It seems to me that when the relationship between Islam and Christianity is engaged on this level, theologians of a more liberal bent are provided a delicious opportunity to flatten the antithesis between Christ and Allah.

The question so framed allows for subtleties in metaphysics to rise to the fore. “Isn’t there only one, real God?” they ask, finger raised. “And if there is only one, real God, then it follows that worship must be directed, even if somewhat confused, to this one, real God. Thus, it should be plain, dear friend, that we are worshiping the same God.”

Well, it isn’t all that plain. But that isn’t the point. The problem here is the desire to build upon perceived ambiguities so as to construct a viewpoint that downplays key differences between Islam and Christianity.

Those of a more liberal mindset don’t want hard edges. They want Muslims to go to heaven as Muslims. This, it seems to me, is the impetus behind the question.

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