Introduction
All populations around the world have different believes with relevance to the creation of the universe. This is because the world itself signifies mystery to many persons and as such people are obsessed to understand how the creation of the universe came to be. In doing so, the beliefs of one religion’s come in as they best illustrate how the divine of existence means to all generation and others atheists. As such, religions vary from one community to another, state to another and so does the belief of God and the supernatural existence of all creatures. Even so, the topic of God’s existence has been faced with a lot of controversies all trying to understand the concept of God and its nature as the real God. Therefore, this essay attempts to provide a clear illustration between Judaism and Christianity as the most common form of worship globally.
Comparison Between Judaism and Christianity
Both of them sees sin as a form of rebellion: as illustrated in the scriptures, God’s will upon his flocks was made known from the beginning of times. And as such, those who act against God’s teaching are doing sin. For Christianity acknowledgement of sin is taken seriously in all settings as the Bible become the basis for clarification and denouncing lousy behaviour (Essays, 2018). Similarly, Judaism believes in sin even though it takes less consideration about the consequences of sin. However, their assertion and beliefs argue that sin is present and its repercussions are daring to those who walk in the wrong path of the religion’s teachings.
Secondly, they both view God as the merciful God: In Christianity and Judaism, the belief of God is supernatural. In that, they see God as all-powerful and supreme and has the power to stop people from engaging in any sinful activities. However, due to his mercy, he always abounds in giving people free choices and also limiting their freedom (Essays, 2018). More so, he gives people the free option of life and while they sin God demonstrates his will and mercy. In doing so, he proves that he is a merciful God and that he who finds love supersedes the desires of the world and hatred. Such belief is shared between the two religions as their hope is much focused-on God alone (Smart, 2014).
Thirdly, both of them believes that forgiveness of sins comes after atonement: the focused on both religions is God and as such, when one sins God alone has given human beings a chance for atonement as a way for his people to reconcile back with him and gain salvation. As such, God in this religion shows that one’s sinful nature does not deter one from going back again to him (Smart, 2014). In that, one can genuinely repent for his/her mistakes. In doing so, God cleans and erase their sinful nature and bestows in them the righteousness of God. As such, the beliefs are firm and straightforward in all the religions as atonement is the only concept that brings people back to God’s mercies.
Also, both religions believe on the two choices of life, living under the loyalty of God or acting out (rebellious). These two principles are the sole guiding for the tenacity within which the two religions view and worship God (Essays, 2018). As such, sin is seen as a constant thought for all human beings as it was present since the creation of times. This means repentance of sin must be done on a regular basis as man’s nature is a sin.
The Contrast Between Christianity and Judaism
Arguably, for Christianity sin signifies the beginning of times and the attention is centred on “The Origin of Sin” and in this case, the genesis of sin which happens when Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden defiled God’s instructions. In doing so, sin has been a continuous process that has affected all the generations and so it will till the second coming of Jesus (Abrahams, 2017). However, for Judaism sin concepts is different. In that, they believe that sin starts when a person is born. This in turn contrast to Christianity teachings in that, human beings are born with sin, but for Judaism, a person is born or brought to the world with no sin. This means Judaism act of asking for forgiveness resonates from an act of disobedience that goes against their doctrines whether willful or not. Even so, it takes place after the nature of human beings takes precedence, the sinful acts (Essays, 2018). On the other hand, Christianity repentance of sin is done to encompass the person’s full life even to the past generation that may have sinned and as such God is punishing his/her due to descendant’s wrongdoings.
Further there belief in the book of Genesis and God’s plan after the sinful nature of Adam and Eve is quite different. Their interpretation differs entirely (Abrahams, 2017). For example, for Christianity, the immoral act by Adam and Eve meant that the glory of God that was overshadowing human beings was taken away and the whole human generations doomed perverted (Minton, Kahle & Kim, 2015). For Judaism however, the acts of Adam and Eve made God angry and as such pronounce punishment which is in the form of consequences by chasing them away from the Garden of Eden. But in this case, it does not signify that all the generations will be affected by the sin committed from the beginning.
Moreover, for Christianity Jesus is the prince of Peace, Lord and the promised Messiah that will come one day and harvest his flocks (Essays, 2018). And those who have such an assurance of faith are working according to God’s command upon all nations and have the perfect peace of mind within their souls and minds. In contrast, Judaism approach to God denotes that He was only a just man who did good, but in essence, he does not reflect God’s reincarnation to humanity. Therefore, God has no powers as asserted by Christians to save the souls of the departed in God’s commands (Minton, Kahle & Kim, 2015). Thus, he has no power over the dead. Besides, for Jews, peace has never been part of the world hence the approval for God being the prince of Peace is further from the truth. In that, they have grown to the belief that peace will only reign the world after humanity ceases to exist.
Christians believe that God exists in three, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A claim that Judaism fails to understand. In that for them, it is impossible for God to be divided into three different parts. They even asserted that such belief for Christians is likened to pagans’ worship as they belief in no God and as such worship many gods (Abrahams, 2017). This means Jews view God as one and the holy trinity does not exist. Even so, the presence of God existing in three takes away his supernatural power that is the epitome of their religion and way of life. Also though this is still a mystery for Christians over the years, the illustration in the scriptures is essential to Christian form of worship thus they hold on to such view with tremendous faith and power of God (Judaism).
Contrast Two Philosophies; Concept of God and Diversity of Religious Faith
Religion’s philosophy best describes the philosophical nature that one religion to another differs. This incorporates the beliefs from one religion to another, terms of worship, practices of faith, arguments as well as the strict adherents from one religion to another (IEP). Even so, its concepts integrate a whole understanding of both non-theistic form of worship and theistic to offer a global perspective as scribed below:
Religious Diversity: this denotes the philosophical nature of study that encompasses an understanding of the various type of worship from the East to the West. This, therefore, provides a common ground where in today’s world form of worship from the western philosophy has been integrated into other traditions of worship. For example, the Confucianism, Hinduism religion, Buddhism, African and Daoism religions (IEP). This means with the study of philosophy; it has become possible to appreciates the difference in the non-theistic traditional form of worship an in doing so helps in the reduction of conflicts as the diversity spirit has created awareness of each religion and why.
On the other hand, the concept of God argues on the western influence that attests the nature and existence of God and provides an insight to God’s presence, language and every information on God’s control and his underlying nature in the physical realm. In this case, the philosophy provides the ultimate reality about the worship of God (IEP). However, this differs from the western to the Eastern religion. In that, the concept of God for western centres on the Abrahamic faith that sees God as omnipotent and omnipresent. For Eastern, its doctrine is based on the different religion, i.e. Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism etc. and the understanding of God’s ultimate reality varies. This means reality is viewed as the state of being instead of God as the creator of all the universe.
References
- Judaism, JudaismThe Mission of Jews for Judaism, & Judaism. (n.d.). Christianity vs Judaism : Major Differences. Retrieved from https://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/christianity-vs-judaism-major-differences/
- Minton, E. A., Kahle, L. R., & Kim, C. H. (2015). Religion and motives for sustainable behaviors: A cross-cultural comparison and contrast. Journal of Business Research, 68(9), 1937-1944.
- Smart, N. (2014). Reasons and faiths. Routledge.
- IEP. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu/religion/
- Abrahams, D. (2017, July 13). What Are the Differences Between Judaism and Christianity? Retrieved from https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/what-are-differences-between-judaism-and-christianity/
- Essays, UK. (November 2018). Similarities Between Judaism And Christianity Religion Essay. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/religion/similarities-between-judaism-and-christianity-religion-essay.php?vref=1
- Fisher, M. P. (01/2013). Living Religions, 9th Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from vbk://9781269600736 (Fisher, 01/2013)
