An Analysis of the Christians and the Muslims Worldview in the Book A Universe Next Door by James Sire

In his book, A Universe Next Door, James Sire defines what a worldview is and gives the reader a set of seven questions with which to measure one's worldview. In this paper, I will analyze how Christian theists and Muslim theists answer these seven questions and compare and contrast their ideologies. The first question Sire poses is "What is prime reality-the really real?" Both religions would answer that God is the prime reality. They both agree that God is infinite, personal, transcendent, immanent, omniscient, sovereign, and good. However, the two views differ in some ways in how they see God and on some of his characteristics.

Christians believe in the Holy Trinity. That is, they believe that the Godhead consists of three entities that are neither separate gods nor separate parts of God, but all equally God. Those practicing Islam, on the other hand, believe that God is monotheistic and emphasize God's oneness. Muslims believe that to associate anything earthly with the divinity of God is idol worship, which is one of the most heinous sins one can commit in the Muslim faith. The second question is "What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us?" Those with an Islamic or Christian worldview would answer by saying that God created the universe out of nothing and that the universe is orderly by his design. Where they differ is in their views of how the universe works.

Christian theology says that God created an open universe that runs on cause and effect, giving to man his free will. Of course, allowing man the choice to tum to God must also allow him the alternative for it to be a real choice and men's choices have consequences. However, Islamic theology holds to the notion that God is sovereign and nothing happens in the universe outside of his decrees. The two ideologies have somewhat differing views on what a human being is. Obviously, both see humans as God's greatest or at least most beloved creation. In Islamic theology however, it is the superior intellect and reason of man that puts it above animals, nature, and even heavenly bodies, but this high standing comes with a responsibility to live by God's standard. In contrast to that, Christian theology teaches that it is not due to our human capabilities that we are valuable, but chiefly because God values us. God does not love us because we are valuable; we are valuable because God loves us. Some Christians also believe in the doctrine of original sin; that because of Adam's fall, all men are sinners. However, Islamic theology rejects this notion.

Order custom essay An Analysis of the Christians and the Muslims Worldview in the Book A Universe Next Door by James Sire with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

Islamic theology teaches instead that while Adam did sin, God did not stop instructing him and through proper penitence, Adam was restored and humanity was not stained with original sin. Their philosophies on death are also similar with a few key differences. Both religions believe in not only an afterlife, but also an eternal destiny that this life determines. Both believe in a Heaven where one gets to be with God's people in a state of eternal joy and a Hell where one must stay eternally separated from God. According to both religions, God gave us capacity for reason and ability to know things through the senses, but also teaches us through direct and indirect communication and divine revelation. However, both religious ideologies realize the limitations of human knowledge and agree that God is the only omniscient being, that is, that only God has all knowledge. So, certainly, both religions would agree that it is necessary for God to teach us through divine revelation. Where they differ is what they look to as the ultimate revelation of God. Christian doctrine points to Jesus as the revelation of God in the flesh, and therefore, humans can learn the difference between what is right and what is wrong by looking at what Jesus taught and, perhaps more importantly, how he lived out his teachings. According to Christian theology, we see God's characteristics, and because God embodies morality, a statement about what morality is, through Jesus's life.

The Bible is the source that Christians use to learn about the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus's life, the doctrines he taught and four accounts of how he lived his life (called the gospels). Although, Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, Jesus, as the complete fullness of the one and only deity in a human body, is what the Bible points the reader to as the ultimate revelation of how God wants us to live our lives. Islamic theology believe that God has revealed his character and morality through revealing his holy books, most importantly the Qur'an, to humankind. His messengers give his revelation to the people but are not themselves divine in nature, as to believe so is blasphemous because God is one. In Christian theology, human history is a sequence of linear events with the purpose of highlighting Jesus's glory, ending in final judgment and the fulfillment of God's purposes for humankind. This is shown by the many prophesies in the Old Testament, the accounts of Jesus's life in the gospels, and Paul's letters urging the churches ultimately to follow Jesus's example. In Islamic theology, history is a demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty and every moment in history is an opportunity for the devout practicing Muslim to demonstrate complete submission to God.

A Christian's goal is to be as Christ-like as possible by denying himself and living according to Christ's teaching, however, a Christian accepts that there is no act with which he or she can earn salvation because salvation is the gift of God. Therefore, in Christianity there is an emphasis on God's grace being extended on all who accept Jesus as their lord and savior that gives assurance of salvation. A Muslim sees this assurance as impossible, as it would imply that one could dictate to the sovereign God what He must do. Islamic theology has an emphasis on how one lives, requiring strict adlherence to Islamic law, requiring such forms of worship as praying 5 times per day and a pilgrimage to Mecca. As for my own worldview, I was baptized as a Christian on November 12, 2010. So, as a Christian, I believe in an infinite, transcendent, immanent, omniscient, sovereign, personal, good and just God that exists as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and his creation, an open universe where He created men in his image with incredible cognitive abilities that place us above other conscious creations have free will. I believe that when we die, if we have repented from past sins, were baptized, and lived our lives according to God's Word in the Bible, we will be with God for eternity in Heaven on the day of judgment.

On the question of how it is possible for humans to acquire knowledge, I agree with the answers provided with both the Islamic and Christian worldview; that is, that people have abilities of logic and reason as well as God's willingness to communicate with His people, but it is through living according to Jesus's teaching that we know right from wrong and can live a righteous life to the full. I believe that human history has a finite end, the final judgment, the day on which Jesus will return and those who He chose will be with him for an eternity of much rejoicing. I believe that with this worldview, comes a commitment to live up to God's standard, though we are given grace, due to thankfulness to God as well as fear of His great power and also conviction that comes from His great love. With this standard, comes a call to action to deny one's self; to give up my time, my selfish desires, even that which makes me who I am or what I defined myself by before I was a Christian to allow God to define me through His will being done in my life.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer