Similarities and Differences of Jews, Christians, and Muslims About Their Scriptures
(800-900 words)
Essay question:
Muslims spoke of Jews and Christians as “peoples of the Book” (cf. Qur’an 3.64). This term can be applied to all three traditions, each of which has come to believe that the will of God is revealed to human beings and recorded in written texts (“scriptures”).
Compose an essay that reflects on comparisons and contrasts between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam with regard to their scriptures, considering some of the following:
In what ways do Jews, Christians, and Muslims display similar or analogous approaches to sacred texts?
How have scriptures been translated, supplemented or interpreted?
What are some the distinctive ways that each of these traditions has approached its most sacred writings?
Have “scripturalist” tendencies emerged in these traditions?
Remember:
An essay is not a list. You will not be graded for the number of facts you are able to throw back, but rather for the quality of examples you choose, the relevant details you are able to provide, and the points that you are able to make.
A good essay will be clear, concise, and well-organized, with arguments backed up by examples.
You will be graded on the accuracy of the information you present, and on the balance with which you present it. Make fairness of your judgment — don’t say religion X is good and religion Y is bad.
Spend equal length on each religion.
Identify which book is the religions content from, if necessary, as best as you can.
Things to avoid:
Don’t jump to the common denominator
(e.g., all religions do x or y; comparison without contrast)
Don’t ignore differences among traditions
Don’t ignore differences within traditions
Don’t ignore history/developments
Avoid undue judgment.
Positive advice:
Consider tendencies within traditions
Consider developments within traditions
Consider disputes within traditions
Consider analogies among traditions.
Religion Final Essay
Student’s Name
Institution
Religion Final Essay
Jews, Christians, and Muslim doctrines are derived from three religious books that are the Tanakh, the Quran, and the Bible. These religious belief systems are developed from three holy books and most often consider other religious texts as heresies. However, there has been a need for more understanding of the three religions’ teachings as they are several similarities and several contradictions. The threefold deeper understanding anchors on scriptural texts and events are in reference to the three religions. Most Christian scholars and theologians have indeed made considerable effort to understand Jews traditions and readings. These Jews philosophies form the basis of most of the Christian teachings and practices. In a demonstration of the relationship between these religions, it is critical to examine the core traditions. The Pentateuch books in the Bible are part of the Jews traditions. In the Jewish faith, the five bible books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) constitute the Torah. The historical context of these books, to an extent, is similar to some of the narratives in the Quran. However, it occurred in different sequences.
According to most historians, the Jews traditions influence most Christian and Muslim dogmas. Despite Christianity and Islam traditions being more developed compared to Jewish traditions, they have not been there for a long time. They are sufficient evidence that the two religions came much later after Judaism, a formal Jews religious institution. The Jewish scriptures shape some of the scriptural teachings for the two religions. Case in point is the creation story in the Jewish scriptures that are similar to Genesis Chapter 1 verses 1 to 10. However, the Quran has a different perspective on the creation story that seems not to be precise. Despite the Bible and Torah pointing out to in literal seven days creation, Quran Surah Fussilat 41:9-12 suggests that the heavens and earth creation were in a 6-pact period, which is a not 24-hour day creation process. There are similar teachings that the three religions tend to agree with and support by specific texts — for instance, Abrahams’ divine call to leave heathen life to serve God. Despite differences in names, but most of the incidences and rituals performed dare accepted across all the three religions. The narrative that depicts an attempt to sacrifice Isaac is also similar for Jews and Christians. However, in Islam, the event took place, but the sequences of the proceedings are different. The three religions are referred to as Abrahamic religions as they parallel analogies from Abraham, who they all as consider their pillar (Silverstein, Stroumsa, & Pormann, 2015). Abraham remains a unifying figure that reconciles the three significant beliefs that, to a more considerable extent, have conflicting or antagonistic ideologies.
In Christianity, the attempt to sacrifice Isaac and the provision of an alternative in the form of a ram depicts Christ’s crucifixion. The...
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