Comparing the concept of God in the religions of the ancient Hebrews, early Christians, and Muslims.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions which believe in one single God. Despite the cultural and political tensions among them, their divine concepts are very similar. They all believe, that the whole universe is created by one omnipotent God that is imortal, and they all believe in life after death, but there are also many differences in the way they approach the same concept.  

                In the Far East, major religions such as Hinduism believe in multiple Gods, but in contrast religions of Near East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) believe in one single God. Judaism is the oldest of the three dated perhaps 1250 B.C; Christianity, and Islam have confirmed and borrowed many of divine Judaism concepts.

            The Hebrew God named Yahweh. He was considered to be the original creator of the universe with no association with particular locals or aspects of nature. His creation evolved from primal world of nothingness to an orderly hierarchy of all creatures. According to Genesis God created man in his own image and made him the superior creature. God revealed ten commands to Moses and that became the fundamental laws of Judaism. The variations of these laws have also been brought up in Christianity and Islam.

Jesus confirmed that his mission is not to abolish laws and prophets, but to fulfill them.  Mohammad in Sura 12 Joseph indicates that “This is no invented tale, but a confirmation of previous scriptures, an explanation of all things, a guide and a true blessing to true believers” Christianity's view of God is very similar to Judaism. Very similar to Yahweh and Allah the Christian’s God punishes sinners and non-believers, but loves and forgives the faithful servants. In Islam this judgmental phenomena is more intense and visual. The righteous men would be escorted by angels in gardens of heaven where fine trees and streams are, whereas sinners and infidels would be lashed by hell’s flames of fire, over and over again.

                       Jesus and Mohammad have both confirmed monotheistic religions that had come before them, and have included tablets of Old Testament in their holy books. By reading Old Testament, New Testament, and Quran; one may realize that they essentially talk about the same thing with a different interpretation. Could it be that tensions between followers are more cultural and political?   

Resource: Bishop Philip E. Adventures in the Human Spirit prentice Hall, Pearson .Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: 5^th Edition.