Understanding Key Concepts in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
1. What is Jihad? What are the Two Types of Jihad and to What Does Each Type Refer?
Our textbook defines Jihad as “striving.” Greater Jihad is the internal struggle to become a better person. Lesser Jihad is associated with military conflict in defense of the faith.
2. What are the Three Divisions of the Hebrew Bible? What Do They Mean, or What Literary Genres Do They Represent? What Change Did Christians Make to the Order of the Books?
The Hebrew Bible is separated into three sections: Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim. Torah represents law, Nevi’im represents prophecy, and Ketuvim represents historical writings. The Christian Bible follows a different order: law, historical writings, and then prophecy.
3. What is the Shema? Write it out in English. What is its Significance and for Whom?
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Shema is important because it is a daily confirmation of one of Judaism’s core beliefs: that God is one and indivisible. It is significant for Jewish people.
4. What is the Shahadah? Write it out in English. What is its Significance and for Whom?
Shahadah is the daily profession of faith in Islam. It states: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” It is significant to Muslims, as it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
5. What and Where is the Kaaba, Including its Significance? Who is Thought to Have Originally Built it? Who is Thought to Have Rebuilt it?
The Kaaba is a cubical building in Mecca. It is a place where Muslims can go to pray. Many Muslims believe it was built and dedicated to the one God by Abraham and Ishmael.
6. What Does the Word ‘Islam’ Mean? What are the Five Pillars of Islam? How Do These ‘Pillars’ Demonstrate the Meaning of the Word ‘Islam’?
Islam means “submission.” The Five Pillars are Shahadah (profession of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). These pillars, which include duties such as praying five times a day, the profession of faith, fasting, and pilgrimage, represent complete submission to Allah.
7. What are the Synoptic Gospels and How are They Different from the Gospel of John?
Synoptic means “looking at the same thing” or “seen together.” The Synoptic Gospels are Mark, Matthew, and Luke. In these Gospels, Jesus comes to Jerusalem and the temple only to die. In John, Jesus comes to Jerusalem and the temple constantly.
8. How Were the Stories of Apollo, Dionysius, and Mithras Compared to Stories about Jesus by Hellenized Culture?
- Apollo: Exemplary son of a god.
- Dionysius: Son of a god and a virgin, performs miracles, invents wine, suffers, is killed under false pretenses, and returns from the dead.
- Mithras: Associated with Mithraism, symbolized by a bull, often with human features (related to Zoroastrianism).
9. Does the New Testament Claim that Jesus was also God? Where, How Often, and in What Context is this Affirmation Made, if at all?
The New Testament is a narrative about Jesus’ life, teachings, and the formation of early Christian communities (written in Greek). The New Testament does affirm that Jesus is also God. There are approximately 120 passages or verses that express the divinity of Jesus in some way. These include instances where Jesus claims to be God, accepts or demands worship, claims to possess attributes that only God can possess, claims to do things that only God can do, or others make these claims about Jesus.
10. Compare How Christians Understand Jesus with How Muslims Understand Muhammad
Both Islam and Christianity are monotheistic religions that maintain the universe was created by God, that God has given humanity a special revelation, and that there will be a final judgment. Christians believe that each book of the Bible is simultaneously the product of God and the human author. Muslims insist Muhammad didn’t author the Quran; he was the passive recipient of dictated revelations.