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What is the difference between world views?
Addisen Sullins
Liberty University
RLGN104 (B34): Christian Life and Biblical Worldview
Professor Nathan Grooms
10 – 13 - 2023
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What is the Difference Between Worldviews?
Origin
When it comes to origin, both Christianity and Islam believe that God/Allah created
everything. For Christianity, the Bible tells us that God created the universe in seven days
(Genesis). However, the Qur’an tells Islamic believers that Allah created the universe in 6
days (Britannica). Both agree that God/Allah created humans by hand for special a purpose.
Though Christianity believes humanity is in God’s image, and Islam does not specify.
Although it is unlikely, they believe the same based on their distinct separation between God
as a person and humanity.
Identity
Both Christianity and Islam agree that the identity of humanity is defined by their free
will, self-sufficiency, as well as unique personality traits. Islam Britannica says, “Whereas
everything in the universe has a limited nature and every creature recognizes its limitation
and insufficiency, human beings are viewed as having been given freedom and therefore are
prone to rebelliousness and pride, with the tendency to arrogate to themselves the attributes
of self-sufficiency. Pride, thus, is viewed as the cardinal sin of human beings…” Christianity
agrees with how humanity is plagued by sin which includes pride and unwillingness to follow
God. Both believe that the outcome of life is in the hands of humanity.
Meaning
Genesis 1:26 tells us that the Christian God created humanity to rule over his creation.
A type of ambassador for heaven on Earth. Britannica states in their article on Islam, “The
Qur ān thus reiterates that all nature has been made subservient to humans, who are seen as ʾ
God’s vice-regent on earth; 3 nothing in all creation has been made without a purpose, and
humanity itself has not been created “in sport” but rather has been created to serve and obey
God’s will.” Both seem to agree that humans are meant to do God’s will here on Earth.
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Morality
God/Allah created everything in the universe and therefore gets to determine what is
right to happen in his universe. Both worldviews heavily agree on this matter. However,
Christianity believes that God gave humanity a moral compass/internal voice to guide us
down the correct path and it is still our free will to listen (Romans 2:15). The Qur’an contains
many of Allah’s commandments that Islamic believers must follow, resembling God’s ten
commandments in the Bible. In all, both religions believe that God is the moral high ground.
Destiny
Islam’s view on life after death does not differ too heavily compared to Christianity.
Islam believes in paradise and hell, and that based on your good deeds/faith you will be
sorted. However, they do believe that the soul stays dormant till a day of collective judgment
after the end time. Family can also intercede after death while the soul is dormant, doing
deeds for them. With Christianity, the person is responsible for one’s destiny. Whether the
soul goes straight to Heaven or hell after death is heavily debated but unlikely thanks to
Jesus. John 3:16 says that Jesus is the son of God and he died so humanity can go to heaven if
we believe in him. No tremendous number of good deeds necessary.
