Introduction
God, G-d or Allah are superpowers who in Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the spirits in which everyone has faith in. Each of the three Abrahamic Religions are monotheistic; however, each interprets God, G-d or Allah in a different way and God is represented differently in each religion.
Judaism
Judaism is a religion, original of the three Abrahamic faiths, which originated over 3500 years ago when it was founded by Moses (BBC, 2009a). Being monotheistic, Jewish people believe that there is only one God with whom they have a covenant. G-d is the name of God in Judaism.
G-d is a person with whom every Jew has a deep and personal relationship. (Understanding Faith n.d.). In Judaism, G-d can’t be subdivided into different beings or persons and G-d is transcendent, unembodied, and is omnipotent, omnipresent and beyond time. G-d, for Jews, is also someone just, merciful, personal and accessible (Rich, 1996). G-d, in his relationship with Jews, doesn’t allow them to see Him like they see each other.
Genesis 17 describes G-d’s relationship with His people (the Jews) and His covenant with Avram. Avram was a shepherd who came from Ur in Mesopotamia and was the son of Terah. In this passage, G-d transforms Avram into the father of many nations, “Your name will no longer be Avram, but your name will be Avraham because I have made you into the father of many nations I will cause you to be very fruitful. I will make nations of you, kings will descend from you.” (Genesis 17:5-6). G-d also gives the entire land of Canaan to Avraham and his descendants. In return for G-d’s generosity, Avraham instructed everyone in his household to do what G-d had asked him to do; circumcise every male as the sign and seal of the covenant. Avraham also agreed to live in the way of G-d and in his presence. Avraham’s slaves and his family were swift and obedient in their response to G-d’s covenant. This demonstrates that maybe these people had had a troubled past or were not stable at that time. This chapter reveals the traditional custom of circumcision and G-d’s intention of giving, only if his people give. This text relates to newborn males now as they all traditionally circumcised. The message it carries for people today is that strong and deep faith in G-d will allow G-d to His invest his power in one and reward one for their faith.
The probable author of this text is one from the four source theory (JDEP). The Yahwist source (J), written by southern royal scribes around 950BCE. The Yahwist is the source of parts of Genesis, Exodus and Numbers.
Christianity
Christianity is the world’s largest religion with over 2.1 billion adherents. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the saviour of humanity (Christianity at a Glance, 2011). Christians believe that there is only one God but that He exists in three forms, the Father or Creator, the Sun and the Holy Spirit. This is known as the Holy Trinity.
The parables are one of the many texts that represent God’s relationship with Him and His people. A parable is a simple story which is used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson as told by Jesus in the Gospels. God’s word and teachings are spread and known to humanity through Jesus.
The parable of the Good Samaritan explains the moral – treat one as you would like to be treated. This is a well-known moral in today’s day; in this parable, Jesus explains this concept to a lawyer when he asks, “Who is my neighbour?”. The response he receives is a story of, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead” (Luke 10:30). Two others, a priest and a Levite walked down the same street but did not stop to help the man. The third one, however, the good Samaritan, was moved by pity and did all he could to get the man out of his dreadful situation by bandaging his wounds and taking to the closest inn so he could be fed and rested. Therefore, the person who was a neighbour to the man was actually the Samaritan. God, through Jesus, is represented as a wise and kind being in this parable.
The compassion that the Samaritan demonstrated was exactly what Jesus, and, therefore, God, wanted the Christians of the New Testament to try to replicate in their own lives – by loving your neighbour as yourself and to look beyond the borders of your own body, mind and soul.
For people today, the message it carries much of the same moral as for the Christians in the New Testament. This is to treat others how you would like to be treated. Whether it be at school, in the workplace at the train station, or at the shops, kindness can be showed by things as little as picking up someone’s money and giving it to them when they’ve dropped it. This shows care for others, that you are a good human being and is a vital part of keeping a good relationship with God.
The author of this text was Luke, an evangelist and faithful disciple of Jesus. The gospels of Luke, Matthew and John are thought to be replications of the gospel of Mark, which is thought to be the first one written.
Islam
Islam is a religion that began in Arabia and was revealed to the world by the Prophet Muhammad, the final prophet. Muslims, like Jews and Christians, believe in only one God. God in Islam is called Allah, which is the Arabic word for God. Muslims also believe that God sent a number of prophets, which include Isa (Jesus), Musa (Moses) and Ibrahim (Abraham), to teach humanity how to live according to His law. Islam’s sacred texts comprise the Qur’an which the Word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Allah is the name of God who is supreme and unique and rules everything. Allah is eternal, omniscient and omnipotent. Allah also was no shape or form, much like Judaism and Allah is just. Contradictory to that of the Christian faith, Allah has no children. (BBC, 2009b).
The link between Islam and Abraham relates mainly to genealogy where the Prophet Muhammad’s bloodline can be traced to Ishmael, Ibrahim’s eldest son.
Noah (Nuh in Islam), being one Allah’s earliest prophets, was believed to have lived with his people in the northern part of ancient Mesopotamia – an arid area that was a long distance from any oceans. The following passage describes the people Nuh lived with:
“He said, ‘Oh my Lord! I have called to my people night and day. But my call only increases their flight from the right way. And every time I have called to them, that You might forgive them, they have thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance” (The Holy Quran 71:5-7).
The passage above describes the society Nuh lived in as arrogant and stubborn as they did not care about what Nuh had to say. It also portrays the people having no understanding or concept of God.
From this text, it can be gathered that Nuh’s purpose or job, being one of the earliest prophets of Allah, was to inform and educate people of Allah and his way of life – building the foundations of Islam and its future in society.
Additionally, this passage describes some people in today’s society who are arrogant, stubborn and mean, like criminals and bullies at school. These people are on the wrong path of life according to God and, therefore, will be punished just like the wicked people in the story of Nuh, who were washed away by the enormous floods. The water in the flood cleansing the world of all its evils will also cleanse the minds and souls of these wicked people in our society today and bring them back on the right path – the path of God.
The Qur’an was recited to prophet Muhammad over 23 years by the angel Gabriel (Ar. Jibril) who received the holy book from the almighty Allah. Although it wasn’t necessary to write the Qur’an down to preserve it was still written down. Contrary to popular belief, Muhammad did not write the Qur’an as he was illiterate; his friends memorised the recitations and wrote them down on animal skins, large stones or palm leaves because Muhammad had instructed them to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all three of the Abrahamic Religions are based on God’s word and, therefore, sacred scriptures. These sacred scriptures, The Bible and the Qur’an, often provide strong messages or morals which demonstrate the way we should live our lives according to God to, therefore, build a substantial relationship with Him. Although today’s day may be well in front of the ancient days of Muhammad and Jesus Christ, sacred scriptures provide a link between these worlds and show us the way to a happier and more meaningful life with God in the centre of our minds and souls.