Religion and Theology

Differences and Similarities in the Concept and Worship of God
Similarities
Monotheism. The most striking similarity among Judaism, Christianity and Islam is the belief in only one God. This God is considered by all three religions to be the origin and source of everything that exists. This God is believed to be loving to His creation and always seeks the well-being of everything He has created. He is also considered to be just for He punishes when He has to, yet merciful for He forgives. God is also believed to be generous and giving of His blessings (Judaism, Christianity and Islam, n.d.).

The Kindness of God. In all three religions, God is known as a kind God who promises a good future despite the difficulties of the past and present. Evil cannot prevail and suffering will cease according to Gods promise of bliss and Paradise for all who obey and worship Him on earth (Judaism, Christianity and Islam, n.d.).

Communication with Human Beings. The three monotheistic religions emphasize that communication between God and human beings is possible and required. This communication and interaction is made possible through the set of holy writings particular to each of the three religions The Torah of the Jews, the Old and New Testament Bible of the Christians, and the Quran of the Muslims. One of the duties of  the members of these three religions is to read and listen to the holy writings of God. The response should include prayer, praise and obedience to Gods commandments (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, n.d.).

Differences
Variations in Monotheism. While Judaism and Islam are strictly monotheistic religions, Christianity believes in the Blessed Trinity, or three persons in one God, namely God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Comparison, 2004).

The Nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus may be a central figure in Christianity but not really in Judaism and Islam. The birth of Christ in Judaism is revealed to be normal while in Islam and Christianity, He was born of a virgin birth. Islam denies His death but not His ascension. Only Christianity affirms the resurrection and only Judaism denies the second coming of Jesus (Comparison, 2004).

The Role of God in Salvation. All three religions believe that good deeds are a way to salvation, but certain Christian denominations like the Protestants emphasize the importance of faith alone. Catholicism requires the receiving of the seven holy sacraments as a means to salvation in the same way that Islam requires the doing of the Five Pillars. In Islam and Christianity, predestination is the role of God in salvation, while it is divine revelation and forgiveness for the Jews (Comparison, 2004).

Differences and Similarities in Mysticism
Jewish Mysticism. The Jewish mystical doctrine is called Kabbalah, which means to receive, to accept. According to the Kabbalah, the true essence of the mystical concept G-d is known as Ein Sof, or without end, and reveals to us other qualities like mercy, understanding and strength (Mysticism, 1996).
 
Christian Mysticism. Christian mysticism is not about living by the dogma but about finding the truth in personal experiences and developing activities that promote religious and physical well-being. In short, Christian mysticism deals with direct experiences with the divine. Meditations, healing, classes, prayer groups and many other practical philosophies make up the wide variety of mystic practices of the Christian church whose goal is to elicit direct mystical experiences with the divine (Spiritual Experience, n.d.).

Islamic Mysticism. Islamic mysticism is known as Sufism. Sufism seeks direct mystical knowledge of God and His Love. The goal is to progress beyond mere intellectual knowledge to a mystical experience where one is in unity with God (Sufism, n.d.). The mystic practices of Sufism include detachment from the world, patience, gratitude, love and pleasure , and would usually involve rites and ceremonies (Sufism, n.d.).