ASK THE PASTOR: Do Jews & Muslims worship the same God as Christians?

ASK THE PASTOR: Christianity is distinct because of it's view of Jesus, but it is also based on the Old Testament. Therefore, isn't it true that God the father is the same God the Jews worship? Also, isn't it true that Allah is simply the God revealed in the Old Testament?

In short, the answer is no. Christians do not worship the same God as the Jews or Muslims, though such concepts are openly being taught in many of our theological schools and Christian universities. Let me explain this further by looking at the two groups separately.

Regarding the Jewish conception of God. Evangelical Christians maintain that the Old Testament is true and authoritative in all that it teaches. It tells the story of God, and his involvement with the affairs of mankind. Most specifically, it tells of His gracious involvement with "His people"--which is identified as the nation of Israel. As God revealed Himself to mankind, He simultaneously drew unto Himself a special people who would worship and serve Him. Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to reveal Himself through the prophets. His people were the ones who continually responded appropriately to this revelation. Thus, even in the Old Testament, to reject a message (or, revelation) from the Lord was regarded as rejecting God Himself. For example, Hosea 4:6 declares,

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge [i.e. 'revelation'],
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

Later in chapter 9 the prophet declares "My God will reject them because they have not obeyed him" (v 17). God expected His people to listen to His continued revelation. When they rejected God's revelation, God saw this as a personal rejection of Him. Recognizing this breach in the relationship, God likewise rejected those who rejected Him.

The New Testament follows this theme. In Luke 10:16 Jesus declares "he who rejects me rejects him who sent me". This issue simply isn't that Jews believe in God the Father and Christians also believe in the Son. Jesus is declaring that, by rejecting him as Lord and God, we are also completely rejecting the Father. If we turn our back on the Son, we also turn our back on the Father. God revealed Himself through Jesus 2,000 years ago and from that moment it became impossible to worship the Father apart from the Son.

Regarding the Muslim conception of God. Our response here will be the same as what is contained above, with one addition. Whereas Islam is guilty, as is Judaism, of rejecting the Son (and therefore, also guilty of rejecting God the Father), it is also guilty of adding false knowledge about the Father. Judaism commits only one evil in that it rejects God's revelation. Islam is guilty of two evils. It (1) rejects God's revelation, and (2) it listens to the voice of false prophets.

God does not recognize any worship of His name apart from that which comes through belief on Jesus Christ. Neither should we.

Questions for Pastor Josh can be submitted via Email. "Ask the Pastor" is a feature in the monthly newsletter of Indian River Baptist Church. This blog republishes those Questions, along with others not selected for print publication.