The Same God or a Different Concept? A Comparative Study in the Theology of Religions

Abstract

Theological debate regarding divine unity is a significant issue in interfaith dialogue, particularly concerning whether the God worshipped in various religions is the same God. This study aims to analyze theological perspectives on the identity of God in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and to examine whether a shared reference to the Divine can be understood as theological identity regarding God. The research employs a literature review method utilizing a comparative analysis of theological sources, academic studies on religion, and the typologies of exclusivism, inclusivism, and pluralism. The findings indicate that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism share stronger common ground in acknowledging a single God as the source and creator of all things, despite fundamental differences regarding God's nature and the understanding of the relationship between God and humanity. Hinduism exhibits a diversity of concepts regarding the Divine ranging from the understanding of a singular divine reality to various divine manifestations whereas Buddhism does not place the concept of a creator God at the center of its teachings. The analysis demonstrates that a shared designation or acknowledgment of a divine reality does not automatically prove that all religions understand God in an identical theological sense. This study argues that the question of whether the God of various religions is the same God requires a distinction between a shared reference to the Divine and a shared theological understanding of God. These findings provide a foundation for interfaith dialogue that acknowledges common ground while respecting the fundamental differences of each religious tradition.