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Overture 40
On Affirming a Common Abrahamic Heritage Among
the Three Faiths, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—From
the Presbytery of Newton.
The Presbytery of Newton
overtures the 217th General Assembly to do the following:
1. Affirm a common Abrahamic heritage among
the three faiths—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—to
accept the principle of unity and harmony among them and to
encourage all congregations to do the same.
2. Accept and proclaim that Muslims, Jews,
and Christians worship the same God—the God worshiped
by Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Moses, Mary, Jesus, and Muhammad—and
ask the one true God to bless efforts in dialog, building bridges
of harmony, and fighting violence and terror.
3. Promote the common effort of Christians,
Muslims, and Jews to work together for peace, justice, and righteousness,
which is an equal concern of each of the three faiths.
Rationale
The First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway,
N.J., has just completed a mission study that, in part, states,
“We are called to work for reconciliation, peace and justice
for all God’s children. Members of that congregation have
been involved in People for Peace and Justice, an ad hoc group
that has participated in interfaith dialog
and initiated several incentives1
for creating understanding. Those involved have gained a better
understanding of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, to wit, that
they are all derived from the same Abrahamic roots and that
they adhere to many similar tenets, all three religions believing
in one true God2,
professing adherence to the same commandments3
and desiring to live in peace and harmony.
The Presbytery of Newton accepts these principles
espoused by one of its churches and wishes to promote them throughout
the Presbyterian denomination, calling for similar dialog to
open our hearts to those who believe in One God and adhere to
the great commandments.4
The Book of Confessions, Confession
of 1967, 9.42, states, “The Christian finds parallels
between other religions and his own and must approach all religions
with openness and respect.”
There is a pressing need for dialog among
people of the three monotheistic faiths, to affirm common roots,
to explore similarities and differences, to overcome stereotypes,
and to promote understanding and harmony.
In a world threatened by war and violence,
it can have great impact for Christians, Muslims, and Jews to
lift up common ethical grounds that enable solidarity for justice,
peace and sustainability of creation.
Endnotes
1. Includes a meeting
with the American Jewish and Muslim Alliance on July 9,2005,
and the Boonton Mosque featuring the Reverend Rick Ufford-Chase,
Moderator of the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
2. Christianity—Mark 12:29 “...
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Islam—Quran 47:10 “Know therefore that there is
no other God but God.
Judaism—Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel, the Lord
our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind And with all
your strength” and Deuteronomy 5:7
3. Christianity—Matthew 22:37 “...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your mind.” Also see Mark 12:30 and
Luke 10:27
Islam – Quran 60:7 “It may be that God will grant
love (and friendship) between You and those whom ye (now) hold
as enemies. For God has power (over all things) And God is Oft-forgiving
and Most Merciful.”
4. Judaism – Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love
the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.”
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