Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God? A conversation with Bishop Dr. Yasser Eric

In this episode of Journey of Hope, host Elio Constantine concludes the mini-series with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation titled, “Do We Believe in the Same God?” Joined by Bishop Dr. Yasser Eric, the discussion explores one of the most important and often misunderstood questions between Christianity and Islam.Drawing from his personal journey—from growing up as a radical Sunni Muslim in Sudan to becoming a follower of Christ—Bishop Dr. Yasser Eric unpacks the theological differences between the God of the Bible and the understanding of God in Islam. He explains that while both faiths profess belief in one God, the deeper you go, the more significant the differences become.Throughout the episode, Dr. Eric highlights key distinctions, including the nature of God’s love, His relationship with humanity, and how He reveals Himself. He explains that in Christianity, God is not only loving, but is love—and that this love is unconditional, relational, and demonstrated through Jesus Christ. In contrast, he describes how in Islam, God’s actions are ultimately tied to His will, and love is often understood in a conditional sense.He also discusses the significance of the incarnation—God entering time and space through Jesus—and the relational nature of the Trinity, emphasizing that God exists in eternal relationship and invites humanity into that same relationship. This stands in contrast, he explains, to a view of God as distant and transcendent without personal relational engagement.Additionally, Dr. Eric speaks about God as Father in the Bible, the assurance found in His promises, and the concept of covenant—highlighting that salvation in Christ is not uncertain, but grounded in God’s character and faithfulness.This episode invites listeners to go beyond surface-level similarities and thoughtfully consider who God is, how He reveals Himself, and what that means for our faith and relationship with Him.Show Notes:Understanding God Across FaithsBoth Christians and Muslims affirm belief in one God, but differ deeply in how God is understoodSurface similarities give way to significant theological differences upon deeper explorationKey Theological DifferencesThe incarnation: God entering time and space through Jesus ChristThe Trinity: God existing in eternal relationship as Father, Son, and Holy SpiritGod as Father: A personal and relational identity in the BibleThe Nature of LoveIn Christianity, God is love—unconditional and rooted in His characterIn Islam, love is often described as conditional and connected to God’s willRelationship and RevelationThe Bible presents a God who is knowable, relational, and presentGod reveals Himself fully through Jesus, inviting humanity into relationshipAssurance and CovenantSalvation in Christ is rooted in God’s promises, not uncertaintyGod is a covenant keeper, offering assurance through faith in JesusKey TakeawaysUnderstanding who God is shapes how we relate to HimChristian faith centers on a relational, loving, and present GodTrue confidence comes from God’s character, not human effort📧 Email us: podcast@heartforlebanon.org🙏 Submit prayer requests: prayer@heartforlebanon.org🔗 Join our prayer list: https://heartforlebanon.org/prayer📬 Join our email list: https://heartforlebanon.org/emailsignupFollow Heart for Lebanon:🌍 Website: https://heartforlebanon.org📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartforlebanon📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartforLebanon🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HeartForLebanon#JourneyOfHope #HeartForLebanon #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Theology #Christianity #Islam #Apologetics #KnowGod