Christianity and Islam are Stepbrothers,

However anyone would want to look at it. It is divine and our truth. The story of Christianity and Islam is one filled with intrigue, questions, and amazement. It is a narrative that continues to challenge us to understand the real reasons behind the similarities, differences, and misunderstandings between the two faiths.

Whenever the discourse arises about Christians and Muslims being at odds, or the claim that they worship different gods, I often feel a subtle discomfort. The truth is human biases and prejudices frequently cloud our understanding of these two religions — stepbrothers, in a sense, sharing the same father in Abraham.

To those who feel strongly that Muslims wouldn’t make heaven because of their non- belief in Christ as God, God’s ways may be very challenging to understand on face value.

Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn, was not the child of promise, yet he became the ancestor of a great nation. Isaac, though second-born, was the child of destiny, chosen to carry God’s covenant. Only God would explain why it is that way.

However, this story mirrors scenarios in our own homes, where sometimes the younger child becomes the bearer of the family torch of success, while the firstborn, though honored, takes the back seat in wealth and progress. It happens!

Christianity and Islam, like Ishmael and Isaac, share a common spiritual root but were given distinct paths and purposes. Much convergence between the two: both worship one God whose allegiance is non-negotiable; both engage in prayer, fasting, and acts of charity; both uphold moral principles such as justice, fairness, and equity. Yet divergence exists as well, shaped by revelation, culture, and human interpretation.

In essence, Christianity and Islam are two branches of the same Abrahamic tree, with their functions and purpose orchestrated by God.

Each expresses devotion in ways that reflect its unique journey, purpose, and destiny yet both are ultimately seeds sown by the same father– Abraham

Today, Christians and Muslims live side by side in families, communities, and nations. Like stepbrothers, they may have different traditions, celebrations, rituals even quarrel and disagree, yet they share same moral values, ethical principles, and devotion to God.

Recognizing this common root encourages respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. Our spiritual leaders are managing this very well through interreligious faith dialogue. They seem to understand better this unity in diversity than the ordinary Christians and Muslims on the street with unnecessary toga of fanatical disposition and mindset, pushing their exercising of faith.

Understanding that we are brothers of the same father — Abraham reminds us that conflict is often a human construct, not a divine one. Just as siblings in a household can walk different paths yet honor their parents, Christians and Muslims can honor their shared God while practicing their faiths authentically.

In the end, the story of Ishmael and Isaac teaches a timeless lesson: different destinies, shared roots, and the possibility of unity through understanding and respect.

We are both human, no Muslim or Christian blood. When a Muslim marries a Christian their offsprings are no less human. We are made in God’s likeness and his image engraved in us either Muslims or Christians.

Tolerance is the best approach not violence. Respect to each other’ chosen path to access God is better than shaming and denigrating. Judging with superiority mindset, isn’t a way to go. In each of us are flaws, foibles, dents and stains if not by the grace of God, doom and destruction would have doled a lethal blow on us.

Muslims and Christians are step brothers whose father is Abraham and his blessings we have a share in.

The world is better lived with love and tolerance than with the mindset of faith superiority and Judgmentalism

Jarlathuche@gmail.com