Subscribe to our podcast feed - iTunesRSS Feed Icon   ManualRSS Feed Icon
Search Query
Click here to subscribe to the RIMI Email Newsletter

Christianity and Hinduism Comparison

Hindus Believe...
 
Christians Believe...
In one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.   In one God in 3 persons. He is distinct from his creation, yet intimately involved with it as its sustainer and redeemer.

That the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
 
That the world was created once by the divine will of God, was corrupted by sin and yet under God's providence, moves towards final perfection.

That all souls are evolving toward union with God and will ultimately find spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.
 
That in Adam's sin, the human race was spiritually alienated from God, and that those who are called by God and respond to his grace will have eternal life. Those who persist in rebellion will be lost eternally.

In karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words, and deeds.
 
That through God's grace and favor, lost sinners are rescued from the guilt, power, and eternal consequences of their evil thoughts, words, and deeds.

That the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved.
 
That it is appointed for human beings to die once, and after that face judgement.

That divine beings exist in unseen inner worlds and that temple worship, rituals, and Sacraments, as well as personal devotionals create a communion with the devas and gods.
 
That spirit beings inhabit the universe, some good and some evil; but that our worship is due to God alone.

That a spiritually awakened Master is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, self-inquiry and meditation.
 
That God has given us a clear revelation of himself in Jesus and the sacred Scriptures. He has empowered by his Spirit prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastors who are teachers charged to guide us into faith holiness in accordance with his Word.

That all life is sacred and to be loved and revered, through the practice of nonviolence.
 
That life is to be highly esteemed but that it must be subordinated in the service of biblical love and justice.

That no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
 
That Jesus is God incarnate, and therefore the only sure path to salvation. Many religions may offer ethical and spiritual insights, but only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

©1993-2008 Reaching Indians Ministries International
This page last modified Friday, 16-Dec-2005 09:55:32 PST