Coming of Savior at Core of All Religions: Prof.
Professor Kurt Anders Richardson is interested in theology and has various educational and research activities in comparative theology.
One of the topics that Professor Richardson has addressed is the issue of the emergence of a savior in different religions, and he has concluded that expecting a savior is one of the common concepts between religions. He also believes that this issue can be a good ground for dialogue between religions and bringing them closer. Addressing a virtual conference in Iran last year, Richardson talked about the concept of the savior. Below is a summary of his remarks:
Based on the holy books of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the savior concept is a common issue between these three religions as the emergence of a savior is at the heart of these faiths. It has always been a prophecy throughout history that justice, goodness, and divine mercy are to be created in the end times. It is difficult for us to know how God wants to do this.
The Torah, the Bible, and the Quran go hand in hand, and today we need interfaith dialogue. When we think of the commonalities of the religions, these three religions await the coming of a savior. We should not think too much about who will be this savior, rather, we should understand that we all have a common destiny and we will die and be resurrected; and that humanity will end with divine sovereignty, so no matter what we call it, the important thing is achieving perfection and the realization of God’s promise.
When the Jews understood that Jesus was coming, it was important for them to know his mother, and the Quran explicitly talks of Mary; The Quran does not say that Muhammad (PBUH) came to bring a new religion, but says that he came to complete the old religions. The Prophet (PBUH) came to correct Christianity and the exaggerations that took place, so the Quran says that Christ is a servant of God and the highest role of Christ is servitude.
At the same time, we ask the followers of the Quran to follow Mahdism and to know that Mahdi (AS) is not separate from Christ. We must overcome the pessimism that exists among the followers of religions and think of commonalities with hope, faith, and love.
God Almighty knows the time of the arrival of the savior; none of the texts in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism can specify when the advent occurs. Even the Prophet (PBUH) himself did not know when this would happen; We are in the present and do not know the future; We want Mahdi to come and the followers of other religions are waiting for the appearance of the savior. The advent of the savior has been delayed and patience is an important issue that is emphasized in different religions.
The Bible says that Jesus spoke to his companions; they asked ‘do you like us more than others?’ Christ does not like to talk about this at all. Christ says he does not decide who sits to his left or right; this choice is with God, and this position may be the position of Mahdi (AS).
