Robert – Christian
Rahim – Devout Muslim (Ramadan observer)
Ram – Devoted Hindu (Bhakti-oriented)
Tone: friendly, probing, apologetic, truth told plainly, not softened—but not abusive.
Who Is God Really?
A Conversation Between Three Close Friends
Characters
Robert – Christian
Rahim – Muslim
Ram – Hindu
Setting:
Evening tea after iftar. All three have known each other for years.
Opening: Shared Spiritual Hunger
Ram:
It’s interesting, Rahim—during Ramadan you fast, during Lent Robert reflects deeply, and during Ekadashi we fast too. Different paths, same God perhaps?
Rahim:
Yes. God is one. We just approach Him differently.
Robert:
That’s what many people say. But can I ask something gently—as a friend?
Ram:
Of course.
Rahim:
Go ahead.
Robert:
If God has revealed Himself, shouldn’t His nature be clear and consistent?
Not just our devotion—but who He actually is.
(Both pause.)
1. Can God Be Known Personally?
Rahim:
In Islam, Allah is beyond comparison.
“There is nothing like unto Him.”
(Qur’an 42:11)
We are His servants. That is enough.
Robert:
I understand that reverence. But even Prophet Muhammad said:
“I do not know what will be done with me or with you.”
(Qur’an 46:9)
That uncertainty—does it ever trouble you?
Rahim:
We rely on Allah’s mercy. No one can be sure.
Ram:
In Hinduism, God is ultimately Brahman—beyond form, beyond name.
“Neti, Neti” — Not this, not this
(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.3.6)
God cannot be fully known.
Robert:
So in Islam—God is unknowable relationally.
In Hinduism—God is unknowable philosophically.
Let me show you something unique Jesus said:
“This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God.”
(John 17:3)
Not dissolve into God.
Not fear Him from a distance.
Know Him.
2. Is God Personal — or Impersonal?
Ram:
But God having form limits Him. That’s why Brahman is impersonal.
Robert:
Yet your own scriptures admit a longing for the personal.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:
“Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me.”
(Gita 9:34)
That’s not impersonal language.
That’s relational desire.
Ram:
Yes… but Krishna is one of many manifestations.
Robert:
That’s the problem. If God has many contradictory forms, how do we know who He really is?
Jesus doesn’t say, “I am one of many ways.”
He says:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
(John 14:6)
Truth is exclusive by nature.
3. Love: Conditional or Essential?
Rahim:
Allah is merciful, but He loves those who obey.
“Allah does not love the unbelievers.”
(Qur’an 3:32)
Ram:
In Hinduism, karma decides everything. You reap what you sow.
Robert:
So in Islam—love is conditional.
In Hinduism—fate is mechanical.
Now hear this:
“God is love.”
(1 John 4:8)
Not earned.
Not calculated.
Essential.
And this love acts first:
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
4. The Problem of Sin and Karma
Ram:
Karma explains suffering. Bad deeds cause suffering.
Robert:
Then answer this honestly, Ram.
If karma is perfect justice—
Why does memory of past lives disappear, but punishment continues?
How can justice be fair if the accused doesn’t remember the crime?
(Silence.)
Rahim:
Islam avoids rebirth. But forgiveness depends on Allah’s will.
Robert:
That creates another problem.
If God forgives without justice, He is not just.
If He punishes without mercy, He is not loving.
The Bible solves both:
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
(Hebrews 9:22)
Justice is satisfied.
Mercy is released.
5. Why Doesn’t God Come Down?
Rahim:
Allah sends prophets. That is enough.
Ram:
God appears as avatars—Rama, Krishna, others.
Robert:
Let me ask you both something honest.
In Islam, God never enters history Himself
In Hinduism, God comes repeatedly—because the problem is never solved
But the Bible says:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
(John 1:14)
Not repeatedly.
Once.
Final. Complete.
Jesus doesn’t come to manage karma or repeat cycles.
He comes to end the problem of sin.
6. Fear, Effort, or Assurance?
Rahim:
At the end of Ramadan, I hope Allah forgives me.
Ram:
I hope my karma improves in the next birth.
Robert:
Hope… but no certainty.
Jesus says:
“Whoever believes has eternal life.”
(John 5:24)
Not “may have.”
Has.
Christianity is not about effort climbing to God.
It is God coming down to rescue.
Closing: One Honest Question
(The night grows quiet.)
Robert:
My friends, I’m not saying this to win an argument.
But ask yourselves:
If God is impersonal—how can He love?
If God is distant—how can He save?
If God never enters suffering—how can He understand us?
The Bible says:
“In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself.”
(2 Corinthians 5:19)
Not asking humans to climb.
God crossed the gap.
Final Invitation (Not Pressure)
Robert:
You both seek God sincerely.
But sincerity does not save—truth does.
Jesus said:
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:32)
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