Conceptual Differences Between Hinduism and Christianity

TERMS	HINDUISM	CHRISTIANITY
God	One Of The Many Gods; Ultimate Reality; Soul of the Universe	One God; Triune: Father-Son-Holy Spirit
World	Eternal, Cyclical, Subject To Law Of Karma; Subject To Maya	Created Out Of Nothing By God; Real
Man	Self Is Divine, Birth-Death-Rebirth	Creation-Fall-Judgment; Birth-Death-Judgment
Heavenly Beings	Devatas	Angels
Demons	Asuras, Rakshashas	Fallen Angels
Nature	Sattva-Rajas-Tamas	Subject To Corruption
Sin	Transgression Of Caste-Duty	Transgression Of Love
Righteousness	Dharma (Caste-Duty)	Law And Will Of God; Right Standing With God
Incarnation Of Deity	Multiple; Partial; To Destroy Wicked	Single; Final; Complete; Permanent; To Save Sinners
Spiritual Power	Through Self-Realization; Activation Of Power Centers In Body; Mantrik; Tantric; Siddhi	Of The Holy Spirit
Sacrifice	Yagya– accompanied with Vedic chants; to appease gods; to ward off evil spirits; Some sacrifices may be to appease the evil spirits; in occultic groups, sacrifice is connected to tantrik power	Christ is the True and Final Sacrifice for the Sins of the World
Salvation	Self-Realization, Samadhi, Super-Consciousness; Deliverance From Cycle Of Rebirth; Through Meritorious Efforts Or Bhakti	Deliverance From The Penalty Of Sin By Faith In The Atoning Sacrifice Of Jesus Christ
Heaven	Ruled By Indra, Place Of Pleasure, Dwelling Place Of Gods And Goddesses	Ruled By God, Dwelling Place Of God, Dwelling Place Of Angels, Dwelling Place Of The Redeemed
Hell	Place Of Torment	Place Of Torment
Offerings	Meritorious	Dedication; Belongedness
Temple	Earthly Place Of Worship	The Christian’s Body; Heaven
Holy Places	Pilgrimage Considered Meritorious	Where Two or Three Are Gathered in Christ’s Name, He Is In Their Midst
Priesthood	Brahminism	Priesthood of Believers; Jesus is the High Priest