Christianity and Druze are Abrahamic religions that share a historical traditional connection with some major theological differences.[2] The two faiths share a common place of origin in the Middle East and are both monotheistic.[3] Christian and Druze communities share a long history of interaction dating back roughly a millennium, particularly in Mount Lebanon.[1] Over the centuries, they have interacted and lived together peacefully, sharing common social and cultural landscapes, despite occasional exceptions.[1] Moreover, Druze beliefs, scriptures and teachings incorporate several elements from Christianity.[4]
Historically, the relationship between the Druze and Christians has been characterized by harmony and peaceful coexistence,[5][6][7][1] with amicable relations between the two groups prevailing throughout history, with the exception of some periods, including 1860 Mount Lebanon civil war.[8] In the Levant region, the conversion of Druze to Christianity was a common practice.[9][10] Throughout history, there have been instances where prominent members of the Druze community, including some of Shihab dynasty members,[11] as well as the Abi-Lamma clan, embraced Christianity.[12][13]
The Maronite Catholics and the Druze set the foundation for what is now Lebanon in the early 18th century, through a governing and social system known as the "Maronite-Druze dualism" in Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate.[14] Interaction between Christians (members of the Maronite, Eastern Orthodox, Melkite, and other churches) and the Druze resulted in the establishment and existence of mixed villages and towns in Mount Lebanon, Chouf,[1] Jabal al-Druze,[15][16] the Galilee region, Mount Carmel, and the Golan Heights.[17]
Druze doctrine teaches that Christianity is to be "esteemed and praised", as the Gospel writers are regarded as "carriers of wisdom".[18] Additionally, the Druze catechism prophesies the dominance of Christianity over Islam in the Last Judgment.[18][19] The Druze faith incorporates some elements of Christianity,[4][20] along with adopting Christian elements and teachings found in the Epistles of Wisdom.[21] Both religions revered and hold Jesus in high regard as a central figure and the awaited messiah,[22][23][24] alongside other shared figures such as the Virgin Mary,[25] John the Baptist,[26][27] Saint George,[28] Elijah,[26] Luke the Evangelist,[29] and Job.[29] Moreover, important figures from the Old Testament such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jethro are considered important prophets of God in the Druze faith, being among the seven prophets who appeared in different periods of history.[22][23]
the Druzes and the Christians in the Shuf Mountains in the past lived in complete harmony..
the Druze had been able to live in harmony with the Christian
.. Europeans who visited the area during this period related that the Druze "love the Christians more than the other believers," and that they "hate the Turks, the Muslims and the Arabs [Bedouin] with an intense hatred.
..the Druzes and Christians lived together in the most perfect harmony and good-will..
google
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).the conversion to Christianity of several Muslim and Druze families aided this growth immeasurably
ÁgostonMasters2009
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).So did other amirs, like the originally Druze Abi-llamah family, which also became Maronite
Deeb 2013
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).washingtoninstitute.org
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Balanche 2017 27
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Druze religious beliefs developed out of Isma'ill teachings. Various Jewish, Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic, and Iranian elements, however, are combined under a doctrine of strict monotheism.
SmetTamīmī2007
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Hitti 1928 37
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Dana 2008 17
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Jesus is known in the Druze tradition as the "True Messiah" (al-Masih al-Haq), for he delivered what Druzes view as the true message. He is also referred to as the "Messiah of the Nations" (Masih al-Umam) because he was sent to the world as "Masih of Sins" because he is the one who forgives.
Swayd 2015 77
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).C. Brockman 2011 259
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).S. Swayd 2009 109
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).