1. Abrahamic Religions
Humanities II Honors

2. Overview Abrahamic religions The figure of Abraham
What are they?
What common bond is the term derived from?
The figure of Abraham
Who was he?
His significance in each religion
Foundation & religious texts
A look at the common stories and figures that evolve from Judaism’s traditions to foundation of Islam
The element of monotheism
One God for each, or One God for all?
Regarding Jesus
The figure that alters tradition of monotheism
Spiritual figures & prophets
Spiritual beings below deities and the revered humans of religious text
Clergy & hierarchical structure
From religious scholars to spiritual guides

3. The Abrahamic religions
World’s three major monotheistic religions
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Although each are distinct, a number of parallels exist amongst them
All three were founded in the Middle East, similarities seem to reflect this closeness in proximity
Term “Abrahamic” derived from the common patriarchal figure of Abraham

4. Abrahamic religions today
Purple indicative of areas where Abrahamic religions are most prevalent. (Yellow areas adhere predominantly to Eastern religions)

5. A look at Abraham
Born between BCE (depending on religious interpretation)
Originally from Sumerian city of Ur (modern Iraq), eventually migrated to Canaan (modern Israel)
“Original believer” – identified with early monotheistic struggle in age of polytheism
Accounts of Abraham appear in the holy books of all three religions at hand

6. In Judaism & Christianity
Abraham (cont.)
In Judaism & Christianity
Was known as Abram (“exalted father”) in Hebrew
Lineage: Father of Isaac, grandfather of Jacob – leads to the Israelites, and eventual branch-off of Christians
Story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac appears in the Torah’s book of Genesis (subsequently included in the Old Testament)
In Islam
Known as Ibrahim in Arabic
Lineage: Father of Ishmael - ancestor of the Arab people and, more specifically, of the prophet Muhammad
Abraham is himself regarded as a prophet in the Qur’an
The Al-Baqara chapter of the Qur’an claims that Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba in Mecca

7. Foundation of Judaism Time period: 5th to 3nd century BCE
Location: Jerusalem, Palestine (modern Israel)
Jewish faith asserts that the Israelites received the Torah from God in 1313 BCE
After some years, and periods of exile from their homeland, Israelites resettle Jerusalem
Recognize the Tanakh as scripture in 450 BCE
By 3rd century BCE, Judaism spreads to Egypt and into larger area of Roman Empire

8. Foundation of Christianity
Time period: 1st to 2nd century CE
Location: Palestine (modern Israel)
Jesus born approx. 4 BCE, in Galilee (northern region of Israel)
Expressed alternate views to contemporary rabbis, inspired Apostolic church, texts of New Testament
Christianity spread beyond Jewish community to become predominantly Gentile religion

9. Foundation of Islam Time period: 7th century CE
Location: Mecca, modern Saudi Arabia
Muhammad began to preach Islam in Mecca, migrated to Medina in 622 CE
There he was able to unify Arabian tribes under Islam, these Muslims overtook Mecca in 630 CE
Qu’ran was compiled by Muhammad’s followers after his death in 632 CE

10. Religious texts (Judaism’s Tanakh)
Often referred to as the Hebrew Bible
Includes the texts…
Torah: focuses on law and beginnings of Judaism
Nevi’im: largely narratives of prophets following the death of Moses
Ketuvim: includes historical acount following the events of other two texts
Traditionally claimed that Israelites recognized the Tanakh as scripture in 450 BCE

11. Religious texts (Christian Bible)
Old Testament: largely composed of the Tanakh
Shows the influence of Judaism’s concepts in Christianity
New Testament: collection of writings spanning period from mid-1st to mid-2nd century CE
Generally includes 27 books - numerous writings attributed to apostles
Final book of Revelation introduces the apocalyptic concepts that go on to shape many Christian sects

12. Religious texts (Islamic Qur’an)
Final product of the angel Gabriel’s revelations to Muhammad
Compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death in 7th century CE
Includes number of elements from Judaeo-Christian texts
Jesus, Moses, John the Baptist, etc. regarded as prophets
These earlier texts are seen as having merit, but simply being corrupted

13. The element of monotheism
Not only are each of these religions monotheistic, but figures from each have asserted that they are merely interpretations of one truth (one God, and one shared God)
Islam’s founding adhered to clear separation of deity and prophets, as seen earlier in Judaism
Christian divinity of Jesus, resulting Holy Trinity diverges from this
Judaist and Islamic principles lead many to be critical of this concept

14. Regarding Jesus In Judaism In Christianity In Islam
Traditionally regarded as false prophet
Deny concept of “virgin birth”
Acknowledge death by crucifixion
Deny concepts of initial resurrection and the second coming
In Christianity
Son of god
Born of virgin birth
Believe he was crucified
Was resurrected, and will return in second coming
In Islam
A true prophet whose message was corrupted in earlier religious texts
Born of a virgin birth
Did not die during crucifixion, but instead ascended to Heaven
Thus was not resurrected, but concept of second coming is accepted

15. Appearance of spiritual figures
Abrahamic religions all endorse existence of spiritual beings that are not deities – namely angels and demons
Concept of prophets exists in all three as well
Prophets of Judaism have text attributed to their stories in the Tanakh
Concept less prevalent in Christianity outside of Judaism-inspired writings
Notion of prophets is central to Islam – stretch from Adam down to Muhammad

16. Clergy & hierarchical structure
All three religions embrace concept of religious clergy connecting worshippers with God
Judaism: rabbis – rooted in scholarly knowledge, answer questions of congregation
Christianity: priests, pastors, etc. – in charge of congregation level of churches of Christian sects
Pontificate of Catholic Church epitomizes the existence of hierarchical order in religious sects
Islam: imams – religious leaders that also, perhaps as a result of Islam’s lack of distinction between church and state, have degree of political power
The sense of “communal worship” is perhaps most strong in Islam