abrahamic religions humanities ii honors. overview abrahamic religions what are they? what common...
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Abrahamic Religions
Humanities II Honors
Overview Abrahamic religions
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
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
Abrahamic religions today
• Purple indicative of areas where Abrahamic religions are most prevalent. (Yellow areas adhere predominantly to
Eastern religions)
A look at Abraham Born between 1900-1800
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
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
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 800-900 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Regarding Jesus In Judaism
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
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
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