The document summarizes the key commonalities and differences between the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It outlines their origins in the Middle East, founding figures like Abraham, monotheistic beliefs, holy texts like the Torah, Bible and Quran, and hierarchical religious structures including rabbis, priests, and imams. While each developed distinct traditions, they share a foundation tracing back to Judaism and its early monotheistic traditions.
The document summarizes the key commonalities and differences between the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It outlines their origins in the Middle East, founding figures like Abraham, monotheistic beliefs, holy texts like the Torah, Bible and Quran, and hierarchical religious structures including rabbis, priests, and imams. While each developed distinct traditions, they share a foundation tracing back to Judaism and its early monotheistic traditions.
The document summarizes the key commonalities and differences between the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It outlines their origins in the Middle East, founding figures like Abraham, monotheistic beliefs, holy texts like the Torah, Bible and Quran, and hierarchical religious structures including rabbis, priests, and imams. While each developed distinct traditions, they share a foundation tracing back to Judaism and its early monotheistic traditions.
• A look at the common stories and • The figure that alters tradition of figures that evolve from monotheism Judaism’s traditions to foundation of Islam • Spiritual figures & prophets • The element of monotheism • Spiritual beings below deities and the revered humans of religious • One God for each, or One God for text all? • 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) FOUNDATION OF JUDAISM
• Time period: 5th to 3rd 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 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