Transcript abrahamic religions

ABRAHAMIC
RELIGIONS
Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Points of interest:
 Jesus was a Jew.
 All 3 faiths are mono-theistic, believing in one
transcendent Creator figure and the source of
moral law.
 It is estimated that 54% of the world
population adhere to the Abrahamic religions.
 The sacred books of these 3 religions feature
many of the same places, figures and
histories although often through different
perspectives.
Abraham
The story of Abraham features in the book of
Genesis.
Abraham is a very important person in all 3
religions.
Look at the story of Abraham.
Descendants of Abraham
JEWS
-
descendants of Isaac
CHRISTIANS – evolved from Judaism so
descendants of Isaac
MUSLIMS
–
descendants of Ishmael
Abraham
 JEWS: Abraham is the founding patriarch of
the children of Israel. God entered into an
everlasting Covenant with Abraham
promising that: ‘I will make you a great nation
and I will bless you.’
 CHRISTIANS : Abraham is an important
exemplar of faith. A spiritual and physical
ancestor of Jesus. His obedience to God
when asked to sacrifice his son is seen as a
forerunner to God’s sacrifice of Jesus.
Abraham
 MUSLIMS: Abraham is seen as a prophet
who received messages from God and
‘raised the foundation of the house’ the
Ka’aba.
 They believe that Ishmael as the elder son
was the son to be sacrificed.
Jerusalem
 The holiest city for Jews. In 1005 BCE David
made it the capital of Israel. His son,
Solomon built the first temple there.
Isaac’s sacrifice took place there.
 Continuous Christian presence here. Jesus
was taken to the temple here as a child,
celebrated the Passover here. He preached,
healed, held the Last Supper and died here.
Jerusalem
 The city of David and Christ became a
special place for Muslims.
 The first Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem,
they transferred to Mecca when Muhammad
was not accepted by all as a Prophet.
 Muhammad was transported to Jerusalem
and ascended Heaven from there on his
Night Journey.
Similarities
 All 3 religions believe that one day God will
intervene in human history –
THE DAY of JUDGEMENT.
On this day it will be determined for all humanity
their eternal destinies: heaven or hell based
on the beliefs and actions of the person in
life.
Differences
 Jews and Muslims do not accept the
incarnation of God in Christ.
 Only Christians accept the three in one
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 All religions see Jesus as divine but Muslims
believe him to be a prophet.
Differences
 Jews are waiting for the coming of the
Messiah – a mortal man who’s arrival will
signal the coming of the world to come.
 Christians are waiting for the second coming
of Christ.
 Muslims are waiting for the second coming
(for Jesus to complete his life and die) and for
the return of Muhammad.
The Afterlife
 In Jewish scriptures there is evidence of an
afterlife but they prefer to lead a good life to
please God rather than for a future reward.
According to Deuteronomy after the burial of
Moses the people mourned for 40 days and
then got on with their lives.
 Christians believe they will either go to:
heaven, hell, or purgatory or that all souls will
be made in the image of God.
The Afterlife

Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgement two
angels will report the good and bad deeds recorded
through life.
 Those who have obeyed God will have a place in
Paradise. Heaven is divided into 7 levels – Paradise
is the highest level for those who are most virtuous,
prophets and martyrs.
 Those who have committed gross sins or disobeyed
God will got to hell. Hell is also divided into many
levels.
 Repentance can lead to forgiveness.
Symbols of the Abrahamic Faiths