101 THE RELIGION OF ABRAHAM

Judaisms, Christianities, and Islams

The People not of the Book

First, a (sadly) necessary disclaimer:

This lecture is on the HISTORY of the religion of Abraham and some of its myriad HISTORICAL interpretations. It is not about FAITH.

We are not debating theology, we are recounting HISTORY

The historical facts about to be presented are not intended to offend anyone or to change anyone’s personal beliefs (indeed facts have no intent).

You are in a college classroom, and are expected to appreciate diverse views, even when they differ from your own.

If you are personally offended by any of the HISTORICAL facts presented...that’s okay…be offended…but remember, you are in a college classroom and will behave in a manner of respect and decorum accordingly.

“True” Religion

Remember “TRUE” religion is whatever ANY individual believes.

We will be looking at a number of “TRUE” Judaisms, Christianities, and Islams in our investigation .

Now…let’s get on with some critical thinking about the history of the religion of Abraham.

THE HEBREWS, ISRAELITES, AND JEWS

Torah (Pentateuch, Five Books of Moses) Genisis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy,

Numbers Rabbinic Literature

Mishna-oral traditions compiled c. A.D. 200 Talmud- A. D. 5th and then 7th

Midrash- oral biblical interpretations compiled c. A.D. 200

Josephus-”Romanized” Jewish author A.D. 1st century

Habiru

Abraham-around 2000 BC Ur El Shaddai Jacob-grandson of Abraham Israel Israelites Moses

Sinai Peninsula Yahweh Monotheistic Judges

Philistines Saul 1020 – 1000 BC David 1000 – 961 BC Solomon 960 – 922 BC Judah Temple destroyed- Nebuchadnezzar

in 6th CBC Diaspora Temple rebuilt c. 515 BC-Second

Temple Destroyed by Romans in A.D. 70 Diaspora again

Second Temple – restored by Herod

Josephus’ four sects of Judaism

Sadducees Strict literal interpretation of written laws

PhariseesFlexible interpretation of written and

oral laws

Essenes Ascetic communities One branch did not marry. Shared material possessions

Zealots No King but God

Samaritans Believe a strict interpretation of the Torah Mt. Gerizim, not Jerusalem, is the chosen

location for the temple. Reject Rabbinic literature Slowly dying out

CHRISTIANITIES

Roman legal and historical texts Late first/early second century A.D. Suetonius/Tacitus/Pliny

Church Councils Council of Nicaea, A.D. 324/5

Church Literature Bishops: St. Augustine- City of God Historians- Eusebius- History of the Church

Some Bibles Septuagint

Greek Old Testament 3rd – 1st CBC

Vulgate St . Jerome Everyday Latin 405

Council of Trent -1590 Vulgate official

King James Version English 1604-1611

The Church Fathers

Dozens of bishops, scholars, and other Church officials

Histories Biographies Martyr texts Apologies

Persecutions

Nero AD 64 Trajan 98-117

Pliny the Younger Decius 250 Diocletian 284-305

Certificate of sacrifice from the reign of Decius

Christian Rome

Constantine 324-327 Edict of Milan 313

Toleration Council of Nicaea 324/5

Nature of Jesus State support for Christianity

The Great Christological Debate

Ebionites Christ was completely human

Arianism Similar not same

Nestorianism Christ-separate human and divine nature

Monophysitism Same substance (Divine)

The impact of Neo-Platonism

Christian Neo-Platonism Everyone’s soul is a part of god

Theodosius I 379-95 Nicene Christianity is the state religion Persecution of heretics

Theodosius II 408-450 Theodosian Code

ISLAM

Muhammad c. A.D. 570-632

Allah Arabian Peninsula Koran (Qur’an) – A.D. 651

Mushaf Uthman Sahabah – companions of

Muhammad Sunnah, Hadith – words and deeds of

Muhammad Ibn Ishaq c.A.D.750

Life of Muhammad

Semitic Nomadic Sheikh Animism Polytheistic

Mecca Quarysh Ka’ aba

Hajar Aswad

Religious Concepts Sin Salvation Heaven and Hell Afterlife Monotheism

Caliph Medina AD 622 Higira “the turning point” AD 630 conquest of Mecca AD 632 death of Muhammad

Monotheism Jinns Satan Jesus

The Five Pillars of Faith

Prayer Charity Fasting Pilgrimage Acceptance of Allah and Muhammad

Ulema- educated class of scholars Theocratic State Sunnah – Islamic law Jihads

Arabia North Africa Spain South Italy Near East Asia Minor

Knowledge

Dome of the Rock

Abu Bakr 632-634 Umar 634-644 Uthman 644-656

Ali 656-661

Muawiya and the Umayyad Dynasty661-750

Some Islams

Sunni – Leaders chosen by the community

Shi’a – only the descendants of Muhammad

Ibadi agree with Sunni’s on above Non –Ibadi Muslims are unbelievers Hell is forever (contra Sunni belief)

Quranic – only follow the Quran