Abrahamic Religions Exam III

Tower of Babel

A story in the Hebrew Bible in which humanity tries to build a great city and a tower reaching toward heaven.

God responds by confusing the people's language and scattering them across the earth.

Can beunderstood as part of God's larger plan for humanity to spread throughout the world.

Shem

Is one of the three sons of Noah in the Hebrew Bible.

After the flood, Noah becomes drunk and naked - Shem walks backward into the tent and cover Noah without looking at him, showing respect for their father

Chosen People

Is the Jewish belief that God chose the Israelites to have a special relationship with God through a covenant.

Abram

The original name of Abraham

Patriarch

Is a male ancestor or founding father of a family, tribe, or people.

In the Hebrew Bible, the patriarchs are the important ancestors of the Jewish people.

Sarai/Sarah

Is Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac.

She cannot have children so she gives her Egyptian servant Hagar to Abram, and Hagar has a son named Ishamel.

God tells Abraham that Sarah will give birth to Isaac, even though she is very old. Sarah laughs when she hears this promise

Sarah gives birth to Isaac. The promise comes true in Genesis 21, demonstrating God's faithfulness.

Sarah dies. Genesis 23 describes her death at the age of 127 and Abraham's purchase of a burial place for her.

Hagar

Is an Egyptian servant of Sarah and the mother of Ishmael, Abraham's first son.

Hagar becomes pregnant because Sarah cannot have children, she gives Hagar to Abraham as a wife or concubine so that he may have a child.

After Hagar becomes pregnant, tension develops between the two women. Hagar runs away into the wilderness.

An angel of the Lord finds her, tells her to return, and promises that her descendants will become numerous. She is told to name her son Ishmael.

Hagar and Ishmael leave after Isaac is born, Sarah asks Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.

When their water runs out in the wilderness, God hears Ishmael crying and shows Hagar a well, allowing them to survive.

Hagar - Islam

Her search for water for Ishmael is commemorated during the Hajj pilgrimage through the ritual of walking between Safa and Marwa.

Ishmael

is the son of Abraham and Hagar and the half-brother of Isaac.

God promises that Ishmael will become the father of a great nation, even though the covenantal line continues through Isaac.

God promises to bless Ishmael, make him fruitful, and establish him as the father of twelve princes and a great nation.

God protects him: When Hagar and Ishmael run out of water in the wilderness, God hears the boy's cries and shows Hagar a well. Ishmael survives and grows up in the wilderness.

Issac

Is the son of Abraham and Sarah and the second of the three major patriarchs of Judaism,

God's covenant with Abraham continues through Isaac.

Abraham's servant helps arrange Isaac's marriage to Rebekah.

Rebekah gives birth to twins, Esau and Jacob. God tells her that two nations are in her womb and that the older will serve the younger.

God appears to Isaac and renews the promises made to Abraham, including descendants, land, and blessing.

His descendant is Jacob (Israel) whose twelve sons are associated with the twelve tribes of Israel

First Cutting of the Covenant

The covenant God makes with Abram in Genesis 15.

It is called a “cutting” because Abram cuts animals in half as part of an ancient covenant-making ritual.

God's promises descendants, and the promised land.

Theophany

Show how God communicates with people, makes covenants, and reveals divine power and presence.

Second Cutting of the Covenant

refers to the circumcision covenant God establishes with Abraham in Genesis 17.

God commands Abraham and all the males in his household to be circumcised as a sign of their covenant with God

Circumcision becomes the physical sign of God's everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants

Beautiful Wife Story

The stories in Genesis in which Abraham claims that his wife, Sarah, is his sister because he fears that other men will kill him to take her.

Abraham tells the Egyptians and KIng Abimelech that she is his sister, and God has to intervene to return Sarah back to Abraham to presevere the covenant.

Imporant because it shows Abraham's fear and lack of trust in God's protection, and raises questions about his honesty and his treatment of Sarah.

The Akeda

The story in Genesis 22 in which God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac.

God tells Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice.

Abraham obeys and prepares to sacrifice Isaac, binding him and placing him on the altar.

At the last moment, an angel of God stops Abraham.

Abraham sees a ram caught in a thicket and sacrifices the ram instead of Isaac.

God reaffirms the promises made to Abraham because of his obedience.

The Akedah - Importance

It demonstrates Abraham's willingness to follow God's command.

It reafrims God’s covenant

Often discussed in relation to faith, testing, and God's promises

Paul

An early Christian missionary and writer who played a major role in spreading Christianity beyond its Jewish origins.

He was a Jew who initially persecuted followers of Jesus. Then he converted, and traveled to the Roman Empire to spread the message of Jesus

Paul is important when studying Genesis because he interprets the Adam story in relation to Jesus.

Galatins

An Authentic Letter of Paul written around 56 C.E. to the Gentile Christians

The main point was that gentiel believers to not need to be circumcised.

The judaizers opposed the message

Judaizers

People who taught that Gentile Christians should follow Jewish laws and practices, especially circumcision, to fully belong to God's covenant people.

Christ as one seed of Abraham

Refers to Paul's argument that God's promise to Abraham and his “seed” (descendant) is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Paul uses this interpretation to argue that Gentiles do not need to be circumcised or follow the entire Jewish Law to become part of God's promised family. They are included through faith in Christ.

Baptism Replacing Circumsicion

The Christian idea that baptism serves as a sign of belonging to God's covenant community, similar to how circumcision served as a sign of God's covenant with Abraham

This idea helps explain how early Christians understood Gentile inclusion in God's promises to Abraham without requiring Gentiles to adopt all Jewish covenant practices.

Genesis 15:6 in NT

Refers to the verse where Abraham believes God's promise, and God counts his faith as righteousness.

The apostle Paul uses this verse to explain how people become righteous before God through faith.

Gentiles

Polytheistic

Had own laws

Were not circumcised

Romans

An Authentic Letter of Paul written around 57-58 C.E. to the Christians in Rome

His audience was a mixed group of Jewish and Gentile Christians

There were no opponents.

The main point was the Gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who has faith (Jews and Gentiles)

Spiritual Circumscion

The idea that a person's relationship with God is based on an inward change of heart and faithfulness, rather than only on the physical act of circumcision.

God who brings life to the dead

Refers to Paul's description of God in Romans 4:17, in which Paul explains Abraham's faith in God's power to fulfill promises that seem impossible.

Paul uses Abraham as an example of trusting God even when circumstances seem impossible.

Abraham's faith becomes a model for Christians who believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

James (Abraham models life to the dead)

Refers to how the Book of James uses Abraham as an example of someone whose faith is demonstrated through his actions.

Hebrews - God could raise Issac

Is a New Testament book that uses Abraham as an example of faith in God's promises, even when he could not see how those promises would be fulfilled.

• God tested Abraham by commanding him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he went through with it because he trusted God's promise that his descendants would come through Isaac.

• It explains that Abraham reasoned that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.

Hebrews - Heavenly City

Is a New Testament book that uses Abraham as an example of faith in God's promises, even when he could not see how those promises would be fulfilled.

• Abraham obeyed God and left his homeland to travel to a land God promised him. He lived as a foreigner living in tents that showed his daith extended beyond earthly possessions and immediate rewards.

Origen of Alexandria

Was a early Christian theologian and biblical scholar.

He believed that Scripture could have multiple levels of meaning

He interpterted the story of the Akedah

He interpreted OT stories as foreshadowing Jesus and events in the New Testament.

3-fold Interpretation of Scripture

Is a method of reading the Bible that looks at three levels of meaning: the literal, the moral, and the spiritual or allegorical.

It is associated with early Christian interpreters such as Origen of Alexandria.

Typology

A method of Christian biblical interpretation in which people, events, or things in the Old Testament are understood as foreshadowing people or events in the New Testament, especially Jesus Christ.

Mecca

Islamic tradition teaches that Abraham brought Hagar (Hajar) and their son Ishmael to the area of Mecca.

Hagar's search for water, Building the Kaaba, and the Hajj

Kaaba

Is a sacred, cube-shaped structure located inside the Great Mosque in Mecca,

In Islamic tradition, Abraham and Ishmael helped establish the Kaaba as a place devoted to worshiping the one God

Safa and Marwa

Are two small hills in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, located within the Great Mosque

Hagar ran between these hills searching for water for Ishamel.

Well of Zamzam

Is a sacred well in Mecca, near the Kaaba.

In Islamic tradition, its water miraculously appeared when Hagar was searching for water for her son Ishmael

Hajj

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca

Eid al Adha

This Muslim holiday that occurs during the Hajj period and commemorates Abraham's willingness to obey God.

Qibla

The direction Muslims face when performing their daily prayers.

Aslama

An Arabic verb meaning “to submit” or “to surrender”, especially in the sense of submitting oneself to God.

John Kaltner

a scholar of the Hebrew Bible and Islam who studies how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam understand shared biblical figures and stories.

Michael Lodahal

A Christian theologian who writes about the relationships among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, especially how the three religions understand God, Abraham, and their shared religious traditions.

What is the theme of Abraham story in Genesis? Give an example of an obstacle story and a fulfillment story in the Abrahamic narrative in Genesis.

The main theme is God’s covenant with Abraham and the promise of land, descendants, and blessing.

Obstacle Story: Sarah Cannot Have a Child

Fulfillment Story: Isaac Is Born

What are the promises, sign & obligation of the Covenant with Abraham seen in Genesis 17?

Promises: Many descendants, land, a lasting relationship with God, and Issac

Sign: Circumcsion

Obligation: Must keep the covenant, commanded to walk before God and be blameless

How is the idea of Abraham as prophet seen in each of the 3 different religions? (Judaism)

Is primarily viewed as the patriarch (father) of the Jewish people.

He receives God's covenant, including promises of land and descendants.

He demonstrates faith and obedience to God.

Although he communicates with God, Judaism generally emphasizes his role as a patriarch rather than focusing on him as a prophet.

How is the idea of Abraham as prophet seen in each of the 3 different religions? (Christianity)

Is viewed as a model of faith and an ancestor of Jesus.

Emphasize that Abraham trusted God's promises and was considered righteous because of his faith

He is an example of how people can have a relationship with God through faith.

Recognizes Abraham's communication with God, but his main role is usually as a patriarch and example of faith rather than as a central prophet.

How is the idea of Abraham as prophet seen in each of the 3 different religions? (Islam)

Is explicitly recognized as a prophet and messenger of God.

He is a model of submission to God and rejects the worship of idols.

He and his son Ishmael are associated with building the Kaaba in Mecca.

He is also called a Hanif, meaning someone who follows pure monotheism and turns away from idolatry

What are the differences between Paul & James’ use of Abraham in terms of faith and works?

Paul: Faith, Not Works of the Law

• People are made righteous through faith, not by works of the Jewish law.

• Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.

• He emphasizes that Abraham was considered righteous because he believed God's promise, before he was circumcised.

James: Faith Demonstrated Through Works

• Genuine faith must be demonstrated through actions

• He points to Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac in Genesis 22 as evidence of his faith.

• Argues that faith without works is dead because true faith leads to obedience.

Know who/what Abraham, Isaac, the wood, the ram prefigure in Origen’s interpretation.

Tthe people and objects in the story symbolize Jesus Christ and events in Christianity.

• Abraham → Represents God the Father, who offers his beloved Son.

• Isaac → Represents Jesus Christ, the beloved Son who is offered as a sacrifice.

• The wood → Represents the wood of the Cross that Jesus carries.

• The ram → Represents Jesus Christ as the sacrifice, who dies in place of others.

How does the story of Abraham as told in the Qur’an mirror the experience of Muhammad?

they both faced opposition for teaching belief in one God and calling people away from idolatry.

They both face opposition, and demonstrate complete submission to God

How does Abraham become a monotheist according to the Qur’an?

By observing the sun, moon, and stars and realizing that they cannot be God because they rise and set.

He becomes a monotheist through reflection and reason.

He recognizes that the stars, moon, and sun cannot be God because they are temporary, and he turns to worship the one eternal Creator instead.

How is the promise of land understood in each of the traditions? (Judaism)

God promises Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan

The land is part of God's covenant with Abraham and the Jewish people.

It represents God's faithfulness and the special relationship between God and the Jewish people.

How is the promise of land understood in each of the traditions? (Christianity)

Recognize God's promise of land to Abraham in Genesis.

Some understand the promise as fulfilled through the history of Israel, while others interpret it spiritually as pointing toward God's kingdom or the inheritance of the whole earth.

The New Testament also expands the promise to emphasize Abraham's spiritual descendants and the blessing of all nations

How is the promise of land understood in each of the traditions? (Islam)

Describes God promising a blessed land to Abraham and his descendants, although it does not emphasize the land covenant in exactly the same way as Genesis.

The land is associated with God's guidance and blessing, particularly the Holy Land.

Places greater emphasis on Abraham's monotheism, obedience to God, and the worship associated with the Kaaba in Mecca.

Who does each tradition understand to be the descendants of Abraham? (Judaism)

Isaac is the son through whom God's covenant continues.

Isaac's son Jacob (Israel) becomes the ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel and the Jewish people.

Ishmael is also Abraham's son and receives blessings, but the covenantal line continues through Isaac.

Who does each tradition understand to be the descendants of Abraham? (Christianity)

Recognize both Isaac and Ishmael as Abraham's biological sons.

Isaac is the son through whom the biblical covenant continues.

The New Testament also teaches that people who have faith in Christ can become Abraham's spiritual descendants, regardless of their ancestry.

Who does each tradition understand to be the descendants of Abraham? (Islam)

Both Isaac and Ishmael are recognized as Abraham's sons and important figures.

Ishmael has a particularly important role because he is associated with Abraham in the story of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Connects Ishmael's descendants with the Arab peoples and with the ancestry of Muhammad.

Isaac's descendants are also honored, including the prophets associated with the Children of Israel.

What are the similarities and differences between the ways the story of Abraham’s sacrifice is told in each tradition? (Judaism)

The Akedah

• Story: In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac.

• Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice, and Abraham prepares to offer him.

• An angel stops Abraham, and a ram is sacrificed instead.

• Emphasizes Abraham’s obedience and faithfulness to God.

What are the similarities and differences between the ways the story of Abraham’s sacrifice is told in each tradition? (Christianity)

• Rread the account in Genesis 22, in which Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac but God stops him.

• Isaac is often interpreted as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.

• The ram sacrificed in Isaac’s place can symbolize Christ’s sacrificial death.

• The story foreshadows Jesus’ sacrifice and emphasizes faith, obedience, and God’s provision.

What are the similarities and differences between the ways the story of Abraham’s sacrifice is told in each tradition? (Islam)

• The Qur’an describes Abraham telling his son about a dream in which he sacrifices him.

• The son agrees to submit to God, but God intervenes and provides a sacrifice instead.

• The Qur’an does not explicitly name the son in this passage. Many Muslim traditions identify him as Ishmael, although some early Muslim scholars identified him as Isaac.

• The story emphasizes submission to God, trust, and obedience by both Abraham and his son.

How does each tradition understand the story of Abraham’s three visitors and how might that demonstrate the emphases of each religion? (Judaism)

Abraham welcomes three visitors, offers them food, and receives the promise that Sarah will have a son, Isaac.

• The visitors are understood as three angels or messengers of God.

• They announce that Sarah will have a son, even though she is old.

• The story emphasizes Abraham’s hospitality, righteousness, and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.

• It highlights the covenant between God and Abraham and the importance of hospitality and righteous behavior.

How does each tradition understand the story of Abraham’s three visitors and how might that demonstrate the emphases of each religion? (Christianity)

Abraham welcomes three visitors, offers them food, and receives the promise that Sarah will have a son, Isaac.

• Someinterpret the three visitors as a symbol or foreshadowing of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Genesis itself does not explicitly identify the visitors as the Trinity; other Christian interpretations understand them as angels.

How does each tradition understand the story of Abraham’s three visitors and how might that demonstrate the emphases of each religion? (Islam)

Abraham welcomes three visitors, offers them food, and receives the promise that Sarah will have a son, Isaac.

• The visitors are understood as angels sent by God who bring Abraham the good news of Isaac’s birth and announce judgment against the people of Lot.

• Abraham welcomes them, but becomes concerned when he realizes they do not eat the food he offers.

• The story highlights Abraham’s hospitality, his role as a prophet, and God’s power to fulfill promises and carry out divine judgment.