Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

These three religions are called "Western Religions," even though they arose in the area now known as the Middle East. The Middle East is west of the Far East, which is home to the "Eastern Religions" (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, etc.).

They are more accurately called "Abrahamic religions" because all three religions claim to be the true heirs of God's covenant with Abraham.

Sibling Rivalry among the Children of Abraham

The Jewish Claim on the Covenant

The Jews are blood-descendants of Abraham. They are the literal and biological fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham.

BC	event	issue
~1700	Covenant with Abraham	God promised Abraham children and land.
1010	Covenant with David	God promised David his Kingdom would last "forever."
922	Breakup of Kingdom of Israel into Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah)	The United Kingdom of twelve tribes lasted less than one century.
722	Destruction of Northern Kingdom (Israel) by Assyrians.	The ten tribes in the Northern Kingdom have disappeared from history. The Judahites (Jews) are all that remain of the twelve tribes.
586	Babylonian Captivity of Southern Kingdom (Judah)	The Jews have not had a Messiah (man anointed to be King) since then.

The Muslim Claim on the Covenant

Ishmael was Abraham's first-born son. By right of being first-born, he should have succeeded Abraham as the patriarch.

Sons of Abraham

mother	son
Hagar	Ishmael
Sarah	Isaac
Keturah	Zimran Jokshan Medan Midian Ishbak Shuah

Handouts

• Family Feud: Children of Abraham.
• Why do they hate us?

Links

• Islam 101.