Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
These three religions are called "Western Religions," even though they arose in the area now known as the Middle East. Go figure!
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. |