1. Abrahamic Religions
Islam
Judaism
Christianity

2. Important Vocabulary Theism – Monotheism – Salvation – Orthodox –
Canon –
Predestination –
Prophet –
Clergy –
Belief in the existence of a god or gods.
The belief in one god.
Deliverance from the power and penalty of sin.
Conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, etc.
The books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired.
The act of God in foreordaining, from eternity, whatever comes to pass
A person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration
The group or body of ordained people in a religion

3. Islam
Basic Facts
Origins and History
Religious Beliefs

4. Basic Facts Followers are called Muslims
Islam is mainly concentrated in the Middle East and Southeast Asia
Qu’ran (Koran) is the sacred text of Islam
Hadith (Other written authority)
Imams (Clergy)
“Word of God”
Identical book in Heaven
Divided into 114 chapters or Surahs
Surahs are revelations given to Mohammed
1. “Tradition” 2. Collection of the sayings and actions of Mohammed
Mosque (House of Worship)
Main day of worship – Friday

5. Shi’a Sunni Origins and History Founded 622 AD
Founded in Arabia (Saudi Arabia today)
Believed that Ali (Mohammed’s Son-in-Law was the rightful successor as leader of Islam following Mohammed’s death)
Ali is revered as a saint to the Shi’a
The Shi’a are dominant in Iraq and Iran
Accept Ali as well as the 3 other leaders that came before him and after Mohammed
Follow the belief that a new leader should be elected from those proven to be capable of the job.
Sunni Muslims make up the majority of Muslims all over the world (85%)
Founded by Mohammed Ibn Abdallah
Original Language - Arabic
Within 12 years Islam had spread to the entire Arabian Peninsula. Within 100 years, the Islam had spread from the Atlantic to China
Major Split – Shi’a/Sunni 650 AD

6. Religious Beliefs Monotheistic faith Allah (Arabic for God)
The Qur’an is the inspired, literal word of God. Inerrant in original languages.
Humans have the equal ability to do good or evil

7. Religious Beliefs cont.
Salvation is attained by: good deeds, correct belief, Five Pillars
Salvation predestined by Allah
Shahadah
Salah (Prayer)
Sawm (Fasting)
Zakat (Charitable Giving)
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
Afterlife exists:
Good Afterlife – Eternal Paradise
Bad Afterlife – Eternal Hell

8. Islamic View of Other Abrahamic Religions
Jews and Christians are respected as “People of the Book,” but they have wrong beliefs and only partial revelation.

9. Judaism
Basic Facts
Origins and History
Religious Beliefs

10. Basic Facts Talmud Midrash Responsa Followers are called Jews
Judaism is mainly concentrated in Israel, USA, and Europe
Sacred Text is the Bible
Christian Old Testament
Torah (Books of Moses) – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Written decisions and rulings given by the scholars
Verse by verse interpretation of Hebrew scriptures
Jewish Law, Ethics, Customs and History
Other Written Authority: Talmud, Midrash, Responsa

11. Basic Facts cont. Clergy - Rabbis Main day of worship - Saturday
House of Worship - Synagogue

12. Origins and History Date Founded - unknown Founded in Israel/Palestine
Founded by Moses or Abraham
Original Language - Hebrew
Little Expansion
Major Split – Reform/Orthodox (1800s)

13. Religious Beliefs Names of God – Yahweh or Elohim
Views vary when it comes to the origin and inspiration of Sacred Texts
Humans have two equal impulses: One good and one bad.

14. Religious Beliefs cont.
Salvation comes from belief in God and good deeds
Yahweh has divine revelation and forgiveness (as opposed to predestination)
Afterlife
Good Afterlife : either heaven, or no afterlife
Bad Afterlife: either reincarnation, eternal hell, or no afterlifeu8

15. Jewish View of Other Abrahamic Religions
Islam and Christianity are false extensions and interpretations of Judaism.

16. Christianity
Basic Facts
Origins and History
Religious Beliefs

17. Basic Facts Followers are called Christians
Judaism is mainly concentrated in Europe, North and South America, rapid growth in Africa
Sacred text is the Bible
Jewish Bible and New Testament
Clergy are: priests, ministers, pastors, bishops
Split into two sections: Old Testament and New Testament
Has 66 books
Was the first book to be printed
House of worship: Church, Chapel, Cathedral
Main day of worship: Sunday

18. Origins and History Founded in 33 AD Founded in Israel/Palestine
Founded by Jesus Christ
Originally written in Aramaic and Greek
Within 60 years, churches in major cities in Palestine, Turkey, Greece, and Rome; entire Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century.
Major Split:
Catholic/Orthodox (1054 AD)
Catholic/Protestant (1500s AD)

19. Religious Beliefs Trinitarian Monotheism
Names of God: Yahweh, the Holy Trinity
The Bible is inspired, some believe inerrant in original languages
Humans have “Original Sin” inherited from Adam

20. Religious Beliefs cont.
Salvation comes from correct belief, faith, good deeds (Faith Alone)
Predestination and varying forms of grace both play roles in salvation
Afterlife:
Good Afterlife: eternal heaven
Bad Afterlife: eternal hell, temporary purgatory (Catholicism)

21. Christian View of Other Abrahamic Religions
Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.