Essay on Abrahamic Religions

Christianity, Judaism and Islam are referred to often as Abrahamic Religions. This term came about mainly due to the academic study of Christian theology and also Islamic theology. This ideology shows how the relationship between academic study and interfaith dialogue comes to focus. It is believed that these three religions share a common factor that makes them very related to each other. The main thing that is believed to make them similar is their historical origin. Another aspect that is thought to unite them is having basic virtues like peace and love that are valued and practiced. However, different scholars argue about the truth or falsity of this term.

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Hughes in his article, Abrahamic Religions: A Genealogy, explains that the category Abraham Religions is vague and inexact (Hughes, 2). He gives the reason to be that there are no precise reasons that show the similarities between these religions, regarding faith and revelation. He says that there is no evidence that they share an understanding of scripture which is common to them. I agree with him in saying that this phenomenon is misleading and not accurate since there are many differences between these three religions.

Brague writes in his article about the concept of the Abrahamic Religions, Problems and pitfalls. He says that the three religions are also called monotheisms. In his opinion, the term is false because it doesnt show the real harmony claimed by the academia as existing. He explains that the acknowledgement of the existence of a God does not mean a religious belief. I concur with his point of view that an individual can have a God without any religion and vice-versa where one can have religion without a God. My reason for this is because, with no understanding, there is no unity.

Silk also wrote an article, The Abrahamic Religion as a modern concept. In it, he supports the use of the term Abrahamic Religions by claiming that it has a dimension of inclusion which is important. He further states that this concept encourages people to go beyond their religious community and reach out to a different community that has a different belief system. I do not agree with his idea because these three regions often exhibit a great dislike of each other with the claim they make arguing that their beliefs are superior to the others.

Another author, Stroumsa, made a comparative study in his article, Three Rings or Three Impostors? The Comparative Approach to the Abrahamic Religions and its Origins. He analyses the origin of the Abrahamic Religions contemporary study. He points out the fact that a significant lack of interest exists in the comparative thinking and studying of the three religions in the modern scholarly study of these religions. According to Stroumsa, the comparative study began with Abrahamic Religions. He states that there had always been a close relationship throughout the centuries between Christianity, Judaism and Islam. This relationship was always problematic and bordered mostly on vicious arguments over brotherly love. I agree with his idea that the understanding of the family relationship between these religions need a lot of arduous work and may be strenuous.

Works Cited

Hughes, Aaron W. "Abrahamic Religions: A Genealogy." Bulletin for the Study of Religion 44.1 (2015): 3-11.

Brague, Remi. "The Concept of the Abrahamic Religions, Problems and Pitfalls." The Oxford Handbook of the Abrahamic Religions.

Silk, Mark. "The Abrahamic Religions as a Modern Concept." The Oxford Handbook of the Abrahamic Religions.

Stroumsa, Guy G. "Three Rings or Three Impostors? The Comparative Approach to the Abrahamic Religions and its Origins." The Oxford Handbook of the Abrahamic Religions.