Inheriting Abraham
Book Description
The figure of Abraham stands at the crossroads of three major world religions, yet the common assumption that he unites Judaism, Christianity, and Islam may be more myth than reality. In this thought-provoking exploration, biblical scholar Jon Douglas Levenson dismantles the popular notion that these traditions share a harmonious Abrahamic heritage.
Through meticulous literary and theological examination of the Genesis narratives, Levenson reveals how each faith community has crafted its own distinct vision of Abraham. Rather than finding unity, he uncovers fundamental disagreements about what the patriarch's life represents, how religious communities should be formed, and which spiritual practices his example validates.
The book traces Abraham's journey from his divine calling through his experiences in foreign lands to the dramatic near-sacrifice of Isaac, showing how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have interpreted these pivotal moments in dramatically different ways. These divergent readings reflect deeper theological divisions that persist today, challenging readers to reconsider assumptions about interfaith commonality.
Levenson argues that the widespread embrace of "Abrahamic religion" as a unifying concept not only misrepresents sacred texts but also inadvertently diminishes the unique contributions of each tradition. For spiritual seekers interested in understanding how religious communities construct meaning and identity, this scholarly yet accessible work offers profound insights into the complex relationship between shared stories and distinctive beliefs.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 244 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Abraham (biblical patriarch)
- ✓ Explore In the Koran
- ✓ Explore Abraham (Biblical patriarch) in the New Testament
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Rabbinische Literatur
- ✓ Explore Abraham (Biblical patriarch) in the Qurʼan
- ✓ Explore In rabbinical literature
- ✓ Explore Abraham (Biblical patriarch) in rabbinical literature
