Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The Hebrews(Israelites)

Group of Nomadic people from Canaan– Abraham 1st to worship one god

The Hebrews (Israelites)

Forced to leave because of drought and famine– Went to Egypt where

they were enslavedEgyptian Prince named

Moses leads the Hebrews out of Egypt around 1250 BC– “The Exodus”

Rise of Judaism

Moses talked with God who made a covenant with the people– Hebrews accept God as the ruler of heaven

and Earth and Hebrews become the chosen people.

Moses received the 10 Commandments.

Teachings of Judaism

Jews are monotheistic – Belief in one God– Call their God YAHWEH

Holy text is the TaNaKh– T Torah – Teaching – 5 books of Moses

• The Torah contains their laws and early teachings– N Nevi’im – The Prophets– K Kh’tuvim – The Writings

Ethical World View – People and their Rulers should lead moral lives

Transition to Christianity

Jews believe a messiah will come and deliver the Jews from foreign rule– One anointed by God

Rise of Christianity

Grows out of the Jewish Faith

Founded by Jesus of Nazareth

Starts preaching when he is about 30

Rise of Christianity

Jesus arrested and crucified in 33 ADStory of his life is collected in books called

the Gospels.

Teachings of Christianity

Christianity is a Monotheistic ReligionUpholds the Ten CommandmentsStresses Love for God and others.God loves all peopleFundamental belief is that Jesus is the son of God

and he came to Earth and died for the forgiveness of all of man’s sins.– If anyone believes this, they will have eternal life in

heaven

Teachings of Christianity

Jesus’s teachings are collected in the New Testament.– The Gospel’s are the first 4 books of the New

Testament.

Rise of Islam

Islam emerged in the Arabian PeninsulaDeveloped from the teachings of Muhammad

– He was born in Mecca around 570 AD

Rise of Islam

Muhammad received messages from Gabriel – angel of God – to begin preaching

Had to move from Mecca to Medina– The hejira

• Turning point in Islam, marks the beginning of the expansion of Islam.

Rise of Islam

Muhammad raised a following in Medina and conquered Mecca.

Islam continued to spread rapidly:– Indus River to Atlantic Ocean

Rise of Islam

30 years after Muhammad died Islam split into two sects

Sunni and Shiites– Sunni 940 million today; Traditional;

Islamic leader elected by people– Shia 120 Million today; “Followers”;

Islamic leader descendant of Ali (Muhammad’s son in law and named successor)

Teachings of Islam

Summary – “There is no god but Allah: Muhammad is his prophet.”

Islam means submission.– Muslim is someone who submits to

God/Allah’s will.

Teachings of Islam

5 Pillars of Islam– The 5 things that followers of Islam must do.

Teachings of Islam

1st Pillar - All Muslims must proclaim their belief in one God and that God revealed his word to Muhammad– Same God of Jews and Christians– Honor many prophets – Abraham, Moses, and Jesus

but Muhammad is the greatest one

Teachings of Islam

2nd Pillar - Muslims must pray 5 times a day– While praying need to face the city of Mecca

“Allah alone is great.

I testify that there is no god but Allah.

I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

Come to Prayer.

Come to Success.

Allah alone is Great.

There is no god but Allah.”

Teachings of Islam

3rd Pillar – Charity to the poor and aged4th Pillar – Fasting during the month of Ramadan

Teachings of Islam5th Pillar – Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in

life if capable to – THE HAJJ

Teachings of Islam

Sacred book is the Koran or Qur'an– Authority on religion, politics, law, economic,

and social life

People of the Book

Muhammad called Jews and Christians “people of the book” because they followed God’s teachings in the Bible and the Tanakh.– Have special status as protected people and

should be respected.

Jihad

Mean’s struggle in the name of God.Includes inner struggle as well as external

struggles in defense of Islam.

Connection Between the 3 religions

How are these three religions connected?Same GodMonotheisticJudgment DayTrace their roots to AbrahamCreate a Line of Succession