Judaism, Christianity and Islam have often been called the Abrahamic Religions, as they all claim the Patriarch Abraham/Avram/Ibrāhīm. To what extent do these three faiths identify with him, claim him and share him? This course will use an historical approach to uncover the identities of early Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities, their views of the Patriarch, and how such identities have guided and impacted inter-communal relations in specific contexts, including medieval Egypt and Spain, and modern Germany and Israel/Palestine. Special attention will be given to the use sacred Scriptures and communal resources that provide identity, guidance and parameters for inter-faith relations today.

Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS – Islamic Studies: Religious Pluralism
MAIRS- Ministerial Studies: Beliefs and Practices