The Children of Abraham : Judaism, Christianity, Islam F. E. Peters, John L. Esposito

This is a good introductory survey and comparative study of the three major religions to develop from the early Abrahamic traditions. According to scholar John Esposito, the revised edition of this book is more important than ever given the international attention drawn to the relationship between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. According to Esposito, for too long has the 'Judeo-Christian' school ignored the fact that Islam, too, comes out of this same source of origins, and that there is a Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition that can be identified and studied.

Author Frank Peters describes a three-strand tradition that sometimes works together and sometimes is at odds and warfare against each other, but neither intention is the case with his text. His purpose is to underscore both shared aspects and distinct elements, and to pull these back together to their common source. This is in large degree sacred history, which has its own aspects unique from secular and modern history. It draws together the history of revelation (both in scripture and in oral and practical traditions) as well as the history of the community of believers (the people, the church or Church, etc.). Later peoples had to strive to remain faithful to these strands of history and the earlier visions, to show how their actions and identities were consistent with them.

Peters explores the earliest foundations of Judaism as the starting point, it being the oldest of the three monotheistic Abrahamic religions. He develops a brief history involving both scriptural and archaeological/historical research, but brings in the interpretative framework of Christianity and Islam regularly where those traditions differ either as to the 'facts' or the interpretation of similar stories.

Jews, Christians and Muslims are all 'people of the book' in one fashion or another, and the parallels in these texts, both how they came to be and what their contents are (and how they are variously used and not used) is remarkable. Peters looks at the development of scripture and extra-canonical writings, community and hierarchical issues, attitudes toward law (Torah, Mitzvot, Halakot, Canon Law, Shariah, Hadith, etc.), worship, and theological method as it has shared and divergent developments across the three religions. Given that there has always been the case of minorities of one (or more) of the three living amongst the majority of another of the three religions, such cross-polination yet differentiation was almost inevitable.

There are extensive notes (intended, according to Peters, to be useful and 'to provide guidance rathe than proof on specific points'), a handy glossary of terms and a good index. This is a useful book for scholars, ministers and general readers, and provides a unique insight into the comparison/contrast of the three major religions that impact the modern West and Middle East specifically, and given the interdependent nature of the planet, the rest of the world generally.

This is a fascinating study.

The Children of Abraham : Judaism, Christianity, Islam

by F. E. Peters, John L. Esposito