Monotheistic religions of the middle east

1. Monotheistic religions of the middle east

2. Polytheism & monotheism • Polytheism • “poly” = many • “theo” = god • Various gods are recognized • Monotheism • “mono” = one • “theo” = god • One God is supreme

3. The Family of Abraham • Abraham • A Middle-Eastern nomad 4,000 years ago • Covenant: a formal, binding agreement between two people • Abraham would be the father of a great nation and a blessing to the whole world • Ishmael • Abraham’s son with Abraham’s concubine • Traditionally viewed as the ancestor of the Arabs • Isaac • Abraham’s son with his first wife • Viewed by the Jews as the heir of the covenant • Jacob • Isaac’s youngest son • The ancestor of the Hebrews (Jews)

4. Judaism

5. Moses • Egypt • The twelve sons of Jacob moved to Egypt • Eventual slavery • Moses • Born a Hebrew • Raised in the Egyptian court • Fled to the wilderness after killing a man • God’s call • The burning bush • “I have heard the cry of my people” • God’s name: Yahweh (I am who I am) • “Let my people go” • Confrontations with Pharaoh • Exodus following a series of plagues

6. The Law • Mt. Sinai • God spoke to Moses • Moses received the instructions for how to please God: the Torah • Mosaic covenant • “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them…” • “…that you may prosper in all that you do.” • Moral law • The Ten Commandments • “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” • “Love your neighbor as yourself” • Ritual law • Regulations regarding sacrifices, cleanliness, diet, relationships, and property • Sacrifice • Sin must be paid for with blood

7. The Promised Land • Joshua • The conquest of Palestine • King David • “A man after God’s own heart” • “Your throne will be established forever” • The Temple • Built by David’s son Solomon in the city of Jerusalem • God’s house on Earth • The center of Jewish worship

8. Exile • Solomon’s kingdom split into Israel and Judah • Foreign nations conquered both kingdoms • Assyria conquered Israel in 722 B.C. • Babylon conquered Judah in 586 B.C. • Exile due to violation of the covenant • Some return after 538 B.C. • A.D. 70 –Jews expelled from Palestine

9. Belief and practice • The Torah is the Word of God • Observing the law is how to please God • Sanctified – “set apart” • Avoidance of things that defile the rest of the world • Social justice • Care for the poor, widows, and orphans • Await the full restoration of Israel • Building of a new temple • The Messiah • Resurrection of the dead

10. Christianity

11. Jesus Christ • Descendant of David, born in Palestine c. 4 B.C. • Traveling preacher • Concern for the poor and oppressed • Performed miracles • “The Kingdom of Heaven is near” • Opposition from the Jewish religious leaders • He claimed to be the Son of God • Christ = Messiah • Crucifixion by the Romans • Jewish leaders accused him of subverting Rome • Jesus was executed c. A.D. 29

12. The early church • Claims of resurrection • Jesus’ followers form local churches • The apostles • Jews vs. Gentiles • The New Testament is written • The Gospels—the ministry of Jesus • The Epistles—letters by church leaders about how Christians should live • Religion spreads across the Roman Empire • Persecution fails to stop growth

13. Church traditions • Baptism • Symbolic ceremony for entrance into the church • Represents death and resurrection • Communion • The Eucharist – the Last Supper • “Do this in remembrance of me” • Bread = Christ’s body • Wine = Christ’s blood

14. Belief and practice • Beliefs • The divinity of Christ • Jesus was God incarnate (“in the flesh”) • The death and resurrection of Christ • The Bible is the Word of God • Believing that Jesus is Savior and God is how to please God • After salvation • Concern for the poor, widows, and orphans • Keep undefiled by the world • Await the return of Christ and eventual eternal life

15. Islam

16. Muhammad • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3UHNhQ1Zk&safe=active

17. The Five pillars of islam • Testimony • “I testify there are no deities other than God alone and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God” • The central tenet of the Muslim faith • Used in prayers and other ceremonies • Prayer • Ritual prayers are performed five times a day • Entire life is governed by prayers • Focus the mind on God and express gratitude and worship • Alms-giving • Giving a portion of wealth to the needy • A religious obligation for the wealthy

18. The Five Pillars • Fasting • During the month of Ramadan • Abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk • Expressing dependence on God • Pilgrimage • The hajj is a journey to Mecca • Must be made at least once by those who can afford it • Walking seven times around the Kaaba • Walking seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah • Symbolically stoning the Devil

19. Belief and Practice • Serving the will of God is the way to please Him • Always focusing on the unity of God • Awaiting the Day of Judgment and eventual eternal life • The Quran is the Word of God • A record of Muhammad’s vision • Only the Arabic version is approved • Sharing of wealth (alms-giving)