Is the term 'Abrahamic religions' a bridge for peace or a modern invention?
While used to foster interfaith dialogue, the label 'Abrahamic religions' is a relatively recent concept. Some scholars argue this grouping oversimplifies deep theological divides, masking irreconcilable differences between the very faiths it seeks to unite through a shared patriarch.
The term 'Abrahamic religions' emerged in the second half of the 20th century, replacing the older 'Judeo-Christian' label to include Islam. It serves as a collective descriptor for monotheistic faiths that revere Abraham, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as smaller groups like the Baháʼí Faith, the Druseb, and Rastafari. Proponents suggest the term highlights a shared spiritual source, a sentiment echoed by the Catholic scholar Louis Massignon, who linked the phrase to Quranic references to the 'religion of Abraham.'
However, the classification is not without academic controversy. Critics like Adam Dodds argue the term can be misleading by implying a historical commonality that disappears upon closer inspection. Professor Alan L. Berger notes that while Judaism birthed Christianity and Islam, the three traditions have moved in separate directions, each viewing Abraham through different theological lenses. Others, such as Aaron W. Hughes, label the term a 'theological neologism' that obscures the fact that many shared concepts—such as the Trinity in Christianity or specific dietary laws in Judaism and Islam—are actually points of significant divergence.
The figure of Abraham himself remains a complex, contested anchor. In Judaism, he is an ethnic ancestor and the 'first Jew,' with lineage traced through Isaac. Christianity, through the influence of Paul the Apostle, expanded this identity to include all who have faith, regardless of ethnicity. Islam traces its lineage through Abraham’s firstborn, Ishmael, and views Islam as the primordial religion of Abraham. Despite these shared roots, the specific roles of his descendants and the nature of his covenant continue to define the distinct boundaries of each faith.
Source: Abrahamic religions
