Syllabus for Independent Study

JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM:

A COMPARATIVE STUDY

METHOD OF STUDY

Read  the sacred texts, as well as the comparative studies on the Abrahamic faiths.  Attend services in the three major traditions. Evaluate learning by composing an essay comparing Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

OBJECTIVES

Seek insight into the three Abrahamic faiths, with emphasis on both their unique and related elements, and with reference to Scripture and tradition, monotheism, authority, worship and ritual, ethics, the material culture, political order, and dialogue.

OUTLINE

ORIGINS

Semites and the Proto-Semitic Religion

Adam and Abraham

Abrahamic religions: Samaritanism, Rabbinical Judaism, Christianity, Mandeanism, Essenes, Islam,Druze, Karaite, Shabbataianism, Baha’i.

The three Great Religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam

"Religions of the desert"- "Religions of the Mountains"

Sacred Geography: Jerusalem; Pilgrimage

MONOTHEISM

The Only God

Attributes of God

Greek philosophy influences

Folk religion: spirits, angels, and demons

REVELATION

Revelation

Verbal emphasis

Prophets

SCRIPTURES

"People of the book"

Primary sacred texts: Tanakh, New Testament, Qur'an

Secondary texts: Talmud; Theological writings, hymns, canons, creeds; Hadith

Common Characters: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jonah

Jew, Christian and Muslim views on Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad

MANKIND

Linear history

Sin

Salvation

Ethics

Tzedekah, Charity, Zakat

Judgment, Paradise, Hell

Messiah, Mahdi

Ressurection

COMMUNITY

Israel, Church, Ummat al-Mu'minin

Halakah, Canon Law, Sharia

Kosher, Halal diet

Fasting

Sectarism

Religious office: rabbis, priests/pastors, imam, umah.

WORSHIP

Synagogues, Churches, Mosques

Collective worship; Sermon

A rare practice: Animal Sacrifice

MATERIAL CULTURE

Non-Iconic representations of the divine

Music

Architecture

Literature

DYNAMICS

Co-existence in conflict and tolerance

Dialogues

Fundamentalisms

REFERENCES

• John Corrigan, John; Denny, Frederick M.; Jaffee, Martin ; Jaffee; Eire, Carlos M. N.                Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pretice Hall, 1998.
• Armstrong, Karen. Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths. New York: Ballentine Books,

1996-1997.

• Ludwig, Theodore. The Sacred Paths of the West, 2nd Edition. New York: Prentice

Hall, 2001.

• Bible. King James Version
• Qur’an. The Meanings Of The Holy Qur'an by Abdullah Yusuf Ali