Jon D. Levenson: Abraham in History, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | The Abrahamic Religions Myth

In this interview I chat with Dr. Jon D. Levenson of Harvard University. Jon Levenson is the Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies at Harvard Divinity School. He received his Ph.D. in 1975 from Harvard University and in addition to his teaching has been a prolific author, writing about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His work concentrates on the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, including its reinterpretations in the "rewritten Bible" of Second Temple Judaism and rabbinic midrash.
In this interview we discuss Abraham and his legacy in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as, the popular notion of the "Abrahamic Religions."
Books written by Professor Levenson related to the subjects in this video:
- Inheriting Abraham The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: www.amazon.com/Inheriting-Abr...
- The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity: www.amazon.com/Death-Resurrec...
- The Love of God: Divine Gift, Human Gratitude, and Mutual Faithfulness in Judaism: www.amazon.com/Love-God-Grati...
Thank you for watching and please remember to like this video and subscribe to the channel!

[@BeyondBeliefBelle]

I can’t get enough of this channel, I think I watched enough content I could have a honorary PhD in Islamic studies.

[@jimbob5848]

Another great conversation with an outstanding scholar. . Thanks very much.

[@re-frameislam2971]

What a well chosen topic, I enjoyed this one particularly. It opened a whole lot of new questions for me. Thank you Dr Gabriel

[@danielwarren3138]

10:53 thank God he clarified that with CE, if he hadn't said that I would've thought he got it in ancient egypt

[@user-of1xy6tj5f]

Thank you. Dr. Gabriel for this informative conversation despite my disagreement on many issues had been said.

[@genier7829]

Very interesting, thanks for posting this!

[@manlike2323]

Wow. Someone finally did it. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you

[@IpsissimusPrime]

Gabriel! Congratulations on the recently increasing number of subscribers to the channel. Thanks once again for another fascinating topic. It would be great to hear more from Dr Levenson in the future. I was particularly taken with his comments on "rediscovering God" and the "Truth occluded/clouded by idolatry". It seems to me that the "story" of Abraham may likely follow the general outline of a mimesis from earlier works although that's an even greater challenge to prove than the more "obvious" parallels seen, for example, between the Homeric epics and the Gospels. Certainly not everyone will agree with this assessment! But that's OK. It's an important issue for me, and that's enough. In retrospect, I recall that I initially encountered the expression "Abrahamic Religions" thru the study of Traditionalism and therefore post-Massignon (who, though forgotten by the masses, was a fascinating person, although I certainly concur that the current problems of Syria -both within and without - are an unfortunate aspect of his massive influence in Islam). For me, however, Massignon's greatest contribution was the mentorship he provided to Corbin, who has been the most seminal modern philosopher for me in developing a deeper and much richer understanding of these three branches. Anyway, loving the content! Keep up the great work.

[@julietabraham476]

God bless you Dr Gabriel and Dr Jon for this awesome livestream that answered quite a bit of haunting questions I had.For sure I wil add the list of books from Dr Jon to my library and literally devour them.Coming to the term Abrahamic faith, this is quite a blanket statement with regards to Islam.Sura 3:68 the translation that he did not associate gods with God,contrary to what muslim commentators say the SyrioAramaic meaning of the word" hanif " is godless or profane.Now when moslem commentators render this verse that Abraham was not a Jew nor a Christian but was true in faith and bowed his will to God, they are trying to change the quranic meaning by implying Abraham was moslem.Abraham lived in the first quarter of the second millennium BC which is 2500 years before the birth of Muhammad( 632AD) The problem is that they fail to comprehend the SyrioAramaic " ashlem" means " he submitted" to give meaning to what the quran is saying. Ironically the quran gets it right here in a bizarre way when they say He was not a Jew nor a Christian but he was a worshipper of idols, and not one who associated idols with God.Thats what I infer that the Protoquran was SyrioAramaic and till today there are scholarly disputes over the meanings of those strange loan words a classic example is the word ' Ra'ina...anyways learning never stops and I will say keep up the good work....Ameen

[@budidarmito7589]

You don’t understand Qur’an

[@julietabraham476]

@@budidarmito7589 Yeah! you understand it right? A clear Quran as mobeen( clear) as mud and yet ambiguous verses and Allah knows best.What say you ya Abdool??? C'mon exegete sura 3:7 and educate me.

[@nazpah8834]

Thanks شکرا

[@Zazamarkle]

Can u do videos on ancient sumer or babylonian religions and effects of those on abramic religions

[@radwanabu-issa4350]

I think if scholar study religion not only what is authentic and historic but also how much each statment and affirmation is closer to the the truth, proven by human experience, historically or deterministically!

[@yazenbuklau]

I couldn’t help but notice a hesitation Dr. Levenson has when mentioning Islam

[@kazukowhite]

Jon feels more like apologist rather than scholar. Please bring James D. Tabor

[@adnanmahmutovic]

Wonderful conversation. I agree that maybe people do this 'leapfrogging' I'm not convinced the Quran does it. It clearly seeks to anchor itself into a diversity of prophetic figures in an attempt to bring people closer to its key ideas.

[@vocalsvideos458]

Conclusion: Abrahamic religions are Judaism and Christianity, not Islam because the Ibrahim of Islam has a different geographic location.

[@Tenebris_Sint]

No Christians and Jews in Arabic nations pray to Allah. Their Bible/TaNaKh says “Allah.” Jesus spoke Aramaic. The Aramaic word for gif is “ElAh” (pronounced “Al-lah”) So Jesus literally prayed to Allah which came from ElAh, which came from El/Elohim.

[@clearskybluewaters]

27:11 actually the supplication of Abraham for his descendants in Quran does indicate he the founder of the religions. I thought it would be obvious on a plain reading

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

Ibraahim / Ibraahiim (Qurʼaan 2:124) as Imaam; and Tawraat (Qurʼaan 11:17 and 46:12) as Imaam! Certainly, not the founder but Imaam إِمَامٌ of the verb Amma أَمَّ = to lead the way, lead by one's example. Which also relates to the same verb Amma أَمَّ = to be or become a mother!

[@user-wy2jm9fe4f]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156 2: 124 And when his Lord tried Abraham with words and he fulfilled them, He said: “I will make thee a leader for mankind.” Said he: “And of my progeny?” He said: “My covenant does not reach the wrongdoers.” وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 11:17 Is then he who is upon clear evidence from his Lord[...]?2 And a witness from Him recites it; and before it was the Writ of Moses as an example and a mercy; those believe in it. But whoso denies it among the parties, then the Fire is his appointed place.And be thou not in doubt about it, it is the truth from thy Lord; but most men do not believe. أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۥ فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ 64: 12 But before it was the Writ of Moses a model and a mercy; and this is a confirming Writ,in an Arabic tongue, that it might warn those who do wrong, and bring glad tidings to the doers of good: وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّسَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ

[@colinbrucemilne3494]

It could help if Islam had an Islamic version of the Bible with the Quran and Haditha as Books of the New Testament Canon of the Bible/Tanakh.

[@radwanabu-issa4350]

Abraham is the earliest figure that today's three religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam can trace their lineage and worshiping God in heaven continously!

[@kronos01ful]

ABRAHAM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ISLAM like they make people believe

[@hunk-dp7gz]

Islam tries to corrupt Judaism and Christianity. It has nothing to do with Abraham. Nice try you stone kissing pagans

[@lionabbass]

​@@kronos01fultell us how you arrived at this position? Or Ishmael of the Bible is not more his son, his first son for sure and only son for a time until another birth to him? Or Ishmael was a pagan while his younger brother was not?

[@Erick-1130]

Ever heard of adam?

[@mrtransmogrify]

From the moment I hear it, I got the vibe that it's just a lazy way when one want to say "Judaism, Christianity and Islam" lol

[@rashidrahman9673]

Muslim's pray 18 times a day 🙏, for Abraham and his descendents,

[@soaringeagle5227]

No.

[@lionabbass]

​@@soaringeagle5227how many times or you think not at all? What is the religion of Ibrahim AS?

[@anaskpalmalaki8804]

​@@soaringeagle5227Muslims recited this in prayer , of course in Arabic. "O Allah, let Your mercy come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You let it come upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

[@arta.xshaca]

​@@soaringeagle5227yes fool

[@epoel634]

We Muslim don't view the prophet Abraham (PBUH) as the initiator of a religion. He preached monotheism like the previous prophets did. We see him as one of the 5 greatest prophets and as the point in which Muslims and Christians and Jews meet as cousins because both Isaac and Ishmael are the sons of Abraham.

[@built4speed101]

That's a false dilemma you put yourself in because the covenant, which YHWH made with Abraham, would be through his son Isaac, not Ishmael. Genesis 17:15-22 NASB Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. [16] I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." [17] Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" [18] And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before You!" [19] But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. [20] As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. [21] But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year." [22] When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Therefore, Muhammed deceived the people by borrowing from the Scriptures in attempt to validate his religion of Islam, which is a false religion.

[@Zazamarkle]

@@built4speed101you both wrong. We will never know what happened 😂 only the stories of later humans…

[@salmansheikh4377]

Then why are they all so different from islam ?

[@reginaldodonoghue9253]

My thoughts are that Abraham isn’t as important to Christian distinctiveness as to Jewish or Muslim distinctiveness.

[@StatisticalCat]

Christians pray to a Man who they think is God.

[@kronos01ful]

Oh ! You are so mistaken. We as Jesus followers are from the promise to Abraham. Who has nothing to do whit Jews and Christianity is Islam.

[@khaderlander2429]

Qur'an 22:78 Strive for the sake of God to do what is right, as much as He deserves. He chose you and placed no hardship in the religion. It is the way of worship of your father Abraham. Long ago he named you “Muslims”, as in this Quran, so that the Messenger might stand witness against you if you strayed, and that you might stand witness against humanity’s vices. So perform the prayer, give Zakat and hold firmly to faith in God your Protector. How excellent a Protector, and how excellent a Helper!. Abraham is important to Muslims as a role model for his uprightness, he is known as friend of God.

[@AliKhan-be3mt]

The Holy Quran is AUTHENTICITY.

[@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen]

Yelling something doesn't make it true

[@fightsatan2408]

Quran contradicts torah and bible.

[@asattar973]

This topic should have been given to Dr Ali Atae.... the guest was either ignorant of Quran or bias

[@larsvanderheeg4305]

For me as Christian, Abraham is the Father of the Hebrews and in the long run Judæo-Christian tradition. But still, even when comparing Judaism and Christian faith, they are too different to be Abrahamic faiths. It's getting even more difficult when you try to compare with the islam. I therefore think that maybe there is only one "Abrahamic religion" or "Abrahamic people" and this is Judaism. We Christians and moslems are not Abrahamic religion as we have left the core of Abraham and both erred and marred Abraham too much. Therefore I don't see Judaism, Christian faith and the Islam as one Abrahamic religion as that would be a cognitive, historical and theological useless phrase. I therefore see these religions as separate. There is no use, purpose or gain in saying 'Abrahamic religion'.

[@Stupidityindex]

I have a question. These people don't read the comments much. What is good or honorable about suggesting people travel best with one foot in fantasyland? Nothing fails like prayer in a children's hospital. The Christians glued their books onto the Jewish books, the Mormons fastened theirs onto them both, thus proving Christians lack standards or quality-controls.

[@larsvanderheeg4305]

@@Stupidityindex Of course you've got a point, at the same time: that is how the evolution of ideas works. If you mostly stay in the fairytale land of (religious) ideas you create problems, but if you live outside of fairytales and only find inspiration in the books you could lead a good life. I can find inspiration in the Jewish faith as Christian so for me Israel is the Holy land and the Jewish Jerusalem is the Holy everlasting City of God. For me islam is totally un-interesting. The muslim interpretation of Abraham goes in the wrong direction from the facts and from the Jewish/Christian truth.

[@etzelkaplan9677]

rabbis allow jews to pray inside any mosque bit never inside a church

[@kazukowhite]

christianity has become pagan and it should not be called abrahamic, but as for islam, it still has all concept of Abraham.

[@larsvanderheeg4305]

@@kazukowhite No, not according to a normal Judæo-Christian reading that requires Jakob becoming Israel and David on the throne of Jerusalem. Without Israel and the temple on Moriah there is no linesge to Abraham.

[@djelalhassan7631]

Pre-proto Semites was the Turks and Abraham descended from the Turks

[@Mauri7782]

Did the algerian regime teach you that?

[@asattar973]

how come Zoinist/ Ashkanazis are the chosen one..dellusions

[@arbitrarium7336]

Believers claim the Tomb of Abraham is in Hebron, let's excavate it ,it could produce useful information,.........oh no can't do that.

[@travellerme2401]

parallels between Abraham and Muhammed are incorrect I think. Abraham is painted as the FIRST human who cam to the existence of God by pure power of reason and intellect. Muhammed not so much.

[@user-yz1dl3eu8l]

Not the first.

[@travellerme2401]

@@user-yz1dl3eu8l the first

[@shamsdoha952]

Jews put Jesus OnThe Cross.

[@lionabbass]

The religion of Ibrahim AS was the religion of Adam AS the father of all. It came along with Adam AS and his wife AS and it was the religious Command upon them AS and compulsory pass on compulsion on all human generations. This is 1 religion and it ain't Judaism that came in much later even after Solomon AS andit is not Christianity which is the youngest of the 3.

[@djelalhassan7631]

There are NO Abrahamic Religions, Abraham neither was a Jew nor a Christian, Abraham only obeyed and trusted in Allah/The One Almighty Creator and never associated any partners with HIM, and his way of life was Islam/Peacemaking way of life and doing good deeds.

[@fightsatan2408]

What was the good deed abraham did ?

[@chrisazure1624]

Christianity and Judaism are from Abraham, but Islam only borrwed what it wanted to assume credibility.

[@user-of1xy6tj5f]

Read more my friend. The more we read the more we know and grow.

[@chrisazure1624]

@@user-of1xy6tj5f I am well educated about the claims of Islam. Muhammad claimed the Torah and Gospels are from Allah, but then denies the truth they tell. It attempts to rewrite and claim it is staying true to the faith.

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

​​@@chrisazure1624As humanity is claimant, you certainly demonstrate being a claimant! Allaah the Creator of all doesn't claim any of humanity's lies other than what's His: The Right / The Truth! The Tawraat, the Injiil and the Qur’aan! Certainly not the human Bibles which you would never find in the Qurʼaan!

[@chrisazure1624]

@@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156 Hmm, yet the Quran claims he wrote the Torah and Gospels. He only told this information to Muhammad that we can tell and have to believe what Muhammad claimed without evidence. Given Muhammad nature and behavior, I don't trust what he claimed.

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

@@chrisazure1624 Summarise the evidence of the truth that you claim for your Bibles!? Better still, I summarise for you how the Qurʼaan 5:27-32 is evidence for the creation of humanity's duality as opposed to Allaah's Oneness! Ilaah = God, Al-Ilaah pronounced as Allaah = The God! In other words, Qurʼaanic creation = contrastive duality from within, hence Banuu-Aadam (sons / children of Aadam) and Banuu-Israaʼiil (sons / children of Israaʼiil), and Aadam & “his Zawj = his Pair / Couple” and ᶜiisaa “ibn Maryam = son of Maryam” Qur’aan 3:59 Kun, Fa-Yakuunu = Be, Thus it is! And as you are claiming that the Qurʼaan is borrowed from the Bibles excluded or included of Biblical writings, then give me a summarised evidence 5:32 and how it relates to the Biblical creation as true evidence, considering that Aadam in the Bibles have more than two sons and daughters, as well as in the Bibles they are children of God or precisely children of the Gods (Elohim = Gods)?! Or you have nothing to say other than being a Claimant!