Abraham: His Place in Western Religions
             For Judaism, Abraham's covenant with God shows that actions are far more important than beliefs. Reading from Genesis 17:1-27, Abraham is shown to make a promise to God and God to Abraham that involves rights and obligations on both sides. By this covenant, Abraham and his people would agree to follow his laws, acknowledging Him as their sole king, and God would acknowledge them as his particular people and be especially mindful of them. God commands all of the believers and followers of Him to be circumcised as a representation to this covenant. Abraham agrees to have the Sons circumcised and so it is done. The covenant is formed, and so therefore, in a "wide sense", Judaism is the sum of the descendants of Abraham.
             The Christian foundation for the belief in Abraham as the father of their people is quite different. Christians do not stress the action, or the adherence to the law, as the predominant outcome of the covenant with Abraham. From reading Romans 4:1-24, it is reckoned that the circumcision was merely a symbol. The belief (faith) in God is what makes the promise valid. Abraham had faith and is therefore the father to all Christians. The writings in Romans 4 depict that Abraham did not become right with God because of the circumcision but because of his faith. The circumcision came after the covenant was established as a reminder. Therefore Christianity stresses that you cannot get to heaven by a simple adherence to the law to be circumcised, but by believing in the Lord God and his son Jesus Christ.
             Muslim writings, as in The Cow 2:124-129, depict the covenant between Abraham and God as one promising to serve only one God, Allah and doing good deeds. It is the responsibility of Muslims to worship Allah for the benefit of oneself and of humanity at large. Correct beliefs and good deeds act to gain God's grace and forgiveness. The writings in ...