The Abrahamic religions, also referred to collectively as Abrahamism, are a group of monotheistic religions that endorse worship of the God of Abraham. The three primary Abrahamic religions are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, in chronological order of their establishment.
Judaism
Founded in the 2nd millennium BCE in the Levant region of the Middle East, Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. It’s based on the teachings of the Torah, the first part of the Hebrew Bible. Jews believe in a covenant, or agreement, between God and the Jewish people, which was first established with the patriarch Abraham and later with Moses.
Christianity
Emerging in the 1st century CE as a sect within Judaism, Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, whom Christians regard as the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. The New Testament of the Bible, which includes the Gospels and the teachings of the apostles, is the primary religious text in Christianity.
Islam
Founded in the 7th century CE in Mecca and Medina, Islam is based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad as recorded in the Quran. Muslims regard Muhammad as the last in a line of prophets stretching back to Abraham. They believe that the Quran is the final and complete revelation of God (Allah in Arabic).
There are also other Abrahamic religions such as the Bahá’í Faith and the Druze faith. The Bahá’í Faith emerged in the 19th century in Persia and emphasizes the unity of all people and religions. The Druze faith, primarily found in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, originated in the 10th century as a movement within Islam but soon evolved into a unique faith.
Despite their differences, these religions share several key beliefs. They all believe in a single, all-powerful God who is involved in the world and cares for his human creations. They also share many of the same narratives and figures, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others. These commonalities are a reflection of their shared historical and cultural contexts.