Expert: Rev Philip Dacre - 4/4/2005

Question
I am currently writing a paper comparing Abraham in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and I was wondering if you could provide me with the Christian view of Abraham. I was also wondering if you could relate a story about Abraham from the bible, or tell me where I can find a story about Abraham. Thanks

Answer
Dear Cp,

Yes in genesis 12:3 the bible states that through Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed... a big statement. In Romans it tells us more and Galatians likewise. Abraham came to God by faith. This changed walking with God from a quest of seeking God to a life of walking with Him through faith in Him.

Not through doing holy and religious works. Thus Abraham was called the father of faith and the friend of God. It tells us that because of his faith in God he was considered by God to be righteous. This is big change from all other religions that look only on getting God as a reward and not as a co-walker and friend.

Islam sees only that he brought law of circumcision. But in effect the bible shows us that the promises of God were made to Abraham before he did anything for god.

However He did do something big...he risked all and walked out into the desert on the say so of this God whom he heard. SPent his entire life irrationally moving around the desert regions as a result.

Or so it seemed. Abraham was asked to go against rational thinking and human ways and move at the comand of the unseen God. He did this and it was attributed to him for righteousness.

Even he was asked to sacrifice his only begotten son, after he finally arrived, and this was done to the point of execution, on a spot within a few hundred yards of Calvary where Christ died later.

Abraham is very special for us because he was the first one who walked entirely by faith.

God bless