Monday, February 9, 2009

Religions of the God of Abraham

Samaritans
The Samaritans accepted only the Torah (i.e. the Pentateuch of Moses). They refused to accept the rest of the Tanakh (i.e. the Prophets), which generally spoke highly of Jerusalem. They insisted the temple was to be at Mount Gerizim in Samaria, not Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy 34:10, the Torah wrote "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses". But in the Samaritan version, it is written as "there will not arise again", implying that Moses was the only Prophet. However, they were waiting for the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 (John 4:25). The Samaritans recognized neither the Temple at Jerusalem nor the Davidic Dynasty.

Jews
The Jews accepted the Torah and the Prophets. In the Prophets, God promised King David a descendant shall build a house for God and his throne shall last forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, Psalm 89:3-4). This promise was immediately fulfilled in part by King Solomon. But the Jews are still waiting for David's greater Son, the Messiah.

Christians
The Christians accepted the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. They believed that Jesus is the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 and the Son of David, the Messiah.

Muslims
The Muslims believed that God spoke to Muhammed. But unfortunately, God no longer seem to refer to all the earlier promises found in the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. The Koran stands alone, completely different from the other revelations of God.

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