Judaism vs Christianity: answers for Reddit readers
Are Judaism and Christianity the same religion? What divides them, which Bible each reads, and whether Christians keep the law: short, sourced…
Religion, History, Culture
Understanding the Abrahamic religions
Explore the histories, traditions, sacred texts, ideas, and cultural worlds of Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity and Islam.
An independent educational resource for discovering the shared heritage and distinct traditions of the world’s major Abrahamic faiths.
I · The Question
What are the Abrahamic religions?
The term Abrahamic religions, or Abrahamic faiths, refers to the religious traditions that trace an important spiritual or historical connection to Abraham: Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity and Islam. Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the three great monotheistic religions, are the largest; Mandaeism is by far the smallest.
The term serves comparative study well, although scholars also emphasise the important theological, historical, and cultural differences among these traditions.
IIThe Root
Every story begins with a family.
II · The Root
One heritage, different traditions
Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity and Islam share figures, narratives and places, and read them in different ways.
AbrahamPatriarch, father of many nations
Ancient Israelite and Biblical TraditionsCovenant, law, prophecy
JudaismTorah, rabbinic tradition
ChristianityOld and New Testament
IslamQur’an, prophetic tradition
MandaeismAdam to Shem, John the Baptist
Shares the prophets from Adam to Shem; does not accept Abraham.The diagram traces historical and theological connections. It does not imply that the traditions share identical doctrines.
The shared heritage of these traditions centres on the figure of Abraham, yet each community has developed its own interpretation of scripture, law, theology, and practice. Scholars continue to examine both the connections and the divergences that shape these faiths.
Tracing those relationships deepens the reader’s grasp of religious history and human culture.
IIIThe People
Prophets, kings and teachers who carried the story.
III · The People
People who shaped Abrahamic history
Key figures whose stories and teachings have influenced the traditions across centuries.
Adam
Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity, Islam
The first human being, and for Mandaeans the first to receive revelation.
Seth
Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity, Islam
Son of Adam; for Mandaeans Shitil, the purest of human souls.
Noah
Judaism, Mandaeism, Christianity, Islam
The righteous man of the flood, honoured as a prophet in all four.
Abraham
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Patriarch and father of many nations. Mandaeans do not count him a prophet.
Moses
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Prophet and lawgiver, receiver of the Torah. Not a prophet for Mandaeans.
John the Baptist
Christianity, Islam, Mandaeism
Preacher of repentance; for Mandaeans the greatest and last of the prophets.
IVThe Land
The deserts, rivers and cities where it unfolded.
IV · The Land
Sacred places and historical landscapes
Cities, rivers and sites of deep religious and historical significance across the four Abrahamic traditions.
Israel / Palestine
Jerusalem
Central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock.
Saudi Arabia
Makkah
Written Mecca in English; the birthplace of Muhammad, the holiest city in Islam, and the site of the Kaaba and the Hajj.
Saudi Arabia
Madinah
The city that welcomed Muhammad in the Hijra of 622, where the first Muslim community was built; the Prophet’s Mosque holds his grave.
West Bank
Hebron
The Cave of the Patriarchs, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the burial place of Abraham.
Egypt, Sinai Peninsula
Mount Sinai
Traditionally where Moses received the Law; revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Jordan Valley
The Jordan River
Where John the Baptist baptised; sacred to Christians and Mandaeans, whose word for every river of baptism, yardna, is usually traced to its name.
Vatican City, Rome
Vatican City
Seat of the Pope and centre of the Catholic Church, the largest Christian body; St Peter’s Basilica stands over the traditional tomb of the apostle Peter.
Iran, Khuzestan
Ahvaz and the Karun
Home to one of the principal Mandaean communities of the Middle East, who still baptise in the running water of the Karun.
VThe Word
What was revealed, remembered and written down.
V · The Word
Sacred texts and scriptures
The foundational writings that shape the beliefs, practices, and identities of each tradition.
Judaism
Torah and Tanakh
- Torah (Five Books of Moses)
- Nevi’im (Prophets)
- Ketuvim (Writings)
- Rabbinic literature (Mishnah, Talmud)
Mandaeism
Ginza Rabba and Qolasta
- Ginza Rabba (the Great Treasure)
- Qolasta (prayers for baptism and the dead)
- Drasha d-Yahya (the Book of John)
- Haran Gawaita (the community’s history)
Christianity
Old and New Testament
- Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)
- New Testament (Gospels, Epistles)
- Deuterocanonical books
- Early Church writings
Islam
Qur’an and Hadith
- Qur’an (revealed to Muhammad)
- Hadith (reports of the Prophet’s words and deeds)
- Sunnah (prophetic practice)
- Tafsir and fiqh (exegesis and jurisprudence)
VIFour Paths
One root, four living traditions.
VI · Four Paths
The Abrahamic religions
Four traditions, three of them large and one very small, each with its own theology, sacred literature and history, and all drawing on a shared prophetic heritage.
Judaism
Explore Jewish history, traditions, scripture, festivals, communities, and the development of Jewish thought.
- Torah
- Hebrew Bible
- Jewish History
- Traditions
- Festivals
- Rabbinic Thought
Mandaeism
Meet the Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran: baptism in flowing water, scriptures in Mandaic, and their standing as the Sabians named in the Qur’an.
- Ginza Rabba
- John the Baptist
- Sabians
- Mandaic
- Baptism
Christianity
Discover the origins, scriptures, traditions, denominations, historical development, and theological ideas of Christianity.
- Bible
- Jesus
- Early Christianity
- Denominations
- Christian History
- Theology
Islam
Explore Islamic history, the Qur’an, prophetic tradition, schools of thought, civilisations, and diverse Muslim communities.
- Qur’an
- Muhammad
- Hadith
- Islamic History
- Schools of Thought
- Muslim Civilisations
VIIThrough the Ages
Nearly four thousand years of history.
VII · Through the Ages
From the ancient world to today
A chronological overview of key periods and developments in Abrahamic religious history.
c. 2000–1200 BCE
Ancient Near East
Patriarchal period; early Israelite traditions.
c. 1000–586 BCE
Israelite Kingdoms
United monarchy, divided kingdoms, exile.
c. 516 BCE–70 CE
Second Temple Period
Hellenistic influence and Roman rule.
c. 4 BCE–30 CE
Life of Jesus
Ministry in Galilee and Judea; crucifixion under Rome.
c. 100–300 CE
Mandaean beginnings
Nasoraeans settle in the Median hills; the scribal line of the Mandaean scriptures begins.
c. 30–600 CE
Early Christianity
Apostolic age, church councils, doctrinal development.
610–632 CE
Rise of Islam
Revelation to Muhammad and the first Muslim community.
c. 700–1500 CE
Medieval Period
Islamic golden age, Christian scholasticism, Jewish philosophy.
c. 1500–1900 CE
Early Modern Period
Reformation, global exploration, religious diversity.
1900–present
Modern Era
Globalisation, interfaith dialogue, contemporary questions.
VIIIMeeting and Parting
Where the paths meet, and where they part.
VIII · Meeting and Parting
Where traditions meet and differ
Five themes across the four traditions, set out side by side. The full comparison covers eleven.
Judaism
- Belief in God
- Strict monotheism; one God in covenant with Israel
- Sacred texts
- Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, rabbinic literature
- Abraham
- Patriarch, father of the Jewish people
- Prophets
- Many prophets; prophecy ceased in antiquity
- Afterlife
- Diverse views; Olam Ha-Ba, the world to come
Mandaeism
- Belief in God
- One God, Hayyi Rabbi, the Great Life; light and darkness opposed
- Sacred texts
- Ginza Rabba, Qolasta, the Book of John, in Mandaic
- Abraham
- Not accepted as a prophet
- Prophets
- Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, Shem, Aram; John the Baptist last
- Afterlife
- The soul’s ascent through the watch houses to the World of Light
Christianity
- Belief in God
- One God understood as Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
- Sacred texts
- Old and New Testaments; canons vary by church
- Abraham
- Father of faith and recipient of the promise
- Prophets
- Old Testament prophets; John the Baptist
- Afterlife
- Resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell
Islam
- Belief in God
- Tawhid (توحيد, the absolute oneness of God)
- Sacred texts
- Qur’an; Hadith as the record of prophetic practice
- Abraham
- Ibrahim, prophet and exemplar of pure monotheism
- Prophets
- A line of prophets sealed by Muhammad
- Afterlife
- Resurrection, judgement, paradise and hellfire
IX · The Journey Continues
From the archive
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The Islamic Dilemma: answers for Reddit readers
Short, sourced answers to the questions people search for about the Islamic Dilemma: Surah 5:46, 5:47, 10:94, and whether the Qur’an or…
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The Islamic Dilemma: the argument and the answer
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X · Paths to Explore
Featured topics
XI · For the Road
Explore the reference section
Curated guides, timelines, glossaries, and more for deeper study.
In-depth introductions to each tradition
Key events and periods in context
The scriptures and how they are read
Key terms and concepts defined
Biographical and theological overviews
Sacred sites and historical geography
Thematic comparisons across traditions
Common queries answered
Scholarly articles and bibliographies
XII · Questions Along the Way
Frequently asked questions
What are the Abrahamic religions?
The term refers to religious traditions that trace a spiritual or historical connection to Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the far smaller Mandaeism.
Why are these religions called Abrahamic?
Each tradition looks back to Abraham as a foundational figure. Jewish tradition regards him as the father of the Jewish people; Christian theology holds him up as a model of faith; Islamic tradition honours him as a prophet and the father of Ishmael and Isaac. Mandaeism is the exception: it shares the prophets from Adam to Shem, honours John the Baptist above all, and does not count Abraham a prophet.
Who was Abraham?
Abraham is a figure of the ancient Near East who appears in the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an. Tradition holds that he answered a divine call to leave his homeland and entered into a covenant with God.
What do the Abrahamic religions have in common?
They share a heritage centred on Abraham, belief in one God, reverence for scripture, and overlapping narratives and figures. Their theological interpretations and religious practices nonetheless differ significantly.
How do the four traditions differ?
They differ in their understanding of God, most visibly between Trinitarian doctrine and strict monotheism; in their sacred texts; in their view of Jesus; and in religious practice. Judaism centres on Torah and its interpretation, Christianity on the person of Jesus, and Islam on the Qur’an and the prophetic example of Muhammad. Mandaeism centres on baptism in running water and on the knowledge kept by its hereditary priesthood.
Are all Abrahamic religions monotheistic?
All four affirm one God, though they understand that God differently. Judaism stresses the oneness of God; Christianity affirms the Trinity; Islam insists on tawhid (توحيد, the absolute oneness of God); Mandaeism worships the Great Life, set against a world of darkness.
Which sacred texts belong to the Abrahamic religions?
Judaism reads the Torah, the wider Tanakh, and rabbinic literature. Christianity reads the Old and New Testaments. Islam reads the Qur’an alongside the Hadith. Mandaeism reads the Ginza Rabba and the Qolasta. Each tradition also carries an extensive interpretive literature.
Why is Jerusalem important to multiple religions?
Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism as the site of the ancient Temple, to Christianity as the place of the crucifixion and, in Christian belief, the resurrection of Jesus, and to Islam as the site of al-Masjid al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, associated with the Prophet’s Night Journey.
XIII · Behind the Journey
An educational guide to Abrahamic traditions
Abrahamic Religions is an educational platform devoted to the study of religion through history, culture, texts, ideas, and comparison.
Each tradition is described as its adherents understand it, alongside what historical scholarship can tell us, so that students, researchers, educators, and curious readers can weigh the evidence for themselves.
