The Abrahamic Faiths One Root, Many Branches
The Unity of the Abrahamic Covenant
For four thousand years, the name of Abraham has stood at the crossroads of world religion. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Samaritan tradition, the Druze, and the Baha’i Faith all look to him as a father of faith—a man who heard the voice of God, obeyed, and received a divine covenant that his descendants would shape the destiny of nations.
Yet long before these religions arose, Abraham lived as a patriarch under the priesthood of Melchizedek, the ancient order preserved from Noah, Shem, and the earliest fathers. The traditions that later grew into Judaism, Christianity, and Islam drew upon this patriarchal foundation, each retaining fragments of the original faith of the fathers. Though diverse in expression, they all reach back to a single root in Abraham—and beyond him, to the Ancient Order established by Adam.
Though these traditions differ in doctrine, practice, and history, they remain united by one ancient figure whose covenant continues to shape the world. Abraham stands not only at the beginning of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but at the foundation of the world’s memory of the earliest priesthood—the order of Melchizedek, preserved from Adam through the patriarchs.
The purpose of this site is to explore Abraham’s life, the covenant he received, and the ancient priesthood he inherited, drawing upon scripture, archaeology, and the earliest sacred writings. From Abraham we journey backward—to Shem, Noah, and Adam—to recover the Ancient Order that once governed the earth and will rise again in the last days.
What follows is an overview of how each tradition remembers Abraham and interprets the covenant he received. Though their understandings differ, all share the memory of one man who walked with God and became a blessing to the families of the earth.
Judaism
Judaism traces its origin to the covenant given by God to Abraham and renewed through Isaac, Jacob, and Moses (Genesis 12–25; Exodus 19–24). Abraham is honored as the first patriarch and “friend of God,” the one chosen to preserve the covenantal law and pass it to his descendants. The Hebrew Bible, particularly the Torah, preserves this story and shapes Jewish identity. Historically, the Jewish tradition begins with Abraham around 2000 B.C., with the later Sinai covenant traditionally placed in the 13th century B.C., rooted in the lands of Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Sinai. Its foundational figures include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, and its sacred text is the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh).
Christianity
Christianity emerged from within Judaism but centers upon Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians identify as the promised Messiah. The New Testament teaches that Abraham is the father of all who believe, and that the covenant of faith given to him reaches its fulfillment in Christ (Romans 4; Galatians 3). Christians see Abraham not only as patriarch but as the prototype of salvation by faith. Christianity arose in the 1st century A.D. in Judea (Roman Palestine), founded upon Jesus and the Apostles, with the Bible—Old and New Testaments—as its primary scriptures.
Islam
Islam honors Abraham (Ibrahim) as a prophet of God, a restorer of pure devotion (tawḥīd), and the builder of the Kaaba with his son Ishmael. The Qur’an presents Abraham as one who submitted fully to God and whose example defines true religion. Muslims view their faith as a continuation of Abraham’s original monotheism. Islam began in the 7th century A.D. in Mecca and Medina under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad, regarding Abraham as prophet, patriarch, and exemplar of submission. Its principal sacred sources are the Qur’an and the Hadith.
Samaritan Tradition
The Samaritans preserve one of the oldest surviving expressions of the ancient Israelite faith. They trace their lineage to the northern tribes and uphold the Torah as their sole scripture. Abraham is honored as patriarch of the covenant renewed through Moses at Mount Gerizim. As a distinct community, the Samaritans arose after the division of the united monarchy (~10th century B.C.) in the Northern Kingdom of Samaria. Their primary text is the Samaritan Pentateuch.
Druze
The Druze, arising in the eleventh century A.D., honor Abraham as a spiritual ancestor and teach principles of divine unity, moral discipline, and esoteric wisdom. His devotion to God is seen as the pattern of enlightened obedience. The Druze faith originated in the Levant—particularly Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine—and looks to figures such as al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh and Hamza ibn ʿAlī. Their core writings are preserved in the Epistles of Wisdom (Rasāʾil al-Ḥikmah).
Baha’i Faith
The Baha’i Faith regards Abraham as one of a line of divine messengers, continuing through Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and culminating in Bahá’u’lláh. His covenant, in their view, reaches global expression in the unity of all nations under one God. Emerging in 19th-century Persia, the Baha’i tradition identifies its founders as the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and preserves its teachings in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Kitáb-i-Íqán, and the collected Bahá’í Writings.