Annotation
The course deals with the canonical texts of the three "heavenly" religions, i.e. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, to discover ground for their fundamental beliefs.
Teacher provides introduction into the Bible of both Testaments within its cultural and religious setting within the Ancient Near East, considering also non-canonical Biblical literature and the Qur´an. Particular topics include notions of respective geography and historical roots of the three religions, survey of sacred texts, interpretive literature, and non-canonical legends.
Some consideration is given to religious disputes, growth of the monotheistic formula and the trinitarian creed, especially in context with the onset of Islam. in this aspect, basics of Islamic creed and practice are explained, i.e. Five Articles of Faith and Five Pillars of Islam.
The introductory chapters are documented in students´ entries on the topic of Biblical figures in the Qur´an. Parallel readings of selected Biblical and Qur´anic stories should reflect both similarities and differences in the understanding of Adam, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Solomon, John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, and especially of Jesus Christ.