Synopsis "from moses to muhammad"
"From Moses to Muhammad" explores the shared literary and cultural origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the context of the Babylonian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman and pre-Islamic civilizations. Among others, the author describes the use of Mesopotamian literary motifs by the Torah; the adoption of Greco-Roman iconography, as well as the Roman basilica form, by early Christianity; and the retention of pre-Islamic practices by early Islam, such as the circumambulation around the Ka'bah, the holy shrine in Mecca. In addition, Dr. Isbouts compares a number of narratives that all three traditions have in common, including the stories of Abraham, Joseph and Moses; and in the case of the Qur'an, the narratives about Jesus and his mother, Mary. What's more, this second edition includes over 100 maps, photographs and archaeological objects photographed throughout the Middle East. "From Moses to Muhammad" has received numerous favorable reviews. Prof. Bruce Chilton ("Rabbi Jesus") wrote, "With sweeping narrative and vivid analysis, Jean-Pierre Isbouts shows that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are rooted in common sources of revelation." NYU's Prof. Francis E. Peters ("The Children of Abraham") calls the book "an exciting and scrupulously fair book," and a "trustworthy guide throughout a perennial minefield." And Rabbi David Rosen said that the book "makes a most important contribution to help overcome negative stereotypes."
