Review of Abraham: One God, Three Wives, Five Religions by Frances Worthington

Abstract

Abraham: One God Three Wives Five Religions. By Frances Worthington. : Baha'i Publishing, 2011. xiii + 242 pages, including appendices, footnotes, bibliography, index.Compared with generation ago, it seems that fewer people today, even those brought up in religious home, understand much of religious history. Indeed, many reach adulthood without having read any religious scripture. Of those who do, how many could articulate the significant contributions of the Prophet Abraham? Frances Worthington, in Abraham: One God Three Wives Five Religions, succeeds in providing not only chronological depiction of Abraham's life but also comprehensive narrative synthesized from variety of scriptural and traditional accounts taken from Jewish, Christian, Moslem, and Bahai sources.At the outset, Worthington laments the difficulty inherently faced in [c] rearing an exact timeframe for the events of Abraham's life . . . [Tor] His date of birth remains elusive (9). She then proceeds to share the events of His life and the distinct role each family member played in the emergence of the first monotheistic faith on Earth, but not before asking her readers to grant her bit of freedom as historian and storyteller.This book is not work of fiction because I've remained within the bounds of what is indicated by combination of scriptural text, historical data, and archaeological evidence. Nevertheless, for the sake of readability and just plain fun, the storyline is delicately dusted with the tasty spices of probably and possibly. (5)One should not regard this declaration as suggesting that Worthington is anything less than dedicated to her craft as historian, for she weaves scriptural, historical, and archaeological sources so extensively and impressively that she exemplifies nothing but the highest degree of scholarship. What one appreciates about her work, though, is her willingness to explore the nature of the historical record with keen eye that scans for the probable and possible spiritual implications and subtleties inherent in that record. In so doing, she creates unique and more profound understanding of Abraham's life than mere retelling of the events would merit.For example, she questions why the Bible names Abraham's oppressor, Nimrod, when no historical record outside of scripture can be found of king bearing that name ruling Mesopotamia at the time of Abraham. Like detective eager to solve mystery, she uncovers clues that link Abraham's Nimrod to Noah's great-grandson of the same name. She does this by examining what seems like an unrelated yet seemingly deplorable account of Noah's naked drunkenness. Drawing upon biblical and Bahai passages suggesting deeper meaning, she explains that Noah was not actually drunk but intoxicated with the wine of the All-Merciful (16) and that His nakedness symbolized being stripped ... of earthly desires (17). His sons Shem and Japheth cover His nakedness with the fresh garment . . . of their respect (17) while His son Ham is appalled by and rejects his father's nakedness (Abraham's willingness to discard old attire-traditions, customs, beliefs-in favor of new Revelation). Ham's grandson Nimrod likewise rejects Abraham's message and becomes a ruler so cruel and ungodly that his name quickly degenerates into an epithet for anyone who is cruel, calculating, and unholy (18), the very embodiment of the king whose namesake persecutes Abraham.This is the kind of insight with which Worthington enriches our understanding of Abraham's life. This is equally true when she relates both the physical and spiritual implications of other events in His life whether they be the appearance of new star in the Mesopotamian heaven prior to His birth, or the moment when the young Abraham recognizes the impotence of manmade idols and sets out to prove this, in most humorous manner, to His father. One also learns of the likely link between the shrines Abraham builds throughout Canaan and the famine that ensues thereafter. …