The Interfaith Service Bureau in Sacramento, California is becoming much more than a voice in the wilderness. One of the projects that it is associated with called the “Children of Abraham Initiative” has (further) succeeded in bringing together Christians, Jews and Muslims of this area to agree to disagree on various issues yet still attempt to cross this artificial divide of preconceived notions to concentrate on what they have in common. And one of the main issues discussed is that of a common lineage from the Prophet Abraham and the divisions starting from his son’s Ishmael and Isaac. Arabs hold a unique affection for Ishmael born from Hagar while Christians and Jews are much closer to Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac.

On May 2nd the topic of “Abraham’s Attempt to Sacrifice His Son” brought together over 300 people to one of Sacramento’s most beautiful places of worship, the historic Westminster Presbyterian Church. Moderated by Reverand Dexter McNamara a panel of area religious leaders, the Reverend David Thompson, Rabbi Brad Bloom and Dr. Metwalli Amer represented the views of three “Abrahamic” faiths as they relate to Abraham and his attempt to sacrifice his son.

But before we get into the theology, the breaking of bread during the pre-program dinner with its Middle Eastern menu of Hummus, Dolmas, Persian Rice and the fine aromatic chicken along with Baklava and other desserts proved once again that the followers of the three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam certainly benefit fromGod’s plentiful blessings and can collectively enjoy them. The after dinner blessing by Rabbi Bloom made it a point this was exactly the right time for this type of interfaith activity.

Rev. Dexter McNamara commented on how we can draw together. He asked “Isaac or Ishmael?” He added that this was one of the things on which we do not all agree, but that we can use this sacrifice as a starting point (Jews and Christians believe that it was Isaac that was to be sacrificed while the Muslim belief is that it was Ishmael).

Reverend David Thompson said a prayer to commence the discussion. “Make this a Church of prayer for all nations,” he said. He wished for Love and Peace amongst all. .

Rabbi Bloom of the Congregation B’nai Israel spoke first on the topic. He explained the event from the Hebrew texts that Isaac was the one taken to the sacrifice scene and Abraham with his knife ready was called and stopped at the last moment by an Angel and a Ram took Isaacs place.

Dr. Metwalli Amer is Executive Director of the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims (SALAM). He followed with a recitation from the Holy Qura’n and translated it for all in attendance. “What an amazing story we are sharing tonight,” he said. He said that this event with Ishmael as the son to be sacrificed was the fulfillment of a vision for Abraham. “This was indeed a trial,” he added.

Rabbi Bloom said explained that this whole story is problematic in a wonderful way for what it does not say. He asked, “What are the emotions and feelings of the people involved in this story?” He spoke of father-son relationships in general. From the Jewish point of view Isaac was 37 years old at the time and not a child. Some stories say that he was actually killed by Abraham but later resurrected.

Rev. David Thompson offered the Christian point of view. He said that there was this issue regarding the voice of God and that it said something that was contrary to what Abraham thought. He spoke of “faith beyond rational thought” and that “Isaac’s survival is essential to God’s promise to Abraham.” He added that, “God is aware of the outrageous nature of this request,” and that Abraham was genuinely surprised at seeing the ram.

Dr. Metwalli Amer explained from the Islamic view that “God never ordered Abraham to slay his son.” Abraham took it as a hint that it was God’s will that Ishmael should be sacrificed. He said that in our beliefs God is compassionate and merciful. In Islamic tradition it was Ishmael and not Isaac that was to be killed. “Luckily according to Islam, nobody was sacrificed,” he said.

To go into the depths of a theological discussion here would be far beyond the scope of this short report. Even the topic of Satan got some time as did “that movie” (Passion of Christ). But as Rev. McNamara surmised, “In Westminster Church, there has never been an evening like this.”

A very informative question and answer session followed to close the program. And as expected the questions went far beyond theory and touched on the impact of and the relationships between these three closely related religions in our world today. That America (or for that matter the world) has changed after 9/11/2001 cannot be doubted. But where do we go from here?

Determined groups like the Interfaith Service Bureau in Sacramento are trying to find much needed (and available) common ground between these already closely related religions amidst skepticism from some Jews, Christians and Muslims. The Interfaith effort needs our encouragement, blessings and prayers for success. And as my wife and I take our Muslim daughter to attend her Jewish classmate’s Bar Mitzvah next week it gives us some satisfaction and that the good work started by people like Rev. McNamara, Rev. Thompson, Rabbi Bloom and Dr. Amer is going to succeed. Peace, Shalom, Salam.