Abraham

<DIV>In this discursive commentary Joseph Blenkinsopp explores the story of Abraham -- iconic ancestor of Judaism Christianity and Islam -- as told in Genesis 11-25. Presented in continuous discussion rather than in verse-by-verse form Blenkinsopp's commentary focuses on the literary and theological artistry of the narrative as a whole.<br><br>Blenkinsopp discussses a range of issues raised in the Abraham saga including confirmation of God's promises Isaac's sacrifice and the death of Jesus and Abraham's other beloved son Ishmael. Each chapter has a section called Filling in the Gaps which probes some of the vast amount of Jewish Christian and Islamic commentary that the basic Genesis text has generated through the ages.<br><br>In an epilogue Blenkinsopp looks at Abraham in early Christianity and expresses his own views as a Christian on Abraham. Readers of Blenkinsopp's <I>Abraham: The Story of a Life</I> will surely come away with a deeper richer understanding of this seminal ancient figure.</DIV>