Salon Discussion Questions

The following questions have been prepared with the idea of creating a lively, intimate, respectful conversation. Feel free to use as many -- or as few -- as you wish. The questions are divided into three groups that might serve as helpful organizing units for your conversation: Life of Abraham (about the events of his life), Children of Abraham (about how the religions have reinterpreted those stories), and Legacy of Abraham (about what role Abraham can play in our world today.) Go forth -- and enjoy!

Life of Abraham

1. What appeals to you most about Abraham's life? What parts of his life do you find difficult to understand or admire?

2. If you could have witnessed one episode in Abraham's life, which one would you choose?

3. The Call is a moment in Abraham's life that all three religions agree is sacred. As Feiler writes, to be a descendant of Abraham is to "glance back at your native land, to peer ahead at your nameless destination, and to wonder, "Do I have the courage to make the leap?" (p. 43) What does God ask of Abraham in this moment? Why does Abraham accept the challenge? Have you ever had to make such a courageous leap? If so, describe your experience.

4. Father John, a Catholic priest, tells Feiler, "The lesson of Abraham is you have to be willing to risk it all. You have to give up everything for God. . . . The bottom line is if you're too comfortable, or too secure, or too into having control, then you won't be willing to trust God." (p. 50) Does this resonate with you? Abraham gives up an enormous amount of security for God, is this part of his legacy? If so, is this legacy still achievable today?

5. In the story of Ishmael and Isaac, Professor Carol Newsom, of Emory University, tells Feiler "the moral sympathy of the story seems to be with Hagar and Ishmael, even though the author knows that our primary identification has to be with Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac." (p. 75) Describe Sarah and Hagar and each woman's relationship with Abraham. With whom do you most identify? Why?

6. Feiler writes that the most striking feature of the story of Ishmael and Isaac is its balance: "Neither son is a pure victor, or a pure loser." (p. 75) How are Ishmael and Isaac similar; how are they different? Which son do you find most compelling? Why?

7. What feelings does the story of Abraham nearly sacrificing his son evoke in you? Do you think he would have done it? Do you think you would have done it?

Children of Abraham

8. Describe how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam created a new Abraham for their unique purposes? Were you aware of this process? Feiler writes that he was shocked and sometimes horrified to discover this historical evolution. How do you feel?

9. Feiler writes, "All three monotheistic faiths force their adherents to confront the most unimaginable of human pains: losing a child. The binding, the crucifixion, and the dhabih – often viewed as distinguishing the monotheistic faiths – actually belie their shared origins." (p.108) How is the binding interpreted by the three monotheistic faiths? Why do you think this story has such universal appeal?

10. Feiler struggles with how to confront the various historical interpretations of Abraham. Speaking with Hanan Eschel, he says, "So as a practical matter, what you're saying is that you can read these various interpretations, enjoy them, but in the end you have to find your own meaning in the story." (p. 133) What does the story of Abraham mean to you?

11. Bishop Theophanes tells Feiler, "A hundred years from now, the serious people will be considered ecumenical. They will understand that Abraham belongs to all humanity." (148) Sheik Abu Sneina tells Feiler, "If we look beyond the details, which we may disagree about, and follow the principles of Abraham – truth, morality, and coexistence – then most of our problems will disappear." (p. 184). How is Abraham a universal figure, one who belongs to all humanity?

Legacy of Abraham

12. At the end of this book, Feiler claims to have "found" Abraham. What does he mean by that? Describe the Abraham Feiler found on his journey.

13. Sheik Abu Sneina tells Feiler, "For me, Abraham submitted himself to Allah. He did everything for God. I don't know if he's like me, but I would like to be like him." (p. 163) Would you like to be like Abraham? If so, how? If not, why not?

14. Feiler set out on his journey to discover if Abraham could be relevant today, whether he was a hopeless font of war, or could provide a message of hope in our troubled times. Which do you think?

15. What would you say is Abraham's legacy to the world today?