Why Abrahamic Faith Is About Justice, Not Escape | James TaboR

James Tabor argues that the Hebrew Bible presents Abrahamic faith not as an escape from the world, but as a long historical effort to bring justice, righteousness, and ethical transformation into human society. Do you think religion is primarily about preparing for another world — or transforming this one?

*RE. ALL OF THE NEGATIVE BIBLICAL COMMENTS BELOW, it's otherwise argued the general biblical narrative is first and foremost mixed with stories of both the clean (morality) and the unclean (immorality). And this is what confuses many from the get-go (like some number of the anti-biblical critics noted below). More particular, it isn't that the biblical stories for the worse are to be ignored or underplayed; no. But step back for a moment, and both Robert and James arguably can step back from any of the fundamentalist story-telling particulars in the negative. Simply, they can read between the interpretive lines, so to speak. Or they can see "the forest for the trees," so to speak. Or it's like they can see, know and tell the story of a progressive (morality) in ethical biblical history regardless of the story of some real, regressive ethical immorality in the same. In other words, come the general biblical narrative, both Robert and James aren't interpretive fundamentalists necessarily. In other words still, they're open-minded enough to not be sucked into "the skepic's delusion" come the general biblical narrative. What is "the skeptic's delusion"? The said skeptic's delusion of some is a story akin to only seeing "the negative" regardless of "the positive." Or the said skeptic's delusion of some is akin to the story of rats running a treadmill, but in one negative direction only. Or it's akin to the story of drunks caught in a miscalculating stupor. IN SUM, with one exception pending, the video discussion by Robert and James is a refreshing new vision akin to God's own will and work beginning with the likes of Abraham of old. The one problem exception, rather, is this. What can and must the general biblical story so mused by the likes of a Robert and a James, actually mean to the likes of each and all here and now? Or what might Abraham's ethic of old actually, arguably look like in the name of Abraham's ethic anew now applied first to this old-modern world? We await!

With all due respect, let’s settle this once and for all. Why expound on a mythical character? Why respect ancient writings by people who were given to myth-making and superstition? Why discuss the past or present about a deity that does not exist? Why perpetuate religions that are no more than cult teachings? We need to abandon those childish notions and embrace reason tempered with compassion.

Abrahamic faiths have proven to be genocidal — in what way does that make them about or for “justice”??

The Hebrew Bible - a vision for how to commit another genocide like that in Gaza. No, I am not Anti-Semitic - I am Jewish.

He fiquently fabricates descrepancies. This shows he doesnt understand the issue.

Abrahamic faith is a no brainer. No Abraham - no faith. Abraham did not exist, he was a mythical character.

While there are exceptions to nearly everything, Dr. Tabor puts his finger on THE essential difference between Eastern and Western religion. His voice echoes that of polymath Albert Schweitzer, who speaks so clearly about this difference in "Christianity and the Religions of the World." Spiritual practice to detach from and escape a world of suffering vs. ethical passion to heal suffering and bring about a better world. You pick ''em, one or the other...or neither. And thus you participate in shaping, defining, who you are.

May be somebody should write "The Lost Sarah" because Messianism is introduced in Exodus not Genesis, so it doesn't make sense to claim Abraham was a Messiah, because there's no temple, no priesthood, no nation in Genesis. Abraham moreover, represents a sprawling family tree that includes Hagar and Keturah. Also, Psalm 105 is often explained by treating "anointed ones" and "prophets" as poetically synonymous.

Coincidence this showing up at the same Trump is strong-arming countries into signing the Abrahamic Accords and a bill in Congress seeks to merge the US military with Israel's IDF.