The woman who named God : Abraham's dilemma and the birth of three faiths

Explores the biblical story of Abraham and his wives against a backdrop of events that marked the origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and considers how their story offers insight into ongoing conflicts between the Judeo-Christian and Islamic worlds. 1 Beginnings 3 -- 2 Lekh Lekha 13 -- 3 Hebrews 21 -- 4 Sacrifices 32 -- 5 Beautiful Woman 41 -- 6 Rape in the Palace 51 -- 7 War 63 -- 8 Dinner with Jesus 70 -- 9 Silences 75 -- 10 Trembling before God 82 -- 11 Covenant of the Parts 90 -- 12 Sarai's Proposition 98 -- 13 Do with Her as You Will 105 -- 14 Hagar and the Wilderness 115 -- 15 The Well 122 -- 16 A Second Concubine 130 -- 17 Naming God 138 -- 18 Ishmael 144 -- 19 El Shaddai 151 -- 20 Sarah and God 159 -- 21 God the Father 168 -- 22 Circumcision 177 -- 23 The Debate 189 -- 24 Gerar and a Cave 201 -- 25 Incest 214 -- 26 Laughter 220 -- 27 Exile 231 -- 28 Mount Moriah 242 -- 29 The Beloved Son 256 -- 30 The Death of Sarah 266 -- 31 Burial and Mission 277 -- 32 Coming Home 291 -- 33 Hinneni 299 The saga of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar is the tale of origin for all three monotheistic faiths. Abraham must choose between two wives who have borne him two sons. One wife and son will share in his wealth and status, while the other two are exiled into the desert. Long a cornerstone of Western anxiety, the story chronicles a very famous and troubled family, and sheds light on the ongoing conflict between the Judeo-Christian and Islamic worlds. How did this ancient story become one of the least understood and most frequently misinterpreted of our cultural myths? Gordon explores this legendary love triangle to give us a startling perspective on three biblical characters who -- with their jealousies, passions, and doubts -- actually behave like human beings. The Woman Who Named God is a compelling, smart, and provocative take on one of the Bible's most intriguing and troubling love stories. A brilliant exploration of the biblical story of Abraham and his wives - and the birth of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.