The Story Of God: No God, But God

Description: Robert Winston introduces the second episode of The Story of God at the tomb of Abraham in Hebron. According to the Bible,' he tells us, Abraham was the first person to believe in one God.' This is a curious comment since the Bible never makes that claim. It also fails to allow for the first eleven chapters of Genesis which refers to such notable characters as Adam, Eve, Enoch and Noah (all predating Abraham) with the constant assumption that there is only one God. Estimates for when Zoroaster lived vary widely, with most scholars suggesting 1000-600 BC – which is later than Abraham. Abraham's tomb is therefore a good place to start, given that these three faiths look to him as their spiritual father.' It is closely guarded by Israeli security forces, and Jews and Muslims are segregated so that they face it (veiled behind a curtain) from opposite sides. It is a powerful metaphor of how the common heritage of Jews and Muslims is the very thing which causes so much hostility between them: A symbol of our common heritage and a barrier which keeps us apart.' Monotheism begins with a choice: God's,' we're told. Jews, Christians and Muslims have all had to wrestle with this demanding God' – a God who said to Abraham, Walk before me and be perfect'. Their wrestling has resulted in them coming up with some very different ideas about who this God is and what he expects of us