Journal
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 31 (2019)
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Was Adam a Monotheist? A Reflection on Why We Call Abraham Father and Not Adam
Title
Was Adam a Monotheist? A Reflection on Why We Call Abraham Father and Not Adam
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2019
Authors
Halverson, Taylor (Primary)
Journal
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Pagination
245-258
Volume
31
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Abstract
The three great monotheistic religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all claim Abraham as father and prototypical monotheist. Though Adam is the putative first father in all of these traditions, he is seldom remembered in Judeo-Christian scriptural, apocryphal, or pseudepigraphic texts as an exemplary monotheist. This essay briefly reviews why Abraham retains the lofty title “Father of Monotheism” while exploring how Latter-day restoration scripture adds to and challenges this ancient tradition vis-à-vis enhanced understanding of Adam’s covenantal and monotheistic fidelity to God.
Table of Contents
Subject Keywords
Covenant
Adam (Prophet)
Monotheism
Fall of Adam
Transgression
Abraham (Prophet)
Bibliographic Citation
Terms of use
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