patrick.net

Quigley says

Sarah conceives at like 80 years old

Genesis says she was 90, and that Noah was 600 years old when he built the Ark.

Quigley says

So, [Abraham] decided to test this god.

Interesting take on it -- that Abraham was testing God and not the other way around. Had not considered that one.

Maybe the reason people don't consider that is because Genesis says precisely the opposite:

"Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son."

Genesis does not say Abraham took the knife to test God. Moreover, it wouldn't be possible to fool an omnipotent deity. Such reinterpretations illustrate how people who want to believe the story re-write selectively the parts they dislike in order to rationalize believing what they like.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

curious2 says

Genesis does not say Abraham took the knife to test God. Moreover, it wouldn't be possible to fool an omnipotent deity. Such reinterpretations illustrate how people who want to believe the story re-write selectively the parts they dislike in order to rationalize believing what they like.

Yep. And to understand these books, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of the people who wrote them, not with a 21st Century mindset.

The purpose of the Abraham story is probably just Priests under King Josiah trying to communicate that obedience to God (whose Captains on Earth are the Priests and King) is paramount. But the Good King/Priesthood, while demanding obedience, is doing it all for your benefit.

Just hand over those 3 unclean drachmas and we'll give you one holy, purified schekel at the temple, you know what I mean?

You're right, it's a reinterpretation of events, based on a deeper look into psychology. Abraham must have entertained the fear that this new god would be like the old ones, and god was both testing him and providing a resolution to his doubt about God's nature. Abraham must have been heartbroken in many ways when he received the message to do this thing. But in some way he also must have expected it. To have devoted his life to such a cruel god that would require human sacrifice would be devastating to him.

This is all speculation of course, but the book isn't exactly overflowing with details, so to fully understand, you need to overlay culture and humanity on top of what is actually written.