The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (16 page)

Shoghi Effendi Rabb
n
to be his successor.

 
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Abel
.

A herdsman, in Jewish
scripture
, the younger son of the first human beings,
Adam
and
Eve
. According to Genesis 4. 1–9 he was murdered by his elder brother, the farmer,
Cain
.

 
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(1079–1142).
Christian philosopher and theologian. Born at Pallet, near Nantes, he was one of the most brilliant and controversial theologians of his day. His academic career was cut short after his love-affair with Héloïse in Paris, where he was a popular lecturer. He challenged current philosophical orthodoxy, preparing the way for
nominalism
, and was condemned for his teaching on the
Trinity
. His doctrine of the
atonement
, emphasizing the love of Christ, manifest in his life and passion, which calls forth a human response of love, has had a continuing influence: His works include
Christian Theology
,
Ethics
, and his letters to Héloïse.

 
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(d.
c.
200 CE).
Christian
bishop
of Hieropolis in Phrygia Salutaris. He is known from an important inscription apparently set up by him over his future tomb.

 
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Abgar V
,

4 BCE–50 CE
, King of Edessa. According to a popular tradition as early as
Eusebius
(and also in the Doctrine of
Addai
) he wrote a letter to Jesus asking him to visit and heal him.

 
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