Christianity and Judaism (Question 7)
Christianity and Judaism, the two most wide-known monotheistic religions, are based around the belief of one God. It is believed that God is omniscient and omnipresent but also righteous and merciful. Scriptures are divine revelations given by the Lord to the Prophets. Through faith, many follow the scriptures as a source of guidance, preparation, and teaching for righteousness. The sacred writings of Judaism, consisted of three documents that included: the Law, the Prophet, and the Writings. These three parts make up the Old Testament which is also known as the Hebrew Scriptures which Christianity and Judaism share as “The authoritative Word of God.” While the religions are centrally based around the values of family, charity, and respect for one another, the way Jesus Christ viewed is the main distinction between Christianity and Judaism. However, the basic accepted truth is that both faiths are the creation that is perfected by an infinite God (Mjl).
1. The Origins
Judaism originated about four thousand years ago in the Middle East within the Hebrew community. Abraham, a Hebrew, convinced many that there is one only God through the Jewish faith. As Abraham’s family grew, the descendants were known as Israelites; through strength, faith, and obeying the rules, God promised that he would care for each one on a personal level. However, the Hebrews had lived a difficult life. They were enslaved in Egypt, and Moses was the chosen Hebrew by God to lead those that were enslaved out of Egypt. Eventually, Moses guided the enslaved out of Egypt and God gave out the Law to Moses that would guide Israelites even today, and that is known as the ten commandments (Mjl). The laws given at Sinai are known as the Torah. The Torah are the set of laws given by God; God is working daily which command the lives of Israelites. The Torah is separated into five books which include: The Genesis (“Origins”), Exodus (“The Road Out”), Leviticus (“Laws of the Levites”), Numbers (“The Census”), and Deuteronomy (“Second Law”) (“Judaism”).
Christianity began about two thousand years ago in Palestine where a man named Jesus was born into a Jewish family. His mother’s name was Mary and Christians believed that his father was the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus’ followers had thought that he was sent by God in order to free people from slavery, sin, and death. To do so, God sent Jesus as a human so that he could care for others as a “normal” human being. Jesus suffered with all of his followers; he healed the sick, preached God’s words, and taught how to love even to those who were not loved by society. However, some leaders did not agree with Jesus Christ’s teachings; instead, they crucified him on a cross. Three days later, they realized that Jesus disappeared and was resurrected. This taught others how much God loved them and that Jesus was the sacrifice they paid for their sins. Christians believe in the Trinity, which include: God the Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The scriptures of the Holy Bible has two parts. The first part is the Old Testament which follow the Hebrew scriptures. The second part is the New Testament which follow Jesus’ teachings; God wants to convey that Jesus is an extension of him through all the other people. It also contains the Act of Apostles, the letters of Paul and other leaders, the letter to the Hebrews, and the Book of Revelation (Drane).
2. The Religious Texts
The Tanakh, or known as the Hebrew Bible, is separated into three different sections: Torah (Teachings), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). The Torah introduces the story of Abraham and his family and how it Israelites came to be. With the guidance of the people from Moses, Moses unlocks the revelation which is known as the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments show what rules need to be followed in order for the people to be united with God. Nevi’im is divided into two parts; Nevi’im Rishonim which means the former prophet and Nevi’im Aharonim means the latter prophets. Nevi’im Rishonim explains how there was a switch from a confederation to a monarchy that was ruled under Saul and David. Nevi’im Aharonim is focused around the prophecies and prophets. The longest are the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The role of the prophets were to settle injustice and fight against the kings who were corrupt. The Ketuvim included poetry, history, and writings. The poetry described tragedy, love, and wisdom (“Judaism”).
Like the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Bible follows the Old Testament. The Old Testament is the original Jewish scriptures that has three parts: the Law, the Prophet, and the Writings. However, the Bible contains the New Testament which has twenty-seven books which is separated into two books. The Letters were written before the Gospels, but offered advice on how to be committed to God. The Gospels were a way to portray Jesus’ life and his teachings. Rather than biographies of Jesus, it demonstrated his significance towards the cultures. The Bible ends with the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is seen as a prophecy of the future. Some believe that it could predict the end of the world or even disasters such as AIDS, global warming, or even nuclear disasters. The author of the Book of Revelation is John; John’s anger in the book is directed towards those who persecuted the Christians in the early times. Instead of prophesizing the end of the world, John wrote the Book of Revelations as a way to write off his anger against the Roman Empire (Drane).
3. Similarities and Differences (Old Testament Vs. New Testament)
Judaism being the parent religion of Christianity, both religions proclaim that there is one God and this God is almighty, omnipresent, eternal, and infinite. Both religions believe that heaven and hell exists. They follow the ethical code Judeo-Christian which both sides see a common use of the Torah. Christians and Judaism believe that God has a plan for the Israelites and Jewish people. However, the nature of God in Judaism is Unity while in Christianity, they believe in the Holy Trinity. In Christianity, everyone is stained by Adam and Eve while everyone begins with a clean state in Judaism. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the coming messiah to fulfill the old prophecies in the Old Testament; however, it is important to note that Judaism did not believe that Jesus Christ was the messiah. Christians believed that Jesus Christ was God and sent as a sacrifice for all sins. On the other hand, Judaism did not even believe Jesus was God nor was a sacrifice was needed (“Compare Christianity and Judaism.”).
Judaism is a parent religion of both Christianity and Islam. Judaism originated in the Middle East where three parts were created; they were known as the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. This was also known as the Old Testament. Though the Christian Bible contains the Old Testament, they include the New Testament which included Jesus Christ. Jews focuses on the relationship between Abraham and God. God is known as the almighty and infinite God. There is only one God in both religions. Though Jesus Christ is not part of Jewish theology, Christians view him as a messiah. Amongst the Jews, Jesus is not viewed as a divine being nor was he a sacrifice for the sins (“Compare Christianity and Judaism.”).