Recognizing the inherent limitations of speaking for another faith tradition, we can say that Judaism and Islam differ primarily from Christianity in an understanding of the person of Jesus. For Christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise. Judaism and Islam simply do not recognize the divinity of Jesus. For this reason, the monotheism practiced by Judaism and Islam is different from the monotheism of Christianity.
In fact, Islam would describe Christianity as a tri-theist religion, rather than a monotheistic religion. Consequently, we mention only a few basic differences in how these three religions interpret Old Testament texts. Though all three hold some views of the ancestor Abraham in common, they also interpret texts about him differently. For Christians, Jesus and all who believe in him also are descendants of Abraham.
When it comes to reading the Old Testament, a Christian reading necessarily requires the lens of Christology, whether implicitly or explicitly. And yet, the Old Testament must be viewed in continuity with the New Testament, since both are of the Word. Judaism, on the other hand, does not share the belief in the Incarnate Word. The Old Testament is read not with Christ in mind, but as the earliest inspired documents of their religious community through which they can see and better understand their present existence as a people.
They also added that the exile would not last forever as God would rescue His people and that afterwards the people would be able to obey God and so not be judged again. This is where the promise comes in of a messiah or anointed one who would be the rescuer sent from God to fulfil the promises.
Indeed, Christians and Jews share lots of common heritage — after all Jesus was himself Jewish. This leads to many things in common between Judaism and Christianity which include:. However, there are many things different between Judaism and Christianity, of which by far the most significant is the answer to the question of who is Jesus and consequently understanding how God is working out His promises.
Jews do not accept Jesus as the promised messiah. Divisions about him started during Jesus' lifetime and continue today. Jews believe that the messiah will be a human, non-divine person who will restore the physical kingdom of Israel, rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and bring earthly peace. This is very different from the Christian belief that the people of Israel now means all those who follow Jesus and who by faith are Abraham's descendants.
Christians believe that Jesus has fulfilled God's promises and has already ushered in the way to a new relationship with God by grace. We acknowledge our own inability to live by God's standards, we trust in Jesus to have paid the price our sin deserves and we find a new path to eternal life through him.
The other key difference between the two faiths is about sin and atonement meaning man's disobedience to God and the means of achieving forgiveness.
In the past, in order to receive forgiveness from their sins, the people of Israel had to offer sincere prayers of repentance, turn away from their sin and offer appropriate sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem.
Since the temple was destroyed in AD70 by the Romans, the sacrificial part of this is no longer possible. While the question is short and to the point, in truth its answer is rather complex.
Probably the best annotated work which describes the differences between Judaism and Christianity is Rabbi Milton Steinberg's work Basic Judaism , available in paperback. The essential difference between Jews and Christians is that Christians accept Jesus as messiah and personal savior. Jesus is not part of Jewish theology. Amongst Jews, Jesus is not considered a divine being.
Judaism originates as a result of the covenantal relationship between God and Abraham. The Bible Hebrew Bible which doesn't include New Testament for reasons stated previously is our sacred literature. The relationship between the Jewish people and God is documented in the text.
In the Bible, the history, culture, language, theology, and practices of the Jewish people are presented.
0コメント