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Comparison of Christianity andJudaism

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Christianity has a close relationship with Judaism, both historically and theologically. Jesus, the twelve disciples,

the author of most of the New Testament, and the members of the earliest Christian churches were all Jews. Jesus'

family followed Jewish customs and Jesus frequently quoted the Hebrew Bible. Jesus' followers believed him to be

the messiah, a Jewish figure predicted in the Jewish Bible.

Despite its Jewish origins, it was not long before Christianity regarded itself as something other than a new Jewish

sect. The first Christian council, convened by the apostles, concluded that pagan converts to Christianity did not have

to follow Jewish ritual laws. Soon, converts to Christianity were almost exclusively pagans and Christianity moved

further away from Judaism.

In the 2,000 years of history since Jesus, the relationship between Christianity and the ancient faith in which it is

rooted has often been strained. Christians have criticized Jews for rejecting Jesus as their messiah, and Jews have

criticized Christians for corrupting the concept of one God and following a false messiah. The New Testamant reports

that Jews were the first to persecute Christians, and after Christians became the more powerful group, they

frequently persecuted Jews.

Today, theological disagreements between Christians and Jews remain, but efforts are being made towards greater

understanding and respect between the two great faiths. The following chart compares the origins, beliefs and

practices of Christianity and Judaism.

History & Stats Christianity Judaism

date founded c. 30 AD c. 1300 BC

place founded Palestine Palestine

founders & early leaders Jesus, Peter, Paul Abraham, Moses

original languages Aramaic and Greek Hebrew

major location today Europe, North and South America Europe, Israel, North America

adherents worldwidetoday

2 billion 14 million

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adherents in USA 159 million 5.6 million

adherents in Canada 21 million 350,000

adherents in UK 51 million 320,000

current size rank largest 12th largest

major branches Catholic, Orthodox, ProtestantOrthodox, Conservative,

Reform

Religious Authority Christianity Judaism

sacred textBible = Old Testament (Jewish

Bible) + New TestamentTanakh (Jewish Bible)

inspiration of sacred textviews vary: literal word of God,inspired human accounts, or of

human origin only

views vary: inspired humanaccounts or of human origin

only

status of biblical prophets true prophets true prophets

status of Jewish Bible canonical canonical

status of JewishApocrypha

canonical (Catholic);useful but noncanonical

(Protestant)

noncanonical but useful

status of New Testament canonical noncanonical, not useful

other written authority

church fathers, church councils,

ecumenical creeds (all branches);papal decrees, canon law (Catholic) Talmud, halakhah

modern human authoritiespope (Catholic);

each Christian with aid of Holy

Spirit (Protestant)

rabbis

summaries of doctrine Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed 13 Articles of Faith

Beliefs & Doctrine Christianity Judaism

ultimate realityone God, Jehovah, the God of

Abrahamone God, Jehovah, the God of

Abraham

nature of GodTrinity - one substance, three

persons

unity - one substance, one

person

other spiritual beings angels and demons angels and demons

revered humans saints, church fathers prophets

identity of Jesus Son of God, God incarnate, savior false prophet

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of the world

birth of Jesus virgin birth normal birth

death of Jesus death by crucifixion death by crucifixion

resurrection of Jesus affirmed denied

second coming of Jesus affirmed denied

divine revelationthrough Prophets and Jesus (as God

Himself), recorded in Biblethrough Prophets, recorded in

Bible

human nature"original sin" inherited from Adam

- tendency towards evil

two equal impulses, one good

and one bad

means of salvationcorrect belief, faith, good deeds,

sacraments (some Protestants

emphasize faith alone)

belief in God, good deeds

God's role in salvationpredestination, various forms of

gracedivine revelation and

forgiveness

good afterlife eternal heavenviews vary: either heaven or

no afterlife

bad afterlifeeternal hell, temporary purgatory

(Catholicism)

views vary: either eternalGehenna, reincarnation, or no

afterlife

view of the other religion

Judaism is a true religion, but with

incomplete revelation.

Christianity is a false

interpretation of Judaism.

Rituals & Practices Christianity Judaism

house of worshipchurch, chapel, cathedral, basilica,

meeting hallsynagogue, temple, schul

religious leaderspriest, bishop, archbishop,

patriarch, pope, pastor, minister,

preacher, deacon

rabbi, rebbe

sacred rituals sacraments mitzvot (commandments)

major sacred rituals baptism, communion (Eucharist)observing Sabbath, wearing

tallit and tefilin, prayer

services

head covered duringprayer?

generally no generally yes (especially men)

central religious holy days Lent, Holy Week, Easter Yom Kippur, Days of Awe,

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Passover

other holidays Christmas, saints days Chanukah, Purim

major symbolscross, crucifix, dove, anchor, fish,

alpha and omega, chi rho, haloStar of David, chai, hamsa,

tree