JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY

The Semitic religious hearth Christianity, Judaism,

and Islam all arose among Semitic-speaking people

All three arose from the margins of the southwestern Asian deserts

Judaism, the oldest, originated about 4,000 years ago probably along the southern edge of the Fertile Crescent

Romans conquered Judea in 63 B.C.

Zealots called on Jews to revolt against Rome

In 66 A.D., Roman forces crushed the rebels, captured Jerusalem & destroyed the temple

Many enslaved and many left Judea & survived in communities around the Mediterranean: diaspora

Divisions in Judea

Judaism is… “A 4000 year old tradition

with ideas about what it means to be human and how to make the world a holy place” (Rabbi Harold Kushner, To Life)

A “covenant relationship” between God and the Hebrew people

A faith, a people, a way of life…

As a faith, Jews Believe… In one God, creator of the universe,

personal but non-corporeal In prophets of old – especially Moses,

through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people

In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew the Hebrew Bible does not include the

New Testament

As a people, Jews are… 15 – 16 million in worldwide

population United by a common heritage,

divided in contemporary practice: Orthodox:

Modern Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox)

Reformed (18th century Germany) Conservative – moderates, response to

reform

As a way of life, Judaism is based on… 613 commandments found in Torah (“Written

Law”) Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient

rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through: Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher) Dress and other symbols Prayer and devotion to the one God The Temple and Temple rites Observance of Holy days Proper social relations between male and

female, in business, judicial rulings, etc. Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

How is Judaism related to Christianity?

Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles

Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah

The Semitic religious hearth About 2,000 years later,

Christianity arose as a child of Judaism from this same area

Islam arose about seven centuries later in western Arabia, partly from Jewish and Christian roots

Religions spread by both relocation and expansion diffusion Expansion diffusion can be divided

into hierarchical and contagious subtypes

Hierarchical diffusion — ideas are implanted at top of a society, leapfrogging across the map taking root in cities

Use of missionaries involves relocation diffusion

The Semitic religious hearth Christianity spread through the Roman Empire using the

existing splendid road system Clearly reflected hierarchical expansion diffusion Early congregations were established in cities and towns Temporarily established a pattern of Christianized urban centers

and pagan rural areas

Jewish Most info comes from the

“Gospels” Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John

Born about 4 B.C. A descendant of King David Virgin birth of Mary Started preaching in Galilee at

age 30 12 apostles, …Peter Based on Judaism – 1 g-d, law

of Moses, and new beliefs Many believed he was the

messiah Emphasized God’s love,

service, & forgiveness

Jesus and His Message

Some Jews welcomed him

Jewish leaders thought he was challenging them

Roman authorities thought that he was a revolutionary who might lead Jews into rebellion

Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples

He was arrested, tried and condemned to be crucified

Although there were guards at the tomb, his body disappeared & Christians believe he was resurrected

Jesus and His Message

Differences

Ortho – right, correct, trueDoxa – to hold an opinion•Correct Worship•Right Belief

In the Creed:“Catholic” is defined as “wholeness, complete as having everything”

Catholic is defined and used as being a “universal” Church.

In 1517, Martin Luther lead a reformation of the Roman Catholic Church and ended in 1648.

In “protest” against the Roman Catholic Church included -indulgences, simony (buying & selling church positions), purgatory,

Orthodox Catholic Protestant

Orthodox altar tables always have

the GoOrthodox altar tables always have the Gospel enthroned

spel enthroned

Christ is the High Priest

in the Bishops’ Throne

Christ is the High Priest in the

Bishops’ Throne

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew - Constantinople

Pope Benedict XVI – head of the Catholic Church

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Protestant Minister