Jews and Christians ... What is the difference between them? They are followers of related religions belonging to the Abrahamic religions. But many disagreements in understanding the world often led them to hostility and persecution from one side and the other. The tensions between Jews and Christians have existed since ancient times. But in the modern world, both religions are moving towards reconciliation. Let us consider why the Jews persecuted the first Christians. What gave rise to centuries of hostility and war?
Relations between Jews and Christians in the Early Period
According to some scholars, Jesus and his disciples professed a teaching close to the sectarian movements of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Christianity initially recognized the Jewish Tanah as scripture, which is why at the beginning of the 1st century it was considered an ordinary Jewish sect. And later, when Christianity began to spread throughout the world, it was recognized as a separate religion - the successor of Judaism.
But even at the first stages of the formation of an independent church, the attitude of the Jews towards Christians was not very friendly. Often Jews provoked Roman authorities to persecute believers. Later in the New Testament books, Jews were attributed full responsibility for the torment of Jesus and the persecution of Christians was sealed. This caused a negative attitude of the followers of the new religion to the Jews. And later it was used by many Christian fundamentalists to justify anti-Semitic actions in many countries. Since the II century BC. e. negativism towards Jews in Christian communities only increased.
Christianity and Judaism in modern times
For many centuries, tensions existed between the two religions, which often turned into mass persecution. Such incidents include the Crusades and the preceding persecution of Jews in Europe, as well as the Holocaust organized by the Nazis during the Second World War.
Relations between the two religious movements began to improve in the 60s of the twentieth century. Then the Catholic Church officially changed its attitude towards the Jewish people, excluding anti-Semitic elements from many prayers. In 1965, the Vatican adopted the declaration “On the attitude of the Church towards non-Christian religions” (Nostra Aetate). In it, a thousand-year accusation of the death of Jesus was dropped from the Jews and all anti-Semitic views were condemned.
Pope Paul VI apologized to non-Christian peoples (including Jews) for centuries of persecution by the church. The Jews themselves are loyal to Christians and consider them a kindred Abrahamic religion. And although some religious customs and teachings are incomprehensible to them, they nevertheless favor the spread of the basic elements of Judaism among all the peoples of the world.
Is God the same among Jews and Christians?
Christianity as an independent religion is based on the dogmas and creeds of the Jewish people. Jesus himself and most of his apostles were Jewish and brought up in Jewish traditions. As you know, the Christian Bible consists of two parts: the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament - this is the basis of the Jewish religion (Tanah - the holy scripture of the Jews), and the New Testament - this is the teachings of Jesus and his followers. Therefore, for both Christians and Jews, the basis of their religions is the same, and they worship the same God, only observe different rites. The very name of God, both in the Bible and in the Tanakh, is Yahweh, which is translated into Russian as "Existing".
What is the difference between Jews and Christians? First of all, we consider the main differences between their worldviews. For Christians, there are three main dogmas:
- Original sin of all people.
- The Second Coming of Jesus.
- Atonement for human sins by the death of Jesus.
These dogmas are designed to solve the basic problems of humanity from the point of view of Christians. The Jews, however, do not recognize them in principle, and for them these difficulties do not exist.
Different attitudes towards sins
First of all, the difference between Jews and Christians in the perception of sin. Christians believe that every person is born with original sin and only during his life can he atone for it. The Jews, on the contrary, believe that every person is born innocent, and only he makes the choice - to sin or not to sin.
Ways of Atonement
Because of the difference in worldview, the following difference also appears - atonement for sins. Christians believe that Jesus atoned for all the sins of men by his sacrifice. And for those acts that the believer himself committed, he bears personal responsibility before the Almighty. He can atone for them only by repenting to the clergyman, since only representatives of the Church in the name of God are empowered to absolve sins.
The Jews, however, believe that only through their deeds and actions can a person be forgiven. They divide sins into two types:
- committed against the instructions of God;
- crimes against another person.
The former are forgiven if the Jew sincerely regrets and repents in them to the Most High. But in this matter there are no intermediaries in the person of priests, as among Christians. Other sins are crimes that a Jew committed against another person. In this case, the Almighty limits his power and cannot grant forgiveness. A Jew should beg him exclusively from a person who is offended by him. So, Judaism speaks of a separate responsibility: for misconduct against another person and for sins and disrespect for God.
Because of such differences in views, the following contradiction appears: Jesus forgives all sins. Among Christians, he is empowered to forgive sins to all who repent. But even if a Jew can equate Jesus with God, such behavior will still radically violate the laws. After all, as mentioned above, a Jew cannot ask God for forgiveness for sins committed against another person. He himself must make amends to him.
Relation to other world religious movements
Almost all religions in the world adhere to a single doctrine - only those people who believe in the true God can go to heaven. And those who believe in another Lord are essentially deprived of this right. In some sense, Christianity adheres to this doctrine. Jews have a more loyal attitude towards other religions. From the point of view of Judaism, any person who observes the 7 basic commandments that Moses received from God can go to Paradise. Since these commandments are universal, a person does not have to believe in the Torah. These seven commandments include:
- Belief that the world was created by one God.
- Do not blaspheme.
- Comply with the laws.
- Do not worship idols.
- Do not steal.
- Do not commit adultery.
- Do not eat from the living.
Compliance with these basic laws allows a representative of a different faith to go to Paradise without being a Jew. In general terms, Judaism is loyal to monotheistic religions such as Islam and Christianity, but does not accept paganism due to polytheism and idolatry.
What are the principles of a person’s relationship with God?
Also, Jews and Christians look at ways of communicating with God most differently. What is the difference? In Christianity, priests appear as mediators between man and God. The clergy are endowed with special privileges and exalted by holiness. So, in Christianity there are many ceremonies that an ordinary person does not have the right to conduct independently. Their fulfillment is the exclusive role of the priest, which is a cardinal difference from Judaism.
The Jews do not have such a religious rite, which is performed exclusively by a rabbi. At weddings, funerals, or other events, the presence of a clergyman is optional. Any Jew can carry out the necessary ceremonies. Even the concept of “rabbi” is translated as a teacher. That is, just a person with great experience, well knowing the rules of Jewish laws.
The same goes for the Christian faith in Jesus as the one savior. After all, the Son of God himself affirmed that only he can lead people to the Lord. And, accordingly, Christianity is based on the fact that only through faith in Jesus can you come to God. Judaism, on the other hand, views this problem differently. And as indicated earlier, any person who does not even observe Judaism can directly approach God.
The difference in the perception of good and evil
Jews and Christians have completely different perceptions of good and evil. What is the difference? In Christianity, the concept of Satan, the Devil, plays a large role. This huge, powerful force is the source of evil and all the troubles of the earth. In Christianity, Satan is presented as a force opposite to God.
This is the following difference, since the main conviction of Judaism is faith in the one omnipotent God. From the point of view of the Jews, there can be no other higher power than God. Accordingly, the Jew will not divide the good into God's will, but the evil into the machinations of evil spirits. He perceives God as a just judge, rewarding for good deeds and punishing for sins.
Attitude to Original Sin
In Christianity there is such a thing as original sin. The ancestors of mankind disobeyed God's will in the Garden of Eden, for which they were expelled from paradise. Because of this, all newborns are initially considered sinful. In Judaism, it is believed that a child is born innocent and can safely receive benefits in this world. And only the person himself determines whether he will sin or whether he will live righteously.
Attitude to worldly life and worldly comforts
Also, Jews and Christians have a completely different attitude to worldly life and comforts. What is the difference? In Christianity, the very purpose of human existence is considered life for the sake of the next world. Of course, the Jews believe in the world to come, but the main task of human life is to improve the existing one.
These concepts are clearly visible in relation to both religions to worldly desires, the desires of the body. In Christianity, they are equated with wicked temptations and sin. People believe that only a pure soul, not subject to temptations, can enter the next world. This means that a person should nourish the spiritual as much as possible, thereby neglecting worldly desires. Therefore, the Pope and priests make a vow of celibacy, refuse worldly pleasures in order to achieve greater holiness.
The Jews also recognize that the soul is more important, but do not consider it right to completely abandon the desires of their body. Instead, they turn their execution into a holy cause. Therefore, the Christian vow of celibacy seems to the Jews a strong departure from religious canons. After all, creating a family and procreation is a holy act for a Jew.
The two religions have the same different attitude to material wealth and wealth. For Christianity, the adoption of a vow of poverty is an ideal of holiness. Whereas for Judah, the accumulation of wealth is a positive quality.
In conclusion, I want to say that the Jews and Christians, the differences between which we examined, should not be opposed to each other. In the modern world, each person can understand the scriptures in his own way. And has every right to do so.