Judaism and Christianity - History and Difference
Although Christianity contains its roots in Second Temple Judaism, the two religions divide in the earlier Christian era decades. Christianity fosters correct belief by emphasizing the New Covenant, detailed in the New Testament and mediated via Jesus Christ (or orthodoxy). In Judaism, proper conduct (otherwise called orthopraxy) is emphasized, focusing on the Mosaic covenant as said in the Torah and Talmud.
Overview of Judaism and Christianity
Christians believe that accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior Son is the only way to be saved from sin. Jews believe that people and communities can actively dialogue with God through tradition, rituals, prayers, and ethical deeds. Christians generally believe in a Triune God, one of whom became human. Judaism emphasizes God's Oneness and rejects Christianity's idea of God as a human being.
Judaism and Christianity have much in common despite their theological differences and varied past. They defend the Hebrew Bible's canonicity. They have philosophical and theological perspectives in common. They both have a stake in the state of Israel on theological, political, and social levels. Periods of intense persecution have soiled their histories. Despite their similarities, Judaism and Christianity vary on some key points.
Christianity and Rome
The Apostle Paul wrote several letters in the decades after Jesus' death that is now included in the Christian Bible's New Testament. Paul was a Roman citizen who wrote these letters to local Christian groups throughout the Roman Empire. The letters demonstrate that Paul and his fellow Christians were still trying to figure out what it meant to be Christians. The exact link between Judaism and Christianity and the relationship between Christianity and the Roman government were highly debated topics.
In the Roman Empire, Judaism was recognised as a legal religion with formal protections. Even though Christianity originated from Jewish traditions, it lacked legal protections. Christians were persecuted—formally punished—for their beliefs several times throughout the first two centuries CE. However, unless Christians challenged imperial authority, the Roman state's official position was to ignore them.
Rome becomes Christian
The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine in 313 CE, granted legal status to Christianity and most other religions. While this was a significant development in Christian history, it did not mean Christianity completely replaced ancient Roman beliefs.
In 325, Constantine called the Council of Nicaea a gathering of Christian leaders tasked with establishing Christianity's formal—or orthodox—beliefs. The Nicene Creed, which laid out the council's agreed-upon beliefs, resulted from this council.
The Edict of Thessalonica, issued by Emperor Theodosius in 380 CE, declared Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, to be the Roman Empire's official religion. The Roman state declared most other Christian sects heretical, seized their legal standing, and confiscated their property.
Inter-Faith Relationship and the History of Judaism and Christianity
In addition to their different viewpoints on each other as religions, Christianity and Judaism have a long and often painful history of war, persecution, and, at times, reconciliation, which has shaped their mutual views of their relationship over time. Since the end of WWII and the Holocaust, Christianity has gone through a period of introspection over its Jewish roots and attitudes toward Judaism.
The abolition of anti-Semitism is just one aspect of this ongoing Christian introspection, which seeks to address several legacies that enrage modern believers (Anti-Semitism, slavery, racial and ethnic prejudice, colonialism, sexism, homophobia and religious persecution).
Difference between Judaism and Christianity
Let us look at the difference between Judaism and Christianity here.
Christians believe Jesus is a messiah and personal saviour, which is the main difference between Jews and Christians. Jewish theology does not include Jesus. Jesus is not recognised as a divine being by Jews. As a result, all holidays associated with the life of Jesus are excluded from Jewish life and/or observance (Christmas, Easter, Advent, Lent, Palm Sunday, etc.)
The covenantal relationship between God and Abraham is the source of Judaism. Our sacred book is the Bible (Hebrew Bible, which does not include the New Testament). The text records the relationship between the Jewish people and God. The Bible details the Jewish people's history, culture, language, theology, and practices.
Common roots of Judaism and Christianity
One God
When it comes to God, Christians agree with Jews that the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures is One. It has been a key principle of Israel's early history that God claims exclusivity as Creator and Redeemer. The Jews of the Old Testament era were distinct from other countries in this regard, as they acknowledged and worshipped multiple, if not multiple, gods. Witness to the One God was also a mark of Christians, and Jews and Christians were both maligned and persecuted for it during the first centuries of Christian history.
Holy Scripture
Like all Jews, the first Christians had several biblical books that generally corresponded to what the Church later called the "Old Testament." These works are referred to as "the Law and the Prophets" in the New Testament (Matt. 22:40). Since this collection was widely known and acknowledged as a fundamental testimony of religion, they are frequently referred to simply as the Scriptures. The Scriptures provided Christians and Jews with various instructions for everyday life, prayer, sermons, and worship.
Conclusion
The conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity did not happen overnight. Slowly but gradually, Roman religious beliefs evolved. Christianity was still spreading when the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE. It's also important to remember that Christianity did not arise fully or quickly. Christianity originated from Jewish traditions and was moulded by Roman cultural and political structures for millennia.
For example, the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, with a focus on religion and Roman culture, derives his title from the ancient Roman office of pontifex Maximus, or high priest. As Rome came into contact with various peoples and cultures, Roman culture was not completely replaced, but it was frequently repurposed. Both Judaism and Roman cultural institutions had a significant influence on Christianity.
This is detailed information about the history of Judaism and Christianity and focuses on religion and Roman culture.
FAQs on Judaism and Christianity
1. What is the main difference between Judaism and Christianity?
The fundamental difference between Judaism and Christianity lies in their view of Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe Jesus is the son of God and the Messiah whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament. Followers of Judaism view Jesus as a historical figure, possibly a teacher or prophet, but not as the divine Messiah. This core belief shapes the distinct theological paths of the two religions. For more details, you can explore the life of Jesus Christ and Christianity.
2. What are some key similarities between Judaism and Christianity?
Despite their differences, Judaism and Christianity share significant common ground as Abrahamic religions. Key similarities include:
Monotheism: Both religions believe in one, all-powerful God.
Abrahamic Roots: Both trace their origins back to Abraham, who is considered a patriarch in both faiths.
Shared Scriptures: The Hebrew Bible, known as the Tanakh in Judaism, is recognized by Christians as the Old Testament, forming the foundation of their holy book.
Moral and Ethical Codes: Both religions share a common ethical framework, largely derived from the Ten Commandments and other moral laws found in the Torah.
3. What is the concept of God in Judaism compared to Christianity?
The concept of God is a major point of theological divergence. In Judaism, God is a single, indivisible entity, a concept known as strict monotheism. The idea of God taking a human form is rejected. In Christianity, God is understood through the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which posits that God exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
4. How did Christianity emerge from Judaism?
Christianity began as a sect within Second Temple Judaism in the 1st century CE. Jesus and his initial followers were Jewish and operated within a Jewish context. The split became more defined after Jesus's death, particularly through the teachings of apostles like Paul the Apostle. Paul's mission to include non-Jews (Gentiles) in the new faith without requiring them to adhere to all Jewish laws was a critical factor that distinguished the burgeoning Christian community from its Jewish roots, eventually leading to its establishment as a separate religion.
5. What are the primary holy books of Judaism and Christianity?
The primary holy book of Judaism is the Tanakh, also known as the Hebrew Bible. It consists of three parts: the Torah (the first five books), the Nevi'im (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings). The most sacred of these is the Torah. The Christian holy book is the Bible, which is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament (which is based on the Tanakh) and the New Testament, which contains accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, the letters of the apostles, and the Book of Revelation.
6. Do Judaism and Christianity share any important historical figures or prophets?
Yes, both religions revere many of the same foundational figures and prophets from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Figures such as Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and Isaiah are central to the history and theology of both faiths. While both religions acknowledge their importance, their roles and the interpretation of their prophecies can differ, especially in relation to the coming of a messiah.
7. What is the importance of the covenant in Judaism and Christianity?
The concept of a covenant, or a sacred agreement between God and humanity, is central to both religions. In Judaism, the covenant begins with Abraham and is formally established with Moses at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Torah to the Jewish people, outlining their laws and responsibilities. Christians believe in this original covenant but also in a "New Covenant" established through Jesus's death and resurrection, which they believe is open to all people, not just the descendants of Abraham.
8. Why don't Jewish people accept the New Testament?
Jewish people do not accept the New Testament as scripture because it is fundamentally centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as the divine Messiah, a belief that is contrary to the core tenets of Judaism. The New Testament proclaims Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies from the Hebrew Bible, an interpretation that Judaism does not support. Therefore, for Jews, the canon of sacred texts concluded with the Tanakh.
