Christianity and Judaism
"In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters." And so, believe many, the earth's history began. This quotation from the Bible and the stories that follow it have spawned so many different sects in the Christian Tradition. But what spawned Christianity? Most would say the Christian Tradition was brought about by the belief that Jesus Christ was the messiah. This is, in essence correct. However, Christianity in itself can be looked at as a sect of Judaism, because, Judaism, in essence, gave birth to Christianity. Jesus was, after all a Jew. It is a simple fact that the Christian Tradition finds its roots in Judaism. Jewish men founded some of the first Christian churches. Because Christianity came about from the teachings of Jesus, it is important to understand where Jesus came from and what inspired His preaching. Most historians agree that Jesus probably attended the local synagogue and "gained there at least an oral familiarity with the Hebrew Scriptures and the demands of Pharisaic Judaism." As He grew older, He was influenced by the teachings of John, a preacher from
fundamental beliefs (monotheism) and ethical good of all humanity, without discrimination. This paper sets out to show what unbreakable links tie Christians and Jews together, as well as what has set them apart so violently. An understanding of these two deeply connected religions can heighten understanding and ecumenism. It can make clear the ignorance of such religious hatred, which even now, in perhaps the most successful age of ecumenism, continue to destroy nations. In fact, Martin Luther was a proponent of anti-Semitism, and "turned to a vile attack on the Jews in his embittered last years." Christians and Jews around the world are supporting these organizations and recognizing the deep history these two traditions share. It was out of Judaism that Christianity was born, and it was out of ignorance that anti-Semitism was born. By educating, and by understanding how both religions have affected one another in the past, and how they continue to affect each other in the present, we can usher in a new age of ecumenism. This new age is imperative if we are to live together in peace as divided descendants of one religious tradition. Why though, is it important to understand Christianity's root in Judaism? It is important to know the connectedness of these two religions for the same reason it is important to know who one's own parents are. Judaism is the parent of Christianity. It, in essence, gave birth to the Christian Tradition. By truly understanding where these traditions came from, a Christian can better understand why they are practiced. Furthermore, through mutual understanding, different religions can live in peace together. This idea of peace between religions is called ecumenism. "The spirit of ecumenism has produced a conspicuous increase in the amount and quality of fraternization." It seems without question that these two world religions are extremely similar. While this is true, we can not neglect that which separates one from the other. However, these differences arose from the same place. Where once the two religions coincided now they have split apart and traveled different roads to their own personal idea of salvation.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2281
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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