Judeo-Christian tradition

The term Judeo-Christian tradition is a term used to describe the concepts and values that are shared between Christianity and Judaism. Its origins are in American politics, in an attempt to create a non-denominational American Christian religious consenus that did not appear anti-semitic by excluding Judaism.

The phrase "Judeo-Christian" implies more commality than actually exists. The reality is more nuanced; Judaism and Christianity have both many areas of agreement, as well as sharply defined ethical and religious systems that are in some areas polar opposites. Given the differences, many religious Jews and Christians find the phrase "Judeo-Christian tradition" to be an oxymoron, just as the phrase "Capitalist-Communist tradition" would be.

Recently obver 50 rabbis from the non-Orthodox branches of Judaism signed a document called Dabru Emet ("Speak the Truth") that has since been used in Jewish education programs across the US. Some Modern Orthodox rabbis have made statements in agreement with this document as well, but have not signed. This is because Orthodox Judaism is more strict than the other denominations in regards to the Jewish religious prohibition against inter-religion theological dialogue. (In the past such dialogues were forced, and had as their sole motive the conversion of Jews to other faiths.)

While affirming that there are differences between these two religions, the purpose of Dabru Emet is to point out the common ground between these two religions. It is not an official document of any of the Jewish denominations per se, but it is representative of what many religious Jews (both rabbis and laypeople) feel. [[Dabur Emet]]

Comparing and Contrasting Judaism and Christianity

God

Both Jews and Christians believe in the God Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Tanach (Old Testament, Hebrew Bible), the creator of the universe. However, Christianity posits a trinity, in which the Godhead possess three distinct persons; In that three there are one and in that one there are three. Judaism sees God as a strict unity, and views trinitarianism as both incomprehensible and heretical.

Messiah

Both Jews and Christians believe that a descendent of King David will one day appear to restore the Kingdom of [[Israel], and who will usher in a messianic era of peace.

Jews believe that this messiah will be a human being, like other human beings. Most Christians teach that Jesus was, in a literal sense, the son of God, and also part of the Godhead, and also the messiah. Jesus is said to be part of the same substance of God, involved in the Godhead as part of a Trinity. Judaism holds this idea to be both incorrect and incomprehensible.

Salvation/Attaining? an afterlife

Both Jews and Chrisitians believe that there will be some sort of afterlife. Christianity posits that the only way that one can be saved is through the acceptance of Jesus as a saviour; salvation comes strictly through faith, and not through actions. Judaism holds the polar opposite view and claims that whatever salvation may exist is found only through ethical action; beliefs play no role.

Abortion

Both Jews and Christians regard pregnancy as a gift from God, and hold children to be miracles. However, most branches of Christianity have historically held abortion to be murder. Judaism claims that the fetus is not yet a full human being, and thus is not murder, and therefore abortion - in restricted circumstances - has always been legal under Jewish law. Judaism prefers that such abortions, when necessary, take place before the first 40 days.

The Bible

Jews and Christians seek authority from the same basic books, the Tanach (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament), and as such, have much in common. However, Judaism holds that the only biblical books that express God's will are those in the Tanach (Hebrew Bible, aka Old Testament). Christians hold that this is incorrect, and that many more books (collected in the New Testament) express the final and authoritative word of God.

Dealing with violence and pacifism

Jews and Christians accept as valid and binding the moral principles taught in the Torah. There is a great deal of overlap between the ethical systems of these two faiths. Nonetheless, there are some highly significant doctrinal differences.

Judaism has a great many teachings about peace and compromise, and its teachings make physical violence the last possible option. Nonetheless, the Talmud teaches that "If someone comes with the intention to murder you, then one is obligated to kill in self-defense". The clear implication that to do anything less would be tantamount to suicide (which Jewish law forbids) and it would also be considered helping a murderer kill someone. The tension between the laws dealing with peace, and the obligation to self-defense, has led to a set of Jewish teachings that may be described as tactical-pacifism. This is the avoidance of force and violence whenever possible, but the use of it when necessary to save the lives of one's-self and one's people.

The New Testament teaches that if someone comes to harm you, then one must turn the other cheek. This has led many Christians to develop a theology of pacifism, the avoidance of force and violence at all times. In practice, this has not often been followed (i.e. the many crusades, pogroms in Russia, Martin Luther's exhortions to burn down synagogues with Jews still in them) when applied towards gentiles; it is most often applied towards inter-Christian disputes.

/Talk