Download Judaism and Chrisitanity

JUDAISM AND
CHRISTIANITY
The Semitic religious hearth
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Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam all
arose among Semiticspeaking 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
Divisions in Judea
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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
Judaism is…
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“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)
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A “covenant relationship” between
God and the Hebrew people
A faith, a people, a way of life…
As a faith, Jews Believe…
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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
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the Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament
As a people, Jews are…
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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…
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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?
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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
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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
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Christianity spread through the Roman Empire using the
existing splendid road system
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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
Jesus and His Message
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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
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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
Differences
Orthodox
Catholic
Protestant
Ortho – right, correct, true
Doxa – to hold an opinion
•Correct Worship
•Right Belief
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 the Creed:
“Catholic” is defined as
“wholeness, complete as
having everything”
In “protest” against the
Roman Catholic Church
included -indulgences,
simony (buying & selling
church positions),
purgatory,
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