Christians & Jews—Faith to Faith

James Rudin

Description

In time for Pope Francis's new initiatives. We now have the potential to end two thousand years of hostility—will we succeed? New in paperback!

With keen wisdom and a masterful understanding of history, Rabbi James Rudin, an acclaimed authority in the field of Jewish-Christian relations, provides the context necessary for Christians and Jews to recognize the critical challenges posed by the past—and the future—of their two religions.

Spanning twenty centuries of controversy, horror and promise, Rudin's narrative examines:

• The sources of both conflict and commonality between the two religions


• The need to address and redress past wrongs


• The agenda required to create a shared future free of bigotry

It includes proven approaches for successful interreligious dialogues, including tips on session organization, project ideas and a discussion guide to enhance Christians’ and Jews’ knowledge of each other.

Acknowledgments xi
1. What's in a Name? Hebrews, Israelites, or Jews? 1
2. The Ancient Big Three: Jews, Greeks, and Romans 7
3. The World's Longest Running Religious Debate Begins 17
4. Saul, Call Me Paul: The Controversial
Apostle to the Gentiles 43
5. The Partings of the Way: Jews and Christians
Take Separate Paths to God 57
6. Why "Old Testament" Is Not a Term of Endearment 65
7. Anti-Judaism and Anti-Semitism: The Poisoned
Branches of Paul's "Good Olive Tree" 83
8. Mission, Witness, and Conversion 113
9. O Jerusalem! Three Faiths but Only One Jerusalem 133
10. Why There Is Only One Holocaust 149
11. The Meaning of Modern Israel for Christians and Jews 167
12. Proceed with Caution: Interreligious Relations
Is Now a Three-Way Intersection 183
13. We Are Prisoners of Hope 215
14. A User’s Guide to Christian-Jewish Relations 225
Discussion Guide 233
Notes 237
Suggestions for Further Reading 253
Index 262

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology
• Fragile Future
• Jewish philosophy
• Judaism
• Christianity and Judaism
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 13 juillet 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781580235648
• Langue: English

Extrait

In memory of six giants of Christian-Jewish relations-
The Rev. Edward Flannery
The Rev. Linda Blagg Harter
Rabbi Leon Klenicki
Cardinal John O Connor
Rabbi Murray Saltzman
Rabbi Michael Signer
Praise for Christians & Jews-Faith to Faith: Tragic History, Promising Present, Fragile Future
Absolutely the most convenient panoramic analysis of the Jewish-Christian retrospect and prospect I ve seen.… A masterpiece by the Jewish dean and most seasoned veteran of Jewish-Christian deliberations … penetratingly clear and accessible for all readers.… A clarion call lest gains of recent decades lapse or even dissipate.
- Rabbi Michael J. Cook, PhD , Bronstein Professor of Judeo-Christian Studies, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati; author, Modern Jews Engage the New Testament : Enhancing Jewish Well-Being in a Christian Environment
A comprehensive overview of a half century of Christian-Jewish relations. Rudin brings his long central involvement in the Christian-Jewish dialogue to bear in insightful ways on the major theological and political issues central to that conversation.
- John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, PhD, director, Catholic-Jewish Studies Program, Catholic Theological Union (Chicago)
Rabbi Rudin has brought his wealth of experience and uncommon wisdom to shed light on the complex world of interreligious relations. Important and useful.
- Rabbi Gary Greenebaum , director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, American Jewish Committee
Does not dodge any of the painful issues…. [A] rewarding, always stimulating book.
- Peter Steinfels , co-director, Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture; former New York Times religion correspondent and columnist
A vibrant, timely study by one of America s distinguished leaders and shrewd analysts of the Jewish-Christian encounter. Rudin succeeds brilliantly in laying bare the past and illuminating the present so Jews and Christians may wisely and respectfully press forward to model a more authentic relationship for the good of the other and the future of all humanity.
- Marvin R. Wilson, PhD , Ockenga Professor of Biblical Studies, Gordon College
Offers us all a Jewish take on our times, allowing us to see and hear the news with the eyes and ears of Jews. Here also is a clear-eyed understanding for both Christians and Jews of the evils of establishment, religion and state coupled together, predicated upon replacing suspicion with respect and apathy with empathy. Urgently needed!
- The Rev. Dr. James M. Dunn , professor of Christianity and public policy, Divinity School at Wake Forest University
This thorough, engaging and accessible [resource] on Jewish-Christian relations examines the complex history of two formidable faith communities and makes concrete suggestions for action. Rudin s rich experience in Jewish-Christian dialogue is apparent from beginning to end.
- Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD , Wiener Professor of Contemporary Jewish Civilization and former president, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
This is a must-have for anyone interested in the vital story of Christian-Jewish relations. Rabbi Rudin s polished prose and sharp observations guide the reader on a stimulating journey through time, and provide invaluable insights into the future of one of the world s most complicated religious relationships. Indispensable for academics, interfaith activists and general readers interested in religion and its impact on world history.
- Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg , director, Department of Interfaith Affairs, Anti-Defamation League
Rabbi Rudin has written the best guide to Jewish-Christian dialogue that I have ever seen. Popular but sophisticated, sobering but hopeful, it provides a searching analysis of the vocabulary and history of Christian-Jewish relations, reminding us why these relations are so difficult and why they are so important.
- Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie , president, Union for Reform Judaism
Christians & Jews-Faith to Faith: Tragic History, Promising Present, Fragile Future
2011 Hardcover Edition, First Printing 2011 by James Rudin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
For information regarding permission to reprint material from this book, please mail or fax your request in writing to Jewish Lights Publishing, Permissions Department, at the address/fax number listed below, or e-mail your request to [e-mail].
Grateful acknowledgment is given for permission to use material from the following sources: Excerpt from Modern Jews Engage the New Testament: Enhancing Jewish Well-Being in a Christian Environment 2008 Michael J. Cook. Permission granted by Jewish Lights Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091, www.jewishlights.com. Scriptural quotations from the New American Standard Bible , copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation are used by permission. www.lockman.org.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rudin, A. James (Arnold James), 1934– Christians & Jews-faith to faith : tragic history, promising present, fragile future / James Rudin. - 2011 hardcover ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-58023-432-0 (hardcover) 1. Judaism-Relations-Christianity. 2. Christianity and other religions-Judaism. 3. Christianity and antisemitism. I. Title. BM535.R75 2010 296.3'96-dc22 2010033375
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Manufactured in the United States of America Jacket design: Tim Holtz Jacket art: iStockphoto.com/aperture8, modified by Tim Holtz Interior design: Kristi Menter
For People of All Faiths, All Backgrounds Published by Jewish Lights Publishing A Division of Longhill Partners, Inc. Sunset Farm Offices, Route 4, P.O. Box 237 Woodstock, VT 05091 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.jewishlights.com
Contents
Acknowledgments
1. What s in a Name? Hebrews, Israelites, or Jews?
2. The Ancient Big Three: Jews, Greeks, and Romans
3. The World s Longest Running Religious Debate Begins
4. Saul, Call Me Paul: The Controversial Apostle to the Gentiles
5. The Partings of the Way: Jews and Christians Take Separate Paths to God
6. Why Old Testament Is Not a Term of Endearment
7. Anti-Judaism and Anti-Semitism: The Poisoned Branches of Paul s Good Olive Tree
8. Mission, Witness, and Conversion
9. O Jerusalem! Three Faiths but Only One Jerusalem
10. Why There Is Only One Holocaust
11. The Meaning of Modern Israel for Christians and Jews
12. Proceed with Caution: Interreligious Relations Is Now a Three-Way Intersection
13. We Are Prisoners of Hope
14. A User s Guide to Christian-Jewish Relations
Discussion Guide
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading

About Jewish Lights
Copyright
Acknowledgments
I could not have written this book without the guidance, support, cooperation, and inspiration of many people and institutions.
I am especially appreciative of the wonderful staffs of the Sanibel Island Public Library and the New York Society Library in New York City. Both libraries provided superb writing areas and extraordinary research facilities.
Two gifted people put this book together: Stuart M. Matlins, the publisher of Jewish Lights, and Richard Curtis, my literary agent. Emily Wichland and Lauren Hill were excellent editors. Gerald and Deborah Strober, talented authors and lifelong friends, provided constant encouragement and advice.
While this book is the work of a single author, my many Jewish and Christian colleagues taught me more than they will ever know, and I am grateful to all of them. I appreciate the suggestions and comments of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine of the Vanderbilt Divinity School and Dr. Marvin R. Wilson of Gordon College. The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has been my professional home for more than forty years, a precious gift I never take for granted. Since 1991 the Religion News Service (RNS) has distributed my newspaper columns, and I thank the RNS staff and management for that unique opportunity. It is an honor to be part of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) that the AJC cosponsors with Saint Leo University (SLU).
The views and opinions expressed in this book are my own, however, and do not necessarily reflect those of the AJC, RNS, SLU, or CCJS.
Finally, the best for last. Four remarkable Jewish women have taught me humility and given me enormous joy: my daughters, Rabbi Eve and Jennifer; my granddaughter, Emma Mollie; and my wife, Marcia, who every day provides meaning in my life and has shared our journey together for more than forty years. Unlike my biblical ancestors who were compelled to wander in the wilderness for four decades, thanks to Marcia, I long ago entered the Promised Land of love and companionship.
1
What s in a Name?
Hebrews, Israelites, or Jews?
In the beginning were the names.
Three names for the people of the Bible-Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews. And the people were with God, and God was with the people. And it was good.
And although the trio of scriptural names had diverse linguistic roots and were used during distinct periods of ancient history, each name, while different from one another, identified the same people.
But a bitter and long-lasting quarrel began two thousand years ago when a new faith, Christianity, emerged from within the community of Hebrews/Israelites/Jews.
Jesus of Nazareth, a Jew living in the Land of Israel two millennia ago, was believed by a nascent group of Jewish followers to be the theological fulfillment and replacement of Judaism, the religion that had spiritually nurtured Jesus during his brief lifetime of about thirty-three years.
In an effort to buttress their claim, the followers of Jesus took one of the three biblical names for themselves and declared it now be