Christendom: What about the Jews? (Pluralism)

The Relationship Between Christianity and Judaism in Two Contexts

Before Constantine:

• Judaism was well established
• Christianity was the small sect

After Constantine:

• Christianity became well established
• Judaism was the small minority

Documents written in one context mean something different when read in another context (if we forget the original context)

Paul

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. (Rom 10:12)

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Rom 11:1)

Indeed you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith. (Rom 11:19-20)

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them.” (Gal. 3:10)

The Gospel of Matthew

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. (23:27)

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned, desolate. (23:37-38)

And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” (27:25)

The Gospel of John

For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. (5:18)

You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. (8:44)

Supersessionism

The belief that Judaism is obsolete once replaced by Christianity

The dominant view for most of Christian history until the 1960s

• Post-Holocaust
• Vatican II

Critique

• God does not break God’s covenants
• Judaism is not stagnant
• Judaism is not defined by the absence of Christ or the New Testament

Deicide

Who killed Jesus?

Why did Jesus die?

Who says “Crucify him! Crucify him!” on Palm Sunday?

Topics from the History of Jews under Christendom

1. Marcion
2. Melito
3. Supersessionism
4. Deicide
5. Good Friday massacres
6. Augustine - Jews should be kept around as examples of how miserable life is without Christ
7. Forced conversion
8. Pogroms
9. Blood libel
10. Antisemitism (racial)
11. Holocaust
12. Targeted conversion
13. Mel Gibson
14. Christian Zionism