Skip to main content

What is the relationship between Christianity and Judaism?

Christianity and Judaism are two of the world's three largest monotheistic faiths (with Islam being the third). They have strong historical connections, as Christianity first emerged as a sect (or more accurately several sects) from Judaism in the first century A.D. Generally speaking, the most important theological difference between the two is that adherents of Judaism do not acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah (a man sent by God to unify and deliver the people...

Christianity and Judaism are two of the world's three largest monotheistic faiths (with Islam being the third). They have strong historical connections, as Christianity first emerged as a sect (or more accurately several sects) from Judaism in the first century A.D. Generally speaking, the most important theological difference between the two is that adherents of Judaism do not acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah (a man sent by God to unify and deliver the people of Israel) or the son of God. They also do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, which forms the foundation of Christian theology. But Christians and Jews otherwise believe many of the same things. In particular, they hold the Hebrew Old Testament as sacred, containing the word of God and many of the foundations of the relationship between God and man, including the covenant and the Ten Commandments. They believe, in short, in the same God, and share the same history until the life of Jesus. While Christians emerged from Judaism, they did not reject most of its key teachings or religious texts. Theologically, however, most Christians have a different view of the afterlife than most Jews, who do not hold the same beliefs about sin and redemption.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more