How does one know the trut via Judaism vs. Christianity?

Question

I don't feel like I can trust either the Christian or Jew apologist because I know one of them is wrong but they both have good points. This means I must do all research on my own.
I must learn the Hebrew languange including culture etc., Jewish history, the history of the world from at least 500 years before and after Jesus, may as well through in Greek and Arabic language, become a Biblical scholar etc. This is impossible in one life time!
Second option is to pray to God. Only problem is most of the world prays to God and most of the world does not know truth about God because everyone can't be right.
Genuine desire to know truth doesn't even help much because I think that most Jews and Christians do want to know truth but they have come to different conclusions.
Can we really know truth????

Answer 1

I think that ultimately it is something you have to decide for yourself after investigating both religions. Me, I chose Judaism, but that's no guarantee that you will too.

Also, I don't think you'd have to go quite as far as you say to discover which tradition is for you. My suggestion is that you write out the major points of contention as you see them between the two religions, and examine what each has to say. You might find yourself leaning one way or another, or possibly towards a third religion that you've never considered before. Or maybe you'll become agnostic or an atheist. Who knows?

I wish you success, though!

Answer 2

Have you heard of the parable of the Students and the Elephant?

A wise teacher we asked this very question and decide to give his students this lesson:

He had them all put on a blindfold then had an elephant (of which they knew nothing and had never seen) brought to them.

He positioned them around the elephant and instructed them to move forward and describe in detail the first thing that they touched to see which could better convey the attributes and truth of what he encountered.

The first described a long, thin rope, and told the teacher it must be a rope.

The second described a broad wide surface, and said it must be a sail.

The third said, no, it is a thick and round and long tube, like a young tree.

And so on and so on, each certain that he had discovered the attributes and therefore the truth about what was before him.

They fell into arguing with each other and even into fighting, each certain that he had found the truth.

Then the wise teacher had them lift their blindfolds.

What was the lesson that he taught them that day?

Answer 3

I think you can trust that God will lead you into finding truth

The Life and TIme of Jesus the Messiah
by Alfred Edersheim
is a good scholarly book on the subject

http://www.speraindeo.org/aprread.html

Answer 4

I understand your dilemma, but of course we can know the truth. God WANTS you to see it! Can I make a recommendation? Please read Dr. Michael L. Brown's 4-book series "Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus." Dr. Brown is a Jewish believer in Jesus (they prefer to call themselves Messianic Jews). He reads and writes Biblical Hebrew, has studied the Talmud since he was young, and is a Biblical teacher and scholar with impeccable credentials. Here's his web site with small samples of his answers to common questions: http://www.realmessiah.com/answers.htm (please note, these are GREATLY abbreviated answers; many of these answers are 5 to 10 pages long in the books).

You may also find it helpful to view Dr. Brown's debate with Rabbi Tovia Singer, a leading "anti-missionary" and founder of "Outreach Judaism" : http://www.realmessiah.com/debates.htm The whole thing is about an hour long; but don't miss the very end, where Rabbi Singer admits that he was wrong about one of his key arguments.

Answer 5

It is those who seek that find. You imply one cannot possibly do so in one lifetime, but God didn't make it that difficult.

You don't need to know Hebrew and Greek. There are works out there that give the understanding of words in their context.

You also need to learn how to properly evaluate claims and evidence in order to develop your critical thinking skills.

.

Answer 6

The Jews rejected Jesus as savior because they wanted someone to come in and conquer the Romans; they wanted a warrior who defeated their enemies, not a gentle heart who taught us to turn the other cheek.
Look at the motivations. Jews had EVERY reason to believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the prophecies.....yet because of their own "RELIGIOUS" agenda they turned away...

Gentiles (everyone who was NOT a JEW) had NO reason to understand or believe in a savior of the world....yet they DID because the evidences of who He was and what He did were so overwhelming...and they had no agenda.

And ask God. Don't give excuses for why you can't allow Him to give you personal revelation. That's YOUR agenda. "Oh, I can't pray and ask God....."

Really? Sounds like an excuse to me.

Answer 7

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14)

Answer 8

Perhaps you need to gravitate toward the best in each? For me its a no brainer... you don't have choose the one over the other necessarily. The truth is within you to discern.

Answer 9

Impossible in one lifetime? Don't be silly! I have done all those things you mentioned. (Except instead of Arabic, I did Ugaritic AND Latin).

So don't be a slacker! Get off your duff and do it.

Answer 10

Hey, pal, just get me an aspirin.