Christians, if you were to have a face to face conversation with a Torah observant Jew about God...?

Question

who do you think would be converted and why?

Jews, what are your thoughts on this matter?

Answer 1

judaism teaches that well meaning people of any faith are good people destined for a good afterlife.

christianity teaches that if you aren't christian you are going to hell.

this makes sense, historically. christianity came much later, as an offshoot of judaism, but the jews didn't fall for it. so they had to branch out, add pagan ideas like the resurrection, in order to convert pagans. they had to convert SOMEONE or the religion wouldn't survive. so they make converting people an important part of christianity.

to non christians though, it just comes off as arrogance. the person who answered "the jew might convert to christianity, but the christian wouldn't convert because we've been taught the truth" says it all.
as it turns out, jesus fulfilled none of the predictions about the messiah, and is clearly not the christ predicted by the old testament. that's not to say christians are foolish or wrong, just that we jews aren't falling for it.
i know several peaceful, loving christians that evince the best of the religion. unfortunately, we all know lots of hateful, judgemental, arrogant christians too. there are certainly judgemental people who call themselves jews, but they're not making it their goal to convert everyone, so they don't throw it in everyone's face like some xians do.

Answer 2

Neither would be converted.

The xtian viewpoint is based on faith alone, and I would not be out to dash that person's hopes with fact-based refutations of their faith. Jews don't proselytize.

Either it would just be a conversation - end of story- or one frustrated xtian.
Any Torah observant Jew is educated enough in the religion to refute xtianity's claims.

Your presumption- that one must be converted- guarantees the frustrated outcome.
If, on the other hand, the xtian is knowledgeable enough in both religions and sufficiently respectful of others' to refrain from attempts at converting Jews I'm sure most would be willing to converse.

Answer 3

If a person is strong in their religious background and belief, they will not be converted by a single conversation. Many people try to convert others because they are not really sure if their own religion, they validate themselves by getting others to do it too... This is not how Judaism works, there is no need for everyone to be Jewish to be good in the Eyes of God..

Answer 4

I'm Catholic. The Jews are still in a very valid and valuable covenantal relationship with God. Neither the Father nor the Son ended that covenant. No need to convert Jews. Paul makes this very clear in his letter to the Romans:

“Did God reject his people? By no means!... 2God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew…11Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part UNTIL the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so ALL Israel will be saved, as it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27And this is[f] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins."

…for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable”


Romans 11:1-2; 11, 25-27; 29

Answer 5

I don't think a person can be converted from their religion because of one conversation. As a Jew, I can tell you that hundreds of people have tried to convert me and I have never been convinced. I just wish people would stop trying to convert Jews. We don't try to convert anyone; we don't tell anyone that they are wrong to believe as they do...why can't we just be left alone to worship in our own way?

Answer 6

once again, why the need for a conversion as opposed to an educated talk between two people who share a faith in God.

Maybe it's just me, but a conversation with anyone of a particular separate religious denomination is not likely to sway me one iota, no matter how convincing they may sound to themselves.

Answer 7

Why assume that either will be converted?

I doubt either would change their religion!

I'm Jewish and I can say with confidence that I wouldn't change my religion. Nor would I expect anyone of any other faith to convert, no matter how intriguing the conversation!

Answer 8

I don't think I"m currently armed enough with knowledge of the word to accomplish this feat. There are others I'm sure, who could (convert them). I guess I have never had a conversation with a practicing Jew I guess that should be added to my list of things to do.

Answer 9

I think that the Jewish person would at least question if Jesus was or wasn't the answer to the Messiah which he/she is still waiting for.
Because within the Torah is the promise of God given to His prophet about the Messiah, who it would be with a set of instructions on how He would be.
Will he/she be converted I dont think with just one sit down anyone can be converted, will he/she start questioning their faith and convert in the future, maybe so.
Such happened to St. Edith Stein, jewish at birth, converted to Catholicism while reading a book about St. Therese of Avila. She started studying the Catholic faith, which she claims to have the one, true belief, and then was martyred in Auschwitz, yes a Catholic, like many who died in Germany were Catholic.
I don't sincerely think it would occur vice versa, because as Christians we have been exposed to the truth that lies in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, and by denying this we deny ourselves.
Those are my thoughts and as usual, thanks for the thought provoking questions you always put on here.

Answer 10

For Jews, the belief that God would become human is the ultimate heresy.

Jesus fulfills none of the prophesy. His mission is to bring peace and justice to all mankind here on earth. Look out the window. Is there peace anywhere on earth? No? Then he hasn't been here yet! He will not be divine and his mission is NOT salvation. We have had "salvation" since time immemorial!

Jew-by-choice
.