Christianity and all its member groups (Jehovah's Witnesses, LDS, etc.) and Islam are based on the writings and teachings of the Hebrews (Jews). In fact, according to the texts that both Christianity and Islam are taken from, the Jews were the chosen people of the god of Abraham. Jesus even said that he came for the lost sheep of Israel, not the gentiles. How is it that gentiles have come to consider themselves the beloved of the god of Abraham?
2007-09-19 17:31:00 · 13 answers · asked by Enigma®Ragnarökin' 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Now, now; we musn't confuse the Johnny-come-latelies with LOGIC ;-)
2007-09-19 17:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christians should respect Judaism as Jesus was a Jew. Having said that, his death and resurrection paved the way for both Jew Christians and Gentile Christians to have a living relationship with Him.
2007-09-20 01:49:53 · answer #2 · answered by alomi_revolution 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Exactly. Everything in the Bible is about the Jews, not the gentiles. God chose the Jewish people as his special people, above all others. So Christians and Muslims are just hanging on to hope, begging to be loved by God, but never will be.
This seems pretty clear to me:
Deut 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH
2007-09-20 00:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by bandycat5 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You are entirely correct to state that Judaism is right, as the foundation. Also, that the Jews ARE the chosen people of God (not 'were'). The Christian apostle Paul answers your basic Q in Romans ch 10 & 11.
He prays to God for Israel that they may be saved, for their zeal is not based on the knowledge of God's righteousness - Christ. 'For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to EVERYONE who believes.' But they rejected the Messiah, as prophecied by Isaiah and Moses: 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me.' 'I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will anger you by a foolish nation.'
Paul said, 'Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles... I am an apostle to the Gentiles.' He goes on to explain the parable of the olive tree's branches being broken off by God to ingraft wild olive branches [the Gentiles] but warns the new believers, 'Do not boast against the branches... remember that you do not support the root, but the root [Israel] supports you... Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural brances, he may not spare you either... And they also [the Jews], if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in... hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written...'
Your final Q: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.' (Galatians 3:26-29) The physical sonship becomes spiritual birth through faith, for Abraham's life was meant to show us the priority of faith. All who have such faith in the Covenant God are adopted into God's family. From this you might see that pseudo-Christian groups (like JWs and LDS) and Islam (which rejects the Christ of the Bible) have such works-based systems, they struggle to know what it is to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).
2007-09-20 05:49:49 · answer #4 · answered by Annsan_In_Him 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right. If Judaism is false, then the others are also false.
Mikearion: That "free gift" has been there for all the world since Adam and Eve! It's Christianity that restricted it to "believers" only and introduced a place of eternal torment.
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2007-09-20 00:41:57 · answer #5 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Judaism has to account for the fact that the Levitical priesthood no longer exists. The promise made to King David about his throne being forever would be void as they have no Kings and no way to trace his lineage. If not fulfilled by Jesus then who? There has been so much mariage with other races and dispersion among so many contries there is no longer any way to trace there lineage back to David.
2007-09-20 00:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by Edward J 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is something completely wrong with the idea that the older a religion is then the more correct and uncorrupted it therefor must be. no other concept works this way. imagine if architecture didn't evolve since the Romans, or imagine if medicine didn't evolve since the black plague. so why in the world should older conceptions of god be the most acceptable?
2007-09-20 00:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by Antena 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, PLEASE do not insult Christianity by including JW's and LDS with us. Although THEY call themselves Christian, they are not Believers with us because they deny MAJOR Christian doctrines like the Deity of Christ and the Trinity.
Here is why the Gentiles consider themselves part of the Abrahamic Family:
After the passages below, read Hebrews 11 in the New Testament.
2007-09-20 00:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Christian gentiles do not think they are anything special. If you accept a free gift offered to the whole world why would that make you special?
However, I know Jewish Christians that are proud to keep much of their traditions and even find them compatible with their Christian faith. After all Jesus was Jewish and Christianity is actually a sect of Judaism.
We are fully aware that Christ is first the savior of the Jews. And the Bible teaches us to be humble because if God would cut off the "natural branches" He would certainly cut off a "grafted branch" too.
2007-09-20 00:36:37 · answer #9 · answered by mikearion 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
What makes anyone in the judeo-christian-muslim religious complex think they are right?
I suspect they are all wrong and it all goes back to that abrahamic nonsense.
2007-09-20 00:42:51 · answer #10 · answered by BAL 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Read the Bible...Jesus died for everyone. Again, another example of someone who comments on the Bible without a complete knowledge of it. Study, educate yourself, then come back and ask an intelligent question.
Seriously, take some time to know the Book you are quoting in it's entirety before you try to discuss it with others who have studied it all their lives.
Your ignorance of the Bible is showing in this question...you are embarassing yourself. I am sorry to be so blunt, please forgive me for that but you do need to educate yourself in Bible studies and theology. Trying to debunk something you know very little about will only make you look and sound stupid....sorry.
2007-09-20 00:45:34 · answer #11 · answered by Native Spirit 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋