Church of Christ Vs. Judaism: A Comparison

There are many denominations of the historical Church of Christ, as there are different sects of Judaism. Even the scholars have are hard time understanding and explaining their central beliefs, which causes major conflicts between the followers.

However, the history of both religions, are unique and important among their millions followers. Only faith and disciple, can allow us to honestly experience the personal God that each person adores. The differences are enough to shake the foundations of any firm believer. They end up questioning the true path to righteousness and to God their Spiritual Father.

Soon, the different beliefs of these religions gained followers that were swearing their loyalty to these fellowships. Most of the followers have decided to follow a way of life that involves their own beliefs and understandings. Whether they believe in Christmas or Hanukah, most followers are emotionally driven by the lessons they have learned.

When they share their beliefs with others, they will experience arguments or disbeliefs in some people. However, some people believed them and the religions have managed to grow into a major religion. Sometimes, the two religions, will battle over the right to exist and believe they way they do. The history books are full of wars and disagreements, among these two religions.

What is Christianity?

What are their Beliefs?

Most member of this religion, have considered their foundations be bible built and that it follows a path built by the others. Some choose a non-denominational path like those the follow the beliefs of the Christians before them. Many have experienced prejudice or stereotypic behavior, due to lack of understanding and knowledge in people they meet.

The people, who study at the Church of Christ, are normal families that live next store. The follower's believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ and have started a religion that follows the principles set forth in the Bible. They followed these teachings and his apostle Paul, who actually created the first Christian church. Most believe that Jesus was sent by God to be personal savior, but we must believe it. Many believe that the history of the Christian church is written in the New Testament and it should be followed by all persons that believe. They believe that they are all sinners and that they can be forgiven by God, if they confess their sins and invite Jesus in their heart.

What is Sacred?

As a collective organization, the religion observes no sacred holidays like Easter or Christmas. However, they do partake of the Lord's Supper. As often as they meet together and study. The Lord's Supper consists of grape juice and unleavened bread, which is used to remember Jesus Christ's last supper with his disciples. Every member believes that the Bible is sacred and a divinely inspired text. Also, they each believe that Christ is the son of God and his teachings are sacred to all believers. Most Christians followed the teaching of the Jesus and his followers that are discussed in the New Testament. Most Consider Jesus to be the sacred "Messiah" or "Anointed one" (Hedrick, unknown), who the fulfilled the prophecy spoke of by the Old Testament prophets. Most Christians see Jerusalem, as the sacred birth place of Jesus Christ their Lord.

Who is God?

Mainly, the followers believe that God is a holy or divine deity, who created the world and everything in it. Most followers believe that he is their spiritual father and the Bible is his book of instruction to us. Each person must believe that Jesus is God's son and that he died for our sins, in order to save our soul. God forgives them for any sins they may have committed, at the time of their salvation.

Most believe in the blessed Trinity; which is described as God being the father, Jesus being the son, and the Holy Spirit is actually God's spirit. According to Hedrick (unknown), many believers thought that Jesus was a human form of God. Many see him as a teacher, nurturer, and holy entity capable of controlling our lives. Most Christians also see God as a Judge, who will release his wrath or vengeance upon them at the "Final Judgment" (Hedrick, Unknown). Most believers say it's God's choice, whether they spend eternity in Heaven or Hell.

What is Judaism?

Who are the Lost Tribes?

Jewish people believe that they are direct descendants of Abraham's son Isaac, who was blessed by God. They believe that Jacob personal struggle with God's spirit left him with a limp and the new name of Israel. Most Jews believe that his twelve sons; actually became the Twelve Tribes of Israel. According to Fisher (2005), the Jewish people was captured by the Babylonians and scattered by God. Many believed this was God's punishment, for disobeying God's commandments and laws. Many believe they have been wandering in the wilderness, while waiting for their God to call them back. They were persecuted throughout history and millions were killed, due to The Nazi Army's crusade. In 1948, they were finally given back their promised land and they were able to worship without persecution.

What is Considered Sacred

The "Old Testament" of the Hebrew bible or "Torah" (Fisher, 2005) is considered to be inspired by God. The Jewish people faithfully study the Torah, Talmud, the Apocrypha, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. According to Rich (2001) the relationship of the followers with God, is sacred and personal in their daily life. The Jewish have their own sacred holidays, which they observe every year like "Passover" or "Hanukah" (Fisher, 2005). Each Jewish follower observes the traditions sent by the prophets and ancient followers. Every follower believes that Israel is the sacred and holy place that was chosen by God for his children. They believe that he will one day send a Messiah to Israel, which will save them from persecution and will judge them for their sins. Each follows believes that the "Words of the Prophets" (Rich, 2001) are sacred and should be followed by each person.

What is God?

The Jewish followers believe that God is a divine deity that created and chose their people. Also, they believe that God created laws and rules, in order to test their loyalty and love for him. Most Jews believe that Jesus was a prophet, not the son of God as most Christians have claimed. According to Fisher (2005), he is a supreme male deity, who is close to his followers and people. The Jews say that God has powerful emotions for his children and he continually nurtures them. Each follower believes that he has several different names and he is their one true protector. Most Jews see their God, as a unique, all knowing, compassionate father that can loves and chastises his children. They each believe that God will resurrect each follower, once they die a natural death.

Living Together

The Beginnings

Since, they day these two religions met, there has been many arguments and conflicts that has aroused. Both sides have struggled to show the validity of their personal beliefs, but there are many differences. These disagreements have ended in bloodshed and religious persecution of both religions. According to Got Questions Ministries (2007), Jewish people don't believe in the New Testament or Jesus as a messiah sent by God. This has caused major conflicts, among both religions and its followers. Throughout history, both religions say that God had his hand in the final outcome. Each religion has had to worship in secret, due to the oppressors they faced during history's critical turning points. Furthermore, both religions see that God is in control of their lives and their eternal destiny. They each began centuries ago and are both a central part of the world's culture.

Mutual Beliefs

Each religion states that God is an all-knowing powerful deity, who controls every aspect of their lives. The Jewish and Christian followers have faith that God exist and he created the world they live in. The flood spoken of by Noah is considered to be a true event, which is taught by both religions. Many followers, on both sides, believe that Isaac was the actual grandfather of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. According to Fisher (2005), each religion believes that their roots extend from historical figures that mentioned in the Old Testament or Torah. Basically, they both follow the laws and commandment set forth by God through Moses. Currently, the followers believe that God is coming back for them. However, this is where the similarities end and their differences have driven wedges between them.

Major Differences

Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and resurrected, in order to become our savior. Mostly all Jews believe he was only a great a prophet, sent after the other great prophets. Every Christian studies the New Testament and believes that Christ will be coming back, for a final stand against all evil. However, the Jews believe that God will send a Messiah to comfort them and protect them from their enemies. Many Jews do not accept Jesus as their savior and they rejected him as the Messiah that God sent. According to the unknown author at AllaboutJesus.org (2006), Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem, after a trial that found him guilty of blasphemy. Many Christians actually, have actually been taught that Jews sentenced Christ to die. Many Jewish people become angry when they hear this way of teaching, since they don't feel that Jesus was the true Messiah. Unfortunately, this topic has fueled major disagreements for both sides, which has been the main battle cry for both sides. According Gordon (2000), the Anti-Semitism felt by the Jewish people has led to both WWI and WWII.

Conclusion

No one has ever seen God that is living to speak of him, so each person must decide how to believe. Whether a person chooses Christianity or Judaism, it is an important decision that involves their personal soul and afterlife. Sometimes, the people will follow traditions of their family or they will change their beliefs. However, the similarities and differences will always be present in both religions. Many organizations have developed, in order to teach people how to co-exist with each other. But, Jews and Christians can learn a lot from each other, if they would just learn listen. The World Wide Web has made it easier to learn and understand the individual beliefs of each religion.

History shows that Christians will stand for Jesus and the Jews will insist that he doesn't exist. No matter which religion a person believes, they have a right to worship... anyway they choose. Both followers deserve respect and religious freedom, even if their beliefs and opinions are different from others. As time passes, we will learn whether the two sides can erase the battle lines and learn to truly live together. Only tolerance and education of each other beliefs, can allow to stereotypes to fade into history. In the future, both religious followers will find themselves at crossroad or disagreement. Will the conflict it lead; to peace or war among the members that feel as if "their sense community" or "way of life" (Hedrick, 2007) is being questioned? Only time can tell, whether they will be able to, become friends or enemies in the name of God.

According to Eric Wahlstrom (Wahlstrom, E., personal communication, May 6, 2007), religion has made him a better person, husband, and father. He feels that Christ should be in the center of his life and his worship.

"Getting to heaven requires us to walk in the commandments of Christ and following his teachings." (Wahlstrom, E., 2007, personal communication)

The Middleburg Church of Christ is a rather large congregation, which is in the heart of the growing town. The members claim to be non-denominational Christians, which follow the direct teachings of Jesus Christ. Upon visiting, I learned that there isn't much difference in their church than other churches that I have visited. However, I noticed that they participate in the Lord's Supper, every time they meet. Each church member was friendly and they are pillars of their community.

The church has an array of different age groups, who are a part of its usual congregation. I found that the church is a meeting for all walks of life and that their salvation is important. Mostly, I learned that Christianity is not just a religion; it is a way of life for many members of this church. In closing, I found people that believed in the love of Jesus Christ, even though they have never seen him. They each had faith in the impossible, but believed that all things happen to make our faith stronger.

References:

All about Jesus.org (2006) Jesus Biography

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on May 5, 2007

http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/jesus-christ-biography-faq.htm

Fisher, M., (2005) Living Religions, Sixth Edition; Judaism

Published by Prentice-Hall; Copyrighted by Pearson Education Inc.

ISBN: 0-536-98811-0

Gordon, I. (2000) World History: World War I and World War II

Published by AMSCO School Publications; Copyrighted by AMSCO

ISBN 0-87720-624-4

Hedrick, C. (Unknown) What are the Major Christian Beliefs?

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on May 11, 2007

http://geneva.rutgers.edu/src/christianity/major.html

Rich, T (2001) Judaism 101: What do Jews believe?

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on May 11, 2007

http://www.jewfaq.org/beliefs.htm

Got Questions Ministries (2007) What is the difference between Christianity and Judaism?

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on May 11, 2007 http://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Christianity-Judaism.html