Christian Evangelicals have a new mantra. Namely: Christianity is ‘judaism completed’ or ‘judaism perfected‘.

Of course, this is as about as logical as stating that Islam is ‘christianity completed’.  It represents a unique arrogance on the part of  some fundamentalist Christians; they believe that Judaism was merely the warm up act, if you will, for Christianity, the main attraction.

What’s extremely irksome is the way that many people who are neither Jewish nor Christian, accept this Evangelical narrative and develop the view that ‘oh, judaism is just christianity, sans jesus!’. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard someone confidently state words to this effect.

Although they probably mean no offence, it is an insulting view of Judaism, which after all was a complex and meaningful faith for thousands of years before Jesus was even a glint in Joseph’s eye.

In fact, Judaism and Christianity are not remotely similar. They are blatantly contradict each other. Core Christian ideology is blasphemy for any Jew. The two religions also have very different philosophies. Simply put: Judaism and Christianity are mutually exclusive. If you believe one, then by default, you disagree with the other.

That’s not to imply that one is better than the other. Naturally, I’m biased, as I’m Jewish. Still, I recognise that both have good, moral teachings to impart, and both have lovely aspects to them.

As for their theological differences, of which there are many, here are just a sample:

JUDAISM: is lineage-based, and is a tribal faith. You are Jewish if your mother is Jewish – or you convert to Judaism, when you are then ‘adopted’ by the Jewish people.

CHRISTIANITY is a belief based religion. If a person affirms belief in and worship of Jesus, and the other core Christian beliefs of their particular Christian group, they are welcomed as a member.

JUDAISM
- says that no human can ever die for the sins of others
CHRISTIANITY
- says that Jesus died for the sins of mankind

JUDAISM
- says that all humans are born pure, and innocent
CHRISTIANITY
- says that all humans are born with ‘original sin’.

JUDAISM
- says that G-d would never allow/enable a ‘virgin birth’
CHRISTIANITY
- says that Mary gave birth, though a virgin

JUDAISM
- says that no man gets a ’second coming’
CHRISTIANITY
- says that Jesus will have a ’second coming’

JUDAISM
- says that every human should speak directly to G-d
CHRISTIANITY
- Jesus claims in the ‘new testament’ that the ‘only way’ to G-d is via him

JUDAISM
- says G-d is one, indivisable, cannot be separated into three aspects/incarnations
CHRISTIANITY
- speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

JUDAISM
- says that we are ALL equally G-d’s children
CHRISTIANITY
- says that Jesus was ‘god’s son’ above all others

JUDAISM
- has no concept of ‘hell’
CHRISTIANITY
- *****some***** Christians say that non believers go to ‘hell’

JUDAISM
- has no ‘devil’, the Jewish ’satan’ is just an ordinary angel, under G-d’s control
CHRISTIANITY
- describes ’satan’ as a devil and ‘fallen’ angel

JUDAISM
- the ‘messiah’ will be a normal, mortal man who must fulfill all the Jewish messianic prophecies in one normal, mortal lifetime
CHRISTIANITY
- Jesus was the ‘messiah’ and will fulfill the prophecies when he ‘returns’

JUDAISM
- says that the righteous of ALL faiths will reach ‘gan eden’ or ‘garden of eden’.
CHRISTIANITY
- *****some****** Christians insist that only those who ‘know Christ’ can reach heaven

JUDAISM
- forbids Jews from trying to convert anyone to Judaism
CHRISTIANITY
- believes in actively ‘witnessing’ and encouraging people to convert to Christianity

Obviously, nobody can agree with both Judaism and Christianity. And it’s time that Evangelicals cease being so patronising towards Jews and instead recognise that Judaism is an independent faith and not just the precursor to Christianity.

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