Orthodox rabbis: Jews and Christians have ‘common covenantal mission’
December 11, 2015
The chief rabbis of Finland and Serbia have joined 23 other rabbis in Europe, Israel, and the United States in issuing an Orthodox rabbinic statement on Christianity.
“As did Maimonides and Yehudah Halevi, we acknowledge that Christianity is neither an accident nor an error, but the willed divine outcome and gift to the nations,” the rabbis said in their statement. “In separating Judaism and Christianity, G-d willed a separation between partners with significant theological differences, not a separation between enemies.”
“Both Jews and Christians have a common covenantal mission to perfect the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty, so that all humanity will call on His name and abominations will be removed from the earth,” they added. “We understand the hesitation of both sides to affirm this truth and we call on our communities to overcome these fears in order to establish a relationship of trust and respect.”
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Further information:
- Dichiarazione diventicinque rabbini (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 6)
- Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity (Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation)
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Posted by: JimKcda -
Dec. 12, 2015 10:22 AM ET USA
Combine this with the recent Vatican admonition about not trying to convert Jews and it looks like a back room deal to recognize each other's legitimacy. Could this be the beginnings of the infamous "One World Church"?
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Posted by: JosephAnthony -
Dec. 11, 2015 4:13 PM ET USA
A bit of a weak statement since it ignores the truth claims of Christianity! Doesn't it matter whether Jesus really is God or not? They treat it like theology is a representation of the religious urge rather than claims about reality. Insofar as God wills Christianity, that is the extent to which Jesus is Lord and the only way to salvation. Christianity, the worship of Jesus, can only be willed by God insofar as the worship of Jesus is pleasing to him.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Dec. 11, 2015 7:50 AM ET USA
A welcome statement of optimism by members of the Orthodox Jewish community. It seems that 50 years of outreach by the Catholic Church are finally starting to pay off. I hope this realization of common mission spreads among all Jews and Christians.
