Are we Catholics to believe that Jews will be saved?

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Kasmalim

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I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
 
Kasmalim said:
I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
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Theoretically, no, you would not be saved. Because you know what is right (Catholic) and you would have given up on Christ.
 
I suggest these two readings:

(1)

and

(2)

There can be no short reply that will not be misunderstood unless you read more on the topic 🤷

However, as Catholics we are to believe that salvation is truly universal, that is, accessible in mysterious ways even to those who are not formal members of the Church.
 
Kasmalim said:
I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
Click to expand...
The Catholic Church believes that salvation is open to all since G-d is a G-d of both justice and mercy. However, whoever is saved, is saved by means of Jesus and the teachings of the Church. The latter, which consist largely of the Sacraments, offer Catholics a unique opportunity for salvation. Still, being Catholic, even if one is devout, does not assure one of salvation, since no one is worthy of salvation. (It may, in fact, put more responsibility on the individual since they were given more understanding of the true faith.) This is because salvation cannot be merited or earned but is by the grace of G-d alone. That grace, for Catholics, would include both faith, received by the Holy Spirit, as well as charity. The former is not considered complete according to Jesus’ teaching without the latter.

Judaism believes more in moral behavior than in faith per se. It is more an orthoprax religion than an orthodox one. That moral behavior, in the form of sincere good works toward others, is the best indication of doing G-d’s will, even if one’s faith in G-d is not so strong and even if one does not believe in G-d. While, for Orthodox Jews, following as many of the 613 Torah commandments as possible is important since it means one is following G-d’s Will, it is also understood that all humans are imperfect and are subject to sin. Sin can always be atoned for, however, by means of repentance toward G-d and one’s fellow man. This atonement can indeed bring one closer to G-d than if one had not sinned. The ultimate goal in Judaism is to reconcile one’s own will with that of G-d to such an extent that helping others can be accomplished without the slightest thought of achieving “merit points” toward salvation. In fact, Jews leave their salvation up to G-d and are told to concentrate only on the present world in an attempt to make it better and holier.
 
Meltzerboy, your concise exposition is very nice! Even your explanation of the moral behavior is very profound, and it is in a way found in the Catholic teachings: “from my works I will show you my faith”. I think very few Catholics understand just how strong is the tie between Christianity and Judaism, and I think we should be studying this to great depths, for often lack of knowledge in this field leads to lack of understanding of our very doctrine.
 
Kasmalim said:
I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
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As Catholics, we are taught not to judge anyone’s state of grace, even our own. The Lord can distribute grace to anyone He pleases through ways that we may not quite comprehend.
 
What is the obsession about the salvation of others? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about our own salvation? Are we so assured of our place in the Kingdom?
 
R_C said:
Meltzerboy, your concise exposition is very nice! Even your explanation of the moral behavior is very profound, and it is in a way found in the Catholic teachings: “from my works I will show you my faith”. I think very few Catholics understand just how strong is the tie between Christianity and Judaism, and I think we should be studying this to great depths, for often lack of knowledge in this field leads to lack of understanding of our very doctrine.
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This 👍
 
BListon said:
As Catholics, we are taught not to judge anyone’s state of grace, even our own. The Lord can distribute grace to anyone He pleases through ways that we may not quite comprehend.
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ConstantineTG said:
What is the obsession about the salvation of others? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about our own salvation? Are we so assured of our place in the Kingdom?
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I wasn’t judging, I was just curious. I tend to be very philosopical I suppose, and I guess I think about all things very deeply. I’m not self assured of my place in the Kingdom of Heaven, if it is the Will of God that l burn in the pit then so be it. But I like to be knowledgeable about Christian teachings, including Salvation of people who are not myself. 🤷
 
Kasmalim said:
I wasn’t judging, I was just curious. I tend to be very philosopical I suppose, and I guess I think about all things very deeply. I’m not self assured of my place in the Kingdom of Heaven, if it is the Will of God that l burn in the pit then so be it. But I like to be knowledgeable about Christian teachings, including Salvation of people who are not myself. 🤷
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Oh I know!😛 I didn’t say you were. I was just answering your question.👍
 
I would hope that Anne Frank, who died in a concentration camp, would have received God’s mercy as she was murdered by the Nazis for just being a Jew (though she died of fever, they did not treat her with medicine…they just let her die). :mad:
 
Jesus said “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink…When you did it to these, you did it to me.” and
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”

Words of hope for everyone, yet very sobering. Try not to think of a Jewish person as rejecting Jesus, but recognizing him in the widowed and the orphan.
 
Kasmalim said:
I wasn’t judging, I was just curious. I tend to be very philosopical I suppose, and I guess I think about all things very deeply. I’m not self assured of my place in the Kingdom of Heaven, if it is the Will of God that l burn in the pit then so be it. But I like to be knowledgeable about Christian teachings, including Salvation of people who are not myself. 🤷
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I’m like you, I like to contemplate on stuff. I’m not saying you are judging, but don’t you think this time pondering about things is better spent and better served pondering your own salvation? There is much to be done by each and everyone of us to ensure each of our own salvation.
 
ConstantineTG said:
I’m like you, I like to contemplate on stuff. I’m not saying you are judging, but don’t you think this time pondering about things is better spent and better served pondering your own salvation? There is much to be done by each and everyone of us to ensure each of our own salvation.
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That’s my problem I suppose - I’m one of those people who likes to think about “what-ifs”. I usually don’t stop pondering until I have an answer, and these questions do seem to pop up often. It would have bugged me for a long time if I didn’t know the church’s views on this question. 😊
 
Kasmalim said:
I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
Click to expand...
The old covenant (the Mosaic covenant) has been revoked. The covenant of Abraham is irrevocable, but all it’s promises have been fulfilled, except for it’s salvific promises which became the new covenant. Accordingly, if Jews reject the new covenant and membership of the Catholic Church they cannot be saved.
 
I’ve always thought that Jews who accept Christ at His second coming will be saved (though it would probably be the FIRST coming of the Messiah from the Jewish perspective). Is it an insult to orthodox Judaism to connect Jesus Christ with the Messiah (as far as the end times is concerned)?

Blessings,
Marduk
Kasmalim said:
I thought the Catholic idea was that since Jews reject Jesus, they would not be saved.

Then a few days back I was watching this program when someone said the covenant God made with the Jews was everlasting, thus they would be saved since God wouldn’t take away an “everlasting” covenant.

But then today the verse came to mind “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I thought this meant no one would come to God, except through Faith in Jesus?

So, theoretically, does this mean that if I become a Jew today, forget about Jesus, I would be saved just like a Christian? :ehh:
Click to expand...
 
R_C said:
Meltzerboy, your concise exposition is very nice! Even your explanation of the moral behavior is very profound, and it is in a way found in the Catholic teachings: “from my works I will show you my faith”. I think very few Catholics understand just how strong is the tie between Christianity and Judaism, and I think we should be studying this to great depths, for often lack of knowledge in this field leads to lack of understanding of our very doctrine.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the compliment, R_C. Despite the obvious differences, I agree that the links between Christianity and Judaism should be studied more and not forgotten.
 
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