Why is it important that Jews recognize Jesus?

[leopolis1]

Salvation is only in the name of Jesus. There is no other name in which we can be saved. The Scripture says: who believes will be saved, who doesn’t believe will be condemned. If you reject the Son, you reject the Father who sent the Son.
Rabbinic Judaism cannot save anybody.

 

[Hosh]

Salvation is only in the name of Jesus. There is no other name in which we can be saved. The Scripture says: who believes will be saved, who doesn’t believe will be condemned. If you reject the Son, you reject the Father who sent the Son.
Rabbinic Judaism cannot save anybody.

And what if the scripture are wrong? and why cant it be wrong?

 

[RomanCath379]

I’m unclear on what you are saying here. Are you talking about Jews keeping their covenants with God? I’m not sure what Christian concepts, if any, you are referring to here.

I think that perhaps there is a difference of opinion/understanding on the importance of the sin offering in Judaism. A new thread on this subject might be interesting, discussing the unintentional and intentional sin offering in Judiasm. My experience when discussing this with Christians is that the concept of sacrifices in the Temple are viewed very differently by Jews and Christians.

Jews broke the Covenant with God, that is why it took them 40 years to get to the promised land…they wouldn’t listen! Things haven’t changed much over 2,000 years.

 

[Splinker]

Hi Splinker, according to the OT ( not trying to imply that it is old or irrevelent ) G-d is clear as to Himself being the only way to eternal life. Is 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me. Israel was chastised many times because they went after other gods. He is a jealous G-d and wants the best for His people. Ex 34:14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Ultimately He sets the terms and we must abide in them.

The knowledge of a coming Messiah is throughout the OT. G-d is longing for a relationship with His people. Messiah was sent to reconcile men back to Himself.

May I ask, if you knew that G-d wanted a personal relationship with you and showed how to do it would accept ? You don’t have to answer here it’s a personal question for you to answer to yourself.

Isaiah itself does not mention Jesus. I’m sure that debate has been the topic of many threads here. But even going with the Christian interpetation – that there are references to Jesus, the quote you used specficlly says “I will strengthen you though you have no acknowledged me.” Even taking a a christian interpetation of Isaiah, that would seem to strengthen the idea that Israel is saved through Jesus even if we don’t believe Jesus is God.

I do have a personal relationship with God that I pursue through Judaism. It does show me how to do it.

 

[Splinker]

I would like to respond if I you would let me. The sin offering offering is central to both faiths. Blood must be shed because of the gravity of sin. In Genisis G-d killed an animal/s to cover the first sin of Adam and Eve.

Actually, Genesis does not state that God killed anything. Only that He provided them with skins. The reason He did this was not to cover their sin, at least that is not stated in Genesis.

 

[Splinker]

Hmm. Perhaps the most widely-acknowledged “intellectual” Cardinal of the Catholic Church (who recently passed away) but was beloved by the Pope and faithful had this to say in his article “Who Can Be Saved” published in the religious journal First Things which has such Jewish luminosities in its editorial board as Rabbi Novak, David Dallin, and Norman Podhoretz’s (of Commentary fame) wife Midge Decter.

The Cardinal writes: it is the responsibility of believers to help these seekers by word and by example. Whoever receives the gift of revealed truth has the obligation to share it with others. Christian faith is normally transmitted by testimony. Believers are called to be God’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Who, then, can be saved? Catholics can be saved if they believe the Word of God as taught by the Church and if they obey the commandments. Other Christians can be saved if they submit their lives to Christ and join the community where they think he wills to be found. Jews can be saved if they look forward in hope to the Messiah and try to ascertain whether God’s promise has been fulfilled. Adherents of other religions can be saved if, with the help of grace, they sincerely seek God and strive to do his will. Even atheists can be saved if they worship God under some other name and place their lives at the service of truth and justice. God’s saving grace, channeled through Christ the one Mediator, leaves no one unassisted. But that same grace brings obligations to all who receive it. They must not receive the grace of God in vain. Much will be demanded of those to whom much is given.

firstthings.com/article/2008/02/001-who-can-be-saved-8

In all honesty, to clear up potential discrepancies, one really should read that entire article in whole. We’re trying to condense 2,000 years in one paragraph.

If some Catholic feels they know more about this than the eminent late Cardinal, O.K. - I don’t object to the Cardinal’s view. (continued below)

That sounds like what I thought the Church’s position was.

 

[Splinker]

Jews broke the Covenant with God, that is why it took them 40 years to get to the promised land…they wouldn’t listen! Things haven’t changed much over 2,000 years.

No. That’s not the reason. I would like to hear which covenant they broke (they do have names, btw). I’m going to exercise the skills of faith and choose not to listen to you for 2,000 years, give or take).

 

[Splinker]

Does anyone know if there is a way to ignore an individual’s posts?

 

[jericho777]

Isaiah itself does not mention Jesus. I’m sure that debate has been the topic of many threads here. But even going with the Christian interpetation – that there are references to Jesus, the quote you used specficlly says “I will strengthen you though you have no acknowledged me.” Even taking a a christian interpetation of Isaiah, that would seem to strengthen the idea that Israel is saved through Jesus even if we don’t believe Jesus is God.

I do have a personal relationship with God that I pursue through Judaism. It does show me how to do it.

This post was an answer to your question of there being many ways to G-d. I was merely demonstrating that there is only one G-d and only one way to Him. Not trying to imply a specific reference to Jesus.

 

[jericho777]

Actually, Genesis does not state that God killed anything. Only that He provided them with skins. The reason He did this was not to cover their sin, at least that is not stated in Genesis.

What was the animal wearing after God took his skin? They realized they were naked only after they sinned and therefore needed a covering. There is no other reason they would have to wear clothing.

 

[Harpazo]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Splinker,

The Orthodox Church teaches that the Church is the new Israel. The first 15 minutes of this podcast from Ancient Faith Radio is a good introduction on the Orthodox view.

Also, I am currently reading an excellent book by the son of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi. Fr. James Bernstein found Orthodox Christianity to be the fulfillment of Judaism. It’s a very easy read, as his tone is somewhat conversational. He speaks extremely highly of Judaism and does not condemn it as some other Jewish converts to Christianity would do.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xnYAqYnnL.SL500_AA240.jpg
The book is called Surprised by Christ: My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity. If anything else, it would help you to understand what Orthodox Christians believe in regards to Judaism.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Splinker]

This post was an answer to your question of there being many ways to G-d. I was merely demonstrating that there is only one G-d and only one way to Him. Not trying to imply a specific reference to Jesus.

Got it. I’d agree. I guess my thoughts are that even if people are mistakenly worshipping what they view as a “different” God, they are still pursuing a relationship with the One God.

 

[Splinker]

What was the animal wearing after God took his skin? They realized they were naked only after they sinned and therefore needed a covering. There is no other reason they would have to wear clothing.

There’s a teaching that God did not cause the death of any animal and created the skins without killing.

They needed covering because they were no longer being afforded the protection of Eden. God, in his love for man, did not send them out of the garden naked. For Jews, “clothing the naked” is one of the greatest mitzvot we can do because of this verse. As is visit the sick (when God was with Abraham while he was sick).

 

[agent_grey]

Recognition of Christ is recognition of the True God. Rejection of Christ is the rejection of the True God.

 

[jericho777]

There’s a teaching that God did not cause the death of any animal and created the skins without killing.

They needed covering because they were no longer being afforded the protection of Eden. God, in his love for man, did not send them out of the garden naked. For Jews, “clothing the naked” is one of the greatest mitzvot we can do because of this verse. As is visit the sick (when God was with Abraham while he was sick).

Yes I agree that even though they sinned God still had mercy and covered them but I think an animal still had to die and shed its blood to cover the sin. The animal sacrifice was the hope for the future because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. And I would speculate the animal skin was of the sheep variety.

I see you have alot of irons in the fire.

 

[BenBornAgain]

The article written by Cardinal Dulles explain beautifully the Catholic belief about Israel and her call. This is a very profound and thus a difficult subject and I think it is fair to be prudent in our assesment,

Regarding the covenants Gos has established with Israel, it is clear, from a Catholic prospective that the 5 main covenants (with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David) had been fulfilled in the New Covenant brought by Jesus.
But it does not follow that the Church has replaced Israel: What is Replacement Theology?

Now I don’t know the exact position of the Orthodox Church about Israel, but I hope it doesn’t teah Replacement theology…

 

[Hosh]

Does anyone know if there is a way to ignore an individual’s posts?

Profile tab > Control Panel > Edit Ignore list.

 

[Splinker]

thank you much

 

[7_Sorrows]

The article written by Cardinal Dulles explain beautifully the Catholic belief about Israel and her call. This is a very profound and thus a difficult subject and I think it is fair to be prudent in our assesment,

Regarding the covenants Gos has established with Israel, it is clear, from a Catholic prospective that the 5 main covenants (with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David) had been fulfilled in the New Covenant brought by Jesus.
But it does not follow that the Church has replaced Israel: What is Replacement Theology?

Now I don’t know the exact position of the Orthodox Church about Israel, but I hope it doesn’t teah Replacement theology…

i also don’t like the teaching of Replacement theology.
we do have to remember that Jesus was Jewish and many of his teachings were what he grew up learning in his faith of Judaism.
i have so much admiration for the Jewish people for their perseverence and they have contributed so much to civilization in science, medicine, entertainment, etc. people talk about how the Catholic church is persecuted. the Jewish people have been persecuted longer than the Catholic church and yet they are still here.
i truly believe that the Jewish people have a relationship with God and know Him through their own faith of Judaism. God has NOT forgotten his Chosen people. i guess the question is, though, does He want them to know His Son?

 

[BenBornAgain]

i guess the question is, though, does He want them to know His Son?

I guess the response is:
“This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day” Jn 6:40