Articles

One can study theology – that is, about God and of God – just as a science enthusiast learns about nature or the stars – in a way that leaves him awestruck. Theology can be pursued just like a lover ardently investigates and learns everything possible about their beloved partner.

The Jewish people could never relate to the idea that mankind is entirely separated from God’s love, as promoted by preachers like Paul Washer and in pamphlets like the “4 Spiritual Laws,” because it contradicts the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12), is a principle found in various forms across different cultures and religious traditions.
In light of this, what makes Jesus’s teach about love so radical?

Jesus never said “if you sin no more then you are good to go”; he said “go, and sin no more.” Jesus didn’t set the woman caught in adultery free from punishment because she promised never again to sin. He hoped she would stop sinning because she had been freely forgiven.

The doctrine of the divinity of Christ and the concept of the Trinity are perhaps the most challenging Christian beliefs for Jews to accept. While Christianity posits that Jesus is the divine Son of God and a part of the Holy Trinity – consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Judaism firmly upholds the belief in a singular, indivisible God. This fundamental difference creates a theological divide between the two faiths, as the notion of God taking human form and the idea of a triune deity directly contradict the principle of monotheism held by modern Judaism.

In the Talmud’s tractate Gittin 56b-57a, another account referencing Jesus describes him enduring eternal punishment in hell, submerged in boiling excrement (yes, poop). This punishment is presented as retribution for his alleged misdeeds and for supposedly leading the people of Israel away from God and towards idolatry.

At first, during the first century, the distinction between Jews and Christians was not as clear-cut as it is today. Christianity initially emerged as a Jewish movement from within Judaism, with many of its early followers, including Jesus and his disciples, being Jews.

I witnessed a protest in the US where people were holding signs that read “synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9), essentially hinting that Jews should be hated. So, who exactly are the “synagogue of Satan” that the Book of Revelation refers to?

Through enduring traumatic experiences and historical persecution, the Jewish community has cultivated creativity and resilience as a means of survival. These hardships have honed their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resourcefulness, allowing them to overcome adversity and flourish. The Jewish people’s ability to transform trauma into creative strength serves as an inspiring testament to the human spirit.

God is not soft on sin, but His judgment intertwines with mercy, aiming to rebuild and elevate the individual. This approach highlights the perfect balance between justice and compassion, ultimately seeking the spiritual growth and redemption of those who have faltered.