Apologetics and Judaism

History

Pharisees (who were they?)

Synagogues, the diaspora

The destruction of the temple

Without the Temple, “Judaism” is not the same religion anymore.

Pharisaic tradition was built up over time, many trying to find out how to obey God’s laws while not in the land, and without the ability to sacrifice.

These traditions were brought together into what is known as the “Talmud.” There were several editions of the Talmud, yet the one used today is called the “Babylonian Talmud.”

There are now many different sects, interpreting things more or less liberally in different aspects.

Theology

Their doctrine of God was forged in opposition to Christianity. They, like Muslims, emphasize the oneness of God.

They’re religion now can come in two basic emphases: legal and mystical. Both of these are more focused on practice than theology. One could really say it is more of a rationalistic versus mystical distinction.

Of course, Modern Jews, like those in all religion, have come into contact with Liberalism.

Our Theology

In Christianity in the last hundred years, Jews have played a key role in evangelical circles in what is known as the Zionist movement.

Zionists were those Jews who wanted to go back and reclaim Isreal to create a Holy Land. In the 1940s, they achieved this goal.

“Zionist Christians” are those who believe this to be the fulfilment of Christian prophecy in Isaiah and Revelation. Sometimes called “dispensational” (though that term means much more than that), they diverge from a traditional covenantal understanding of Scripture, and believe that the Church and the Jewish ethnic group receive blessings from God.

Such an idea is radically new, and uniquely American in many senses. The most unfortunate aspect is that it prevents Christians from evangelizing to Jews, who by their own admission are not following the same religion of the 2nd Temple Jews. Judaism has changed, and we must be aware of this. In many ways, it has changed in reaction against Christianity.