As one of the oldest religious beliefs of mankind, the principles held by both Christianity and Judaism have a great influence not just on today’s believers, but in society as a whole. Through their various sacred texts, both religions strongly emphasize the need to adhere to moral and ethical principles, to be charitable, or serve their respective God in a dedicated manner. All of these ideals come together to form the belief set which is both shared by Christianity and Judaism.
At their core, both Christianity and Judaism are monotheistic, meaning that they focus on the worship of just one deity. Both religions preach that God created the world and humankind and is a responsible for all laws which govern the universe. Within these beliefs, Christianity and Judaism also place emphasis on the responsibility of humankind to care for God’s world, to have faith in one’s beliefs and to remain accountable for one’s actions. Additionally, both religions also possess a strong ethical code and promote charity. As the Bible states,”He who is gracious to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31). This serves as a moral guideline for Christians and Jewish believers alike.
Both faiths also have their own versions of the Ten Commandments, which further supports the idea of moral and spiritual growth. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God to establish order within His chosen people. This set of laws includes commands like “You shall have no other gods before me”, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”, and “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy”. For both religions, these commandments serve as the foundation of their beliefs and provide the pathways to achieve personal and spiritual growth.
Further, one of the earliest forms of Christian worship, known as Jewish Synagogue Christianity, was directly influenced by Judaism. This form of Christianity was practiced by Jewish believers who accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah, but continued to live by the traditional methods, teachings and laws of the Torah. It was only once Paul of Tarsus began to preach a “more gentile” version of Christianity that this initial connection between Judaism and Christianity began to fade.
However, due to their similar belief systems, there is still a strong connection between the two faiths today. Practically speaking, both religions emphasize a faith in a creator, rules to live by, pray regularly and attend religious services. In today’s society, there are many cultural and theological differences between Christianity and Judaism, but the core beliefs and teachings remain the same.
First Coming of Jesus
The first coming of Jesus marks a separate entity from the Judeo-Christian worldview together. Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, focusing more on traditional methods, teachings and law as found in the Torah as a way to reach spiritual peace. Christianity, on the other hand, places heavy emphasis on the first coming of Jesus as the embodiment of God and recognition as the savior for all mankind. His teachings focused on care for the poor and the sick, a greater good for the world, breaking the materialistic mindset, forgiveness and mercy, and to focus on spiritual matters.
Because Jesus was an obvious moral figure, both in Judaism and Christianity, his teachings served a deep binding influence between the two religious belief systems. His teachings were seen as a less materialistic way of navigating the spiritual life and were welcomed by both religions. The shared teachings of Jesus, even if they differ in interpretation, further united the faith.
Centrality of Family
The centrality of family is an important belief set shared by both religions. As highlighted in the Bible, the family is an important factor in the development of a moral and spiritual life. Within it, relations are to be cherished and respected. It encourages one to not only respect those directly within their family, but those outside of it as well. Judaism strongly emphasizes the importance of one’s lineage and the respect for family, considering it a core element for religious growth.
Meanwhile, Christianity teaches its followers to honor their parents and family. Jesus also says in the Bible that, “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long” (Deuteronomy 5:16). The concept of a centrality of family is also shared by Christians, but with the addition of belief in Jesus as the savior of man. For this reason, Christianity is seen to have a greater importance of the family as a spiritual unit.
Sacred Texts
The sacred texts of both religions are also similar in many respects. For Jews, this entails the Bible, also known as the Tanakh, as well as the Talmud and the Torah. In Christianity, the Christian bible is composed of the Old Testament, which is almost identical to the Jewish Tanakh, and the New Testament. These books are attributed to divine inspiration and are seen as the ultimate authority for each religion.
The focus of both texts is the worship of God and the fundamental rules for living a moral and respectable life. Both religions also use the texts to instruct their followers on the best ways to serve and honor God as seen in Judaism’s laws, and Christianity’s gospel. The difference lies with the details of how each faith makes sense of these core principles.
Five Pillars
The Five Pillars of faith, or Aqida, is an Islamic practice which is often referenced alongside Jewish and Christian beliefs. Though it is a distinct and separate form of faith, the practice of prayer five times a day, and the complete adherence to the one god, Allah, is shared with Jews and Christians. This serves to plant a common belief in the universal presence of a great deity, and emphasizes the importance of prayer and devotion to the will of God.
The Five Pillars of faith are a daily reminder of the existence of a higher power and the significance in understanding God. Mosques, churches, and synagogues remain the spiritual and moral instruction grounds of each of the common religions, but with this unified concept, the hope of global unity and appreciation remains strong.
Impact on Society
The shared belief set by both Judaism and Christianity, have had a deep impact on the development of society. The moral code proposed by both faiths values the importance of kindness, charity, and justice. Also, the practices which outline the behavior expected of religious believers, serves to uphold the presence of respect and order. With these values in mind, it is not uncommon to find individuals of both faith systems actively engaging in charitable works and helping their fellow man.
Additionally, their beliefs has also had an influence on laws and regulations of the modern world. The groundwork for the laws which govern societies are often derived from the values of either Judaism or Christianity, shaping the conditions necessary for moral development. The belief set of these two faiths have served an important role for mankind, inspiring generations and providing guidance along the way.
Role of Meditation + Prayer
Meditation and prayer are also a significant tenant shared by Judaism and Christianity. Through prayer, each faith deeply focuses and questions their purpose in life. This practice also serves to uphold the presence of one’s spirituality, forging a direct connection with their respective faith. The importance of prayer is noted in the Bible. In the book of Ecclesiastes it is written “Prayer, quiet reflection, and thoughtful consideration bring understanding” (7:13,14).
The two religions also emphasize the importance of meditation. Jewish meditation, also known as Hasidic, is an in-depth practice which allows individuals to cultivate an internal spiritual life. In Christianity, the act of prayer is a form of meditation which focuses of being more in tuned with one’s relationship with God. This practice is also seen in the bible, as it is written that, “prayer is a shield for the soul” (Proverbs 18:10).
Blessings + Retribution
Blessings and retribution from God are also an important concept shared by both religions. Both Christianity and Judaism make note of God’s power to deliver special blessings or harsh retribution based on adherence to the religious beliefs and teachings. According to the Bible, one can be blessed if they live according to the will of God and are punished if they violate the laws and commandments set in place by their faith.
God is seen as a source of strength and power, a divine source of mercy, grace and justice. Both faiths teach their followers to be courteous to those around them, seek to do good and uphold their beliefs in a humble and responsible manner. As stated in the Bible “blessed are those who seek peace and strive for it” (Psalms 34:14). In this way, both faith systems share a common set of spiritual beliefs regarding God as a source for justice.
Resurrection and Immortality
Resurrection and immortality are also a shared belief between Christianity and Judaism. In the Judaism faith, there is an emphasis of physical death and return of the body as an element of life’s cycle. While in Christianity, the essence of resurrection is markedly different, as it is seen as a means of reaching everlasting life and a pathway towards spiritual growth. Both faith systems however, share a common belief in the resurrection of the dead and the possibility of everlasting life.
Ultimately, both religions share a faith in a greater power, God, and the idea of everlasting life. For this reason, resurrection and the immortality of the soul are often supported by both faith systems. As the Bible states, “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave” (Psalms 49:15). Though each faith takes a different approach, the idea of resurrection and afterlife remain a foundation of their shared beliefs.
