Christians and Jews share a significant common history, but there came a time when Christianity and Judaism began to diverge dramatically. It is often thought the split occurred at Jesus’s death, but that’s not the case. There is no definitive answer to the question “When did Christianity and Judaism split?” but here is a look at the history that led up to the divisions and how they progressed over time.
Early Trends
The story of the divisions between Judaism and Christianity began shortly after Jesus’s death, about 2,000 years ago, when his followers started preaching his message to their fellow Jews. The Jews began to reject these teachings, which from their perspective called into question their own beliefs and even contradicted the sacred writings of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). One of the biggest areas of disagreement was over Jesus’s claim that he had been sent from God as a messiah whose teachings would supersede and replace older conventions, a belief which Jews found deeply troubling.
The early followers of Jesus were still considered to be a part of the Jewish faith and were therefore subject to the same religious expectations and laws as other Jews. This meant that Jesus’ followers were still prohibited from eating pork, observing certain sabbaths, and performing rituals such as circumcision. All of these activities were violations of the Torah and were seen as blasphemous by the Jews.
The Great Sanhedrin
In order to prevent further discord between Judaism and Christianity, the Great Sanhedrin (the supreme court of ancient Judaism) convened in Jerusalem in 51 CE. This court was made up of leading religious figures from both faiths and its purpose was to examine the teachings of Christianity and decide whether or not they should be adopted by the Jewish people. After much debate, the court ultimately issued the ban on missionary activity that would become known as the Edict of the Great Sanhedrin.
This ruling effectively split the two faiths, with Jewish communities across the world rejecting Christianity and its teachings. This would become the basis for the great schism between the two religions, and it would lead to the rise of entirely new religious denominations and philosophies that had broken away from traditional Judaism.
Defining Moments
Throughout the period following the Edict of the Great Sanhedrin, Christianity and Judaism remained separate and distinct faiths. However, there were some defining moments in their history that further solidified this divide. One such event was the Council of Jamnia, a Jewish court convened in 90 CE that ruled that Jesus was not the messiah. This decision was seen as a direct affront to the Christian belief that Jesus was the son of God, and it marked the beginning of a long period of animosity between the two religions.
Another significant event that helped to further the divide between them was the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity in the 4th century CE. This meant that non-Christians were no longer allowed to practice their faith freely, and many Jews chose to emigrate to avoid persecution. This large-scale emigration of Jews had an enormous impact on Christianity and Judaism and provided further evidence of the deep and enduring schism between them.
The Crusades
The Middle Ages saw an upsurge of violence between Christians and Jews, sparked by the Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries. The wars of the Crusades were fought in the name of Christianity, and there was a great deal of persecution of Jews as a result. Jews were blamed for the death of Christ and were widely portrayed as wicked and evil. This set of negative beliefs about Jews would remain for centuries and each faith would continue to view the other with hostility.
These religious tensions would come to a head in the centuries to come with the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust and other persecutions, further cementing the divide between Christianity and Judaism.
Modern Times
Today, the two faiths have come to a better understanding of one another and are more willing to coexist peacefully. This is due in large part to increased dialogue and the efforts of leaders from both religions to work together to promote understanding and mutual respect. Although there still remains lingering suspicion and hostility between many Christians and Jews, the divisions between the two religions have become far less pronounced, and there is room for greater cooperation.
At the same time, there has been a rise in interfaith marriages, social activism and education that is starting to bridge the two faiths. There have also been efforts by both Jewish and Christian scholars to delve into the history of their respective religions and to seek common ground between them. Even though the two faiths may not always agree on all points, they are nevertheless capable of finding common ground and working together for the greater good.
Meaningful Conversations and Joint Initiatives
Over the last few decades, meaningful conversations and joint initiatives have been taking place between Jews and Christians. These have included initiatives such as bridge-building projects and interfaith dialogues, as well as initiatives to commemorate shared pasts. Such initiatives have allowed the two faiths to come closer together and to understand one another better. This understanding has even lead to some cooperation on social and political issues, such as immigration reform, poverty reduction, and human rights.
In order to further this process, there have been recent attempts to reach out to the youth of both faiths through interfaith youth dialogues and camps. These initiatives are designed to promote an understanding among the next generation and to foster greater appreciation and respect for the two religions. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of Jewish and Christian organizations working together in efforts to promote peace, justice, and understanding between the two faiths.
Collaboration for Common Goals
Today, Jews and Christians have the opportunity to work together in unprecedented ways. Organizations devoted to interfaith dialogue are becoming increasingly popular and there are more opportunities for joint initiatives that can benefit both communities. In addition, there have been an increasing number of cooperative projects between Jews and Christians, such as those focusing on disaster relief, environmental conservation, and civil rights campaigns.
These collaborations help to foster a better understanding between Jews and Christians and serve as a reminder to them of the need to work together to achieve common goals. The future of Judaism and Christianity is intertwined, and it is essential that both faiths come together to create a better world for all.
Educational Opportunities
The rise of interfaith education provides an invaluable opportunity for Jews and Christians to learn more about each other’s beliefs and traditions. Educational programs such as the PBS series Faith & Doubt and the Interfaith Youth Core are helping to promote understanding and cooperation between the two faiths. These programs offer information and resources on both faiths that can help students to better understand them, and to see the similarities between them.
In addition, there are an increasing number of interfaith education initiatives that are aimed at young people. These programs are designed to help young people gain an understanding of different faiths, as well as a greater appreciation for the beliefs and culture of other traditions. By providing young people with the opportunity to learn more about the two faiths and to interact with representatives of both, such programs are helping to promote a more tolerant and understanding atmosphere between the two faiths.
Unexpected Alliances
In recent years, there have been many unexpected alliances between prominent Christians and Jews. Groups such as the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews have been formed to bring the two faiths together. These groups have worked to build bridges between the two faiths, provide aid to both groups, and promote understanding between them. In addition, interfaith conferences hosted by both Jews and Christians have been held for the purpose of finding common ground between the two faiths.
These initiatives have helped to break down the barriers between Jews and Christians and to promote a better understanding between the two religious communities. They also reveal the potential for collaboration between the two faiths, and they are creating new opportunities for cooperation and mutual understanding.
Conclusion
With more than two billion followers, Christianity and Judaism are two of the world’s most influential religions. The divisions between them have been deep and enduring at times, however, in modern times they have come to a better understanding of one another and are more willing to cooperate. Initiatives such as interfaith dialogues, joint projects, and educational opportunities are helping to foster better relationships between the two faiths in the present and will continue to do so in the future.
