Christianity and Judaism have long histories of being intertwined and yet separate in ways that still remain misunderstood, particularly among those that practice these religions that hold Abraham and his descendants to be prophets and leaders. The earliest memories of these two major world religions and their split is often up for debate, with many historians and academics hypothesizing dates, or an event that caused the split.
While researchers have argued that the split may have happened as early as the 1st century AD, the formal, concerted barrier between the two religions began in the 4th century. One of the catalysts for this change, was the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and following, a divide began to form in the way Judaism and Christianity interpreted the law of Moses, as well as their faith’s extensive history.
The Jewish–Christian schism was an event in the early history of Christianity and Judaism which distinguished the two religions from one another; though there were various literary and doctrinal differences throughout the first centuries of their existence, these eventually led to their split. Areas of dispute involved their connections to the Law of Moses, believing in the same prophets, and their interpretations of Hebrew scripture.
An example of one such dispute was in regards to the evangelization of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Saint Paul, who disagreed with the Jewish elders concerning his teachings of them and his new understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. His key differences with those of the Jewish elders concerned what they believed to be the exact number of days in the annual festivals, and their attitudes toward the Stoic philosophy–Paul was able to teach Christianity to a greater audience, specifically among the Gentiles, which was seen as a direct contradiction to the beliefs of the then current Jews.
During the diaspora, Jews were scattered all over the world to places like Iraq, Egypt, and Portugal, yet despite this, it is surprising to note that the relationship between Judaism and Christianity remained relatively positive up until the renaissance period, when more Jews began to convert to Christianity, leading to much hostility.
An important step in the process of this split was the rejection of circumcision by Christianity, whereas for Jews it had endured as a traditional marker of identity for millennia. This is of particular importance as soon as Jews and Christians began to communicate, as Jews did not recognize the legitimacy of Christianity unless the converts agreed to circumbecise, which was an expectation Christianity was unwilling to comply with.
It is however pertinent to note that while the official divide was in the 4th century, tensions between the two faiths have risen and plummeted in different eras since then, with the number of converts rising and lowering depending on political, economic, and social pressures over hundreds of years.
Christianity and Judaism Social Divide
In many countries throughout the world, a social divide remains between Jews and Christians. Though this divide seems to have grown stronger in the face of increased immigration and higher levels of hostility in the Middle East, this divide is more of a continuation of centuries of misunderstanding and a misunderstanding of the other religion. Not only has this divide kept many from turning to dialogue and understanding, it has also created an environment of violence and persecution.
A major source of contention in terms of this social divide appears to be in regards to Israel and the Jewish state. There are Christians, particularly in the evangelical circles, who believe that the Jews are the chosen people of God, and therefore should support the Jewish state, while many other Christians reject the idea and believe that they, too, have a part to play in the religious life of Israel.
Given the emotional and political dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian situation, it has also served as a stark reminder of the split between Judaism and Christianity. On one side of the fence, one finds Jews who are actively supporting their own state, while on the other hand, Christians are expressing support of Palestinians, often demonizing the Jewish community in the process.
Many Jewish and Christian scholars have noted the deeply entrenched cultural tension between the two and how it has heightened over the past two centuries.Many believe that there are a plethora of contributing factors for this continued rift, not the least of which being a lack of education and awareness on the core values and practices of both religions.
Throughout this social divide, it is unfortunately easy to forget the long history of kinship and support that the two faith communities have shared over the centuries. Despite their differences, Christians and Jews have found commonality in so many aspects of life, from shared interpretations of the Bible, to shared ethical values.
Role of the Church and Synagogue
Christianity’s official split from Judaism was never done publicly by the church or synagogue, making it difficult to determine an exact date for the schism. Instead, the split occurred gradually in various ways, many of which are still difficult to measure. But despite this lack of official announcement, just as with any period of transition, both the church and synagogue played important, albeit distinct roles in shaping how the split was perceived and experienced.
The synagogue did much to preserve the memory of their heritage and their tradition, by maintaining observances of the Law of Moses and the purity of the Jewish nation. Jewish tradition held that they should not be overly accommodating to the Gentiles, in fear of becoming corrupted and forgetting their unique identity. This provided a backdrop to the split that set the tone for the relationship that would remain as Christianity slowly grew and began to incorporate more Gentile customs and beliefs.
The Church, on the other hand, denied the religious authority of the synagogue, demonstrated by their rejection of components of the Law such as circumcision, and started its own movement to further missionaries, spread the new gospel and attract converts. During this period there were several church councils in which debate continued to shape the faith and resulted in other decrees and regulations, some of which were seen by the Jewish community as more oppressive than the synagogue’s exclusive way of life.
The role of the Church also greatly impacted how Jewishness was viewed within Christianity. Early Christians were required to renounce their Jewish customs as a requirement for inclusion, and due to this, a separation was created between those of Jewish descent and those of Gentile descent. This separation only further normalized the ‘otherness’ of Jews, and fixated an ugly stereotype of them as the permanent outsiders.
Political and Economic Impact
Though the political and economic impacts of the split between Christianity and Judaism have been long-standing, they can be difficult to measure, due to inaccurate or incomplete records of the time period. However, there are several notable impacts that have been documented.
For one, the Jewish community was highly financially beneficial to the empires of Rome and Babylon, due to their taxation of the Jewish population. These taxes were so great; in fact, that the Jewish people had a quite significant economic power and influence in these societies. With their split from Christianity, the Jewish population suddenly lost their connection to these communities, and their access to tax breaks, subsidies and grants. Additionally, this transition period caused the end of a pioneering attitude for the Jews, leading them to become increasingly stagnant and marginalized.
Politically, the split had a further impact on Jews, as it caused them to be further confined and excluded from Roman society, who at the time were actively prejudiced against Jewishness. Without the protection of the empire, they were subject to even harsher conditions, including their position as second class citizens. Some of these conditions have, unfortunately, continued and worse into modern days.
In regards to the current situation, there are many conversations to be had negotiating between this long history of misunderstanding and the potential for healing and reconciliation that exists while also respecting the uniqueness of both religions. Though the exact circumstances of the split are still debated, it is apparent that the repercussions of it are still felt today.
Discussion of Anti-Semitism
At the beginning of the 4th century, the first accusations of anti-Semitism began to surface. This new issue, alongside the various literature and scholarly conflicts between Judaism and Christianity, caused a lot of tension between the two religions but also sparked off a more subtle form of discrimination. Anti-Semitism has been present in Europe for centuries, having a particularly severe impact during World War II and its aftermath.
The acceptance of the Jewish people was not just a concern for theologians in the fourth century. Politically, governments and nations had to address the issue as well. It was particularly difficult for Germany, for instance, where Jews had the right to travel and live freely until the 1930s and then the laws of this particular region changed drastically to join the Nazi regime.
The position of Jews living in the Roman Empire was heavily impacted by the split between Christianity and Judaism. The religion originally created a sense of national unity, but upon its splitting, the Jewish faith became a source of conflict and animosity from those who supported Christianity. This political and social discrimination led to institutionalized anti-Semitism in Roman society, and eventually, was the catalyst for the expulsion of Jews from Rome in 126 A.D.
During the Holocaust, almost six million Jews were murdered due to this long history of anti-Semitism based on systematic discrimination, racism and religious persecution. This genocide further separated the Jewish and Christian communities, even though many Christians have since argued against this anti-Semitic discourse, proclaiming the need for tolerance, understanding and compassion.
Dialogue in the 21st Century
However, in the age of 21st century dialogue, many organizations have been set up to promote interfaith dialogue between Jews and Christians, encouraging the two communities to work together. Educators of both faiths historically strive to bring a more tolerant and accepting outlook to the educational discourse, through open and honest conversations about the differences and similarities between the two religions.
Interfaith organizations have also had positive results, with Jewish and Christian communities now more open to each other’s views than ever before. As an example, “Drifting Toward Dialogue”, a nation-wide program for high school students had set up meetings between Jewish and Christian teenagers to explore the two religions together and learn from each other in an effort to foster understanding.
As part of this interfaith dialogue, Jewish and Christian scholars have also worked to provide a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and theology that have all contributed to the schism that exists between Judaism and Christianity today. This exploration of the past, be it through books, documentaries, or articles, is helping to bridge that divide and create a better understanding of the differences and similarities between the two faiths.
We know that the split between Christianity and Judaism happened centuries ago, but many of the ensuing emotions, misunderstandings, and tensions are still carried in the present day. However, so many have worked tirelessly to ensure that these tensions no longer interfere with the positive relationships that can, and must, be fostered between these two religions.
