Setting the Scene: Religion and Precedence
Monotheistic religions are those that draw from a single originator, with Judaism and Christianity at the top of the list. Despite the two religions having a shared history, foundational texts, and a monotheistic base, there is still a great deal of debate about determining which faith does actually pre-date the other.
In many ways, this debate is a fruitless one, as the two religions stem from a shared tradition rather than from two distinct and disparate origins. However, both Judaism and Christianity have varying interpretations and practices, as well as a disparity in theological structure, that can help us to establish why one religion may be older than the other.
The concept of precedence is a key factor in this discussion, as it allows us to consider when one religion or tradition began in relation to the other. Precedence is not a measure of prestige or inherent importance, but rather a ‘time stamp’, measuring when a certain faith relating to another.
The Timeline of Jewish Practice
To begin with, there is no one reliable source to use when it comes to determining the initial timeline of Jewish practice. This is largely due to the fragmented and ever-changing nature of Judaism and its many interpretations. Initial Jewish monotheistic practice is likely to have emerged during the Iron Age in the Second Temple Period (c. 6th century BCE – first century CE) and the religion continued to develop and evolve from that point on.
Another consideration is the fact Jewish and Christian traditions are traditionally viewed in differing amounts of precedence. Some experts identify four periods in which the timeline of Judaism and Christianity compare and contrast, including the Pre-Christian Hebraism, distinctions between ancient and modern Judaism, distinguishing processes between Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism and post-modern Judaism.
At this point, it is obvious to see the differences between Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity, with Rabbinic Judaism being seen as the more primitive faith. This is largely due to the fact that Rabbinic Judaism relies heavily on Jewish Law (Halakha) and traditional Rabbinic interpretations, rather than later Christian works or documents which include elements of Gnostic or other non-Jewish faiths.
The Timeline of Christian Practice
Christianity is a much younger religion than Judaism, though it draws heavily from the two latter-day Jewish faith’s, namely Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. It is believed to have evolved from the practice of the Apostles throughout the Roman Empire, though it’s timeline cannot be established for certain until the Second Century CE.
Although Christianity has it’s origins in Judaism, including much of the Old Testament, around the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, it was very much established as a separate religion. This occurrence helped to resulted in the divergence between Christian and Jewish practices, particularly when it came to dietary restrictions, ceremonies and the discussion and interpretation of scripture.
Though there is still a great deal of crossover between Jewish and Christian practice, the differences have resulted in the two faiths evolving in their own unique ways, based on their own interpretation of scripture and beliefs.
Comparing Religious Practices of Both Traditions
When it comes to determining the precedence of Judaism or Christianity, the two primary methods of comparison are based on the practices and beliefs of the two religions. It is worth noting that Christians often look back to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles to gain a sense of Orthodox Christian practice, while Jewish practitioners may look to the traditional texts and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible and subsequent Jewish Law.
For example, in terms of dietary restriction, some varieties of Judaism place further restriction on meats and other food categories than Christianity, while other Christian denominations will follow the dietary restrictions of Judaism. Another article of faith that differs between the two religions is the belief in strict monotheism, with Judaism accepting the concept of distinct Godhead’s, while Christianity adheres to the Trinitarian concept of God.
These variations between Judaism and Christianity help to highlight the degree of separation between the two faiths and demonstrate why it can be difficult to determine objectively which religion is older than which.
Present Day Implications of Age
Despite being on the whole much younger than Judaism, the two religions have remained inter-connected in one way or another for millennia. This has enabled Christianity to draw from much of the testimony and tradition of Judaism. For example, the Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are modelled on ancient Jewish festivals, with Passover and the Festival of Tabernacles respectively.
Furthermore, the subjects covered in the Old and New Testaments differ in various ways, though there are still common threads investigating individuals’ moral obligations towards God and each other. Uniting these two religious works is the central tenet of monotheism, with debates focusing on the ways in which the concept of monotheism is fulfilled in each faith.
In the present day, this age-old debate is still very much alive, yet is often limited to matters of practice and interpretation, rather than the issue of precedence or timeline. Simply put, the age factor does not determine the importance or relevance of either faith, regardless of whether it be known as ‘older’ or ‘younger’.
The Complexity of Jewish and Christian Fait
Jewish and Christian faith and practice are incredibly complex and varied, both through the lens of their own theology and through their links to one another. Every practitioner will have their own interpretation of their chosen faith, adding to the complexity. Ultimately, such complexity is what has enabled both of the two leading monotheist religions to survive for so long, despite the differences in their ages.
When discussing the age factor of the two faiths, fundamentally, it can be surmised that while Judaism may be the older faith of the two, the relevance of Christianity should remain unaltered by age. Instead, the debate should motivate us to examine the similarities between the two faith’s and foster a spirit of unity and understanding between them.
Modern Diversity of Interpretation
In recent times, the diversity of views and interpretations of Christianity and Judaism have increased the complexity of this issue further, leading to modern takes on both religions being strikingly different from what has come before. For example, Christianity has had an immense influence on society, and although there are many denominations and practices, the shared Bible has been a platform for innovation and change. In the same vein, Judaism has also evolved over the years and has seen interpretations become more varied and its practices more diverse.
The richness of both religions has improved the quality of life for millions of people, increasing the chances of different people understanding the other. Despite two thousand years of shared history, theological differences, and social changes, it is still possible to bring people together through faith, regardless of which religion is considered to be older or younger.
The Complexity of Precedence
In conclusion, the issue of which religious faith is older or younger is a complex one that depends largely on personal interpretation and faith. Though it is possible to determine timelines of the origins of both religious practices, age or precedence should not be taken as an indication of superiority. Instead of looking to the past to determine which religion took precedence, whether Jewish or Christian, it is better to look to the present and focus on how unity can be fostered between two great monotheistic faiths.
The Role of Cultural Acceptance
Cultural acceptance is a further factor to be taken into consideration when discussing the age of Judaism or Christianity. There is little doubt that one faith may be older than the other, with the Jews of ancient Israel as the primary source of monotheistic thought, but this does not mean that Christianity is less important or bigger than its older relative. The concept of cultural acceptance means that regardless of the age difference, both religions have a place in the public domain.
This is increasingly important in a world where religious intolerance has become more common and everyday. Looking to the past and considering which faith is older or younger does nothing to promote understanding or acceptance between the two faiths, and any disparity of age should be taken as an indicator for education, not animosity.
The Role of Scripture
Scripture is also a major factor to consider when discussing the juxtaposition of two similar faiths. For example, the Christian Bible is composed of the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible) and the New Testament, while some denominations of Judaism accept the Tanakh, while others choose to ignore the New Testament completely.
Scriptural literature plays an important role in identifying and expressing the differences between the faiths. Though passages may vary in tone and content, the core messages remain the same; to be kind to one another, to seek justice and to follow the will of God to the best of one’s own ability.
Furthermore, important figures, events and teachings referenced by both faiths are often found in both the Christian and Jewish works. This includes characters such as Abraham and Moses, events such as the Ten Plagues of Egypt, and teachings such as do laws and reverence for the one God.
Disregarding Age and Expanding Understanding
Ultimately, it is only natural for debate to arise when two competing theories express two different versions of history and two different ages of faiths. However, both Judaism and Christianity contain meaningful information and experiences to be shared, not to be used as a tool for comparison and rank.
By setting a clear perspective as to why one is older than the other, and then disregarding the age factor, society can move forward in terms of interfaith connection, understanding and unity. This can help to break down barriers between different religious and cultural groups, while connecting them to one another through shared understanding and cultural acceptance.
