Continued:
New Hope for Jewish-Catholic Dialogue
Changes
in Jewish-Christian Relations: "Nostra Aetate"
These
symbolic steps are the culmination of decades of serious study and educational
efforts by the Catholic Church to address the too often fierce schism
between Judaism and Christianity. During Vatican Council II we also
had witnessed bold and unexpected steps to bridge the dangerous chasm
which had grown up between Jesus' own brethren and Christianity, which
often spoke of itself as having superceded Judaism.
The Vatican
II Decree "Nostra Aetate" in 1965 was the foundational document
upon which more than 35 years of initiatives have greatly advanced the
dialogue of modern-day Catholics with Jews. We have been blessed with
a new time of discovery of Christian roots in first-century Judaism.
Deepening appreciation for our common ancestral bonds in biblical revelation,
liturgy, and moral commitment encourages new ways of relating to one
another.
Scholarship
among Jews and Christians focusing on the first century of the Common
Era, the Christian first century A.D., has increased mutual understanding
of those troubled times. We now have more accurate knowledge of the
political and religious struggles which characterized the lifetime of
Jesus and the subsequent decades of the first century. Significant factors
in the gradual marginalization of Judaism from the developing Christian
communities were new ways of interpreting the Hebrew scriptures in relationship
to Jesus as Messiah and Lord, extensive evangelization of Gentiles,
and the antagonism which deepened after the destruction of the Jerusalem
temple by the Romans in A.D. 70.
"Dabru
Emet"
These
diligent scholarly efforts on the part of the Church in recent decades
have inspired some Jewish scholars to extend a daring invitation to
their brothers and sisters in the Jewish faith to take a new look at
Jesus and Christianity. In The New York Times and elsewhere on Sept.
10, 2000, four Jewish scholars of different viewpoints presented a delicately
crafted statement entitled "Dabru Emet: A Jewish Statement on Christians
and Christianity." The Hebrew phrase meaning "Speak the Truth"
appropriately describes this bold effort to catalyze more fruitful discussion
between Jews and Christians in the midst of modern society where our
common message needs to be heard. The statement and related matters
of interest are available at the internet site of The
Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies.
"Dabru
Emet" inaugurates a new effort in mutual understanding, this time
from the Jewish side of the table. Matters of common heritage mentioned
include worship of the same God, seeking authority from the same book
(Tanakh, called Old Testament by Christians), and acceptance of the
moral principles of Torah. The statement maintains that a new relationship
between Jews and Christians will not weaken Jewish practice, realistically
addressing fears about intermarriage, conversion to Christianity or
a false blending of the two faiths. It exhorts both groups to work for
justice and peace. Few would disagree on these matters.
Other
parts of the statement touch on contemporary issues which inspire more
questioning and division, even among the Jewish community. For example,
one paragraph says that Christians can respect the claim of the Jewish
people upon the land of Israel. Given the question of how such a religious
belief would influence a resolution of conflict between the state of
Israel and Palestinian groups who also claim long-term ties to the same
land, this statement may not find total support.
Likewise,
the point that "Nazism was not a Christian phenomenon" was
the element in the statement which caused significant controversy among
various sides of the Jewish community.
The whole
statement can best be appreciated in the context of a book entitled
"Christianity in Jewish Terms" in which the authors of the
statement provide argumentation supporting each aspect of their discussion.
The book contains ten essays on various Christian beliefs by Jewish
scholars, followed by responses from a Jewish and Christian perspective.
The authors' purpose is to help fellow Jews to understand Christian
faith better so that dialogue with Christians may proceed with some
new vigor. May their efforts inspire all of us to "speak the truth."
Bibliography
Mary
Boys, "Has God Only One Blessing?: Judaism as a Source of Christian
Self-Understanding" (NY: Paulist Press, 2000)
Tikva Frymer-Kensky, David Novak, Peter Ochs, David Fox Sandmel, Michael
A. Signer (eds.), "Christianity in Jewish Terms" (Boulder
CO: Westview Press, 2000)
beginning
of article
|
