Lesson One: Christianity's Jewish Roots Flashcards
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are both considered to be from what religion group, and why?
Abrahamic religions.
Because the figure of Abraham plays an important role in all of them.
Both Christianity and Islam have their roots in what, and which one is the strongest connection?
They both have roots in Judaism, but the Christian connection is especially strong.
Where did the foundation of Christianity begin?
in Judaism.
How old was Jesus believed to be when he started his earthly ministry?
30 years old.
How long did Jesus travel the Land of Israel for during his ministry?
Around three years.
In the early beginnings after Jesus’ ascension, Christianity became seen as more of a what?
A Jewish sect or an offshoot of Judaism.
When the Christian church began to break away from its Jewish roots, what happened over time?
Christians began to forget their Jewish beginnings and even persecuted Jews in many cases.
In which book does apostle Paul warn about the potential for Christians to forget their Jewish roots (and which chapters)
Romans 9-11
Several historical events played a part in the church losing touch with its relationship and responsibility to the Jewish people.
What happened?
- There was a social distancing
- The church failed to understand scriptural teachings to always love and honour the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.
What does scripture teach about how the church should see our Jewish roots?
To love and honour the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.
Where did the first followers of Jesus live and what ethnicity were they?
The first followers were Jewish people living in the Jewish homeland of Israel.
What were the five significant locations where Jesus’ first followers received his teachings?
- In the temple of Jerusalem
- In the hills of Judea and Samaria
- At the shores of the Galilee
- On the banks of the Jordan River.
What was the term used to refer to the early followers of Jesus before they were called Christians?
“Followers of the Way”
What led to the spread of Jesus’ teachings among Greek-speaking communities through the early believers?
Persecution forced the early believers to relocate throughout the region, and this led them to share Jesus’ teachings with gentiles.
What is the meaning of the name ‘Judea’, and what is its connection to the word ‘Jew’?
Judea is derived from the word “Jew” and means “land of the Jews”.
Who renamed Judea, and what was the new name given to the region during their reign?
Emperor Hadrian renamed it to ‘Syria Palaestina’ in his reign between 117-138 A.D
What was the name ‘Syria Palaestina’ named after?
It was named after the ancient enemy of the Israelites, the Philistines.
During the two Jewish revolts against the Roman Empire in Jerusalem, what did the Christians do?
They did not participate.
Who became Roman Emperor following the First Jewish Revolt in 70 A.D., and what action did he take towards Jerusalem?
Emperor Titus.
He destroyed both the city and the temple.
How did the Second Jewish Revolt impact the relationship between Christians and the Jewish community?
Christians were seen as disloyal and this led to the physical parting of both communities.
Who issued the Edict of Milan and what was its significance for the Christian community?
Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D.
It ended the persecution of Christians and led to the acceptance of Christianity.
Who later declared Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D., and how was it perceived by Jews after this?
Emperor Theodosius I.
It became seen as a ‘gentile’ religion.
How did lack of connection and false doctrine regarding the Jewish people start to affect the Christian faith over generations?
Christians grew further away from an understanding of their relationship and responsibility to the Jewish people.
What does Paul say in Romans 11:18 about Judaism for Christians?
“…remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
In line with Romans 11, what does Pastor John Hagee, founder and Chairman of CUFI, say about the relationship between Christianity and Judaism?
“Christianity cannot explain itself without Judaism.”
What is replacement theology?
The teaching that God replaced Israel with the church.
Why is replacement theology unbiblical?
It calls into question God’s character and faithfulness to his own people, which then questions his faithfulness to us.
What are the three foundational pillars on which the Christian faith rests?
It rests on God’s faithfulness to His word, His promises, and His people.
Which book and chapter does replacement theology reject, which says that the church has been grafted into God’s promises to Israel?
Romans 11.
Due to Replacement Theology, what was the reason for many early church fathers blaming the Jewish people for something, and what did they argue as a result of this?
- They blamed the Jewish people for “killing” Jesus.
- They argued that because Jews in their day rejected Jesus, God has now rejected them forever.
What are two other names for replacement theology, and why are they used?
“Supersessionism”: the belief that the church “supersedes” or “replaces” Israel.
“Fulfilment theology”: that the church fulfils God’s promises to Israel because the OT promises no longer apply.
Replacement Theology played a part in which two key events in Jewish history?
The Crusades.
The Holocaust.
