Lesson One: Christianity's Jewish Roots

Question 1

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are both considered to be from what religion group, and why?

Answer 1

Abrahamic religions.

Because the figure of Abraham plays an important role in all of them.

Question 2

Both Christianity and Islam have their roots in what, and which one is the strongest connection?

Answer 2

They both have roots in Judaism, but the Christian connection is especially strong.

Question 3

Where did the foundation of Christianity begin?

Answer 3

in Judaism.

Question 4

How old was Jesus believed to be when he started his earthly ministry?

Answer 4

30 years old.

Question 5

How long did Jesus travel the Land of Israel for during his ministry?

Answer 5

Around three years.

Question 6

In the early beginnings after Jesus’ ascension, Christianity became seen as more of a what?

Answer 6

A Jewish sect or an offshoot of Judaism.

Question 7

When the Christian church began to break away from its Jewish roots, what happened over time?

Answer 7

Christians began to forget their Jewish beginnings and even persecuted Jews in many cases.

Question 8

In which book does apostle Paul warn about the potential for Christians to forget their Jewish roots (and which chapters)

Answer 8

Romans 9-11

Question 9

Several historical events played a part in the church losing touch with its relationship and responsibility to the Jewish people.

What happened?

Answer 9

• There was a social distancing
• The church failed to understand scriptural teachings to always love and honour the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

Question 10

What does scripture teach about how the church should see our Jewish roots?

Answer 10

To love and honour the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

Question 11

Where did the first followers of Jesus live and what ethnicity were they?

Answer 11

The first followers were Jewish people living in the Jewish homeland of Israel.

Question 12

What were the five significant locations where Jesus’ first followers received his teachings?

Answer 12

• 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.

Question 13

What was the term used to refer to the early followers of Jesus before they were called Christians?

Answer 13

“Followers of the Way”

Question 14

What led to the spread of Jesus’ teachings among Greek-speaking communities through the early believers?

Answer 14

Persecution forced the early believers to relocate throughout the region, and this led them to share Jesus’ teachings with gentiles.

Question 15

What is the meaning of the name ‘Judea’, and what is its connection to the word ‘Jew’?

Answer 15

Judea is derived from the word “Jew” and means “land of the Jews”.

Question 16

Who renamed Judea, and what was the new name given to the region during their reign?

Answer 16

Emperor Hadrian renamed it to ‘Syria Palaestina’ in his reign between 117-138 A.D

Question 17

What was the name ‘Syria Palaestina’ named after?

Answer 17

It was named after the ancient enemy of the Israelites, the Philistines.

Question 18

During the two Jewish revolts against the Roman Empire in Jerusalem, what did the Christians do?

Answer 18

They did not participate.

Question 19

Who became Roman Emperor following the First Jewish Revolt in 70 A.D., and what action did he take towards Jerusalem?

Answer 19

Emperor Titus.
He destroyed both the city and the temple.

Question 20

How did the Second Jewish Revolt impact the relationship between Christians and the Jewish community?

Answer 20

Christians were seen as disloyal and this led to the physical parting of both communities.

Question 21

Who issued the Edict of Milan and what was its significance for the Christian community?

Answer 21

Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D.
It ended the persecution of Christians and led to the acceptance of Christianity.

Question 22

Who later declared Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D., and how was it perceived by Jews after this?

Answer 22

Emperor Theodosius I.
It became seen as a ‘gentile’ religion.

Question 23

How did lack of connection and false doctrine regarding the Jewish people start to affect the Christian faith over generations?

Answer 23

Christians grew further away from an understanding of their relationship and responsibility to the Jewish people.

Question 24

What does Paul say in Romans 11:18 about Judaism for Christians?

Answer 24

“…remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”

Question 25

In line with Romans 11, what does Pastor John Hagee, founder and Chairman of CUFI, say about the relationship between Christianity and Judaism?

Answer 25

“Christianity cannot explain itself without Judaism.”

Question 26

What is replacement theology?

Answer 26

The teaching that God replaced Israel with the church.

Question 27

Why is replacement theology unbiblical?

Answer 27

It calls into question God’s character and faithfulness to his own people, which then questions his faithfulness to us.

Question 28

What are the three foundational pillars on which the Christian faith rests?

Answer 28

It rests on God’s faithfulness to His word, His promises, and His people.

Question 29

Which book and chapter does replacement theology reject, which says that the church has been grafted into God’s promises to Israel?

Answer 29

Romans 11.

Question 30

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?

Answer 30

• They blamed the Jewish people for “killing” Jesus.
• They argued that because Jews in their day rejected Jesus, God has now rejected them forever.

Question 31

What are two other names for replacement theology, and why are they used?

Answer 31

“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.

Question 32

Replacement Theology played a part in which two key events in Jewish history?

Answer 32

The Crusades.
The Holocaust.