Fast Facts
Christianity
- Belief in God: Christians believe in the Trinity, which means that God exists as three persons in one essence: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person plays a distinct role in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
- Jesus Christ: Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, who was prophesied in the Old Testament. Christians believe He was crucified, died for the sins of humanity, and was resurrected to offer eternal life to those who believe in Him.
- Salvation: Christians are saved through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, not by their own good works. This faith grants them grace and forgiveness, ensuring eternal life with God.
- Scripture: The Bible (comprising the Old and New Testaments) is the authoritative word of God and is considered divinely inspired. It provides guidance for faith, morality, and daily living.
- The Law: Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law, meaning that they are no longer bound by the ceremonial or sacrificial aspects of the Old Covenant. However, the moral principles remain important.
- Practical Living: Christians live by grace through faith, seeking to follow Jesus’ teachings on love, compassion, and righteousness while relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance in everyday life.
Judaism
- Belief in God: Judaism follows strict monotheism, declaring that God is one and indivisible, with no partners or manifestations. This belief is central to Jewish identity and faith, rejecting any division in God’s nature.
- Jesus Christ: Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, viewing Him as a teacher or prophet who did not fulfill the messianic prophecies. They believe the true Messiah has yet to come, bringing world peace and restoration of Israel.
- Salvation: Jews seek salvation through righteous living by following God’s commandments (mitzvot). They believe that living in accordance with the Torah’s laws strengthens their covenant with God and brings divine favor.
- Scripture: The Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings) is the sacred text of Judaism, and the Torah (the first five books) holds a particularly central place. It outlines the laws and commandments that guide Jewish life.
- The Law: Jews strictly observe the 613 commandments found in the Torah, which cover all aspects of life, from religious rituals to ethical conduct. These laws are seen as a binding covenant with God, to be followed throughout life.
- Practical Living: Jews follow God’s commandments as a way of expressing their faith and maintaining a direct relationship with Him. Ritual observances like the Sabbath and dietary laws are integral to Jewish life and identity.
In Depth
Belief in God: Unity vs. Trinity
Christianity: Doctrine of the Trinity
In Christianity, the belief in the Trinity is central to understanding the nature of God. The Trinity consists of three distinct persons—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit—who are one in essence but distinct in personhood. Christians believe that while God is one, He has revealed Himself in these three persons, each performing different roles within the divine economy.
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
—Matthew 28:19
This verse affirms the Christian practice of baptizing in the name of the three persons of the Trinity. Christians believe that the Father is the Creator, the Son is the Redeemer who came to earth to save humanity from sin, and the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier, dwelling within believers to guide them in their faith journey.
The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational because it relates directly to the Christian understanding of Jesus’ divinity. Christians believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This belief in the hypostatic union—the merging of divine and human natures in Christ—allows for the possibility of salvation through His sacrifice. The Trinity also explains how the Holy Spirit operates in the lives of believers, empowering them to live according to God’s will.
Judaism: Strict Monotheism
In Judaism, the nature of God is strictly monotheistic. Jewish theology emphasizes the absolute oneness of God, rejecting any form of plurality within the divine nature. The Shema, a central declaration of faith, encapsulates this belief:
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
—Deuteronomy 6:4
This declaration highlights God’s unity, which is a cornerstone of Jewish belief. Judaism teaches that God is indivisible, without any division or multiplicity in His essence. There is no concept of God being represented in different persons or forms. God is the sole Creator, Ruler, and Sustainer of the universe, and to imply otherwise would be to violate the most fundamental tenet of Jewish faith.
This strict monotheism has remained unaltered for millennia, shaping the Jewish understanding of God as one, singular, and eternal. Any attempt to ascribe human attributes or to divide God’s nature, such as in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, is seen as inconsistent with Jewish teaching.
Jesus Christ: Messiah or Prophet?
Christianity: Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God
For Christians, Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the one foretold by Old Testament prophecies. Christians believe that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection fulfilled these prophecies, and that through His sacrifice, humanity is offered salvation from sin.
Isaiah 53:5
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
—Isaiah 53:5
Christians interpret this verse from Isaiah as a prophecy of Christ’s suffering and sacrificial death. Jesus is believed to have borne the sins of humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate atonement for sin. His resurrection is seen as the victory over death, affirming His divine nature.
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
—John 1:1
This verse affirms Jesus’ divinity, equating Him with the Word of God. The Logos (Word) is understood as God’s self-expression and revelation, and Christians believe that Jesus is this Word made flesh. As the Son of God, He is not merely a teacher or prophet but is God incarnate, and belief in Him is essential for salvation.
John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
—John 14:6
Jesus’ exclusive role as the mediator between God and humanity is central to Christian theology. Christians believe that only through faith in Jesus can one be reconciled with God, making Jesus essential for salvation.
Judaism: Rejection of Jesus as Messiah
In Judaism, Jesus is not recognized as the Messiah. Jewish theology maintains that the Messiah has yet to come and will be a future leader who will restore Israel and bring peace to the world. This Messiah is expected to be a descendant of King David, a human leader who will establish an era of peace and justice.
Isaiah 2:4
“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares.”
—Isaiah 2:4
Jewish belief holds that the Messiah will bring world peace and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, which are seen as signs of the Messianic age. Since these events have not occurred, Jews reject the claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Instead, Judaism views Jesus as a teacher or perhaps a prophet but does not attribute to Him any divine status. The Jewish Messiah is expected to fulfill certain prophecies, such as universal peace and the reunification of Israel, tasks that Jesus did not complete during His earthly life.
Scripture: The Bible vs. the Tanakh
Christianity: The Bible (Old and New Testaments)
In Christianity, the Bible is the sacred scripture, composed of two major parts: the Old Testament (shared with Judaism) and the New Testament, which centers on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament’s promises, with the New Covenant being established through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Romans 10:4
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
—Romans 10:4
This passage suggests that Christ’s coming brought an end to the Old Covenant Law, specifically the ceremonial and sacrificial laws. Christians believe that Jesus’ atoning death replaces the need for continued animal sacrifices and temple rituals. While the moral teachings of the Old Testament are still valued, Christians believe they are no longer bound by the entirety of Mosaic Law.
The New Testament includes the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation, all of which focus on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. These writings are considered divinely inspired and authoritative for Christian life and practice.
Judaism: The Tanakh and Torah
In Judaism, the Tanakh (equivalent to the Christian Old Testament) is the sacred text, but it is understood differently. The Tanakh is made up of three parts: the Torah (Law), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). The Torah, which includes the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), is the most significant and is seen as God’s direct revelation to Moses.
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
—Leviticus 19:18
The Torah provides the foundation for Jewish life and includes the 613 commandments (mitzvot) that Jews are obligated to follow. These commandments cover all areas of life, including moral conduct, worship, and civil law. Adherence to these laws is seen as essential to maintaining the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28
“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God… and the curse, if you do not obey.”
—Deuteronomy 11:26-28
This passage emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments as part of the covenant relationship. For Jews, the Tanakh remains the sole authoritative scripture, and they do not recognize the New Testament as divinely inspired.
Salvation: Faith vs. Works
Christianity: Salvation by Faith
In Christianity, salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that human beings cannot earn salvation through good works or adherence to the Law. Instead, salvation is made possible by Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8-9
This passage highlights the Christian belief that faith alone is the means of salvation. While good works are important, they are seen as the fruit of salvation, not the cause. Christians believe that through faith in Christ, they receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Judaism: Righteous Living and Obedience to the Law
In Judaism, salvation is closely tied to living a righteous life and following God’s commandments. The 613 mitzvot are considered a divine framework that guides Jewish life, and by obeying these laws, Jews fulfill their part of the covenant with God.
Leviticus 18:5
“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them.”
—Leviticus 18:5
Jews believe that by obeying the Torah, they can maintain their relationship with God and receive divine favor. While repentance and divine mercy play a role (especially on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement), the emphasis is on following the Law as a path to righteousness.
The Law: Fulfilled or Ongoing?
Christianity: Fulfillment of the Law in Christ
Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law, completing its purpose through His life and sacrificial death.
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
—Matthew 5:17
Christians believe that the ceremonial laws—such as dietary restrictions and sacrificial systems—were fulfilled in Christ, making them no longer necessary for believers. However, the moral laws, such as those governing ethical behavior, are still relevant. The apostle Paul elaborates on this idea in his letters:
Galatians 3:24-25
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”
—Galatians 3:24-25
Paul teaches that the Law’s role was to guide people to Christ, but once they have faith in Him, they are no longer required to follow the Old Covenant laws.
Judaism: Eternal Adherence to the Torah
For Jews, the Torah’s commandments are seen as an eternal covenant between God and Israel. Jewish theology teaches that these commandments are not merely historical but are living laws that continue to be relevant and binding today.
Deuteronomy 11:1
“Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.”
—Deuteronomy 11:1
Observant Jews continue to follow the Sabbath laws, dietary restrictions, and other commandments outlined in the Torah. For Jews, the Law is not something that has been fulfilled or replaced but remains central to their religious identity and relationship with God.
References
- Deuteronomy 6:4
- Matthew 28:19
- Isaiah 53:5
- John 1:1
- John 14:6
- Isaiah 2:4
- Leviticus 19:18
- Deuteronomy 11:26-28
- Romans 10:4
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- Leviticus 18:5
- Matthew 5:17
- Galatians 3:24-25
- Deuteronomy 11:1