Orthodoxy and antisemitism

» Dionysius - Anti Semitism and Christianity

I agree that Christianity doesn't have to be inherently anti-semitic and that it goes against the teaching of Christ and his Apostles.

Nonetheless there is a long history. One time under Theodosius an Orthodox mob burned down a synagogue in Roman controlled Mesopotamia. The Emperor started to hunt down the culprits but was stopped by Ambrose, teacher of Augustine. Ambrose
threatened to excommunicate the Emperor unless he permitted Orthodox Christians to vent their justifiable dislike of Jews and heretics such as Arians and Valentinians.

The particular form of anti-semitism based on notions of race may have sprung in the 19th century but hatred of Jews or anyone different has a long history both in and outside the church.

-- posted by Dionysius

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» cyborg565 - Re: Anti Semitism and Christianity

In response to message posted by Dionysius:

I am a messianic Jew. It's not 'judaizing' to say so. I don't separate myself from my non-Jewish brothers in the Lord.

Here's what he said:So what should be the attitude of Orthodox Christians to Jews today?

I believe that we will continue to have deep theological differences with Jews. We believe that the Messiah has come; Jews do not. We believe that Jesus was not only the Messiah, but God incarnate. Jews do not. As long as there are Jews and Christians in the world, we will continue to disagree over such things. The differences won't go away. If Jews become Orthodox Christians, then they must become Orthodox Christians, and not something in between like "Messianic Jews". And Orthodox Jews will regard them as apostate, just as Orthodox Christians will regard as apostate a fellow Christian who becomes a Jew. Orthodox Christians will follow St John Chrysostom's exhortation in not celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Jewish fashion, as some Judaising Christians advocate today, and I suspect that in that some Orthodox Jews at least would be the first to agree.

Ren: It is good for Greeks,etc. to retain their orthodox christian heritage. But a messianic Jew can't? Why shouldn't a Jew celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles? IT'S IN THE BIBLE! The article wasn't anti-semitic but it wasn't sensitive to the needs of Jewish believers retaining Jewish heritage at all. The inbetween comment is insulting in the least. I go to a Lutheran church on Sundays. But I celebrate Chanuka, and the High Holydays. Why? It's my heritage as a Jew. I don't lord it over anyone else that's not Jewish. If I did, I would seclude myself in an extremist messianic synagogue.

Why is the author offended at the thought of Jewish believers retaining Jewishness? I don't ask non-Jews to stop being non-Jews when they come to faith. Don't ask us to either.

God Bless,
Renee

-- posted by cyborg565

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions