Critiquing: #081 — Do Jewish People Need Jesus?

September 2, 2021 | Ask NT Wright Anything – Premier

Ancient Promises — Jewish Salvation — Dual Covenant — Messiah Recognition — Christian Arrogance

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Episode Assessment:

		Commentary
Degree of Accuracy	C	The episode makes several historically accurate points, such as references to the Holocaust and Martin Luther’s views on Judaism. However, it lacks precision in discussing the complexities of Jewish salvation and dual covenant theology.
Degree of Coherence	B-	While the episode maintains a logical flow, linking Jewish history with Christian theology, some arguments are presented in a somewhat disjointed manner, making it difficult to follow the overarching thesis.
Absence of Fallacies	C-	The episode contains instances of hasty generalization and appeal to tradition. For example, the assertion that Jews should recognize Jesus as the Messiah overlooks significant theological differences.
Degree of Evidence	D+	The arguments rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and personal interpretation rather than empirical data or rigorous theological analysis. Statements like “wise Jews are studying the scriptures, praying the Psalms, and looking for their God to deliver them” are not substantiated with concrete examples.
Degree of Testability	D	Many claims, such as the spiritual state of Jews who do not recognize Jesus, are inherently untestable and rely on subjective interpretation. This makes it difficult to evaluate the validity of the arguments presented.
Rational Confidence	C-	The confidence in the claims about Jewish and Christian relations does not proportionately map to the evidence provided. The discussion often presents opinion as fact, which undermines the overall reliability of the arguments.

Potential/Apparent Weaknesses:

1. Degree of Evidence

The episode often relies on opinions rather than presenting concrete evidence to support the arguments made. For example:

“The trouble with that is precisely that it plays into the problem which Paul was aware of right in the 50s of the first century, the danger of seeing Christianity as basically a Gentile movement.”

This statement is presented without sufficient historical or textual evidence to back it up, making it difficult to verify. There is no detailed analysis or reference to specific Pauline texts that would substantiate this claim.

2. Degree of Testability

Many points raised in the discussion are abstract and challenging to test or verify. For instance:

“But there’s a mystery there and the mystery goes right into the heart of the New Testament and we find it everywhere from Mark’s gospel to the letters of the Romans to all sorts of Hebrews to all sorts of other places, which is that they not all do see, they not all do recognize Jesus as Israel’s Messiah because a crucified Messiah was such a stumbling block, such a shock to them.”

The assertion about the mystery and its pervasiveness is hard to test due to its broad and interpretative nature. The discussion lacks specific references and detailed exegesis of the mentioned texts to provide a basis for this claim.

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Formulations of Major Arguments

Argument 1: Jewish Salvation under Ancient Promises

Premises:

1. If the ancient promises made to Jews are still valid, then Jews are saved under these promises.
2. The ancient promises made to Jews by God are still valid.
3. Therefore, Jews are saved under these ancient promises.

Counter-Argument:
The argument assumes that the ancient promises are interpreted the same way today as they were historically. It overlooks the evolution of religious understanding and the role of Jesus in Christian theology. Christian doctrine often holds that Jesus fulfilled and transformed these promises, making a direct continuation of the ancient covenant insufficient for salvation. The lack of scriptural support for the unchanged validity of the ancient promises further weakens the argument.

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Argument 2: Dual Covenant Theology

Premises:

1. If there is a dual covenant, Jews have their own path to salvation separate from Christians.
2. Some theological perspectives support the idea of a dual covenant.
3. Therefore, Jews have their own path to salvation.

Counter-Argument:
Dual covenant theology is controversial and not widely accepted in mainstream Christian theology, which traditionally holds that Jesus is the universal savior for all people. The argument also lacks substantial scriptural support. Historical context shows that early Christian teachings emphasized the need for both Jews and Gentiles to follow Jesus. This challenges the premise that a separate covenant for Jews remains valid post-Christ. Theological sources such as Romans 10:12-13 emphasize the unity of salvation through Christ.

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Argument 3: Christian Arrogance in Sharing Faith

Premises:

1. If Christians often display arrogance when sharing faith with Jews, it harms interfaith relations.
2. Historical and modern interactions show Christians sometimes display arrogance in these contexts.
3. Therefore, interfaith relations are harmed by Christian arrogance.

Counter-Argument:
While acknowledging historical tensions, this argument does not consider the efforts by many Christian communities to engage in respectful and empathetic dialogue with Jewish communities. It also fails to differentiate between individual attitudes and broader theological stances, potentially misrepresenting the diversity of Christian approaches to interfaith relations. Not all Christians approach interfaith dialogue with arrogance, and many work towards understanding and mutual respect.

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Argument 4: Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah

Premises:

1. If Jesus is the Messiah, Jews should recognize him as such.
2. Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecies according to Christian theology.
3. Therefore, Jews should recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Counter-Argument:
This argument presupposes the acceptance of Christian theological interpretations, which may not align with Jewish interpretations of the Messianic prophecies. Jewish theology often has different criteria for the Messiah that Jesus did not fulfill according to their traditions. For instance, the Messiah is expected to bring universal peace and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, which are not accomplishments attributed to Jesus by Jewish standards. Thus, expecting universal recognition of Jesus as the Messiah disregards these fundamental theological differences.

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Argument 5: The Role of Jesus in Jewish-Christian Relations

Premises:

1. If Jesus plays a central role in Jewish-Christian relations, understanding his significance is crucial for dialogue.
2. Jesus’ significance is central to both Jewish and Christian theological discussions.
3. Therefore, understanding Jesus’ role is crucial for Jewish-Christian relations.

Counter-Argument:
While Jesus is central to Christian theology, his role and significance are interpreted differently in Jewish theology. Effective interfaith dialogue requires acknowledging and respecting these differences rather than insisting on a singular perspective. Emphasizing common values and mutual respect can be more productive than focusing solely on theological differences. For example, both religions value concepts such as justice, charity, and the importance of community, which can serve as common ground for dialogue.

◉ Addressing Argument #4: The Reasons Modern Jews Do Not Recognize Jesus as the Messiah

Divergent Expectations of the Messiah

The question of why modern Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah is multifaceted and deeply rooted in theological, historical, and cultural contexts. Understanding these reasons requires delving into Jewish traditions, scriptural interpretations, and the divergence between Jewish and Christian Messianic expectations.

1. Different Messianic Criteria

One of the primary reasons Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah is the difference in criteria for what constitutes the Messiah. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah is expected to fulfill specific prophecies and tasks:

• Rebuild the Temple: The Messiah is anticipated to rebuild the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed in 70 CE.
• Gather All Jews: The Messiah will gather all Jews back to the land of Israel, initiating a period of worldwide peace and divine unity.
• Bring Universal Peace: A key expectation is the establishment of universal peace and the end of hatred, oppression, and war.
• Universal Knowledge of God: The Messiah will usher in an era where all people acknowledge and worship one God, as prophesied in texts like Isaiah 11:9.

2. Historical Context and Persecution

The historical context also plays a significant role in Jewish non-recognition of Jesus. Over the centuries, Jews have faced persecution, often in the name of Christianity. Events such as the Crusades, Inquisition, and various pogroms have created a legacy of suspicion and trauma, making the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah difficult for many Jewish communities.

3. Differences in Scriptural Interpretation

Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) diverge significantly. Christians often cite passages from the Old Testament as Messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. However, Jewish scholars argue that these passages are taken out of context or misinterpreted. For example:

• Isaiah 53: Christians view this chapter as a prophecy about Jesus’ suffering and atonement. In contrast, Jewish interpretation often sees it as referring to the suffering servant, which many believe represents the nation of Israel rather than an individual Messiah.
• Psalm 22: Christians interpret this psalm as prefiguring Jesus’ crucifixion. Jews, however, understand it as a psalm of lament that reflects King David’s experiences and the suffering of the righteous in general.

4. The Nature of Prophecy and Fulfillment

For Jews, the idea of prophecy is closely tied to concrete historical events and clear outcomes. Many prophecies attributed to Jesus are seen as incomplete or symbolic rather than literal. The expectation is that the Messiah will accomplish all prophesied tasks within his lifetime, which contrasts with the Christian view of a second coming to fulfill these prophecies.

5. Theological Differences

Theological differences also underpin Jewish non-recognition of Jesus. Central to Judaism is the oneness of God and the rejection of the Trinity. The concept of Jesus as both divine and human is incompatible with Jewish theology, which maintains a strict monotheism as outlined in the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

6. Christian Misinterpretation of Old Testament Passages

Christians often reinterpret Old Testament passages to align with the New Testament narrative, deeming them “Messianic prophecies.” This reinterpretation can be seen as a distortion of the original texts. For example:

• Micah 5:2: Christians cite this verse as predicting Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. However, Jews interpret it as referring to a ruler from the Davidic line who would emerge from Bethlehem, not necessarily predicting Jesus’ birth.
• Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son” is seen by Christians as a prophecy of Jesus’ return from Egypt. In Jewish context, it refers to the historical Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

These contextual differences and reinterpretations contribute to the Jewish reluctance to accept Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. The Jewish understanding of the Messiah is deeply rooted in a comprehensive and literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy, which they believe Jesus did not accomplish.

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We warmly welcome you to discuss these topics further in the comments section. Your thoughts and perspectives are valuable as we explore these complex theological and historical issues together.