Christian History Corner: Why some Jews fear The Passion

ChristianityToday.com ^ | 20 February, 2004 | Collin Hansen

[Don Joe]

I consider much of what passed for "Christianity" over the past couple thousand years to be, politely stated, an aberration.

Unfortunately, modern perceptions are -- for good reason -- colored by this experience. And even more unfortunately, some of that aberrant form of "Christianity" persists to this day.

[Salem]

Goodness....

I'll be up front with you ZC, although coming from a "simpleminded" Christian like me, I doubt it will have any impact.

You wield your head knowledge like a club and flaunt it like a peacock fanning its tail. But you have no wisdom or depth of heart.

Over the years, I've gone round and round with guys like you, in other venues and over other issues, and learned the hard way it doesn't do any good. So I don't do it anymore. Our time here is too short and too valuable.

You would do well to learn from the Jews at Free Republic who carry weight in my sphere of influence, like Yoni, SJackson, Yehuda, Slings and Arrows, Nachum, Nix 2, and Alouette. With me they model patience, grace, compassion, restraint and wisdom—the attributes of the Heart of G-d.

I didn't come to be a Christian 24 years ago lightly; through whimsical, vacillating notions or superficial terms, nor am I "led to believe" by any man. I met the Living God, and I know exactly what I am talking about. But you're going to straighten me out, huh? Amazing.

Buddy, all you have is religious head knowledge. Let me point this out to you, by using Alouette for example. She's the real deal, a Daughter of the House of Israel. She risks something every day of her life for the Lord, every time one of her kids gets back on a plane and flies into the Land of Israel to live there—and fight there. She stands, not in simple head knowledge, but a faith that impacts the real world, trusting in a living G-d that He will watch over and protect them in the middle of a situation few would willingly go—let alone build a life in.

Therefore, the Orthodox community she represents has my respect and admiration—and speaking on behalf of the Evangelical Christian community, our tangible and vocal support. They are living it. They are dying for it. Their faith isn't an intellectual contest and a pompous pretense to look down their nose at others, it is building a home and a life in The Land because G-d led them so, and they obey.

Studying it till you know it front and back, up and down, forward and backward, doesn't make the grade when the transit buses start blowing up and the Palestinian rockets and bullets are incoming, or you have family living any where near it, any time of the day or night.

The Jewish community knows were I stand. I know where they stand. We stand together because the Nation of Israel is quickly becoming ground zero in the contemporary history of mankind.

Whatta' you got? Who are you?




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[185JHP]

Excellence In Posting

[lainde]

bttt

[veronica]

BTTT....

[Happy2BMe]

"If I have accomplished nothing else in the years I have been on this forum at least let it be known that the reason Torah True Jews reject chr*stianity is for the sake of Heaven, just as you accept him for what you feel is the same reason."

Be faithful now then . . describe the Messiah when comes to Jeruselum. Describe the Lion of Judah in human form as he will appear when he stands on Mount Olive.

[Mr.Atos]

Well said, Salem.

...on behalf of the Evangelical Christian community, our tangible and vocal support. They are living it. They are dying for it. Their faith isn't an intellectual contest and a pompous pretense to look down their nose at others, it is building a home and a life in The Land because G-d led them so, and they obey. I couldn't have said it better.

ZC... I do, however, appreciate the sincerity of your point, and the committment to your beliefs. Although we might strongly disagree on many of the details, I have no doubt that we share the fundamentals, and that afterall, is most important. Pardon me, however, if I do not submit to being "...made to understand..." your point of view. Such condescension offends my secular sensibilities much more than your insight troubles my religious beliefs. That being said, I respectfully withdraw my three word response where you, Sir, are concerned, as I respect your point and the considerate way that you attempted to express it.

But, it is Mr. Joe that has scored a undisputed homerun on this thread, imo. "The world is poised at a precipice not unlike that of 1939, or 1914... or perhaps an amalgam of both incredibly awful periods." 35. Well put, Sir Don.

As I have said on a related thread..."The story of the Passion far surpasses religion, ethnicity, nationality and individual personalities. Christ's ordeal should be a warning to humanity of what happens when popular opinion, fed by irrational rhetoric and lies, fuel fear churned into violence and madness turned against anybody; whether they be a group like the Templars (ca. 1307), individuals like Galileo, a sect like the Mormons (ca. 1820), a people like the Jews (ca.1939), honorable leaders like George W. Bush, or a courageous story teller like Mel Gibson." 405

We may disagree about a good many things. And religion is certainly no 'petty' difference to be disregarded, as this current struggle suggests. But, we must keep our eye on the ball, so to speak. The world is erupting before us and the sides of humanity are being clearly differentiated between those who despise Man, and those who cherish the gift of life. Currently, the haters of Man would love nothing better than to divide their enemy with silly dogs of straw... bickering about irrelevant issue that they themselves (the Haters) have manufactured to disguise their own dogs of war.

If anything, the advent of The Passion should serve to remind both Jews and Christians (Neo-Jews, if you will) what happens when you allow your passions to be manipulated by heathens (Romans) and their lifeless sensibilities.

I'll end this by restating, Salem's own profound point, because I think that it needs to be said again...

The Jewish community knows were [Christians] stand. [We] know where they stand. We stand together because the Nation of Israel is quickly becoming ground zero in the contemporary history of mankind. Again... Well said, Sir.

Atos

[Nachum]

There really is no point in an ecumenical debate. There are no victors in such debates and a lot of hurt feelings. I have entered into such debates on FR and rarely is there a happy ending. Finally I just swore off "debate" on such things because it rarely accomplishes anything.

Many Jews have many fears about the movie and time will prove whether they are grounded or not.

When a group of evangelical Christians visited Jerusalem earlier this year, they were spoken to by Sharon who said in his speech that their support for Israel and Jews in Israel is very much appreciated. He even said that "We love you too", in responding to their love of Israel.

There is a storm brewing and we had better know who our friends are.

--'nuff said.

[Taiwan Bocks]

I agree, 'nuff said.

But I also am still stunned by the info in the article about Hitler and Oberammergau.

I feel so sorry as a Christian for our past.

[kimmie7]

Excellence In Posting

Agreed. bttt

[SJackson]

Thanks for the post.