I was sitting in a Jerusalem restaurant during the Jesus Movement with a friend, Alex, when he spoke words that changed my view of Christianity. He said that Christians were really converts to Judaism.

Alex was a Brooklyn-born Jew living in East Jerusalem, though he accepted Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) in the United States before immigrating to Israel. He pointed out that Jesus and the Apostles never encouraged their followers to break from Judaism. And, Christianity was considered one of several Jewish sects existing until the Fourth Century when the Roman (Catholic) Church forced Christians to leave the synagogues.

During my time in Israel, I often went to the Garden Tomb in the afternoon and drank lemonade with the tour guide, a guy from Amsterdam. He said that Christians often say the Jews did not accept Jesus. But, who wrote the Bible and who were the first followers of Jesus? The crowd welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem on a donkey were Jews.

I must point out that the Crucifixion of Jesus was conducted in violation of Jewish laws and religious Jews would not have participated.

I do not take a legalistic view and say that Christians must abandon Sunday worship and go back to Saturday worship, but Christians should understand that Jesus did not observe Sabbath worship on Sunday. Like all Jews in the New Testament, he recognized the Sabbath as Saturday. Also, the New Testament (Brit Hadasha in Hebrew) points out that Jesus and the Apostles observed Jewish Holy days.

I am often asked by Christians if they must observe the Jewish Holy days. I answer that their Jewish Messiah (Jesus) did, and Christians should teach their children the rich traditions followed by the one who died for them on the Cross. 

I'm going to drink some Patron, and not think about religion at all.

A clear mind free from fear and paradoxical fiction is a wonderful thing. 

Christianity has definitely changed since the days of the crucifixion. 

Does it really matter? Absolutes create division. Nobody knows the mind of God. Live and let live. M 

A clear mind free from fear and paradoxical fiction is a wonderful thing.

That God exists is a completely rational and logical belief. Your repeated and derogatory remarks about beliefs that are simply different than yours, shows intolerance and a closed mindedness. 

No 

Absolutes create division.

Interesting point.

Many years ago I read a book by Dr. Francis Shafer (Genesis in Time and Space....I believe). He said there are absolutes in the world and that G-d is unchanging.

That part of your post is correct. And, it does create division.

But it does matter. 

I don't normally get in theological debates, but it is foolish to say the world was created by nobody and when we die, we go nowhere. 

That God exists is a completely rational and logical belief. Your repeated and derogatory remarks about beliefs that are simply different than yours, shows intolerance and a closed mindedness.?

So I'm not allowed to express my opinion? I didn't say anything derogatory.

I know it to be paradoxical fiction. Nothing derogatory about that.

If you call my Harry Potter books fiction, should I call you intolerant and closed minded too? 

If you call my Harry Potter books

LOL...That tells you all you need to know; lives in fantasy land. 

Fuzz - your original comment was a disparaging remark against a differing view. Your attempt to justify it as a respectful dissent is disingenuous.

Just own it 

And sorry Jim - on topic, no that whole messia thing makes it more schism than sect. 

And sorry Jim - on topic, no that whole messia thing makes it more schism than sect.

Well said. I'm not big on labels, but the divinity of Jesus is the defining difference between Jew and non-Jew. 

the divinity of Jesus is the defining difference between Jew and non-Jew.

True statement. Many (not all) Jews feel worship of Jesus is paganism. 

I would call the eventual break of Christians and Jews from each other as a conscious uncoupling. 

Is Christianity a Jewish Sect?


Absolutely! 

The roots of Christianity go back a long way, and they are intertwined with Judaism.

But, everyone (Jew and Gentile) will face judgement together. 

Countries can face judgement, for such things as human sacrifice and slaughter of babies as they are being born (late term abortion).

As a country, we can change our ways. But, we (morally) seem to be headed in the wrong direction. Turning away from God is why Israel faced destruction.

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That God exists is a completely rational and logical belief.


That was more true 100 years ago and will be less true in another 100 years... 

That was more true 100 years ago and will be less true in another 100 years...?

Excellent point, that's what Israel said before they were destroyed. 

Behold the pale horse




Hey there Lynchie Poo! 

If you are going to dig up old skeletons, don't forget how many Democrats were associated with the KKK.

Also, most of the slavery spoken of in the Bible was a form of indentured servitude. When a family got into debt, they could make an arrangement that someone from the family would work off the debt. 

If you are going to dig up old skeletons, don't forget how many Democrats were associated with the KKK.

Also, most of the slavery spoken of in the Bible was a form of indentured servitude. When a family got into debt, they could make an arrangement that someone from the family would work off the debt. 

Ray, no matter how many times you peddle that lie, today's Dems were NOT associated with the KKK.

I understand the need to distance yourself from historical facts, but your can't.

Study Dixiecrats, Southern Strategy and the Civil Rights movement.

Conservatives are today's KKK supporters. 

Also, most of the slavery spoken of in the Bible was a form of indentured servitude. When a family got into debt, they could make an arrangement that someone from the family would work off the debt.

So.....I could become heavily in debt of some description and send one or more of my children or other family members into slavery (servitude) to work it off.

Might still work today. Social security? 

the divinity of Jesus is the defining difference between Jew and non-Jew.True statement. Many (not all) Jews feel worship of Jesus is paganism.

I don't think Jews think the worship of Jesus is paganism. They think it is Christianity, another valid monotheistic belief, and that Christianity is mutually exclusive with Judaism. I'm not telling you what you believe, of course, I'm saying what the fundamental Jewish belief is -- that the Messiah has not come yet. And that's not what "many" Jews think--that is an overwhelmingly basic tenet of Judaism. 

the fundamental Jewish belief is -- that the Messiah has not come yet.

Hope they're still on the look out for someone riding into town on a donkey. That's a once in an era kind of phenomena. 

Hope they're still on the look out for someone riding into town on a donkey. That's a once in an era kind of phenomena.

Who did that? 

Jesus did. It was in the movie. 

today's Dems were NOT associated with the KKK.

Historians do not back you up. 

I'm amazed how many Democrats want to hide the facts, like recent and distant Democrats had ties with the KKK. And, Democrats tried to stop the Civil Rights legislation of the 60's.

This is a CNN story on the topic. So much for the idea the Democrats are champions of the blacks, hispanics, and little guys.


 

And Democrats will win the White House (pun intended) in 2016 

And Democrats will win the White House (pun intended) in 2016?

Probably, because Trump is not really a Republican. 

Trump is not really a Republican.?



A little late for that revelation, Ray. 

joe blow's meme of rep. Loy Mauch should be put in context. He served one term as an Arkansas congressman before being trounced and basically run out of town. He showed his true colors in office and, accordingly, was not re-elected. He in no way spoke or speaks for Republicans or basically anybody. Meme is nothing more than vast generalization, misleading propaganda and partisan rhetoric for the dimwitted.

It would be on par with holding the entire Democratic party responsible for gems like rep. Maxine Waters preposterous claim that the sequester was going to cost Americans 170 million jobs when only 140 million were actually even employed. Everybody knows that she doesn't speak for all Democrats. The only real difference is her constituents continue to re-elect her. 

Trump is not really a Republica

Then the GOP has been cuckold.