Christianity and Judaism are both monotheistic, ethical faiths that share a portion of their texts; the Jewish Bible, or Tanakh, is the Christian Old Testament. Both religions believe in a single god who is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, everlasting, and infinite. Although Christianity and Judaism share many principles, there are also significant distinctions.
Key Takeaways
- Christianity believes in the Holy Trinity and Jesus Christ as the Messiah, while Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah and maintains a strict monotheistic belief.
- Christians use the Holy Bible as their primary religious text, while Jews use the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh.
- Christianity has several denominations, such as Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox, while Judaism has Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform denominations.
Christianity vs Judaism
Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, with its origins in the Middle East over 3,000 years ago. Jews believe in one God, who revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christianity is a monotheistic religion that began in the 1st century AD in the Middle East, with its roots in Judaism. Christians believe in one God who sent his son, Jesus Christ.
Christianity is one of the largest religions, founded by Jesus Christ. Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the apostles were the first leaders. Many denominations of Christianity exist, including Protestants and Catholics. Sunday is their day of worship. They believe in either endless hell or eternal paradise as a sort of life after death.
Judaism is an Abrahamic religion practised by the Jewish people that is founded on the ideals and ethics enshrined in the Hebrew Bible. Abraham, David, Moses, and many prophets founded the faith. Their worship days are from Friday at dusk until Saturday at nightfall. They believe in reincarnation as a sort of hereafter existence.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Christianity | Judaism |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Judea, a Roman province | Levant |
| Place of worship | Chapels, cathedrals, basilicas, churches, home bible studies, and private residences | In Jerusalem, there are synagogues and the Western Wall of the Temple. |
| Practices | Sacramental prayer, church service, communion, bible reading, and charitable deeds | Worshipping 3 times a day, 4 times on Shabbat and festivals. |
| Salvation methods | Christ’s passion, burial, and rising | The belief in God and humanitarian work |
| Clergy | Bishops, monks, nuns, priests, and ministers, | Rabbis, Mohels, Scribes, and Cantors |
| Religion’s virtue | Mercy, generosity, and love | Justice, fidelity, generosity, humility, Tikkun Olam, mitzvoth, and creational love Ethics. |
What is Christianity?
Individuals who practice Christianity believe in the God Jesus Christ. Its adherents, known as Christians, frequently believe Christ is “the Son” of the Holy Trinity and walked the world as God incarnate (“the Father”).
A Christian is defined by Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox as a member of the Church who enters via the sacrament of baptism. Baptized infants and adults are considered Christians. Because his followers asserted he was ‘Christ,’ the Greek counterpart of the Hebrew and Aramaic words for ‘Messiah,’ Jesus’ Jewish sect became known as ‘Christian.’
The Trinity is a concept held by Christians. The Christian Religion includes all churches as well as believers who do not attend religious services, as many modern practitioners are Christ-followers but not active members of the church.
A Christian will read the Bible, go to church, look for ways to incorporate Jesus’ principles into their life, and worship. Through trust in Jesus Christ, Christians seek forgiveness for their own sins. The Christian’s ultimate objective is both the manifestation of God’s Kingdom on Earth and the achievement of Heaven in the hereafter.
The Holy Bible, a collection of canon writings divided into two halves (the Old Testament and the New Testament), is considered authentic by Christians: it was authored by human writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is thus the absolute truth of the Divine law.
What is Judaism?
Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, based on ideas and ethics reflected in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Talmud. It is one of the world’s oldest faiths, dating back to the era when God first urged Abraham to leave his land and join Him 2000 years ago.
The core concept of Judaism is that members of all religions are children of God and so equivalent before God. Judaism acknowledges the worth of all humans regardless of religion, and it invites non-Jews to choose to join the Jewish people. The Jews believe in God’s oneness and divine revelation via the prophets.
Jews pray 3 times a day, with a 4th included on Shabbat and festivals. The majority of the chants in a Jewish Tradition session can be recited alone, however, group prayer is preferable. Jews also have religious apparel that a typical Jew wears.
They reject Jesus as the prophesied messiah. Jews believe that the Saviour will be a mortal rather than a divine being who will reinstate Israel’s physical monarchy, reconstruct the Temple in Jerusalem, and establish earthly peace.
In the past, the people of Israel had to offer sincere prayers of repentance, turn away from their sins, and offer appropriate sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem to receive forgiveness for their sins. Today’s Jews think that heartfelt prayers of repentance and abstaining from sin suffice.
Main Differences Between Christianity And Judaism
- Christianity emerged from Judea, a Roman province, whereas Judaism was initiated from the Levant.
- Churches and chapels are places of worship for Christians, while synagogues and the Western Wall of the Temple are places of worship for Jews.
- Christianity performs sacramental prayer, church worship, communion, bible reading, and charitable actions, whereas Judaism prays three times a day, with a fourth prayer on Shabbat and festivals.
- Christ’s passion, burial, and rising are the means of salvation in Christianity. Meanwhile, the belief in God and humanitarian work are the means of redemption in Judaism.
- In terms of the clergy, Christian clergy are referred to as Bishops, Ministers, Monks, Priests, and Nuns, whilst Jewish clergy are referred to as Rabbis, Cantors, Scribes, and Mohels.
- The objective of Christianity is to love God and keep his commands, whereas Judaism believes in righteousness, fidelity, compassion, humility, Tikkun Olam, mitzvoth, love for the creations, and morality.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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