While exploring the differences between Christian and Jewish theology, two points stood out to me:
1. Jewish theology does not believe that the Messiah is the Son of God. I found this surprising simply because I had just assumed they believed the same about the Messiah as we do about Jesus, but the difference being that they do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. I found the article by Rabbi Aryeh, really helpful in understanding the Jewish perspective on why they differ on this subject.
2. Jewish theology does not acknowledge the concept of original sin and the need for rebirth through faith. Again, I had just assumed their beliefs about sin and the need for salvation were the same.
But from a Christian perspective, the New Testament, especially Paul’s writings, reveals a lot more about original sin and one’s need to be born again through faith.
Overall I have found this course really insightful and helpful in understanding where Christian and Jewish theology differs, but also on how much unites us.
