Irreconcilable Differences? A Learning Resource For Jews And Christians

by David Sandmel

Written by Jewish and Christian educators for use by college and adult learners, this volume explores eight basic questions that lie at the core of both traditions and that can serve as a bridge for understanding. Among the questions Do Jews and Christians worship the same God? Do Jews and Christians read the Bible the same way? What is the place of the land of Israel for Jews and Christians? Are the irreconcilable differences between Christians and Jews a blessing, a curse, or both? Each chapter includes discussion questions.

Genres: Theology, Judaism, Religion

244 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2001

Reviews

[Jan Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irreconcilable Differences? is a book written particularly for Jews and Christians studying their traditions together. Therefore it isn't a book explaining to the faithful the superiority of their own religion nor is it a purely scholarly book whose authors include some atheists and agnostics. Although the authors are scholars, they are also Christians or Jews. Although it does explore how Christianity used its power to denigrate Judaism--and Jews--over the centuries, it is not a book about antisemitism. Also, even up to and during modern times, with Christianity's being the dominant tradition, various scholars have subjugated the search for truth to vindication of their beliefs; in this book, that doesn't happen. Yet neither is the book a homogenization in which the truth claims of the two traditions are weakened for the sake of singing "Kumbaya" together (as Amy-Jill Levine would say). This book shows what the result of hard thinking and soul searching in the context of determination and good will can do.

Irreconcilable Differences? is an edited book composed of a series of chapters, each of which asks a particular question and is written by several authors representing both religions. For example, the introduction starts off with a discussion of why they wrote this book. The second chapter does explore the historical perspective. The third addresses whether Christians and Jews worship the same God; the fourth, how Christians and Jews read the bible; the fifth is an exploration of ethics from the Jewish and Christian perspectives; the sixth explores what "Israel" means for Christians and Jews; the seventh, the respective approaches to suffering; the eighth is on sin and repentance, the ninth is on redemption, salvation, and life after death, and the ninth is another look at differences after having gone through the preceding.

Some may ask, why Judaism and Christianity? Why is Islam not involved in this book? The Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, ICJS, which produced this book, is an organization devoted to interfaith study and has included Islam. Their Facebook page, for example, has included Muslim speakers and teachers. But Judaism and Christianity have had an intertwined relationship that has existed since the inception of Christianity from within Judaism, however distressing to some or subject to denial by others that fact may be. This passage speaks to that point:

The challenge of interfaith dialogue is to recognize the complexity of what we attempt when we speak to one another across religious boundaries. This challenge is especially present in the unique relationship between Christianity and Judaism (my italics). Our two traditions do not exist as isolated wholes but are deeply intertwined. Our traditions have been forged in relation to one another and to the larger cultures of which we are a part. Certain elements of one tradition have been appropriated and refashioned--or opposed and excluded--by the other. Thus, the history of each tradition has taken shape because of the other. (p. 183)

My favorite assertion in this book is the following, dealing with revelation and truth claims:

One cannot empirically prove that some experience is a manifestation of the divine. It requires a decision to interpret certain occurrences as revelatory (my italics).... (p. 38)

Conceiving of revelation as relational clarifies why experiences of God cannot be "proven;" this conception of revelation can also be very helpful for understanding the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Since it is God who initiates interpersonal revelation, it is reasonable to wonder if such disclosures are divinely aimed or targeted. Not only must divine self-disclosure be mediated through the created world and interpreted as such by human beings, but it is conceivable that God selects the recipients of particular disclosures. To use the metaphor of a radio transmission, God's revelatory broadcasts do not have to be omnidirectional. God can choose to reveal Godself only to particular people at particular moments through particular means.... Although it would be a violation of the oneness of God for God to impart contradictory revelations, that does not mean that every act of divine self-disclosure must or could be shared by everyone. (p. 39)

I have heard several Christians, from Christians in the pews to an eminent author, say they think they could eliminate anti-Judaism by talking about "others," not "Jews," in the New Testament. But that wouldn't work because "someone" would still be "blind," "stubborn," etc., in contrast to Christians. Therefore an approach such as the above is needed.

When Arthur Green in Radical Judaism: Rethinking God and Tradition changes "chosen people" to "people who chose God," I think that's what he's doing.

For Christians, it would be something like, "the people who see God in Jesus," as I have wrestled with these ideas.

I have rated the book four stars. That's about as close as one can come on such a subject. Another issue is that history has moved on since this book was written in 2001. Although it is a theme of this book to celebrate the new closeness of Jews and Christians and the new ability to tackle theological issues together, as though it were the "new normal," in America, there was a change around 2006, after the publication of Jimmy Carter's book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Or so it seems to me, although my perspective is colored by the fact that that's about when I came into the picture as a studier of religious/political issues. Some from among the Christian Left, who are educated people that I have thought of as peers all my life, now say that Christians should chastise Judaism and impact Judaism's relation to the modern country Israel by withdrawing from interfaith study with Jews. The developments behind that trend hadn't arisen, in America, at least, in 2001.

I did not find much help with Israel-the-country-as-wedge-issue in this book, so that remains to the future. But rest assured the Christians writing in this book are not "the Christian Right" or right wingers at all--as surely must be apparent from the rest of what I've written.

Other than not being much help on the issue of Israel the country, this book is a great one for interfaith study.

[Roy Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The editors of this book are associated with The Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies in Baltimore, Maryland, a stellar program that has been leading efforts for interreligious dialogue for thirty years. In this volume they have assembled first-rate religious scholars and educators to address the most vexing (and common) questions at the heart of Jewish and Christian understanding. With careful attention to nuance, detail and delineation, ten chapters include questions as Do Jews and Christians worship the same God? How Do Jews and Christians read the Bible? What is the meaning of “Israel” for Jews and Christians? What Do Jews and Christians believe about the redemption, salvation and life after death? Is suffering redemptive? Are irreconcilable differences between Christians and Jews a blessing, a curse or both? There are more questions that could be asked, but these are the critical ones are the heart of the dialogue that will lead toward a clear understanding of each religious tradition. It is rare that one finds a book so carefully designed to help people get beyond sentimental affirmations of “tolerances” to the heart of the differences that truly are different, yet can be accepted with honesty and integrity. Each chapter concludes with further questions of discussion making this an excellent resource for Christian and Jewish congregations that desire to enter into interreligious dialogue. The glossary of terms is also invaluable to the conversation.

[Devorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great essays I've used in many adult education and outreach programs. Helps both Jews and Christians understand often blurry nuances in the conflicts between the two religions.