Question

Explain how has Judaism influenced Christianity? (Scripture, practice, heritage, etc)

Answer 1

• Christianity started as a break away sect of Judaism. Although the two religions differ quite significantly, Christianity incorporates the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible) in the “Old Testament” (a part of the Christan Bible). Additionally, Jesus ,who is venerated variously as a literal son of God, embodiment of God, or facet of God in Christianity was, himself, Jewish and many of the statements attributed to Jesus in the “New Testament” (the other half of the Christian Bible) restate or rephrase pre-existing Jewish beliefs.
• Judaism and Christianity are two distinct religions that follow different customs, traditions and beliefs. Yet, as Abrahamic religions they also share a rich common history, which is exemplified by both religions' use of the Hebrew Bible, also referred to as the Old Testament by Christians. Perhaps Judaism's greatest influence on Christianity was the notion of the messiah.
• Although the description of God differs between Jews and Christians -- Jews believe in one, unified God while most Christians believe in one godhead composed of three beings (God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit) -- the Jewish faith's monotheistic belief in one God influenced and shaped the Christian monotheistic doctrine of one God. Christians also believe in the God of the Hebrew Bible, referenced as the God of Israel.
• There were lots and lots of Jewish sects in the first century: the Talmud identifies twenty-four. Christianity was one of them. There was not some Generic Judaism from which Christianity could have been born; and Not only did Judaism influence Christianity, but Christianity influenced Judaism as well.Both modern Judaism and modern Christianity came into existence out of a common first-century religious heritage.
• Christanity includes Prayer, sacraments (some branches), worship in church, reading of the Bible, acts of charity, communion.Even judaism include prayers 3 times daily, with a fourth prayer added on Shabbat and holidays.
• Christianity has received from Judaism its basic understanding of God, his covenant relationship with His people, and assembling together for worship. Judaism and Christianity are similar because they are both monotheistic religions. That means that they believe in one all-powerful God, rather than a pantheon of many gods (which is known as polytheism).
• There are further similarities on top of that - the Jewish holy text, The Torah, corresponds to the first five books of the Christian Bible (known as the Pentateuch). Because of this, Judaism and Christianity both generally believe in many historical events, such as the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt and their Exodus led by Moses, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah ruled by King David, etc.