The Bible: Similarities And Differences

HOW JEWS AND CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND THE HEBREW BIBLE DIFFERENTLY

During research of differences between these two at times historically, socially, and politically different religions, we could find more similarities than differences in their belief system. Both, the Christians and the Jews believe in the Old Testament, and attempt to uphold the high moral standards set forth by God, JHWH (Jehovah), Adonaj or Lord. Both religions believe in one God, the universal and almighty Creator that is a God that appeared to humans, and guided them towards a better understanding of their origins. The Hebrew Bible teaches us the story of mankind, and of how the humans lost their perfect relationship with Creator, and how the same perfect relationship

Many prophesies that were guiding the Israelite religious leaders gave insight about the place of birth, the time, the wonders that the Messiah will perform throughout centuries. The Mosaic law is to guide the Isreaelites until the coming of this Òne`prophet that will free the nation of Israel. The central belief of Jews around the Earth is that they are the chosen nation by God, and when they all adhere to God´s laws, the Messiah will come and establish the Messianic Kingdom with their nation as the nation of priests.

The main prophecy of the Old Testament is that God´s Son will establish God´s Kingdom on Earth, and the Messianic Kingdom will rule over the whole Earth. Prior to this Kingdom to be established, the Messiah has to come. Jews are still waiting as the Hebrew Bible promised for the Messiah to come, and to lead them as God´s chosen people into the Messianic kingdom of peace, and prosperity, and establish the paradise on Earth with the Jews as a nation of priests to rule over the Earth. Christians believe in the same prophecy about the Messiah and his Kingdom, and about Christians being blessed by God. There are two major differences between the Jewish interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures and the one Christians

Jesus´s gospel of love and peace was not what his contemporaries including the political, social, and religious leaders found appealing in conquering their oppressors. His promise of a future kingdom was too far away, and too far fetched. Including the gentiles, showing them mercy, and healing them, was not in their understanding of the Mosaic law acceptable. Helping an injured animal out of a pit on a Sabbath was considered working, and against God. Jesus knew the Hebrew Bible well, and cited it very often in his sermons, especially the famous Sermon on the Mount. His intention was not to change the Mosaic law or the Hebrew writings, but to explain them in greater detail, and teach people how to live them. The God he tried to portray to his contemporaries is a God of order, of linear time, and a God that reveals himself to his subjects. Jesus promised his followers that the Kingdom of God will free them from all oppression, and that death is just a temporary setback. He built their faith in the resurrection form the dead which was not a new teaching. Even the patriarchs of the Bible Abraham, Isaac, and Job and many others believed in the resurrection of the dead. `Have no fear of the ones that can kill the body, but of the one that can kill the Spirit`. He gave his followers hope where there was none, and thought them to be brave in face of calamity. His teachings freed his followers of