Analysis of Jewish Christian Relationships in Historical Context

This essay delves into the historical and theological complexities of Jewish Christian relationships, focusing on the differences and similarities between anti-Christian and anti-Jewish polemics. It examines key texts from the Middle Ages, such as the Dialogue of Timothy and Aquila and the Milhamoth ha-Shem, highlighting how these texts were used to protect Jews and shape perceptions. The essay explores the factors behind the rise of anti-Jewish writings, the influence of Christian beliefs, and the political dominance that led to Christianity becoming the state religion. By analyzing these historical dynamics, the essay provides insights into the evolution of these relationships and their impact on both communities. The essay uses an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on religious studies, history, and political science to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The essay also addresses the role of the New Testament and the impact of political dominance on the relationship between the two religions.

Running head: JEWISH CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS
Jewish Christian Relationships
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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1) In this essay, the aim is to discuss about the differences and similarities between the anti-
Christian and anti-Jewish polemics. These texts had been written in the Middle Ages so Jews
could be protected from converting into Christianity.
There were many examples of such texts where anti-Christian polemics written to
save the Jews. Some of these examples are Dialogue of Timothy and Aquila, Dialogue with
Trypho and Dialogue of Simon and Theophilus. The first text had been written in the 6th
century (Kessler: 21). The second and third texts were published in 2nd and 5th century
respectively. The interdisciplinary approach had been taken in this scenario so religious polemics
could be understood properly. The polemic texts were written by the Jews in Europe from the
beginning of the 12th century. Another polemic text in this context is the Milhamoth ha-Shem.
It can be identified from the examples and further research work that Pharisees were the
progenitors of rabbis. They were able to survive in this conflicting atmosphere of their own in
the countries where they had large numbers of people. On the other hand, the context of the
Christians should be discussed in this scenario (Haynes: 20). The Church fathers were
responsible behind writing these polemic texts that were indicated against Jews and Judaism.
This was the patristic literature and this formed the basis for the Christian texts for centuries
counting from the first century. The literature texts written by the Christian fathers are principal
evidences where tensions regarding Jewish- Christian relationships could be seen. Various
aspects can be imagined in this scenario of inter-faith and inter-religious polemic texts. The basic
similarity between these two types of polemics is they both have targeted each other with scorn
and distrust (Collins: 18). The difference lies in the fact that Christians have drafted the anti-
Jewish polemics based on their religious beliefs. The Jews did not even recognize Jesus Christ as
Messiah or the ultimate protector of mankind. Christians always value Jesus Christ at the

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supreme level. Celsus was an anti-Christian polemicist belonging to the Jews. Some examples of
anti-Jewish polemic texts are the Gospel of Thomas, the Infancy of James and Gospel of John
(Kessler: 21).
The differences and similarities between two traditions of polemic texts have been
discussed here so readers can understand the nature of polemic texts and its influence on
common people.
2) This essay will look to discuss on the factors why the Christian texts focusing on anti-
Jewish writings became the flavor of the time. These writings were famous and created more
influence on the minds of common people. Christians did not like the Jews and they wanted to
strengthen their position over the Jews so they could establish as the dominant religion in
Europe.
The Christians of the early period were of the opinion that they worshipped Jesus Christ
and He was the only person to interpret the Mosaic Law in the most ideal manner (Kessler: 21).
They also made the claimed that God had raised Jesus from death but most Jews did not believe
it and felt amused at these claims. The Romans thought these new Christian cults to be very
much dangerous for the community (Dietrich: 56). In this scenario, they opposed the views of
the Christians. The Jews of the Pharisee orientations believed that Resurrection of Jesus would
take place on the last day when Elijah would return. The return of Elijah was one event that
created differences between the viewpoints of Christians and Jews. According to the beliefs of
the Jews, there was no Resurrection event to take place before Elijah return and announced about
it (Collins: 18). The messages of the New Testament are important historical documents where
this issue has been debated all along. However, this New Testament had been compiled by the

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Jewish community in the year 135 when ethnic Jews wrote it in the Greek language (Brown: 29).
However, the political dominance of the Christians in the global context led them to be the
supreme leaders. The decree of the Theodosius I confirmed that Christianity would be the state
religion from 380 AD onwards. The epistles of Ambrose, the elected Bishop of Mediolanum,
made opposite claims against the decree of Theodosius I saying all the people in the country
including heretics, pagans and Jews should be provided with similar rights as of Christians
(Sapir: 28).
In the concluding part of the essay, it should be mentioned that the relationships between
polemic texts have highlighted their differences of opinion to some decree. Later, Christians
dominated the world as the state religion overpowering the Jews. This was due to their political
supremacy and religious dominance.

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References
Brown, Raymond E. An introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press, 2015.
Collins, John J. The apocalyptic imagination: An introduction to Jewish apocalyptic literature.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2016.
Dietrich, Donald. God and humanity in Auschwitz: Jewish-Christian relations and sanctioned
murder. Routledge, 2017.
Haynes, Jeffrey. An introduction to international relations and religion. Routledge, 2014.
Kessler, Edward. An introduction to Jewish-Christian relations. Cambridge University Press,
2010.
Sapir Abulafia, Anna. "Christian-Jewish relations, 1000-1300: Jews in the service of Medieval
Christendom." (2014).