Jesus

[_bc]

I don't really know much about judaism, so I hope you'll be able to post some feedback on this description, which is basically what I recall from a long conversation with a priest last summer:

The history of it all, is that we Christians (=Catholics) belive in the same God you believe in. The differences begin with an action by God - this very same, only God in existence. The reason for this action was that we, all humans, were in sin. We needed to atone, but any sacrifice we could ever make would pale in comparison to the Glory of God, and the seriousness of the sin of rejecting him. So God himself sent his Son to take human form, and sacrifice himself for our sins. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

The complicating twist, is that Jesus is not a mere human being, and never was. He is and has always been God, even while on Earth. The same God in whom Jews believe. Because God is one, but he has three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A catechism book I read had this analogy: The sun in the sky, the light it radiates and the heat it generates are inseparable but distinct. So the Father is like the sun in the sky, the Son is like the light and the heat is like the Holy Spirit: three distinct persons, but ultimately one and the same God.

So the differences between Judaism and Christianity should basically be the consequences of this action by God. That He revealed more about Himself to us in doing this, as well as making a New Covenant.

I suspect I may be saying exactly the same things Likos said, but in a more confusing way. My goal was to point out the significance of what Jesus did, which was to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. But I've confused even myself now. I better stop.

[Aloysius]

Here's my light-hearted explanation (not to be taken literally or seriously):

God and Satan are playing poker one night. Satan is cheating, but alas, to no avail, because Good always conquers Evil. In any event, God is winning fair and square, when Satan suddenly slaps his cards against the table and says, "This is lame. What do you say to a real competition?" God says, "What do you mean by that?" Satan replies, "I bet You can't go down to earth in the form of a man and live for atleast thirty years without sin." God smiles and says, "Alright, you've got yourself a deal." As God extends His arm, Satan notices His confidence and quickly adds, "Oh--and you have to die an extruciatingly painful death. If you win, the gates of heaven can be opened and you can save all the sinners you want and yada yada all that good stuff. But if I win, everybody goes to hell." God ponders a bit, then says a little more firmly, "Deal." They shake hands, and the archangel Gabriel appears to Mary.

-Mark

i like that B) ;)

[Seatbelt Blue]

As noted earlier, we hold our faith to be the perfection and continuation of Judaism. Pope John XXIII, I believe, said "spiritually, we are all Semites." Meaning I'm a jew, he's a jew, every Catholic is a jew - there are 1.2 billion jews!

[CatholicAndFanatical]

ok, i think we scared her off..

Welcome Rebekah! I hope they've answered your first question.

I do have one question though that I hope you could answer. If I understand Jewish faith correctly (which im willing to learn more) Jesus to the Jews was a prophet rather than the Messiah.

Has there been any more prophets since Jesus? If I remember what I read one time correctly, it was something like, there is a 2000 year gap between each significant thing that happened in the Bible, I think one of the references were there was 2000 years between Moses and Abraham and 2000 years between Abraham and Jesus...err something like that..

forgive me if thats messed up, im sure you get the jist though...But anyway, were there anyone else after Jesus that the Jews concider a Prophet of God?

God Bless,

CatholicAndFanatical

PS. Catholics' are not Jew bashers, Jews are God's Chosen people, if we werent Catholic, we'd all be Jewish. Thats how close we are.

[MC Just]

Hi Rebekah, I believe I sent you an E-Mail with some info. Did you get it?

[Katholikos]

Feedback, please, Rebekah,

Did we answer your question? If not, please tell us in what areas you need us to concentrate our efforts.

JMJ Likos