Reform in the Holy Land
Reform in the Holy Land: The Decline of Judaism vis-à-vis Christianity
Judaism has been a strong influence in religious and philosophical thought. However, out of it sprang Christianity, and in less than a century, had won over a billion converts. This was something that Judaism had failed to do. Considering their common roots, one is led to wonder why Christianity succeeded in such a phenomenal way. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, represented the common Christian belief that to the Jews, “were committed the oracles of God.” Yet even with these “oracles of God,” they were unable to make a relatively large impact on the Mediterranean world. What did they do wrong, and what did the Christians do right? Jacob Neusner, a scholar in Judaism, states, “to define Judaism in a way useful to the explanation of Christianity, we have also to answer the question: why Christianity, not Judaism?” This question is broad and in order to answer it exhaustively, one must address it from many different angles. However such an approach can be covered only in a large volume. Therefore, this paper undertakes the task of answering this question strictly from a historical point of view. Looking at the history of Palestine circa-first century, there can be identified at least three reasons to explain the failure of Judaism. First century Judaism was superseded by Christianity because of its change of focus from spiritual to political, its lack of social and theological unity, and its policy of isolation from other cultures.
After the Babylonian captivity, the Jews returned to Palestine under the allowance and authority of the Persian Empire. The prophets Daniel and Jeremiah had told the people that God had allowed them to be carried away captive by other nations because of their unfaithfulness and turning away from the true God. Thus after returning to Palestine, the Jews were very keen in staying faithful to God and keeping His commandments. The post-captivity Jews
Judaism has been a strong influence in religious and philosophical thought. However, out of it sprang Christianity, and in less than a century, had won over a billion converts. This was something that Judaism had failed to do. Considering their common roots, one is led to wonder why Christianity succeeded in such a phenomenal way. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, represented the common Christian belief that to the Jews, “were committed the oracles of God.” Yet even with these “oracles of God,” they were unable to make a relatively large impact on the Mediterranean world. What did they do wrong, and what did the Christians do right? Jacob Neusner, a scholar in Judaism, states, “to define Judaism in a way useful to the explanation of Christianity, we have also to answer the question: why Christianity, not Judaism?” This question is broad and in order to answer it exhaustively, one must address it from many different angles. However such an approach can be covered only in a large volume. Therefore, this paper undertakes the task of answering this question strictly from a historical point of view. Looking at the history of Palestine circa-first century, there can be identified at least three reasons to explain the failure of Judaism. First century Judaism was superseded by Christianity because of its change of focus from spiritual to political, its lack of social and theological unity, and its policy of isolation from other cultures.
After the Babylonian captivity, the Jews returned to Palestine under the allowance and authority of the Persian Empire. The prophets Daniel and Jeremiah had told the people that God had allowed them to be carried away captive by other nations because of their unfaithfulness and turning away from the true God. Thus after returning to Palestine, the Jews were very keen in staying faithful to God and keeping His commandments. The post-captivity Jews
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