FEATURED JOBS
On Wednesday, July 27, what could be a major document in the religious world was released.
The five-page text – “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World” – was released by the Vatican (Roman Catholics), World Council of Churches (an ecumenical group of churches from across the Christian spectrum) and the World Evangelical Association (Evangelicals). It took five years to hammer out; the fact that these three huge umbrella organizations agreed on anything is in itself a major accomplishment in the ecumenical world. It is akin, let’s say, to ALL Jews agreeing on one standard for kashrut. (Yeah, ain’t gonna happen.)
The full statement is here: http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2011pdfs/ChristianWitness_recommendations.pdf
The perennial parochial question: “Is it good for the Jews?”
The answer is a decided yes. How good, of course, cannot yet be known. But clearly, it is better to live in a world with this document than one without it.
For me the two most fascinating parts are:
• Point 7 – “freedom of religion and belief” includes: “Where any religion is instrumentalized for political ends, or where religious persecution occurs, Christians are called to engage in a prophetic witness denouncing such actions.”
Religion, of course, is used for political ends over and over– by Jews, Christians and Muslims.
In fact, the basis of Jewish political activity in Washington, D.C., by Jewish groups (particularly the Reform and Orthodox movements – Conservative Judaism long being AWOL in the halls of power) is an application of religious values (or at least the ones that often conveniently fit that situation, which often leads to choosing biblical text over talmudic text over subsequent teachings or some mixture).
When it comes to Christians, it’s the same thing. And let’s not forget Christians United For Israel (http://www.cufi.org ) which is all about bringing text alive in political policy.
• Point 10 “renouncing false witness” includes this: “Any comment or critical approach should be made in a spirit of mutual respect, making sure not to bear false witness concerning other religions.
In other words, feel free to say why you believe your religion is true, but do so with great humility and with the understanding that denigrating other religions is not the right path.
As Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National director (ostensibly the most influential “organization Jew”) said, ““For the Jewish people, this document is a welcome development. The history of the Jewish people is filled with tragic incidents of forced conversions, resulting in the death of untold numbers of Jews throughout the centuries.” (See his full statement here: http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ChJew_31/6090_31.htm.)
He went on to correctly note that some – far from all – Christian groups (and fellow Jews, you have no idea how diverse that world is) has seen “an increase in the use of deceptive tactics by so-called ‘Messianic Jews’ targeting Jews for conversion. This new document makes clear that Christians using deception and aggression to missionize non-Christians is not only inappropriate, but a betrayal of Christian values.”
I actually disagree. There is nothing new coming from Messianic Jews. I’ve met a number of them over the years and had numerous and generally pleasant conversations. I just think their goal is to engage in “theological ambushing” with people (read Jews) who don’t have the background/skills to have a meaningful conversation and are thus easier to manipulate than “educated Jews.”
Of course, some Jews do convert to Christianity for sincere reasons. While I personally can’t imagine why, likewise some Christian friends can’t imagine why people would not want to accept Jesus of Nazareth as their savior. And despite what many Jews believe, that’s a valid belief in the market place of ideas that defines the porous identities of modern life.
All that said – and all the historical emotion this brings up – this document is a very good and important one. It sets official doctrine of groups that have large influence in organizational religious life. And just like the Vatican II document of the early 1960s, it will take decades to truly take hold. That hugely important work, among other things, formally ended the Catholic Church’s belief in deicide – that the Jews killed their savior. Some Christians do indeed still believe that, but they are a minority that is rejected by responsible leaders. (Yes, I’m talking about Mad Mel Gibson and the theologically twisted like-minded.)
Now I believe Judaism is the most intellectually, spiritually challenge one can imagine. But that does not mean that others should not share their views as well. And if members of the Jewish community are not equipped to have that conversation, maybe it’s more of a Jewish problem than anything else.
A final note: Christians are entitled to evangelize. It is part of their mission. What this document lays out is that there are ethical, respectful guidelines in how that should come to pass.
Thank God for that.
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