Introduction
Christianity and Judaism are two distinct religions whose foundations are linked to Hellenistic Judaism. Although the two groups differ in their understanding of biblical concepts related to the Messiah, both rose from a combination of Greek philosophies and Jewish religion that advocated for morality and decent living. An evaluation of the split between Hellenistic and Rabbinic Judaism and the differences between Christianity and Judaism reveals how the diverse views shaped crucial early debates and divisions.
Christianity and Judaism
The link between Christianity and Judaism can be traced back to the second temple of Judaism before the two split in the early years of the Christian movement. In reference to faith and the way of life, Christianity represented a brand of Hellenic Judaism in the sense that as Christianity spread, religious leaders were educated in Greek philosophy, which formed a crucial part of Hellenic Judaism. Elements such as Stoicism and Platonism were incorporated into Christian theology. The main difference between Christianity and contemporary Judaism is their views of the Messiah’s identity. While Christians believed that Jesus was the Messiah sent to redeem the church, Jews rejected this view, although they believed in God’s promise to send a savior.
Christianity and the Roman Society
Christians were considered a huge threat to Roman society to the extent that warranted their persecution and martyrdom. This was mainly due to their refusal to worship the Roman gods and their attempts to convert many people to Christianity, which threatened the empire’s stability. The Greco-Roman culture was associated with rituals that marked the transition, although the Greeks did not associate much significance with death. In contrast, Christians viewed this culture as hopeless as they believed in resurrection after death, a concept that significantly shaped early debates and further contributed to the division between the two religions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christianity and Jewish faiths share a common belief in Hellenistic Judaism that united the people under one God before they split after the second temple of Judaism. The main difference between the two religions is the diverse views of the Messiah. Romans viewed Christians as significant threats to the empire due to their firm beliefs and refusal to worship Roman gods. As Christians considered the Greco-Roman culture hopeless, they intensified their beliefs in life after death, creating further divisions.