The fundamental problem with Christianity is that it is not Judaism. Therefore, all your so-called proofs from the Hebrew Scriptures are meaningless. They are simply your interpretation not ours.

Who says Judaism is the faith that is in harmony with the Hebrew Scriptures? Who says Christianity (or Messianic Judaism) is not for Jews? Who says your interpretation is right? If Jesus is indeed the successor of Moses and the prophets, the Messiah spoken of in our Hebrew Scriptures, then the faith that acknowledges him is the proper faith for those who claim to adhere to those Scriptures.

Of course, much that has been called Christianity through the years has hardly been either Christian or biblical—let alone Jewish. But there is an authentic Christianity that is thoroughly biblical and amazingly Jewish. It is the right faith—meaning right in the sight of God—for you and for every Jew without exception.

We’ve already covered some of these points in our previous answers (above, 1.4–1.6), but the following thoughts should prove helpful.

As Jewish believers in Jesus we are convinced that our fore-fathers made a tragic mistake in rejecting Jesus as Messiah. To say that Christianity is not Judaism, therefore, is to miss the key question, namely, Which faith is the true, biblical faith? It is also highly misleading to say that Christianity is not Judaism, because it gives the false impression that we are dealing with two completely separate religions, when in reality we are dealing with two faiths that have much in common.

For example, both faiths believe in the authority and inspiration of the Hebrew Scriptures, both faiths believe in one God, both faiths believe in the coming of a Messiah, both faiths believe in an afterlife with reward and punishment. As I mentioned previously (above, 1.5) many scholars today—both Jewish and Christian—point out that Christianity in its New Testament form was actually quite Jewish, or, as other scholars have expressed it, another of the first-century Judaisms.

For this reason, some Jewish believers prefer to speak of Messianic Judaism vs. traditional Judaism—two different Jewish expressions of faith (see again, 1.5). This way, the key issues of dispute come into focus: Are the Jewish followers of the Messiah correct, or are the Jewish followers of the traditional rabbis correct?

Having made this broad statement, it is important to emphasize that there is much in Judaism that is positive and from God, and there is much in Christianity that is negative and man-made. This is because many Jewish traditions are based on the Scriptures or at least breathe the spirit of the Scriptures, and other traditions in Judaism are full of wisdom, beauty, and ethical value.

Our people, after all, have many unique, God-given qualities and gifts. On the other hand, as Christianity departed from its biblical roots (meaning its roots in the Hebrew Bible and New Covenant Scriptures, as discussed briefly in the introduction and in 2.7), it strayed from its purity and spiritual power. In fact, while the New Testament authors emphatically reaffirmed that the Jews, of all peoples on the earth, were chosen in a special sense, teaching that God would ultimately redeem them on a national scale, ²¹ “Christian” authors writing centuries later taught that the Jews, of all peoples, were specially unchosen!

That’s why it’s not even accurate—let alone constructive—to say Christianity is not Judaism, because (1) not everything that calls itself Christianity is truly Christian; (2) true Christianity is very Jewish; and (3) Judaism itself is a mixed bag, with some biblical, heavenly roots and some unbiblical, earthly roots. The question is, Which faith is ultimately right and true in the sight of God?

All of us know that for more than fifteen hundred years, most Rabbinic Jews have rejected Yeshua and the New Testament. But what makes them right? Who says their interpretation is the correct one? The only thing we can do is take an honest look at the Scriptures and see what God really says.

You might say, “But who am I to differ with what my rabbi teaches and believes?” Good question! We’ll answer that at some length later (see vol. 3, 6.1–6.3). For now, let me make one, simple point. I’m sure you’re familiar with the Dark Ages, a time when knowledge, creativity, and learning were greatly suppressed. In those days, the church banned the translation and distribution of the Bible in the language of the people. The Bible, church leaders claimed, was not for the masses.

It could be understood only by the priests. People who fought against this mind-set—men such as William Tyndale and John Wycliffe, who translated the Scriptures into the language of the people—were hunted like criminals, imprisoned, and even killed.

“That’s abhorrent!” you say. “The Bible is God’s Word for everyone, in particular, the Jewish people.”

I agree wholeheartedly! How is it then that you as a Jew don’t feel free to read the Bible on your own? Why are you dependent on someone else’s interpretation? Isn’t God able to lead you into the truth as you seek him with an open mind and an honest heart? In fact, isn’t that the only way you can be sure you’re on the right track?

If traditional Judaism is the faith of Moses and the prophets, the true and only faith for the people of Israel, then as a Jew you must follow it. But if traditional Judaism (in its overall direction) has strayed from its biblical roots, if it has made a terrible mistake throughout history in rejecting Jesus the Jewish Messiah, then you must reject those errant traditions and go back to the Word of God, the God of the Word, and the Messiah sent by God and foretold in the Word.

²¹ See Romans 9–11; for further information, see 2.7.

Brown, M. L. (2000). Answering Jewish objections to Jesus, Volume 1: General and historical objections. (18). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

The fundamental problem with Christianity is that it is not Judaism. Therefore, all your so-called proofs from the Hebrew Scriptures are meaningless. They are simply your interpretation not ours.