Refuting Judaism

[SaintPhotios]

My friend who was Eastern Orthodox has recently claimed that the arguments for Judaism have compelled him to leave the Church. He hasn't yet done this, but he sounds like it isn't too far off.

He's very knowledgeable regarding theology, Patristics, etc... I'm more knowledgeable on Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, but I'm pretty lost when it comes to Judaism and Jewish philosophy. So I'm looking for some literature or good websites (preferably Orthodox) that do a good job of refuting Judaism that I could give to him. I don't care to debate him on the subject, but just anything I could send his way. Any help would be appreciated... thanks.

 

[ProScribe]

Judaism 101

 

[Antony in Tx]

I think our Founder was a Jew!

 

[ProScribe]

There is no reason to refute Judaism because earliest forms of Christianity can trace its historic roots back to it.

 

[SaintPhotios]

There is no reason to refute Judaism because earliest forms of Christianity can trace its historic roots back to it.

Yeah, I get that... I know Church history and various forms of theology. It's modern Judaism that I'm in the dark about. I do know, however, like most people that Judaism denies Christ, and therefore denies all of the most important pillars of Christianity (the Trinity, Incarnation, etc...). So in that respect, I'd say Judaism is very much in need of refutation. I just don't personally have the knowledge to do it.


EDIT: Okay, I think I was unclear in my original post. I know what Judaism is. I understand their belief system and their subscription to the Old Covenant... what I'm looking for is maybe an Orthodox apologetic against Judaism (even Roman Catholic will do... just not hip to Evangelical apologetics. In my experience, they're pretty weak). Hopefully this adds some clarity. Hope someone can help... thanks again.

 

[rusmeister]

Have you read G.K. Chesterton's "The Everlasting Man"?
While not specifically a refutation of Judaism, it expounds on the uniqueness of
1)man among the animals
and (more importantly for your purposes)
2) Christ among men/religion founders...

The Everlasting Man

It's certainly helped me with general refutation of Buddhism and Islam (never mind neo-paganism and simple unbelief).

 

[buzuxi02]

theres many strands in modern judaism. For instance much of judaism no longer holds to a belief in the coming of a messiah. Of course one reason is, if there was a messiah he would have certainly showed up during WW2, etc.

 

[Macarius]

My friend who was Eastern Orthodox has recently claimed that the arguments for Judaism have compelled him to leave the Church. He hasn't yet done this, but he sounds like it isn't too far off.

He's very knowledgeable regarding theology, Patristics, etc... I'm more knowledgeable on Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, but I'm pretty lost when it comes to Judaism and Jewish philosophy. So I'm looking for some literature or good websites (preferably Orthodox) that do a good job of refuting Judaism that I could give to him. I don't care to debate him on the subject, but just anything I could send his way. Any help would be appreciated... thanks.

Try the "Dialogue with Trypho" by St. Justin Martyr, and the Epistle of Barnabas (also from the early Church).

In point of fact, ANY of the 1st two centuries of the church are full of Christians using the OT to defend their beliefs. The issue is one of typology (the Christian understanding of the OT) vs. historical-critical literalism (the Jewish and modern Humanist understanding of the OT).

Given that almost no one today understands Biblical Typology, and even most Western Christians now use historical-critical exegesis, we've lost our primary justification for our view of the OT vs. the Jewish view (and as such, their arguments appear to work).

But St. Justin gets it, as does St. Barnabas, as does St. Irenaeus (focus on his "The Apostolic Tradition" rather than "Against the Heresies).

If I can help answer specific arguments that he's relying on, I can provide specific sources for those answers.

 

[ArmyMatt]

my only question would be which Judaism? which (conservative, reform, orthodox, etc) is he falling in to because they have very differing views on things.

but as far as writings I would use what Macarius said, and I might throw in a little Gospel of Matthew as well.

 

[ProScribe]

Most likely Photios would be talking about the branch of Judaism that denies the historical Jesus Christ as the Messiah. He is the Messiah for Christians but not Jews. Jews developed a different opinion about the Messiah and have their own terms and requirements. They also have a different view of history because their own scholars compose it. You might ask at the MJ forum for Messianic Jews Messianic Judaism - Christian Forums

 

[ArmyMatt]

Most likely Photios would be talking about the branch of Judaism that denies the historical Jesus Christ as the Messiah. He is the Messiah for Christians but not Jews. Jews developed a different opinion about the Messiah and have their own terms and requirements. They also have a different view of history because their own scholars compose it. You might ask at the MJ forum for Messianic Jews Messianic Judaism - Christian Forums

no one is talking about Messianic Judaism. there are multiple branches that deny Christ's Divinity.

 

[ProScribe]

[<writes a voluminous post>]

 

[flameinthesnow]

lol.

 

[jckstraw72]

also, Tertullian's writing Against Marcion does a great job of showing the harmony between the OT and NT

 

[JM]

Can you list his arguments?

 

[laconicstudent]

I think he is referring to these, by the way.

ANF03. Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

 

[rusmeister]

Most likely Photios would be talking about the branch of Judaism that denies the historical Jesus Christ as the Messiah. http://www.christianforums.com/f34/

Which would be nearly the whole tree - hardly "a branch". Messianic Jews are a branch - a small one - and they are essentially Protestant Jews.