What is the Relationship Between Israel and The Church?

Whether you're religious or not, the topic of Israel and the church has always been an interesting one. Jews and Christians have had a challenging and tumultuous relationship. Understanding their relationship can help answer any questions, questions about the tension between Israel and the church and why they are still present.  

Jewish people are members of an ethnoreligious group of people who originated from Israel. Jews are the natural descendants of Israelites or Hebrews. You can be Jewish and not directly linked to Israel through your nationality, but your religion keeps you connected. Because of this connection, Israel and Judaism can be synonymous. When talking about their relationship to Christianity or the church, Jews and Israel are on the same side.

Israel And The Church: A Troubled Relationship

The first thing that comes to mind when Judaism and Christianity are mentioned is their turbulent history. There have been many atrocities committed to the Jewish community. These atrocities are in no small part because of the Catholic Church. Jews were under attack by the Catholic Church because of the Christian belief that Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. This belief started a long and unfortunate chain of events that culminated in antisemitism and the Holocaust. 

The Holocaust was instigated by Adolf Hitler, an avid ally of the Vatican and the Nazi state. While the Holocaust may have passed, the effects still live on. An alarming amount of antisemitism is still present and thriving even today and causing much grief for the Jewish community both on and offline. For many people, this tension is the most tangible connection between Christianity and Israel. 

Whatever the past may be, it is essential to look to the future. We cannot forget the past, but we can and need to learn from it. Through education, understanding, and empathy, we can make sure that history doesn't repeat itself. Fighting against the antisemitism present in today's society is crucial. Organizations like C4i Canada are the front-runners for education on Israel and problems faced by the Jewish community. Take some time and learn about the issues Israel faces and how you can help. Undoing the years of ingrained antisemitism in the world takes both empathy and hard work.

The Beginning: The Bible

The socioeconomic differences between Christian and Jewish Israeli communities started with the Bible. After Adam and Eve, the most controversial character is Jesus. He is also what connects Israel and the church. Judaism, ergo Israel, is connected to Christianity and the church through their differing opinions of Jesus and his death. The death of Jesus, as previously mentioned, has caused much tension and blame. Although crucial, Jesus is not the only connection between the church and Israel in this holy book.  

The Bible mentions both Israel and the church in a somewhat confusing way. Theologists have spent many years trying to understand the root of the troubled relationship between the two. Israel and the church have long been considered as two characters in the Bible. Depending on whom you ask, they can be different characters or the same one whose name changes from the Old to the New Testament. 

Depending on the research, the reason for this could be because of a mistranslation, misunderstanding, or a change in the way people think. Whatever the reason is, it both connects and divides these two identities. The discourse of the topic provides another source of distrust and confusion between Christians and Jews.

Israel And Attitudes Towards The Church Today

The past between Israel and the church may have been rocky, but there have been signs of positive change. Today, there are many beloved Christian churches in Israel, proving that Christianity is indeed welcome in Israel. Christians and Israeli Jews have found ways to put aside their differences and live together in peace. Among modern Jews in Israel, many can look at Christians and the church and friends, peers, and fellow citizens.

However, some attitudes towards the church in modern-day Israel are not so forgiving. More radical Jewish communities are still very against Christianity and the church, and their reasoning was ranging from both a religious to a sociocultural standpoint. Many Orthodox Jews still have a difficult time accepting Christians and the church. There has been too much suffering caused by the church, in the eyes of some. Although there have been signs of repenting in recent years, for some, it is not enough to forget the trauma.

Whether we're talking about references in the Bible or the cultural and religious quarrels, Israel and the church have many that connect them. Their resulting relationship today is built on a lot of hurt and trauma and held together by hope. They are learning to use what unites them as an asset rather than ammunition as a strength.