Spiritual Reflection, February 2023

An Unexplored Challenge

I recently attended a gathering of (mostly Orthodox) Jews and Christian theologians. One topic that came up was whether each community of faith needed a theology of the other, and if so, of what kind. Do Christians need a “theology of Judaism” and vice versa? The general view was that there is a fundamental “asymmetry” on this matter between the two communities. Christianity requires a theology of Judaism as part of its being and vocation: Christians are linked to Israel and to Israel’s members and to Israel’s Scriptures and God in an essential way. But for Jews, it’s different: nothing about Judaism logically requires Jews to figure Christians into their views about God and into their own identity. Certainly, historical experience –mostly negative! -- might raise theological questions about “what is God up to with these Christians?” And a few Jewish theologians have, over the centuries, asked such questions. But it’s been rare.

By contrast, Judaism does have an essential need to have a “theology of Gentiles,” of the Nations. To be a Jew is in part defined by being in a certain relationship with Gentiles, according to God’s will and plan. One cannot be a responsible and self-understanding Jew, and read Isaiah, let alone Genesis, with insight unless one has some idea of who the Nations are, and what God’s purposes for and with them may be in relationship to Israel.

So here’s a problem: because Jews have not been encouraged by events to have a theology of Christianity, they have also tended not to have developed a lively theology of the Gentiles. This historical reluctance has helped no one, Jew or Gentile. And perhaps this is one area where Jewish followers of Yeshua can make a contribution, precisely as those living religiously and self-consciously at the intersection of Jew, Gentile, and Christian. Jewish followers of Yeshua have, rightly, often struggled with matters of their Jewish identity. They have also worked to help Christians have a better theology of Judaism. But this focus should not obscure our vocation as well to help Jews develop a better theology of the Gentiles. It is a challenge yet to be explored.

Ephraim Radner Ephraim Radner is an Anglican priest and professor of theology at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto.