The Hypocrisy of Hanukkah

New York Times ^ | Dec. 1, 2018 | Michael David Lukas

[HiTech RedNeck]

A special side is present in other Christian traditions that take pains to echo Jewish tradition. I think of the Seventh Day Adventist sabbath tradition, for example. They can and do sometimes share church facilities with Sunday (Lord’s Day) worshiping traditions, getting twice the use out of the same facilities and honoring one another’s traditions. I saw one such arrangement in Gainesville, Florida with Orthodox Presbyterians.

[CrazyIvan]

“Taken aback by using orange jest in the batter but they need it.”

Surely you jest.

[Vinnie]

Surely I zest

[Skooz]

So why would I, as a Christian, care? Because the entire backdrop of Judaism, with its scripture and history and traditions, is necessary for the Christian story to make ultimate sense. The context for an Incarnation isn’t there without it.

I'm a Christian. I said it before and will say it again: In a strictly historical context, Christianity is just a very weird sect of Judaism.

[HiTech RedNeck]

As rabbinical Judaism is broadly understood, it’s certainly a turn on the faith that none of the rabbis fully expected.

But it sure fits with Jesus being the ultimate Rabbi with the ultimate right to be that. Being part of the divine nature would place Him squarely in such a position.

The proof, as it is said, is in the pudding. Versions of Christianity that have given Jews historical grief inevitably are those which are acting in part (if not in whole) as Selfianity. This is a hazard that appeared in Pharisaical Judaism and a hazard that continues to be possible in Christendom.