Students, faculty, Jews and Christians gathered in McCord Auditorium last night to hear Amy-Jill Levine discuss “Jesus and Judaism,” part of the Nate and Ann Levine Lecture series sponsored by the Perkins School of Theology. As a professor of New Testament studies, the message of Levine’s speech was one of understanding, unity and, above all, interfaith relations.
“All history is subjective,” Levine said, as she began her discussion of why she believes understanding the commonalities between Judaism and Christianity is fundamental to beginning to bridge the gaps between the religions.
Students learn from books, teachers, television, movies, the media and, more importantly, friends and family about the world around them. Realities are created and beliefs formed from these sources and influences.
When a young Levine was taking the bus home from school she was told by a fellow classmate, “You killed our Lord.” She ran off the bus crying to her mother with the new-found belief that because she was a Jew, she had indeed killed Jesus.
When the classmate was asked why she said this to Levine, her reply was that her preacher had said it was so.
Now, Levine works to correct the misconceptions of religion that create hate and blame, not only among young children but also throughout the world. Levine has given over 100 lectures both nationally and world wide to teach the importance of understanding between religions.
In today’s society interfaith relations are more imperative than ever. Extreme religious groups, from terrorists to neo-Nazis, move to create revulsion and fear, alienating those of different faiths. Even on the home-front separations of religions are taught both purposefully and accidentally.
“Most traditions have laws that keep themselves separate,” Levine said. However, her point is that by understanding how Christianity and Judaism parallel each other we can promote peace and unity.
“Education about Jesus in his Jewish context needs to happen in both the church and the synagogue,” Levine said.
As a Jew who has studied and teaches the makings and meanings of the New Testament, Levine embodies the embracement of the faiths of one another.
From the Sabbath to the Lord’s Prayer, Levine discussed how Judaism and Christianity have a history that is intertwined and based on the same morals and teachings.
“The details are different, but the theological values are similar,” Levine said. “Religion is about the heart,” she says, “and this is a message we all need to learn.”
