Interview with a Pharisee—and a Christian
In 1964, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote: "I am ready to go to Auschwitz any time, if faced with the alternative of conversion or death." The prominent Jewish theologian was protesting a reference to the future conversion of the Jews in a Vatican II working document on Catholic-Jewish relations. Both The New York Times and Time magazine picked up on Heschel's letter, which alienated many of his Christian friends.
That was 1964. This is 2007. Jews still find the subject of conversion extremely painful. For them it is, as Heschel said, tantamount to annihilation. Christian hopes for conversion can be a deal breaker in interfaith friendships.
Yet a few Christians and Jews have found a way to be friends despite this Christian hope (Romans 11:25ff). Among them are R. T. Kendall and Rabbi David Rosen. In their book, The Christian and the Pharisee (Warner Faith), they model a warm friendship as they "debate the road to heaven." Christianity Today editor in chief David Neff interviewed them about the book and their unique relationship.
For 25 years, Kendall was minister of Westminster Chapel in London, the pulpit previously occupied by G. Campbell Morgan and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Kendall is a unique blend of the Reformed and charismatic streams of evangelicalism.
Rosen is the former chief rabbi of Ireland and has lived in Jerusalem for the past 22 years. He represents the American Jewish Committee internationally in the area of inter-religious affairs.
They were introduced by George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Andrew White, Carey's envoy. In the course of the meeting, Rosen kept talking about Pharisees in a complimentary way. Kendall finally said, "Rabbi Rosen, I almost get the impression that you're a Pharisee and ...
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Ephrem Hagos
Christianity has obscured the huge difference between "the Word of God" (as portrayed in the Gospels) and the "interpretations" (as presented in the epistles of the Apostles) with greater emphasis on the latter. This has proved very unfortunate making Christians part of the problem but not the solution. If actually confronted with the truth, as we surely will see, the deeper roots of the Pharisees in the Torah and the Prophets may yet prove to be a real comparative advantage over Christianity.
Myrna
This article was wonderful! As a completed Jew, I can certainly understand, because in many ways, I have been both of these men. Before I met the Lord, the incarnation was inconceivable. HOW can the Infinite pour Himself into the finite? At best this is a craziness - at worst blasphemy. I understand when the rabbi says he doesn't understand. I didn't either. There is indeed a double blindness on the Jews. Jesus, Himself pronounced it in Mt. 23:39. However, when they turn (as it says in 2 Cor 3:16) to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away! God has NOT forsaken His people. There is no need for a "replacement theology." (Read Eph. 2 and Ro. 9-11.) In fact, God calls all Gentiles who have received mercy to show it to the Jews, so they can be saved (Ro. 11:31) - which is exactly what Kendall is trying to do. There has definitely been enough MISunderstanding between us. Any book that can help us all heal is a good thing. May the Lord use it mightily; there are eternal realities at stake.
George
Great thoughts from Brenda. The article demonstrates in a beautiful manner how people can stay in dialogue and still maintain their valued positions, not just for themselves but for those they serve. And is there any more mysterious or challenging three chapters in the New testament that Romans 9 -11? Every time I read them I scratch my head a bit even though I resonate with Kendall's posture as a Christ-follower. So I believe that Christians must be faithful to their calling of proclaiming the gospel to whomever will listen, but to do it with the grace demonstrated in the lives of these two long time friends.