Abstract
This article examines the theological relationship between Judaism and Christianity, as articulated in the 2015 document from the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, entitled “The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable.” On one hand, the Vatican document re-affirms the positive estimation of Judaism expressed in the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra aetate (1965), and it rejects Christian replacement theology. On the other, it reiterates Pope Benedict XVI’s single-covenant understanding of the Jewish-Christian relationship, and it affirms a theology of fulfillment. Although a theology of fulfillment tends in the direction of supersessionism, the Vatican document contains resources for avoiding a re-lapse into supersessionism by using sibling language to describe the relationship and by emphasizing the uniqueness of each tradition.
Highlights
In the decades since the Council, the dialogue between Catholics and Jews has developed considerably and bonds of friendship have formed between those engaged in such dialogue
“‘The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable’” (G&C), a document issued by the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (CRRJ) in 2015, describes the impact of Nostra aetate (No 4) fifty years after its promulgation at the Second Vatican Council
In this essay I wish to argue several points: 1) G&C gives preference to a single-covenant understanding of the Jewish-Christian relationship and a concomitant theology of fulfillment, both of which strongly reflect traditional Catholic teaching as it has been most recently articulated by Pope Benedict XVI, who authorized the preparation of G&C, but which was written after Pope Francis was elected; 2) a theology of fulfillment tends in the direction of supersessionism; and 3) G&C contains resources for avoiding supersessionism and creating a more positive estimation of post-biblical Judaism
Summary
In the decades since the Council, the dialogue between Catholics and Jews has developed considerably and bonds of friendship have formed between those engaged in such dialogue. Http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/relations-jewsdocs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19741201_nostra-aetate_en.html 4 “God entrusted Israel with a unique mission, and He does not bring his mysterious plan of salvation for all peoples (cf 1 Tim 2:4) to fulfilment without drawing into it his ‘first-born son’ (Ex 4:22).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
