The Converging of the Ways?—What Sabbath Practice Can Teach Us about Jewish-Christian and Intra-Religious Relations Today

Erik C Carter

doi:10.3390/rel11120661

Abstract

Given the tenuous relationship Christians have had with Jews over the centuries, not to mention division among Christianity on points of doctrine and practice, a contemporary examination of the Sabbath could be an opportunity to bring Jews and Christians into further dialogue with each other, not on the basis of a shared written text, but rather the living texts of religious experience. However, a review of the literature reveals a scarcity of empirical research on the Sabbath, especially how religious professionals practice Sabbath as exemplars in their spheres of influence. In this study, I, therefore, offer a comparative description of my findings with respect to two practical theological studies I conducted on Shabbat/Sabbath practice, one with American pulpit rabbis and the other Seventh-day Adventist pastors. As a practical theological project, I offer a theological reflection of the data, followed by implications for theological (re)construction and revised praxis for the Church and Jewish-Christian relations.

Highlights

The reality of living in a post-Shoah world demands that Christianity engage in an appraisal of its own theology and practice
It invites Christianity to return to its Jewish roots, which has happily resulted in a whole genre of literature known as post-Shoah theology and the “New Perspective”
The interviews represented in this study with six rabbis constitute an important data-set by which to analyze, reflect upon, and critique the Christian practice of the Sabbath in general, and the

Summary

Introduction

The reality of living in a post-Shoah world demands that Christianity engage in an appraisal of its own theology and practice. It invites Christianity to return to its Jewish roots, which has happily resulted in a whole genre of literature known as post-Shoah theology and the “New Perspective”. (NP) on Paul in biblical studies, not to mention revised Roman Catholic and Protestant liturgies, among others. Another outgrowth of this ressourcement, has been a revitalization of certain practices, such as the Sabbath and its viability, and even necessity, for Christians today. A return to the Jewish roots of the Sabbath for a better understanding of its Christian practice is only one part of the story. Adventists have been practicing Sabbath in this way for over 150 years

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Conclusion