Christianity & Judaism: Theology in Dialogue

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Intertwined throughout history, Judaism and Christianity have developed a multifaceted relationship marked by both tension and reciprocal admiration. Inspired by the Catholic Church’s call for fraternal dialogue based on the “spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews,” this course examines this relationship from a theological perspective, focusing on the history of Jewish-Christian dialogue and debate and its contemporary implications. Studying this history will enable students to reflect on theological concepts shared by both traditions, including revelation, tradition, and scriptural interpretation, as well as conflicting perspectives on divine election, universalism, and religious law. Also serving as an introduction to Jewish theology, the course enables students to compare Christian commitments with Jewish ones. Through engagement with modern thinkers who debate these traditions, students will gain insight into the complex dynamics of continuity and transformation within both faiths.