You are a hopelessly wretched sinner that can only be “saved” (rescued) by divine intervention. While this statement sounds distinctly Christian, it is not far off the Judaic understanding. To a jew also, the Creator has to cleanse all humans of their impurities on a daily, weekly and yearly (Yom HaKippurim) basis. What role we humans have to play in this purification process differs conceptually though. Christianity teaches that there is nothing we can do to “earn” our salvation, it is a “free gift” so no-one can boast (Eph 2).
Out of gratefulness for this free salvation, and in order not to lose it, we are nevertheless expected to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2) and not to return to our former filthy lifestyle (2 Peter 2). We are called to follow in our savior’s footsteps and become his disciple. So we do discipline ourselves toward righteousness, and “run the race” (1 Cor 9). We have to make sure though that we do not fall back onto “legalism”, but follow Jesus in newness of heart and guided by the Holy Spirit.
The concept of the “Trinity” or a human being (a) god “incarnate”, or eternal conscious torment in a spiritual fireplace — these are all basically pagan concepts that are abominable to Jews, the people of the book, G-d’s chosen people.
However, this “newness” and untethered devotion without a framework or foundations, without dependence on learning and personal refinement is possibly even more detestable.
Christianity sneaks personal righteousness back in through the service entrance. It’s called “sanctification” – but is preceded by the status of “salvation”. Thus Christianity is more of a status-based religion, while Judaism is an ongoing process of revelation.
Right now when you type in “follow jesus or” into a google search, it suggests “…follow paul”. Not “follow mammon”, “follow the world” or “follow g-d”. Many first Christians considered Paul the or an Antichrist.
Should we worship our Creator as we wish, on the day we choose, eating pork, and occasionally putting up a decorated tree – the parallels to Jeremiah 10:1-5 are striking, even if the passage does not directly talk about Christmas trees, and most Christians don’t actually “worship” the tree, though maybe the gifts underneath, during this utterly commercial feast; or how about bunnies and eggs…
…or should we worship our Creator as He Himself commanded us, within the highly significant dates and festivals that God’s people have been following for millennia? Should we not at least strive for a basic and growing level of observance, instead of being proud of our ignorance and oblivion, and our pagan heritage?
