(MISC-3)                POSITION PAPER OF CHRISTIAN / JEWISH RELATIONS

Sounding the depths of the mystery which is the Church, LSM-USA remembers the spiritual ties which link Christians to the children of Abraham and Sarah.

LSM-USA acknowledges that in God's plan of salvation the beginning of the Church's faith and elections is to be found in the matriarchs and patriarchs.  It professes that all Christ's faithful, who as people of faith are sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah (cf. Gal. 3:7), are included in the same matriarchs and patriarchs call and that the salvations of the Church is mystically prefigured in the exodus of God's chosen people from the land of bondage.  On this account the Church cannot forget that it received the revelation of the Old Testament by way of that people with whom God in his inexpressible mercy established the ancient covenant.  Nor can it forget that it draws nourishment from that good olive tree onto which the wild olive branches of the Gentiles have been grafted (cf. Romans 11:17-24).  LSM-USA believes that Christ, who is our peace, has through his cross reconciled Jews and Gentiles and made them one in himself (cf. Ephesians 2:14-16)

Similarly, LSM-USA keeps ever before its mind the words of the apostle Paul about his kinspeople:  “The are Israelites, and to them belong the (sonship), the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs (and the matriarchs) and of their race, according to the flesh, is ht Christ.” (Romans 9:4-5).  LSM-USA is mindful, moreover, that the apostles, the pillars on which the Church stands, were Jewish, as were many of those early disciples who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to the world.

As holy Scripture testifies, Jerusalem did not recognize God's moment when it came (cf. Luke 19:42).  Jews for the most part did not accept the Gospel; on the contrary, many opposed the spreading of it (cf. Romans 11:28).  Even so, the apostle Paul maintains that the Jews remain very dear to God for the sake of the matriarchs and patriarchs, since God does not take back the gifts he bestowed or the choice he made.  Together with the prophets and that same apostle, LSM-USA awaits the day, known to God alone, when all peoples will call on God with one voice and “serve him shoulder to shoulder” (Zeph. 3:9, cf. Isaiah 66:23, Psalm 65:11, Romans 11:22-32).

Since Christians and Jews have such a common spiritual heritage, LSM-USA wishes to encourage and further mutual understanding and appreciation.  This can be obtained, especially, by way of biblical and theological inquiry and through friendly discussions.

Even though the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ (cf. John 19:6), neither all Jews indiscriminately of tat time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during his passion.  It is true that the Church is the new people of God; yet the Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accused as if this followed from holy Scripture.  Consequently, all must take care, lest in catechizing or in preaching the Word of God, they teach anything which is not in accord with the truth of the Gospel message or the spirit of Christ.

Indeed, LSM-USA condemns every form of persecution against whomsoever it may be directed.  Remembering its common heritage with the Jews, LSM-USA deplores all hatreds, persecutions, and displays of antisemitism leveled at any time or from any source against Jews. 

LSM-USA has always held and continues to hold that Christ, out of infinite love, freely underwent suffering and death because of the sins of all people, so that all might attain salvation.  It is the duty of LSM-USA, therefore, in its preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God's universal love and the source of all grace.

SUBMITTED BY:  Tom Achartz, Twin Cities Lutheran Campus Ministry

SPONSORED BY:  The North-Central Region of LSM-USA