Do Jews and Christians Worship the Same God?
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The hosts of Knowing Faith tackle a deceptively simple question: do Jews and Christians worship the same God? Kyle Worley opens with a startling claim—no, they do not—sparking immediate pushback from his co-hosts. Jen Wilkin and JT English offer nuanced perspectives, acknowledging shared theological roots in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but emphasizing that modern Jews do not affirm the Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ. The conversation dives into Hebrew language nuances, particularly the distinction between 'echad' (unity) and 'yachid' (singular), suggesting the Old Testament may allow for Trinitarian interpretation. Yet, the hosts agree that belief in Christ as God is non-negotiable for Christian faith. JT warns against sentimentalizing Jewish people as 'closer to God' due to their biblical familiarity, calling it a dangerous cultural bias. The episode ultimately affirms that while the referent of God is one, the worship of that God is not the same when one denies the full revelation of Christ. The discussion closes with a call to evangelism—not out of superiority, but out of love and obedience.
Christians and Jews do not worship the same God if one denies the Trinity or the divinity of Jesus Christ.
The Hebrew word 'echad' in the Shema implies unity, not numerical singularity, allowing room for Trinitarian theology.
Familiarity with the Old Testament does not equate to spiritual proximity to salvation; no one is 'closer' to God than another.
The idea that Jews are 'closer' to the kingdom due to biblical knowledge is a dangerous cultural myth.
Evangelism to Jewish people is not about proving they're 'almost saved' but about proclaiming Christ as Lord.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Sponsor: Grace-Laced Bible Journaling
Crossway sponsors the episode with a promotion for the ESV Grace-Laced Bible Journaling Edition, highlighting its watercolor art, illustrated verses, and journaling space for personal and group study.
Introducing the Deep Discipleship Program
The hosts promote Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship Program, a scalable theology curriculum for churches, small groups, and families, designed to foster deep biblical engagement and community discipleship.
The Core Question: Do Jews and Christians Worship the Same God?
“I said, no. I knew it's no. Wait, wait. And the people immediately, it was like a digital thing and people immediately started in the chat.”
Theological Foundations: The Trinity and Progressive Revelation
“If Abraham said that, then we'd have to say Abraham did not worship the one true God. But he doesn't say that.”
Hebrew Language and the Shema: Echad vs. Yahid
“If I said my hands have come together and are now echad. We would say this is like one, meaning it's unity, it's unified.”
“If you don't worship Jesus Christ as God, then we don't worship the same God.”
“a desire to... to make sure that we don't do anything that might besmirch Israel or the Jews. And this feels like a hard topic to have,”
“do not believe in an eschatological ingathering of Jewish people in a way that's disproportionate to the rest of the world.”
Hosts
JT English
person
Kyle Worley
person
Jen Wilkin
person
Shema
other
Deep Discipleship Program
other
Lifeway
organization
Romans 10
other
Deuteronomy 6
other
Romans 11
other
Crossway
organization
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