General Council 38 (2003)

'Milestone' Document Passed on Jewish-Christian Relations

By John Asling

The 38th General Council of The United Church of Canada has approved a "milestone" document on the church's relations with the Jewish community that acknowledges a history of anti-Semitism within Christianity.

Working in one of three decision-making commissions on August 13, Council received the final report of Bearing Faithful Witness, a study program the church has been engaged in since 1988, and approved a statement on United Church-Jewish relations today that says that anti-Semitism is an affront to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dow Marmur, Rabbi Emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, one of the interfaith guests at Council, called the document a "milestone" in Jewish-Christian relations. "The United Church of Canada is making a lasting contribution to Jewish-Christian dialogue," Marmur said.

Former moderator The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Smith, of the Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit, told commissioners the statement was one of the significant issues to come before the General Council, which is meeting August 10-16 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

"No other religion is as closely related to Christianity as Judaism," the final report, states. "The Christian God is the God of Israel. Jesus and all the apostles were of Israel. Christian scripture includes the scriptures of Israel."

The report calls for a major study of evangelism that would differentiate it from proselytism and show it to be bearing faithful witness to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour but, "without seeking the conversion of the Jews or others."

The accompanying statement, "United Church-Jewish Relations Today,"

• acknowledges a history of interpreting the New Testament in a way that has failed to acknowledge the context within Judaism in which many passages are rooted
• rejects all teaching of contempt toward Jews and Judaism and the belief that God has abolished the covenant with the Jewish people
• affirms the significance of Judaism as a religion, a people, and a covenant community and that the state of Israel has the right to exist in peace and security

While some commissioners were concerned that an expression of support for the state of Israel's existence and security would diminish support for Palestinians and others in the Middle East, the Rev. Dr. Bruce Gregersen, United Church Area Secretary for the Middle East and Interfaith Dialogue, reminded the Council that that kind of support for Israel is long-standing church policy. The church also supports the rights of Palestinians to their own state, he added.

The statement also encourages members, congregations, presbyteries, and Conferences:

• to seek opportunities to meet with Jews and learn about modern Judaism
• to continue to study the issues raised and other issues related to Jewish-Christian relations
• to be vigilant in resisting anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism in church and society
• to create ongoing worship opportunities within the church for highlighting the importance of the Jewish-Christian relationship.

Upon the affirmation of the report and the accompanying statement, Smith offered a brief prayer that concluded, "We affirm a hope that a new day is dawning upon us."