Posted by
Mike on Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:51:10 PM
The formation of the early Church and the spreading of the Gospel message among the Gentiles is discussed by Benedict XVI in his recent book "Jesus of Nazareth". The Jewish community laid the groundwork and foundation for the coming of Christ. In God's plan of salvation, Jesus as the Way is unmistakably clear as foretold by the prophets and foreshadowed in the law of the Old Testament. The pope points out that many of the early adherents to Christianity besides those who were Jewish came from the Greek speaking intellectuals among the Gentiles who had already accepted the teachings of Judaism but who were for one reason or another not Jews themselves. By being baptized, they could share more fully in what they believe which they knew was far superior to the polytheism and superstitious myths of the pagans.
As regards Ann Coulter's recent comments, the prevailing view in the Church is that all will be given the chance to accept or reject Christ before the moment of death and that judgment will be according to each person's knowledge and belief as acquired throughout life. Christians must therefore accept our Jewish brothers and sisters as equals, and not act as though we are superior.