tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post7282221260930114910..comments2024-01-06T10:36:04.084-05:00Comments on A Commonplace Blog: Christians and PassoverD. G. Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-71426279219610507702011-04-27T14:38:43.895-04:002011-04-27T14:38:43.895-04:00Mr. Myers:
I am a practicing Christian (maybe I...Mr. Myers:<br />I am a practicing Christian (maybe I'll get it right eventually). I agree with you about the essential inauthenticity of the curious practice of the "Christian Seder". Mind you I am neither outraged nor upset. Not even particularly disapproving. To each his own. But I think its true that the grounding elements of the Passover observance must be missing from a Christian observance. I believe this practise arose from, and continues because of, an honest if naive desire to "get along"...to "affirm"...to "share fellowship". I am, of course, all for "getting along". But I think it should be done in some meaningful and genuine fashion, not by co-opting each other's rituals. Or so it seems to me.Terry Bennettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-35122771630585984572011-04-26T19:37:12.930-04:002011-04-26T19:37:12.930-04:00I think that Christians believe that through Jesus...I think that Christians believe that through Jesus they can know God, and this knowing allows for the presence of God in them, which is what makes them holy. Then miracles follow: a real Christian can, according to the New Testament, lay his hands on the sick, who then get better. Thus a real Christian can do the work of uplifting the universe.AJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-79308517427430415502011-04-25T09:37:16.281-04:002011-04-25T09:37:16.281-04:00Dear Mr. Myers--
I sympathize with these observat...Dear Mr. Myers--<br /><br />I sympathize with these observations. As one who has attended such Christian Seders in the past, I can say that they must be viewed by the Jewish community the way a Baptist "Lord's Supper" is viewed by the Catholic Community.<br /><br />But perhaps I can offer a little perspective. The purpose of the Christian Passover, in my mind is two-fold. One of these is to remind ourselves that Jesus is first and foremost a Jew. This meal was the meal celebrated at the Last Supper with all of the proper blessings and meanings. For Catholics, that meal is the foundation of the Eucharistic meal we partake of every Mass.<br /><br />The second, and I think more purposeful intent, is to remind those johnny-come-latelys amongst us that the Jews are the Chosen People. Not were, not would have been, not could be--they are indeed Chosen of God and so there is no justification in any sense for the treatment that they have suffered at the hands of Christians in the past. This meal is that reminder--salvation as Christians understand it comes from the Jews, so what the Jews hold sacred is sacred.<br /><br />Still, I understand your uneasiness by analogy. I could not partake of the "Lord's Supper" at a Baptist church with the implication that this is all some sort of symbolic and so quintessentially meaningless act. So, I would infer, must a Christian participation in a Seder appear to one who really celebrates a Seder. <br /><br />I suppose I would say that it has a good purpose if it helps, even a little, to remediate the ignorance that results in anti-semitic acts. However, I have long since ceased attending for precisely the reasons you have articulated. If I am to have true respect for things others hold Holy, then I must allow them to be what they are.<br /><br />That doesn't stop me from begging at my Jewish friends house for harotset/marror and all the wonderful trimmings of a passover meal.<br /><br />And I only hope I haven't tendered offense by offering this explanation.<br /><br />shalom,<br /><br />StevenStevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520240994034904255noreply@blogger.com