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Annual Spring Breakfast 2008

Understanding Redemption:
Jewish and Christian Perspectives

Presenters:

Rabbi Jordan Ofseyer was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1962 and has served as a Rabbi to several congregations in the USA. He has a Bachelor of Sacred Music, a Masters in Hebrew Literature and an Honorary Doctorate from JTS. Rabbi Ofseyer is a lecturer, author and regular panelist on American Religious Town Hall, a nationally televised weekly program on religious and social issues.

Reverend Phil Reinders (B.A., M.Div. Th.M.) is Sr. Pastor at River Park Christian Reformed Church in Calgary, leading it to be actively engaged in serving its community. Phil regularly writes in a variety of publications, including editorials for the Calgary Herald, commenting on the intersection of faith with current news or popular culture.

Report:

Prof. Myron Weber welcomed the approximately 50 participants. Prof. Douglas Shantz, President, greeted the audience, and Rev. Klaus Ohlhoff presented an inspirational prayer. Karen of the Calgary Jewish Centre catered a lovely breakfast and Myron Weber introduced the morning and thanked the planning committee of Rochelle Rabinovitz, Klaus Ohlhoff, Lil Faider, Doug Shantz and Myron Weber for a wonderful program. Myron read a tale about the presence of the Messiah, suggesting there is the potential in each of us to behave in a Messianic manner.

Rabbi Jordan Ofseyer of the Beth Tzedec Congregation began his presentation with the work of Rabbi Isaac Luria, a Kabbalist of Safed who emphasized the immortality of the soul. He explained that evil comes with the shattering of Divine vessels and release of Divine emanations, leading to a sense of exile in the world. Tikkun Olam, mending or redeeming the world, refers to brokenness where shards or shells of these vessels remain and need to be restored to redeem the world.  Each Jew has enormous personal power to bring redemption to the world by observing G-d’s commandments through mitzvot (good deeds or commandments); Christians in contrast, believe that human flaws are overcome by belief in Jesus.  Jews find fulfillment by living ethically and reflecting on moral, ethical, traditional practices and a sense of fulfillment in the world and the world-to-come; there is however uncertainty with respect to the nature of life after death.

Reverend Phil Reinders of River Park Christian Reformed Church stated that the Christian perspective on redemption is part of the larger story of creation. It assumes that creation was a Divine attempt to create a perfect world, including heavenly bodies and economic systems. He recounted the story of the two prodigal sons. The younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance, receives his estate and squanders it. The father giving away his estate represents his expression of unconditional love; when his prodigal son returns home, his father still makes a party and feast for him.  The older son, who worked hard for his father in his field throughout this time resents his father’s treatment of his profligate brother. Jesus doesn’t tell us the end of the story but invites us to join the Divine party, music and dance. Redemption, in terms of this teaching suggests that each of us is far from the Divine. The younger son rejected religion, lived a self-centred life far from G-d and brought evil to the world. The older son was dutiful, full of goodness and righteousness but also kept far from G-d. Some even suggest the church is a good place to hide and stay far from G-d. If misapplied, religion may keep us far from G-d and self-centred. All Christians need redemption and salvation. G-d is viewed as a trinity (a relationship, a community) with a self-giving love.

Worship and prayer is part of redemption, a line of communication with G-d, and affect a choice of work, raising children, and being at the forefront of relief and aid. Christian redemption means sins are forgiven, leading to a new life, with an approval derived from Jesus’s death.

A lively discussion period followed the two presentations, underlining many of the similarities and some of the differences between the two traditions. Redemption is for all peoples and its influence governs all aspects of life within the two traditions. A much deeper understanding of redemption from two different perspectives resulted, and Rochelle Rabinovitz concluded the gathering with thanks to the speakers.

Myron Weber