What Christians Get Wrong about Judaism and Why it Matters

Presentation by Rabbi Ryan Dulkin, Ph.D. 
Thursday, November 9, 2023 - 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Quad 264, Saint John’s University

From early on Christians have defined Christianity in relation to the Jewish tradition from which it emerged. But when articulating Christian faith vis-à-vis Judaism, most Christian teachers and preachers down through the centuries have misrepresented Judaism, expressing anti-Jewish perspectives that often have fanned the flames of antisemitic attitudes and behaviors. The result of this has not only been dire for Jews, including in the last several years in the United States where there has been a dramatic increase of hate crimes against Jews, but has also distorted Christian self-understanding and faith. In this presentation, Rabbi Dulkin will focus on several things that Christians generally misunderstand about Judaism and why this matters for Jews, Christians, and others.

Rabbi Ryan Dulkin teaches in the theology department at the University of St. Thomas and directs the department’s recently created Encountering Judaism Initiative. A native of California, Rabbi Dulkin earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English literature from San Francisco State University and M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in midrash and scriptural interpretation from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (New York City) where he also received his rabbinic ordination. His scholarly articles have appeared in Jewish Studies Quarterly, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, and The Routledge Dictionary of Ancient Mediterranean Religions.

Sponsored in collaboration with the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas.