|
Walking God’s Paths is a six-session process to stimulate candid conversation between Jewish and Christian congregations. Produced by the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College on behalf and with the oversight of the National Council of Synagogues and the Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, it is now made available online through special arrangement with the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations. |
|
The series consists of 15-minute discussion-starting videotapes and easy-print pdf files of background information, focusing questions, scripts, and questions for dialogue. Participants will experience each tradition’s understanding of how it walks God’s path and how the two faith communities could relate to one another in positive ways. |
| Click on the episode titles below to view each episode. Links to printable resources are also provided. |
The Six Episodes
1. A New Future: Building Shalom between Catholics and Jews
Offers an overview of the past, present, and future of Christian-Jewish relations. Introduces participants to the dynamics of interfaith dialogue and the different perspectives Christians and Jews bring to the conversation. Although it focuses on relations between Jews and Catholics, the Users Guide shows how to adapt for use in other Christian communities.
- Information Sheet
- Focusing Questions before watching video
- Screenplay
- Discussion Questions
- Basic Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
2. Shared Origins, Diverse Roads
Explores the Late Second Temple period that gave birth to Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. Participants will see how the centrality of the Torah for Jews and of Jesus Christ for Christians was significantly intensified by the destruction of the Temple by the Romans.
- Information Sheet
- Focusing Questions before watching video
- Screenplay
- Discussion Questions
- Basic Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
3. Common Texts, Different Scriptures
Examines how the Bible both unites and divides Jews and Christians. Although Christianity and Judaism share many of the same scriptural books, they are arranged differently and read through different traditions of interpretation. Participants will experience this diversity by reading common texts together.4. Season of Freedom, Season of Rebirth
In the springtime, both Christians and Jews celebrate the saving power of God. Participants will experience how the related feasts of Passover and Easter ritually re-enact defining foundational events for both religious traditions.
- Information Sheet
- Focusing Questions before watching video
- Screenplay
- Discussion Questions
- Basic Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
5. Metaphors for a Unique Relationship
Presents different ways of picturing the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Participants will compare various images and examine how they could shape the way Christians and Jews educate about each other.
- Information Sheet
- Focusing Questions before watching video
- Screenplay
- Discussion Questions
- Basic Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
6. Mending Relationships, Mending the World
Old stereotypes and misconceptions still hamper Jewish and Christian rapprochement. While engaged in dialogue to overcome these problems, Christians and Jews are increasingly aware that both traditions understand themselves to have been given a mission to the world. Participants will explore the significance for the rest of humanity of Jewish and Christian reconciliation.- Information Sheet
- Focusing Questions before watching video
- Screenplay
- Discussion Questions
- Basic Principles for Interfaith Dialogue
The Panelists
| Mary C. Boys is the Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. |  |
| Reuven R. Kimelman is Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University in Boston. |  |
|
Sara S. Lee is director of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.
|
 |
|
Daniel Lehmann is headmaster of the Gann Academy in Boston.
|
 |
|
Amy-Jill Levine is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
|
 |
|
John T. Pawlikowski is Professor of Social Ethics and Director of Catholic-Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
|
 |
|
Gilbert S. Rosenthal is the Executive Director of the National Council of Synagogues.
|
 |
|
David Fox Sandmel is Crown-Ryan Professor of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
|
 |
|
George M. Smiga is Adjunct Professor of Sacred Scripture at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, OH.
|
 |