<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: I was wondering what is the difference between being a Christian and being a Jew and why would a person choose the Jewish faith over the Christian faith? Why would a person know about Jesus and what He did for them and then go against Him and not believe and continue to be Jewish? A: A column from several weeks ago talked about what makes a person a "Jew." Many who consider themselves to be Jewish are also Christian. For large numbers of Jews, it is not only religion, but also family, culture, and the like that are considered. Many Christian (sometimes known as "Messianic") Jews follow much or all of Jewish ritual, yet also believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Some are in their own congregations, while others join congregations from such churches as Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or other. However, anti-Jewish sentiment among many Christians, plus a long Western tradition of antisemitism, alienates some Jews. They won't give the Gospel a "fair hearing" because they've been conditioned either from within or without to suspect the words and motives of Christians in religious matters. As for the heart of your question, I also find it amazing that so many Jews reject the hell-releasing, life-changing Good News of Christ Jesus. However, I'm also amazed (and saddened) that many non-Jews also hear and choose to turn away. Q: I am a new pastor and finding that the hardest people to reach are those sitting in the pews every Sunday. Is this unusual? A: I'm sorry to let you know that this is not as unusual as it should be. People who grow up in the church often become creatures of habit, attending and following ritual without remembering what is going on and why they are Christians. They may be more interested in comparing the current pastor with a former than in comparing what God says with their own lives. There is no real "novelty" for many longtime church members. Because their time outside the faith was so long ago, their comparison with the old life is vague, if remembered at all. They forget that in Christ, God daily makes us new. Meanwhile, a new Christian or a non-Christian who's in dialogue with you is excited, because the Gospel is new, exciting, and working often rapid changes. Pray that God changes the "rut" in which some of your flock may be into a "groove." Q: Have you addressed the topic of the poor in your columns? I understand the Christian call to help the poor. Still, what is your opinion of those on the religious and cultural left who promulgate such phrases as "social justice" and topics such as "liberation theology?" Is this the Christian approach to the issue of the poor? A: Obviously, Christians are charged and encouraging with helping the poor. This includes spiritual and financial poverty. As you mention, a "theology of liberation" has grown up out of Biblical Christianity. In its extreme forms, liberation theology looks for some sort of heaven on earth, where the "kingdom of God" is seen as some sort of utopia. Often, the theology of the movement is as much Marxism as it is Christianity. Milder forms of "social gospel" are also practiced. However, too many of them consider the Gospel (Good News) to be any good news. Thus, you might hear such things as, "For a starving man, a bowl of soup is the Gospel." While there is much good in providing food for the hungry (or shelter for the homeless, especially with such agencies as Habitat for Humanity), Christians dare not forget what the real Good News is: Jesus Christ saves us from our sins. Because of God's love for us in Christ, we are empowered to reach out with this love for others. However, Christians should never put the message of forgiveness in a secondary position. Others won't go to heaven because we do good deeds for them. They will be saved when they hear and believe that Christ died for their sins and lives to bring them to their heavenly home. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.