Associated Press
By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll, Ap Religion Writer
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Thu Aug 20, 6:48 pm ET
NEW YORK – Major Jewish groups and rabbis from the three largest branches of American Judaism said Thursday that their relationship with Roman Catholic leaders is at risk because of a recent U.S. bishops' statement on salvation.
Jewish groups said they interpret the new document to mean that the bishops view interfaith dialogue as a chance to invite Jews to become Catholic. The Jewish leaders said they "pose no objection" to Christians sharing their faith, but said dialogue with Jews becomes "untenable" if the goal is to persuade Jews to accept Christ as their savior.
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Is this truly a debate or a call for clarification? The ADL and the AJC say that they have no objection to the Christians 'Sharing their faith." The Catholic Church says that is what it is doing.
Perhaps the question is over, what is meant by the word, "Dialogue?"
Dialogue presupposes that both parties have something to learn from the other. It suggests active listening, questioning, and open sharing from both parties.
Dialogue assumes that both sides have a point of view and believe they are right.
However, everyone knows when the person on the other end of a phone, or in a showroom, or at the door, or across the table is "pitching them" in sales. There is an agenda and, apart from that agenda, there is no other reason to meet.
What do Christians need to learn about witnessing and sharing from this discussion? Can't one witness and engage in authentic dialogue at the same time? Can't one witness while actually listening to someone without an agenda? Is there no witness when we meet because part of who we are is people who meet God and other people?
Perhaps there is a clash here between legitimate, historic sensitivity toward anything that is perceived as coercion, manipulation, or "pitching" and a strong sense of Jesus' mandate to make disciples of all nations
Perhaps what we have done with that mandate in the past, even at our most sensitive and best, is to feel that we have to bring closure to every conversation, achieve a result from every meeting, and essentially, perform not only our task of faithful, honest, loving witness, but God's role of conviction, drawing men and women to Himself.
If we, as Christians, were more natural, authentic, honest, and free in our open sharing of who we are and why, we could be less tense, manipulative, judgmental, rehearsed, and aggressive in sharing our faith. If it were just a natural expression of who we are, no one would need to feel that they were being sold anything.
The real question, is, I think, whether we really believe what we are saying, If we do, we know that we are not performing a task alone. We are not responsible for securing commitments from people. We are not responsible for convincing people of the validity of our faith beyond all doubt. Mostly, we are not responsible for "drawing" people to Jesus.
If we believe that He is involved in the process and can show Himself to folks through us, all we really need to do is relax, be prepared to share our faith, answer questions to the best of our ability, and be present for those who are drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus.
It really doesn't matter who folks are or what their faith backgrounds. As followers of Jesus,we are not their judges. We must respect them and realize that God is already working in their lives and surroundings and that they may, in fact, have something to teach us as well.
Then we can enter into dialogue and we will be free, with permission, to share our faith.
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