Jews and Christians Together: An Invitation to Mutual Respect

Rabbi Gordon Fuller and Dr. Christian van Gorder are committed to helping people of both faith traditions gain, as far as is possible, a participant's appreciation of those from the other community. This means addressing misconceptions and misrepresentations as well as challenging widely held assumptions. Jews and Christians Together delves into the strained relationship between these two faith communities and exposes why these communities need to come to a better understanding and appreciation of the other. Events such as the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania demonstrate why society must address and foil anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism wherever and whenever such views appear. The efforts of Fuller and van Gorder to explore these issues with their own faith communities can provide a helpful starting-point to confront trends of increasing hate and bigotry towards Jews today. Fuller and van Gorder ask us to acknowledge the marred history of Christianity and anti-Semitism, so that we can explore healthy Jewish-Christian dialogue and gain a shared and constructive mutual respect.

A. Christian van Gorder is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and World Religions at Baylor University and before that taught at Messiah College and the Yunnan University. Dr. van Gorder is the author of several books on Christian-Muslim relations.


Gordon Fuller was a rabbi in Waco, TX, for 11 years. He also served a congregation in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and is now an independent rabbi online, www.myfamilyrabbi.com.