The Catholic Culture Podcast The Church and the Jews: Recovering Tradition, w/ Gideon Lazar
Sep 4, 2025
Gideon Lazar, a theologian and Jewish convert to Catholicism, shares deep insights into the often misunderstood relationship between the Church and the Jewish community. He discusses the theological shifts post-Vatican II, challenging misconceptions about Jewish identity and salvation. Topics include the nuances of supersessionism, the importance of faith and works, and the historical dynamics of covenants. Lazar advocates for a renewed dialogue that honors tradition while addressing modern complexities, emphasizing shared values and the necessity of respectful discourse.
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Which Old Rites Can Reappear?
- Some Old Testament rites (notably animal sacrifice) cannot be restored without denying Christ's fulfillment, though certain practices may be recontextualized in the new law.
- Papal and conciliar documents allow limited Christian adaptation but warn against Judaizing Christian worship.
Don't Support Rebuilding The Temple
- Reject projects to rebuild an earthly temple with animal sacrifice because Hebrews and Revelation show Christ is the heavenly Temple and Lamb.
- Avoid eschatological activism that presumes human rebuilding of what Christ fulfilled.
Beware Loaded Labels
- Terms like 'supersessionism' and 'dual covenant' are often unhelpful because they mask distinct, sometimes orthodox, meanings.
- Debate benefits from specifying whether one means 'church replaces Israel' or 'fulfillment in Christ' and avoiding blanket labels.
