Supersessionism or Mutual Blessing on the Menu? Christ-Following Gentiles Dining among Christ-Following Jews

Abstract

This essay proposes that followers of Jesus should see God ’ s covenant with the people Israel as continuing, as many churches now af fi rm, and therefore facilitate the covenantal dietary practices of Christ-following (CF) Jews when dining together. In a similar vein, Michael Wyschogrod wrote to Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger that a Jew remains a Jew, and therefore under obligation to observe Jewish dietary law, no matter what religion he adopts. 1 Wyschogrod considered the Church ’ s conduct toward CF Jews in its midst, including their dietary requirements, the acid test of supersessionism. 2 I fi rst explore the meaning of supersessionism, arguing that Torah observance, including Jewish dietary law, undermines it while preserving the Jewish people. Second, I treat the dietary practices of Jesus, Peter, and Paul, presenting interpretations that re fl ect the Jewish setting of the New Testament, and opposing claims that biblical dietary laws are cancelled. Third, I introduce Aquinas ’ s commentary