Wat heeft de joods-christelijke dialoog ons gebracht?

Book Description

For forty years, dedicated groups in the Netherlands and Belgium have fostered meaningful conversations between Jewish and Christian communities through biennial conferences. This collection emerges from that four-decade journey, gathering personal reflections from fifteen contributors who share their transformative experiences with interfaith dialogue.

The book presents intimate stories from rabbis, theologians, ministers, and laypeople who reveal how sustained conversation across religious boundaries has shaped their spiritual understanding. One Orthodox rabbi from New York describes how his early perception of Jesus as a curse word gradually evolved through genuine encounters with Christians, expanding his spiritual horizons in unexpected ways. Another contributor shares how discovering Jesus's Jewish identity brought new coherence, hope, and even humor to her faith journey.

These personal narratives trace a careful path from initial wariness and necessity-driven meetings toward authentic relationships built on mutual respect. The contributors demonstrate how Jews and Christians have learned to find common ground and support each other when circumstances demand solidarity.

While acknowledging that interest in formal dialogue has waned alongside declining church membership, the book argues that the need for bridge-building remains urgent. In an era marked by rising populism and antisemitism, these voices call for continued courage in reaching across differences.

The collection ultimately issues a gentle but firm invitation to readers: embrace rather than fear the other, and work together toward the common good of all people.