Christian–Jewish reconciliation

Christian−Jewish reconciliation refers to the efforts that are being made to improve understanding and acceptance by Christians of the Jewish people and Judaism and to eliminate Christian antisemitism and anti-Judaism. There has been significant progress in reconciliation in recent years, in particular by the Catholic Church, but also by other Christian groups.

In response to the Holocaust (though earlier accounts of reconciliation exist) and many other instances of the persecution of Jews by Christians throughout history, many Christian theologians, religious historians and educators have sought to improve understanding of Judaism and Jewish religious practices by Christians.

There are a number of sensitive issues that continue to impact Christian-Jewish relations.

Attempts by Christians to convert Jews to Christianity is an important issue in Christian-Jewish relations. Groups such as the Anti-Defamation League have described attempts to convert Jews as anti-semitic and have directly compared those efforts to the Holocaust.

Pope Benedict XVI has suggested that the church should not be targeting Jews for conversion efforts, since "Israel is in the hands of God, who will save it ‘as a whole’ at the proper time." A number of Progressive Christian denominations have publicly declared that they will no longer proselytize Jews. Other mainline Christian and conservative Christian churches have said they will continue their efforts to evangelize among Jews, saying that this is not anti-semitic.

A 2008 survey of American Christians by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that a large majority - over 60 per cent - of most denominations believe that Jews will receive eternal life after death alongside Christians.

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