General Tips Reform Jews

Witnessing to Reform Jews, members of the progressive Reform Judaism movement, requires a respectful and informed approach that honors their Jewish identity while sharing the gospel. Reform Judaism emphasizes ethical living, social justice, and adapting traditional Jewish practices to modern life. This article offers practical tips for Christians engaging in faith conversations with Reform Jews, along with key theological differences between Reform Judaism and biblical Christianity.

Tips for Witnessing to Reform Jews

Approach with Respect and Cultural Sensitivity

Reform Jews often take pride in their Jewish heritage, including traditions like Shabbat, Passover, or tikkun olam (repairing the world). Show genuine interest in their beliefs and practices without implying that Christianity supersedes Judaism. Share your faith as a fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, emphasizing Jesus’ Jewish identity and His connection to the Hebrew Scriptures.

Leverage Shared Scriptures

Reform Jews regard the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh, equivalent to the Christian Old Testament) as sacred, though they may interpret it more symbolically than literally. Use passages like Isaiah 53 (the Suffering Servant) or Micah 5:2 (the Messiah’s birthplace) to discuss Jesus as the promised Messiah. Be prepared to explain why you see these texts as pointing to Christ, while respecting their interpretive traditions.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Reform Judaism encourages individual exploration of faith, so many Reform Jews have unique perspectives on God, the Messiah, and spirituality. Ask questions like, “What does the idea of the Messiah mean to you?” or “How do you find hope in your faith?” These invite dialogue and help you understand their beliefs, creating opportunities to share the gospel in a relevant way.

Focus on Jesus as the Messiah

Many Reform Jews do not expect a personal Messiah, instead viewing the “messianic age” as a future era of peace brought about through human effort. Gently introduce Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, highlighting His role as Savior (John 4:25–26) and His teachings on love and justice, which resonate with Reform values. Share your testimony of how faith in Christ transforms lives.

Address Universal Themes

Reform Judaism emphasizes ethics, social justice, and inclusivity. Connect the gospel to these values by discussing how Jesus’ teachings, like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), call for compassion and righteousness. Show how faith in Christ empowers believers to live out these principles through the Holy Spirit, offering a personal relationship with God.

Be Prepared for Diverse Beliefs

Reform Jews may range from theistic to agnostic or even atheistic, as Reform Judaism allows flexibility in belief. Some may see God as a symbolic force rather than a personal deity. Tailor your approach to their worldview, focusing on the hope and grace found in Christ (Romans 5:1–2) rather than assuming a shared view of God’s nature.

Pray for Guidance and Patience

Witnessing to Reform Jews often requires multiple conversations, as their identity is deeply tied to community and history. Pray for wisdom to share truth lovingly and for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. Be patient, recognizing that exploring Christianity may challenge long-held cultural or religious convictions.

Key Differences Between Reform Judaism and Biblical Christianity

Understanding the theological distinctions between Reform Judaism and biblical Christianity is essential for effective witnessing. Below are key differences:

The Nature of God  

Reform Judaism: Views God as one, often emphasizing ethical monotheism. However, beliefs about God vary widely, from a personal deity to a symbolic force or universal spirit. Reform theology prioritizes ethical behavior over strict doctrinal definitions (Gates of Prayer, Reform prayer book).  

Biblical Christianity: Affirms one God existing eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19). God is personal, transcendent, and unchanging (Malachi 3:6; John 4:24), and salvation comes through a relationship with Him.

The Person of the Messiah  

Reform Judaism: Often reinterprets the Messiah as a collective hope for a future age of peace and justice, achieved through human efforts like social reform, rather than a divine individual (Reform Judaism: A Centenary Perspective, 1976). Some Reform Jews reject the concept of a Messiah entirely.  

Biblical Christianity: Teaches that Jesus is the divine Messiah, fully God and fully man, who fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 9:6–7; John 1:1, 14). His death and resurrection provide atonement for sin, offering salvation to all who believe (Romans 10:9).

Scripture and Authority  

Reform Judaism: Regards the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) as sacred but not necessarily divinely inspired in a literal sense. Reform Jews value the Torah alongside human reason, tradition, and modern scholarship, with flexibility in interpreting and applying its teachings (Pittsburgh Platform, 1885). Rabbinic texts like the Talmud are respected but not binding.  

Biblical Christianity: Holds the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the inspired, infallible Word of God, authoritative for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). The New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets (Matthew 5:17).

Salvation and the Afterlife  

Reform Judaism: Focuses on living ethically in the present rather than a defined doctrine of salvation. Views on the afterlife vary, from belief in a spiritual existence to skepticism or emphasis on legacy in this world (Gates of Mitzvah, Reform lifecycle guide). Good deeds and repairing the world are central.  

Biblical Christianity: Teaches salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:28). Believers are assured eternal life with God in heaven, while those who reject Christ face eternal separation (John 3:16; Matthew 25:46).

Role of Works and Law  

Reform Judaism: Views the Torah’s commandments (mitzvot) as meaningful but not universally binding. Reform Jews choose which practices (e.g., kosher laws, Sabbath observance) align with their values, emphasizing ethical mitzvot like justice and charity (Reform Judaism and Modernity, 2004).  

Biblical Christianity: Teaches that the Law reveals God’s holiness but cannot save (Galatians 3:24). Jesus fulfilled the Law, and believers are justified by faith, living out good works as a response to God’s grace (Titus 2:11–14; James 2:17).

Final Encouragement

Witnessing to Reform Jews is an opportunity to share the gospel while honoring their Jewish identity and values. By approaching conversations with humility, respect, and a focus on Jesus as the Messiah, Christians can build bridges of understanding. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your words and work in their hearts, planting seeds of faith that may grow over time.