The Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative at Wheaton College equips evangelicals to engage the Jewish community with biblical depth, historical understanding, and relational integrity. In a time marked by theological complexity, historical wounds, and heightened polarization, the initiative cultivates environments where thoughtful dialogue, biblical and historical learning, and sustained relationships flourish. Rooted in Scripture's unfolding story of Israel and the nations, it seeks to strengthen relationships between Christians and the wider Jewish community while pursuing unity among followers of Jesus without erasing the enduring distinction between Jews and Gentiles.
"And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord... these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer... for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
— Isaiah 56:6-7
"I have other sheep that are not from this fold; those also I must lead, and they will listen to My voice. So there shall be one flock, one Shepherd."
— John 10:16
To strengthen relationships between followers of Jesus and the wider Jewish community through humility, hospitality, and sustained engagement.
To advance biblical and historical literacy among Wheaton College students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader Christian community regarding Jewish-Christian relations.
To normalize constructive dialogue rooted in the Scriptures shared by Jews and Christians, beginning with common ground while respecting meaningful differences between Christians and Jews and among Christians themselves.
Christians and Jews share a long and deeply intertwined history marked by friendship and cooperation, but also by misunderstanding, theological disagreement, and periods of painful conflict. In today's climate of heightened polarization, conversations about Jewish-Christian relations, Israel, and the Church often become difficult to navigate with both conviction and charity.
The Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative seeks to contribute by fostering biblical and historical learning, constructive dialogue, and sustained relationships. At Wheaton College, the initiative complements and collaborates with the broader landscape of courses, programs, scholarship, and relationships already engaging these important questions.
Constructive dialogue begins by identifying common ground before addressing areas of disagreement. This creates space for honest conversations marked by humility, mutual respect, and careful listening.
We begin with the shared conviction that God remains faithful to His enduring covenant with Israel while recognizing that interpretations of Scripture differ regarding how God's covenant purposes unfold in redemptive history.
We seek not merely to supply answers, but to cultivate thoughtful questions that deepen biblical understanding, faithful discipleship, and worship of the God of Israel.
The informational becomes transformational only when it is relational. Accordingly, the initiative seeks to cultivate a culture of biblical depth, historical understanding, and relational integrity through public engagement, campus formation, sustained relationships, and educational resources.
The initiative convenes public events featuring Jewish, Christian, and Messianic Jewish voices. These gatherings widen the conversation by modeling constructive dialogue, introducing participants to differing perspectives, and deepening biblical and historical understanding of questions concerning the Jewish people, Israel, and the Church. Watch the conversation that launched the Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative.
The initiative creates intentional spaces where Wheaton students, faculty, and staff engage difficult questions, deepen biblical and historical understanding, and pursue the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Jesus. These efforts complement and contribute to the broader landscape of courses, programs, scholarship, and relationships across the College. Read Wheaton student Michaiah Wilson's editorial Brothers Can Dwell Together in Unity in the Wheaton Record.
The initiative intentionally invests in sustained relationships where trust can grow, honest questions can be explored, and meaningful differences can be engaged with humility and care. Through mentoring, cohorts, collaborative partnerships, and ongoing conversations, these relationships create space for deeper formation and lasting unity.
The initiative develops articles, videos, recorded conversations, study guides, and other educational resources that equip churches, ministries, and Christian leaders to engage questions concerning the Jewish people, Israel, and the Church with greater biblical depth, historical understanding, and relational integrity. These resources extend the initiative's work beyond campus and support the multiplication of healthier patterns of engagement.
This initiative is neither reactionary nor political but is grounded in biblical engagement, calling evangelicals to rediscover their Jewish roots.
It also emphasizes relational engagement, urging evangelicals to deepen their theology and practice of union with Jesus, while cultivating relationships with the Jewish community that bear the fruits of the Spirit.
We convene public events featuring Jewish, Christian, and Messianic Jewish thought leaders. These gatherings model respectful dialogue and invite the broader Christian community to engage biblically and theologically with issues concerning the Jewish people, Israel, and the Church. Watch a video of the conversation that launched the JCRI.
We create intentional spaces for inward-facing dialogue that invite Wheaton students, faculty, and staff to deepen engagement with God’s call to preserve unity between Jews and Gentiles in Jesus (Ephesians 4:3). Read Wheaton student Michaiah Wilson's editorial Brothers Can Dwell Together in Unity in the College newspaper.
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to sustained, relational engagement — grounded in the conviction that the informational becomes transformational only when it is relational. We are developing intensive, invitation-based cohorts that foster deep, ongoing engagement.
Anchored in the full witness of Scripture, affirming God's enduring covenant with Israel and His call for unity in Jesus.
Modeling respectful engagement that recognizes both distinction and connection between Christians and Jews.
Embracing the mystery of the one new humanity (Ephesians 2), without erasing the unique identities of Jews and Gentiles.
Equipping evangelicals to grow in discipleship and bear witness through a posture of humility, hospitality, and hope.
The Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative invites Christians to engage three enduring questions that shape faithful relationships with the Jewish world.
What does love require?
How should followers of Jesus respond to antisemitism? What does faithful witness look like among the Jewish people? Explore questions of Christian love, compassion, and gospel witness.
What does honesty require?
How should Christians understand Israel, the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, and the Church's relationship to both? Explore biblical, historical, and theological questions with humility and honesty.
What does unity require?
What does it mean for Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus to belong together as one new humanity without erasing distinction? Explore questions of belonging, identity, and unity in Messiah.
These three questions provide a simple starting point. To explore the broader biblical framework behind this approach, explore the Six Modes of Christian Engagement with the Jewish World or download the companion guide for future study.
Christian engagement with the Jewish world is not one thing but operates in at least six distinct modes. Each is driven by one of three guiding questions, surfacing different assumptions and rooted in different identity commitments.
"Acknowledging the often charged and polarized nature of these conversations, the Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative seeks to foster open, informed dialogue that advances biblical depth, historical understanding, and relational integrity among the people of God. By cultivating thoughtful conversations, sustained relationships, and faithful engagement, the initiative invites a long-view perspective on the Church's relationship with Israel and the Jewish people across millennia."
Thomas L. Boehm, Ph.D., M.Div.
Director of Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative
Ann Haskins Associate Professor of Special Education
Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry (by courtesy)
Stay informed about the initiative's ongoing work, public conversations, and opportunities for engagement.
Help cultivate the relationships, educational resources, and formative spaces this work requires. Your partnership strengthens public engagement, campus formation, sustained relationships, and the development of resources that serve the Church and the wider Jewish community.