Understanding the Bible and the Beliefs We Share

Lately, I’ve found myself leaning into questions of faith. Some of that comes from the world we’re living in right now, some from my own hope to keep growing as a person (and someday, as a partner again), and some from the joy of having a granddaughter who is Jewish. Becoming “Honey” has made me want to better understand, respect, and even explain the traditions she’ll be raised with — while continuing to strengthen my own.

And here’s the thing: I believe that lessons learned but never shared are a little like unopened gifts. My hope is that by sharing what I’m learning, I can not only grow myself but also give others something to reflect on — maybe even something to carry with them.

The Bible: More Than One Book

The word “Bible” can be confusing. It’s not just one book but actually a collection of many books gathered into two big sections:

• The Old Testament: This is the first big part. It tells the story of creation, early history, laws, and the journey of the Jewish people. Stories like Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Abraham, Moses, the Ten Commandments, and David and Goliath all live here. Both Jews and Christians consider these writings sacred.

👉 How many books are there?

• In the Jewish Bible (Tanakh), there are 24 books. They’re grouped into three parts: the Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). Books like 1 & 2 Samuel or 1 & 2 Kings are counted as one, and the Twelve Minor Prophets are combined into a single book.

• In the Christian Old Testament, the same writings are split differently, making 39 books.

So the content is the same — it’s just organized and counted in different ways.

• The Psalms: This is not a separate book of its own but part of the Old Testament. It’s a collection of 150 poems, prayers, and songs — many written by King David — that express every emotion from joy to sorrow to deep trust in God.

• The New Testament: This is where Christianity branches off. It tells the story of Jesus — His birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection — and the beginning of the Christian church.

How many books are in the whole Bible depends on the tradition:

• Protestant Christians: 66 books total (39 Old Testament + 27 New Testament).

• Catholic Christians: 73 books (they include a few more in the Old Testament).

• Eastern Orthodox Christians: even more in their version.

What Christians and Jews Believe in Common

Up until the New Testament, Christians and Jews share the same scriptures and stories. That means Jewish people believe in Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Abraham, Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, the prophets, and more.

They pray and sing the Psalms, honor the Ten Commandments, and value many of the same prophets Christians do.

In other words — there’s a huge amount of overlap.

Where Christianity and Judaism Differ

The biggest difference comes with the Messiah.

• Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) promised in the Old Testament.

• Jews do not. They are still waiting for a Messiah to come.

This one belief changes the path of the two religions:

• Christians read the New Testament and follow Jesus’ teachings.

• Jews continue to follow the teachings of the Old Testament (what they call the Tanakh), the Torah (the first five books), and their long history of traditions and teachings.

Forgiveness: Two Perspectives

This part fascinated me most because it shows how differently grace and responsibility are understood.

• Christianity: Christians believe that forgiveness comes through Jesus. Because He died and rose again, sins — even very big ones — can be forgiven if a person sincerely repents and turns back to God. It’s seen as a gift of grace.

• Judaism: Jewish people also believe sins can be forgiven, but not through a savior’s sacrifice. Instead, forgiveness requires:

  
  

  • Teshuvah (repentance) — turning back to God.

  • Making amends — apologizing and repairing the harm if you wronged someone.

  • Prayer and good deeds — especially during Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

  
  

So both faiths believe people can start over. But where Christians lean on grace, Jews lean more on responsibility and action.

Why This Matters to Me

I love discovering that the faiths overlap more than I first realized. The stories, the prophets, the values — they are shared. Where they differ, I see opportunities for understanding, not division.

For me, this isn’t just about head knowledge. It’s about becoming a better person — more thoughtful, more prepared to raise my granddaughter with respect for her heritage, and more ready to be the kind of partner who understands that faith is part of what gives love its depth and purpose.

Because in the end, faith isn’t just about rules or rituals. It’s about meaning, forgiveness, belonging, and living a life that’s both joyful and responsible.

And if I can share what I’m learning in a way that helps someone else see a little more clearly or sparks their own curiosity, then the learning hasn’t been wasted.

✨ Quick Takeaway

• Up until the New Testament, Jews and Christians share the same scriptures, stories, and many core values.

• The main difference is in the Messiah: Christians believe Jesus has already come as the Messiah, while Jews are still waiting for Him.

• Both faiths worship the same God, believe in forgiveness, and emphasize the importance of living a good, faithful, and meaningful life.

🍯 Honey Note: The more I learn, the more I realize that faith isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about walking with an open heart, willing to listen, learn, and love. May we keep growing together, one step and one story at a time.

With curiosity and love,

MaryNell (Honey) 🐝