The Christian and Karaite Jewish views on being “children of God” differ significantly in theology, emphasis, and interpretation, rooted in how each tradition reads and understands Scripture.
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1. Christian View: Children of God
Core Belief:
In Christianity, especially within mainstream traditions (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox), the idea of being a “child of God” is central to salvation theology.
Key Elements:
Spiritual Adoption through Faith: Christians believe individuals become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
> “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
“For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” – Galatians 3:26
Personal Relationship: Emphasis is placed on a personal and individual relationship with God as a loving Father.
New Birth: Christians speak of being “born again” or “born of the Spirit” (John 3:3–6), which makes them part of God's family.
Inheritance and Eternal Life: Being a child of God also implies sharing in the inheritance of eternal life (Romans 8:17).
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2. Karaite Jewish View: Children of God
Core Belief:
Karaite Jews are a Jewish sect that adheres strictly to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and rejects the Oral Torah (Talmud) and later rabbinic traditions. Their understanding of “children of God” comes directly from the text of the Tanakh, without rabbinic interpretation or Christian theology.
Key Elements:
Collective Identity: The phrase “children of God” or “God’s children” in the Tanakh (e.g., Deut. 14:1) refers not to individuals, but to the nation of Israel in a covenantal context. It expresses Israel's special status as a people chosen by God, not a universal human condition.
Obedience to God’s Commandments: For Karaites, being part of God’s people is based on obedience to the commandments (mitzvot) in the Torah. Righteousness is defined by behavior, not belief or spiritual adoption.
No New Testament Influence: Karaite Jews do not accept the New Testament, and therefore reject Christian doctrines of salvation, faith in Jesus, or being “born again.”
No Emphasis on Personal Fatherhood of God: While God is seen as a creator and covenant partner, the intimate, personal father-child relationship common in Christianity is not emphasized the same way in Karaite theology.
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Comparison Summary:
Aspect Christianity Karaite Judaism
Source Bible (Old + New Testaments) Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) only
Meaning of “Child of God” Personal, spiritual identity through faith in Jesus Collective identity of Israel as God's people
How One Becomes a Child Through faith, baptism, and spiritual rebirth By birth or joining the covenant through Torah observance
Relationship with God Personal, intimate Father-child Covenant-based, national, less individualistic
Inheritance Concept Eternal life, co-heirs with Christ Blessings through obedience in this life
View of Jesus Divine Son of God, path to becoming God's child Not accepted as Messiah or divine
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Conclusion:
Christians see being a child of God as an individual spiritual transformation rooted in faith and grace. Karaite Jews understand the term as a national covenantal identity, grounded in Torah obedience and belonging to Israel. The Christian idea of spiritual adoption through Jesus has no equivalent in Karaite belief, which emphasizes direct adherence to the Hebrew Scriptures without reinterpretation.
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