An honest, probing look at the dynamics of the New Testament—in relation to problems that disconcert Jews and Christians today.
Despite the New Testament’s impact on Jewish history, virtually all Jews avoid knowledge of its underlying dynamics. Jewish families and communities thus remain needlessly stymied when responding to a deeply Christian culture. Their Christian friends, meanwhile, are left perplexed as to why Jews are wary of the Gospel’s “good news.”
This long-awaited volume offers an unprecedented solution-oriented introduction to Jesus and Paul, the Gospels and Revelation, leading Jews out of anxieties that plague them, and clarifying for Christians why Jews draw back from Christians’ sacred writings.
Accessible to laypeople, scholars and clergy of all faiths, innovative teaching aids make this valuable resource ideal for rabbis, ministers and other educators. Topics include:
- The Gospels, Romans and Revelation— the Key Concerns for Jews
- Misusing the Talmud in Gospel Study
- Jesus’ Trial, the “Virgin Birth” and Empty Tomb Enigmas
- Millennialist Scenarios and Missionary Encroachment
- The Last Supper and Church Seders
- Is the New Testament Antisemitic?
While written primarily with Jews in mind, this groundbreaking volume will also help Christians understand issues involved in the origin of the New Testament, the portrayal of Judaism in it, and why for centuries their “good news” has been a source of fear and mistrust among Jews.
Tabella dei contenuti
Before We Proceed: How to Read This Book Introduction: Reversing ‘Statuary Blindness’—the Goal That Distinguishes This Book Notes on Terminology—Keeping Our Referents Straight xviii Part One Renouncing Intentional Ignorance 1 When Advice of Sages Ceases to Be Sage Advice 2 Results of Ignorance: Evolving Jewish Views of Jesus 3 Presenting the New Testament: Order and Dis-orders Part Two Basics We Should Know 4 Prisms for Viewing Early Christianity 5 Jesus and His Setting in the Land of Israel 6 Paul in His Diaspora Context Part Three Reasoning Matters Through 7 Characteristic Jewish Perspectives on the Gospels 8 Mastering “Gospel Dynamics”: Avenues to Ponder Part Four Christian Holy Days: Beneficial Applications of Jewish Gospel Study 9 Christmas: Why the Infancy (“Virgin Birth”) Stories Arose 10 Maundy (Holy) Thursday: Can We Right What’s Wrong with Church “Seders”? 11 Good Friday: Responding to Blame for Jesus’ Death 12 Good Friday (Extended): Did the Sanhedrin and Barabbas Episodes Actually Occur? 13 Easter: Empty Tomb Enigmas Part Five Primary New Testament Writings: A Concern for Jews from Each 14 Romans–11: Why Paul’s Anxiety for Israel? 15 The Gospel of Mark: Destabilizing a Betrayal by “Judas” (“the Jews”?) 16 The Gospel of Matthew: Why So “Pro-Jewish” a Flavor to So “Anti-Jewish” a Gospel? 17 The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts: Did Jews Flock to Christianity? Luke’s Myth of the “Myriads” 18 The Gospel of John: Why Are Jesus’ Enemies So Conspicuously Termed “the Jews”? Part Six When Wariness Is Warranted: New Testament Knowledge for Self-Defense 19 The Christian Apocalypse: Jews as God’s Odometer in End-Times Scenarios 20 Neutralizing Missionary Encroachment: Conceptual Frameworks Part Seven Integrating Matters 21 My Personal Positions: Where They May Be Distinctive 22 Is the New Testament “Antisemitic”? 23 Never Again! Never Before! Suitability Index for Using This Multipurpose Book: Matching Contents to Occasion Listing of Figures Acknowledgments Abbreviations Notes Selected Bibliography Modern Author Index Scripture Index Gospel Dynamics Index Subject Index
Circa l’autore
Rabbi Michael J. Cook, Ph D, is professor of intertestamental and early Christian literatures and holds the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professorship in Judaeo-Christian Studies at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. He is author of Modern Jews Engage the New Testament: Enhancing Jewish Well-Being in a Christian Environment and is a leader in the field of Jewish-Christian relations.Rabbi Michael J. Cook, Ph D, is available to speak on the following topics:Jews, Jesus and ‘Gospel Dynamics’: Why the Future Is Not What It Used to Be From Calvary to Oberammergau 2010: The Impact of Jesus’ Death on Jewish Life Now That Jesus Hasn’t Returned, What Does It Mean for the Jews?Jesus Was No Myth, But Who Then Was He?’And as They Were at Table Eating’ (Mk 14): Could the Last Supper Have Been a Seder?
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