Jesus the Jewish Theologian establishes Jesus firmly within the context of first-century Judaism and shows how understanding Jesus' Jewishness is crucial for interpreting the New Testament and for understanding the nature of Christian faith. Insights from Jewish literature, archeology, and tradition help modern readers place Jesus within his original context. Particular attention is given to the Jewish roots of Jesus' teaching concerning the kingdom of God.
". . . this book illuminates anew how Jewish Jesus was. That should come as no surprise to Jews or to Christians, although it often does. Jesus grew from the soil of his people. In reading this book I was struck again and again with how Jesus' teachings were paralleled in my own tradition. . . . Dr. Young's book is not intended to diminish Jesus' teaching, but to show its roots." Â--Rabbi David Wolpe, University of Judaism, Los Angeles
"Dr. Young . . . permits the words of Jesus to glisten within their own Semitic setting. . . . [He] has done his readers a great service in introducing them to Jewish theological thought. . . . What emerges, however, is not "Jesus the Jewish theologian" in any Western, systematic sense. Rather, in Jesus, Dr. Young presents an Eastern or Semitic theologian, one who employs a living, vibrant theology. . . ." Â--Marvin R. Wilson, Gordon College
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Very good information:
There was a lot of good information, but for what ever reason Brad defends the Pharasee's beyond scriptural reasoning. We know not all Pharasee's were that bad. But since all of Mathew 23 is about Yeshua referring to Hypocrites and "Blind guides", either the Bible was written incorrectly, or Brad Young is a little biased. Of coarse he really criticised Saducee's (and maybe for good reason) though they were not specified as to who Jesus (Yeshua) criticised. But over all, very good book.
Great content:
I wanted to give this book 5 stars, just because the content is so good. However, the style and fluidity of the writing is rather poor. It's like the publisher slapped together a bunch of Dr. Young's articles, did minimal editing, and put a title on the work. Nevertheless, the content of the book is well-researched and remarkable. I'm impressed with the level of insight that Dr. Young has on the Jewishness of Jesus and His teachings. I would recommend that you purchase this book, and battle your way through... more info
Excellent Resource:
This is a well written and easily readable book by a scholar and is very usefull for Bible Study and getting a new look at the life, times and teaching of Jesus from a Jewish perspective. After all, Jesus was a Jew.
Needs Some Editing; No Shocking New Discoveries:
I have been fascinated by the topic of Jesus as a Jew, and the influence that it has on his teachings and saying. I feel that it is essential to mondern Chrisitanity to understand what we are reading when we attempt to translate scripture and give it hermenutical value. It can not me something to us that it did not to mean to the original writer/reader. This book did not really break any new ground for me. I did however give new examples from Jewish traditions such as from Midrash, Talmud, and other... more info
