Modern Jews Engage the New Testament

by Cook, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9781580233132
• ISBN10: 1580233139
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

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 culture deeply Christian. 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 their children, and clarifying for Christians why Jews draw back from Christians' sacred writings. Accessible to novice readers (Jewish and non-Jewish alike), it will also enlighten interested scholars and clergy (especially seminarians, of all faiths). Innovative pedagogical aids make it ideal as preparation for rabbis, ministers, and other educators, and as a text for courses at colleges, Centers for Christian-Jewish Understanding, and synagogue/church adult-education.

Author Biography

Michael J. Cook 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.

Table of Contents

Before We Proceed: How to Read This Book	p. ix
Introduction: Reversing "Statuary Blindness" -the Goal That Distinguishes This Book	p. xiii
Notes on Terminology-Keeping Our Referents Straight	p. xviii
Renouncing Intentional Ignorance
When Advice of Sages Ceases to Be Sage Advice	p. 3
Results of Ignorance: Evolving Jewish Views of Jesus	p. 12
Presenting the New Testament: Order and Dis-orders	p. 18
Basics We Should Know
Prisms for Viewing Early Christianity	p. 33
Jesus and His Setting in the Land of Israel	p. 40
Paul in His Diaspora Context	p. 58
Reasoning Matters Through
Characteristic Jewish Perspectives on the Gospels	p. 75
Mastering "Gospel Dynamics": Avenues to Ponder	p. 83
Christian Holy Days: Beneficial Applications of Jewish Gospel Study
Christmas: Why the Infancy ("Virgin Birth") Stories Arose	p. 95
Maundy (Holy) Thursday: Can We Right What's Wrong with Church "Seders"?	p. 109
Good Friday: Responding to Blame for Jesus' Death	p. 121
Good Friday (Extended): Did the Sanhedrin and Barabbas Episodes Actually Occur?	p. 133
Easter: Empty Tomb Enigmas	p. 149
Primary New Testament Writings: A Concern for Jews from Each
Romans 9-11: Why Paul's Anxiety for Israel?	p. 163
The Gospel of Mark: Destabilizing a Betrayal by "Judas" ("the Jews"?)	p. 176
The Gospel of Matthew: Why So "Pro-Jewish" a Flavor to So "Anti-Jewish" a Gospel?	p. 192
The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts: Did Jews Flock to Christianity? Luke's Myth of the "Myriads"	p. 210
The Gospel of John: Why Are Jesus' Enemies So Conspicuously Termed "the Jews"?	p. 219
When Wariness Is Warranted: New Testament Knowledge for Self-Defense
The Christian Apocalypse: Jews as God's Odometer in End-Times Scenarios	p. 233
Neutralizing Missionary Encroachment: Conceptual Frameworks	p. 251
Integrating Matters
My Personal Positions: Where They May Be Distinctive	p. 267
Is the New Testament "Antisemitic"?	p. 278
Never Again! Never Before!	p. 289
Suitability Index for Using This Multipurpose Book: Matching Contents to Occasion	p. 300
Listing of Figures	p. 303
Acknowledgments	p. 306
Abbreviations	p. 308
Notes	p. 312
Selected Bibliography	p. 336
Modern Author Index	p. 342
Scripture Index	p. 345
Gospel Dynamics Index	p. 352
Subject Index	p. 355
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