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Jesus the Jewish Theologian
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.
308 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 6, 2012
This book is very important and should be read by those in ministry, especially teaching. I still think that one should read "Our Father Abraham; Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" first as it lays the foundation for this and many other books like this. This book will definitely give you many things to think about and challenge the way you understand some of the things Jesus said. In particular I find that I must revisit Matthew 5:17 and study as my whole understanding of that text has been deeply and properly challenged. I find this quite exhilarating and I look forward to interacting with this text in a new way. Although I teach weekly and have now for several decades I desire to continue to learn and this is right up my alley, if you want to be stimulated to deeper study and are excited about learning and being challenged this book and this subject will do it. And yes, this book like the others in this genre comes from a high view of scripture, a position of great reverence and conservative scholarship.
December 13, 2024
This was one of my favorite books on the context of the (Jewish) world of Jesus I have read so far. If you want a book on the teachings of Jesus from his own context then this is definitely the book for you.
July 12, 2026
A CHRISTIAN PROFESSOR PRESENTS JESUS’ SAYINGS IN A THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
Brad H. Young is emeritus professor of Biblical Literature and Judaic-Christian Studies in the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University. He received his Ph.D. at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, under David Flusser.
The Foreword to this 1995 book by Rabbi David Wolpe explains, “When Christians write about Jesus, they write with the weight of theology. When Jews write about Jesus, they write with the weight of history. For Judaism the life of Jesus is difficult to isolate from the rift it represented from Jewish history. All the rancor that followed---the pain and persecution, the tentative efforts at understanding sabotaged by hatred, the rejection, belittlement, and horror---is the prism through which Jesus has traditionally been refracted for the Jew. To see Jesus as he was is a difficult task because of the legacy left toward the Jewish people by Christianity… the basic outline was essentially fixed for centuries. Jesus represents a break to Judaism; he is a Jew who became the fountainhead of another faith, a religious child that broke from its parent. Given the subsequent history, what parent could look upon such a child without ambivalence, at best?
“Today we live in a new age. Understanding between Jews and Christians… has reached a point unimaginable to our ancestors. Nonetheless no Jew who takes up his or her pen to write of Jesus can entirely escae the burden of that history. The exploration of Jesus’ life and teachings can no more be objective for a Jew than it can be for a Christian---although for quite different reasons. Yet tolerance is a powerful liberator of ideas. In our time, as understanding grows, and respect spreads, Jews can begin anew to explore the life and teachings of Jesus.” (Pg. xi)
He adds, “It has taken an unconscionably long time for Christians and Jews to realize how much more unites than divides us. We spring from the same remarkable recognition---that this world was fashioned by a Gpd who is remote yet near at hand, a God who demands goodness, a God who grants love. These are the teachings spoken in so many different voices, that the reader will find in Dr. Young’s book. Through these voices we will not only rediscover a world that once was, we will be inspired to help create the world that might be.” (Pg. xv-xvi)
Dr. Young wrote in the Preface, “Here I will argue that Jesus is a theologian. In fact Jesus based his theology upon Judaism. Jesus never rejected his cultural and religious heritage. As a devout Jew, he was loyal to his people. The Christian belief system, however, is built in part upon the teachings of Jesus, but it ignores their solid foundation in Jewish theology… Theologians have read the Gospels as Christian literature written by the church and for the church. When Jesus is viewed among the Gentiles, the significance of Jewish culture and custom is minimized or forgotten altogether. But when Jesus is viewed as a Jew within the context of first-century Judaism, an entirely different portrait emerges…. In the essays concerning Jesus’ life and teachings that follow, an increased sensitivity to the rich heritage of the Jewish people will be pursued… The historical sources and new archaeological evidence describing a distinct way of life must be carefully studied to understand the Gospels.” (Pg. xxi-xxii)
He explains, “The present book is written for all readers interested in fresh insights into the Jewish beginnings of Christianity. My hope is that some results of scholarly reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus from leading scholars in Israel will be made more accessible to a wider circle of readers. The theme of Jesus the Jewish theologian unifies these chapters concerning the Jewish background to the life and teachings of Jesus… For Jesus, Judaism was a vibrant belief in the true God. The traditional attitude of ecclesiastical teachings toward the Jewish sources of early Christianity too often has distorted the message of Jesus. He sought to reform and revitalize, not to destroy and replace…
“The Jewish roots of Jesus’ teachings lead to a fresh hearing of the ancient text. Overcoming the cultural and historical barriers that hinder the modern reader is risky, but every effort to give us a clearer vision of Jesus is worth the struggle. I hope these studies will give greater clarity to the message of Jesus as we explore the Jewish roots of the Gospel texts. Our greatest challenge is to her his authentic voice. Early Judaism provides the firm foundation for a proper understanding of Jesus and his Jewish theology.” (Pg. xxiv)
He wrote in the Introduction, “As Christians we tend to view Paul as the church’s first theologian. I have become convinced that this approach is theology at its worst. Christianity begins with Jesus. As a faith tradition, moreover, Christian belief must encompass all the rich cultural and religious heritage of its founder. Jesus is a theologian. His rich genius and keen wit infuse his colorful parables and creative teachings preserved in the Gospel stories…. Jesus was every bit as much of a theologian as the Apostle Paul. In fact, Jesus’ training and experience as a learned teacher of Torah far surpassed that of Paul and Jewish apostle to the Gentiles.” (Pg. xxxiii-xxxiv)
He continues, “The fact that Jesus was a Jew is seldom questioned today, but its far-reaching ramifications for the interpretation of his life are routinely passed over. Although Jesus was Jewish, his theology is sometimes treated as if he were Christian. But Jesus never attended a church. He never celebrated Christmas… His cultural orientation was rooted deeply in the faith experience of his people. His teachings concerning God’s love and the dignity of each human being were based upon the foundations of Jewish religious thought during the Second Temple period. The more we learn about this fascinating period of history, the more we will know about Jesus. Jesus worshipped in the synagogue. He celebrated the Passover. He ate kosher food. He offered prayers in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish religious heritage of Jesus impacted his life in every dimension of his daily experience.” (Pg. xxxiv)
He relates a story, “David Flusser, and Orthodox Jew who teaches at the Hebrew University, has often related a true experience that shocked him. He was lecturing in Germany before a group of Protestant theologians, some of whom served as pastors. He described his work as a New Testament scholar researching the life and teachings of Jesus in Israel at the Hebrew University. Flusser remarked that through a careful method of linguistic analysis and comparative study, the actual words of Jesus would be heard and understood.
“One theologian present completely rejected Flusser’s comments. He explained … that he had actually studied with Rudolf Bultmann himself. The degree of reverence and awe which are accorded to Rudolf Bultmann in theological settings such as this must be appreciated to fully understand this story. The room was hushed with revered silence. The theologian continued with a polite way of telling the professor from Israel that he was absolutely mistaken. The words of Jesus are forever lost. No one can hear the voice of Jesus today. In fact, in his extensive studies with Bultmann, they discovered that only one verse in the Gospels comes from Jesus. Flusser was interested in this active exchange and scholarly interaction. The reference to one verse aroused his curiosity. Flusser asked the question, ‘Which verse actually goes back to Jesus?’ The theologian replied, “I forgot.’
“As far as I know, Flusser has never published this anecdote, but I am certain that it has had a profound impact upon him. The shock effect of an ordained minister saying that only one verse in the Gospels goes back to Jesus is really not that surprising when the influence of Bultmann’s genius is appreciated. Facts are not important. In a scientific age of learning, the preaching of the church must be seen as the essence of faith---not what Jesus may or may not have said. The words of Jesus are insignificant. The word preached, however, brings faith to a new era. But the real shock for Flusser was in the fact that the minister had forgotten the only verse linked to Jesus of Nazareth. The incident raises a troubling question: How important is Jesus for Christian theology?” (Pg. 255-256)
He concludes, “The Jesus of the Gospels is a provocative theologian deeply involved in the realities of Jewish life. The Jewish theology of Jesus begins with the Hebrew concept of God. It encompasses divine compassion and loving-kindness for all humanity. It demands holiness and fear of sin. God seeks healing and wholeness for all people. The Torah reveals God and the human dignity of each person. Jesus came to uphold the Torah and the Prophets, not destroy them.” (Pg. 273-274)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the ‘Jewishness’ of Jesus, and related topics.
Brad H. Young is emeritus professor of Biblical Literature and Judaic-Christian Studies in the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University. He received his Ph.D. at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, under David Flusser.
The Foreword to this 1995 book by Rabbi David Wolpe explains, “When Christians write about Jesus, they write with the weight of theology. When Jews write about Jesus, they write with the weight of history. For Judaism the life of Jesus is difficult to isolate from the rift it represented from Jewish history. All the rancor that followed---the pain and persecution, the tentative efforts at understanding sabotaged by hatred, the rejection, belittlement, and horror---is the prism through which Jesus has traditionally been refracted for the Jew. To see Jesus as he was is a difficult task because of the legacy left toward the Jewish people by Christianity… the basic outline was essentially fixed for centuries. Jesus represents a break to Judaism; he is a Jew who became the fountainhead of another faith, a religious child that broke from its parent. Given the subsequent history, what parent could look upon such a child without ambivalence, at best?
“Today we live in a new age. Understanding between Jews and Christians… has reached a point unimaginable to our ancestors. Nonetheless no Jew who takes up his or her pen to write of Jesus can entirely escae the burden of that history. The exploration of Jesus’ life and teachings can no more be objective for a Jew than it can be for a Christian---although for quite different reasons. Yet tolerance is a powerful liberator of ideas. In our time, as understanding grows, and respect spreads, Jews can begin anew to explore the life and teachings of Jesus.” (Pg. xi)
He adds, “It has taken an unconscionably long time for Christians and Jews to realize how much more unites than divides us. We spring from the same remarkable recognition---that this world was fashioned by a Gpd who is remote yet near at hand, a God who demands goodness, a God who grants love. These are the teachings spoken in so many different voices, that the reader will find in Dr. Young’s book. Through these voices we will not only rediscover a world that once was, we will be inspired to help create the world that might be.” (Pg. xv-xvi)
Dr. Young wrote in the Preface, “Here I will argue that Jesus is a theologian. In fact Jesus based his theology upon Judaism. Jesus never rejected his cultural and religious heritage. As a devout Jew, he was loyal to his people. The Christian belief system, however, is built in part upon the teachings of Jesus, but it ignores their solid foundation in Jewish theology… Theologians have read the Gospels as Christian literature written by the church and for the church. When Jesus is viewed among the Gentiles, the significance of Jewish culture and custom is minimized or forgotten altogether. But when Jesus is viewed as a Jew within the context of first-century Judaism, an entirely different portrait emerges…. In the essays concerning Jesus’ life and teachings that follow, an increased sensitivity to the rich heritage of the Jewish people will be pursued… The historical sources and new archaeological evidence describing a distinct way of life must be carefully studied to understand the Gospels.” (Pg. xxi-xxii)
He explains, “The present book is written for all readers interested in fresh insights into the Jewish beginnings of Christianity. My hope is that some results of scholarly reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus from leading scholars in Israel will be made more accessible to a wider circle of readers. The theme of Jesus the Jewish theologian unifies these chapters concerning the Jewish background to the life and teachings of Jesus… For Jesus, Judaism was a vibrant belief in the true God. The traditional attitude of ecclesiastical teachings toward the Jewish sources of early Christianity too often has distorted the message of Jesus. He sought to reform and revitalize, not to destroy and replace…
“The Jewish roots of Jesus’ teachings lead to a fresh hearing of the ancient text. Overcoming the cultural and historical barriers that hinder the modern reader is risky, but every effort to give us a clearer vision of Jesus is worth the struggle. I hope these studies will give greater clarity to the message of Jesus as we explore the Jewish roots of the Gospel texts. Our greatest challenge is to her his authentic voice. Early Judaism provides the firm foundation for a proper understanding of Jesus and his Jewish theology.” (Pg. xxiv)
He wrote in the Introduction, “As Christians we tend to view Paul as the church’s first theologian. I have become convinced that this approach is theology at its worst. Christianity begins with Jesus. As a faith tradition, moreover, Christian belief must encompass all the rich cultural and religious heritage of its founder. Jesus is a theologian. His rich genius and keen wit infuse his colorful parables and creative teachings preserved in the Gospel stories…. Jesus was every bit as much of a theologian as the Apostle Paul. In fact, Jesus’ training and experience as a learned teacher of Torah far surpassed that of Paul and Jewish apostle to the Gentiles.” (Pg. xxxiii-xxxiv)
He continues, “The fact that Jesus was a Jew is seldom questioned today, but its far-reaching ramifications for the interpretation of his life are routinely passed over. Although Jesus was Jewish, his theology is sometimes treated as if he were Christian. But Jesus never attended a church. He never celebrated Christmas… His cultural orientation was rooted deeply in the faith experience of his people. His teachings concerning God’s love and the dignity of each human being were based upon the foundations of Jewish religious thought during the Second Temple period. The more we learn about this fascinating period of history, the more we will know about Jesus. Jesus worshipped in the synagogue. He celebrated the Passover. He ate kosher food. He offered prayers in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish religious heritage of Jesus impacted his life in every dimension of his daily experience.” (Pg. xxxiv)
He relates a story, “David Flusser, and Orthodox Jew who teaches at the Hebrew University, has often related a true experience that shocked him. He was lecturing in Germany before a group of Protestant theologians, some of whom served as pastors. He described his work as a New Testament scholar researching the life and teachings of Jesus in Israel at the Hebrew University. Flusser remarked that through a careful method of linguistic analysis and comparative study, the actual words of Jesus would be heard and understood.
“One theologian present completely rejected Flusser’s comments. He explained … that he had actually studied with Rudolf Bultmann himself. The degree of reverence and awe which are accorded to Rudolf Bultmann in theological settings such as this must be appreciated to fully understand this story. The room was hushed with revered silence. The theologian continued with a polite way of telling the professor from Israel that he was absolutely mistaken. The words of Jesus are forever lost. No one can hear the voice of Jesus today. In fact, in his extensive studies with Bultmann, they discovered that only one verse in the Gospels comes from Jesus. Flusser was interested in this active exchange and scholarly interaction. The reference to one verse aroused his curiosity. Flusser asked the question, ‘Which verse actually goes back to Jesus?’ The theologian replied, “I forgot.’
“As far as I know, Flusser has never published this anecdote, but I am certain that it has had a profound impact upon him. The shock effect of an ordained minister saying that only one verse in the Gospels goes back to Jesus is really not that surprising when the influence of Bultmann’s genius is appreciated. Facts are not important. In a scientific age of learning, the preaching of the church must be seen as the essence of faith---not what Jesus may or may not have said. The words of Jesus are insignificant. The word preached, however, brings faith to a new era. But the real shock for Flusser was in the fact that the minister had forgotten the only verse linked to Jesus of Nazareth. The incident raises a troubling question: How important is Jesus for Christian theology?” (Pg. 255-256)
He concludes, “The Jesus of the Gospels is a provocative theologian deeply involved in the realities of Jewish life. The Jewish theology of Jesus begins with the Hebrew concept of God. It encompasses divine compassion and loving-kindness for all humanity. It demands holiness and fear of sin. God seeks healing and wholeness for all people. The Torah reveals God and the human dignity of each person. Jesus came to uphold the Torah and the Prophets, not destroy them.” (Pg. 273-274)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the ‘Jewishness’ of Jesus, and related topics.
July 8, 2017
The author of this book is using the Jewish teachings of the first century (around the time of Jesus' ministry) to shed new light on what Jesus likely meant by his teachings in Scripture. I think this is a valuable perspective as modern, Western Christians are so far removed from the Jewish context - especially an ancient Jewish context - that we often risk misunderstanding or misinterpreting some of Jesus' teachings. On that note, virtually everything in this book was entirely new information to me as the focus is on other Jewish teachings of the day and not strictly on the Old Testament Biblical text.
However, I do have one cautionary note for the reader. There were a couple of points (two out of 23 chapters) in the book in which, despite the evidence, I was not convinced of the author's conclusions. Namely, because in each of these two points (which I will not delineate here), Jesus seemed to be explicitly correcting the inaccurate interpretations and teachings of the day on that particular point. In both these cases the author presented a case for an interpretation based on these inaccurate understandings. I might have found his conclusions more compelling had he addressed all of the instances of Jesus' teachings on the matter, but he notably exempted those verses/texts that seemed most directly contradictory to the first century Jewish teaching he was relying on.
All that to say, my recommendation is to read the book but to do so with a healthy (meaning small) dose of skepticism and be willing to weigh the conclusions carefully against Scripture and/or other Jewish-Christian sources before adopting them completely.
Really, this is just good advice when reading any spiritual text.
However, I do have one cautionary note for the reader. There were a couple of points (two out of 23 chapters) in the book in which, despite the evidence, I was not convinced of the author's conclusions. Namely, because in each of these two points (which I will not delineate here), Jesus seemed to be explicitly correcting the inaccurate interpretations and teachings of the day on that particular point. In both these cases the author presented a case for an interpretation based on these inaccurate understandings. I might have found his conclusions more compelling had he addressed all of the instances of Jesus' teachings on the matter, but he notably exempted those verses/texts that seemed most directly contradictory to the first century Jewish teaching he was relying on.
All that to say, my recommendation is to read the book but to do so with a healthy (meaning small) dose of skepticism and be willing to weigh the conclusions carefully against Scripture and/or other Jewish-Christian sources before adopting them completely.
Really, this is just good advice when reading any spiritual text.
June 6, 2016
Writing style is a bit dull and choppy, and the author is unnecessarily repetitive in some parts. However, much of the extrabiblical parallels to Jesus' teaching in Jewish literature is fascinating and casts new light upon the teachings and life setting of Jesus and his contemporaries. In fact, several of these parallels seemingly clarify some oft debated teachings of Jesus, especially his instruction on divorce and remarriage. I found the chapters on "Controversy and Children," "Divorce and Adultery in Light of the Words of Jesus," "Giving Thanks- a Way of Life," "Faith as Chutzpah," and "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector" to be the richest and most value-laden for my personal studies.
January 29, 2014
Those who wish to keep their culturally independent idea of Jesus in tact should steer clear of this book. But, those who are adventurous enough to accept the real Jesus should read this book twice.
---Update---
I have just finished reading this excellent and challenging work for the second time (likely not the last). It is a difficult read not because of its opacity but its clarity. Having heard, I must respond; having learned, I must practice.
---Update---
I have just finished reading this excellent and challenging work for the second time (likely not the last). It is a difficult read not because of its opacity but its clarity. Having heard, I must respond; having learned, I must practice.
March 4, 2019
This is my first Brad Young book and I have to say WOW...the man clearly did his homework and research for this book. If you're trying to understand the Jewish roots of Jesus, what better way to learn than consulting with some great Jewish minds like David Wolpe, David Flusser, and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Whether it's the historical background or some of Jesus' parables, Young does a great job finding the deeper meaning that gets lost when Jesus gets examined through Western civilization eyes after a two millennia gap. A couple of my favorite quotes towards the end:
"The tragedy of church history, in my opinion, is the lack of interest in Jesus. Simply having faith in Jesus has replaced responding to his urgent call to active discipleship, which includes serious study of his teachings and intense involvement with the Hebrew Bible. The Torah is the most neglected volume among people of the church."
"That Jesus fulfilled the Torah certainly does not mean that the prohibitions against adultery and murder have now been lifted...Jesus did not cancel the Torah. He put it on a firmer footing by interpreting it correctly."
"The tragedy of church history, in my opinion, is the lack of interest in Jesus. Simply having faith in Jesus has replaced responding to his urgent call to active discipleship, which includes serious study of his teachings and intense involvement with the Hebrew Bible. The Torah is the most neglected volume among people of the church."
"That Jesus fulfilled the Torah certainly does not mean that the prohibitions against adultery and murder have now been lifted...Jesus did not cancel the Torah. He put it on a firmer footing by interpreting it correctly."
October 26, 2018
This book looks at Jesus' teachings and actions within the context of 1st-century Judaism. The author talked about what Jewish teachers around this time period were saying and doing that was similar to and provides insight into Jesus' words and actions. I found the information about inheritance as applied to the "Prodigal Son" parable to be very interesting. Much of the book focused on insights into Jesus' parables.
I have read other books that show how Jesus' teachings are more similar to the beliefs of Pharisees than the Sadducees and that he was joining in the debate going on within the Pharisees. However, this author stated that Jesus supported all of the Pharisees' teachings and implied that he was not in any conflict with them. He also explained how Pilate was a cruel man (and he was) who rightly bears the full blame for Jesus' crucifixion. I think the author went too far in reinterpreting what happened in an effort to fight anti-Semitism. Overall, though, I felt like this book was well worth reading for the insights gained into the meaning of Jesus parables.
I have read other books that show how Jesus' teachings are more similar to the beliefs of Pharisees than the Sadducees and that he was joining in the debate going on within the Pharisees. However, this author stated that Jesus supported all of the Pharisees' teachings and implied that he was not in any conflict with them. He also explained how Pilate was a cruel man (and he was) who rightly bears the full blame for Jesus' crucifixion. I think the author went too far in reinterpreting what happened in an effort to fight anti-Semitism. Overall, though, I felt like this book was well worth reading for the insights gained into the meaning of Jesus parables.
March 12, 2024
The parallels between Jewish rabbinic thought/parables/emphases and Jesus are enlightening. Surprisingly, these similarities are usually neglected in studies of the gospels.
But I have to say that this book is kind of a mess. Young is extraordinarily repetitive. He writes as a corrector of historic imbalances and this affects the style and structure of the book. Rather than broad summaries of Jesus’ theology or approach, he has short “gotcha” essays about a word here or there and how Christians have missed it. He also has a strange interest in defending the Pharisees, to the point that he ignores the continual hostilities between Jesus and the Pharisees throughout the gospels.
The history of Christian treatment of Jews is largely shameful and should be repudiated. There is also tremendous value in the Jewish background of Jesus. Just not sure this is the best introduction to either of those topics.
But I have to say that this book is kind of a mess. Young is extraordinarily repetitive. He writes as a corrector of historic imbalances and this affects the style and structure of the book. Rather than broad summaries of Jesus’ theology or approach, he has short “gotcha” essays about a word here or there and how Christians have missed it. He also has a strange interest in defending the Pharisees, to the point that he ignores the continual hostilities between Jesus and the Pharisees throughout the gospels.
The history of Christian treatment of Jews is largely shameful and should be repudiated. There is also tremendous value in the Jewish background of Jesus. Just not sure this is the best introduction to either of those topics.
July 17, 2019
For a better understanding of Jesus Christ -- his character, his mission -- I highly recommend this book. My favorite chapter is the one that clarifies "the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force." What a pleasure to learn the context and background in the prophets of Jesus' preaching and parables. Every chapter brought a sweet surprise.
The only part that fell short for me was the chapter about Divorce and Adultery. The author did not explain fully the "certificate of divorce" or the responsibility of the man to grant the freedom of remarriage (not leave her homeless) to the one "put away".
The only part that fell short for me was the chapter about Divorce and Adultery. The author did not explain fully the "certificate of divorce" or the responsibility of the man to grant the freedom of remarriage (not leave her homeless) to the one "put away".
June 2, 2023
Excellent reminders of the Jewish roots of Christianity, written respectfully for both Hewish and Christian audiences.
This book often repeats points within a few paragraphs, so if your mind wanders you don’t have to rewind; I found this more annoying than helpful.
This book often repeats points within a few paragraphs, so if your mind wanders you don’t have to rewind; I found this more annoying than helpful.
July 26, 2019
Absolutely eye opening! A complete overhaul on my understanding of the life and sayings of Jesus. Do your Christian life an immense favour and read this book!
April 5, 2020
I came into this book with the expectation of contrasting the Gospels to 2TJ but ended up contrasting more with rabbinic literature. An alright survey overall.
September 21, 2021
Really helpful and insightful. Tons of sources cited and referenced for further research and study. I'm going to check out some of the author's other writings.
November 29, 2022
Outstanding Reading
A thorough but concise articulation of Jewish life through the eyes of Jesus. A must read for all Bible scholars.
A thorough but concise articulation of Jewish life through the eyes of Jesus. A must read for all Bible scholars.
Read
May 15, 2023very scholarly and occasionally repetitive but highly, highly recommend to all followers of Jesus to read at least section 3 on the parables and also the book’s epilogue.
August 13, 2023
Provides astounding insights
September 19, 2023
Excellent material about Jesus’ Jewish perspective.
A must read for people interested in knowing more on the intersection between Jewish thought and Jesus teachings. Good job¡¡
A must read for people interested in knowing more on the intersection between Jewish thought and Jesus teachings. Good job¡¡
December 11, 2023
Oh man what can I say? So much value, so many insights. What a hero for Christians who want to know Jesus better.
June 12, 2025
This book gave me invaluable insight into the deep roots of Judaism in the teachings and parables of Jesus.
February 14, 2015
What happens when a respected Christian professor decides to put his preconception aside and take a long look at the Jesus described in the Gospels? How does the Jesus of the New Testament compare to Jesus the Jewish theologian or even the Jesus we think we know so well? Jesus The Jewish Theologian, gives a moving and refreshing portrait of the central figure of history. Can modern Christians see Jesus as he was in his historical and cultural setting? Did Jesus placed the meaning of Torah on a firmer footing or did He completely replace the Torah?
How much has linguistic study, historical reflection, cultural heritage, and archaeological discovery help cast light on our view of Jesus? Did Jesus view Torah like other Jewish rabbis and teachers, or did he develop his own approach? How difficult is it to account for a character born 2,000 years ago into a different world, whose legacy is interpreted by so many strong-minded followers?
The structure of this volume seeks to address questions of the above nature. The theme of Jesus the Jewish theologian unifies the chapters bringing clarity and insights into the Jewish background and the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Young, argues successfully that “we must not kill Jesus by destroying his links to his people and his faith.” (p. xxiv). Jesus represents a break from Judaism, and became the fountainhead of another faith, like a religious child that broke from its parent. (p.xi)
This volume establishes Jesus firmly within the context of first-century Judaism and shows how understanding His Jewishness is crucial for interpreting the New Testament and for understanding the nature of the Christian faith. The proceeding chapters begin with the Gospel account of Jesus life and teachings with emphasis upon the messianic drama of his life, his kingdom announcement, his parable illustrations, the conflict leading to his death, and his fascinating predictions concerning the future.
Dr. Young took away my blinders and open my eyes to a Jesus I thought I new, until I saw the savior anew in this well written volume. Dr. Young in this volume, places Jesus in his Jewish context. He permits the words of Jesus to glisten within their own Semitic setting. To look at the Gospel events and to hear the words of Jesus in their Jewish context should be the desire of every student of the New Testament. Jesus The Jewish Theologian, helps make this possible. It open many windows and offers the reader fresh and needed insight into the wonderful world of New Testament studies.
Christians and Jews can both profit much from reading this readable and scholarly work. It will be my delight to commend this volume to a wide readership. Readers will find this volume as a useful tool for discovering Jesus as a theologian who based his theology on Judaism. I deeply believe that this book will help readers discover a different Jesus from the Sunday school figure, the sweetly smiling Victorian Savior, and all the cultural clichés that have tamed Jesus and kept him in comfortable religious “westernized” boxes. Jesus The Jewish Theologian, has rocked my own preconceptions and has made me ask hard questions about why those of us who bear his name misunderstand his parables and teaching so much. Dr. Young argues that we have remove Jesus from his cultural and historical setting to the point of ignoring or overlooking some of the true intention of his teachings. Jesus The Jewish Theologian uncovers a Jesus who has been too long hidden in western theological interpretation that often miss or ignores his historical background and heritage.
October 9, 2009
When I read this book I really liked it. There were several points at which I disagreed with Young's conclusions however. I also noticed that he relied fairly heavily on one or two sources which also relied heavily on the Talmud and Mishnah. The danger in using these documents to accurately reflect 1st century Judaism is that they were not compiled until the 3rd or 4th centuries. So while this is an interesting and easy book to read, many of it's insights stem from bad scholarly practices.
November 21, 2011
Challenging and shows the connections between Jesus and Jewish context. There are several key episodes explored that while not greatly challenging my thoughts on Jesus did sharpen my understanding of what was occuring and what the orginal hearers would have connected to.
To be honest, I will probably never think of the Pharisees as a group in the same way again after reading this book.
To be honest, I will probably never think of the Pharisees as a group in the same way again after reading this book.
July 19, 2016
This was not the easiest read, but I learned quite a lot about Jesus as a Jewish rabbi and a practicing Jew. My intent is to understand Jesus' teachings better in the context of His Jewish heritage, culture, background and teachings of the day. I feel that I have just grazed the surface. Another book that has helped a lot is Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg.
October 18, 2008
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.
Read
July 27, 2011Learn more about the Man and His mission, you can't go wrong!
Well, come to think of it, I've knocked off a star for lack of enthusiasm. This could've been a more enjoyable read. Where's the glee of Dallas Willard?
Well, come to think of it, I've knocked off a star for lack of enthusiasm. This could've been a more enjoyable read. Where's the glee of Dallas Willard?
June 16, 2023
Enlightening
This read was enlightening and eye opening. It is a good introduction to the study of Christ in his historical setting and context. This ultimately will help the reader to better understand what Christ taught and did during His time in Earth.
This read was enlightening and eye opening. It is a good introduction to the study of Christ in his historical setting and context. This ultimately will help the reader to better understand what Christ taught and did during His time in Earth.
July 24, 2011
Can't know enough about Jesus.
February 1, 2015
Jesus in his original context. Encourages asking questions, seeking knowledge to understand what we are reading and interpreting.
July 22, 2013
Excellent work, as always, from this under-read scholar.
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