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.

An honest, probing look at the New Testament in relation to problems that confront Jews and Christians today. This flexible manual allows instructors to offer standalone lessons or full courses. Includes lesson plans, discussion questions and visual aids.

This survey of intertestamental Judaism illuminates the customs and controversies that provide essential background for understanding the New Testament. Scott opens a door into the Jewish world and literature leading up to the development of Christianity. He also offers an accessible overview of the data through helpful charts, maps, and diagrams incorporated throughout the text to engage his readers.

A leading biblical scholar shows that the New Testament texts cannot be understood without careful attention to their Judaic and Second Temple roots.

Breaking new ground in Christian – Jewish dialogue Deep Calls to Deep uses a new paradigm, one which is marked by “experiential theology”: a theology that addresses and emerges out of day to day lived experience of practising Christians and Jews. The product of a unique four year dialogue process - designed, orchestrated and led by Rabbi Tony Bayfield - the book brings together a diverse array of important Christian and Jewish scholars to engage in conversation. Themes discussed include Modern Western culture; how Christians and Jews should live in a modern Western democracy; how Christians and Jews cope with their past; the legacy of our shared Scriptures; the question of religious absolutism; the meaning of respect; Christian particularism; and the land of Israel. A Dialogical Roadmap Tony Bayfield 1 The Third Dialogue Partner: How Do We Experience Modern Western Culture? 19 Liberating Individuals and Challenging Communities 21 Elli Tikvah Sarah Time, Space and the Possibility of God 36 Stephen Roberts Further Reflections 51 Tony Bayfield 2 How Should Christians and Jews Live in a Modern Western Democracy? 57 Inside Out or Outside In 59 Steve Williams Democracy and Its (My) Jewish Discontents 72 Jeremy Gordon Further Reflections 85 Tony Bayfield 3 How Do We Cope with Our Past? 91 Coming to Terms with the Past: Introduction 93 David Gillett and Michael Hilton ‘The Jews’ in John’s Gospel 95 Michael Hilton William of Norwich and Echoes through the Ages 103 David Gillett Holocaust Memorial Day 119 Michael Hilton and David Gillett Coming to Terms with the Past: Conclusion 128 David Gillett and Michael Hilton Further Reflections 129 Tony Bayfield 4 The Legacy of Our Scriptures 135 Beyond the Wilderness: Transforming Our Readings of Jewish and Christian Scriptures 137 Alexandra Wright Reading Together: Receiving the Legacies of Our Scriptures Today 153 David F. Ford Further Reflections 167 Tony Bayfield 5 Religious Absolutism 173 Rethinking Revelation, Exclusivity, Dialogue and Mission 175 Alan Race A Jewish Theology Embracing Difference 189 Debbie Young-Somers Further Reflections 202 Tony Bayfield 6 What Does Respect between People of Faith Mean? 207 The Heart of How Things Ought to Be 209 Wendy Fidler Negotiating the Complexities of You and Me 222 Joy Barrow Further Reflections 237 Tony Bayfield 7 Christian Particularity 241 Incarnation and Trinity 243 Patrick Morrow Friendship and Respect in the Face of Impenetrable Doctrine 264 Vivian Silverman Morrow, Maimonides and Torah in Translation 270 Natan Levy Response to Patrick Morrow: We Are the Louse in Your Fur 276 Michael Hilton and Victor Seedman Further Reflections 286 Tony Bayfield 8 Jewish Particularism 291 Spying on Israel: Morality of a Promised Land 293 Natan Levy Christians, Jews and the Land 308 Teresa Brittain Further Reflections 320 Tony Bayfield Concluding Thoughts David F. Ford

An in-depth look at the Christian scriptures—from a Jewish perspective. On Christmas day 1925, Rabbi Stephen S.Wise, one of the twentieth century’s most influential Jewish leaders, gave a lecture at Carnegie Hall in New York City titled “A Jew’s View of Jesus.” He argued that Jesus, in fact, existed, contrary to popular Jewish opinion at that time. He said, “Neither Christian protest nor Jewish lamentation can annul the fact that Jesus was a Jew, an Hebrew of Hebrews.” Thirty years later, Rabbi Samuel Sandmel set out to explain and introduce—for the first time in scholarly detail from a Jewish perspective—the enigmatic character of the texts held sacred by Christians, the so-called New Testament that surrounds and presents the figure of Jesus. In this new edition of Sandmel’s classic work, you will encounter his lucid and brilliant introduction to the New Testament from a Jewish point of view, transcending the boundaries of religion in order to share in the profound perplexities and deep aspirations that we as human beings have been inspired to express.