Jesus the Misunderstood Jew (Rabbi Micah Greenstein)

"We must understand that some of the early Christians [in the decades after Jesus' death] saw the message of Jesus largely within the context of Judaism. Indeed, Christianity might have remained as a sect within Judaism ... In this initial stage there was little or no thought of any dividing line between Christianity and Judaism."—The Catholic Study Bible (written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ruling body of the American Roman Catholic Church)

Levine, a professor of New Testament studies at Vanderbilt, joins the ranks of Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, and others in the search for the historical Jesus. In the first several chapters, Levine treads familiar ground, discussing Jesus within the context of Judaism and examining how Christianity evolved from a Jewish sect to a gentile church. This information can be found in other, more clearly written sources, but what Levine does very well is discuss Jewish-Christian relations throughout the millennia, even as she provides a context for discussion. Though Levine clearly shows how Judaism has become a scapegoat of Christianity and offers many examples of Judaism's tenets taken out of context by church writers, she is not writing to stir up trouble. What she wants readers to understand is that lifting Jesus from Judaism is not helpful to either group and that there are plenty of ways to focus on similarities. As Levine concludes, "As different as they are, church and synagogue have . . . the same destination whether called . . . the kingdom of heaven or the messianic age."
*****

When the world's largest Christian denomination acknowledges that early "Christianity" was merely a sect of the Jewish religion—both during Jesus' life and for years thereafter—isn't it time to reexamine what the New Testament really says about the Man from Nazareth?

The Roman Catholic Church monopolized the New Testament for over fourteen hundred years, forbidding laypeople from reading or interpreting it. Although this monopoly was shattered by the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation, knowledge about Jesus' first-century world was too sparse for anyone to understand the New Testament in its proper context. Today, we know more about Jesus' times than ever before. Yet Christian religious leaders have been reluctant to disseminate these new insights—largely because they reveal that Jesus was a Jewish prophet who insisted on adherence to traditional Judaism. In Jesus the Misunderstood Jew: What the New Testament Really Says About the Man from Nazareth, Dr. Robert Kupor illuminates the New Testament in a way that allows both Christians and Jews to understand this seminal document in a startling new light. Jesus the Misunderstood Jew will surprise and enlighten you.

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[SilverRedIndigo]

It's time we brought him home.

Not only did the Vatican twist his teachings as they presented them to the gentiles, they also told the Jews that he slandered us, that he betrayed us and he betrayed the Law.

Those are lies.

It is time to bring him back home.

[MrAtheistChristian]

@SilverRedIndigo yes Jesus's Home is with his time and his people. Too many have distorted the historical Jesus through the centuries.

[lottelus33]

@silver red indigo , you are not allwed to comment, cause you are a non jew hater, And you dont love Jesus and what he stood for at all

[lottelus33]

He was jew by blood by not faith, and religion,, I have so many proves of him beeing a non jew by religion, the point is who is israel, NOT THE JEWS, as they think they think they think they are

[hitobedut]

Is This all Presuposition on the New Testament ? Or Other sources? How can this be gleaned from material published over a century after the so called event ? Interesting , but not convincing. Considering when where these texts published for common use ? Also considering the paralells with other pre- existant Messiah stories? ie horus/krishna etc etc

[DeDona1]

@van309 save us from what

[pepsibookcat]

As if I needed any more reason to love Micah! :)

[van309]

i wish u would read the gospel of john for what it is . John was a Jew . He knew Jesus and saw him heal the sick , walk on water , and feed 5000 people . Jews are gods people and the law was given to Moses . Jesus was crucifed because he said he was the son of god . He was the lamb of god sent buy god to save us all . John 3:16 . God loves us all we are all his children and we all must suffer as Christ did . We all have sined before god and must repent of our sins .

[MistyMarie1970]

I loved the end comment of the vid. so true

[MoDeeSeventyThree]

@SilverRedIndigo actually, you couldn't be further from the truth about who i am...that is a very strange comment from you, you may be mentally ill to make such strange comments....Shame on me about what?....level of unawareness about what? i think its how i reflect back to you your own deluded sense of superiority is what actually sickens you

[SilverRedIndigo]

@MoDeeSeventyThree

I also see that you are a white woman occupying Native land in Canada.

Shame on you.

Your level of unawareness is appalling. I'm blocking you. You make me sick.

[SilverRedIndigo]

@MoDeeSeventyThree

I'm a woman, imbecile.

You haven't seen me at all - just the projection of your own prejudices.