Posted on 04/11/2006 10:19:28 AM PDT by NYer
Washington DC, Apr. 11, 2006 (CNA) - Prominent reform Rabbi Michael Cook says many Jews are paralyzed by their ignorance of New Testament writings, and is urging their study in order to improve interfaith relations and answer Christians who ask why Jews don't accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Cook says this lack of knowledge about the New Testament is the Jewish "Achilles' heel," reported the Associated Press. Jews they must learn how the Gospels molded Christian attitudes toward Judaism, he says. This "self-imposed ignorance" is dangerous, he adds.
"The New Testament is the greatest single external determinant of Jewish history, and deleteriously so in it’s causing Jews grievous problems," Cook, a New Testament professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, told the AP.
"Once Jews catch on to this, most will recognize how valuable this venture can be," Cook was quoted as saying. He is working on a book he plans to publish next year, "Modern Jews Engage the New Testament.”
Many scholars agree that Jews would benefit from studying the Christian texts. But most Jews shun Christian Scripture due to both religious law and historical experience.
Fellow scholars say there are too many other pressing issues in Jewish education, including the increasing secularization of Jews, to make New Testament learning a priority.
Currently, the text is almost completely absent from coursework for rabbinical candidates, students at American Jewish colleges and the many young people enrolled in Jewish high schools. There are a few Jewish colleges that include a course on New Testament studies.
My kinsman redeemer liveth!
He's right. I studied NT for 35 years and the light finally went on. Its not inspired.
What's not inspired?
The New Testament is True WISDOM and LOVE. Don't read it at your own peril.
The New Testament.
I think he was asking, albeit in a way that opens the door to misinterpretation, why you don't find the New Testament to be inspired. To be honest, I've wondered that myself.
That's tragic, I pray you find the way home again.
(Waiting for the dispensationalist "separation theologians" to chime in.)
Nevertheless, by all means let's respect one another as we explain ourselves. We can't think each other into heaven or hell, so we can examine the truth and answer to God for where we put our faith.
Hey Buggman. Where ya been?
Nothing new to offer. Just what I've been harping about the past couple of years. That New Testament "fulfillment" of Hebrew prophecies are forced. How Paul took a misguided sect of Judaism dominated originally by Jews and turned it into a pagan religion and scared off most of the Jews with the gods in heaven becoming human type of stuff. And also I don't trust the writers, redactors and interpolaters of NT. They've proven to be non-credible passing down doctrines such as the perpetually virginity of Mary, apostolic succession, Papal authority, etc., etc., etc. Hence why would I trust their finished product?
You're familiar with the drill. Being a Hebrew flavored trinitarian and all. :-)
I don't believe in the perpetually virginity of Mary, apostolic succession, or Papal authority either. That is because they are not taught in the Word of God.
We've had this discussion before. You deny the "Church" preserved and canonized these "scriptures" for ya. The Church formed and then canonized writings. The Church isn't a result of the content of writings.
While I still disagree with you on that argument, that has nothing to do with the fact that the very teachings that you mentioned(the perpetually virginity of Mary, apostolic succession, and Papal authority) are not taught in the New Testament.
Bookmark. Interesting discussion.
There are many who interpret the NT writings differently than you who would argue that.
"Also they might be surprised at how frequently the OT is qutoed in the NT."
But according to some I've talked to, the authors of the NT did that only to discredit the OT prophecies or claim the OT prophecies to bolster their claim of fullfillment in the NT. It always amazes me that the Jews I've had contact with are completely and totally adament in their denounciation of Christianity. To them it's nothing more than a fairy tale, wishful thinking and something made up to discredit Judiasm. And they take great delight in pointing out the supposed errors in Christian thinking. It's also amazing to think that this "madeup fairy tale" survived the first century and spread all over the world attracting hundreds of thousands of converts along the way! There definately has to be a reason and that reason is.............. A Risen Savior!
And they are free to do so.
uh oh...i know a rabbi thats in trouble...
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