Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus

Lois Tverberg

Description

What would it be like for modern readers to sit down beside Jesus as he explained the Bible to them? What life-changing insights might emerge from such a transformative encounter? Lois Tverberg knows the treasures that await readers willing to learn how to read the Bible through Jewish eyes. By helping them understand the Bible as Jesus and his first-century listeners would have, she bridges the gaps of time and culture in order to open the Bible to readers today. Combining careful research with engaging prose, Tverberg leads us on a journey back in time to shed light on how this Middle Eastern people approached life, God, and each other. She explains age-old imagery that we often misinterpret, allowing us to approach God and the stories and teachings of Scripture with new eyes. By helping readers grasp the perspective of its original audience, she equips them to read the Bible in ways that will enrich their lives and deepen their understanding.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 02 janvier 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493412679
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2017 by Lois Tverberg
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2017
Ebook corrections 01.14.2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1267-9
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NJPS are from the New Jewish Publication Society Version © 1985 by The Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.
Published in association with the literary agency of Ann Spangler and Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Endorsements
“In her delightful style, Lois Tverberg engagingly leads us across cultures to begin to envision a different worldview, a worldview more consistent with the world of most of Scripture. In so doing, she brings alive biblical texts from the inside.”
Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Thanks to the good work of biblical scholars, the historical Jesus of Nazareth is once again situated in his divinely designed Second Temple period Jewish context. The next critical step is to understand that hearing him in his original setting equips us to follow him more faithfully in ours. The latest from Lois Tverberg is a meaningful contribution to that end. Read this book for a more informed reading of The Book.”
James C. Whitman, president, Center for Judaic-Christian Studies
“In Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus , Lois Tverberg opens up the Scriptures we all love and shines a fascinating new light on them. As she gracefully bridges the culture gap between Jesus’ first Jewish followers and twenty-first century Christians and unites the Old and New Testaments, I found myself falling in love with the Bible all over again. Lois is a superb teacher, using story and gentle humor to great effect. I devoured this fascinating book. Highly recommended!”
Lynn Austin, author of Where We Belong
“Just what exactly did Jesus share with his disciples on the road to Emmaus? This excellent book unfolds so many valuable truths in the Scriptures that are often ignored or misunderstood. Lois Tverberg is a trustworthy guide whose insightful discoveries provide a delightful appetizer to some of the most exciting passages in the Old Testament. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.”
Todd Bolen, professor of biblical studies, The Master’s University
“Lois Tverberg is back with her most insightful work yet. Every chapter takes us on a journey of discovery, opening our eyes to astounding realities and clarifying confusing or misunderstood passages that have significant impact in our reading of the Bible and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Every Christian should read this book!”
Brad Gray, author of Make Your Mark and founder of Walking The Text Ministries
“Though the truth in the written Word of God transcends time, place, and culture, understanding the Bible’s context adds depth of meaning to every jot and tittle it contains. Lois Tverberg is an apt guide to the Jewish context of the Bible, and her mix of thoughtful research and relatable application will help readers discover new riches within its pages. She offers an entry ramp to the time, place, and culture in which the Bible was first given with the goal of enriching not only personal reading and study but also strengthening the church in her identity and mission here and now. Highly recommended!”
Michelle Van Loon, author of Moments & Days: How Our Holy Celebrations Shape Our Faith
“In Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus , Lois Tverberg gives us a front row seat at the feet of Jesus as familiar passages in the Bible come alive. By taking us on a journey into the culture of the first century and the Hebraic mindset of Jesus, Lois teaches us how to bend our ear to hear the Galilean accent of our Jewish Rabbi. Open your Bible, grab a highlighter, and dive into the world of the first century like never before.”
Robby Gallaty, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church and author of The Forgotten Jesus
“Lois Tverberg has written still another classic Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus compliments her Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus , but goes beyond. Tverberg clarifies what it meant to study ‘Moses and all the Prophets’ with the sage from Galilee, Yeshua of Nazareth. For those who want to know what it was like to be one of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples and sit down with him to study Scripture, Tverberg’s new book is the place to start.”
David N. Bivin, founder and editor of Jerusalem Perspective
“How odd of God / To choose the Jews.” It is not certain who wrote that epigram and why, but what is certain is that God did indeed choose the Jews to show us what he is like. His Son Yeshua , whom we know as Jesus, was a Jew. How wonderfully and mysteriously strange is the incarnation! That the infinite maker of heaven and earth would definitively reveal himself in a particular man, of a particular ethnicity, in a particular culture, who spoke a particular language, in a particular time and place in history. Lois Tverberg’s splendid book explores that divine oddity with clarity, good humor, and even startling insight, showing how Jesus the first century Jew is oddly the Savior and Lord of all peoples in all times and places.”
Ben Patterson, campus pastor, Westmont College
Dedication
In loving memory of my mother, Laura Evelyn Ritland Tverberg 1922–2017
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the L ORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:30–31 NIV
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
1. Opening the Bible with Jesus 9
Emmaus Is Still There
Part 1: Repacking Our Mental Bags 21
Tools for the Journey
2. Learning to Be There 23
A Clash of Cultures
3. What Does “Christ” Mean, Anyway? 42
A Perplexing Word
4. Painting in Hebrew 60
Bold Colors, Broad Brushstrokes
Part 2: How the Bible Thinks 81
Big Picture Ideas That You Need to Understand
5. Greek Brain, Hebrew Brain 83
Cows, Creeds, and Concrete Metaphors
6. Why Jesus Needs Those Boring “Begats” 113
Knowing the Family Rules
7. Reading the Bible as a “We” 131
Insights from a Communal Perspective
8. Like Grasshoppers in Our Own Eyes 158
Learning to “Think Small”
Part 3: Reading about the Messiah 177
Seeing Him through Hebrew Eyes
9. Memory Is Critical 179
Hinting at the Scriptures
10. Moses and the Prophets Have Spoken 193
Finding Promises in the Synagogue
11. Reading in the Third Dimension 209
Listening for Echoes in the Text
12. Jesus’ Bold Messianic Claims 222
Very Subtle, Very Jewish
13. When the Words Catch Fire 238
What We Miss in Isaiah 53
Acknowledgments 251
Appendix A: Books of the Tanakh 253
Appendix B: Thirty Useful Hebrew Words for Bible Study 255
Appendix C: Bible Translations for Word Study 261
Notes 264
Recommended Resources 274
Subject Index 277
Scripture Index 284
Back Ads 287
Back Cover 291
1 Opening the Bible with Jesus
Emmaus Is Still There
Have you ever tasted fresh pita bread made by the Bedouins? It’s out of this world—chewy and hot, crispy in spots, and a little smoky from the open fire. When a veiled, wizened old woman flops a piping-hot piece into your hands, you need to tear a chunk off and pass the rest on before your fingers burn. Smeared with olive oil and dried hyssop, it’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
Sure, you can buy bagged pita bread in your local grocery store, and its nutritional value will be exactly the same. But the mouthwatering aroma of the original simply can’t be captured and transported to you. Similarly, the Bible’s ideas are often best appreciated “freshly served” in their original Middle Eastern setting.
This is what this book, Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus , is all about—helping you mentally transport yourself back in place and time to read the Bible afresh, as one of Jesus’ first-century disciples.
Maybe you’ve noticed the latest food trend: everyone seems to be into “artisanal” foods. They want to savor authentic flavors, taste food from centuries-old recipes. They love organic cheeses and heirloom vegetables, farmers’ markets and food co-ops. People want to eat slow food, not fast food. It takes more time and effort, but it’s worth it, they say.
You know what? I’m into artisanal Bible study.
A lot of us do Bible study microwave-style. We gulp down a prepackaged, presweetened devotion with a few slurps of coffee before heading off to wor