Category: Judaism
Did Jesus Plan to Start a New Religion? Matthew Thiessen’s Answer
“Did Jesus plan to start a new religion, then? No.” – Matthew Thiessen
Mark Nanos: Paul’s Beliefs and Judaism
Mark D. Nanos, Reading Paul within Judaism: Collected Essays of Mark D. Nanos, vol. 1 (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017), 17. Is it not precisely within Judaism where Paul as well as of the other Jewish and Judean believers in Jesus Christ understood themselves… Continue Reading “Mark Nanos: Paul’s Beliefs and Judaism”
Jennifer Eyl and Paula Fredriksen On Paul and Pagans
Those who follow me on Twitter know how much I love Paula Fredriksen. She is not only insightful but writes in such a clear and compelling way that it makes her work a joy to read. Last year I completed two of her most… Continue Reading “Jennifer Eyl and Paula Fredriksen On Paul and Pagans”
The Weekly Roundup – 3.1.19
“Israel did not ‘believe’ in dragons anymore than their neighbors did. When Israel says God defeated the dragon, they use this myth in two ways. Most of the time, as in Psalm 74; Isaiah 27:1, where the dragon is named Leviathan just as in… Continue Reading “The Weekly Roundup – 3.1.19”
Bart D. Ehrman: Jesus and the Law
Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, sixth edition (OUP, 2016), 139. Contrary to what many Christians have thought throughout the ages, for Matthew, following Jesus does not mean abandoning the Jewish Law and joining a new religion… Continue Reading “Bart D. Ehrman: Jesus and the Law”
Bart D. Ehrman – The Pharisees in the Days of Jesus
Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, sixth edition (OUP, 2016), 73-74. It is important to recognize that the Pharisees were not the “power players” in Palestine in Jesus’ day. That is to say, they appear to have… Continue Reading “Bart D. Ehrman – The Pharisees in the Days of Jesus”
Bart D. Ehrman – Modern Christian Misunderstandings
Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, sixth edition (OUP, 2016), 66. Christians in the modern period frequently misunderstand the intent and purpose of this Jewish Law. It is not the case that ancient Jews (or modern ones,… Continue Reading “Bart D. Ehrman – Modern Christian Misunderstandings”
The Amateur Exegete 