Modern Jews Engage the New Testament

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 culture deeply Christian. 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 their children, and clarifying for Christians why Jews draw back from Christians' sacred writings. Accessible to novice readers (Jewish and non-Jewish alike), it will also enlighten interested scholars and clergy (especially seminarians, of all faiths). Innovative pedagogical aids make it ideal as preparation for rabbis, ministers, and other educators, and as a text for courses at colleges, Centers for Christian-Jewish Understanding, and synagogue/church adult-education.

Michael J. Cook is professor of intertestamental and early Christian literatures, and holds the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professorship in Judaeo-Christian Studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.