Members only New Testament Insights Antisemitism in the New Testament? Is the New Testament antisemitic? Scholars like Amy Jill-Levine would argue, though it wasn't intended, the texts have been read to that conclusion.
Members only New Testament Insights Paul’s Rule and the Conversion Controversy Paul's teachings are seen as a break from Judaism, but what if his ideas on Jewish and Gentile identity are not a rejection of Rabbinic thought, but deeply rooted in it? How does that change how we read a pivotal verse in 1 Corinthians?
Members only New Testament Insights Who Is the "New Man" in Ephesians? For centuries, Paul's vision of the “One New Man” has been used to erase Jewish identity in the name of Christian unity. But what if we've misunderstood him entirely?
New Testament Insights The Dynamics of Jewish Law and Paul's Epistles The New Testament, particularly the letters of Paul, reflects the Jewish legal process (Halacha) in the era before the codification of the Mishnah (cir. 2nd century). In this podcast episode, learn the fundamentals of Jewish law and see how these ideas transform your understanding.
Mysticism and Spirituality Did Paul Openly Teach Jewish Mysticism to the Gentiles in Rome? Did Paul teach the Gentiles early kabbalistic ideas about the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah? If so, this may make his letters some of the earliest appearances of these ideas. How does this change the understanding of these popular verses?
Mysticism and Spirituality Featured What Comes After Heaven? A Guide to the World of Souls and the Olam HaBa Is heaven the soul's last stop, or is there more? In this article, we will explore the tradition behind the ideas of the Messianic era, Heaven, and the World to Come - including a few key references to these in the New Testament.
New Testament Insights The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 1 One of the most important components to understanding the "New Testament" is found amid an incident that most Bible readers have never heard of. We'll learn how a particular disagreement between predominant Pharisaic schools shaped the contours and the perplexing milieu of first-century Judaism.
New Testament Insights How to Read the Letters of Paul The writings of the Apostle Paul, commonly known as the Epistles, hold immense significance in Christian theology. How will we re-evaluate his letters if we view them within a specific Rabbinic correspondence framework?
Members only Mysticism and Spirituality The Divine Council Does G_D rule the world through a Divine Council of supernal angels? For many, this may be a new idea, however, deep within the Rabbinic tradition, this is quite ancient.
Members only New Testament Insights Was Paul the First Christian Convert? Of course, Paul converted, right? The chapter heading says so, and his name was changed to Saul, wasn't it?
Members only Mysticism and Spirituality The First Adam and Second Adam: Adam Kadmon and the Logos With this article, we will start to cover some of the more complex concepts that are featured in the New Testament. Hopefully, we'll lay a foundation to understand ideas many see as controversial and/or a major departure from Jewish thought.
Mysticism and Spirituality The Dough Offered as Firstfruits Obscured amid the detailed instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, there is a fundamental key to the service of G_D. Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved. - Exodus 25:2
Paid-members only New Testament Insights The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 2 As part of the greater Jewish community, the Apostolic leaders struggled with these particular issues more acutely. The sudden influx of Gentiles leaving paganism to join the diasporic Jewish communities made this a primary issue for them...
New Testament Insights Misunderstanding Paul's Message in Romans 11 In Romans 11, Paul leverages a few Midrashic themes from the Rabbinic tradition that many readers may not be aware of. When understood, these further affirm the Jewish people's selection and enduring covenantal place with G_D.