New Testament Insights
As a child growing up in the church, admittedly, I had acquired a negative view of the Pharisees. The dark villains of many Sunday school stories and their combative portrayal in the Gospel readings, it seemed the word ‘Pharisee’ was an acceptable form of a curse word. However, I recall
New Testament Insights
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
From a literalist read of the Gospels, it appears that Jesus gives a clear prohibition against the use of religious titles, in particular, the title of "Rabbi".
New Testament Insights
Did Jesus teach a new and separate commandment apart from the commandments of the Torah?
New Testament Insights
Despite its ubiquitous usage in the church, the word "Judaizer" is only found once in the New Testament, in Galatians 2:14. In its broadest sense, a "Judaizer" is a pejorative label given to someone who influences others to observe some form of Jewish religious lifestyle.
New Testament Insights
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.
New Testament Insights
Did Yeshua abolish the dietary laws? Did he also decide that the traditions of men, ie: Judaism, no longer valid in man's relationship to the Creator? Or are we simply missing something?