Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life Paperback – 2 April 2013

Wonderful insight into the character and nature of Jesus who feels more natural than ever.

This book and the others in the series are fantastic! I'm so appreciative of Ms. Tverberg's excellent scholarly work which she has presented in a very readable manner for the average person to enjoy. The Bible can be so much better understood when we are informed about the era and mindset of the writers. References and glossary are exhaustive.

A fascinating element in this book, is that it brings forth the multiple meanings in Hebrew words. The author is adept at bringing these various meanings forth that enrich texts from the Hebrew Scriptures, but also from the New Testament. The Glossary also is very valuable. (I am quite sure I will come back to it often.) Lois also chooses excellent stories, often at the beginning of a chapter, very engaging. If someone were to ask me to choose my favorite chapter, I would not hesitate, Chapter 8. The headings within the chapter: “Judging” in Jewish Thought, Judging Favorably in Jewish Culture, Other Ways of Judging Negatively, and finally, Just Like Yourself, challenged me in so many ways. This chapter will occupy my discernment time in the future; they are packed. Two aspects of my life affected my reading of this book. The first is my genealogy results which confirmed that I am more than 47 % Ashkenazi Jewish. The second is that I studied for an M.A. in Scripture at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and took a course in Jewish Mysticism. I have been dedicated to continuing education. My most significant experience was a Study Trip to Israel, Turkey and Greece. A third event I would have to add is the publishing of my book, JESUS GARDENS ME. I am a person who always looks at Bibliography. So I was interested to see if there was any overlap with authors I am familiar with and who Lois cites. In my book, Jesus Gardens me, I quote from Kenneth E. Bailey. I have some familiarity with David Flusser and Abraham Heschel, but that was the only overlap. I was delighted to learn of the many other authors she cites. There was one statement that Lois made, found in footnote #13 in Chapter 8, that troubled me: “One of the major differences between Judaism and Christianity is, in fact, its assessment of humanity. Judaism believes that people can live fairly righteous lives, but Christians see humans as universally separated from God by sin. In my mind, the origin of this split comes from Jesus himself, who preached that God was extending a new ‘covenant for the forgiveness of sin’ through his atoning death." (Matthew 26:28.) In parallel passages to Mt. 26:28, in Mark 14:24 and Luke 22:20 there is no mention of the phrase “for the forgiveness of sin”. This is a Matthean addition. The same phrase occurs in Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 as part of the preaching of John the Baptist. Matthew avoids it there. In the scholars I follow, for example Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan (The Last Week) state that the statement “Jesus is the substitutionary sacrifice” (Atonement) is horrific theology. For them (and for me) the message of the cross and Resurrection is that we are to imitate (participate in) the entire life of Jesus. From other Theologians I have come to embrace that Augustine and “Original Sin”, followed by Anselm, have given this "horrible" emphasis to Christianity. I subscribe to the work of Matthew Fox who teaches “Original Blessing.” Interestingly enough this coordinates with Judaism.

Like scales falling from my eyes. Some great insights and new understandings. Makes me want to be a better follower of Jesus.

I found 'Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus' an eye opening book in more ways then one.1. It sheds light on some key vocabulary in the Bible, as it was originally written in Hebrew.2. It sheds light on the deep connections between the stories, words and wisdom of the Old Testament and the words which Jesus speaks. It helps a Christian European creature like myself, who has not been exposed to Judaism, to understand the Gospels as a continuous commentary upon the Old Scriptures, as part of a wider Jewish culture (before Jesus and after Jesus) of studying and pondering upon God's mysterious ways.3. I believe that the most important message that one takes away with her when closing this book is that God is One. There are no two Gods, a vengeful, 'Jewish', God in the Old Testament and a reformed, merciful and loving God in the New Testament. Rather, what Lois Tverberg manages to highlight, with grace and simplicity, is that throughout the Old and the New Testament, God comes across as the same long enduring and suffering father of us all, who is ready to put aside his wrath for the sake of embracing his prodigal sons and daughters when they choose to return.I love this book for it's wisdom and for the fact that it teaches us to walk in the ways of God not with false piety, but rather with affection, with boldness and even humour. It is a liberating message.

多くのキリスト教会は聖書がユダヤ文書である事を忘れている。この本はその解釈の助けになります。