Jesus, the Man and the Myth

A Jewish Reading of the New Testament

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, Criticism & Interpretation, History, Jewish, Judaism
Cover of the book Jesus, the Man and the Myth by Haim Ben-Asher, iUniverse
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Haim Ben-Asher ISBN: 9781475946260
Publisher: iUniverse Publication: August 31, 2012
Imprint: iUniverse Language: English
Author: Haim Ben-Asher
ISBN: 9781475946260
Publisher: iUniverse
Publication: August 31, 2012
Imprint: iUniverse
Language: English

King of Israel?

Poor Jesus. Had he remained in Nazareth working in Joseph's carpentry shop, he would have been offered a share of the business. He could have settled down, married a nice Jewish girl and enjoyed a happy home life with his wife and children. He would not have gone to Jerusalem, and he would not have been crucified by the Romans.

Instead, he got carried away by his success as a faith healer and imagined himself to be the King of Israel. The Pharisees had serious doubts regarding his candidacy to the throne of David. Miracles in themselves prove nothing; multiplying loaves of bread and walking on water did not bring the kingdom of heaven any nearer. So they warned Jesus not to go to Jerusalem. But he disregarded their advice and undertook to make the long journey on foot, performing miracle cures along the way.

Jesus received a rapturous welcome on his arrival, as the people lining his route shouted, "Hosanna to the son of David!" Five days later, he was dead. What happened in the interval, and why did his popular following vanish almost completely? For one thing, his fellow Jews reasoned that anyone who recommends paying taxes to Rome cannot possibly be their liberator.

But there were other, more profound reasons for this disaffection. Much of Jesus' teaching runs counter to Judaism and its approach to life. Loving one's enemies and hating one's parents simply will not do. The present essay offers an explanation of the Jewish world-view so as to disentangle fact from fiction in the New Testament.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

King of Israel?

Poor Jesus. Had he remained in Nazareth working in Joseph's carpentry shop, he would have been offered a share of the business. He could have settled down, married a nice Jewish girl and enjoyed a happy home life with his wife and children. He would not have gone to Jerusalem, and he would not have been crucified by the Romans.

Instead, he got carried away by his success as a faith healer and imagined himself to be the King of Israel. The Pharisees had serious doubts regarding his candidacy to the throne of David. Miracles in themselves prove nothing; multiplying loaves of bread and walking on water did not bring the kingdom of heaven any nearer. So they warned Jesus not to go to Jerusalem. But he disregarded their advice and undertook to make the long journey on foot, performing miracle cures along the way.

Jesus received a rapturous welcome on his arrival, as the people lining his route shouted, "Hosanna to the son of David!" Five days later, he was dead. What happened in the interval, and why did his popular following vanish almost completely? For one thing, his fellow Jews reasoned that anyone who recommends paying taxes to Rome cannot possibly be their liberator.

But there were other, more profound reasons for this disaffection. Much of Jesus' teaching runs counter to Judaism and its approach to life. Loving one's enemies and hating one's parents simply will not do. The present essay offers an explanation of the Jewish world-view so as to disentangle fact from fiction in the New Testament.

More books from iUniverse

Cover of the book Through the Eyes of the Spirit by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book The Fifth Generation War by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Stories from Potowasso by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Inspire My Soul for New Beginnings by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Key to Nowhere by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Tender Nightmare by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book How Can I Straighten It out Again by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Life from the Press Box by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Mothering Mother by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book The Greek Play by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Dancing in the Rain by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Who's Buying Which Popular Short Fiction Now, & What Are They Paying? by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book I Don't Look Like Where I've Been by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Trust the Process by Haim Ben-Asher
Cover of the book Love, Miracles and Medicine Men by Haim Ben-Asher
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy