Complete Jewish Bible

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of Biblical scholarship!
Review: Finally together in one volume, Dr. Stern's masterful translation the Jewish New Testament and a complimentary Tanakh (Old Testament). The Bible in it's Jewish context and message from Bereshit (Genesis) to Revelation.

Dr. Stern has translated the Complete Jewish Bible using Hebrew names and focusing on the Messianic storyline that flows throughout the whole of the Bible. Also of note is the breakdown of the Torah into the weekly parashah including Haftarah and complementary readings from the Brit Chadasha.

This is a must have for any true student of the Bible and a necessity for Jewish believers to have the Complete Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective.

I hope that the Complete Jewish Bible is used regularly in synagogue services and in Bible studies to further the great revival of the Messianic movement. Dr. Stern has done a great service to the Messianic movement and hopefully for the Gentile Church to see that the message of the Scriptures both Tanakh and Brit Chadasha is the story of God's dealings with Israel and the glorious foretelling and revelation of Israel's Messiah, Yeshua.

Rating:
Summary: If I could give it a 0 I would
Review: I regret I have to give it a 1 because it deserves a 0

Any biblical scholar would tell you that this book is a fraud.
It is NOT a Jewish bible (as mentioned before, check out the JPS, Artscroll or other Jewish bibles), it is not an accurate translation (as far as any translation can be) and the New Testament is NOT a Jewish book nor was it even written in Hebrew or Aramaic. In fact, the only extant versions available are in Greek!

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing
Review: You ask, "What makes this translation Jewish?" Good question. If you can get past the knee-jerk reactions, I'll tell you. If you haven't noticed most modern English translators have only an accademic understanding of Judaism. This translator is a Jew from an observant, well educated family. Dr. Ben Horin, a Reconstructionis Jewish author wrote, "A Jewish heart can be had quickly. Jewish eyes are the product of 4,000 years of special evolution." Being steeped in the Jewish life gives Dr. Stern a unique view. His translation of the New Testament is idiomatic, similar to NIV. But Dr. Stern's translation starts from the premise that the authors were Jews primarily writing to audiance that was Jews and Righteous Gentiles. (Those were gentiles who attended synogogue and observed some of the commandments, but had not converted to Judaism.)

Why should a Christian read this book? Because Jesus spoke to Jewish groups, not gentiles, when He preached. He assumed a familiarity with the Torah that came from a specific set of teachings set in a specific culture. That culture is not always reflected in other translations. Just read Dr. Stern's treatment of Hebrews and compare it to any other English translation. It makes more sense then any I have read.

Why should a Jew read this book? Not to better understand Christians. For that I recommend the New King James and the New International Version. If you want to understand the teachings of the Jew whose life has impacted more Jews then any other Jew since Moses, this is the translation for you. You may not agree with Dr. Stern about whether Yeshua is the Meshiach, but at least you will understand what His followers had to say.

I should add that this translation was vetted by a number of scholars, including Dr. John Fischer, dean of St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Rating:
Summary: A MESSIANIC JEWISH CREATION
Review: I value Jesus as a prophet. I admire the creativity and devotion of a messianic jew creating a New Testament with an Old testament flavor though I do not agree with the perspective. History cannot be changed and the author's interpretation, while ambitious and interesting does no service for Christians or Jews, in my opinion. I'll stick with my NIV Holy Bible and Artscroll Stone Tanach continuing to reflect on the true books of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Rating:
Summary: Inconsistent & Biased Translations
Review: For those of you who have a love for the unadulterated Word of God, the grace of God, and the blood of Jesus Christ, please note the following concerns as it relates to this particular book. In Romans chapters 5 & 7, the author is meticulously consistent in translating the Greek word for law (nomos) into Torah. However, in Romans chapter 6, he totally departs from this consistency and translates the same Greek word for law (nomos)into the word "legalism." This is clearly an inconsistent translation and a personal and private interjection and interpretation (II Peter 1:20). For it clearly reflects a theological bias which can lead to spiritual deception and bondage as it relates to being under the law/Torah. Why? Because, if he maintains the same consistency in translating the word law (nomos) found in Romans chapter 6 as he has done in Romans chapters 5 & 7, the verse by Paul in chapter 6 would then read, "...for ye are not under the Torah, but under grace"(Romans 6:14). Paul was talking about the same law (nomos) in chapter 6 as he was in chapters 5 & 7. This consistency should be reflected in the translation as well. Note very carefully that the author's personal interpretation and translation of this very powerful Pauline verse MASKS a Scriptural reference that has clearly declared our freedom and liberty from being under the law/the Torah. Thus, this Bible translation gives us a, "we are still under the law/the Torah...Sabbath keeping, etc." type presentation. Paul declares that it is this type of presentation that can lead to spiritual bondage (Galatians 3:1,2 & 5:1-4).

Those of you who know the Word of God, understand that we are now under a better covenant - grace. Paul, like myself, was not anti-law, or anti-Jewish, he was simply pro-grace. Although he was indeed a Jew, he counted everything associated with his Jewishness, including his theology and heritage, as "dung" relative to winning Christ (Philippians 3:4-8). This also included the righteousness of the law/Torah. The Word of God declares that God's plan of salvation for today is not about Jewishness, but Holiness. God is a spirit who declares, "Be ye holy (not Jewish), for I am holy."

I also have major concerns with any new translation that takes the "blood" of Christ out. In Colossians 1:14, the word "blood" is substituted with a dash! Can you believe it! In the 23rd Psalms, "soul" is replaced with "inner person" (new ageish) and "forever" is replaced with "years and years to come." These are not the same thing, and what's so profound and archaic about these words that they have to be translated at all? Finally, he talks about his "fans." Interesting. These are just a few of the major concerns that need to be addressed as it relates to this book. Finally, can any NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION that drastically alters the words and meanings of the Psalmist and the apostle Paul with "personal and private interpretations and interjections" in its NEW TRANSLATION of the Word of God truly reflect the Word of God? Education, money, and "fan requests", cannot be the qualifier and basis for writing a new Bible translation. For no translation should be independent of the Spiritual anointing that is needed in order to receive divine truth and revelation of the Word of God. Remember, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

Rating:
Summary: Propaganda
Review: Offensive. Deceptive. I had the feeling that Mr. Stern created his "translation" to emphasize the messianic qualities of the Tanakh so that only Jesus could fulfill the prophecies.

Rating:
Summary: "Jewish" Bible?
Review: This book is not a Jewish Bible like it claims to be. It is a Christian Bible. The title of this book is very offensive to Jewish people. If you want an actual Jewish Bible I recommend Artscroll's Tanach.

Rating:
Summary: A good book-for the right audience
Review: Many Jews find this books to be particularly repulsive given that it is not a Jewish bible. It is a Christian work presented in a more authentic and well-Jewish-context.

Christian bibles have, over the eons,changed and evolved into what many read today. This book makes an attempt at "getting back to the original."

For Christians interested in learning about original context and connecting to the place and time of Jesus, this is a very nice book. For Messianic Jews it is probably the best (and perhaps the only) bible to use. For Jews (wishing to remain faithful to their heritage) it is a work of manipulation and subterfuge. I highly recommend this book for any Christian who would like to see a different version of their bible. I would discourage purchasing this book for anyone who is not Christian.