The New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism

Rating:
Summary: Great Information Worth the Wading
Review: This book is not particularly readable. It was originally written in 1956 in a tedious and uninviting style, almost reminiscient of the 19th century.

Despite the book's format, the information it contains makes it valuable to the New Testament interpretter. It helps open up several passages and concepts.

My favorite chapter deals with the "Laying on of Hands." It distinguishes between the two Old Testament words, one of which means to lay ones hands upon another lightly (as in a blessing), the other meaning to press with weight; this second term was used for sacrifices, and signified the creating of a substitute and the transfer of sin by leaning into the sacrifice. One is pressing oneself into another. You can see how this sets the stage for the New Testament teaching regarding how Christ bore our sins as our substitute. Faith, then, becomes a matter of "leaning" upon Christ.

Perhaps this might be considered more of a reference work or a book to skim through in search of tasty nuggets. But for the serious student, there are some diamonds to be mined here.

Rating:
Summary: Great Information Worth the Wading
Review: This book is not particularly readable. It was originally written in 1956 in a tedious and uninviting style, almost reminiscient of the 19th century.

Despite the book's format, the information it contains makes it valuable to the New Testament interpretter. It helps open up several passages and concepts.

My favorite chapter deals with the "Laying on of Hands." It distinguishes between the two Old Testament words, one of which means to lay ones hands upon another lightly (as in a blessing), the other meaning to press with weight; this second term was used for sacrifices, and signified the creating of a substitute and the transfer of sin by leaning into the sacrifice. One is pressing oneself into another. You can see how this sets the stage for the New Testament teaching regarding how Christ bore our sins as our substitute. Faith, then, becomes a matter of "leaning" upon Christ.

Perhaps this might be considered more of a reference work or a book to skim through in search of tasty nuggets. But for the serious student, there are some diamonds to be mined here.