Immensely daring work by Neusner, rabbi and author of more than 400 books on Judaism (The Death and Birth of Judaism, 1987, etc.), as he projects himself back to first-century Israel to argue with Jesus. Obviously, such a project is fraught with peril—but Neusner's success is indicated by the long, supportive blurb from Vatican powerhouse Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. The author's intention is to pinpoint differences between the Torah of Moses (which is ``perfect and beyond improvement'') and Jesus' teachings as presented in the Gospel of Matthew, in order to deepen the faith of both Christians and Jews. He listens closely to Jesus' sermons, addresses him as ``master,'' and opposes him with deference. Neusner lauds some of Jesus' sayings for reaching to the heart of Jewish law. But other pronouncements seem to him to violate God's will for Israel. He sees Jesus as subverting Jewish dietary law, the Sabbath, the respect due one's mother and father. The argument sharpens with Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees, with whom Neusner feels affinity. In effect, the author contends, Jesus is preaching to a select band of disciples, offering counsel for spiritual perfection while awaiting the kingdom of God, whereas Torah addresses itself to the entire Jewish people, presenting a way of holiness for the here-and-now. On its own terms, Neusner's presentation is sound. The problem—which he acknowledges—is the difficulty of reading Jesus' words apart from the understanding placed on them by Christians—i.e., that these are the teachings of God incarnate. The real issue, says Neusner, is Jesus himself, rather than his message. In an appendix, Neusner expresses his indebtedness to Christians who have been his friends and helped his career. This book, as he hopes, repays the debt—not least by showing that Jewish-Christian dialogue can move beyond bitterness into mature, substantive debate.
Pub Date: Feb. 17, 1993
ISBN: 0-385-42466-3
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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