The Bible With & Without Jesus Parts 1 & 2

Not long ago I was speaking to a friend about how Jews interpret the Bible. He couldn't see how the writings of the prophets such as Isaiah or Ezekiel could be talking about anything other than predicting the coming of Jesus as Messiah. This is remarkably provincial thinking--especially coming from a graduate of Yale who majored in philosophy! But he was never exposed to any other theological option.

Yes, Virginia, there are other ways to understand that the Hebrew Bible can stand on its own as scripture. This is not to diminish the fact that over a billion people do see it as a collection of accounts that do indeed foretell the advent of Jesus.

That is why I so enjoyed the book we are discussing in these 2021 episodes with Amy-Jill Levine. I've respected her work for long time. I've seen her speak & heard multiple recorded lectures by her. She is a Jew who is quite capable of understanding the wisdom of both traditions.

Amy-Jill Levine is Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, at Vanderbilt Divinity School,