Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus

[retrovert]

Is the above named book by Lois Tverberg a good one for Catholics to read? I’d like to know before I buy it. Thanks…

 

[bardegaulois]

Is the above named book by Lois Tverberg a good one for Catholics to read? I’d like to know before I buy it. Thanks…

I’ve never heard of it, but a good way to know is to look at the frontispiece of the book and see if it has an Imprimatur and a Nihil Obstat–statements by an ecclesiastical censor and a prelate that this book contains no heresy and is suitable for the reading of the Catholic public.

 

[GEddie]

Never heard of this book either, but will continue to follow the thread, to pick up any info that may be.

ICXC NIKA

 

[meltzerboy]

I did not read the book, but I understand the author is a devout Christian and biblical scholar who interprets many of Jesus’ sayings in light of the Jewish culture of the times. The book received some favorable reviews.

 

[JerryZ]

Well from the quick look up on Amazon, I can say that there is no imprimatur from the Catholic Church. Further this book purports to “explain” to us that Jesus was a Jew.

Wow! who knew. From the bellow introduction you might think there no possible problem reading this book. However by offering novel interpretations “of Jewish context” one could have shaky theology presented to us. The author of the book is NO theologian, neither a reputable expert in ancient Hebrew or Greek. She purports to give novel reinterpretation of the Bible.

In Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, Lois Tverberg challenges readers to follow their Rabbi more closely by re-examining his words in the light of their Jewish context. Doing so will provide a richer, deeper understanding of his ministry, compelling us to live differently, to become more Christ-like. We’ll begin to understand why his first Jewish disciples abandoned everything to follow him, to live out his commands.

Biography
Lois Tverberg has been teaching and writing about the Jewish background of Christianity for the past fifteen years. She has always enjoyed discovering the answers to head-scratching questions and sharing the “ah-hah” moments with others. For years she did this as a professor of Biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, USA, after receiving her Ph.D. in Physiology. Her career as a professor took a turn, however, when she discovered the importance of the Bible’s Jewish setting, and began learning Hebrew and Greek and studying in the land of Israel.

The book makes reference to an “EnGedi Resource center” Not a Catholic site, probably more akin to Messianic Judaism.

Unless your faith is well grounded and strong and you have a good grasp of Catholic Theology I would stay clear from this book.

…

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Well from the quick look up on Amazon, I can say that there is no imprimatur from the Catholic Church. Further this book purports to “explain” to us that Jesus was a Jew.

Jesus certainly was a Jew. Considering that the author and the publisher, Zondervan, are Protestant, we could hardly expect them to request an Imprimatur.

 

[GEddie]

I wouldn’t avoid this book because of its non-Catholic source; Protestants and Jews have valuable insights into our LORD.

IMNAAHO

ICXC NIKA

 

[JerryZ]

I wouldn’t avoid this book because of its non-Catholic source; Protestants and Jews have valuable insights into our LORD.

IMNAAHO

ICXC NIKA

And nobody said you should. Caveat emptor. As stated, if you are well grounded in your faith there is no issue reading any books, even “chick tracts”.
But a book that portrays itself as “enhancing our reading of the Bible” and “Re-interpret Jesus Parables and saying” can be dangerous to someone with a weak faith and drive a wedge between that person and the true Church.

Which I believe has always known that Jesus and HIS Disciples WERE Jews.

…

 

[retrovert]

Thanks everybody. I guess I’ll give it a shot and put it down if I don’t like it…