cardw Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Here is an interview with Lawrence Kushner and how the name of g-d was said by the High Priest at Yom Kippur so that he wouldn't be killed. Quote Rich http://tiny.cc/CM2j8
Moderators John317 Posted March 7, 2011 Moderators Posted March 7, 2011 According to some Jewish traditions. But in the Bible, there's nothing about such a thing as having to say the name of God just exactly right. Most of what he says is interesting from a purely historical/traditional viewpoint if one is interested in Judaism, which I am, but he says very little that is supported by the Scriptures themselves. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
cardw Posted March 7, 2011 Author Posted March 7, 2011 According to some Jewish traditions. But in the Bible, there's nothing about such a thing as having to say the name of God just exactly right. Most of what he says is interesting from a purely historical/traditional viewpoint if one is interested in Judaism, which I am, but he says very little that is supported by the Scriptures themselves. I figure that the Jews wrote the book would probably know more about how to read it. Quote Rich http://tiny.cc/CM2j8
Moderators John317 Posted March 7, 2011 Moderators Posted March 7, 2011 I figure that the Jews wrote the book would probably know more about how to read it. I didn't say the Jews don't know how to read the Bible. What I'm pointing out is that Lawrence Kushner is not exegeting, or interpreting, the Bible, but he's talking about Jewish tradition. I enjoy studying Jewish history and Jewish tradition and practices, but those things are not the same as understanding the meaning of the Bible. We must keep in mind that the Jews as a whole rejected the Messiah when He came, and they still don't recognize Him (although millions of individual Jews do), so this shows that although they know how to read the Bible, yet there's much of it that they simply do not understand. And this is despite that fact that, as Christ Himself said, "Salavation is of the Jews." The writers of the Bible were Jewish, true, but that is far different from saying that "the Jews" as a people wrote the Bible. Lawrence Kushner, for instance, didn't write any of the Bible any more than you or I did. You'll notice in the Bible itself that the Jews who wrote the Bible often talk about how the Jewish people in general are rebellious, stubborn, disobedient, and without true knowledge of what God revealed to them. Therefore, the mere fact that the Jews have a particular understanding of the Bible can't be taken to mean that they know what it signifies. In his interview, Lawrence Kushner even says that he's talking about Jewish tradition, not about the text or teaching of the Bible itself. Notice how many times he references "Jewish tradition" and how he seperates this from the Bible's teaching. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators Gerr Posted March 7, 2011 Moderators Posted March 7, 2011 Maybe I missed it, but I have yet to come across that text that says you'd be struck dead if you uttered the named of God. Quote
Members phkrause Posted March 7, 2011 Members Posted March 7, 2011 Originally Posted By: cardw I figure that the Jews wrote the book would probably know more about how to read it. I didn't say the Jews don't know how to read the Bible. What I'm pointing out is that Lawrence Kushner is not exegeting, or interpreting, the Bible, but he's talking about Jewish tradition. I enjoy studying Jewish history and Jewish tradition and practices, but those things are not the same as understanding the meaning of the Bible. We must keep in mind that the Jews as a whole rejected the Messiah when He came, and they still don't recognize Him, so this shows that although they know how to read the Bible, yet there's much of it that they simply do not understand. The writers of the Bible were Jewish, true, but that is far different from saying that "the Jews" as a people wrote the Bible. Lawrence Kushner, for instance, didn't write any of the Bible any more than you or I did. You'll notice in the Bible itself that the Jews who wrote the Bible often talk about how the Jewish people in general are rebellious, stubborn, disobedient, and without true knowledge of what God revealed to them. Therefore, the mere fact that the Jews have a particular understanding of the Bible can't be taken to mean that they know what it signifies. In his interview, Lawrence Kushner even says that he's talking about Jewish tradition, not about the text or teaching of the Bible itself. Notice how many times he references "Jewish tradition" and how he seperates this from the Bible's teaching. And also he says "I believe that's what he said". It seems he is one of very few, if only the only one. The Greatest Rabbi's don't seem to agree otherwise I believe we would've heard this before. And on top of all this Jews do believe that you just don't say God's name in any form, This is all "tradition" or "suppistion"(sp). Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
skyblue888 Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Originally Posted By: John317 According to some Jewish traditions. But in the Bible, there's nothing about such a thing as having to say the name of God just exactly right. Most of what he says is interesting from a purely historical/traditional viewpoint if one is interested in Judaism, which I am, but he says very little that is supported by the Scriptures themselves. I figure that the Jews wrote the book would probably know more about how to read it. However Jesus said to them--the Jews--that they understood neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. I think if Jesus was here now He would say the same thing to us! sky :) Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
cardw Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 However Jesus said to them--the Jews--that they understood neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. I think if Jesus was here now He would say the same thing to us! sky This video is a great example of midrash. It is the extrapolation of implied relationships. "Midrash is a way of interpreting biblical stories that goes beyond simple distillation of religious, legal or moral teachings. It fills in many gaps left in the biblical narrative regarding events and personalities that are only hinted at." When you read the New Testament you can recognize Jesus doing many of the same techniques. It is a tradition of mystic understanding. So Jesus may tell most of the literalist today that they understand neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Christianity has no midrash tradition, so if you want to understand the Jewishness of Christianity you have to understand this method. Remember Jesus was Jewish, not Christian. Quote Rich http://tiny.cc/CM2j8
skyblue888 Posted March 8, 2011 Posted March 8, 2011 Jesus may have been born from the Jews but He was not affected by their traditions. In fact, He stayed away from any Jewish tradition that did not have its origin with God and even then those traditions that came from God had been perverted by the Jews. Jesus was not your typical Jew. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
cardw Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 Jesus was not your typical Jew. Should I respond by saying that Jesus wasn't your "typical" Christian who, instead of discussing ideas, uses bigotry and prejudice? Quote Rich http://tiny.cc/CM2j8
cardw Posted March 8, 2011 Author Posted March 8, 2011 And on top of all this Jews do believe that you just don't say God's name in any form, This is all "tradition" or "suppistion"(sp). The idea of not saying god's name is philosophical. It has a very rational source. To give g-d a name is to reduce god to a human idea. They believe that the great and unknowable nature of god cannot be reduced to a name. It is simply a reminder of that idea and a reminder of the great mystery of god. It is not superstition. Some may treat it as a tradition, but it has its origin in philosophy. Quote Rich http://tiny.cc/CM2j8
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