Current Jewish arguments against Christianity

[triumphantlamb]

I was wondering what today's Jewish people have as a reason not to believe Christ is Messiah? What do they say when you point to all the prophecies, etc. having been fulfilled, the resurrection, Pentecost, etc.?

The only Jewish people I've known have been pretty secular; more that it was just their culture and heritage and they didn't think much deeper than that.

(Also I know a lot of Christians like that too...)

[Robbinson]

I was wondering what today's Jewish people have as a reason not to believe Christ is Messiah? What do they say when you point to all the prophecies, etc. having been fulfilled, the resurrection, Pentecost, etc.?

The only Jewish people I've known have been pretty secular; more that it was just their culture and heritage and they didn't think much deeper than that.

(Also I know a lot of Christians like that too...)

With the great risk of generalizing (there are many divergent views on this - on other matters of faith within the Jewish community), they largely deny as messianic, the prophesies relating to the Messiah's priestly function (e.g., Isaiah 53) and therefore say the Messiah is to be a king ushering in a world of peace. They look at he world and say, no peace, thus no Messiah. I am a Jewish believer in Christ (either a born again Christian or Messianic Jew depending upon which label someone wants to use) and I have this discussion with Jewish friends from time to time. Interesting, many secular Jews are willing to listen and are largely ignorant of rabbinic interpretations of these verses and thus more likely to try to understand the scriptural verses. Many Orthodox views are very defensive about the subject and will focus primarily, if not exclusively, on rabbinic interpretation in the Talmud, rather than on scritpure itself.

Regards,

Brian

[triumphantlamb]

Thanks Brian.

After my first post I dug around and found Rabbi Tovia's site outreachjudiasm.com and read through a little of it. It seems his take on it is that the Apostles mistranslated and misapplied (purposefully) the Hebrew texts and Jesus's life to make the "prophecies" match up. (I put prophecies in quotes because he says some are not prophecies at all.)

[Robbinson]

Thanks Brian.

After my first post I dug around and found Rabbi Tovia's site outreachjudiasm.com and read through a little of it. It seems his take on it is that the Apostles mistranslated and misapplied (purposefully) the Hebrew texts and Jesus's life to make the "prophecies" match up. (I put prophecies in quotes because he says some are not prophecies at all.)

Yes - Tovia Singer is one the leading Jewish antimissionaries. If you are interested, there was a public debate between Tovia and Michael Brown (a Jewish believer who is a semetic scholar) that you can find on Michael Brown's website - realmessiah.org. Its worth a listen. Michael also has a 4 volume work on answering Jewish questions to Jesus that is wonderful - summaries of some of the more salient points are also on his website.

Regards,

Brian

[Hootmon]

I was wondering what today's Jewish people have as a reason not to believe Christ is Messiah? What do they say when you point to all the prophecies, etc. having been fulfilled, the resurrection, Pentecost, etc.?They have a case of 'tunnel vision' when it comes to Messiah.

Prophecy shows either two seperate Messaiahs (ben Joseph and ben David), or two-rolled-into-one (Jesus from the Christian perspective).

[BenBenson]

Thanks Brian.

After my first post I dug around and found Rabbi Tovia's site outreachjudiasm.com and read through a little of it. It seems his take on it is that the Apostles mistranslated and misapplied (purposefully) the Hebrew texts and Jesus's life to make the "prophecies" match up. (I put prophecies in quotes because he says some are not prophecies at all.)

Wow. I will have to take a look at that site. Sounds interesting. I wonder what his reasoning is behind the temple destruction prophecies? Probably of the school that they were all made post temple destruction I reckon. But the fact that it happened still would be a problem though. I mean, why would God pour out his wrath and destroy their temple and scatter them? These are pretty severe punishments. Does attempt to explain these?

[Born Again]

I came across this today:

http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/jewishsociety/Why_Jews_Dont_Believe_In_Jesus.asp

I pray the Lord will remove the scales from their eyes and see that Jesus was and still is their true Messiah. :pray

[Zaphnathpaaneah]

I came across this today:

http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/jewishsociety/Why_Jews_Dont_Believe_In_Jesus.asp

I pray the Lord will remove the scales from their eyes and see that Jesus was and still is their true Messiah. :pray


I looked at this and there's nothing new there. It's the same arguments that pop up again and again, but they've been answered over time.

These arguments try to paint the picture that first century Judaism was a unified block of one belief, but there were groups (24 groups and sub-groups from what I recently read) of which some didn't even believe in resurrection (like the Saducees).

[Timothy Long]

The Biblical perspective, and that is all that matters, Jesus says I am the Messiah or Christ.

When talking to the woman at the well, in John, Jesus is told of messiah. Jesus said I am he.
John 4:25-26

[denny272]

They have a case of 'tunnel vision' when it comes to Messiah.

Prophecy shows either two seperate Messaiahs (ben Joseph and ben David), or two-rolled-into-one (Jesus from the Christian perspective).


I'm confused:scratch What is the difference between Mashiach ben David and Mashiach ben Joseph (never heard of this one?)

Mashiach ben David is the Messiah from the root or house of David.

Ya know, come to think of it, I have no idea how Joseph has any part of it?? If Jesus whas conceived of the Holy Spirit to Mary, then there isn't any blood or DNA linage from Joseph or David?? :idunno:idunno:idunno

Unless, you use God's "donation" as the relative of King David??

Thoughts anyone?????????