Jewish Roots of Christian Faith part 1

(I shot this on my first trip to Israel back in '07)
In preparation for a trip to Israel and Palestine that I'm leading in a few short months, I've been devouring any book I can get my hands on that discusses the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. It's unfortunate that modern Christianity has too often laid claim to a vast heritage from the past about which it has remained largely ignorant.

Stuart Rosenberg reminds the Christian community that before one can be "fully Christian," one must also "know what it means to be a Jew." Scripture was written by 37 authors in the ancient near-east over a span of 1500 years. It was written in a particular time and particular place. But let's be honest, from a western point-of-view, much of scripture is chock-full of confusing Hebrew idioms, characters with eight consonances in their name, and customs that feel, well, 1500 years away.

We have to remember though that "personal study" of scripture is a recent discipline for the masses. In 1534, it was Luther who translated the Word into German. It was always meant to be studied in the context of community. The expansion of access (though becoming more readily available) has contributed to our oft misinformed understanding of the nature and character of God.

It is understandable why we have been more exposed to and influenced by the philosophical culture of the ancient Greeks, especially Platonic thought. A colossal cultural curtain has separated the West from the East. Yet, Jesus was Jewish. In fact all the writers of scripture with the rare exception were Jewish. But most know very little of our foundational Jewish heritage.

Thought I'd take some time in the coming months to share some fresh insights I've received from personal study and reflection.