A Jewish Understanding of the New Testament

by Rabbi Samuel Sandmel, David Sandmel (Introduction)

Many Jewish people know the New Testament only through snippets of verse heard at a Christian wedding or funeral, or through a chapter read in literature class. Many are completely unfamiliar with the meaning or messages of Christian scripture and therefore hold strange or startling judgments about it. A Jewish Understanding of the New Testament introduces the text to Jewish readers. Samuel Sandmel applies scholarly criticism and provides historical background to the writings of the New Testament, revealing how the sacred literature of other religions can provide fresh perspectives on one's own beliefs. Without compromising his Jewish identity or encouraging any traditional Jewish stereotypes of the New Testament, Sandmel offers an enlightened view of Christian beliefs and encourages readers to acknowledge their common humanity with people of all religions. (Previously published by KTAV Publishing House, 1974, ISBN 0-870682-628.)

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Judaica

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1955

Reviews

[SDAntoNia]

This book was a fascinating study in why and how to understand the perspective of another -another so different than yourself as to almost defy understanding, or wanting to understand. As a convert to Judaism, I thought I understood Christianity and the Christian point of view regarding Judaism, but I was wrong. I was struck again and again, for instance on page 135, by the fact that from 2000 years ago, and particularly from another point of view, these writings were very moving, and filled a human need. Too bad these writings and those human needs were often mis-used in the ensuing years, to the great loss of many human beings.
27 June, 12017 HE
Shira

[Erik Graff]

Although ostensibly written for a Jewish readership, Sandmel's book serves as a decent introduction to the Christian scriptures. It was recommended to us in a two semester "Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures/Christian Scriptures" course taught by the chaplain at Grinnell College, Dennis Haas.

Recently I met the gradson of Sandmel. He, the son of a rabbi, has been a student at Shimer College here in Chicago.

[Andy Oram]

In a readable but carefully argued way, Sandmel lays out some key
Christian doctrines and the apparent motivations for various
statements and stories in the New Testament. This research can
certainly be found elsewhere, but the author presents it in a way
that's particularly understandable and relevant to those with a Jewish
background. He has an agenda, however: he emphasizes the influences of
Greek philosophy on Christianity to the point of minimizing its Jewish
roots.

[Margie Dorn]

An important, worthwhile read. Eminently discussable.

[Sara]

This classic from the 1950s was really helpful to me to understand history and times.

[Tony]

A Companion to the authors earlier work. From a Jewish point of view, not as academically balanced