Signs and Wonders: A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus

by Amy-Jill Levine

Explore the miracles of Jesus in Signs and Wonders with Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament studies and Bible study author. In Signs and A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine explores selected miracles of Jesus in historical and theological context. For each miracle, she discusses not only how past witnesses would have understood the events, but also how today’s readers can draw meaning from Jesus’s words and actions. Chapter topics Giving sight to the Metaphors of understanding (Mark 8, John 9) “Take up your pallet and walk” (the paralyzed man): On the role of caregivers A bleeding woman and a dead The importance of women’s bodies Walking on water and stilling the Ecological readings of the Gospels The feeding of the 5,000 (or more): The centrality of bread The raising of Taking death seriously Components for the six-week study include a book, comprehensive Leader Guide, and DVD/Video sessions featuring Amy-Jill Levine. Praise for Signs and Wonders Amy-Jill Levine has the rare and wonderful gift of being able to offer solid exegetical work to readers with or without formal theological training as if she is sitting in your living room sharing a cup of tea. Throughout this book she calls us to the interpretive work, reminding us that the big question is not "did this happen?" but "what does it mean?" and ultimately "so what?" How can these old miracle stories speak good news to our lives in this time and place and invite our own healing and transformation along the way? – Rev. Dr. Richard Simpson, Canon to the Ordinary (Assistant to the Bishop), Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts Amy-Jill Levine is herself a sign and wonder, a sign that reading the New Testament through Jewish eyes is not just essential but revelatory, and a wonder, as she always writes with verve, wisdom, humor and rich insight. Her latest is hardly an exception, an accessible, fascinating book we welcome eagerly. – James Howell, Senior Pastor, Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina With brilliant insight and trademark wit, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine reveals wondrous details of the most prominent miracles in the gospels. We become more than readers of these stories; we discover how to be recipients and participants in the ongoing, miraculous work of God. – Magrey R. deVega, Senior Pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, and author of The Bible A Journey through Scripture in 365 Days What a rich and accessible resource for anyone who wants to grow their understanding of the Gospels and the claims they make about Jesus! AJ Levine teaches us how to learn from the miracle stories, marvel at them, worry about them, and respond to them in our own lives. – Matthew L. Skinner, Professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary Making space for the believer and skeptic alike, Levine masterfully connects the miracles of the God of Israel with the miracles of Jesus. From friends who clear the way, to a father who pleads for his daughter, to sisters who stand resolute, Levine invites the reader to cherish the helpers and the healed as much as we cherish the healer. Levine's willingness to authentically share portions of her own story reminds the reader of the ways the miraculous breaks into our own lives. –Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Director of Connectional Ministry, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, The United Methodist Church Amy-Jill Levine engages the miracles of Jesus with scholarly acumen and signature wit. Christians who have been confused by these stories will find new clarity in her comprehensive context, including corrective understandings of Judaism. Those who have been intimidated by these texts will be encouraged by her candor.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Church, Christianity, Faith

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2022

About the author

Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Department of Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi; four children's books (with Sandy Sasso); The Gospel of Luke (with Ben Witherington III); and The Jewish Annotated New Testament (co-edited with Marc Z. Brettler). Her most recent books are The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (co-authored with Marc Z. Brettler), Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven; and The Kingdom of Heaven: 40 Devotionals. In 2019 she became the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. Professor Levine, who has done over 300 programs for churches, clergy groups, and seminaries, has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. Institutions granting her honorary degrees include Christian Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.

Reviews

[Lbech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a retired pastor. I sincerely wish I had Dr. Levine's books to read when I was writing sermons. She has a down-to-earth manner of explaining what we Christians do not understand about everyday Jewish practice and life in Jesus's day. I also appreciate her very positive attitude toward Jesus. She understands his Jewish faith and practice, which in turn enriches my understanding of him, too.

In this volume, she examines six well-known miracles of Jesus—the man let down through the roof, stilling the storm, feeding the 5K, the bleeding woman and the dead girl, the two-stage healing of the blind man, and raising Lazarus. All of these stories are part of the standard set of lessons many Protestants and Catholics use. Therefore, this book should be required reading for those of us using them. I have heard more than my share of sermons taking swipes at the Jews in these stories instead of understanding them as the same things we do today.

The book is easy to read, even chatty at times when she mentions her students at Hartford Seminary and Vanderbilt University. It would be good Sunday school material for adults and high school students, especially those familiar with these lessons. There is much to chew on.

I'm hooked on what she has to say and will be reading more of her accessible books on Jesus.

[Chelsea Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a weekly Bible study in my Sunday school class at church.

Growing up, it had never occurred to me to doubt whether Jesus *actually* performed miracles. Not that this book argues that that is the case, but it does ask you to look at the miracles - or “signs & wonders” - in ways that are different than you may have done before.

Levine offers fascinating commentary on why certain miracles were included in one gospel but excluded from the others, of traditional Jewish beliefs and how the miracles of Jesus served story purpose within that belief system, and of various interpretations of what each of these miracles *means*. Why do they matter?

I am grateful for new perspective and for the lessons offered from the miracles of Jesus: that we should advocate for each other (and ourselves), that we should stand with and attend to those with disabilities or other ailments, and that salvation isn’t always about when we’re dead but rather about life here and now.

[Kathy Persian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good examination of the miracles in the Bible. I definitely learned from this and her writing style is a little sassy, which I enjoy.

[Audrey Marcusen McMacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem with great non fiction books in audiobook from the library is i spend a lot of time pausing and making notes. And more notes. And then I end up ordering cheaply from thrift books ($3, why not) anyway.

[Molly Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read with some new insights on the miracles of Jesus. I found some of the connections and patterns the author pointed out especially helpful. As an English major it reminded me of reading the Bible like literature and looking for those connections more in symbols and other literary devices. Not giving it 5 stars because I don’t think I’ll be recommending it regularly and haven’t been talking about it a lot. Books that get 5 stars are the ones I can’t stop telling people about !!

[Diana (diana_reads_and_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason this took so long was that I got sick in Lent when my church was reading it and missed a week of study. It took me til now to finally pick it up and finish it—not because it’s bad but because I am a terrible procrastinator. I really enjoy Levine’s conversational style and intelligent wit. I took away a lot from this book and especially from the conversations with my fellow church members.

[Don W Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Book Discussing Miracles Performing Miracles & Their Significance

Amy-Jill Levine provides the reader with a guide to miracles performed by Jesus and discusses in a manner for the reader to understand what is their significance. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Jesus and how he provided miracles and other aspects of his teaching. Well written

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Amy-Jill Levine brings a Jewish historical perspective to several New Testament healing stories in Signs and Wonders: A Beginner's Guide to the Miracles of Jesus. Although I often read her books for Bible study classes, I picked up this one just because the subject looked interesting. And it was.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this book for a sermon series/Bible study. I love Amy Jill Levine’s work and this is up there with my favorites. I find her books so interesting, filled with information and perspectives I haven’t heard before — all told in her accessible, funny, down to earth way.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

AJ's books are always interesting. We used this one as a church wide Bible study with mostly good reviews. I like her point of view with her deep knowledge of the culture of Christ and the disciples. She may point to a word we always interpret one way and suggest a more nuanced view.

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our church is reading this for a Bible study class, and watching the short videos that accompany the book. I really like this author - very thoughtful but very readable. She gives you a lot of things to think about.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing perspective on the miracles of Jesus

[Magrey Devega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quintessential Amy-Jill Levine. Another good study.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I pick up something new by AJ Levine, I'm never disappointed!

[Shannon Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Jesus' miracles. Easy to read but still informative. We are using this for our Lenten study at my church.

[Jill M Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be put off by the title. Everyone can learn from this book by A.J. It's not simply a beginner's guide.You will enjoy it!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bible study through lent.

[K M Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Actually liked it being presented as multiple ways to look at Jesus. Not only from a Jewish or Christian viewpoint but athiest or scientist. Interesting