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For information, call The Society for Biblical Studies 781.641.4453 VOLUME 10, ISSSUE 1 September 2010 OR email us: [email protected] Was Really Jewish? Peter J. Miano full well that there are multiple the most popular subject in New meanings of the term Ioudaios that are Testament studies, reveals the That Jesus and his contemporaries, thus lost in the misleading translation. frequency with which the terms such as Paul, were Jewish is almost In scholarship, the religion of Jesus , Jewish and appear in the uncontested in popular conversation. and Paul is routinely referred to as scholarly discussion about 1st Century Preaching, Sunday school curricula Judaism. Jesus, Paul, their respective issues. Geza Vermes’ Jesus the Jew: A and hymnody all reinforce this notion. disciples and many of their enemies are Historian’s Reading of the Gospels and Most scholars label Jesus Jewish as routinely identified as , as well. It E.P. Sanders’ Jesus and Judaism are well, although it is a label that is has become axiomatic to say that Jesus illustrative examples of landmark attracting more and more critical was a Jew. Most scholars mechanically scholarship that define the terms of scholarly attention, as it well should. and uncritically repeat some variation discourse. Yet in neither of these or English translations of the of the theme that “The first Christians any other works is there any attempt at The Newsletter of The Society For Biblical Studies carelessly and misleadingly employ the were Jews.” (Owen Chadwick) Even a definition. It is rare to find any term Jew to translate the Greek word cursory examination of the literature (Continued on page 3) Ioudaios, even though scholars know on the subject of the historical Jesus, Was Jesus Really The Essence of Evil, cont’d.

Jewish? cont’d. (Continued from page 6) people. To me, never again means never Negotiations Under False Pretenses America. again against anybody or any religion. Gershon Baskin it is quite clear where the gaps are, or learned from the Oslo process is that (Continued from page 5) Some critics of the so-called Before there were gas chambers there more correctly, where they were each there is no such thing – there is no such The routine translation of the ground zero mosque project recall the were racial, religious and ethnic stereo- Direct Israeli-Palestinian negotia- time the negotiations reached their thing as constructive ambiguity in the Greek words Ioudaios/Ioudaioi Holocaust when Jews were lured into typing that dehumanized and demonized tions are likely to begin in the near fu- breaking point. The only way, accord- Israeli-Palestinian process; it often has into Jew/Jews in biblical concentration camps under the pretense the Jews. I am afraid this is happening in ture. The international community un- ing to Abbas, to ensure that there had deadly consequences. translation is not only unnecessary that these were actually holiday camps. America today. This time, Muslims and der the conductor’s wand of the Obama would be a chance of progress is to The main point of concern of the by any principle of translation, it is The implicit warning is that evil is usu- Islam are the targets. Administration has applied consider- make sure that the talks begin from the Palestinians remains the continued also historically inaccurate and ally disguised and the mosque project is I too am concerned about relig- able pressure to Palestinian President point they arrived to in the last round. building of settlements and their ex- misleading in a way that actually a cover for a more sinister ambi- iously motivated violence. But my ex- Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw from all Why should the talks have to begin pansion. During the Oslo process the encourages modern ethnic tion. The essence of evil is indeed its perience has taught me that Islam is far of his demands for setting the condi- from the zero point, as if nothing has number of settlers more than doubled stereotypes. The ethics of the Bible disguise, which is why I object so strenu- too complicated a religion and Muslim tions for his participation in the nego- happened in the past 20 years? in the same territory that the Palestini- are susceptible to modern moral ously to the pretentions of so many of the people far too diverse, just as much as tiations. In times gone by this would have ans believe must be part of their state, critique, e.g., when it endorses critics of the development of the commu- Christians are, to characterize them in Abbas’s demands were not without been called “constructive ambiguity,” a so how can Israel be negotiating in colonialism, genocide, slavery and nity center. I also think it is absolutely one rather negative way. Western suspi- logic. His main concern is that negotia- diplomatic term devised by Henry good faith if the settlement drive con- the subjugation of women. In the right to recall the memory of the Holo- cion and mistrust of peoples of the East tions are not the problem – decision Kissinger which enabled previous Is- tinues? This point is shared by the in- case of modern translations, it is caust, because the stereotyping of Mus- is deeply rooted. It sees the peoples of making is. After so many years of Is- raeli-Arab talks and understandings. ternational community. However, no not the Bible that does damage to lims and Islam that is going on today in the East as inimical to our way of life Since that time, much water has flowed raeli-Palestinian bilateral negotiations (Continued on page 7) Jews, it is the translators, who America and elsewhere strikes me as and determined to destroy us. It is ironic in the Jordan and one of the lessons incorrectly and insensitively equate being eerily reminiscent of the stereotyp- that this mistrust is mirrored by notorious modern Jews and Judaism with an ing of Jews in the early 1930's in Nazi expositors of violent jihad. Too many Visit us on Facebook. ancient past. Modern Jews Germany, not only as "the other" but critics of the so-called ground zero certainly trace their spiritual "other" in a seditious, sinister way. mosque have too much in common with Search for ancestry to the time of Jesus and I am writing this comment from the likes of Osama bin Laden. The dis- The Society for biblical Studies earlier, but it is not correct to call a place where the words "Never again" tance from Jihad to Crusade is not so Jesus a Jew any more than it is to have deep, personal meaning for a lot of great after all. PAGE 2 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 PAGE 7 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 The Essence of Bless the Baby Smashers? Negotiations Under False Pretenses, cont’d

Evil David Foreman and Bert Gary reverently cautious to read Scrip- (Continued from page 1) created the position of mediator which permanent status agreement in this tures in context, we can read the one has been able to apply significant has not existed until now in the process. round is dangerous for both peoples. Do you want to claim all the Bible saying a lot of things that the pressure on the Israeli government to The process could have empowered the Leading us to another dead-end in this Peter J. Miano blessings of the Bible? I’ve heard Bible “plainly” doesn't say. continue the full settlement building mediator to conduct the talks on the process is no less than criminal negli- pastors telling their congregants to Here are two ten-dollar words freeze beyond the initial 10 months. It basis of “single text negotiations” gence and an abuse of power and re- Nothing so illustrates the dete- claim this very thing. But I have that all students of the Bible should appears that it is much easier to apply where the mediator is the author of the sponsibility by both leaders. rioration of public discourse in Amer- reservations. And I raise my reser- learn: exegesis [pronounced ek-si- pressure on the Palestinian side. text and the point of reference in the Netanyahu and Abbas are the ob- ica than the current flap about the so- vations in order to question common JEE-sis] and eisegesis [pronounced The apparent compromise or negotiations is that text. The proximity stacle and the key to an agreement at called ground zero mosque. The cheap- assumptions about what the Bible is ahy-si-JEE-sis]. “fudging” that the international com- talks could have been used to advance the same time. Senator Mitchell and the ening of public debate by itself is cause and how to interpret it. Exegesis means “a reading out.” munity has connived is the issuing of agreement on issues of substance and Obama Administration will be there to enough for alarm, because there is no Now I like this blessing: It’s the faithful attempt to interpret a statement by the Quartet which will not on process. help, but the agreement must be democracy without public information. Blessed is he who has regard for the the message of Scriptures in context. indicate the basic parameters of the From the outset of the proximity reached between the Israeli and Pales- Popular pundits such as Glen Beck, weak; the LORD delivers him in Eisegesis means “a reading into.” negotiations without Israel having to talks, “success” was defined as getting tinian leaders. Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, not times of trouble. (Psalm 41:1) It’s the frequent and unfortunate state out loud that it accepts them. to direct negotiations. So, we can de- Can the weight of responsibility to mention once and future politicians But look at this one: Blessed practice of imposing external as- This, it is believed, will satisfy clare that we have success, but what and the small window of opportunity such as Newt Gingrich and Sarah shall he be who takes your little sumptions on Scriptures to the ne- Abbas’s need to turn to his people now? enable these two men to go where they Palin, generate heat but remarkably ones and dashes them against the glect of a serious attempt to search with a victory before he sits at the The direct talks must have a place have never gone before? Will Abbas be little light on a broad spectrum of is- rock! (Psalm 137:9 - ESV) for meaning in context. very table that he has refused to sit at at the table for the US mediator – direct able to make the deal that will liberate sues, especially this one, which is obvi- Do I really want to claim all the Eisegesis has an unfortunate since the election of the Netanyahu talks, yes, but with Senator Mitchell his people and enable them to be free in ously a sensitive one. Rather, they blessings in the Bible? I realize the result in the church. I've seen too government. The main problem with there guiding the process, like he did in their own land? Will Netanyahu be able flaunt their ratings as if the number of Bible assures us, "For every one of many dear saints look down on this is that both parties are essentially Northern Ireland. The mediator must be to let go of the dream of greater Israel viewers or listeners validates their God’s promises are “Yes” in him; themselves because they've entering into negotiations under false the one setting the agenda and when and let loose the shackles of control opinions. After all, 10,000 flies can’t therefore also through him the be wrong can they? I believe that sin- pretenses. necessary, which will be from the very over the Palestinians that Israel has cerely concerned individuals deserve Abbas probably didn’t have a outset, offering the bridging proposals. held since 1967? better than the misleading rants of sen- Do I really want to claim all the choice. He was surely told that the The mediator must be frank and The answer is yes if the two will sationalistic, journalistic bottom feed- only way that the international com- direct with both sides, both when sit- stop lying to their people and face up to ers and opportunistic politicians who blessings in the munity could persuade Netanyahu ting together and when in private. Nei- the reality that the mutual survival of want to capitalize on a hot button issue. into continuing ther side has a both peoples resides in an agreement More alarming than the decibel Bible? ...obviously I can’t claim the settlement During the Oslo BATNA (a that partitions the land between the Jor- levels of public discourse, however, is freeze, even term used in dan River and the Mediterranean sea process the number negotiations into two states, for two peoples, on the the casual disregard for accuracy in the right to be a blessed baby partially, is if reporting and the nonchalance with real negotia- of settlers more than theory which basis of the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem which ethnic and religious stereotyping smasher, can I? Houston, we tions were tak- stands for as the capitals of both states, and the creeps into public debate. The popular ing place. But doubled, so how can “the best al- right of return for both peoples to their debate about the so-called ground zero have a problem. soon the reality ternative to a own nation-states. mosque seems to center on the propri- will sink in Israel be negotiating negotiated ety of developing a section of lower when the two agreement”). Gershon Baskin is the founder and Manhatten as a mosque. Critics tend to sides are sitting in good faith if the Both parties co-CEO of the Israel/ Cen- at the table and might live in ter for Research and Information ignore the simple reality that there was “Amen” is spoken, to the glory we "claimed" some biblical promise there is no settlement drive con- some kind of and an elected member of the a mosque within three blocks of the give to God." (2 Cor 1:20 - plucked from its context, only to agreed starting delusionary Leadership of Israel’s Green Move- World Trade Center site before the NET) But obviously I can’t claim have God "fail to deliver on his point. tinues? reality which ment Political Party. He is a fre- twin towers were even built and that the right to be a blessed baby 'word.'" Since the fault can't be with I had ad- feels like the quent lecturer with and a member that mosque has remained active in the smasher, can I? Houston, we have a God, they conclude that it must be a vised the Mitchell team to use the status quo is alright. There may not be of the Advisory Board of The Soci- thirty years since their construction. problem. lack of faith on their part. So how proximity talks in a very different any sense of urgency on the ground in ety for Biblical Studies. They tend to ignore that there are two As I have grown to love and can we address this, maybe even fix way than they did. Proximity talks Israel and Palestine, as public opinion churches and a synagogue within a 5 trust the Bible, I’ve come to under- this? could have been intensive, they could research demonstrates on both sides of block radius of the site of the Septem- stand that the Scriptures “plainly” I now look at it like this. Just have been held in the United States the conflict line. But reality is signifi- ber 11 attack. How does discrimina- say a lot of things. But, where I see because God seems to promise a continuously. The proximity talks cantly more complex. Failure to reach a tion against a particular development us frequently getting off track is (Continued on page 3) project on the basis that, among other when we fail to realize that, if not PAGE 6 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1

Bless the Baby Smashers?, cont’d. Evil, cont’d. Was Jesus Really Jewish? cont’d

(Continued from page 4) frustration, the writer dreams of pay- (Continued from page 5) (Continued from page 1) misleading, their use is morally pointed remarks and most scathing blessing? There are a few Scriptures back. He can’t help it. He expresses his object to fear mongering and deliberate irresponsible. If Jesus, his critique is reserved for his own about it (2 Kgs 8:12; Isa 13:16; Hos desire in verse 9 that the tables might distortions. I also object to religious suggestion that such labels are disciples, his friends, his family people. His enemies, i.e., those 13:16; Nah 3:10). Amazingly, thanks one day be turned on his captors. slurs which infiltrate civic discourse in problematic. But yes, there is a and his people were Jewish, then who opposed him, were his fellow to eisegesis, hardcore doctrines have While usually avoided the America more and more each day. problem with our modern so were at least some of his Israelites. His friends and been established on less! We've seen barbarism of foreign powers, like baby Critics of the so-called ground translations of the Bible and the enemies, because the biblical followers, i.e., those who also great misuses with New Age fads, for smashing, he cries out a blessing on zero mosque project rely on and pro- contemporary application of these testimony is clear that Jesus was denied him, deserted him and example, like "prosperity teach- someone, anyone, who might one day mote a perception of Muslims and Is- modern terms to an ancient group. opposed, rejected, denied, betrayed betrayed him, were also his fellow ing." We then judge the faith of others smash Babylon’s babies on rocks. Let lam in general that is as misinformed My contention is that the terms and framed by his own people. The Israelites. They are almost always by how nice of a car they drive. And if them one day feel our pain. as it is repugnant. One way or another, Jew and Judaism are inappropriate biblical testimony is just as clear called Jews in modern biblical we drive a clunker, we judge ourselves Context is everything in biblical they claim that Islam is particularly when they are used for the first that Jesus was crucified by the scholarship. as faith-deficient. Let’s not let these exegesis, and in the Old Testament prone to violence. We know all too century or earlier. So, by the way is Romans, but at no place in the I raise this issue not out of abuses slide. Yes, the Bible is "good there is an intentional contrast between well of Islamic groups that promote the term Christian. Not only are Gospels does Jesus betray any anti- simple academic curiosity, but for doctrine," but this doesn't mean that the atrocities of war and idolatrous violence. Do we really know how they historically inaccurate and Roman sentiment. Jesus’ most (Continued on page 4) we can skim, pluck something out, and child sacrifices of her neighbors, and many of the 1 billion Muslims around twist it to fit our whims. the practices of Israel, the people cho- the globe who agree with such violent “Passing children through the fire” sen of God. actions? Why is there such a rush to cont’d. was the Ammonite’s practice of pagan Idolatry, of course, is when we characterize all Muslims based on the Bless the Baby Smashers?, child sacrifice to worship something actions of an extreme minority? My the calf-headed other than God. To- experience over twenty years of living (Continued from page 2) I don’t! I’ve been there, and I sume a personal promise from man-god named Today, too day, too many and working throughout the Middle wanted out. No one in their right God. Sometimes you can, admit- Molech (2 many Christians Christians treat the East with Muslims does not allow me blessing, like the promise of bless- mind, it seems to me, wants “the tedly. Good exegesis bears it out. Kings 16:3; 2 Bible as an object think like that. But really though, has ings on baby smashers, does not dark night of the soul.” We are do- Here’s an example, again from the Chronicles 28:3, treat the Bible as of worship, almost any religion generated more violence mean we can "claim" that biblical ing eisegesis, a reading into the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are 33:6; Jeremiah as if it’s a fourth than Christianity? Do we characterize promise for ourselves willy- Scripture our own false assump- you when people insult you, perse- 7:31; 19:2-6), an object of wor- member of the Holy Christianity as intrinsically violent, nilly. Context matters to faithful tion. We are reading into Jesus’ cute you and falsely say all kinds and this practice Trinity. But his because of the actions of extremists interpretation. And most Christians words something that’s not there. of evil against you because of was prohibited ship, almost as if Word (Jesus is the like Timothy McVeigh, not to mention would quickly agree, I think, that It takes nothing away from me me.” (Matthew 5:11) Context and by the Old Tes- Word of God— to more lethal episodes of the Cru- something is just wrong in ran- and you that Jesus blesses those content both promise something tament as idola- it’s a fourth mem- John 1:1-4, 14; Rev sades, the Inquisition, etc? Historically, domly claiming promises that may who at that moment (or any mo- straightforward and simple. It trous (not to 19:13) is a person the Bible has been employed to legiti- mean something vastly different in ment) may be walking through the doesn’t mean that you should go mention abhor- ber of the Holy who is alive, active, mate colonialism, slavery, and, among context, and promises that may not valley of the shadow of death. This out trying to make people hate you rent). Parallel- Trinity. more powerful that other not so noble endeavors, the sub- even apply to them. misreading is so human. We turn and lie about you so you can earn ing this pagan a double-edged jugation of women. Maybe it would be Look, brothers and sisters. Jesus’ beautiful blessing on those the blessing! It means that when worship barba- sword, and not con- well for more Christians to recall the What if it’s not that God has failed who are in deep despair into a your love and loyalty to Jesus re- rism was the gruesome military prac- fined to a book, not even the Holy Bi- words of Jesus when he said, “First on his promises or that you lacked “how to” formula for earning his sults in the deep hurt that comes tice employed by some of Israel’s ene- ble. take the log out of your own eye so faith? What if sound exegesis re- blessing! Why can’t we just cele- from people hating you and lying mies of dashing captured children on you can see to take the spec out of your veals that he never made those brate that Jesus blesses people in about you, know deep in your heart rocks, even opening up the wombs of The Rev. Bert Gary is a faculty mem- brother’s” Here in Israel, I see Jewish promises to you in the first place? spiritual meltdown, knowing that that you are blessed personally by captured pregnant women to accom- ber of The Society for Biblical Stud- extremists up close and first hand as Jesus blessed a variety of peo- the time may come, sooner that we that same Lord. That’s a biblical plish this. ies. This article was published in much as I have seen Islamic extrem- ple in what is called The Beati- might wish, when one of those un- promise you can bank on when These practices were despised by Plain Truth Magazine by the title, ists, but would that entitle me to char- tudes recorded in his Sermon on fortunates may be one of us? such a situation arises. the biblical writers. Yet in Psalm 137, "Does the Bible Really Say That?" acterize Judaism as purely violent? No the Mount. Here’s one: "Blessed I believe, as Scripture says, all We can avoid misusing the baby smashing is given a painful twist. religion is so simple to be character- are the poor in spirit, for theirs is of God's promises are Yes and Scriptures by the very way we ap- The psalmist bemoans Israel’s captiv- ized this way. To do so is the essence the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew Amen. When God really makes proach them in the first place. Yes, ity in Babylon. There is weeping and of bigotry and it is inconsistent with 5:3) This blessing is widely inter- you a promise, he will really keep Scripture is good for training, doc- unimaginable hardship. He calls his American religious values, or at least it preted as: I have to be poor in it. But just because you make a trine, etc. But (and I'm sure some captors tormentors. He calls Babylon a should be. But I see this happening in spirit to get the kingdom of heaven. quick reading (or misreading) of a "fundies" will crucify me for this) devastator. With very honest, human (Continued on page 8) But who wants to be poor in spirit? verse, doesn't mean you can pre- (Continued on page 4) PAGE 4 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 PAGE 5 THENEWSLETTEROFTHESOCIETYFORBIBLICALSTUDIES VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 Bless the Baby Was Jesus Really Jewish? cont’d Was Jesus Really Jewish? cont’d Evil, cont’d

(Continued from page 3) members of the group to which Jesus cont’d. (Continued from page 4) Employing the term Jew/Jews (Continued from page 2) Smashers?, because the common belief that Jesus, and Paul both belong, which, by the modern English word Jew derives to translate words things, it will house a Mosque square his people and by extension his way, they refer to as Israel. When the from the ancient Greek word Ioudaios, ignores the obvious and sharp with American religious and democ- (Continued from page 3) enemies were Jews, which seems magi come from the East, they inquire but it does not correctly translate it. distinctions between the modern ratic values? The answer that no one Scripture is not the “end all” in know- benign on the surface, lies at root of of Herod, “Where is he who has been Forcing such a translation does Jewish people and their ancient would be allowed to build a church in ing God. This is not my opinion. Je- one of the more repugnant canards of born king of the Ioudaioi?” (Mt. 2:2) damage to the forebears. Modern Mecca is peculiar in that it seems to sus said it. “You diligently study the Christian anti-Semitism, specifically When Jesus stands before Pilate, meaning of the ancient Judaism is a broad suggest that we should model our de- Scriptures because you think that by the belief that the Jews killed Jesus. Pilate asks him, “Are you the king of biblical texts. Scholars The modern and rich mocratic values after those of a feudal them you possess eternal life. These Such a canard deserves the moral the Ioudaioi?” (Mt. 27:11) know that the Greek experience just as monarchy. Since when does American are the Scriptures that testify about disdain it has earned, but all the Interestingly, neither Pilate nor the English word 40 word Ioudaios, as it is its ancient democracy imitate Saudi Arabia? By me, yet you refuse to come to me to evidence suggests that it is historically magi are Israelites. Moreover, when in employed in the New predecessors were. the way, it is not just Muslim societies have life.” (John 5:39-40) incorrect too. the gospels, Israelites do label Jesus, Jew derives Testament, has at least Scholars do not that restrict religious freedoms. We He has life, not the paper and ink. Even though modern they refer to him not as a Ioudaios, four distinct agree on what would not be allowed to build a church The purpose of the Scriptures is to scholarship routinely and uncritically but as a Galiean. (Galilaiou, Mt. from the ancient meanings. It was used defined the ancient anywhere in “democratic” Israel either. point us to life in him. Scriptures in- refers to Judaism as a phenomenon 26:69) in Roman society to Greek word group of people Why would any flag loving American vite us to draw near to him, and let with distinct religious, cultural and refer to the group of who called want to degrade American democratic him reveal himself to us personally. ethnic dimensions in the 1st Century, people who were Ioudaios, but it themselves Israel values by undermining a constitutional Let him reveal truth to us personally. in extant 1st Century literature a term loosely related to the and were called right? Scriptures are for our aid and guidance that can be loosely translated as does not cor- cult of with Judeans by the Critics of the so-called ground in getting to him. To make Scriptures Judaism occurs only one time (Gal. As I its center in Jerusalem. Romans and other zero mosque, including pundits and more than that, biblically speaking, is 1:13-14). This deficit is telling. Even said, the mechanical, uncritical rectly translate This is the sense in outsiders. We politicians, also tend to ignore the fact idolatry. The Bible isn’t God. It points more telling, however, is the simple identification of Jesus and his which Tacitus uses it. know, however, that the neighborhood within five us to him and leads us to life abundant fact that there is no place in scripture people—including his enemies—as it. Paul and that animal blocks of the site of the World Trade in a close personal relationship with or any other extant 1st Century Jews is at the root of at least one of also use the term Ioudaios, but only sacrifice was the principle ritual act Center is not a particularly wholesome him. literature about Jesus where Jesus the repugnant canards of Christian when their audiences are composed of performed by people of the house of one to begin with. They argue that I have come to trust that the Bible refers to anti-Semitism. non-Israaelites as it is in many of Israel, as Jesus knew it. We also know building a mosque there would be in- is divinely inspired by God. But there himself as a The noble ...the terms Chris- Paul’s letters. The term was also used that no modern Jewish groups practice sulting to the memory of the Septem- is a difference between divine inspira- Jew. He does efforts of to connote members of the ruling class animal sacrifice—quite a distinct ber 11 disaster. Am I to understand that tion and divine "dictation." It was, af- not use that tian, Jew and Juda- scores of in Jerusalem who administered the disparity. Modern Jews trace their the Pussycat Lounge, located within ter all, God who completely trusted label for scholars and Temple cult. A third definition is a ancestry through the mother’s blood five blocks of ground zero and where the imperfect human beings who himself. In the ism are inappropri- clergy to geographical one—it refers to the line. In the time of Jesus, lineage was they proudly advertise that they can wrote and collected the documents in two locations eradicate region of and those who lived traced through the father’s blood line. arrange private lap dances, somehow our Bible. He created these people, in Paul’s ate for the first cen- Christian anti- there. A fourth meaning, found Modern Judaism is based on the honors the memory of September 11? endowed them with intelligence and letters where Semitism has tury or earlier. Not especially in John’s gospel, refers to Talmuds. Jesus and Paul never even Most importantly, however, talent and skill, and employed them by Paul identifies not succeeded. Jesus’ enemies, who in that gospel are heard of these. Israelite religion is my concern over the debate about the the power of his Holy Spirit to write himself with Curiously, only are they histori- always Ioudaioi, better translated as easily distinguished from modern ground zero mosque centers on the those things which lead us to knowl- labels, it is though, those Judeans, than Jews. The terms Rabbinic Judaism. So easily atmosphere of bigotry in which it oc- edge of God. significant that same scores of cally inaccurate and Ioudaios and its plural version occurs distinguishable are the two that curs. Consult your dictionary of choice This is why I cannot label the Bi- he does not clergy and frequently in John, almost 60 times modern Jewish scholars are and you will find that bigotry is de- ble, as it is often labeled, as an refer to himself misleading, their scholars are compared with fewer than ten times in increasingly candid about the issue. fined as religious intolerance or intol- “owner’s manual,” a “playbook,” a as a Ioudaios. among those the other three canonical gospels Jacob Neusner distinguishes between erance and hatred of a particular group. “rulebook,” or a “how to If Jesus or Paul use is morally irre- most eager to combined. This disproportionate the two by use of the terms formative Thanks to 24 hour cable news stations guide.” These smack to me of market- were to self label Jesus and frequency in John points to a definition Judaism vs. normative Judaism. Paul and talk radio in which ratings are ing gimmicks. I see the Bible as the identify as sponsible. his people— for a stipulative definition for a Fredriksen prefers to speak of more important public information, inspired story of God’s love for his Jews, they including his specifically Johannine context. It is our in order to acknowledge the bigotry is the suffocating atmosphere people, and his determination to have would use the Greek term Ioudaios. enemies—as Jews. Are they or we job as biblical scholars to identify that distinctions. Some, like the Israeli in which all public discussion of the so a relationship of utter union with There are only two places in Scripture required by any principle of biblical context and prevent the cavalier historian Schlomo Sand, insist that -called ground zero mosque takes place them. We are invited by Scripture to where Jesus is defined by the Greek translation to render the Greek word translation of ancient terms into there never was anything like a Jewish in America today. I don't object to sin- abide in him, even as he abides in us. term Ioudaios (Judean or Jew). In Ioudaios with the English word Jew? modern ones, especially when this “people” in the time of Jesus. cere concern about public issues. I do So what about the baby smashing both instances, the term Ioudaios is The answer is an emphatic NO! The causes real damage. (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 6) employed by people who are not (Continued on page 5)