The Bible with and Without Jesus

Comprehensive Overview of "The Bible With and Without Jesus" by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler

Key Themes

1. Interfaith Dialogue: The book aims to enhance Jewish-Christian dialogue by exploring the intricate landscapes of Jewish and Christian biblical interpretations. It sheds light on both shared heritages and divergent paths in understanding the Bible.

2. Contextual and Intertextual Reading: The authors invite readers to read the Bible both contextually (without Jesus) and intertextually (with Jesus). This approach allows for a deeper understanding of how Jewish and Christian communities have woven their own unique traditions and meanings from the same sacred writings.

3. Historical and Theological Contexts: The book examines the historical and theological contexts that have shaped Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). It highlights the evolution of Jewish readings from Second Temple Judaism to rabbinic and medieval commentaries, and Christian interpretations emerging in the first century CE amidst the Roman Empire.

4. Shared and Divergent Interpretations: The authors explore how both traditions strive to answer fundamental questions about divine revelation, human ethics, and communal belonging through their sacred texts. They identify key themes and questions that bridge the interpretive divides between Jews and Christians, such as the role of prophecy, prooftexts, and polemics in biblical interpretation.

5. Rich Traditions of Exegesis: The book emphasizes the importance of context in shaping biblical interpretation. It highlights the rich traditions of exegesis in both Judaism and Christianity, including Jewish midrash and Christian interpretations through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

6. Constructive Approach: Levine and Brettler propose a constructive approach to multiplicity of exegetically legitimate interpretations, advocating for a welcoming approach to the multiplicity of interpretations. This approach is grounded in the recognition that understanding others helps us to understand ourselves.

Plot Summary

The book is divided into three major sections:

1. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Chapters 1-66): This section provides an overview of the primary differences and similarities in Jewish and Christian readings of the Bible, examining the historical and theological contexts that have shaped these differing approaches.
2. Close Analysis of Influential Texts (Chapters 67-418): This section delves into a close analysis of influential texts, such as the creation story, the role of Adam and Eve, the suffering servant passages in Isaiah, and the sign of Jonah. The authors compare Jewish, Christian, and academic interpretations of each ancient narrative, revealing how these texts have been understood differently by various communities.
3. Concluding Reflections (Chapters 419-426): The final section includes the authors’ own concluding reflections, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in interfaith dialogue and advocating for an open, honest, and empathetic approach to understanding each other’s scriptures.

Critical Reception

1. Academic Praise: The book has been praised for its scholarly rigor and its ability to facilitate deeper understanding between Jewish and Christian communities. It is recognized as a valuable contribution to contemporary biblical studies, enhancing Jewish-Christian dialogue and biblical interpretation.

2. Interfaith Dialogue: The book has been commended for its constructive approach to interfaith dialogue, highlighting the shared heritages and divergent paths in understanding the Bible. It encourages readers to appreciate the distinctive perspectives of each faith tradition, enhancing mutual understanding and respect.

3. Critical Insights: Some critics have noted that the book does not support the usual Jewish response to Christian missionaries regarding Isaiah 53, instead pointing out that early Jewish interpreters often read this passage as about an individual, not the nation of Israel.

4. Secular Audience: The book is also noted for its appeal to a Jewish and secular audience, under-representing reasons for Christian faith and generally putting Christianity into the category of speculative midrash that can be ignored.

Conclusion

"The Bible With and Without Jesus" by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler is a seminal work that enriches our understanding of faith, history, and the profound impact of interpretative traditions. By exploring stories, prophecies, and teachings through dual lenses, the book provides a comprehensive overview of how Jewish and Christian communities have each woven their own unique tapestries of tradition and meaning from the same sacred writings. Its constructive approach to interfaith dialogue and its emphasis on contextual and intertextual reading make it a valuable resource for scholars and readers seeking deeper spiritual insight into the Bible.