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Justice, Jesus, and the Jews: A Proposal for Jewish-Christian Relations »

Authors: Michael L. Cook
ISBN-13: 9780814651483, ISBN-10: 0814651488
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Liturgical Press, The
Date Published: January 2003
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Michael L. Cook

Book Synopsis

Justice, Jesus, and the Jews does not address the eventual triumph of both Rabbinic Judaism and Gentile Christianity and the corresponding failure of a more Jewish Christianity. It centers rather on our common root, the Hebrew Bible, and the relationship of the Jewish prophet Jesus of Nazareth to his ancestral heritage. The correspondence between the biblical notion of justice and Jesus' proclamation of the reign of God raises questions for both Jews and Christians. As such, it also provides a common ground or lens for Jewish-Christian dialogue. The hope is that the focus upon justice will deepen that dialogue.

	Acknowledgments
	Introduction
Ch. 1	"Speak the Truth to One Another" (Zech 8:16): Issues in Jewish-Christian Relations	1
	Is Jewish-Christian Dialogue Possible?	2
	The Gospel of Matthew: An Example of the Necessity and Difficulty in Reading Each Other's Texts	7
	Three Ways to Read/Interpret the Hebrew Scriptures	9
	Is There a Key Issue in the Jewish-Christian Dialogue?	20
Ch. 2	"Where Is the God of Justice?" (Mal 2:17): The Blessing of Jacob-Israel	33
	Liberation from Exile: The Origins of Israel	36
	A New Life with God: Covenantal Fidelity and Justice	42
	"A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey": Israel's Destiny	50
	Appendix: Malachi: The Last of the Writing Prophets	55
Ch. 3	"Strive First for the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness" (Matt 6:33): Jesus' Mission of Israel	73
	Yhwh Alone Is King in Israel	75
	Yhwh's sedaqa: Renewal of Covenantal Loyalty	78
	Yhwh's mispat: Reconstitution of Israel	84
	Yhwh's Return to Zion: Judgement and Restoration	95
	Conclusion: "All The Words That the Lord Has Spoken We Will Do" (Exod 24:3)	114
	Bibliography	119
	Index of Subject	129