Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: Removing Western Filters

I started this series on Lois Tverberg's Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus talking about the idea of how it's easy for a reader to view Scripture through the lens of the 21st Century—and even a Western perspective.

On page 18, she quotes New Testament Scholar Kenneth E. Bailey, where he writes:

"The Bible is an Eastern book. We see it through the colored glasses of Western culture. Much is lost. We miss the subtleties of humor and many of the underlying assumptions. We do not understand the ingrained attitudes that illuminate a story or illustration... what likes between the lines, what is felt and not spoken, is of deepest significance..... It is my perception that for us as Westerners, the cultural distance "over" to the Middle East is greater than the distance 'back' to the first century. The cultural gulf between the West and the East is deeper and wider than the gulf between the first century (in the Middle East) and the contemporary conservative Middle Eastern village."

What does this mean for the modern, Western reader who wishes to follow Christ and live according to His Word? How can we learn the Jewish perspective and read with Eastern eyes?

Do you agree with this statement—that it is harder bridge to understanding the cultural differences between the East and West than to the mindset of someone 2000 years ago?

It's because of this that I've been embarking on this study. As a Western female in 2018, I do not want to miss even one drop of truth from the Bible because I don't understand a cultural nuance—even though I know that I have. I know I have these filters, so I am asking God to help me read with Eastern eyes.

Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: Removing Our Filters

Recently, I've been trying to peel back the filters of being a 21st century, American, female reader when reading the Bible. It's so easy for me to assume so much from my culture and worldview as I read the Bible. But what would it mean to read with Jewish eyes?

To this end, one of the books I read recently is Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg.

Tverberg opens the book with statements supporting this view: "How can [non-Jewish] Christians be equipped to read the Bible from the Hebraic perspective of its first readers? What big-picture ideas do we need to understand?.... In the past few decades, we've been realizing that Jesus has been overly cast within Greco-Roman society to the neglect of His Jewish context. Jesus interacted with a wide spectrum of people—Samaritans, Romans, Greeks—and yet His Galilean upbringing and ministry were profoundly, deeply Jewish. While we find Paul preaching to Greek audiences, Jesus' words fit far better into Judaism than a Gentile context." (p. 11, emphasis and insertions mine).

This is what I want to discover, and I feel like this book is an excellent introduction into this topic. Care to dive in with me? In the next few posts, I'll explore just a few of the themes Tverberg focuses on. Stay tuned!

Quest for the Historical Apostles

I went to Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, Ga, from 2005-2007. During that time, I completed my English degree and a minor in Bible (although, I didn't apply for the certificate to show the minor).

Anywho, when I found out that one of my former professors wrote a book, I had to check it out for myself!

Dr. W. Brian Shelton's book, Quest for the Historical Apostles, really intrigued me. I could see the immense research that went into such a topic, as Dr. Shelton explored the paths of each of the apostles from their journeys with Jesus, receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost through their ministries in faraway lands—and deaths for His' sake.

My favorite part of this book was how it was written: exactly as promised. Dr. Shelton takes the reader on a quest, much like the disciples themselves went on.

If you love Biblical history, this is a great book to check out.

The Zion Chronicles

The Zion Chronicles pick up with the Zion Covenant Series left off.

Except this time, the reader is taken to Israel in 1948, in the months leading up to Israel's independence.

image taken from here

Even though this 5-book series picks up roughly 9 years after the close of the Zion Covenant Series, Bodie and Brock Thoene connect the two extremely well. Even better, as you get farther and farther in, familiar characters pop up and take you along on their journeys.

You'll find yourself winding through the streets of Jerusalem, looking for ways into the kibbutz of the Old Quarter along with the characters. You'll root for them and for their freedom, all while exploring the unforgettable, ancient streets of Jerusalem... both above and below the surface of the earth.

Best of all, in my opinion, is the real hero of this series (other than God)—a shaggy dog named Shaul.

The Zion Covenant Series

I just finished re-reading the Zion Covenant Series by Bodie and Brock Thoene.

Set in pre-WWII, this series takes you throughout Germany, Austria, Prague, France, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, Israel, and even California. It's an adventure of incredible proportions, set in the heartbreaking and explosive era of Hitler's rise to power and Nazism.

image from here

Through Elisa and Murphy, Theo and Karin, Thomas, Rachel, Archie, Otto, Leah and Shimon, and so many, many more, the reader is given just a small glimpse of what life was like during that time. The detail is so rich, you can almost hear Elisa's violin and Leah's cello, Vittorio, play their symphonies, the clackety-clack of Murphy's keys as he typed up his stories.... and the silence bred by terror as the world turned upside down and inside out, never to be the same again. 

The writers will take you from the screaming of a madman, through the secret messages carried by instrument and finally, played over the airways, to the cries of an infant, helpless, as he is hidden in plain sight as his family is taken away to Auschwitz—and then taken across many borders until finally reaching his grandfather in Israel.... which is where Theones' next series picks up. 

For lovers of historical fiction in WWII, this series is a must. 

The Restoration Chronicles

Lynn Austin has another Biblical fiction series that I love. This one is only 3 books, and it's called the Restoration Chronicles.

This series is set in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when King Cyrus of Babylon allows a return to Jerusalem, and for the city and walls to be rebuilt. 

What was so fascinating to me about this series was how it made the 2nd Exodus so real to me. It's easy to read as a reader in the 21st century and miss the time that passes, not only between books, but between chapters and verses. The Israelites were in captivity in Babylon for 70 years.

That is a long time. In fact, God through Jeremiah pretty much said that in Jeremiah 29:5, when he told the Israelites to plant gardens, build homes, and settle down. Even with the promise of being brought back to Jerusalem a few verses later (Jeremiah 29:11-14), they knew it would be a while. 

70 years means that the children who were taken into captivity are now elderly. Many might have died. It means that only few of the Israelites alive remember Jerusalem and what life was like there.

And that's what I love so much about this series. Lynn Austin made it so real. In this story, there's a multi-generational family. The patriarch, Iddo, cannot wait to return to Jerusalem. He has so many beautiful memories of it from his youth, and he longs for his true home. But his family doesn't really feel the same way. His wife would willingly go with him, except that his children (who are grown and have families of their own) do not. For Iddo and his wife to leave would mean possibly leaving their family forever. His wife cannot bear the thought of not being near her children and grandchildren. 

Babylon is what they know. They understand the culture and the way of life. They even know the practical things, like where to buy the best food, how to navigate the city, and how to live successfully as captives in Babylon. This was their home, even though it wasn't supposed to be... and they can't remember their true home. They've grown comfortable in captivity, comfortable with the wealth and depravity of Babylon. Jerusalem represents a decimated city where life will be difficult, far from home... and in the case of this family, far from their loved ones.

If you love historical fiction, don't miss this series! It will give a new perspective on what it meant for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem.

Chronicles of the Kings Series

A few years ago, a new trend hit the bookshelves of Christian bookstores: Biblical fiction. Meaning, a fictional re-telling of a well-known story from the Bible.

While not to be taken solely as truth alone, these stories can help set the stage and scene for stories in the Bible. 

Two of my favorite series' from this time period are by the same author, Lynn Austin.

The first one, is the Chronicles of the Kings series. This 5-volume series follows the storyline of King Hezekiah, a king that I honestly didn't know much about (outside from the miracle of the shadows going backwards as proof of his recovery). 

You are exploring the world of ancient Jerusalem, and the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs of that time period. You meet Isaiah, Hezekiah, and many other prominent characters from the Old Testament. 

The amount of detail that Lynn Austin using in writing this story, creating the setting, and really placing the reader in this time period is incredible. I highly recommend this series for any reader who loves historical fiction. (Honestly, that's really not me, as I only enjoy specific time periods), but this series was so incredible that I can't wait to read it again!

The Advocate

I'm currently re-reading an amazing book: The Advocate by Randy Singer.

Set in the time of the ancient Roman Empire, its story follows a character from Rome, to Rhodes, to Israel, and back to Rome. It gives a brilliant depiction of the culture, practices, places, and people of its time.

You'll stroll through the Roman Forum and sit in the Colosseum, then head south to Caesarea and Jerusalem during the most important Passover there ever was. You'll see familiar people—Seneca and Pontius Pilate, Joseph of Arimethea, Paul, Luke, and so many more—even Jesus.

If you love historical fiction, I 100% recommend this book!

Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers

I can't talk about ancient Rome without talking about my favorite historical fiction series: The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers.

This series not only entertains but also comes with powerful lessons of forgiveness, grace, and faith. There is so much to learn and enjoy from each aspect of the story, but for me, the character of Hadassah is one of the most incredible (and challenging) I've ever read. The reader finds themselves immersed first in Roman-ravaged Judea, then finally in Rome, Ephesus, and even Germania. Honestly, while the 3rd book contains a lot of references for the first 2 books and repeating characters, it can almost stand alone. I often just re-read books 1 and 2 because they are my favorites. 

From the roar of the games to the wilds of Germania, you'll go on the most incredible adventure and hopefully be encouraged in your faith as well. This series, (or at least books 1-2), are a "must read" to me.

Click here to find it on Amazon!

Ciao, Roma!

That's all for now on my trip to Rome (unless I remember something else, haha).

I'm so thankful I finally got to see that beautiful, historic city.

Also, I just wanted to share a favorite series based in the Roman Empire (and also have scenes in Israel). Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series is incredible, and I highly recommend it. It's 3 books, but the first 2 are the best. They give in depth insight into what was going on in the world, what the games were like, the lives of the Romans and those also in the Empire—and what it was like for early Christians.

Walking through Rome

I talked in this post about my walk from the Vatican to the Colosseum. It was a cloudy, January day, and ended with me in a lot of pain, but I don't regret it. 

I saw so much as I wound my way along the Tiber River and then through the alleys of Rome, using only my map for guidance. It was fun to explore and go off the beaten path. 

And I got to see more statues, a castle, beautiful views, and so much more!

Visiting the Vatican

One morning, I woke up early and travelled across Rome and the Tiber River to visit the Vatican. Since it's considered a sovereign state, that meant it was a new country for me! Yay!

The hours I spent (and the miles I walked) inside the Vatican, outside of it, down in the catacombs, and then up into the basilica, were breathtaking. So much history. So much priceless art—sculptures, paintings, mosaics, tapestries, and sooooooo much more—and there's so much more that wasn't even available to see. 

They say that if you spend 1 minute in front of every piece of art, it would take you 4 years to see everything. 

It was art overload, and it was stunning.

Then, came time for the Sistine Chapel. Cameras aren't allowed, so I don't have pictures of it. It was beautiful. It left me speechless.

But honestly, I would have rather have spent more time here, than even in the Sistine Chapel, as beautiful as it is.

I'll never forget that day... it was simply too much to take in. I left so thankful, very tired, already limping because of my foot problem. Time for gelato!

The Pantheon

The sun was starting to set as we walked up to the Pantheon. Even though it was in the middle of restoration, it was still so striking—especially since I was going to visit the Vatican the next day. 

I don't have much to say about it, because by then my feet hurt pretty bad and I was tired. It was, just like everything else, an incredible building with great beauty inside.