Our most recent author, Professor Serge Ruzer of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, has just published a new article on JP that explores the Jewish context of Mark’s account of Jesus’ baptism, and how this description ties in with first-century Jewish messianic expectations.
May His Memory Be for a Blessing
The recent death of author and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel reminds us that we are living at a time when the survivors of the Holocaust are becoming fewer. The eyewitnesses to the horrors of the Nazi extermination program have done all they can do to entrust the memory and the responsibility of what happened to the next generations. How will we handle this awesome responsibility?
A Gripping New Novel about Jews and Christians in First-century Israel
The Scroll, by Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, is an historical novel portraying Roman times in the Holy Land.
Biblical Geography on YouTube
We at Jerusalem Perspective would like our readers to be aware of an excellent resource for studying biblical geography: the Satellite Bible Atlas video commentary series on YouTube. The videos explore the physical settings of biblical narratives, helping viewers to understand how the lay of the land shaped and informed biblical events. The satellite images and aerial photographs featured in the videos afford a bird’s-eye view of Bible lands with a precision and accuracy no ordinary map can provide.
Unconditional Love: A Holy Week Meditation
The commemoration of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples affords a moment of vulnerability that allows both the servant and the one being served to experience unconditional love.
We Need More Friends!
Back in the late 1980’s, David created a “Friend of Jerusalem Perspective” program which he envisioned as a way for people around the world to be involved in his work. The program continues to this day with a few very faithful “Friends of JP,” but most of our readers have no idea of the program’s existence and its importance. In this short blog, Becker describes his vision for expanding the Friend of JP program.
New Book By Marc Turnage
Jerusalem Perspective contributor Marc Turnage has authored a new book entitled Windows into the Bible: Cultural & Historical Insights into the Bible for Modern Readers, which will be released at the end of March 2016.
Parables on the Character of God
Jerusalem Perspective is excited to announce that in the coming months Dr. R. Steven Notley will be sharing a series of blogs on Jesus’ parables with our readers. In anticipation of these blogs, and as a preview of what we might expect from Dr. Notley, we are sharing two sermons on the parables that Dr. Notley delivered to the Narkis Street Congregation in Jerusalem. Enjoy!
Feast of the Circumcision (New Year’s Day)
The first of January, celebrated around the world as New Year’s Day, is also the eighth day of Christmas and, as such, the Feast of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. Of course, no one knows on what day of the year Jesus was actually born, but since it has become traditional to celebrate Jesus’ birth on the 25th of December, it follows that the first of January is the day on which Christians celebrate the circumcision and naming of Jesus.
First Online JP Course Now Available – Aleph-Bet: Hebrew Reading and Writing for Christians in 17 Easy Lessons
Twenty years ago, David Bivin taught a 12-hour series of classes entitled “Aleph-Bet: A Beginner’s Introduction to Reading and Writing Hebrew.” The class was video-recorded and produced into a video series available on video cassette tapes (VCR). This incredible class brought the viewer into a basic understanding of how to read and write the language of Jesus’ day. Now, JerusalemPerspective.com is creating an online course where you can study at your own pace and even interact with other students if you would like.
Matthew 1:1-25: In the Year of Jubilee?
The genealogies of Matthew and Luke reflect diverging Jewish opinions about the time for the advent of the redeemer.
Be Not Afraid
Christmas approaches with its usual frenzy of decorations, shoppers, carols, cookies, and lights—all wrapped in joy, peace, and goodwill that is often, sadly, as thin as colored tissue paper. But this year, it’s even harder to “get into the spirit.” Hearts are heavy with grief and fear, especially following the deadly and deliberate attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.
Yet, another reality coexists with this present evil, just as it did on the first Christmas, when human misery also abounded—the reality of goodness.
Jesus’ Gospel, by Joshua N. Tilton, Now In Chinese Translation
Jerusalem Perspective is excited to announce the publication of the Chinese translation of Joshua Tilton’s Jesus’ Gospel: Searching for the Core of Jesus’ Message.
Character Profile: Cornelius the Centurion
The baptism of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, provoked controversy among the Jewish followers of Jesus. In this video Marc Turnage examines the figure of Cornelius, his role in the Book of Acts, and his place in first-century Jewish society.
Windows on Jesus: Lesson 1: Introduction, Definitions, Premises
Begin learning about the academic study of Jesus’ life and teachings (or enjoy a refresher course) by “sitting in” on “Windows on Jesus,” Halvor Ronning’s fifteen-part lecture series on the Synoptic Gospels and the Synoptic Problem.
Windows on Jesus: Lesson 2: Synoptic Problem – Differences of Wording and Story Order
Lesson Two of “Windows on Jesus,” a fifteen-part course on the Synoptic Gospels with Halvor Ronning of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research.
Windows on Jesus: Lesson 3: The Facts – Charts for Each Gospel
Lesson Three of “Windows on Jesus,” a fifteen-part course on the Synoptic Gospels with Halvor Ronning of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research.
Windows on Jesus: Lesson 4: Origins of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research
Lesson Four of “Windows on Jesus,” a fifteen-part course on the Synoptic Gospels with Halvor Ronning of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research.