Clear, well documented, and fair, Crossley's study not only demonstrates what the Jewish sources say about such matters as Sabbath observance, purity, and relations with Gentiles, it also corrects often-repeated stereotypes that still infect Christian teaching and preaching.
Amy-Jill Levine, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, , Graduate Dept. of Religion, ... Read moreProgram in Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt University, USA. Jewish law is an extremely complex topic and most New Testament scholars settle for a few choice quotes to illustrate the point being made. In this book, James Crossly begins with Jewish law and shows how an understanding of its complexity can greatly illuminate passages from the Gospels and Paul. It is indeed a guide for the perplexed and will go straight on to my reading list.
Professor Steve Moyise,University of Chichester, UK. T&T Clark's Guides for the Perplexed help to clarify issues concerning thinkers, writers and subjects that students find troublesome. Crossley becomes a handy guide for the intricacies of Jewish law as used within the writings of New Testament. It is a most usefull book. If exegesis of the new Testament is to have any credibility it must deal fairly with the question of Jews and Judaism. Up until recently there has been much misunderstanding of Jews and Judaism in the first century of our era. Hopefully this book will help to remove some of that.
Ed Parker, The University of Newcastle, NWS, Australia Crossley Becomes a handy guide for the intricacies of Jewish law as used within the writings of the New Testament. It is a most useful book.
Theological Book Review
... a welcome introduction to a complex area for students of the NT.
Journal for the Study of The New Testament, Volume 33 Number 5
All in all, Crossley succeeds in presenting a complex topic in clear and succinct terms. The book is well written and well organized. It requires no knowledge of ancient languages. Neither does one need to painstakingly lookup sources, since most sources are quoted in the texts. The balance between the breadth and depth of the topic makes the book an excellent resource as textbook for students who are introduced to the NT in light of the Jewish Law(s).
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