Introduction: Standing before the Arch of Titus menorah -- From Titus to Moses-and back -- Flavian Rome to the nineteenth century -- Modernism, Zionism, and the menorah -- Creating a national symbol -- A Jewish holy grail -- The menorah at the Vatican -- Illuminating the path to Armageddon

With a new foreword by David E. Aune, this modern classic by Colin J. Hemer explores the seven letters in the book of Revelation against the historical background of the churches to which they were addressed. Based on literary, epigraphical, and archaeological sources and informed by Hemer's firsthand knowledge of the biblical sites, this superb study presents in the clearest way possible a picture of the New Testament world in the later part of the first century and its significance for broader questions of church history.

Annotation The essays contained in this book are preliminary studies directed toward a new synthesis of the history of the religion of Israel. Each study is addressed to a special and, in the authors view, unsolved problem in the description of Israel's religious development.

This work revisits the millennia-old Jewish-Christian encounter by providing a nuanced understanding of its challenges as well as presenting new perspectives on hitherto neglected areas of cultural, religious, and social interchange and influence.

In the first century of Christianity the church lived a precarious existence in Palestine. Externally it faced the oppression of Rome and the opposition of an orthodox Jewish majority. Internally the Gospel writers struggled to consolidate a congregation of Jewish converts with stubbornly ingrained Judaic traditions. By reading the Gospels with this historical perspective, we can see the day-to-day trials of the early church, and how the church fathers faced up to the challenges of traditions that contradicted the teachings of the new faith. In comparison to the Jewish tradition into which Jesus was born, one of the most radical Christian teachings was associated with the nature of the human soul and its continuing existence after death. The Old Testament is not explicit about an afterlife, and a firm belief in an eternal soul did not form a part of traditional Judaism. When Jesus spoke of eternal life, this was a challenge to His audience, and even His own followers had difficulty assimilating this concept. Another concept that was perhaps even more challenging for early Jewish Christians was the position of Jesus as One at the right hand of God, and a Spirit that existed from the very dawn of creation. To the Jews this teaching violated the sacrosanct principle of monotheism a principle that was inherited from Abraham and that was at the very center of Jewish consciousness. Between the Menorah and the Cross takes a fresh look at the differences between Christianity and Judaism, examining the teachings of Jesus that contrasted markedly with the orthodox Jewish view. Reflecting on this dimension offers a new perspective on the mission of Christ in the first century. While we are familiar with the clashes between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees, it seldom occurs to us that the issues at the center of those conflicts were also issues to be dealt with between the church fathers and their Jewish Christian congregations. For while the Jewish Christians had accepted Jesus as Messiah, other points of Christian doctrine were slow to be assimilated. Thus the church fathers struggled to deepen their congregations in the subtleties of the Message of Jesus. But more significant still is the fact that their experience colored the way that they wrote the Gospels, the vocabulary that they chose, and the nuances that they embedded in the text. In other words, the way we read the Gospels today is influenced by the experience of Christians in the first century! Only by reexamining their experience and their historical context can we really appreciate the message in the Gospels. Chapter 1. Jacobs pillow: A scientific materialist reconciles with Christianity This chapter describes the authors early sense of discomfort with Jesus and with Christianity in general. Rebelling against his traditional family religion, he ran the gauntlet from skeptic to atheist to scientific materialist. When finally he became a member of the Bah Faith, he still had not reconciled with Christianity, much less did he feel at ease with the Jesus that he had known through Christianity. The author had to overcome that sense of discomfort by understanding better the milieu in which the Gospels were written, which in turn reveals the underlying intentions of the Gospel writers with regard to Jesus. Chapter 2. From Abraham to Jesus: The building blocks of faith Surveying the broad sweep of Judeo-Christian history from Abraham to Jesus, we find an evolution of concepts and a maturation of faith. Abraham was the source of monotheism, and monotheism in turn led to the law and ethics of Moses. What did Jesus contribute to this process? Until Jesus appeared, there was very little said in the Bible about life after death, nor about an immortal human soul. It was Jesus who introduced a firm concept of the eternal, indestructible human soul. This represented a milestone in hum

Demonstrates how Jewish texts serve as a witness to the formation of image discourse in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

The Menorah was the most important Jewish symbol in the Land of Israel and the Diaspora. The prominent position of the menorah emphasizes its significance. The book presents the menorah development, form, meaning, significance, and symbolism in antiquity.

A desire and demand to know more about the Jewish legacy of Christian identity is growing among laity. A similar desire to foster interfaith understanding and dialogue is growing among leaders of local churches. Why Is There a Menorah on the Altar? seeks to meet these demands by providing information and insight about Judaism’s legacy as it is revealed in Christian rites, rituals, and traditions. Drawing upon scripture and historical sources, this book explains how Judaism has influenced the structure of liturgical worship; the design and décor of church sanctuaries; and how Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation find their roots in Judaism. This book invites readers to develop a deeper understanding of Judaism, one that will enrich their Christianity and appreciation for their enduring Jewish heritage. Includes: questions for reflection; activities for individuals or groups; and easy-to-follow timelines.

A revelatory exploration of the Jewish roots of the Last Supper that seeks to understand exactly what happened at Jesus’ final Passover. “Clear, profound and practical—you do not want to miss this book.”—Dr. Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb’s Supper and The Fourth Cup Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist shines fresh light on the Last Supper by looking at it through Jewish eyes. Using his in-depth knowledge of the Bible and ancient Judaism, Dr. Brant Pitre answers questions such as: What was the Passover like at the time of Jesus? What were the Jewish hopes for the Messiah? What was Jesus’ purpose in instituting the Eucharist during the feast of Passover? And, most important of all, what did Jesus mean when he said, “This is my body… This is my blood”? To answer these questions, Pitre explores ancient Jewish beliefs about the Passover of the Messiah, the miraculous Manna from heaven, and the mysterious Bread of the Presence. As he shows, these three keys—the Passover, the Manna, and the Bread of the Presence—have the power to unlock the original meaning of the Eucharistic words of Jesus. Along the way, Pitre also explains how Jesus united the Last Supper to his death on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in “the breaking of the bread.”

This book provides clear answers to age-old conundrums presented throughout history by prophets and sages, philosophers, and physicists regarding "time" (the fourth dimension after length, width, height) and "reality" as we see it. -- Foreword, p. ix