Our Rabbi Jesus

Hebrew? Greek? There’s a Better Way to Learn

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A lot of people ask me what I recommend for learning Biblical Hebrew or Greek. Some are just looking for ways to enhance their personal Bible study. Others are serious students who are looking for a good program for long term study. This article is for the latter audience. I’ve got news that will affect […]

What the Ancient Words of the UK Blessing Mean

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The video below is the combined effort of more than 65 churches and groups in the UK who sang together as an encouragement to their countrymen in the midst of the pandemic. In the week since it was published (5/3/20), it has gone viral with millions of listeners around the world. The song begins with […]

(UPDATED) To Save a Life is to Save the World: A Look at COVID-19

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“Whoever saves a single life is considered by Scripture to have saved the whole world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5) This classic rabbinic line describes the fact that human life is greatly precious in the eyes of God. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Luke 6:9), he preached a similar idea that is well-known in Judaism — […]

Celebrating a New Website Theme

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Hooray! The Our Rabbi Jesus website has a new theme! The content of the site is still the same and all the articles and posts are still there. But now it’s more readable on cell phones and it’s easier to find things. The “Events” page is now the “Speaking” page and it’s had some updates. […]

Why doesn’t the Bible have more Romance Stories?

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If you walk into any bookstore, you’ll find an enormous section called “romance,” full of steamy love affairs. Even if you shop in the “mystery” or “adventure” sections, nearly every story will have a “love interest” as a subplot. It seems like no story can be told without it. How will the lonely hero find […]

Interview: Learning from Rabbi Jesus, with the Israel Bible Center

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Recently, I was interviewed by Dr. Yeshaya Gruber as a part of the Israel Bible Center’s Roundtable Talk series. Dr. Gruber and I had a lively discussion on topics that may interest many. There are many world-class scholars in this series. I’m humbled to be included among them. The Israel Bible Center site also has […]

Meet Madalyn, Lois’ Mesharetet (Assistant)

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Meet my new mesharetet, Madalyn Buursma. Moses had Joshua as his “mesharet.” Elijah had Elisha as his “mesharet” (meh-SHAR-et; fem.: meh-sha-REHT-et).” The word is translated as “assistant,” but the relationship was an ancient model for how disciples studied with rabbinic teachers. Madalyn recently graduated from Calvin College with an English major and she’s aiming for […]

The Gospel Makes More Sense if You Think as a “We”

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Even though Jesus preached absolutely nonstop about the kingdom, that word is quite a puzzle to readers. I used to think of “kingdom” as a very esoteric, abstract idea, not considering the fact that the word kingdom describes a community. It’s describing God’s relationship with a whole group of people whom he is redeeming. When […]

Upcoming Column in Premier Christianity Magazine

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Good news! In 2020 I will be authoring a bimonthly column for the magazine Premier Christianity, a popular Evangelical periodical in the United Kingdom. My first column will appear in the January 2020 issue. The overall theme of my series will be understanding Jesus as a rabbi, focusing on different aspects of his cultural background […]