A little advice to anyone looking for quality Christian literature: The message of Jesus Christ is preserved flawlessly in the New Testament, and is the same today as it was two-thousand years ago. It is not “lost,” it is not a “secret,” it is readily available to anyone who can read; now, more than any other time in history. Jesus’ message is accessible and easy to comprehend; even a child can understand the fundamental tenants of His teachings. This is not to say that the message of Jesus lacks the depth and insight one would expect from an explanation of reality; on the contrary, the Bible provides a philosophical framework extending to all areas of life. However, the core message is simple: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31 NASB)
So, why is it that we search for new and improved messages from Jesus? Why is it that we long for something beyond what is so plainly encapsulated in scripture? Undoubtedly, this urge for something outside of what God has clearly revealed stems directly from human depravity. For it is our flesh which prompts us to attach our agendas to that of the Bible’s; tempting us to forsake the true message of the Kingdom of God for teachings that merely “tickle” our ears. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that a, “time will come when . . . [people] . . . will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (I Timothy 4:3-4) Bear this in mind the next time you come across a book in your local Christian bookstore which claims to have uncovered a hidden or lost teaching of the Bible; whenever you turn on your T.V. and find yourself listening to the hopeless dribble of a televangelist marketing his latest batch of holy bottled water. The world is full of false prophets who teach a gospel in accordance with their own selfish, fallen desires.
As Christians it is our job to hold onto and follow the true teachings of Jesus; to let go of our worldly desires and embrace righteousness and truth. However, this can only be accomplished if we place the word of God at the forefront of our lives; seeking to have His law written on our hearts. It is only when the teachings of Holy Scripture become ingrained in our minds that we are able to discern the truth. Without the knowledge of the Bible, we are susceptible to the false doctrines and uncouth teachings of heretics. Without a firm grasp of the gospel we are easily allured by the pleasing aroma of popular writers and theologians who boast merely the appearance of godliness. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we daily read and meditate on God’s word.
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August 1, 2008 at 8:26 pm
jeffcstraka
The message of Jesus is “lost” when we to read the scripture using the eyes distorted by western/modern/Greek/Platonic culture. It is “found” when we read it using the eyes of the Jewish/Middle-Eastern culture 2,000 years ago. If you read books like “Jesus the Jewish Theologian”, “Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus”, “The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation”, all by Brad H. Young, you will gain a greater understanding of the meaning intended. How one can read ANY book without some insight as to the original audience and the culture and the context in which it was originally written is not only short-sighted, but potentially dangerous.
August 1, 2008 at 8:47 pm
jeffcstraka
About Brad H. Young, PhD
Dr. Brad H. Young is the founder and President of the Gospel Research Foundation, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. He is one of the founding scholars of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research and has worked closely on Gospel research with Professor David Flusser and the late Dr. Robert L. Lindsey. He also serves on HaKesher’s Advisory Board.
Dr. Young is a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University serving as Associate Professor of Judaic-Christian Studies. He regularly teaches classes on the parables of Jesus, the Jewish background to the Gospels, Rabbinic literature, and Paul the Jewish apostle to the Gentiles. He has prepared Christian leaders and pastors for effective ministry and many of his former students are working on Ph.D. degrees at Jewish academic institutions.
In addition to teaching full-time and speaking at seminars and conferences around the world, Dr. Young has maintained a strong commitment to research and writing. The Gospel Research Foundation facilitates his work as an author and teacher. In addition to numerous papers and articles, he is author of Jesus the Jewish Theologian, Paul the Jewish Theologian, Jesus and His Jewish Parables, The Parables of Jesus: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation, and The Jewish Background to the Lord’s Prayer.
As an internationally recognized authority on the life and teachings of Jesus, Dr. Young has had a remarkable impact. His work has challenged audiences to return Jesus to his own culture, time and people, to the distant and foreign world of late Second Temple Period Judaism, and to have the courage to listen to his teachings afresh. Having broad appeal, Dr. Young’s seminars attract both Catholics and mainline Protestants, Evangelicals and Charismatics, those who are aiming for academic careers as well as those who are preparing for ministry in the church. Lay people and academics alike discover a fresh perspective.
Whether through writing, teaching or public speaking, Dr. Young’s message always enlightens, stimulates and stretches his audiences. His passion is studying and teaching the Jesus presented in the Synoptic tradition against the rich and diverse backdrop of ancient Judaism. For such a task, having lived, studied and taught in Jerusalem ten years, Dr. Young is uniquely qualified.