Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus (4 vols.)

by Michael L. Brown

Publisher:

Baker

, 2000–2007

Overview

A Jewish person has different objections to Jesus than an atheist, yet most apologetics books are geared toward conversing with non-religious people about the gospel. In Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, Michael L. Brown has compiled close to 150 objections he has encountered in his ministry to Jews and provides biblical answers to them, demonstrating how to discuss the Messiah sensitively, intelligently, and convincingly.

These four volumes will give anyone interested in reaching the Jewish people with the good news of Jesus the Messiah a strong foundation upon which to stand. With detailed responses based on careful research of the Hebrew Bible, Rabbinic texts, and the New Testament, Dr. Brown thoroughly and respectfully answers these objections and invites Jewish seekers to consider the possibility that the new covenant they have been waiting for is already here.

In discussing Jewish objections to Jesus as the Messiah, Dr. Brown also explains many of the concepts and doctrines that are important to Christians. He speaks in detail about the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Jesus being the Son of God, how Jesus is the Messiah, and Messianic prophecy. These important discussions make this a viable collection even to those who do not have a Jewish ministry. Each volume ends with copious notes, a glossary and an index of Scripture and other Ancient Writings.

Praise for the Print Edition

This is a wonderful resource for study of the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.

—Darrell Bock, Research Professor, New Testament Studies; Professor, Spiritual Development and Culture, Dallas Theological Seminary

There is no other contemporary resource like this, and it will no doubt be useful in countering not just Jewish objections but the objections of so many other skeptics and naysayers of the New Testament.

—David Brickner, Executive Director, Jews for Jesus

Brown’s answers to objections are carefully thought out, honest, and well researched. His work provides a useful model on how to do apologetics for all who are interested in articulating and defending the Christian faith.

—Craig Keener, Professor, New Testament Studies, Palmer Theological Seminary, Eastern University

Michael Brown’s work in the area of Jewish apologetics is the most thorough and penetrating I have seen. There is no doubt in my mind that this work will make a major contribution to the ongoing discussion and will, in fact, set the standard in the field.

—Richard Averbeck, Associate Professor, Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Michael Brown’s thinking is incisive and to the point. His ability to explain so that anyone can understand is amazing. He will surely be acclaimed as the new expert in Jewish Christian apologetics. I would be happy to recommend his much needed book to anyone.

—Moishe Rosen, Founder, Jews for Jesus

Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, by Michael Brown, is must reading for everyone who desires to be better “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1Peter 3:15). Michael is thorough in his responses to “typical” objections to the Messiahship of Yeshua, yet, his style of writing makes these responses easy to understand. Much insight is to be gained as a result of Michael dealing with issues such as “Christian anti-Semitism”. I also appreciated his views on the Holocaust (not an easy issue to deal with).

—Messianic Rabbi Noach Zaner

Product Details

• Title: Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus (4 vols.)
• Author: Michael L. Brown
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Volumes: 4
• Pages: 1,224

General and Historical Objections

• Author: Michael L. Brown
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication Date: 2000
• Pages: 270

Sample pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

“I was born a Jew, and I will die a Jew.” “I won’t betray my ancestors!” “If Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, why isn’t there peace on earth?” When it comes to Jewish Christian apologetics, the best answers are those that respond to actual objections. Incisive and direct, this volume provides an honest, fair, and thorough discussion of 35 common objections on general and historical themes. Answering general objections is usually a matter of correcting misconceptions about Jesus and the New Testament. Historical objections tend to be more substantial, dealing specifically with the purpose of a Messiah, or anti-Semitism, or the Holocaust. Believers and seekers alike will appreciate the spiritually focused answers, which are thoroughly documented and footnoted.

Theological Objections

• Author: Michael L. Brown
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication Date: 2000
• Pages: 332

Sample pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“Jews don't believe in the Trinity; we believe in one God, not three.” “God doesn't have a son.” “Jews don't believe in a suffering Messiah.” In volume two, Dr. Brown provides real answers to twenty-eight theological objections showing how New Testament teachings on atonement, God's nature, and the Messiah’s divinity are in harmony with Jewish beliefs. He treats these objections seriously and fairly, building answers from the often surprising teachings in rabbinic literature and the Hebrew Scriptures. As Brown’s answers progressively reveal, belief in Jesus is not something alien to Jewish tradition but is profoundly rooted in that tradition, fulfilling its purpose.

Theological objections cut to the heart of the differences between traditional Judaism and Christianity. They involve topics on the nature of God, the Trinity, the Deity of Jesus, and the continuity of the law. Dr. Brown seeks to clarify what the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament actually say about these and other important issues.

Messianic Prophecy Objections

• Author: Michael L. Brown
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 255

Sample pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

”The Torah doesn't speak of Jesus at all.” “You're completely misinterpreting Isaiah. This verse has absolutely nothing to do with your Jesus. It’s not even a messianic prophecy.” “As for the real messianic prophecies, Jesus fulfilled none of them.” These are some objections raised by Jews regarding Jesus as the Messiah. Using the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic texts, and the New Testament, Dr. Brown provides thorough answers to nearly forty such objections. This volume looks specifically at questions raised about messianic prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel, Psalms, Haggai, and Zechariah. It’s an invaluable resource for seekers and for anyone wanting to point students of the Torah to Jesus.

To answer objections based on messianic prophecy it is necessary to look at the Hebrew Scriptures and discover that the Messiah’s mission was both priestly, which involves atonement for sins, and kingly. Scripture points to a two-fold coming of the Messiah. The first arrival was to be accomplished before the Second Temple was destroyed (which happened in AD 70). This involved Jesus’ priestly arrival, when He would be the sacrificial Lamb. Scripture also points to a royal or kingly Messiahship, which Jesus will fulfill when He returns again to establish His sovereignty on a new heaven and earth.

New Testament Objections

• Author: Michael L. Brown
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 367

Sample pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

“The New Testament is full of historical inaccuracies.” “The Gospels portray a mythical Jesus.” “Jesus was a false prophet.” Jewish people commonly raise objections to Christianity based on the New Testament. In the fourth volume, Dr. Brown explains the Christian response to thirty-four such objections. He addresses questions about such issues as how the New Testament quotes and interprets the Old Testament, the historical accuracy of the New Testament, apparent contradictions in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, pagan influences on Christian teachings, and whether Jesus abolished the Torah or Law.

About the Author

Michael L. Brown is a Jewish believer in Jesus and has a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University. He was the first president of the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in Pensacola, FL, and went on to help found the FIRE School of Ministry where he serves as its president and full-time staff member. He has been a visiting professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the founder and president of ICN Ministries, which is devoted to taking the gospel of Jesus to Israel, the Church, and the Nations. He is active in Jewish evangelism, debating rabbis on television, radio, and college campuses. Dr. Brown has written more than fifteen books and is a contributor to the Oxford Dictionary of Jewish Religion. His books include Go and Sin No More and Compassionate Father or Consuming Fire.