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Products>The Scandal of a Divine Messiah: A Response to Maimonidean and Kabbalistic Challenges to the Incarnation

The Scandal of a Divine Messiah: A Response to Maimonidean and Kabbalistic Challenges to the Incarnation

Publisher:
, 2024
ISBN: 9798385225361
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In this groundbreaking book, Brian J. Crawford navigates the complex intellectual landscape that has traditionally separated Jews and Christians. His focus is on a scandalous claim: God became a man as Jesus of Nazareth. Since the Middle Ages, Jewish philosophers have said such an idea is impossible and absurd, and Jewish mystics have said the idea is redundant, for all things are inhabited by divine sparks. By critically examining the philosophical underpinnings of the Maimonidean and Kabbalistic thought that has shaped Jewish theology, Crawford constructs a compelling case for the incarnation that is grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures, consistent with history, informed by science, and illuminated by philosophical inquiry. Included within is a deep interaction with Maimonides's Guide to the Perplexed, the Jewish mystical tradition, historical Christian orthodoxy, and Messianic Jewish theology. This landmark study promises to reinvigorate Jewish-Christian discourse on the nature of God, the Jewishness of the Trinity and the incarnation, and the role of philosophy in Judaism and Christianity.

“Brian Crawford represents the best in the next generation of Messianic apologists, now providing a much-needed watershed book addressing the philosophical Jewish objections to the deity of the Messiah. Brian offers an in-depth, scholarly analysis, providing practical and reasoned arguments to buttress the faith of believers and to enable them to present the biblical logic of a divine Messiah, even offering a robust philosophical defense of the Incarnation.”

—Michael L. Brown, author of Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, Vols. 1–5



“Covering a breadth of scholarship, research, and wealth of discussion of the topic, Crawford models an approach to the subject with graciousness and clarity, explaining complex philosophical and theological ideas with warmth and spiritual wisdom. Thank you, Brian, for this gift to the Messianic movement and all interested in understanding the God of Israel and the Messiah Yeshua!”

—Richard Harvey, All Nations Christian College, UK, author of Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology



“Combining philosophical analysis with historical study and scriptural concern, this reassessment of Orthodox Judaism and its critique of Christian faith is a key study on how to interact both with the influence of Maimonides and Kabbalah, as well as a look at how the Incarnation fits a biblical perspective. The journey goes deep but is profitable for those curious about how to engage with these major Jewish movements.”

—Darrell L. Bock, executive director of cultural engagement, senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary



“Brian is a senior member of the Chosen People Ministries staff, a ministry I have the privilege of leading. Brian is a bright, curious, and humble person who approaches learning with a passion for serving the Lord and reaching Jewish people with the gospel. This book grew out of his experience of sharing the gospel with religious Jewish people on the streets of Brooklyn, home to more than half a million Jewish people of whom one third are ultra-Orthodox. Brian’s grasp of Maimonides, Kabbalah, and the ways in which medieval Neoplatonism influenced them both will intrigue and surprise you.”

— Mitch Glaser, president, Chosen People Ministries



“As Crawford admits, ‘To better grasp the issues at hand, it will be necessary to walk through the Western intellectual tradition and the categories of metaphysics, theology, hermeneutics, ontology, cosmology, epistemology, mystery, paradox, and how God relates to the world.’ Add to that the traditions of Maimonides and Kabbalah and you’ll begin to understand the expansive objectives of this book. Thankfully, one does not need to be an expert in any of these subjects to enjoy and appreciate what a gift this volume can be.”

—David Brickner, executive chairman, Jews for Jesus



“Brian Crawford thoughtfully examines the development and influence on Judaism of Maimonides’s philosophy and Kabbalistic mysticism; persuasive refutations with historical data and biblical support are presented in a respectful, irenic tone. . . . It should be required reading for anyone seeking to engage the ultra-Orthodox with the life-saving gospel of Messiah Yeshua.”

—Levi Hazen, international executive director, Life in Messiah; Wes Taber, global ambassador, Life in Messiah



“The Scandal is an invaluable resource for the thinking and inquisitive reader. Crawford effectively uses the tools of rationalism, logic, and philosophy to dismantle the inappropriate application of these tools to the Scriptures and to Christian and Jewish theology. Kabbalah, often amateurly used by Christian apologists, is described and evaluated. . . . The payoff is at the end, where all that has been learned culminates in a thoughtful and impressive case for the divinity of Yeshua the Messiah.”

—Daniel Nessim, author of Torah for Gentiles? What the Jewish Authors of the Didache Had to Say



“Brian Crawford’s chapters on Kabbalah stand out as a meticulously researched and profoundly articulated exploration of Kabbalistic thought. Although, as an Orthodox Jew, I approach his conclusions on Jesus and Christianity from a different perspective, I recognize the strength of his analysis regarding the divergence of certain Kabbalistic doctrines from the classical Maimonidean view of Jewish Monotheism, which is rooted in absolute transcendence, unity, and oneness.”

—Moshe, an Orthodox Jew from New York City



Brian J. Crawford (DMin, Talbot School of Theology) is the director of digital evangelism at Chosen People Ministries, where he leads the apologetics ministry Chosen People Answers. He is the associate dean of the Charles L. Feinberg Center for Messianic Jewish Studies in Brooklyn, New York. He lived for nine years in Brooklyn but now lives in Southern California with his wife and three children.

Reviews

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  1. Jachin Putnam

    Jachin Putnam

    1/15/2025

    I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of The Scandal of a Divine Messiah for review and I read carefully and slowly, and in my opinion this book is a gift to both the Jewish and Christian worlds, and even more so to the Jewish-Christian, or Messianic, world of which I’m a part. The Scandal of a Divine Messiah is what has been missing in the popular Jewish-Christian conversation. There’s not really any other like it that I know of. There are books that talk about Greek philosophy’s influence on Maimonides and, therefore, Jewish theology. There are books defending the Incarnation of Jesus. There are books about why Jews don’t believe in the Incarnation. …but there are none like this one – that I know of – which delves in-depth into the history, into the theology, and into the philosophy, making explicit connections and demonstrating how ideas developed and why; and then offering solid arguments for the author's position, all with a graciousness and respect for the beliefs and traditions of the “other side” which just demonstrates Brian’s genuine love and admiration for Judaism and Am Yisrael. He goes in-depth into the Greek philosophical context which shaped Maimonides and Kabbalah, but for those whose eyes glaze over at terms like neopythagoreanism and Aristotelian metaphysics like mine do, or are wholly unfamiliar with Kabbalistic terms like Ein Sof and tzimtzum, I think you'll find that Crawford is able to expound the ideas in an understandable and accessible way, going to lengths to provide helpful charts, a glossary, and appendices to guide you through the denser portions of the material. And SO MANY footnotes which now constitute my new reading list. Whether you're a student of theology, a seeker of truth, or someone engaging in interfaith dialogue, The Scandal of a Divine Messiah is a monumental work. It is culturally timely and invaluable as a resource, and I believe it will have a lasting positive impact. Not only is it getting the right conversation started in the right way, but it will serve as a solid reference to go back to and study again and again. I know I'll be re-reading it, studying it, and using it as a resource for years to come.
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  2. Faithlife User

    Faithlife User

    1/14/2025

    Full disclosure: I had the opportunity to read a pre-release version of “The Scandal of a Divine Messiah” written by Brian J. Crawford. This is a tour-de-force of theological and philosophical exposition on how Kabbalah and Maimonidean systems within Judaism affect how Christians can share their faith in Christ with their Jewish brothers and sisters. This is truly a must-read if you have Jewish friends or family. It provides a window into understanding how Greek philosophy, rabbinical teaching and mystical leanings affect how Jewish people understand the Hebrew Scriptures. It provides a thorough background into theological and philosophical terms and gives you a deeper understanding of how to apply your own testimony for faith in Christ in lieu of the teachings of Maimonides or Kabbalah. I am no theologian. I did not go to a Christian school growing up. I did not study theology (or any -ology in fact) at university. I grew up in a home that had a Jewish father and a Christian mother. I had glimpses into Judaism as a young child and vignettes through my father’s side of the family. When I read the Old Testament, I wondered how reading Isaiah, Joel or Malachi would not impact the ability to see Christ in the Old Testament. This book explains why. Understanding Judaism’s challenges against belief in the Incarnation has deepened my love and understanding of my own personally held Christian beliefs. I cannot recommend this book enough!
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$26.95

Digital list price: $49.00
Save $22.05 (45%)