Customer Reviews

Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles

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I got this book with much anticipation because of his previous book Jesus, Jewish Theologian. I was expecting some in-depth analysis of Paul's theology and how it related Judiasm to Gentile Christians. I was disappointed because the book was very sketchy and he basically took the discussion in Jesus, Jewish Theologian and applied it to Paul. In fact there was much redundant material between the two. He also repeated the same details throughout this book. If you haven't read anything by Young, find Jesus, Jewish Theologian and read it. Otherwise, save your time and money.

Dr. Young has a generally interested premise. One which is important and obviously must be considered when dealing with Pauline literature - namely that Paul always, to his dying day, considered himself a Pharisee and identified his theology with that of the Pharisees.

The major downfalls are twofold. The first problem is that he doesn't have a lot of interaction with contemporary scholarship. I realize that among Messianic Jews, or even gentile Christians interested in Jewish roots, Bultman is a menace. It doesn't follow that we throw out the research and scholarship of more liberal schools, rather we should interact with them. And contrary to one reviewer, not all who disagree with Young's conclusions are leftist scholars. Regardless, of the positioning of his opponents, the only area in his book that he even attempts to interact with other scholars is in the end notes. Kind of leaves a dry taste in you mouth.

The second problem is the lack of discussion of problem texts. Young interacts with Matt. 5:17 (which isn't even Pauline, the subject of the book) acceptably, and has some interesting points on occurances in Acts, but leaves out discussing problem texts in Galatians, Colossians, Romans, and 1 Corinthians.

Dr. Young's thesis is by no means original, so it would have been nice if he had made some contributions to the discussion, but the book was generally just restating the same arguments that have always been presented from the Jewish roots supporters. In the future I'd like to see Dr. Young write a more technical book such as other Jewish roots scholars are doing (alla Nanos) and actually make contributions to the discussion instead of restating the same ol' arguments.

All of Dr. Young's books are wonderful, and great for reading as well as for in-depth Bible study groups. This book is more then interesting, its a must read! Too long has the Church looked with "Greek eyes" at "Jewish things." Dr. Young teaches that the allegorical interpretations of the parables of Yeshua (Jesus) as taught by early Church fathers are far from the Roots System, Judaism. Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi, His means of teaching was indeed Hebraic, and not Greek as so many believe it to be. When He returns, He will still be Jewish, Dr. Young's books all point to this fact. We at Mayim Hayim Ministries rate this book 5 stars, and our prayer would be that it would be read by many many more pastors and teachers. Great book for home schooling.

Dr. Brad Young is an expert on the dynamics of second temple Judaism and the first century Christianity. But as one of his mentors, Robert Lindsey, once said, "An expert is a person who can dive down the deepest and come up the driest on a subject." Brad has avoided that pitfall in this work. "Paul, the Jewish Theologian" is an excellent read for the interested reader who has not become an expert.

The idea that Paul is a first century Pharisee not post reformation theologian is still quite new to Christians as whole. More importantly, as a group we are absolutely unfamiliar with the thought and idiom commonly used in the first century of the Christian era. Brad Young is exactly that. He is an expert in the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic of that day. He can not only read and write in these languages, but he can also think in them.

In this book Brad shares the results of years of study in Jerusalem at the side of men who have followed in the footsteps of W. D. Davies, David Daube and others. His chief mentor, David Flusser, was one of one greatest experts on both Judaism and First Century Christianity. He does this without requiring the reader to have that expertise.

For those who want to go deeper, he has footnotes and a an excellent bibliography.

For those wanting more, get David Flusser's "Judaism and the Origins of Christianity." It is not an easy read. It is a compendium of the most relevant writings of Dr. Flusser and other scholars, including Brad Young.

I recommend this book and Brad's other books as well.

For those who have benefitted from Dr. Young's cutting edge New Testament research, you won't want to miss this treasure. The book raises serious questions about the underlying philosophical framework of Paul's writings. Clasically, it has been thought that Paul's writings were largely influenced by Hellenized Greek philosophy. Young disputes this by demonstrating Jewish thought and tradition throughout Paul's writings. Since much of church doctrine has been based upon Paul's writings, this new approach to understanding Paul is of vital importance to serious students of the New Testament.

I awaited this volume after reading its companion, "Jesus the Jewish Theologian." Christians need to understand Paul as "Saul the Pharisee." Torah-observance was not just a "ploy to win Jews," but was the lifestyle of Paul as a Jew. Hellenism and Redeemer myths are archaic inroads in Pauline scholarship--passe--I hail Young's work as a "breath of fresh air" in the wake of the corpse of "leftist" research.

I enjoyed this book by Mr. Young more than the others (The Parables & Jesus the Jewish Theologian). I feel Mr. Young succeeds in presenting the Apostle Paul in his proper context and I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

This book is a fair introduction to the Jewish side of Paul's thought. However, an introduction is all one gets. Although it is important to study Paul in the light of his Jewish heritage - he did study "at the feet of" Rabban Gamaliel and was a "Pharisee of Pharisees" - it seems to me that this book really glosses over a lot of important issues. I agree with Young's point that Paul's basic point was that Gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism to know God. However, what are the ramifications and implications of this for Jews and Judaism? It seems that this book only begins to put Paul into a Jewish context and, after having gone through the historical and theological background of Paul, Dr. Young merely...stops.

It also would have been nice if Dr. Young had at least attempted to reconcile the gospel as presented by Jesus ("the Kingdom of God is near") with the gospel as presented by Paul ("for we preach Christ crucified"). Each seems far from the other and instead of even approaching the topic it is left alone as if it doesn't even exist.

This book is a fair introduction and if one is looking for a mere introduction into the Jewish side of Paul's thought, then this book is highly recommended. However, for those who are looking for an in-depth study that gets into the nitty gritty of Paul and his thought, I would recommend that one either stays away or instead buys this book and supplements it with others.

Dr. Young has a generally interested premise. One which is important and obviously must be considered when dealing with Pauline literature - namely that Paul always, to his dying day, considered himself a Pharisee and identified his theology with that of the Pharisees.

The major downfalls are twofold. The first problem is that he doesn't have a lot of interaction with contemporary scholarship. I realize that among Messianic Jews, or even gentile Christians interested in Jewish roots, Bultman is a menace. It doesn't follow that we throw out the research and scholarship of more liberal schools, rather we should interact with them. ... Regardless, of the positioning of his opponents, the only area in his book that he even attempts to interact with other scholars is in the end notes. Kind of leaves a dry taste in you mouth.

The second problem is the lack of discussion of problem texts. Young interacts with Matt. 5:17 (which isn't even Pauline, the subject of the book) acceptably, and has some interesting points on occurances in Acts, but leaves out discussing problem texts in Galatians, Colossians, Romans, and 1 Corinthians.

Dr. Young's thesis is by no means original, so it would have been nice if he had made some contributions to the discussion, but the book was generally just restating the same arguments that have always been presented from the Jewish roots supporters. In the future I'd like to see Dr. Young write a more technical book such as other Jewish roots scholars are doing (alla Nanos) and actually make contributions to the discussion instead of restating the same ol' arguments.

Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles

An excellent book! The sections demonstrating The Grace of God in the Law (Torah) and The Grace of God in Judaism are vital information for the Church. Truly the effects of Marcion still beat in the Church today.