Hi Zeev,
I like your thinking and take it as sincere skepticism rather than arrogant rejection. I also thank you for introducing the Talmud to this discussion---both the Babylonian and the Palestinians.
DNA studies from the shroud of Turin is a challenging and creative thought. From my lat reading, I thought the shroud had been dismissed after the carbon dating was performed. Also, if I remember correctly, they found pollen that did not match.
I am very familiar with both the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmud. I did approach the Talmuds after I became a Christian and was consequently prejudice agianst it when I read it.(The Soncino edition)
I know that the Babylonian Talmud has become the corner stone of modern Judaism; replacing the Torah as the central lieterature that the Old Testament Judaism held in highest esteem.
I found the stories about Jesus in the Babylonian Talmud poorly written and of no historical value is helping establishing a counter point to the historical eyewitness accounts by the Jewish Apostles and disciples that followed Jesus.
I am open to look at any talmudic account that you want to present that show evidence that Jesus was not the promised Messiah of Israel.
The real proof that the Jewish eyewitness accounts in the New Testament are authentic comes from the fact that we can test their words and find them to be true on a personal basis. If Jesus was truly the diving son of God, then he should have the same power and accessibility that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had in the Old Testament. According to the New TEstament, he is the same God with which Abraham spoke and covenanted.
There is also the issue of the Prophetical writings in the Old Testament being fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Could you read the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, for example, and tell me who is God speaking about in that chapter.
Thanks for your sincere words.
Emile |
