David H. Stern

[Jew-Man]

I think I have an issue with David H. Stern (translater of the Complete Jewish Bible), but I'm not sure. I think he is indeed a Messianic believer and is saved, but some of his theology sounds kind of... off... I haven't studied it enough to get the gist of it, but a college professor e-mailed me about him. My original e-mail asked whether or not there were anti-Jewish sentiments which caused mistranslations in the New Testament. This is his reply:

I don’t think so. David Stern is a Messianic Jew who, at least in some of his more recent writing, seems to adopt the two covenants approach that claims Jews, even after the coming of Christ, still have to keep the Law, and that some, even who reject Jesus, may be saved through Torah obedience. The latter point is less clear in Stern—he gives conflicting signals in what I’ve read of him—but is certainly a growing minority view in the Messianic Jewish movement as a whole. Both of these points, it seems to me, fly in the face of massive amounts of New Testament teaching that can’t just be chalked up to disputed translations of a few verses. I’m all for Messianic Jews voluntarily keeping Torah for evangelism, or because it is personally meaningful to them, or even because they sense a personal call from God to do so. But to mandate it for all Jewish followers as a requirement for salvation of Yeshua crosses the line that for Paul makes one a Judaizer. And there is no debate about the translation of anathema in Galatians 1:8-9, since it comes from the Greek Anathema, which comes from the Hebrew Anathema! Such people are accursed! To mandate it as a requirement for something else—like obedience or maturity probably doesn’t cross that line but certainly goes in the opposite direction from everything one reads in the New Testament. Hope that helps a little.

Is there any truth behind this? It's a Christian college professor, so feel free to PM me if you want his e-mail.

 

[ContraMundum]

I think I have an issue with David H. Stern (translater of the Complete Jewish Bible), but I'm not sure. I think he is indeed a Messianic believer and is saved, but some of his theology sounds kind of... off... I haven't studied it enough to get the gist of it, but a college professor e-mailed me about him. My original e-mail asked whether or not there were anti-Jewish sentiments which caused mistranslations in the New Testament. This is his reply:


Is there any truth behind this? It's a Christian college professor, so feel free to PM me if you want his e-mail.

David Stern is David Stern. He has written an interesting, albeit somewhat gimmicky, translation of the Bible, yet his commentary on the NT is not too bad. I don't think the idea of Jews being saved for keeping the Old Covenant is unique either- many Christians believe that those who don't know the Gospel will be judged on the light that they have been given. It's an oft debated point.

 

[anisavta]

Curious as to know if this college professor knows David or just about him. I can tell you he doesn't know David Stern.
David very much understands that salvation is only through Yehsua. But he also knows as a Jew what mandates were given to Jews from G~d.

I’m all for Messianic Jews voluntarily keeping Torah for evangelism, or because it is personally meaningful to them, or even because they sense a personal call from God to do so.

Curious statement. Very evangelistically Christian statement. Keeping Torah for evangelism? For who a Jew or a Gentile? Personally meaningful to them? Like the Commandments can be personally meaningful for me but not necessarily for you? I cringe when I hear statements like the ones above.

 

[Jew-Man]

David Stern is David Stern. He has written an interesting, albeit somewhat gimmicky, translation of the Bible, yet his commentary on the NT is not too bad. I don't think the idea of Jews being saved for keeping the Old Covenant is unique either- many Christians believe that those who don't know the Gospel will be judged on the light that they have been given. It's an oft debated point.

Oh, okay.
So this is professor is full of crap?

 

[anisavta]

No that's harsh. But my question is - has he made these assumptions based on personal interview with David Stern or has he read all of his works? Does this professor have an understanding of a Jew?
Sad to say so many well meaning Christian people think they know how Jews (especially Messianic Jews)think because "through Jesus we are no longer Jews or Gentiles" but are clueless.

 

[Jew-Man]

No that's harsh. But my question is - has he made these assumptions based on personal interview with David Stern or has he read all of his works? Does this professor have an understanding of a Jew?
Sad to say so many well meaning Christian people think they know how Jews (especially Messianic Jews)think because "through Jesus we are no longer Jews or Gentiles" but are clueless.

I think he's read all his works, but I don't think he's interviewed him before. He specializes in the New Testament, so...

 

[anisavta]

What university does this professor work for?

 

[ContraMundum]

Oh, okay.
So this is professor is full of crap?

No not really.