Pulling The Thread Podcast: Tracing Jesus Before Christianity Emerged, Jesus the Jew within Judaism! · Jeramiah Giehl

Jewish Views on Christianity & The Historical Jesus (Discussion with Rabbi Tovia Singer): Episode 9

August 7, 2023·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

Rabbi Tovia Singer exposes how Jews for Jesus uses word games like 'messianic Jew' to hide conversion to Christianity.

Rabbi Tovia Singer, a prominent counter-missionary and founder of Outreach Judaism, discusses Jewish perspectives on Christian evangelism and the historical Jesus. The host engages Singer on his motivations for debating Christian claims and his scholarly views on Christian origins. Singer explains his lifelong mission began after encountering groups like Jews for Jesus targeting Jews for conversion. He clarifies his objection is not to proselytizing itself but to the message's content and the deceptive methods used, such as terms like "completed Jew." Singer notes most missionaries targeting Jews are dispensationalists who reject replacement theology, weaponizing that distinction. He argues the core issue remains persuading Jews to abandon Torah observance for faith in Jesus. The conversation shifts to historical Jesus scholarship, referencing Albert Schweitzer's foundational 1906 work. Singer describes the quest for the historical Jesus as a speculative "soft science" relying on criteria like embarrassment and verisimilitude. He references scholar Hyam Maccoby's book "The Mythmaker," which argues Paul created Christianity by fusing Hellenistic ideas with Judaism. Singer agrees Paul synthesized pre-existing Hellenistic Jewish thought, like that of Philo, to attract Gentiles who wanted Jewish connection without commandments. He contrasts Jewish and Christian concepts of salvation, stating Paul presented a dualistic, Gnostic-influenced view where humans are slaves to sin. Singer explains the Tanakh focuses on tangible consequences in this life, not unfalsifiable threats of hell. He outlines a Jewish afterlife view where Gehenna is typically a temporary purification, not eternal torment for most. Analyzing Psalm 51, Singer says it describes human selfishness from youth, not an inescapable inherited sin. He contrasts this with Paul's view in Romans that the law reveals sinfulness with no human capacity for atonement. Singer addresses Talmudic references to a figure named Yeshu, noting scholarly debate on whether this is Jesus of Nazareth. He finds it plausible the Talmud's Yeshu is the Christian Jesus, with altered timelines due to Christian persecution. The Talmudic tradition suggests Jesus's father was a Roman soldier named Pantera, a claim also cited by the second-century philosopher Celsus. Singer observes Joseph's absence in Mark's Gospel and Paul's letters, suggesting a later narrative insertion. The Talmud never identifies Jesus as a false messiah, instead criticizing his character. Singer notes Jesus rarely claims to be the messiah in the Gospels, with the identity treated as a mystery. He explains the term "mashiach" evolved from meaning any anointed leader to specifically the future Davidic king during the Second Temple period. The tone is educational and conversational, blending personal conviction with historical and theological analysis. Listeners interested in Jewish-Christian dialogue, counter-missionary work, or historical Jesus studies will find this episode compelling. Those seeking devotional Christian content or a sympathetic view of evangelism may find it challenging.

As heard by us

A serious conversation about missionary targeting, Psalm 51, and repentance.

Rabbi Tovia Singer's interview is at its best when it explains how a personal clash with missionary outreach turned into a life of public response.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a direct interview on Jewish-Christian conversion pressure rooted in Rabbi Tovia Singer's own story, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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