The Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith
Published: May 1, 2023
This course dives into the Jewish roots of Christianity with our captivating online course! Across 14 dynamic lessons, we'll delve deep into the Old Testament foundation from which the Christian faith emerged, uncovering the rich tapestry of God's covenant with Abraham and its profound fulfillment in Jesus. Explore Messianic prophecies, unravel the significance of the feasts of Israel, and discover the timeless truths that bind Judaism and Christianity together. Join us as we explore the geographical and historical context of Jesus' life, uncovering the enduring relevance of his message in the land of Israel. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of Christianity's Jewish heritage and its profound implications for believers today!
Total course time: 2 hours and 32 minutes
- 111:42Dr. David Mishkin
Lesson 1 : God's Plan for the Jewish People
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin introduces the course on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, using the metaphor of a tree to explain its structure. He begins by covering the "soil," which represents the foundational teachings of the Old Testament that point ahead to the coming Messiah. Dr. Mishkin emphasizes how understanding the Jewish background of Jesus’ life and teachings helps Christians gain a deeper insight into the New Testament. The course will also explore the roots, trunk, and branches, delving into the early followers of Jesus, such as Paul, and examining how Judaism and Christianity eventually emerged as two distinct entities. - 29:42Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 2 : God's Plan for Israel
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin expands on God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles, tracing its origins back to Genesis 12, where God made a covenant with Abraham that included blessings for all nations. He explains how Israel was chosen not only for its own benefit but to be a light to the Gentiles, a theme found throughout the Old Testament, including in Exodus, Psalms, and Isaiah. Dr. Mishkin explores how this concept is carried forward in the New Testament, showing how Gentiles are welcomed into God’s family through the Messiah without needing to become Jewish. This episode sets the foundation for understanding the shared roles of Jews and Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. - 312:28Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 3: Messianic Prophecy
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin introduces the topic of Messianic prophecies, explaining how the Old Testament provides clues about the coming Messiah. He discusses key scriptures, beginning with Genesis 3:15, which offers the first hint of a Redeemer. Dr. Mishkin explains how these prophecies, such as those found in Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 53, point to specific details about the Messiah’s lineage, birthplace, and purpose. He also explores the differences between traditional Jewish and Christian interpretations of these passages, highlighting how ancient Jewish writings often saw them as Messianic, while later interpretations shifted to a national understanding of Israel. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how the Old Testament prepared the way for Jesus. - 411:07Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 4: The Feasts of Israel
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin covers the feasts of Israel as detailed in Leviticus 23, explaining how these festivals serve as God's "year-at-a-glance" calendar. He begins by discussing the weekly Sabbath and the pattern of seven found throughout the biblical year. Dr. Mishkin highlights how the spring feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits—point to the Messiah, with Jesus fulfilling the role of the Passover Lamb. He also touches on Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) as the birthday of the church and the fall feasts, which include Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles, each pointing to future prophetic events. - 510:16Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 5: Tabernacle and Temple
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin concludes the first section of the course, focusing on the significance of the tabernacle and the temple as places where God dwelled with His people. He explains how the sacrificial system was designed to provide atonement for sin and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who is both the perfect high priest and the perfect offering. Dr. Mishkin walks through the different sections of the tabernacle, highlighting how each part points to the Messiah. The episode closes by introducing the next section of the course, which will explore the historical background leading to the coming of the Messiah. - 612:16Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 6: The Jewish World of Jesus
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin focuses on the Jewish world into which Jesus was born, commonly known as Second Temple Judaism. He explains how the historical background, including the Persian, Greek, and Roman influences, shaped Jewish life during this period. Dr. Mishkin examines key literature, such as the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls, along with major people groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. He also explores the rise of institutions such as the synagogue and the Sanhedrin, providing important context for understanding the religious and cultural environment in which Jesus lived and taught. - 79:01Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 7: The Jewish Life of Jesus
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin begins exploring the life of Jesus, emphasizing the deep connection between His Jewish identity and His role as the Messiah. Dr. Mishkin explains that Jesus’ Jewish heritage was not incidental but central to fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and the Jewish people. He discusses Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, His circumcision, and His upbringing in Jewish traditions, highlighting how every aspect of His life adhered to Jewish customs. The episode also covers key moments in Jesus' ministry, showing how His mission aligns with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Dr. Mishkin concludes by noting that Jesus’ story is the continuation of the Jewish narrative. - 811:00Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 8: Thew Jewish Land of Jesus
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin explores the historical and theological significance of Jesus’ Jewish identity, emphasizing how His life was inextricably linked to the land of Israel. He discusses God's covenant with Abraham and how the land was promised to his descendants, yet contingent on their obedience. Dr. Mishkin traces the exile of the northern and southern kingdoms, noting that while punishment occurred, the ultimate promise of the land remained intact. He then moves on to Herod’s reign and the geographical regions important during Jesus’ life, such as Galilee, Samaria, and Jerusalem. The episode concludes by discussing the ongoing significance of the land of Israel in God's redemptive plan. - 912:05Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 9: The Jewish Teaching of Jesus
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin discusses the Jewish teachings of Yeshua (Jesus), focusing on three key examples: the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua’s parables, and His statements about His own identity. Dr. Mishkin highlights how Yeshua's teachings are deeply rooted in Jewish thought, yet also radically transformative. He explores the Sermon on the Mount as a description of life in the Kingdom of God, emphasizing principles like humility and forgiveness. The parables, such as the Good Samaritan, are explained as stories that challenge social norms and reveal deep spiritual truths. Dr. Mishkin concludes by examining Yeshua's bold "I am" statements, which assert His divine identity. - 1011:05Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 10: The Jewish Disciples
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin begins the third main section of the course, called "The Trunk," which explores the developments that followed the life and message of Jesus. He focuses on the role of the twelve Jewish disciples, explaining their cultural and historical context, including their participation in Jewish feasts like Passover. Dr. Mishkin highlights the disciples' mission to the lost sheep of Israel, which later expanded to include the Gentiles. He also delves into Peter’s leadership in the early movement, the council of Jerusalem, and the key role of James, the half-brother of Jesus, in the Jewish community in Jerusalem. The episode concludes with the ongoing Jewish identity of the early believers and how this shaped the spread of the gospel. - 1111:49Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 11: The Jewish Paul
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin explores the life and legacy of the Apostle Paul, focusing on his Jewish identity and his role as a messenger of the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Dr. Mishkin explains that Paul never abandoned his Jewish roots, highlighting his background as a student of the famous rabbi Gamaliel and his adherence to Jewish customs, including observing the festivals and taking traditional vows. The episode covers Paul's mission strategy of preaching to Jews first in every city, followed by Gentiles, and how his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles fits into God's larger plan for both groups. Dr. Mishkin also discusses Paul’s teachings on the law and salvation, emphasizing that Paul saw faith in Yeshua as the ultimate fulfillment of the law. - 1210:25Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 12: The Jewish New Testament
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin discusses the Jewish foundations of the New Testament, emphasizing that it is a profoundly Jewish book, with most of its authors, including Paul and the Gospel writers, being Jewish. He notes that Luke is likely the only non-Jewish author, but even he was a God-fearer, someone who revered the God of Israel. Dr. Mishkin explains how the New Testament draws heavily on the Old Testament, using language and prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures to highlight the Messiah's fulfillment in Jesus. He also addresses the development of the New Testament text, including the process of oral tradition being written down, and the importance of understanding the Jewish context to fully grasp its message. - 138:23Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 13: The Jewish Message of the New Testament: Resurrection
In this episode, Dr. Mishkin discusses the central message of the New Testament: the resurrection of Jesus. He explains how the resurrection is the highlight of all four gospels, the core proclamation in the Book of Acts, and the foundation of Paul’s theology. Dr. Mishkin traces the concept of resurrection throughout the Old Testament, citing examples from Job, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Daniel. He also addresses how Jesus’ resurrection was unexpected in first-century Jewish thought, where resurrection was typically viewed as a collective event at the end of time. Finally, Dr. Mishkin presents four key historical facts supporting the resurrection: the crucifixion, the disciples’ belief, the empty tomb, and Paul’s radical transformation. - 1410:56Dr. David Mishkin
Lecture 14: The Parting of Ways
In this final episode, Dr. Mishkin concludes the course by summarizing the historical "parting of the ways" between Judaism and Christianity. He explains how the early movement, which began as a Jewish sect proclaiming a Jewish Messiah, gradually became non-Jewish and eventually even anti-Jewish. Dr. Mishkin highlights key events that contributed to this division, including the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD and the rise of rabbinic Judaism, which further distanced Jewish followers of Jesus from the wider Jewish community. He emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in modern times, as both Jews and Christians rediscover their shared heritage and the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.
