A Review of the Book "The Bible With and Without Jesus" by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler

Title: The Bible With and Without Jesus

Author: Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Year: 2020

426 pages

From the Back: Esteemed Bible scholars Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler take readers on a guided tour of numerous Hebrew Bible stories referenced in the New Testament, revealing a deeper understanding of the texts' historical and literary significance, helping all readers to see more clearly the beauty and power of scripture.

Personal Thoughts: Reading about Jesus from a Jewish perspective has always fascinated me, and I really appreciate having been introduced to the writings of Amy-Jill Levine. In this particular book, she works with Marc Zvi Brettler to explore various pieces of the bible, concentrating on those stories where Christians tend to believe the original story is now "erased" because of the arrival of Jesus Christ. The book is an excellent reminder that Jesus comes from a Jewish background and that what he brought with him was an expansion of the original Hebrew texts, not a cancellation.

    Levine and Brettler's writing is quite easy to understand, making difficult topics easy to read and enjoy. They are not making attempts to turn a person either Jewish or Christian, but from either perspective, this book gives you a chance to explore the depth of your faith and all of the intricacies of the Bible. I highly recommend The Bible With and Without Jesus. I've even already used it as a reference in other writings!