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Christianity Today, February (Web-only), 2007 |

Not-So-Quiet Time

Slate's David Plotz blogs about the Bible's many surprises.

Alex Runner | posted 2/26/2007 08:35AM

Last summer, Slate deputy editor David Plotz, a Harvard-educated Reform Jew, found himself bored out of his mind at a cousin's bat mitzvah. Rather than feigning interest, he reached into the back of a ...

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Sue	Posted: March 06, 2007 10:08 PM

David, you are seeing the depth of the love of God for His chosen nation, Israel, as you examine the Old Testament. But it is only a foreshadowing of what is to come. It is the closest "mountain peak" you are seeing, and it is history to us, the New Testament shows a partial fulfillment of what is to come, therefore, another mountain peak, the top of which was seen from the OT, but is also history to us. There is much yet to come...the peaks far ahead, which is yet future for us, that can be glimpsed from all of scripture, are given an overview in the NT book of Revelations; I encourage you not to miss it. See Daniel, Ezekiel, Amos, Malachi, then see what came 400 years after Malachi by reading the first books of the NT. God bless you as you search for HIM, then "Choose you this day whom you shall serve".

Wonders for Oyarsa

Posted: March 03, 2007 10:44 PM


I've really enjoyed David's blogging. He actually inspired me to begin my own Bible Blogging project. http://wondersforoyarsa.blogspot.com/2006/06/blogging-bible.html

Carolyn

Posted: February 27, 2007 12:43 PM

This is a very interesting article and I have a comment about thoughts near the end of the article. For years, I thought that I had to have absolute proof of the existence of God until someone pointed out to me that it had to do with faith. To me, faith is choosing to believe in something that I can't see or touch. And you want to know something? When I was finally able to take that leap of faith, it all opened up for me. Today, I constantly see proof of God's existence all around me - often in the simplest and sometimes funniest things in my life. I hope that you can make that leap someday because it makes all the difference!

Amanda

Posted: February 27, 2007 9:01 AM


What a sad commentary on evangelicals that ANY of us would be negative when an unbeliever actually picks up the Bible and starts reading it! If only all evangelicals would do the same!

Jerry D'Eliso

Posted: February 27, 2007 12:00 AM


How refreshing is this Jewish man. God will never disappoint him. Even though he may not know what he is looking for, God knows and He will help him find it. Alex, this is good.

bob shelton

Posted: February 26, 2007 6:15 PM

I think what he stated doing by 'accident' is excellent...we often try to out-holy God, but the sad reality is most christians don't read the bible in all its wild order..the same God who inspired scripture also made the alligator ..the bible gives us total realism, not special mysticism..and it's not a G rated book..it will blow your mind..all emotions are covered as well as the highest and lowest questions..some won't let their kids read it until they are 12 or so..yet in a media culture that attacks us all the time I'm thrilled that the book clearly stands out..no matter who reads it or from what point of view, the holy Spirit will use it in our lives to drive us to the truth that will be true in the end..Praise Yahweh

Chris Jones

Posted: February 26, 2007 4:23 PM


The order of the Christian Old Testament is different, but the content is almost precisely the same as the TaNaKh. Christians READ that material much differently than Jews. But it's almost word-for-word the same material.

Bascom

Posted: February 26, 2007 2:29 PM

Lisa R — Same content, but slightly different order of the books. But "thoroughly altered" where exactly? Haven't heard that one. In fact, my OT theology textbook by Paul House (an evangelical) works through the OT using the Hebrew order. As for specific content, yes, of course one could read Isaiah 53 and find application in Isaiah's time for Israel. Yes, of course that's true. It doesn't prove anything, however, as such is true of much of prophetic writing. It nearly always had a "current" application and an eschatalogical application as well.

DiverCity

Posted: February 26, 2007 1:57 PM


Excellent and informative interview, if for no other reason that I'll now have the chance to enjoy this blog about which I knew nothing.

Lisa R

Posted: February 26, 2007 1:27 PM

I've read a bit of blogging the bible and one thing stood out for me. The lack of clarification that the Tanach (Jewish Bible) and the Christian Old Testament are not the same text. Although the Christian Old Testament is taken from the Tanach it has been thoroughly altered to support the tenets of Christianity. There is nothing for a Jew to fear from either the Christian OT or NT as they contain concepts that find no support within Tanach. Isaiah 53, as brought up by the interviewer, is about the Nation of Israel when read in context and the original language. Another glaring difference is that Daniel was not a navi (prophet) and in the Christian OT the book of Daniel was moved from Ketuvim (Writings) and placed in Navi'im (Prophets). That being said, if Christianity helps Christians live a better life the great, however, the tenets of Christianity have no place for Jews.

Gladys Johnson

Posted: February 26, 2007 12:21 PM

I find your comments and enjoyment of the OT very interesting coming from a non-believer. I'm amazed you even find it of interest. I think you are afraid of the NT maybe finding something you don't want to believe. Jesus is indeed an interesting person and one either has to believe He is who He says He is or that it turns out He is the most egotistical fool who ever lived, a total nut or actually the Messiah. An important decision to make if He should be for real!

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