The Book of Revelation is rooted in a worldview where the physical and spiritual are deeply interconnected, Jewish apocalyptic literature is highly abstract, often operates on multiple levels of meaning. This multidimensionality allows for nuanced interpretations that go beyond the literal. It makes apocalyptic literature—like the Book of Revelation—especially powerful …
Judaism
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Christianity
“The Jews Rejected Christ, So Why Should We Care About the Jewish Perspective?”
by Dr. Eitan Bar 3 minutes readSome argue that since “the Jews rejected Christ,” their perspective on Scripture no longer matters. However, this claim is both historically inaccurate and logically flawed. In fact, understanding the Jewish perspective is essential to grasping the original meaning of the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. Here’s why: 1. The First Christians …
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Christianity
Does ‘The Parable of the Tenants’ (Matthew 21) Suggest God Replaced Israel?
by Dr. Eitan Bar 4 minutes readChristian antisemitism has long misused Matthew 21 to argue that God “rejected the Jews” in favor of the Gentile Church. The parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) is often cited1 to support the claim that God replaced Israel with a new people. But is that really what Jesus was saying? …
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Christianity
What Does “All Israel Will Be Saved” (Romans 11:26) Mean?
by Dr. Eitan Bar 4 minutes readThe phrase “All Israel will be saved” in Romans 11:26 has been the subject of much theological debate. Many Christians today interpret this passage through the lens of Western theology, assuming that salvation refers to being saved from eternally burning in God’s cosmic furnace. However, when examined through a Hebraic …
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In the Torah, the Israelites were forbidden to eat pork because pigs were classified as ritually unclean animals. The reasoning is explicitly stated: while pigs have split hooves, they do not chew the cud (Leviticus 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 14:8). This distinction served as a symbol of Israel’s call to holiness and …
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When these metaphors are taken literally and out of context, their imagery might appear quite terrifying, akin to a vivid depiction of the Augustinian-Calvinist hellfire: But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 8:12 They …
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Christianity
Is the Parable of the Sheep & Goats About Hell? (Matthew 25:31-46)
by Dr. Eitan Bar 6 minutes readJesus presents three parables in Matthew 25: The Parable of the Ten Virgins (verses 1-13), The Parable of the Bags of Gold (verses 14-28), and the one we focus on today, The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (verses 31-46). Some, Augustine himself included, interpret a section of this parable …
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Christianity
‘Repentance,’ ‘Salvation,’ and ‘Hell’ from a Jewish Perspective
by Dr. Eitan Bar 19 minutes readThis article will explore the concepts of ‘repentance,’ ‘salvation,’ and ‘hell,’ examining their interconnections from the perspective of the Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish thought. Repentance In certain conservative Christian traditions, such as Calvinism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, Messianic Judaism (a small Evangelical Fundamentalist group I used to be associated with), and several …
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What images come to your mind when you hear the term “worship night”? Regrettably, contemporary Western Christian thought frequently equates “worship” with amplified music and congregational singing in a venue bathed in vibrant lights. While this is undoubtedly fun, it is a far cry from the scriptural understanding of “worship.” …
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Christianity
Is the Story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16) Really About Hell?
by Dr. Eitan Bar 10 minutes readIn the Bible, the term “Abraham’s Bosom” (sometimes translated as “Abraham’s side”) is a unique expression found only once. In Jewish tradition, however, “Abraham’s Bosom” is a well-known metaphor (e.g., Apocalypse of Zephaniah 11:1-2; Kiddushin 72b; Genesis Rabba 67), not regarded as a literal place or as a historical account of …