Typically religious scholars will comment on the scriptures of their own religion. But sometimes, bold scholars will go where others fear to tread, commenting the scriptures of another religion. The situation is all the more sensitive when historically, one religion branched off of the other.

This episode of Thinking About Religion is a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, co-editor of The Jewish Annotated New Testament, a “study Bible” edition of the New Testament featuring lengthy commentary and essays by (non-Christian) Jewish scholars.

Among other things we discuss faith, clashing interpretations of scripture, misconceptions about Judaism, conversion, humor in the Bible, and the theological significance of local thunder during the interview.

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Amy-Jill Levine

Marc Zvi Brettler

The Jewish Annotated New Testament, 2nd ed.

The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us

The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus

trinities podcast 236 – Levine and Witherington on Luke – Part 1

trinities podcast 237 – Levine and Witherington on Luke – Part 2

The Jewish Study Bible, 2nd ed.

The Babylonian Talmud

Jesus in the Talmud

“Trinity“

Daniel Boyarin

Paula Fredriksen

Some of the biblical texts mentioned: