The Judeo-Christian Fiction - Softcover

Gershon Winkler

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1605307920 ISBN 13: 9781605307923

Publisher: Lulu, 2008

Synopsis

The Judeo-Christian Fiction By Gershon Winkler Though admittedly not totally unconnected, the religion of Jesus (Judaism) and Christianity are so basically different in form, purpose and orientation that it would be historically unsafe to derive the latter directly from the former and attribute the changes to a straightforward doctrinal evolution. -- Professor Geza Vermes in The Religion of Jesus the Jew (Fortress Press: 1993), p. 214 Probably the most proliferated and most successful deception ever perpetrated is the Judeo-Christian fiction. There is nothing Judaic about Christianity, and nothing Christian about Judaism. This book, then, shatters an historic fabrication that has for centuries attempted to demonize the Jewish people and rob them of their rich and ancient heritage by misappropriating their Sacred Scriptures and suppressing their aboriginal traditions and mindset. Amply supported by scholarly documentation culled from historical and theological source material, The Judeo-Christian Fiction is a no-holds-barred exploration of the long and tragic history of the persecution of Jews and the suppression of Judaism by a world culture influenced by anti-Jewish diatribes spread first by Christianity and adopted later by Islam. The book demonstrates the roots of contemporary anti-Judaism in Christian scriptures, doctrines, and catechisms, replete with endnotes and source material supported not only by the author himself but also by Christian theologians unafraid to reveal truths long-withheld from the general populace. Concise and boldly written, The Judeo-Christian Fiction also addresses numerous misconceptions about Judaism in general -- its creed and ideology -- as well as misnomers surrounding the sorely-twisted history of Jews and Judaism in the era of Jesus, and of Jesus himself. The reckless and deliberate misrepresentation of this history has resulted in tragic consequences for Jews and other aboriginal peoples for the past two millennia. It has also led to serious misconceptions surrounding the conflict in the Middle-East between Israel and its Muslim Arab neighbors. The Judeo-Christian Fiction demonstrates how this ongoing conflict did not originate in the establishment of the modern State of Israel but is easily traced to ancient Islamic Judeo-phobia rooted deeply in the demonization of Jews that was first spread by Christianity. The slogan we often hear from well-meaning Jewish and Christian leaders, writes the author, is, We have so much in common with one another, -- a notion tantamount to General Custer claiming kinship with the Lakota Sioux because he, too, wore buckskin! Special features of the book include a chapter addressing the age-old allegation that the ancient Hebrews were involved in ethnic cleansing of the Lands of Canaan; a chapter on the very aboriginal nature of Judaism and how early explorers of the so-called New World compared the ways of the Jews to the ways of the Native Americans; a time-line history of Christian and Islamic oppression of Jews into the modern era; a line-by-line comparison of many of the most popular beatitudes of Jesus with the then prevalent like teachings of the ancient Hebrew scriptures as well as of the Pharisees themselves; and a section refuting some of the proofs so often employed in evangelical attempts to lure Jews to the Baptismal fonts. This daring work is a must-read for both Christians and Jews alike, as well as for Muslims and all those who seek a more clear understanding of a history and ideology that has been distorted far too long.

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Gershon Winkler is the author of fourteen books, mostly on Jewish theology, folklore, and mysticism, including Kabbalah 365: Daily Fruit from the Tree of Life and Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism. Father of four and grandfather of seven, he has lectured and served as Scholar-in-Residence at colleges and universities, and for ecumenical and Jewish retreats, across Israel, Europe, and North and Central America. He is also founder and executive director of Walking Stick Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the recovery of aboriginal Jewish spirituality. Over the past 25 years, Rabbi Winkler has served as itinerant rabbi for Jewish communities across West Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico and Montana. He also served as Hillel Director for West Virginia University between 1987 and 1993, and during that period as Contract Rabbi for two federal prison camps in Morgantown and Alderson, West Virginia; as well as visiting rabbi for several state prisons across Colorado (1996 through 2003). Rabbi Winkler considers himself non-denominational and was ordained in Jerusalem at Yeshivat Beit Yosef-Novoredok in 1978, initiated by its Rosh Yeshiva (Dean), the late Rabbi Eli ezer Benseon. The serious and controversial nature of his latest book notwithstanding, Rabbi Winkler is popularly known as a light-hearted, albeit scholarly teacher. The Jerusalem Post describes him as combining the wit of actor Robin Williams with the wisdom of the Ba al Shem Tov (May 25, 2001). Four Corners Magazine put it this way: His mastery of Hebrew and Aramaic sacred texts is matched only by an outrageous, reverently irreverent sense of humor (Aug-Sep 2001). The Roanoke Times in Virginia went even farther, describing his teaching style as a stand-up routine worthy of Jerry Seinfeld (December 13, 2001). The Jewish Community Update in Sedona, Arizona, acknowledged him more for his scholarship than his humor: His knowledge is a universe away from the glib superficiality of pop mysticism and mass market spirituality (June 1999), as did the London Jewish Chronicle: His refreshing translations of Biblical passages restore an elemental force to the Hebrew (December 26, 2003).

Review

Gershon's book is refreshing medicine. He has the courage to tell the truth inthe face of entrenched but dishonest belief systems. It's an extraordinary work, erudite, scholarly and vastly needed -- a must read for any thinking person. -- David Carson, Choctaw Elder and Pipe-Carrier; Author of Crossing into Medicine Country; Co-author of Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals; and of Oracle 2013 --David Carson

Edition details

• Publisher: Lulu
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1605307920
• ISBN 13: 9781605307923
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 228