Why Jews Do Not Believe the New Testament is the Word of God

There is a significant discrepancy between how Christians and Jews view the figure of Jesus. While Christians proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, Jews generally do not share this belief. This raises the question of why, if the New Testament is considered by Christians to be divinely inspired, Jews would hesitate to accept it as the word of God. Let's delve into the reasons behind this.

Contradiction in Christian and Islam Beliefs

One might wonder why Jews would believe the New Testament if they do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. It's important to note that not all Christians believe the New Testament to be the word of God, and even among those who do, the interpretations often diverge from traditional Jewish beliefs. For instance, Michael L. Brown, a Jewish Christian, has published five volumes questioning the validity of Jesus as the Messiah.

When we look at world religions, the New Testament is not universally regarded. Islam, for one, does not accept it as part of their scripture. Both Christianity and Islam acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, but they interpret it differently. Islamic texts refer to Jesus as a prophet rather than the Messiah, as they believe the term 'Messiah' is reserved for the ultimate savior, who is awaited in the future.

Interpretation and Usage of Terms

A key point of contention is the terminology used in the New Testament. The Christians use the Greek term Xristos for 'Messiah,' which has a broader meaning than the Hebrew Mashiakh. The Hebrew term specifically refers to one who is anointed for official purposes, such as kings and priests, while the Greek term is more general and can apply to anyone anointed with oil, regardless of the context.

This distinction is crucial as the Jewish concept of the Messiah is linked to the Hebrew Mashiakh. While the Greek term matches the meaning in the Septuagint, the oldest Greek translations, the practical application within Jewish tradition is different. The New Testament fails to align with these traditional definitions and expectations.

Jewish Rejection of Jesus as the Messiah

It is not just Jews who reject Jesus as the Messiah; the text itself and even the prophets of the Hebrew Bible reject this notion. Several verses in the Old Testament clearly state that the Messiah is coming and that the prophets had no messianic successor. For example:

Isaiah 43:11 - “Surely all who forsake me will be ashamed and confounded: those who transgress against me, and when they call upon me, ‘Lo, we did not know you’

Hosea 13:4 - “Ephraim does not return to Egypt, and they will again bow down under God as at the liên to Mizpah; they will not put their trust in the rod of an ruler, nor in a staff of a wanderer.

Isaiah 45:21 - “Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone. For from him is evil; I will be the avenger of his idols.”

These verses emphasize that the prophetic line is not broken, and the Messiah is yet to come.

Discrepancies in the Messianic Claim

The messianic claim made by Christians is often seen as being at odds with historical and religious reality. The figure of Jesus, as portrayed in the New Testament, does not meet the qualifications expected of the Messiah in Jewish scripture. This is reflected in the fact that even those who follow Torah law, such as the Messianic Jews, acknowledge that the 'preparatory Messiah' did not fulfill the messianic prophecies.

For example, the name 'Jesus' is often transliterated as 'Yahusha,' and the idea of a 4000-year-old druid god named Jesus is a far-fetched interpretation. The figure of Constantine choosing a name for his new pagan religion is not a basis for claiming that this figure is the Messiah.

The Sanhedrin prophecies and post-Jerusalem temple destruction writings further confirm that the Messiah is yet to come. The ultimate Messiah will meet the qualifications set out in the Torah, whereas the preparatory Messiah fell short and should not have met them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reasons why Jews do not believe the New Testament as the word of God are rooted in the contextual, theological, and linguistic differences from traditional Jewish beliefs. The specific prophecies, the definitions of terms like 'Messiah,' and the historical context all contribute to this belief. Despite Christian claims, the Jewish interpretation remains steadfast in waiting for the fulfillment of true messianic prophecies.