About this Event

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Although most people acknowledge that Jesus was a first-century Jew, interpreters of the Gospels often present him as opposed to Jewish law and customs.

Matthew Thiessen corrects this popular misconception by placing Jesus within the Judaism of his day. Thiessen demonstrates that the Gospel writers depict Jesus opposing ritual impurity itself, not the Jewish ritual purity system or the Jewish law.

This fresh interpretation of significant passages from the Gospels shows that throughout his life, Jesus destroys forces of death and impurity while upholding the Jewish law. Professors, students, and scholars of Jesus and the New Testament will value this work.

Dr. Matthew Thiessen is an associate professor of religious studies at McMaster University. He earned his PhD in Religious Studies with a focus on the New Testament and Early Judaism at Duke University. Professor Thiessen grew up in the Mennonite Brethren church and is now active in Mennonite Church Canada.