Name: Public Lecture with New Testament Scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine
Start: 2025-04-05T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-04-05T21:00:00-04:00
Location: Knoxville First Presbyterian Church

Public Lecture with New Testament Scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

An exploration of how Jewish and Christian traditions interpret scripture differently, promoting wisdom, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
About this Event

As we explore the dimensions of peace in the middle of turbulent times, we are excited to consider the ways in which our interpretation of Scripture can create new pathways to understanding, respect, and peace. To guide us in this conversation, First Presbyterian Church is honored to welcome Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, a world-renowned Jewish New Testament scholar.
Dr. Levine serves as the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace and is University Professor Emerita of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. A prolific author and engaging speaker, her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, and The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (co-authored with Marc Zvi Brettler). Throughout her scholarship, Dr. Levine brings historical depth, humor, and a commitment to interfaith dialogue, helping Christians and Jews better understand their shared texts and traditions. We invite you to join us for an evening of engaging learning and conversation as Dr. Levine leads us in exploring how different readings of Scripture can deepen faith, build relationships, and foster peace.
Saturday Evening, April 5 – Public Lecture & Reception 7:00–9:00 PM
Lecture in the Sanctuary, Reception in Fellowship Hall
Jesus and Judaism: The Connection Matters
Jesus of Nazareth followed the Torah of Moses, found inspiration in the Prophets of Israel, and offered a teaching that some Jewish men and women found compelling. Yet too often Christians and Jews incorrectly regard Jesus as rejecting Judaism. Understanding Jesus in his Jewish context brings new meaning to his piety, his politics, and his parables, and it offers as well a new path for Jewish-Christian relations.

By situating Jesus within his Jewish context, we gain not only a clearer picture of who he was but also a deeper appreciation for the shared heritage of Judaism and Christianity.

We invite you to this opportunity to hear from Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, one of the world's preeminent scholars of the New Testament, on how Jesus' connection with Judaism matters. Whether you are a Christian seeking a fuller understanding of Jesus, a Jew curious about how Jesus fits within Jewish history, or someone simply interested in exploring the intersection of faith and history, this lecture promises to be a fascinating and eye-opening experience.