Laridian Releases Two Books For Messianic Jews On PocketBible

[Ed Hansberry]

Laridian has released two very exciting books for PocketBible. The first is the <a href="http://www.laridiansales.com/order/productpages/LBKCJB001.asp?order_platform=ce?ref=apwzwtzws">Complete Jewish Bible</a> and the companion product is the <a href="http://laridiansales.com/order/productpages/LBKJNTC01.asp?ref=apwzwtzws">Jewish New Testament Commentary</a>. You should read up on both products on Laridian's site to see if they interest you. I have found both to be very interesting and helpful.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2005/20050603-jewishbible.gif" /><br /><br />The Complete Jewish Bible is roughly 3.3MB and the Jewish New Testament Commentary is 2.0MB. Both are $14.99. Note that if you already have PocketBible, you will need to upgrade to the latest version, which should be in the "Update" area of your download account at Laridian.

[martin_ayton]

Downloaded both. Blew at least an hour of work time this morning reading the very thoughtful and honest intro to the translation by the author (i.e. David Stern, not YWHW). I'm looking forward to getting into these.

Now, Laridian, I want interlinears. Please, please can I have interlinears?? :puppydogeyes:

Oh yes, does anyone know when Laridian plan to restore the bit of the Strong's Exhaustive Hebrew Concordance (#835 to #842) which they admit is missing? :(

[Ed Hansberry]

...reading the very thoughtful and honest intro to the translation by the author (i.e. David Stern, not YWHW)....
:rotfl:

[Len M.]

It's important to note that while Laridian call this the "Complete Jewish Bible", no Jew would agree. Specifically, those verses of the Bible that Christians use as proof texts are translated as Christians do and not as Jews do. Labelling this product in this way is deceptive.

Also, Laridian's Web page for this product is clearly evangelical in nature, and insulting in tone to Jews of all affiliations. All normative Jewish groups (bar none) consider "Messianic Jews" to be Christians, and their efforts to convert Jews to Christianity under guise of becoming "fulfilled Jews" as being deceptive in the extreme.

It would be nice if PPT would be sensitive to these issues and perhaps consider how promotion of these products is perceived by their Jewish subscribers and readers.


Len M.

[martin_ayton]

...Laridian call this the "Complete Jewish Bible".

Len, I'm sorry you are offended, but it is probably worth pointing out that Laridian didn't choose the title of this book - it was called that by the translator, David H. Stern, and the publisher. Now, Mr. Stern calls himself a Jew: He was born and raised as such, moved to Israel and attends synagogue. It is at least reasonable for Laridian to respect that in making the books available and for PPCT to report it that way.

Labelling this product in this way is deceptive.

You would have to take that up with Mr. Stern.

It would be nice if PPT would be sensitive to these issues and perhaps consider how promotion of these products is perceived by their Jewish subscribers and readers.

I'm not an editor here, just a reader, but I appreciate the way that products are essentially 'promoted' by individuals who use them, like them and are prepared to champion them. Unless the product or the way it is promoted is unlawful or specifically and deliberately offensive and promoting hatred of a people group (which these books absolutely do not), then I believe it should be allowed to stand.

It works both ways - why not tell us about the stuff that you like?

[Len M.]

Unless the product or the way it is promoted is unlawful or specifically and deliberately offensive and promoting hatred of a people group (which these books absolutely do not)...

Well, let's turn this around and see if you (or Christians in general) would find it offensive:

A fellow who grew up as a Christian, the son of a priest (or pastor, minister, preacher) publishes a book called "The Complete Christian Bible." In it he changes all the verses that define Jesus as God's son and the third element of the Trinity to read that Jesus was simply a man who was a prophet. He changes the verses describing the Virgin Mary to read that Joseph was Jesus's biological father. He substitutes the name Ishmael for verses that, in the original Hebrew bible had the name Isaac. He... (well, you get the idea)

This fellow is a member of a group called "Christians for Mohammed" and actively pomotes their agenda, which is to convert Christians to Islam. He believes that Christians are "uncompleted Moslems" and that they must be converted to Islam to be okay with Allah. If they die uncompleted they will not go to heaven, and out of "love" he feels that he must convert them. He says this clearly in his lectures and on his Web site and in promotional material for his book.

Is that a book that PPT would advertise and promote, or would that be too offensive to a large number of its reader?


Len M.

[martin_ayton]

Len,

Personally, I wouldn't read it. But because this is not a specifically Christian forum, I wouldn't be upset about its being discussed here. But that's just me. I can't speak for others and I'm certainly not judging you: I'm sorry that you are upset but I accept that there are many substantial historical reasons why you might treat this book with suspicion at the very least. However, laying the title aside for the moment, I don't think that the content of this book is as bad as you think - it actually gives the usual Jewish translation of many verses translated differently in most Christian Bibles. That is one of the key reasons that I am interested in it.

Look, I'm not sure how much interest this discussion holds for anyone else here. If you want to debate it further, please PM me. And I promise I won't try to convert you :wink: