Although most modern writers use electronic keyboards instead of the reed pens and scribing chisels of Bible times, the prophet Jeremiah’s words about the corruption of divine writ remain every bit as relevant today as when they were first proclaimed. Over the course of more than 2,500 years, the only thing that has really changed is the rate at which we can create and multiply errors. Today, working with luxuries such as backspace and delete keys, inexpensive paper, and virtually unlimited hard drive space, it seems we take these blessings as liberties to think less before typing. As such, our discipline to make each paragraph, each word, and each letter flawless is compromised, for our modern writing tools have removed the incentive to be perfect, contrary to what ancient writing mediums demanded. Hence the need for the second edition of EAT LIKE JESUS.
Given the opening Jeremiah 8:8 citation, it is with a mixture of regret, embarrassment, and irony that I am publishing this second edition, after a reader pointed out what I now believe to be a chronology discrepancy in the second chapter of my first edition. Simply put, I previously assumed a chronology of Peter’s vision based on Galatians 2 inferences while overlooking Paul’s whereabouts as implied by Acts 9:30 and 11:25 (Paul went to Tarsus to avoid a plot against him). Consequently, Peter’s vision was probably not prompted by events in Antioch, but rather Paul’s later rebuke of Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11) was necessary because Peter had forgotten the core message conveyed in his own vision—namely that he was to stop alienating God-fearing Gentiles.
Nevertheless, the presumptuous chronology does nothing to undermine the book’s overall thesis and conclusions. In fact, my initial assumptions even validate one of the central ideas conveyed throughout EAT LIKE JESUS—that the more we handle Bible texts with preconceived biases, the more likely we are to corrupt the original message. This occasion brings to mind a short poetic proverb, which I faintly recall reading in a scientific publication years ago.
By the questions we pose
ourselves we deceive;
so limited in thought,
by what we choose to perceive.
While a small fraction of my first edition was unduly influenced by my chosen perceptions, I am grateful that the self-deception that resulted was not actually in disagreement with the Torah of Elohim, to which the sharp opening Jeremiah quotation alludes. Also, I consider myself fortunate in that my questionable assumptions were consistent with Peter’s known character shortcomings. The message I glean from Peter’s life story is that after making—and even repeating—mistakes, there might remain space for grace, the opportunity for repentance and redemption, and perhaps even the possibility of seeing miracles.
Apart from chapter 2 updates, this edition also incorporates upgrades to chapter 4. Tables were added to enhance presentation of critical Genesis translations, and the corresponding chapter 4 text was revised to better accommodate the new tables.
- Andrew Hoy
Author, Eat Like Yeshua
January 2014