Customer Reviews

God's Appointed Times: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Celebrating the Biblical Holidays

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Written from a Messianic Jewish perspective, this book is an excellent introduction to both the spring and fall feasts of the Lord. The reader is guided through the history, prophetic significance, traditional Jewish observance, and New Testament observance. The author also explains how the holy days can be celebrated today by all believers in Yeshua Ha Meshiach. He even includes games, music, and recipes. The Gentile believers in Yeshua will be fascinated by the discovery of their Jewish heritage, and will understand more of what their Bibles are telling them. This is a must-have reference for the Christian's bookshelf, along with "God's Appointed Customs" by the same author. You may also want to check out "The Feasts Of The Lord" by Marvin Rosenthal.

Barney Kasdan has given us a valuable book on the Lord's Feasts of the Old Testament. He writes as a Messianic Jew - a Jew who has come to believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah. His goal for writing the book is to acquaint Christians with the Jewish Feasts.

He examines the seven Feasts of the Lord found in Leviticus 23. He presents historical background, traditional Jewish observance (both Old Testament and rabbinic tradition), New Testament observance/significance, and prophetic fulfillment.

Kasdan intended this book to be a practical guide to the feasts. He suggests ways in which each of the holy days can be observed by believers in order to deepen their understanding of what God has done and will do. He includes recipes and crafts for each of the holy days.

At first, I thought this book was a little simplistic. Then, I read three others related to the same feasts. Kasdan has given us the most readable book of the lot. Two of the others that I read were primarily focused on the prophecy of the feasts - to me that took away from their practicality for today. I believe Kasdan has given us the better basic introduction for believers who want to know more about their Jewish heritage, without getting bogged down in prophetic studies based on typology and numerology.

I highly recommend this book as your starting place for learning more about the Feasts - God's Appointed Times.

A book that should be read by every believer - and those interested in opening their mind to the possibilities of belief - of the revelance of the Biblical holy days/holidays for us today. Clear and concise, it would benefit from being a bit longer at times, but is an asset to anyone's library.

The structure of this book makes it exceptionally easy to follow (and to reference). Each holiday (including Sabbath, Purim, and Hanukkah, as well as the Levitical feasts) gets its own chapter, divided into five sections: historical background, traditional Jewish observance, mentions in the New Testament, prophetic significance, and a guide for believers.

In the first several sections of each chapter, the author's point of view as a Messianic Jew (a Jewish believer) adds a unique depth to the information offered. It is a truly Jewish perspective of the Jewish celebration and historical background, and his explanations of the New Testament significance of each holiday are exciting and easy to understand.

The whole book is, overall, very concise yet quite thorough. Very practical suggestions are given for celebrating each holiday, including recipes and craft ideas. (The craft ideas are mostly what I consider "junky" crafts, but the recipes look good.) The author is very down-to-earth and non-dogmatic about celebrating the holidays the "right" way, understanding and communicating that Christians who celebrate these holidays do so for their richness, not out of a lawful obligation. The "Hebraisms" are all clearly defined so terminology is not confusing.

I would like to have seen a glossary, to corral all of the Jewish words in one place for easy reference. A more in-depth explanation of how each detail of the Last Supper fits into the Passover seder would also have been appreciated. However, overall, I was very favorably impressed by this book and would highly recommend it as a first - or only - book about the Biblical feasts.

I've read several books on the biblical holidays, and this is by far the most useful. It strikes the perfect balance in presenting traditional and Messianic interpretations of the holidays and is written with great sensitivity to those of differing backgrounds. It is practical and includes recipes, music, and craft suggestions for each holiday. If you read only one book on this topic, make it Kasdan's.

In an age of smorgasbord religion and overall confusion, this book shows the beauty of original Christianity. If offers proof that true Christianity is simply an extension of ancient Judiasm, as opposed to "one of the three monotheistic religions of our world," which is often assumed. Light and yet informative reading, this book is easy to follow and clearly shows the divine link between Judaism and Christianity based on the Jewish calendar and its holidays. If one feels lost in the commercialization of the Western/Christian holidays and is looking for more spiritual depth in their calendar year, read this book.

I enjoyed this book, I was hoping for a book with a bit more meat in it so to speak. But found that it was a good book for a quick guide to the festivals. I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to the understanding of the fullfillment of the festival feasts and there significance when applied to Jesus' past (Yeshua ben Joseph) and to His future (Yeshua ben David) here on earth.

This book is an excellent resource for Christians to understand the Biblical Feasts and their significance. By a greater knowledge of the Feasts, the reader can more clearly understand their Bible. Raised in the Christian church, I knew a little about Passover, but nothing in depth. Once I understood the Passover meal, especially the third Cup and the Afikomen, I had a deeper understanding of the communion service I had practiced most of my life! Kasdan has given us an easy-to-read, practical guide to an understanding and celebration of the Biblical Feasts. It is a point we miss in most Christian churches. I have read other books concerning the feasts and celebrations, but often become bogged down in lengthy discussions. This is the book I keep for reference. Over the years, I have purchased dozens of copies of "God's Appointed Times" (and "God's Appointed Customs") and given them to people interested in finding the Jewish roots to our faith.

If you're serious about the Christian faith, then this book is absolutely essential. Re-discover how God really meant us to live, and how wonderful life can be when we follow His good counsel. If you've wondered why Christmas & Easter are leaving you a little flat and less than exuberant, then this little gem may have the answers.

We must all have a (cjb) you can look up the word of God in whatever BiBle you choose to use, but until you compare a regular bible than use a (cjb) to get the true meaning of the word of the LORD there is a difference.