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Gospel according to Moses, The: What My Jewish Friends Taught Me about Jesus

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Athol Dickson has a way with words and questions that within a few pages of this book will leave you speechless. He knows how to get to the heart of issues that have been argued and avoided by Christians for centuries. From the beginning Dickson is honest with the reader. He also clarifies that this text is written from a Christian perspective, and tackles subjects and gives perspectives that are hotly debated in both Christian and Jewish camps. The author also admits that this text has been read and reread to avoid any misrepresentation of the Jewish culture, and that he in no way is trying to proselytize.

In reality, this book does three things: it brings to life the culture and perspective of Jews of Christians and Jesus, it creates links from the Old testament to New testament (from the Ancient Jewish faith to the "New Covenant" - Christianity), and it unpacks some of the most difficult questions Christians never ask, because they may be afraid of the answers. What is so wonderful about this author is that the amount of time and knowledge is evident. Great care and detail have gone into each explanation, yet the narrative is such that you feel like you are on a journey with him as he engages with people at Chever Torah.

A word of caution. This book is not a light read; it certainly is no Max Lucado for the soul. If you are not prepared to have your mind stretched, about half way through your eyes will not keep up with your brain. Athol will unreservedly question, unashamedly challenge, and tactfully answer some wonderful and difficult to understand topics. Read cautiously, and with an open heart and mind. If you are like me, in the end you will see more things that need adjusted than you previously thought.

This book will be a resource for me for years to come. Thanks Athol! Your work is very evident and is greatly appreciated.

This morning, I have just completed reading "The Gospel According to Moses" ... I pulled an all-nighter with this one! I am a born again, spirit filled Christian who has been doing some introductory reading on the Jewish roots/Jewishness of Christianty, Messanic Judaism, history of the Bible (both "Old" and "New" Testaments) and how it was written, and similar topics. Therefore, when I read a preview of this book in a catalog, I jumped at the chance to buy it and was not disappointed! Here are some talking points: (1)If you are a Christian who has always asked yourself "Why is it that Jews do not accept Jesus as Messiah?" and "And what, if anything, can and should I do about it?", this book will answer such questions. (2)If you are Jew who has always wondered, "Why is it that Christians believe on Jesus as Messiah?" and "What is the meaning of this "Trinity" thing?" your questions may also be answered. (3)If you are a Christian or a Jew seeking to learn more about what the "Scriptures" known to Jesus and Paul (titled by Christians as "The Old Testament" but by Jews as The Torah, The Prophets (ex. Isaiah), The Writings (ex. Psalms) said about The Christ, the author will illustrate these for you in colorfully fascinating detail. (4) For Christians needing insight about the horrors Jews have historically suffered at the hands of Christians in the name of Jewish acceptance of the gospel, the author provides a brief but sobering summary of this dark part of our collective history (ex. - The anti-Semitic content of some of the writings of Martin Luther are clear and without dispute). The implications are that if we Christians were to seek out, understand and repent for the part we have played in the oppression of the sons/daughters of Abraham and Jesus, we could wrap this thing on earth up and return with our Jewish brothers and sisters to the Lord today. With this understanding, you will be able to understand with greater empathy what doctrine Jews do not believe and why...with more clarity what doctrines Christians and Jews actually believe in common. (5) For Jews, you will learn that there is a community of Christians seeking to reconcile with you as brothers...Christians who are also seeking to learn what you already know as the jumping off point to increased relationship man to man, and man with God. I do not believe that Jews need to fear they will be "converted" by this book (as there is no "Jews for Jesus" focus, for example), but I believe that Jewish thought and questioning regarding the 2000 year assertion that Jesus is Messiah will be provoked (which may be fear-provoking to some). Therefore, I would be interested to read the reaction of the Jewish community to this piece. (6) For Christians, the material presented in this book may be unfamiliar to you if you have not had exposure to the parallels between the two faiths (ex. the Talmud and its teachings)... but meet the challenge of this piece as a jumping off point anyway, because you will desire to learn more. As I read this book, I found myself laughing and crying out loud at the divine wisdom of God as the author did his human best to explain how God has revealed Himself both to the Jews, who are the sons and daughters of God first brought into Covenant with Him by the faith of Abraham (see Genesis Chapter 12) as well as the Gentiles (all of us who are not Jews) who are the sons and daughters of God brought and "grafted" into Covenant with God by the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see Romans Chapter 11). Clearly, the Spirit of God has granted revelation knowledge to Mr. Dickson that must be shared with all. Buy, read and be blessed!

This was a great read. Highly recommended.

The book reads smoothly, uses comfortable language, and flows in a logical way. Dickson employs several mini-stories throughout the book to introduce and illustrate the subject matter of that chapter.

Dickson touches an area of Christianity which is desperately needed. We embrace so much of our faith without having any knowledge of its roots or foundation in Judaism. Christianity and Judaism are not synonymous. They have significant differences, and Dickson does not ignore these differences, or try to homogenize the two faiths. But they ARE similar, and Dickson does a great job of showing just how so many of the themes in Christianity overlap with those of Judaism, even if that doesn't appear to be the case at first glance. Most of Dickson's focus is not on the minutiae differences of Christianity and Judaism, but is on the larger elements of our faiths, including the differences in how we approach our faith, and how we answer the hard-to-answer questions.

Allow me to share my favorite aspect of the book. Dickson discusses, in detail, the difference in the way Christians and Jews deal with difficult questions about our faith. I grew up in the church, Dickson is correct in characterizing the way most Christians answer those questions: we often try to make them seem less difficult than they really are, and look to some pre-fabricated answer found in our "ways to answer those questions" manual. Many questions are off-limits as quasi-heretical, meaning that we often never quite satisfactorily examine the things in our faith we struggle with. By Contrast, according to Dickson, no question is off-limits for Jews, and they embrace difficulties and questions concerning their faith. I believe more Christians should react like the latter. We should be willing to ask questions--the answers in our manual may be correct, but we should be willing to go and see.

One of the things that make this book so good is its ability to make you think-it encourages you to examine what you believe. You will find yourself pondering the things you read throughout the day. I cannot agree with everything that Dickson asserts in the book, and there are some areas in which I felt he could have elaborated and discussed more thoroughly. But the book DID make me think, and it did have an effect on what I think about a couple of issues. If you read this book, and consider the things discussed in it, there is a fair chance that your view on an issue or two will be tweaked in some way too.

The book is great. The book is easy to read, and enjoyable. While I still don't necessarily agree with everything Dickson says, those things are rather minute and mostly insignificant. People interested in the subject matter should definitely read the book. I am confident that you'll enjoy the book, and that you'll be glad you bought it.

As one who has spent many countless hours delving through very profound books on Theology and the Holy Scriptures in an attempt to better know God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, I frequently become rather complacent in my faith. But this complacency does not mask questions in my mind that I can't seem to put to rest. I have turned to books that propose to answer these FAQs but I have found some of the explanations rather favoring a particular denominational approach or at least non convincing. I recently read Athol Dickson's "The Gospel According to Moses." It makes no claims as to answering these questions that I have. BUT somehow it does provide the explanations that I seek to several of my questions. The author's thinking is so very logical, so profound and so in line with most of my evangelical views. I learned so much from this book.It made me think, question and wrestle with religious concepts as I have never done before. His most perceptive and most Biblical view on "Why Bad things happen to Good People" is just one example of a very thought provoking and assuring discussion held on one of these questions. This book tends to bring one to the conclusion that the evangelical Christians and our Jewish brothers and sisters are truly akin in many of our beliefs. Although differences do occur, Dickson quietly seems to call us to celibrate that which binds us NOT what rends us assunder. This is not an easy read BUT it is one of the most thought provoking, assuring works that I have ever read. I would strongly recommend this book to all.

Outstanding.
If you want to deepen your knowledge of Christianity and begin to look at things from a Whole Bible point of view this is the book to read. I heartily recommend it for all Christians (not bad for Jewish people who want to learn more about Christians and what-why some of us think the way we do) who are interested in the interrelating to people in a more loving Biblical fashion and don't mind challenging their own thinking and traditions. This book is minimally evangelical(his intent is not to proselytize but to educate) and the authors purpose is to broaden the readers understanding of the Jewish root of Christianity. The Christian author spent years attending a Torah Study at a Reformed Jewish Synagogue so that he could better understand his own Theology. It is obvious that he was able to develop a better understanding of G-d's Chosen People and His revelation to All of us. A good read, which goes quickly but will be read again and again to pick up more meat from this wonderful presentation of comparative theology. I am buying this for my Pastor and some friends with the hope it may change hearts and attitudes.

'The Gospel According to Moses: What my Jewish Friends Taught me About Jesus' is a unique and thoughtful auto-biographical journal of Athol Dickson's ongoing studies at a Reform Jewish temple's Chever Torah (Torah Group). The beauty of Dickson's study and reflection is not that he always reaches the most correct conclusion, sometimes I don't think that he does, but that his underlying attitude about recognizing and defining questions is exemplary. The author's attitude here is suggestive of that of Origen, the great early Christian thinker and student of the Torah (what Christians call the Pentateuch or 'Books of Moses') and the Tenach (what Christians call the Old Testament). More to be feared than a question without an easy answer is indifference to the question, or a smug delusion that all answers are well in hand. Dickson says, "God may answer my questions with silence because the answer is silence. In other words, sometimes my questions themselves are answer enough. . . When the Lord offers no clear answer to my questions, it may mean I will learn greater truths by continuing to ask the questions. Sometimes questions may have many possible answers, so God declines to point to a 'correct' one. The most common examples of this phenomenon are bound up in the many paradoxes of the Scriptures. . ."

Bumbling humans that we are, Christians and Jews too often misunderstand and misrepresent each other's views. Dickson tries to avoid the oversimplifications involved in these superficial dismissals, but without surrendering his essential Christian understanding. Many commentators on the Torah are cited; on the Christian side these include the New Testament writers, Augustine, and Kierkegaard, for example. But most of the expositors cited are the Talmudic rabbis (who, of course, were Pharisees, that group of Torah students whom Christians are typically anxious to simplistically vilify wholesale). Dickson says- "As has happened so often in my time with Chever Torah, the floor of my study is littered with fallen stereotypes." (p135)
". . . again it seems that Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity are far closer than I once thought. Christianity says if I love Jesus I will obey his teaching. Judaism says if I wish to follow I will be led along the road. In both cases, faith by the grace of God leads to obedience to God. . . I am free to choose the road I wish to follow and then I am led along it, either downward by my foolish pride or upward by the grace of God." (p142)

I read this book at the same time I was reading Philip Yancey's "The Jesus I Never Knew." Both books are excellent and both speak to some of the weaknesses of the other. The one aspect of Dickson's study that I thought came up short was his arguments regarding the Trinity. It's a challenging subject and I have seen others approach it as Dickson has, citing Torah references to the God who is One with occasional language of plurality, but, of itself, it is a difficult argument. I believe our best understanding of the Trinity must include the insights of Augustine and Anselm. Any weaknesses aside, Dickson has written an excellent book about how one's attitudes, including cognition of one's own ignorance, are of central importance, whether attempting to resolve the mysteries and paradoxes of the Torah or the mysteries and paradoxes of the luminous Jewish rabbi, Jesus.

Based on insights gained from his experience as a Christian guest in a Reform Judaism Bible study, Dickson offers his thoughts about God, scripture, and interfaith misunderstandings--such as the relationship of faith to obedience, grace to works. 'The Gospel According to Moses,' one of the most refreshing books I've read in a while, has caused me to study the Jewishness of the Christian faith, which in turn has brought new depths of understanding of and awe for God and the Bible--and more questions to contemplate and explore.

This is a great book for any Christian who is interested in knowing more about Christianity's Jewish roots. Recurring themes and phrases from the Torah (Old Testament) as well as quotes from early Jewish writings and commentaries are compared to what Jesus taught and New Testament writers wrote. This book is not for the new Christian, but for the mature Christian who wishes to delve more deeply into understanding her faith. This is not an easy, summer read, but a book which will give you food for thought and leave you hungry for more of the Lord.

This book is both beautifully written and extremely insightful. For Christians, it presents ideas that are refreshing; you're not likely to think of God in quite the same way again. For Jews, the book offers insights into the "Jewishness" of Christianity, as well.

Highly recommended.

This was neat. But in saying that, it was by no means at all, a light read. Athol Dickson made you think. A great writer of fiction, he writes great stories, with a message. But when he wrote, "The Gospel According to Moses," he is to be taken very seriously. Upon joining a Chever Torah group, his faith was challenged. And his faith was ultimately strengthened. He wasn't afraid to address difficult questions.

When I read this, Dickson wasn't afraid to to discuss what a Christian believes, opposed to what a Jew might think. And he wasn't afraid to apply Torah and Bible scripture. He takes examples in The Bible like Moses and Abraham, and events in their lives. He begins by stating, "Life's most important moments are often disguised as the commonplace." In this case, in the situation that Athol Dickson knowingly put himself into, that is most certainly true. Did he expect to be challenged? Possibly. He wasn't afraid to expose the differences. Or was he? Where does Jesus fit in this? You'll know soon enough.

So, if you want a few of the topics that Dickson addresses in a nut shell, I'll give a few. In the opening chapter, Dickson talks about dealing with doubts. He'll talk about why God lets us suffer. He'll discuss finding connections between obedience and grace. And in the final chapter, he'll ask a real tough one: Are Jews going to Hell? He discusses a lot of other stuff as well. The topics are 13 chapters total. I would dare to say, give this a try. If you have tough questions, then maybe this has the answer. Will it give you satisfying results? Only you can answer that.

Is this possibly a "Jesus Freak Among the Jews" account? Quite possibly, and a little more. It was awesome.