Customer Reviews

Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel: A Message for Christians

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Christianity has its roots in Judaism, and David Stern proves that there her roots must remain. Although the Apostles agreed that gentile believers in the Messiah need not become Jewish, later church councils decided that believers in Messiah could no longer be Jewish. But the evidence of Scripture clearly points out that first century believers had no problem continuing an identification as a "sect of the Jews."

Stern demonstrates how the Church, an outgrowth of Judaism, cut itself off from its roots and has suffered because of it.

Although a few interpretations are strained (esp. his interpretation of the relationship of the Law to New Testament believers in Galatians), the book is a real eye opener. Anybody who values Bible interpretation would do well to read it, esp. pastors and professors, though it is understandable to a serious laymen.

This book will stretch your mind and help you to "see" passages you never "saw." As a serious student of the Word, pastor of 20 years, and someone who values thoughtful interpretation, I say this book is a must.

This short but powerful book contains the parts relevant to Christians from the author's much longer work, The Messianic Jewish Manifesto. Chapter One explores the restoration of the Jewishness of the Gospel versus the alternative of contextualising it. Looking at Christianity and culture, Stern describes the early growth of the church amongst gentiles as Transcultural Judaism. Gentile believers were not forced to adopt Jewish customs although the infant church was entirely Jewish. But not everyone understood the Gospel message in this way: the Gospel got confused with culture and the act of embracing the Saviour eventually came to mean rejecting these Jewish roots entirely. Stern dissects the various forms of evangelism and comes to the conclusion that the restoration of the Jewishness of the Gospel (Type 4 Evangelism) is where Jewish people fit in.

Chapter Two deals with the "whole counsel of God" by investigating the church and Israel in theology and history. Stern discusses three distinct theologies: Covenant, Dispensational and what he terms "Olive Tree." The section dealing with the history of Israel and the church contains two highly illuminating illustrations: The Cultivated Olive Tree and The Cross Sections Of The Tree. Here the exact relationship between Israel and the church is explained with reference to the book of Romans. The chapter includes a discussion of the Gospel as both corporate and individual. The most fascinating part of this chapter is the explanation of the four kinds of scriptural interpretation: Simple, Hint, Search and Secret. Stern provides a thorough refutation of the arguments that God is "finished" with the Jewish people. In debunking Replacement Theology, he emphasizes that the promises to the Jewish nation remain pivotal in biblical religion. The role of Torah in the Gospel is also discussed here.

Chapter Three looks at Christianity as a Jewish religion and makes clear how evil Anti-Semitism is. All thoughts, words or deeds that harm Israel or Jewish people just because they are Jews, violate the spirit of the Gospel. Stern quotes from the Book of Romans to illustrate that the gospel message is especially for the Jew and stresses the importance of evangelisation. But Christians must tread ever so carefully! I cannot imagine anything more absurd, in the light of centuries of Jewish persecution by Christians, than Christians ignorant of the roots of their faith attempting to "convert" Jews. In my personal opinion, in these times it would be more appropriate for Christians to spiritually and materially support Israel. Rather leave the actual task of bringing the message of Yeshua to Jewish people to God and the Messianics. Perhaps that is what Stern means. If so, I agree with him.

The last chapter looks forward to the wonderful blessings that will flow forth when true Christians and the Jews finally embrace one another. Stern makes a plea for Christians to show mercy to the Jewish people. He is not specific about this, but I would imagine this to include support for the State of Israel, opposing Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism, helping Diaspora Jews to make aliyah to their homeland, etc.

The book concludes with a Glossary of Hebrew words and names, an Index of Scripture verses and other early literature, and an index. For further information, I also recommend the books Understanding The Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin, Our Hands Are Stained With Blood by Michael L Brown, Yeshua by Ron Moseley and Your People Shall Be My People by Don Finto. May the reader be blessed with insight and understanding.

This book is short and enlightening. It is a wonderful start for the person beginning to seek understanding of the Jewish context of Christianity. You will see the story unfold of the "church" Jesus intended to establish; of the Jewish origin of Christianity; and of Jesus' life in the Jewish culture. Then, learn how Judaism and Christianity can and will be restored as one. Lastly, learn why your wrong if you think the "law" was the old testament. Order "The Parables" by Brad Young or "Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus" by David Bivin, with this book, because you will be thristy for more truth.

Although short in length, this book is full of exegesis for understanding the message of Christ from a pair of first century A.D. ears. This book will challenge preconceived notions and many years of Protestant teaching. The author's logic and research is sound yet easy to follow. A serious Christian will use this book as a springboard to the deep water of the gospels. If it wasn't for the brevity, this book would carry a higher rating.

I've studied the Jewish roots of Christianity for some time now, and I still found some surprises in this book. For the sake of those new facts and insights, it was worth it.
On the other hand, he argues way too hard that the law is still to be observed, to some extent even by non-Jewish Christians. He argues too hard that the scripture doesn't really mean what it says in too many instances. He has the idea that certain promises are only for Jews; my interpretation of scripture differs somewhat.
All in all I still enjoyed this book thoroughly, and I look forward to additional works by this author. He has definitely done his homework.

This booklet is a good starting point, not elementary but concise, to realizing the Jewish context of the Bible. I highly recommend this book, but more importantly I encourage the "Called Out Ones" to study the subject and get back to our Jewish roots.

This is an excellent book, I think that all serious Christians, should have this book in there collection. In fact Christians should buy two of them one to keep for themselves and another to give to another believer to read. I have learned a lot, and it has changed my mind (in a good way) about the gospel. I highly recommend this book. The book was in excellent condition, and I received it in a timely manor.

So much out there. SO much said and so little understood. This and that and Everything else. So many theologians saying so many things. Up is down and down is up. Right and Wrong and Nothing really really means what it says.

Well scripture really means what it says. But what are we reading?

This book is a good set for understanding.

Truth is what one really needs to do in order to walk with Christ one really needs to walk in his footsteps for a while in his sandals.

This wonderful little book is very good for that purpose.

A must read for anyone serious in seeking one's way.

A book that seeks to unite us through Yeshua (Jesus). I was allowed to keep my Christian identity, while embracing its roots.

All in all, i think this book was David Stern's best book, second to "Messianic Jewish Manifesto." I suggest getting the revision of MJM (Messianic Judaism: a modern movement with an ancient past) because that contains all the material in Restoring, as well as adding new material to the old edition. in one of the appendices it has all the information that restoring has, and passages in MJM that parrallel.

i was disappointed with Stern's CJB, JNT, and JNTC. But, he redeemed himself slightly in MJM. I would not buy this book if you are going to buy MJM. But if you are only getting this book, it gives pretty good advice on how to evanglize to Jews without offending them or being stubborn. I still think Stern's theology and idea of the MJ movement needs some rethinking and reformation, but this book is a good intro to Stern's theology, who is seen collectively as a representor of the MJ movement.

shalom- john