Customer Reviews

Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This valuable book explores the history of the first century of the Christian religion, showing that the early leaders of the church were Jewish, that the early church was organized on the pattern of the synagogue and explaining what Jesus really meant in his frequent use of Jewish idioms that were literally translated into Greek with the resulting confusion of meaning.

The book is written as a study text with review questions at the end of each chapter. What emerges is quite astonishing and not at all what many Christians have been led to believe. In the context of the Hebrew idioms, many perplexing utterances of Jesus become perfectly clear.

Chapter One presents the evidence for the Jewish background of the early church and discusses the early Hebraic names for the church. The fascinating Chapter Two deals with Jewish idioms in the teachings of Jesus; it includes passages on the parable of the reed and the oak, the golden vine, binding and loosing, the good eye and sounding the trumpet.

Chapter Three examines misconceptions regarding the law. It includes discussions of the law and grace, the Holy Spirit and the law, Paul and the law, the famous Gnostic Marcion and his view of the law, the letter of the law, the purpose of the law, and great Christian leaders' view of the law.

Chapter Four explores the old and the new covenants, the Noachide laws and 4th century theology, whilst the next chapter looks at subjects like the Holy Spirit, grace and gifts before Christ, the three stages of salvation and the relationship of the law to the New Testament.

Chapters Six to Nine are an in-depth study of the Pharisees, including their theology, their study and worship, and the Sadducees, Scribes and Essenes. There are also passages discussing their duties, their communities and the different types of Pharisee.

Their teachings are discussed in Chapter Eight, which includes discussions of miracles, traditions, evangelism and teaching methods. The final chapter looks at similarities between the Puritans and the Pharisees, Pharisaic doctrines and the schools of Hillel and Shammai.

The last chapter lists eight significant conclusions of the preceding text. These include the fact that Christianity was born within the matrix of Judaism and that the original language, idioms, customs, organizational structure and religious practices of the church were thoroughly Jewish.

The book contains a glossary, a bibliography and endnotes arranged by chapter. I highly recommend this work to all Christians who wish to understand the roots of their faith and what Jesus really meant, especially where his words in the English translations of the Bible appear to be confusing. In this regard, I suggest the interested reader also consult the brilliant book by David Bivin: Understanding The Difficult Words Of Jesus.

Dr. Moseley's volume is a well written, thorougly documented, understandable work with an important message: one cannot understand the Gospels or the early church with precision unless one enters into the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

Besides being a true scholar and theologian, Dr. Moseley also serves as a pastor, and his pastoral experience has probably contributed toward his ability to explain complex thoughts with clarity and precision.

The book is divided into nine chapters, my favorite being the second, "Jewish Idioms in the Teachings of Jesus." This chapter opens up several Gospel portions and alone is worth the purchase price of the book.

Whether or not you agree with the author on every point, this volume will expose you to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith while also opening up a number of Gospel or New Testament passages. As a pastor of over 20 years and a diligent student of the Word (who values good interpretational principles), I say this book is a must for pastors, theologians, or serious laymen. This is by no means the "same old same old." Go for it.

Dr. Moseley has given the body of believers a nice, readable analysis of the early believers in Yeshua (Jesus). If you are new to Messianic studies or to the Jewish background to the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) this is a good book with which to start. Knowledge of Hebrew is not required.

The book takes you on a journey through some of the conflicts between Christianity and Judaism by analyzing the Jewish roots of Christianity. For example, there is a detailed analysis about the Pharisees that most Christians likely have not studied. Most Christians assume a Pharisee is the epitome of hypocrisy; some were but not all, as we learn from the Scripture. Dr. Moseley also uses Josephus and Talmudic sources to show what the Pharisees believed and gives a brief outline about how believers in Yeshua began their dangerous departure from their Jewish roots.

There is also a nice description about 10 hard to understand comments of Yeshua that make a lot of sense in light of His Jewish roots. Personally, I found Dr. Moseley's descriptions better than those of Bivin (Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus). It is a shame he only discusses ten of these.

The most serious flaw in the book is that the author divides up the Torah into parts, and reasons that some Laws are "active" and the others are fulfilled (such as those related to the temple). Such a division is helpful, but unscriptural. He also makes some serious assumptions about the adherence beyond the Noachide Laws; more detail (instead of a reference) would have been helpful.. Dr. Moseley's discussion about Yeshua's and Paul's reaction to the Law, however, are quite good.

What I found especially helpful is the analysis of the Scripture in light of other Jewish sources. Although the Talmud is not inspired, it is helpful for understanding some of what people believed when Yeshua was on the Earth. The chapters are brief, digestible, and come with study questions.

In summary this is a good starter book that will enlighten those new to the Jewish roots of Christianity, but it will also give some food for thought to those more experienced

As a Messianic Jew, I found this book to be a must read.

G-d's Message through Y'shua (Jesus, in the Greek) was one that included the entire history and culture of the Nation of Israel. When this message was also given to the Gentiles (Cornelius, more than 3 years after 'Pentecost'), it had to be determined what part of this vast message was 'necessary and sufficent'. This Issue is heavily addressed in Acts.

What this book shows is that, just as Judaism, today, is very different from the Judaism of the 1st Century, so is the 'Church'. The essential Message of G-d has had a great deal added to it. Doctrines, dogma, cultural baggage and the incorporation of old pagan rites and festivals (Easter, Christmas, etc) have done much to change, if not distort, the Message.

This book will, hopefully, spur the Gentile Church to look back, to its roots and beyond the garbage of denominationalism and seperation that has greatly damaged it for 1900 years. Remember, all 5 covenants with G-d, including the 'New Covenant' were made with the Jewish people. The Gentiles, as Paul says in Romans, should not be prideful, for they have been 'grafted on' to the tree whose roots are the Patriarchs, Abraham, Issac and Jacob and who's trunk is the Nations of Israel.

Enjoy.

This book comes with glowing endorsements from a number of serious, heavyweight scholars. Apart from the generous praise of these men, many of whom I respect highly, the author also has some impressive credentials himself. Consequently, as someone highly sympathetic to this genre, and having toured Israel a few times, I approached it expecting to be greatly blessed. I must say that although the majority of the material is helpful, there were several aspects of this book which left me frustrated and disappointed.

Firstly, it appeared that the author was merely quoting other people's scholarship. (I know we are all the product of multiple influences, but I couldn't help feeling that he hadn't contributed a single original thought anywhere in the book. A possible exception is page 24. See below.
This is a strange impression to get; I can't recall ever having felt the same about any other book). Perhaps this is why the other scholars praised him so highly; did they recognise their own material? The end result was that I couldn't take him seriously as an authority in his own right--just someone parroting the opinions of others.

Secondly, there were some awful blunders which ANY competent scholar should have weeded out in the reviewing stage--(if they ever read it in the first place). For example, on p. 24, he makes the claim that the apostle John was from a priestly family, based on John 18: 15. All this says is that, "This disciple was KNOWN to the high priest." (He might just have been the fish delivery man for all we know!!). On this flimsy foundation he makes several foolish claims. Firstly this was why John let Peter go into Jesus' tomb first on the morning of the Resurrection, so as not to be defiled by a dead body. But next comes an absurd error based on Acts 4: 6, which he links to St. John also. It says, "Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, JOHN, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family." To the author this constitutes "proof" that the apostle John was of the high priest's circle. HOWEVER, if he'd bothered to read on, THE NEXT VERSE SAYS, "They had Peter and JOHN brought before them and began to question them." OBVIOUSLY, THIS ARISTOCRATIC PRIESTLY INQUISITOR JOHN OF VERSE 6 WAS NOT THE HUMBLE FISHERMAN JOHN BEING INTERROGATED BY HIM IN V. 7!!!!! John was a common name in the first century. When I read such massive blunders it totally removes all confidence in this man's scholarship. How he got all those letters after his name is a mystery to me.

Thirdly, sloppy handling of detail. On page 8 he talks of the Second Jewish War, but links the flight of the Christian community to Pella with that war, in 132 - 135 AD. It's not until page 69 that he corrects this error, rightly placing it in the First Jewish War of 66 - 70 AD.

Fourthly, what really bothered me was what I see as a dreadful theological statement on pages 36 -37. I quote, "The third misconception is the idea that New Testament believers have a "Better covenant" than God's Law. The passages from Hebrews, where this expression appears, are discussing the sacrificial system only, which is better in Christ, as God's Lamb, as opposed to a literal lamb. THE MANIFESTATION IS BETTER AND HAS CHANGED, BUT THE COVENANT ITSELF REMAINS THE SAME".
How can anyone claim that the New Covenant is THE SAME as the Old Covenant????? Hebrews clearly states that "By calling this covenant "New," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." Heb. 8: 13. No amount of semantics can twist the Bible into saying what he claims it says.
"For if there had been nothing wrong with that FIRST covenant, no place would have been sought for ANOTHER. But God found fault with the people and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. IT WILL NOT BE LIKE the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt." (Heb. 8: 7 - 9). WHAT COULD BE CLEARER?' THEY ARE TWO DISTINCT COVENANTS.
I don't dispute for a moment that it is the same thrice holy God Who makes both covenants with His people--and that His holy attributes and standards change not. But, as just one example of many differences, the priesthood has changed in the New Covenant--this alone tells us that the Mosaic system has passed away. The writer to the Hebrews makes this crystal clear--that Jesus was not of the Levitical priesthood, but rather in the order of Melchizedek. If the Old Covenant were still in place, Jesus, coming from the tribe of Judah as He did, would be disqualified to act as our great High Priest.

Fifthly, he totally fails to distinguish between the LAW OF GOD as a general revelation of His nature and standards, and the LAW OF MOSES, the Covenant made with Israel on Sinai. Several passages are confusing and misleading when this vital distinction is lacking.

I could go on but I don't want to be reminded of all the other irritations of this book--like the annoying writing style and how the serious, scholarly tone of the review questions at the end of each chapter seem ridiculous in the light of its errors. (I did BEGIN to fill them in--honest!).

I probably sound sour, fault-finding and critical, please excuse this. But this is not a good book and I found myself filling its margins with many irate protests. And please understand that I am highly sympathetic to this line of teaching in general. It's just that this is not a good example of the genre. There are far better choices one could make.
To be fair, the second half of the book was far better. He confines himself to a summary of the teachings of the Pharisees, which was quite helpful. I enjoyed that half far more. But even then, after seeing his poor scholarship previously, I found myself wondering, "Can I trust this as an authoritative source?"
Really 1 and 1/2 stars is the best I can give, and that's being overly generous! Save your pennies for other writings, which won't drive you to distraction with their sloppy writing style, factual errors and schoolboy blunders.

This book is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to explore the first century christian church. I have had the honor to sit under this authors teaching, he is a true scholar, and it shows in his teaching and his writings. This is a must read for any student of the Bible. It brings the world of Jesus to LIFE!!!

This book will open doors for the reader that has not explored the Jewishness of the Scriptures. The book and the bibliography will help a student research the rich Biblical Hebraic background, and set Yeshua back into the historical past. I have been enriched by the perspective and the insight displayed through this scholar's work.

This book is one of the most important books a believer could read. It is apparent that a lot of time in research and study went into this book. Any christian that is seeking the truth and a closer walk with God , this book is a must. To understand the Bible we must first understand, the people,language,and culture in which it was written. Dr. Moseley's book Yeshua gives us this insight. A great book and a must for every serious believers library.

Dr. Moseley's book is one of the most important books relating to the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith that I have ever come across. I along with my wife have lived in nine nations and speak six different languages. As I have found through my years overseas the understanding of history,mindsets and language is a must for complete understanding of the people that one is dealing with. This work of Dr. Moseley takes the studies of a very learned man and puts them into a context that your average layman can understand and appreciate. I would also note that what you will get from Dr. Moseley's ONE book would take you four or five books by other writters to understand. This is an excellent work.

Ron Moseley has written a well-researched and fascinating study of the Jewishness of the historical Jesus. Easily read but challenging to the reader. This book is a must for every serious student of the Bible in enlightening us as to our Jewish heritage. Forewords by Brad Young, Ph.D., Dr. Marvin Wilson, and Dwight Prior.

If you are discovering Christian Hebrew roots you need to have at least this book, "Restoring Our Lost Legacy" by Dr. Garr, and "Our Father Abraham "by Marvin Wilson.

If you are studying the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith be very careful to stay with the BALANCED scholars: Dr. Wilson, Dr. Garr. Dwight Pryor, David Bevin, Alfred Edersheim, Robin Sampson, Thomas Lancaster, Lois Tverberg, Tim Hegg, Richard Booker, Brad Young.