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

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.

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.

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.

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 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!!!