The book reviews found here have been carefully reviewed by Dr. Ron Moseley or staff. If you are a publisher and would like Dr. Moseley to review your recent publication, please contact him via email at the following address: rmoseley@aihls.org.

Yeshua A Guide To The Real Jesus And The Original Church

by Ron Moseley, Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Litt.

Review by Gina Worsham:

This is a one-stop shopping source for students seeking easily accessed information related to the Jewishness of Jesus and the Hebraic roots of nascent Christianity. Although there is a plethora of information on this subject, Dr. Moseley has made the difficult easy on complicated subjects such as the Pharisees and synagogue functions carried over into the second century church. In the words of Dr. Marvin Wilson, "Yeshua: A Guide To The Real Jesus And The Original Church is must reading for all serious students desiring to explore the historical and biblical linkage between the synagogue and church." I highly recommend this book. It is not a conclusive source on everything Jewish about the church, but it covers the subjects well. This book identifies and explains Jewish idioms answering such questions as why did Jesus spit on the ground and put it in the man's eye? Why the man was forbidden to bury his father before following Jesus? Why the woman was healed who touched the hem of Yeshua's garment? What binding and loosing meant in the first century, and why did Peter cut off the servant's ear?

Kingdom Relationships

by Ron Moseley, Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Litt.

Review by Gina Worsham:

This fifty page book lists the usable laws selected from the original 613 precepts in the Torah that are in force for the peaceful and practical lifestyle of the New Testament believer. Although there is much discussion about God's laws, there are few places where they are actually listed for non-Jews. The first half of Dr. Moseley's book Kingdom Relationships gives the history of the kingdom idea from ancient times. The last half of the book lists the 170 basic laws that apply to the non-Jew, living outside the Land of Israel, during a non-Temple period. Some believe the l70 laws that apply to all races will be the basis for the final judgment and are what the New Testament refers to when "the book and the books will be opened" at the final judgment. This is a real eye-opener and I recommend it.

The Spirit of the Law

by Ron Moseley, Ph.D., D.Phil., D.Litt.

Review by Gina Worsham:

This book explains much of the confusion about the laws of God and the grace of God in the modern age. It elucidates difficult phrases such as "the law was until John," and what it means to be under the law. The Spirit of the Law addresses in a simple fashion most of the arduous New Testament passages such as the curse of the law, Paul's conversation with James, the age of grace, the letter of the law, and how the law was abolished and fulfilled. I have to agree with scholars such as Ken Hanson, Ph.D. from the University of Texas, "The Spirit of the Law is on the cutting edge of modern scholarship." Marvin Wilson, Ph.D. and Chairman of Biblical Studies of Gordon College, "The Spirit of the Law deserves to be read and reread by every thinking church-goer." Brad Young, Ph.D. from Oral Roberts University, "The Spirit of the Law is a must for all Christians." I recommend The Spirit of the Law as a great source to deal with the complex questions that arise from misunderstandings about God's laws.

Understanding The Difficult Words of Jesus

by Roy Blizzard, Ph.D., and David Bivin

Reviewed by Ron Moseley:

Although this book was first published in 1983, it leaps ahead of most research on the biblical text because it deals with the Hebraic background. Both Blizzard and Bivin discuss the problems of modern scholarship in understanding a Jewish book from a Greek viewpoint. This book does an excellent job of rendering statistics on the percentage of Hebraic thought found in the New Testament language. The linguistic research methods used by Blizzard and Bivin separate the Hebrew from first century Aramaic in a simple, but lucid manner that can be understood by all. I highly recommend this book for the basics of Hebrew thought prior to launching into any serious Bible study.

Jesus The Jewish Theologian

by Brad Young, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Ron Moseley:

Jesus The Jewish Theologian places Yeshua in the first century context needed to understand the New Testament writings. As usual, Dr. Young addresses the parables of Yeshua with adept understanding of Semitic theology, leaving the reader with a novel but sensible glance of Yeshua's Jewish teaching methods. Without realizing Yeshua's Jewish theology, readers are easily pulled to the Greek mindset missing the beauty of the birth, baptism, temptation, and kingdom message seen in its Jewish form. Some of my favorite sections deal with the seemingly inflexible topics of divorce, adultery, and Jewish grace, which have simple answers when viewed properly. I recommend Jesus The Jewish Theologian to every serious student and pastor.

Women Restored

by Jimmilea G. Berryhill D.Phil.

Reviewed by Ron Moseley:

Although many volumes have been written about the general presuppositions shared about the women of antiquity, few have listed the details in regard to cultural attitude that Dr. Berryhill has set forth in Women Restored. The differences in modern and ancient attitudes of women, as well as those held by their peers, are discussed in detail in this book providing the reader with answers to clear up some of the misconceptions that are rampant today in Christendom. Women Restored reflects historical data from ancient rabbis on to a modern platform as the book shows the original view of women from a positive approach. There has long been a gap in understanding the history of women in religion, and only recently has any extended effort been put forth to recognize their spiritual worth. It was not until the 1950s that the white Methodists followed their African Methodist churches in having women clergy. The first woman rabbi was not ordained in the United States until 1972, and the Church of England did not recognize women priests until 1992. This is a far cry from the ancient records, which tell us of famous female religious leaders such as Debra, Hulda, Beruryah, the popular wife of Rabbi Meir. This book will excite the students of ancient women, their attitudes, and beliefs. I recommend it for both the teacher as well as the casual reader.

Our Father Abraham

by Marvin Wilson, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Ron Moseley:

Our Father Abraham has become one of everybody's favorites, laying the foundational studies of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. I personally like the questions at the end of each chapter and the easy reading form of the historical chapters. Dr. Wilson has answered an abundance of difficult questions in this landmark book of Hebraic foundations. This volume has and will continue to be used as a textbook for history on the subject of early Jewish-Christian thought. Topics such as minim, Notzrim, Herem, and the Nidduy are explained in an manner that both reflects scholarship as well as relevance. This is a great book and I can almost guarantee that your copy will be as highlighted as mine. I highly recommend Our Father Abraham as a teaching tool for classes, Bible study, or just good reading.