Looking for your Recommendations

[Lisa W]

Hello friends,

We've had several friends lately ask about our faith and we're in the early stages of conversations with them. I remember when we first "discovered Torah" that it was like drinking water from a fire hydrant - it was overwhelming at times! I don't want to overwhelm our friends. :) But I do want to try to ensure that our library contains materials that are helpful that I could loan to our friends. So I'm asking for your input.

What resources (Scripture references, books, teachings, etc) were most helpful to you when you first discovered that there is a Hebrew Root to the Christian faith? What was it that lead you to understand that this Hebrew Root is worth investigating? What resources did you find most helpful in instructing you regarding this?

Conversations we can have. But I want to be able to loan materials to people so they can evaluate Torah on their own. I'm not interested in telling someone that they have to conform to our standards or convictions, I want them to evaluate things on their own. I just want to provide them materials to read/listen to/watch that will provoke some thought and encourage them to dig and study more. The last thing I want is for them to say "Well, they believe this and it sounds right so we'll just follow them." As if...

Thanks for any input.

[Jerzy]

Hi Lisa,

You might take a look at a discussion started by Trish called "Favorite Books About Hebrew Roots". It's in the Forum section on page 2. There's lots of great books on there.

I also read an online book called "Our Lost Legacy" that was the beginning of my journey. I think you can purchase in hard copy as well. Here's the link to the online version: http://www.restorationfoundation.org/goldenkey/chapter1.htm

[Trish]

I LOVED "Restoration: Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus" by D. Thomas Lancaster. I also read "Take Hold" by Ariel Berkowitz but found "Restoration" a much easier read. Also, the series of "It Is Often Said" books by Tim Hegg are great for those with questions...many are addressed in those books.

I began to realize there were contradictions between the practices of mainstream Christianity and what the Bible taught and I just began by reading a lot from the Encyclopedia (mostly Wikipedia) on the history of Shabbat and that is what got me started on the whole thing. From that study I learned that the practices of the first believers was far different than practices today, and that just fueled the fire for more in depth studies from there on out.

[Robin Sampson]

Our Lost Legacy is an excellent place to start.

My favorite authors are John Garr, D. Thomas Lancaster, Timm Hegg, Marvin Wilson and Dwight Pyror. Hope Eagan (Holy Cow) and I are working on a Bible Dietary unit study.

If I need have to pick one book to share it would depend on the person.

1. If they already have a fire and want to study I would give them

Our Father Abraham by Dr. Marvin Wilson

. 2. If they have an interest and need a quick overview I go with

Restoring Our Lost Legacy: Christianity's Hebrew Heritage by Dr. John Garr

. 3. If you are introducing someone to Hebrew and Greek thought and how it affects us today see

Assumptions That Affect Our Lives by Christian Overman

Also see the books in the Hebrew Roots Package

[Robin Sampson]

Also check out the articles at BiblicalHolidays.com

[Carol]

For me, it was the Lord showing me that He did want me to obey the laws. Every time I read the laws, I wondered (was convicted?) that the laws seem to be such a big part of it all. I began to pray specifically that God would show me whether I was to cover my head in worship, and He showed me that He wanted me to keep all the laws today as relevant - not just a "cultural" part of the past. The first book that I read was "Restoration". From there I've read a lot online like on this group and Robin's other groups. I've still got a lot to learn. The Holy Spirit is guiding me. I would say, though, to let the Holy Spirit guide them slowly about the holidays...that can be a big obstacle for everyone. Be gentle! Be loving!

Carol

[Jody]

Shalom, WOW be careful in judging what you consider "cultural". Simply because a specific command is not common, or comfortable in todays "culture". Torah is not a smorgasborg, to simply choose what you like and pass by that which you do not. I am not pointing my finger at any one person here, simply making a broad observation. I know my comments are often misinterpreted, and misunderstood. It is often painful. But I am just expressing my point of view. Do not take offense. Just think about it.

[Carol]

Jody,

Don't get me wrong. I was saying that the Lord was showing me that the laws are not cultural. I think often in the past, I've been told that it isn't relevant to today, that God doesn't hold me to those things. I agree with you. We aren't to pick and choose. On the other hand, you have to start somewhere. There is no way that anyone who hasn't studied the law can keep the whole law. You have to obey what you know and keep seeking His ways and obey them as He reveals them to you.

[Lisa W]

Yes, we do need to gently lead others and understand that we have to start somewhere rather than talk about it or look at it from afar and say, "Gee, how nice". Simply getting started is the key, and second to that is the patience to understand that one won't get it all at once. One foot after another, one step at a time - just keep walking.

At the same time we need to be sure that we don't look at the Torah as if parts are outdated or "not for me". If we are indeed saved through our faith and grafted into the root, adopted as sons/daughters, then we have to understand that we are not invited to keep the covenant, we are obligated to it. If we submit ourselves to Him then we submit ourselves to His instructions, it's really rather simple. Otherwise we're not in submission to Him but we want Him to submit to us. His Word is timeless and His heart toward His chosen hasn't changed. He is good and if we truly believe that then there is nothing to fear when we go against what we may have been taught in the past and choose instead to follow His commands.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have a lot of what was recommended on my bookshelf already, and I'd have to agree that I did enjoy them too. :)

[Jody]

Shalom, Very excellently put Lisa.
"then we have to understand that we are not invited to keep the covenant, we are obligated to it. If we submit ourselves to Him then we submit ourselves to His instructions, it's really rather simple. Otherwise we're not in submission to Him but we want Him to submit to us"

[TISHUVAH]

Shalom Lisa and all
A flood it was and the waters still spring forth adn often over their banks as the LORD teaches us on our journey. The following will give you an idea of how we took the plung from just being believers in a protistant assembly to where we are now.

My little library
"YESHUA"-Dr. Ron Moseley, "GOD's Appointed Times"-Barney Kasdan, "HEBREWS" - Dr. Stuart Sacks, "Our Hands Are Stained With Blood" - Michael L Brown, "The Gospel According to Moses" - Athol Dickson, "Walk Genesis/Exodus/Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy" - Jeffrey Enoch Feinbrg, "Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus I/II/III" - Michael L Brown, "Romans" - Joseph Shulam and a whole bunch of others yet to list among Messianic Books helped me on the journey of returning to our Hebrew Roots.

"Biblical Literacy" - Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, "The Bedtime Torah" - Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, "Essential Torah" and Essntial Judaism- George Robinson, "To Pray As A Jew" and "To Be A Jew" - Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin, "The Book of Customs" - Scott-Martin Kosofsky, and many other books of rabbinic and jewish thoughts to glean the truth and cast away that which HE has for me to not note.

Bibles: The Jewish Study Bible - Oxford, Complete Jewish Bible - Stern, Tanach - Stone edition and a few others.

Warning before any of these need to be read. I ask that you be prayed up and lead by HIS Spirit to glean what HE wishes you to from them. Treat them as commentary and nothing more and may you be blessed in your studies.

rav.

[TISHUVAH]

In Our Much Bigr Library.... ;-)
The FATHER has allowed us access to Communities across three coastal counties. That has been a goodly treasure of imformation. Along with the local Jewish Communities and Christian Colleges. Lets not foregt the BIG Library known as the storehoues of Wisdom and Follly called the Internet. Then as well as written we love to absorb the audio and visual of tapes( the thin cellulose strand covered in precise mannors of magnetic particles which used in ancient devices "Tape players" to create audio and video teachings) CD's and DVD's.

rav and wife
Proclaiming the Gospel of ADONAI
@Beit TISHUVAH

[Trish]

"Then as well as written we love to absorb the audio and visual of tapes( the thin cellulose strand covered in precise mannors of magnetic particles which used in ancient devices "Tape players" to create audio and video teachings"

ROFL! hee hee hee! :-D

This reminded me of a great seminar on CD by Tim Hegg that I really enjoyed as well called "What's So New About the New Covenant?" available from FFOZ.