Books & Movies: Yeshua

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/moseleymp3/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>Ron Moseley’s book, <i>Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church</i> (Clarksville, Maryland: Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1996) is an interesting read. I have met representatives of this movement before, and read a number of their books, especially once I came into direct personal contact with this school of thought on my first trip to Israel. This school of thought is well described by the term <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism"><strong>Messianic Judaism</strong></a>, a movement within evangelical Christianity that has been in motion for half a century now. This review is not only a critique of Moseley's book, but also a challenge to the Messianic movement as a whole.</p><p><strong>Excellent</strong><br />Many things Moseley and his associates emphasize are correct -- even excellent.</p><ul><li>Jesus and Paul were Jews. Most Bible readers forget this, and this seriously affects their ability to interpret the scriptures.</li><li> </li><li>There's great benefit in setting aside time for study, worship, and cultivating an awe of God (p.42). Yet this is no proof that we need to observe the Jewish calendar. Slowing down and stopping normal work one day a week, attending seminars; going on retreats, having daily devotional times, and so on can serve this purpose equally well.</li><li> </li><li>The Jewish background of NT teaching is brought to light, often in a captivating way.</li><li>The Pharisees’ teaching was similar to Jesus’ (p.91). I might go even further: if we were to compare our own spiritual heritage to the many Jewish sects active in the first century, theirs is unquestionably the group with which we have most in common.</li></ul><p><strong>Possibly correct</strong><br />A number of his ideas may be on track, but lack support. I think it is fine for Bible teacher to share his ideas, but only with a confidence i