Bibliography and Suggested Reading List

The publications in this list contain excellent information of great value to anyone
truly interested in gaining a thorough understanding of the great doctrines of the Bible.

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Primary Viewpoint Represented

Gentile Christian

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Hebrew Roots*

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Messianic Jewish

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“Traditional” Jewish

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Pro-Bible‡

* Distinctly Christian, but with sensitivity toward the Hebrew Roots of Christianity. ‡ Pro-Bible, but not necessarily slanted towards either a wholly Jewish or Christian perspective.

Berkowitz, Ariel, Dvorah, and Michele. Take Hold: Embracing Our Divine Inheritance in Israel. First Fruits of Zion, 1998. (Out of print, but it is still possible to find used copies.) Take Hold reveals the profound equality in the relationship between Jewish and non-Jewish believers in the body of Messiah. The resulting unity bring together His holy bride—the ancient People of the Book and those grafted in from among the nations. Take Hold describes the inheritance that non-Jewish believers have in the covenants of Israel. Learn how the Prophets of old foretold of this time—a time when men from every nation would look to the G-d of Israel seeking out His ancient paths.

Bowman, Robert M. Jr. Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses.  Baker Book House, 1989. "This is not an exhaustive study of the doctrine of the Trinity. It is rather a simple and clearly written explanation of the biblical basis for faith in a triune G-d."

Criswell, Wally Amos. Why I Preach That the Bible is Literally True. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1969. "We believe that the most scientific view, the most up-to-date and rationalistic conception will find its fullest satisfaction in taking the Bible story literally, and in identifying one of the greatest human beings with the most decisive leap forward every discernible in the human story!" 

Deal, William S. Pictorial Introduction to the Bible. Eugene: Harvest House, 1997. A profusely illustrated, non-technical source of information on who wrote each book of the Bible, when it was written, to whom it was written, and the particular circumstances surrounding its writing. Deal offers a basic introduction to Scripture that's easy to understand. Supporting his research with black & white photos and illustrations of ancient lands, artifacts, and more, Deal covers the author, audience, time period, and purpose of all 66 books of the Bible. Includes commentary that highlights key stories in each book.

Egan, Hope. Holy Cow! Does G-d Care about What We Eat? First Fruits of Zion, 2005. Join messiah magazine editor and best-selling author Hope Egan on her personal journey through what the Bible says about eating meat. Hope helps you see how science and Scripture brilliantly intertwine. Promoting neither legalism nor vegetarianism, Holy Cow! gently challenges you to take a fresh look at how you live out your faith!

PLUS: Man Alive! There’s More! Written by FFOZ Educational Director and Bible teacher D. Thomas Lancaster, Man Alive! delves further into some of the most challenging Scripture passages mentioned in the main part of this book. Fasten your seatbelts and get out your Bibles; this may be the richest Scripture study you have ever experienced.

First Fruits of Zion. Light in the Darkness: Hanukkah and the Disciples of Yeshua. An Anthology by FFOZ. Light in the Darkness provides in-depth, biblical understanding while demonstrating why the celebration of Hanukkah is relevant and important for all Torah-people. Believers will be surprised to see how the events of the Hanukkah revolution are spelled out in the prophecies of Daniel, and they will be encouraged to realize that the celebration of Hanukkah is relevant for every follower of Yeshua. Light in the Darkness takes believers, step by step, through the traditional celebration of Hanukkah while revealing new Messianic meanings in the ancient festival. 

Geisler, Normal L. and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago: Moody, 1968. The evangelical Christian classic covering the inspiration, canonicity, text, and translation of the Bible. Your starting point for Bible study is right here. All your "beginning" questions are answered: Who wrote the Bible? Which books belong in it? Has it been accurately preserved and translated? This edition includes new sections on the inerrancy of the Bible, recent trends in textual criticism, a review of modern English translations, and more. The standard work in its field; required reading for first-year students in nearly every evangelical Bible school and seminary in the United States.

Gish, Duane T. Dinosaurs by Design. New Leaf Press (master Books), 1993. Here's a valuable tool if you want to give your kids accurate information on their favorite subject. (Homeschoolers have used it for years!) Gish outlines G-d’s divine design for dinosaurs and provides you with biblical evidence to combat today's pervasive evolutionary theories. 88 pages, hardcover from Master Books.

Glaser, Mitch and Zhava. Fall Feasts of Israel. A look at three of Israel's most significant festivals: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Will give readers new insights into what G-d originally intended for the sacrificial offerings.

Hegg, Tim. FellowHeirs: Jews & Gentiles Together in the Family of G-d. First Fruits of Zion, 1004. A masterful piece of scholarship, Tim Hegg's latest work seeks the biblical perspective on identity within the family of G-d. Is the Torah for all of G-d’s children, or is it only for Jews? Who are the people the Torah refers to as "strangers"? Do Gentile believers have a legitimate place in Messianic Communities? FellowHeirs answers these questions and more. The powerful results of Tim's research demonstrate from the biblical text that Jews and Gentiles are both beholden to the same covenant norms and responsibilities. There is only one set of teachings for all of G-d’s people. FellowHeirs is a must-read for every serious student of the Bible.

Jeffrey, Grant R. The Signature of G-d. Random House, 2002. Well-documented scientific evidence that proves that the Bible is the inspired Word of G-d beyond a shadow of a doubt. The author argues that G-d has indeed written His Signature on the pages of the Scriptures through a staggering number of divine proofs that its words are both inspired and authoritative. This new and expanded and completely documented edition contains additional research and remarkable new computer discoveries from the Bible Codes reveal astonishing details about the September 11 Islamic terrorist attack on America that were encoded in the Hebrew text thousands of years ago.

Kasdan, Barney. G-d’s Appointed Customs. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1998. Are the Hebrew traditions described in Scripture just for Jews? Since Jesus himself observed them, learn how God'sAppointed Customs can be part of any believer's lifestyle! Messianic congregation leader Barney Kasdan offers fascinating historical background on traditional Jewish observances, demonstrates how they relate to New Testament teaching, and provides a practical guide for Christians wishing to observe these customs within the context of a biblical lifestyle.

Kasdan, Barney. G-d’s Appointed Times. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1993. The biblical holy days are not just for Jews. Christians, too, can receive the blessing of these glorious days, the greatest object lessons in the Bible. In this book, Barney Kasdan, leader of Kehilat Ariel in San Diego, one of the largest messianic congregations in the world, explains every holy day described in Scripture. He teaches about the major and minor holy days, ever mindful that he is writing to both Jews and Christians. Beginning with the Sabbath, he writes about Passover, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, Hanukkah - the Festival of Dedication, and Purim. Each chapter features historical background, traditional Jewish observance, relevance to the New Testament, prophetic significance, and a practical guide for believers, including recipes, songs, and crafts.

Lancaster, Daniel Thomas. King of the Jews: Resurrecting the Jewish Jesus. Is it possible to have the wrong Jesus? Bible critics and scholars are talking about the difference between the Jesus Christ of Christianity and the historical Jesus. But who is the historical Jesus?

It turns out that Jesus is not a one-size-fits-all mystic. He wasn’t a Christian either. Jesus was a Jew.

While stripping back centuries of cultural misinterpretations, Lancaster reveals the historical, Jewish Jesus in vivid new strokes and colors that fire the heart and deepen devotion to Him. King of the Jews digs into the history and literature of early Judaism to demonstrate the authenticity of the Gospels and to dispel today’s errant re-interpretations of Jesus.

Not just another book about Jesus, this thought provoking, fun-to-read journey into the world of the Bible is guaranteed to change how you think about Jesus while affirming the historical basis for faith in the King of the Jews.

Lancaster, Daniel Thomas. The Mystery of the Gospel. First Fruits of Zion, 2003. The Mystery of the Gospel addresses the question of Jewish/Gentile relationships within the body of Messiah. In this friendly, easy to read, narrative style, D. Thomas Lancaster works through the Apostle Paul's rabbinic scholarship to piece together the deep mystery of the Messiah. Ultimately, that mystery is about the identity of Gentile believers and their relationship to Israel through the Messiah. The Mystery of the Gospel provides long-sought answers for everyone who is confused about where they fit in the House of Israel and the Torah of G-d.

Lancaster, Daniel Thomas. Restoration: Returning the Torah of G-d to the Disciples. First Fruits of Zion, 2005. From the author of Torah Club Volumes 4 & 5 comes the book you have been waiting for, a powerful introduction to Torah, presented in simple and easy to understand terms. Ideal for those who are new to the message of the restoration of G-d’s law, or those who wish to share this message with their Christian brothers and sisters.

Biblical Christianity was originally a sect of Judaism that believed in Jesus and revered the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) as the core of her Scriptures. Restoration is a riveting argument for a return to that original, biblical expression of faith in Jesus.

Discover for yourself the profound beauty of Torah life, the celebration of the biblical Sabbath and the appreciation of G-d’s Holy Feast Days. Your eyes will be opened to another dimension of the faith that is beginning to re-emerge among Christians worldwide.

Lancaster answers common theological objections to the Torah, while demonstrating that Christians are already keeping more of G-d’s Law than they realize. This thought provoking, theological boat-rocker is a fun-to-read, inspiring journey into the world of the Bible.

Messiah Magazine is dedicated to the study, exploration and celebration of our righteous and Torah observant king—Yeshua of Nazareth. Published five times annually, each issue brings you fresh new articles and perspectives on Messiah, the "grace" we have in Him, the "truth" He taught us and the "Torah" He lived among us. For "The Torah was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah." (John 1:17)

Seagraves, Kelly L. The Great Dinosaur Mistake. San Diego: Beta Books, 1975. Scientific discoveries showing that man and dinosaurs lived at the same time.

Smith, Wilbur M. Therefore Stand. Boston: W. A Wilde Co., 1945. The title is based on the Ephesian letter in which Paul urges the Christian to "put on the whole armor of G-d." A general work on Christian apologetics, covering primarily three great aspects of the Christian faith: the creation of the world, the resurrection of Christ, and the coming Judgment. 

Smyth, J. Patterson. How We Got Our Bible. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1912. A brief overview of the history of Bible translation from the earliest manuscripts to the beginning of the twentieth century. (No longer in print. Click here for the same title by other authors.)

Stoner, Peter W. Science Speaks. Chicago: Moody Press, 1963. Scientific proof of the accuracy of prophecy and the Bible. Professor Stoner examines the findings of science and the Genesis account of creation. He considers the day by day order of creation and shows the accuracy of Moses' record. An enlightening comparison of biblical truth and established scientific data. (No longer in print.)

Swindoll, Charles R. Growing Deep in the Christian Life. Portland: Multnomah Press, 1986. The great truths of Bible doctrine explained in the totally practical "where the rubber meets the road" sort of way that Dr. Swindoll's students have come to expect.

Wren-Lewis, John. G-d in a Technological Age. Cincinnati: Forward Movement Publications, 1967. This is the story of one man's theological pilgrimage in a search for G-d in a technological age and how that man, a modern scientist, was turned into an apologist for Christianity by his approach to the radical theology of our time.

Zimmerman, Martha. Celebrating Biblical Feasts. Experience the New Testament significance of Old Testament feasts. Serving up rich insights into seven Jewish meals, Zimmerman explains the meaning of each repast, lists materials necessary for observance, and provides complete directions for the events. Help your family or church grasp the symbolic representations of Christ found in Passover, the Sabbath and more.