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I find myself a bit at a loss for words and not quite sure where to start.
Truly, Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg is that good!
Everyone comes across books that help to transform their life in certain ways. There are the books that lead to emotional and spiritual healing. And the books that kick your faith into gear.
But this book has ignited my flame to read and understand the bible in a way I never have before.
Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus:How a Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding
About the Author
Lois Tverberg’s bio describes her passion is to translate the Bible’s ancient setting into fresh insights that deepen and strengthen Christian faith. And she does not disappoint.
Lois received her BA in physics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and her PhD in Molecular Physiology from the University of Iowa. For several years she taught biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Her fascination for biblical study was ignited by a seminar at her church. She has since studied several times in Israel, taking courses in biblical Hebrew, Koine Greek, and in the physical and cultural context of the Bible.
Lois currently writes from her home in Holland, Michigan. Along with writing, she speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats. Her current news and articles are available on her website, Our Rabbi Jesus: His Jewish Life and Teaching, at OurRabbiJesus.com.
Part 1: Repacking Our Mental Bags
Lois starts the book by helping the reader to stretch our context of reading the bible. We often look at the bible through our current world understanding. Lois provides multiple insights to help you to “be there” when reading. This context helps to answer some of the more obscure laws or traditions of the Old Testament.
The book also addresses the significant difference in the Hebrew language and the English language. The Hebrew language has about eight thousand words. Whereas, English has one hundred thousand or more words. Lois describes it as “Hebrew expresses truth by splashing on bold colors with a broad brush, like van Gogh. Even though the details are quite rough, you mentally fill them in, inferring them from the context.”
Part 2: How the Bible Thinks
Lois addressed multiple ideas in part two to help the reader understand the writing of the bible. She first explained the difference between the “Greek brain and the Hebrew brain”. Meaning the thought process and way of processing information was different, therefore writing style was different as well.
The book also focuses on the importance of family and reading the bible from a sense of “we” versus “me” mentality. So much of the bible focused on family and community whereas in our Western culture we are much more self-centered. It is then understandable how certain aspects of the bible seems outdated. But Lois brings to life the importance of reading the bible from the stance of the collective. And truly realizing how small we actually are.
Part 3: Reading about the Messiah
I LOVED part three of the book. The first two parts helped to provide understanding and set the stage for helping the reader to understand how and why Jesus taught in the manner that He did. She gave amazing connections from Old Testament prophesies that Jesus hinted at and alluded to that many common, Western Christian readers wouldn’t notice or understand.
This was the part of the book that ignited a passion to learn more. To continue to dig deeper into God’s word and understand the greater depth of it’s meaning!
Extras
At the end of each chapter, Lois provides a ‘tools and reflection’ section. The section gives bible reading recommendations in light of the information discussed in the chapter as well as websites, books, and other resources for going deeper into understand the bible.
Lois also gives the reader multiple appendixes for further study – Hebrew words for bible study, bible translation recommendations, and recommended resources.
I know this is a book I will come back to multiple times and I highly recommend you do, too!
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by BakerBooks a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
For more of my book reviews check out posts in the book review tab.
God bless!
Melissa
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I’m so glad you reviewed this book. I have grown a ton after reading all of Tvberg’s books on how to read the Bible. I agree. It’s that good. I consider culture every time I sit down to do my daily Bible reading now. An excellent book!
This is the first of her books that I have read but I’m so excited to read her others as well. My husband just finished Walking in the Dust with Rabbi Jesus so we’ll just switch books! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Wow, this looks like a great book. Thank you for sharing.
It really is! I hope you find it beneficial, too!
OK, this sounds amazing! I love learning about the culture of the Bible as I know we misunderstand so much of it. Thanks for this review – I’m definitely going to look into this book!
This is her most recent book. She has a few others that I’m really excited to read as well! I’m glad the review intrigued you to look into the book.
Melissa, this looks like a great book. I had never heard of this author or these books. I’m going to get one and hop that it will kick my study of the word back into high gear! Thanks for sharing. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Oh Amy! I think you’ll love them! She brings such awesome insights and revelations from Hebrew and the culture of that time. I’m so glad you stopped by! God bless!
I am definitely adding this book to my bookcase. This book sounds like it’s right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!
After reading your post today I think you will LOVE it! Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the journey!
I think I will order a copy. You might like Robert Alter. He translates the Old Testament so beautifully but it is his comprehensive notes that really draw me in. I believe he is Jewish so he give a very comprehensive look at the Jewish theological, historical and literary perspective.
I think he is a recommendation in this book, too! Rabbi Daniel Lapin is also another great resource to understand the Old Testament. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! Thank you for stopping by Alice! God bless!
Looks like another book I will be adding to my collection! You got me at the author is from Iowa, how can I not check more into it since I’m almost in the state 😉
We seriously are in need of another book case! We have books stacked on our floor next to one of our book cases! 🙂 I also appreciated that she went to Iowa colleges! A little home state love! I hope you enjoy the book Julie!
This book looks very informative and insightful! Jesus’ teachings are so interesting to me! I feel like they give me more a glimpse into Himself!! <3 I will have to check out this book, and the book Alice suggested!
And I love how reader friendly this book is. It’s full of awesome information but written in a way that is easy to understand. I hope you enjoy the book!
Oh, Melissa! You are an answer to prayer! I have been looking for a book with this concept. I will be coming back to order one for sure, I have never read any of her books, but excited to step it up a notch!
Sheila I hope you love it! I took so many notes and kept my bible next to me the whole time I was reading so I could reference everything she was mentioning! So good!