Biblical Research & Education Resources

Blaine Robison, M.A., M.R.E.

Recommended Books

Published 16 April 2004; Revised 11 July 2021

Below is a list of books divided into subject categories that I highly recommend for a personal library. Most of the books relate to study of the Bible and especially provide insight into the Jewish or Hebrew language, culture and roots of the Scripture text. Many of the works listed below are written by Messianic Jewish scholars, who are generally ignored by the Christian scholarly community.

Bibles

Besorat HaMashiach (Good News of the Messiah): The New Covenant, Psalms and Proverbs of the World English Bible: Messianic Edition. Wayne A. Mitchell & Michael P. Johnson, eds. Rainbow Missions, 2003.

Complete Jewish Bible, trans. David Stern. Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1998.

The Holy Scriptures: Hebrew and English. The Bible Society in Israel, 2012.

The Messianic Writings, trans. Daniel Gruber. Elijah Publishing, 2011. (with annotations)

The Orthodox Jewish Bible: Tanakh & Orthodox Brit Chadasha, trans. Philip E. Goble. Artists for Israel International Publications, 2010.

Messianic Jewish Family Bible: Tree of Life Version. Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society, 2014.

Bible Commentaries ~ General

Adam Clarke (1762–1832), Commentary on the Holy Bible. 6 vols. Online.

John Gill (1697-1771), Exposition of the Entire Bible. Amazon Digital Services, 2012. Online.

Bible Commentaries ~Tanakh (Old Testament)

David Baron, Zechariah: A Commentary on His Vision and Prophecies. Kregel Publications, 1918.

Michael Brown, Job: The Faith to Challenge God. Hendrickson Publishers, 2019.

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Walk Genesis. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1999.

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Walk Exodus. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2000.

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Walk Leviticus. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2001.

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Walk Numbers. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2002.

Jeffrey Enoch Feinberg, Walk Deuteronomy. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2003.

C.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1866-1891), 10 Vols. Hendrickson Publishers, 2006.

Derek Leman, Proverbial Wisdom & Common Sense. Lederer Books, 1999.

Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record. Baker Book House, 1976.

Henry M. Morris, The Remarkable Record of Job. Baker Book House, 1988.

Henry M. Morris, The Remarkable Journey of Jonah. Master Books, 2003.

Keren Hannah Pryor, A Taste of Torah: A Devotional Study through the Five Books of Moses. Center for Christian-Judaic Studies, 2008.

Russell Resnik, Creation to Completion: A Guide to Life's Journey from the Five Books of Moses. Lederer Books, 2006.

Russell Resnik, Gateways to Torah: Joining the Ancient Conversation on the Weekly Portion. Lederer Books, 2000.

Jeffrey Seif, Glenn Blank, and Paul Wilbur, TLV Psalms with Commentary: Hope and Healing in the Hebrew Scriptures. Destiny Image Publishers, 2012.

Harold A. Sevener, God's Man in Babylon: The Visions and Prophecies of Daniel. Chosen People Ministries, 1994.

John C. Whitcomb and Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Flood. Presbyterian and Reformed Pub. Co., 1961.

Bible Commentaries ~ Besekh (New Testament)

Joshua Brumbach, Jude: Faith and Destructive Influence of Heresy. Lederer Books, 2014.

Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. New Updated Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1993. Also online.

David Friedman, James the Just: Presents Applications of the Torah. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2012.

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, Jude. Ariel Ministries, 2005. (Ariel's Bible Commentary)

Tim Hegg, The Letter Writer: Paul's Background and Torah Perspective. 2nd ed. TorahResource, 2008.

Barney Kasdan, Matthew Presents Yeshua, King Messiah: A Messianic Commentary. Lederer Books, 2011.

Barney Kasdan, Rabbi Paul Enlightens the Ephesians on Walking with Messiah Yeshua. Lederer Books, 2015.

Dan Juster, Revelation: The Passover Key. Destiny Image Publishers, 1991.

Hilary Le Cornu and Joseph Shulam, A Commentary on the Jewish Roots of Galatians. Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry, 2005.

Joel Liberman, The Acts of the Emissaries. Tree of Life, 2014.

John Lightfoot (1602-1675), A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica (1859 ed.), 4 Vols. Hendrickson Pub., 1989. Online.

Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, The Jewish Gospel of John: Discovering Jesus, King of All Israel. Jewish Studies for Christians (Tel Aviv), 2015.

Bruce Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. United Bible Societies, 1994.

Fritz Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. 2 Vol. Zondervan Pub. House, 1980.

Stuart Sacks, Hebrews Through a Hebrew's Eyes. Lederer Books, 1995.

Risto Santala, Paul: The Man and the Teacher in the Light of Jewish Sources. Keren Ahvah Meshihit, 1995. Online.

Joseph Shulam, A Commentary on the Jewish Roots of Romans. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1997.

Joseph Shulam and Hilary Le Cornu, A Commentary on the Jewish Roots of Acts. Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry, 2011.

David Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary. 5^th Ed. Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1996.

Bible Culture

The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation. Rev. ed. Trans. Michael Wise, Martin Abegg Jr. and Edward Cook. HarperOne, 2005.

Alfred Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life. Updated Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1994. Available Online.

Alfred Edersheim, The Temple - Its Ministry and Services. New Updated Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1994. Available online.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Jesus Was a Jew. Ariel Ministries, 1989.

Joachim Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus. Fortress Press, 1969.

Barney Kasdan, God's Appointed Customs. Lederer Publications, 1996.

Barney Kasdan, God's Appointed Times. Lederer Publications, 1993.

Derek Leman, Yeshua in Context: The Life and Times of Yeshua the Messiah. Mt. Olive Press, 2010.

Ron Moseley, Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. Lederer Books, 1996.

Anne Punton, The World Jesus Knew. Monarch Books, 2009.

Risto Santala, The Midrash of the Messiah: The Messiah and His Meal in Midrash Ruth Chapters V, VII and VIII. Keren Ahvah Meshihit, 2002. Online.

Bible History (Old Testament) and History of Israel

F.F. Bruce, Israel & the Nations: The History of Israel from the Exodus to the Fall of the Second Temple. rev. ed. IVP Academic, 1997.

Alfred Edersheim, Bible History Old Testament. New Updated Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1995. Also online.

Derek Leman, A New Look at the Old Testament. Mt. Olive Press, 2006.

William Varner, Jacob's Dozen. The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1987.

Bible Interpretation

David Bivin & Roy Blizzard, Jr. Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus. Revised Edition. Destiny Image Publishers, 1994.

David Bivin, New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus. En-Gedi Resource Center, 2007.

Robert L. Lindsey, Jesus Rabbi & Lord: The Hebrew Story of Jesus Behind Our Gospels. Cornerstone Publishing, 1990.

Ann Spangler and Lois Tyverg, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith. Zondervan Publishing Co., 2009.

Lois Tverberg, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life. Zondervan, 2012.

Brad H. Young, Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus. Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Brad Young, The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998.

Biblical Ethics and Morality

Michael Brown, Can You Be Gay and Christian?: Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality. FrontLine, 2014.

Michael Brown, Go and Sin No More: A Call to Holiness. EqualTime Books, 2012.

David Friedman, They Loved the Torah. Lederer Books, 2001.

D. Thomas Lancaster, Restoration: Returning the Torah of Moses to the Disciples of Jesus. 4th ed. First Fruits of Zion, 2015.

Derek Leman, Paul Didn't Eat Pork. Mt. Olive Press, 2005.

Russell Resnik, Divine Reversal: The Transforming Ethics of Jesus. Lederer Books, 2010.

Biblical Theology and Apologetics

Michael Brown, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus: Vol. 1: General and Historical Objections. Baker Books, 2000.

__________, Vol. 2, Theological Objections. Baker Books, 2000.

__________, Vol. 3, Messianic Prophecy Objections. Baker Books, 2003.

__________, Vol. 4, New Testament Objections. Baker Books, 2006.

__________, Vol. 5, Traditional Jewish Objections. Purple Pomegranate Productions, 2015.

Stuart Dauermann, Son of David: Healing the Vision of the Messianic Jewish Movement. Wipf & Stock Pub., 2010.

M.G. Einspruch, ed. A Way in the Wilderness: Essays in Messianic Jewish Thought. Lederer Publications, 1989.

Don Goldstein, I Have a Friend Who's Jewish, Do You? nd.

Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons. Loizeaux Brothers, 1959.

Asher Intrater, Who Ate Lunch with Abraham. Revive Israel Media, 2011.

Jim Jacob, A Lawyer's Case for God. Yaakov Press, 2008.

Dan Juster, Jewish Roots: A Foundation of Biblical Theology. Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 1995.

Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., The Messiah in the Old Testament. Zondervan Pub. House, 1995.

Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Zondervan Pub. House, 2008.

Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Recovering the Unity of the Bible: One Continuous Story, Plan and Purpose. Zondervan, 2009.

Irene Lipson, The Greatest Commandment: How the Shema Leads to More Love in Your Life. Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2007.

Henry M. Morris, The Long War Against God. Baker Book House, 1989.

Henry M. Morris, Many Infallible Proofs. Master Books, 1974.

Risto Santala, The Messiah in the Old Testament in the Light of Rabbinical Writings. Keren Ahvah Meshihit, 1992. Available online.

Risto Santala, The Messiah in the New Testament in the Light of Rabbinical Writings. Keren Ahvah Meshihit, 1992. Available online.

Itzhak Shapira, The Return of the Kosher Pig: The Divine Messiah in Jewish Thought. Lederer Books, 2013.

Joseph Shulam, Hidden Treasures: The First Century Jewish Way of Understanding the Scriptures. Messianic Jewish Resources International, 2007.

Jewish Identity of Yeshua and the Apostles

Jonathan Bernis, A Rabbi Looks at Jesus of Nazareth. Chosen Books, 2011.

Michael Brown, The Real Kosher Jesus: Revealing the Mysteries of the Hidden Messiah. Frontline, 2012.

Ron Cantor, Identity Theft: How Yeshua was Robbed of His Jewishness. Destiny Image Pub., 2013.

Dwight A. Pryor, Behold the Man: Discovering our Hebrew Lord, the Historical Jesus of Nazareth. Center for Judaic-Christian Studies, 2005.

Jeffrey L. Seif, In the Footsteps of the Rabbi From Tarsus. Zola Levitt Ministries, 2008.

Brad Young, Jesus the Jewish Theologian. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1995.

Brad Young, Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1997.

Language and Word Studies

Douglas Hamp, Discovering the Language of Jesus. Calvary Chapel Publishing, 2005.

David Hill, Greek Words and Hebrew Meanings: Studies in the Semantics of Soteriological Terms. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2001.

Barri Cae Mallin & Shmuel Wolkenfeld, Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God. Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1999.

Nathan Stone, Names of God. Moody Press, 1944.

Lois Tyverg & Bruce Okkema, Listening to the Language of the Bible. En-Gedi Resource Center, 2006.

Last Days and the Second Coming

Jonathan Bernis, A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days. Chosen Books, 2013.

Michael Brown, Not Afraid of the Antichrist: Why We Don't Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Chosen Books, 2019.

Ron Cantor, Birth Pangs. 2020.

Robert H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation: A Biblical Examination of Posttribulationism. Zondervan Pub. House, 1973.

Bob Gundry, First the Antichrist. Baker Books, 1997.

Dan Juster & Keith Intrater, Israel, the Church, and the Last Days. Destiny Image Publishers, 2003.

Dan Juster, Revelation: The Passover Key. Destiny Image Publishers, 1991.

George Eldon Ladd, The Blessed Hope. William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1956.

Derek Leman, The World to Come: A Portal to Heaven on Earth. Lederer Books, 2008.

Joel Richardson, The Islamic Antichrist, WND Books, 2009.

Joel Richardson, When a Jew Rules the World: What the Bible Really Says About Israel in the Plan of God. WND Books, 2015.

Messianic Jewish Movement — Historical Development

Ruth Fleischer, So Great a Cloud of Witnesses. 2nd ed. Ha Devar Publishing & Distribution, 2009.

Paul Lieberman, The Fig Tree Blossoms. Kudu Publishing Services, 2012. (previously published by Fountain Press, 1976)

David A. Rausch, Messianic Judaism: Its History, Theology and Polity. Edwin Mellen Pub., 1982.

David J. Rudolph and Joel Willitts, Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Its Ecclesial Context and Biblical Foundations. Zondervan, 2013.

Michael Schiffman, Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism. Messianic Jewish Resources International, 1996.

Hugh Schonfield, History of Jewish Christianity: From the First to the Twentieth Century. Public Domain, 1936. Reprinted in PDF by Vine of David Publishers, 2008.

David Stern, Messianic Judaism: A Modern Movement With an Ancient Past. Lederer Books, 2007.

Robert I. Winer, The Calling: The History of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America 1915-1990. Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, 1990.

Relations of Judaism, Christianity and Messianic Judaism

Charles Gardner, Israel the Chosen: Why the Jews are Special. CreateSpace, 2013.

Charles Gardner, Peace in Jerusalem, but the Battle is not over yet. Olive Press, 2015.

Daniel Gruber, Rabbi Akiba's Messiah: The Origins of Rabbinic Authority. Elijah Publishing, 1999.

Daniel Gruber, The Separation of Church and Faith, Volume 1: Copernicus and the Jews. Elijah Publishing, 2005.

Edith Schaeffer, Christianity is Jewish. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1977.

The Non-Torah: Exposing the Mythology of Divine Oral Torah. The International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues, 2019.

Oskar Skarsaune, In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity. InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Marvin R. Wilson, Our Father Abraham. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1989.

Marriage and Divorce

Jay E. Adams, Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage. Presbyterian & Reformed Pub. Co., 1980.

Larry Crabb, The Marriage Builder: A Blueprint for Couples and Counselors. Zondervan Publishing House, 1982.

Guy Duty, Divorce & Remarriage. Bethany Fellowship, 1967.

David J. Rudolph, Growing Your Olive Tree Marriage: A Guide for Couples from Two Traditions. Lederer Books, 2003.

Jim Talley, Reconcilable Differences: Healing for Troubled Marriages. Nelson Books, 1991.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Jay Adams, Christian Counselor’s Manual. Zondervan Publishing House, 1988.

Jay Adams, Competent to Counsel. Zondervan Publishing House, 1970, 1986.

William, Backus, Telling the Truth To Troubled People. Bethany House, 1985.

Martin & Deidre Bobgan, How To Counsel From Scripture. Moody Press, 1985.

Martin & Deidre Bobgan, Hypnosis and the Christian. Bethany House, 1984.

Martin & Deidre Bobgan, The Psychological Way/The Spiritual Way. Bethany Fellowship, 1979.

Michael Brown, Israel's Divine Healer. Zondervan, 1995.

Gary Friesen, Decision-Making & the Will of God. Multnomah Press, 1980.

Don Matzat, Inner Healing: Deliverance or Deception? Harvest House, 1987.

Watchman Nee, The Latent Power of the Soul. Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1972.

Kent D. Richmond & David L. Middleton, The Pastor and the Patient. Abingdon Press, 1992.

Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Baker Book House, 1997.

Prayer and Devotional Books

Mark I. Bubeck, Warfare Praying: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming the Adversary. Moody Publishers, 2016.

James W. Goll, The Lifestyle of a Watchman. Chosen Books, 2017.

Norman Grubb, Rees Howells: Intercessor. CLC Publications, 2016.

Timothy P. Jones, Praying Like the Jew, Jesus. Lederer Books, 2005.

Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., I Will Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills: Learning from the Great Prayers of the Old Testament. Weaver Book Co., 2015.

Irene Lipson, Blessing the King of the Universe: Transforming Your Life Through the Practice of Biblical Praise. Lederer Books, 2004.

Patrick Gabriel Lumbroso, Under the Fig Tree: Messianic Thought Through the Hebrew Calendar. Xulon Press, 2010.

David J. Rudolph, ed. The Voice of the Lord. Lederer Books, 1998.

Science and Biblical Faith

Paul D. Ackerman, It's a Young World After All. Baker Book House, 1986.

Duane T. Gish, Evolution: The Challenge of the Fossil Record. Creation-Life Publishers, 1985.

Ken Ham, The Lie: Evolution. Master Books, 1987.

Ken Ham, Carl Wieland & Don Batten, One Blood: The Biblical Answer to Racism. Master Books, 1999.

D. Russell Humphreys, Starlight and Time. Master Books, 1994.

Henry M. Morris, The Biblical Basis for Modern Science. Baker Book House, 1986.

Henry M. Morris & John D. Morris, Science, Scripture and the Young Earth. Institute for Creation Research, 1989.

Jonathan Sarfati, Refuting Compromise: A Biblical and Scientific Refutation of Progressive Creationism (Billions of Years) As Popularized by Astronomer Hugh Ross. Creation Book Publishers, 2014.

Testimonies of Messianic Jews

Yohanna Chernoff, Born a Jew, Die a Jew: The Story of Martin Chernoff, a Pioneer in Messianic Judaism. EBED Publications, 1996.

Sid Roth, They Thought for Themselves: Ten Amazing Jews. 2009.

Twelve Sons of Israel: Dramatic Accounts of Twelve Rabbis who Sought for the Messiah and Found Him. MJAA and IAMCS, 2013.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15)