Rachel R. (A2JC4life) reviewed God's Appointed Times: A Practical Guide for Understanding and Celebrating the Biblical Holidays on + 40 more book reviews
The structure of this book makes it exceptionally easy to follow (and to reference). Each holiday (including Sabbath, Purim, and Hanukkah, as well as the Levitical feasts) gets its own chapter, divided into five sections: historical background, traditional Jewish observance, mentions in the New Testament, prophetic significance, and a guide for believers.
In the first several sections of each chapter, the author's point of view as a Messianic Jew (a Jewish believer) adds a unique depth to the information offered. It is a truly Jewish perspective of the Jewish celebration and historical background, and his explanations of the New Testament significance of each holiday are exciting and easy to understand.
The whole book is, overall, very concise yet quite thorough. Very practical suggestions are given for celebrating each holiday, including recipes and craft ideas. (Although there are MORE practical suggestions in other books. Also, the craft ideas are mostly what I consider "junky" crafts, but the recipes look good.) The author is very down-to-earth and non-dogmatic about celebrating the holidays the "right" way, understanding and communicating that Christians who celebrate these holidays do so for their richness, not out of a lawful obligation. The "Hebraisms" are all clearly defined so terminology is not confusing.
I would like to have seen a glossary, to corral all of the Jewish words in one place for easy reference. A more in-depth explanation of how each detail of the Last Supper fits into the Passover seder would also have been appreciated. However, overall, I was very favorably impressed by this book and would highly recommend it as a first - or only - book about the Biblical feasts.
In the first several sections of each chapter, the author's point of view as a Messianic Jew (a Jewish believer) adds a unique depth to the information offered. It is a truly Jewish perspective of the Jewish celebration and historical background, and his explanations of the New Testament significance of each holiday are exciting and easy to understand.
The whole book is, overall, very concise yet quite thorough. Very practical suggestions are given for celebrating each holiday, including recipes and craft ideas. (Although there are MORE practical suggestions in other books. Also, the craft ideas are mostly what I consider "junky" crafts, but the recipes look good.) The author is very down-to-earth and non-dogmatic about celebrating the holidays the "right" way, understanding and communicating that Christians who celebrate these holidays do so for their richness, not out of a lawful obligation. The "Hebraisms" are all clearly defined so terminology is not confusing.
I would like to have seen a glossary, to corral all of the Jewish words in one place for easy reference. A more in-depth explanation of how each detail of the Last Supper fits into the Passover seder would also have been appreciated. However, overall, I was very favorably impressed by this book and would highly recommend it as a first - or only - book about the Biblical feasts.
