Through the years, our understanding of Jesus has been shaped by different cultural influences, and many Christians have forgotten that Jesus was a Jewish man living in a Jewish land, observing Jewish customs, and investing his life into Jewish men and women.Trading the popular, but inaccurate Western perspective of the Bible for the context in which Jesus actually ministered in 2000 years ago, … years ago, author Robby Gallaty reveals the fascinating Hebraic culture, customs, and nuances many Christians have never experienced or learned about.
By uncovering the teaching of the first and second century rabbis and Christian theologians, and highlighting little-known Jewish idioms and traditions, Gallaty takes Christians on a biblical journey to rediscover a forgotten Jesus from a biblical perspective, deepening your relationship with God.
Here’s what others are saying:
“Throughout this book, Robby shows how the New Testament comes alive with a robust understanding of the Old. However, as with Jewish rabbis of old, he isn’t satisfied to stop with correct thinking–he pushes us onward to correct living.”
J.D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church
“The message of Jesus may be timeless. But his life, teachings, death, and resurrection were all time-stamped. They took place in the real word at a specific time and place. In The Forgotten Jesus, Robby Gallaty helps us better understand the long-forgotten culture and context of Jesus’s life and ministry so that we may better grasp the timeless beauty and power of his gospel.”
Larry Osborne, Pastor and Author, North Coast Church
“For many years, First Fruits of Zion has aimed to help Christians to know Jesus better by seeing Him in His Jewish context. Pastor Robby Gallaty is a pastor and Bible teacher who shares that vision. His new book “The Forgotten Jesus” will help Christians to remember the Jewish Jesus that has largely been forgotten. Read this book if you want to know and follow our Master better!”
Boaz Michael – Founder and Director of First Fruits of Zion – Jerusalem, Israel
“Looking for something new? Look to something old! This book is ‘gold’ with fresh insight to the preacher in teaching God’s Word and ‘gold’ to believers in seeing new understanding into the New Testament by looking to the old – the Old Testament. Don’t miss this treasure that God has revealed through Robby Gallaty.”
Bryant Wright, Senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA
“Robby’s passion for Jesus ignites and unites the way he thinks, speaks, and acts. His design in this book is to help you do the same. To my mind, he achieves that goal. Do you crave to love God as Father, the way Jesus did? Read on! And may the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob grant you the desire of your heart.”
James Whitman, Director, Center for Judaic-Christian Studies
“I’m delighted to see Robby Gallaty’s The Forgotten Jesus and know it will be of great benefit for anyone wanting to understand Jesus’ Jewish context. As Gallaty re-situates him in his historical setting, he shows how our Rabbi brought the truth of God’s Word to its greatest expression. Readers will be freshly amazed at Jesus’ life and ministry when they view it in light of his first-century Jewish reality.”
Lois Tverberg, author of Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus
“This book will help you understand and appreciate the Jewish-ness of Jesus and the larger biblical narrative. I highly recommend this book!”
Matt Carter, Pastor, Austin Stone Community Church
“I’m delighted to see Robby Gallaty’s The Forgotten Jesus and know it will be of great benefit for anyone wanting to understand Jesus’ Jewish context. As Gallaty re-situates him in his historical setting, he shows how our Rabbi brought the truth of God’s Word to its greatest expression. Readers will be freshly amazed at Jesus’ life and ministry when they view it in light of his first-century Jewish reality.”
Keren Hannah Pryor, Author of A Taste of Torah and A Dash of Drash(ffoz.org)
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Title: The Forgotten Jesus
Author: Robby Gallaty
Pages: 224
Year: 2017
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Why read this book? Well, I can give many reasons why. One of the main reasons I read the book was because I wanted to have my understanding of Jesus and the Bible stretched. I didn’t want to open a book that would just rehash things I have learned before. I wanted to be challenged to think.
Robby Gallaty’s book, The Forgotten Jesus, challenged me to think, understand and consider who Jesus was as a Rabbi. The book starts with an introduction titled, How Have We Lost the Jewishness of Jesus, and from there the journey to discover Jesus from a Jewish mindset begins. The author is a Baptist pastor. He isn’t Jewish, but the depth of understanding that comes from discovering Jesus from an eastern mindset instead of a western one was thought-provoking and life-changing!
While the book “looks” like it might not have much in it when one considers there are only 9 chapters. Perhaps folks might even be tempted to pass it by. Don’t. Please don’t. I found the insights into the culture, history and original language very eye opening. I know I will not look or read the Scriptures the same way again. As with all authors there are points made, I didn’t necessarily understand or conclusions that I agree with, but the point for me was to broaden my understanding.
As I read, there were many pages I marked so I can go back and consider again what was written or share with friends what I learned. Books are great tools that help us learn, think and grow. I hope that readers will grab a copy and read what the author shares. There were many times in talking with others I would share an insight or a question I thought of as I read. I hope you consider reading this with others and having a conversation.
I am not revealing much about what the author specifically shared because I think that what would be helpful is a reader discovering for themselves what is written. If you approach the book with an open mind and heart, you will come away with a deeper love for God, Jesus, His Word, His people and the world. I will share what the author states on page 204 for you to consider as a reason to read the book and the Bible, “Ultimately, the goal of knowledge is not to fill your head with useless facts, but to instill in you a hunger to read and study God’s Word. In particular, I hope that you begin to see how we cannot truly grasp the message of the New Testament without an understanding of the Old. As the two complement one another and only make sense when they are studied together.” Makes sense doesn’t it? After all the Bible is one book from Genesis to Revelation.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
Helped me understand the Jewish culture that surrounded Jesus and how it helped dictate how He delivered His message of salvation! Great read!
Very informative, a ‘new’ perspective and entirely different vantage point of known material.
A must-read for teachers and preachers of the Bible.
Lots of aha details.
Excellent work. A must read for those involved in Bible study. Highly recommend.