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Summary: Great Book but Beware!!!
Review: "Our Father Abraham" is an insightful piece of literature ; the topics discussed are thought provoking and truthful. It introduces the Christian world to a new way of perceiving the biblical texts and helps any truth seeker to find the right direction for real practical fulfillment in his or her life. But I have certain comments to make : the book may sound as if a believer in Christ from a Gentile background is indebted to an unbelieving Jew. It may give one the impression that biblical christianity is indebted to Apostate Judaism. It is true that we are to fear God and show our gratitude by preaching the Gospel to them and help Jews be restored back , by the mercy showed to us. But to encourage their lifestyle on the expense of the Gospel is to do them harm. In the book there is almost no difference in meaning made between "Jewish thought" and " Biblical thought". The Book also fought the departure of Christianity from its biblical roots , and this is true , but failed to realize that Rabbinic Judaism also departed from the faith of the Father Abraham who rejoiced to see the day of the Lord Jesus. If Christianity failed in Practical life , so did Rabbinic Judaism in essence. I have great respect to the many principles of Rabbinic Judaism drawn from the Blessed Word of God ( Old Testament) but I also believe that true biblical Christianity is able to go the second mile by making these principles come true in one's life; and make the principles enthroned in one's innermost part. If we are to learn anything from God-fearing Torah-loving Jews , we are to learn reverence , oneness in heart and mind and obedience to God ; but the solution to how these biblical principles are to be made real in one's life is only found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ ; not in endorsing any form of traditional Judaism. Simply saying that Biblical Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism are mere sisters with difference of opinions on CERTAIN issues is NOT accurate at all. The difference is one of essence ; the presence of Christianity in the picture denies Rabbinic Judaism its authority and this is a major differnce. If Christians follow Christ and Rabbinic Judaism denies Him ; I perceive with my humble mind that this is an existential difference. I personally do NOT advocate Replacement theology but I do not idealize and idiolize Judaism as it stood for the last 19 centuries. I understand the Author's sympathy with the many sufferings of the Jewish people , but this does not give us the right to endorse any unbelief on the expense of the fundamental truth of the Gospel which is Jew and Gentile as one in Christ. Any christian persectution to the Jews happened to contradict everything that is true about our faith and must be made up by preaching a purer Gospel free from racism , schism and self-seeking causes ; but again that doesn't make any christian embrace Judaism as a second way to God or another alternative. The corinthians , for example , did not donate earthly goods for the Zealots' cause in 1st century Jewish palestine(Israel) but ONLY to their ROOT the brothers of the churches in Judaea. It would be absurd today if Christians support any political establishment or any unmessianic causes in Israel , except for humanitarian purposes but in this case helping needy unbelieving Israelis is the same as helping needy unbelieving african children. Having a Hebrew biblical mindset is not equivalent to promoting Zionist and Present Jewish causes. Making up for years of misunderstanding of the Hebrew thoughts, motivating Rabbinic Judaism, is never equivalent to indulging in a 180 degrees endorsement of everything that is Jewish. The form of Godliness found in Jewish literatures is awesome but lacks the power of God for Salvation found Only in Christ . While Christianity has this knowledge of God's Power , it failed through dualism and Greek Philosophy to live up to God's expectations. Jewish elaboration on the Word of God has the description of a Godly life but the Church made of both fulfilled Jews and enlightened Gentiles have the methodology. Being ingrafted in the Rich Olive tree of the promises and heritage of the People of God of the Old testament requires much attention from all of us who seek to truly understand the mind of God in redemption , but to miss the point as to look up to what's fallen ( the branches to be grafted back and those that will never be grafted) due to unbelief instead of helping them being restored in the rich root is an insult to the Gospel of God. For this reason , no Christian is under any obligation to an unbelieving Jew EXCEPT love and the Gospel of Peace. We must take our bible seriously and change to be conformed to God's line of thought as revealed in the Bible in order to arrive not to a cultural conformity as much as to arrive to Spiritual maturity in heart and practice , because afterall heart and practice are two faces of the One Coin. The Book is a wonderful addition to your library. I congratulate Dr. Wilson for this wonderful piece. But caution must be taken in identifying the real good intentions of the Author that could be misunderstood. The goal is to have a biblical mindset which happens here to be Hebraic and Semitic , but this is only put to practice through a heart renewed by JESUS the MESSIAH ( Y'Shua Ha Mashiach).
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Summary: Excitement
Review: An incredible book for history buffs. This is a book that talks not just about history of the Jews and Jewish roots but gives deeper meaning to teaching of the lord. I loved the new frsh insight to Pauls writings. Pauls writings have been misrepresented and this gives fresh insight to what they really said.
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Summary: Excellent Introduction to Jewishness of Gospel
Review: Dr. Wilson has written a book here that explores the Jewish foundations of Christianity in a comprehensive, readable, and informative way. He clearly articulates the issues and educates the reader regarding how this Jewishness affects our understanding of the teachings of Christ. His chapters on the Wisdom literature is some of the best I've ever read. He also gives guidelines for establishing dialog between Christian and Jew. This is must reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: Dr. Wilson's book offers a counteractive to the deleterious effect of neglecting the shared Jewish heritage. The book, however, does fall into emotional pleading, and somewhat glosses over the reasons why Rabbinic Judaism rejected the incipient Messianic Jewish movement.
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Summary: This is THE place to start
Review: For those of you who want the ground roots study of the Hebraic perspective for the New Testament, this is the place to start. This book covers a broad range of categories yet doesn't intimidate the reader with endless re-translations of text. This book covers the history enough to convince the reader to study further and presents its case in a clear, logical manner that leaves one hungry for a deep investigation. All of the answers aren't here, which is fine, the author's intention is just to pry the door open and stick his toe in. The only negative is that the chapter on Semitic persecution didn't flow well with the rest of the book. I thought it would have been better as an appendix. This book would be a great gift for someone who you doesn't quite understand your point of view if you understand the importance of the Hebraic roots of Christianity.
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Summary: A review from one of Dr. Wilson's students
Review: I am a student at Gordon College, and I am currently in Dr. Wilson's Modern Jewish Culture class. Before this class, I had been fascinated with Judaism, but I had never fully comprehended just how important it is for me to be fully aware of my own Jewish roots. Frankly speaking, we Christians DO owe everything to, as one reviewer termed it, the "unbelieving" or "apostate" Jew. Those terms are very disturbing to me, since they reflect the very thinking that has allowed the division between Judaism and Christianity to continue for so long. On a more distressing level, they are the very thoughts that kept Christians silent during the horrors of the second World War. When Christians approach Jews -- and vice-versa, when Jews approach Christians -- with an accusatory and negative spirit ("you're the ones who DON'T believe in [fill in the blank]"), no progress can be made in restoring our relationship. For those of us who consider ourselves Christians, it is only when we respond to each other with genuine care and a complete lack of judgment that any progress can be made. When Christians approach Jews with gratitude -- yes, gratitude -- we can begin to understand each other. If you haven't read this book, you may be wondering why Christians should be so concerned with restoring our relationship with Judaism. For a full answer, you'll have to read Our Father Abraham, but I'll give a few reasons right now. For one, Jesus (Rabbi Yeshua ben Yoseph) was an observant Jew, and although He challenged the Jewish thinkers of His day, He remained a Jew until his death, and will remain so beyond the end of time. The very act of theological argument is itself a very Jewish act; extreme importance is placed on midrash (study) and on remaining aware of the reasons behind every tenet of Jewish theology. Furthermore, while it is true that many Jews have not accepted Jesus' messiahship, that is NOT reason for anyone to believe that they have lost their distinction as a "Chosen Race" and "Holy Priesthood". The Lord, quite simply, does not go back on His word. The promises and covenants we read about in the Torah still continue to this very day. And as for the question of Messiah, it is little wonder that Jews have not accepted Jesus' claims as such, given the way His followers have treated them for millennia. In the words of many Jews, if following Jesus can allow for anti-Semitism and intolerance, they want no part of Him. For Christians, it is our task to "provoke the Jew to jealousy" by bearing witness to the joy of following Rabbi Yeshua, and historically we have done a terrible job of filling that role. It is not Christians' task to convert Jews, since the very definition of conversion requires turning on one religion and way of life in order to fully embrace another. Quite frankly, Judaism and Christianity are not two separate religions, and even the Apostle Paul himself never "converted". (Be slow to accept any Biblical headings that suggest that he did; bold-faced paragraph headings placed by our friends at Zondervan, remember, are NOT inspired text.) Instead, Paul accepted the "fullest flowering" of his Judaism, and remained a Jew until the end of his life. In light of this model, it is the task of the Christian to love the Jewish people, and to be grateful to them for the gift of our religion and our Jewish Messiah. It is the task of the Christian to thoughtfully appeal to the intellect of the Jew by offering, without judgment, the secret for our joy. Finally, it is the task of the Christian to examine his own life for the cracks where anti-Semitism can creep in. It is easier than one might think... ...and it is precisely the reason why you owe it to yourself to read this book. I pray that you have found this review helpful and thought-provoking.
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Summary: Excellent insight into Jewish lifestyle for any Christian
Review: I have purchased 20 of these books and given them to friends. The search for Christians to reach out and understand their Jewish roots is vital for the correction or misapplication of some of our beliefs. This book points toward a more powerful and insightful lifestyle, and brings understanding to a much needed area.
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Summary: Excellent reference
Review: I was an amazing expereince to have Dr. Wilson as a professor. His book Our Father Abraham revealed parts of my faith that I had never understood or had only half experienced. A must read!
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Summary: EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT
Review: I'm on my fourth copy because I keep giving them away. Wilson writes clear and easy to understand. Packed with information on our Hebrew roots and a must have for every Messianic or Christian believer. I never did read it from cover to cover but I devoured chapters in the order of my interest. I especially enjoyed the education and family culture of the Hebrews. Wilson presents the truth in BALANCE!
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Summary: A must read for Christians
Review: If you identify yourself as a Christian this book is a must read. Written as a introduction into the Hebrew thoughts of our roots. One can not fully grasp Christianity until one can understand their roots. Easy reading for those who are not scholarly but informative enough to challenge even the best thinkers. I found this book very helpful and find myself giving copies away.
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