Marvin R. Wilson

Title: Exploring Our Hebraic Heritage
Author: Marvin R. Wilson
Pages: 332
Year: 2014
Publisher: Eerdmans
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Exploring Our Hebraic Heritage is a very informing and enlightening book to read. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect but I knew I wanted to learn. Hence, reading this book. If you want to learn history, both Jewish and Christian, this is a great resource. If you want to understand the beginnings or foundation of your faith, then this is for you!
At the end of each chapter there are many questions to help facilitate discussion, journaling, further study and more. A friend and I read a couple of chapters a week and then met to discuss what we learned, questions, and comments. For me, I have found I learn better by doing so with another person. There are times I read books solo, but I do enjoy getting another person’s insight and perspectives from the material.
There are five major sections in the book after the Preface: Theological Sources and Methods, People of God: An Abrahamic Family, God and His Ways, On Approaching God, Moving into the Future. In the back of the book, there is a list of the Bible passages quoted and a great Bibliography to aid in seeking out more understanding.
As with any human author, there were times we didn’t understand a point or perhaps disagreed with stated conclusions, but that is what makes it a joy to read and learn. I hope you get a copy and perhaps consider meeting with a friend to discuss the content that Mr. Wilson puts in the pages. My personal faith has grown and my hunger to understand has as well. May the same growth be experienced by others who read with an open heart and mind!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.… (altro)

Title: Our Father Abraham (Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith)
Author: Marvin Wilson
Pages: 395
Year: 1990
Publisher: Eerdmans
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
In the journey of discovering the Jewish roots of my Christian faith, I have read many books. Some were very helpful and other books weren’t for various reasons. However, Our Father Abraham is a gem because the author takes great pains to explain various topics in a way that can be easily comprehended while also leaving the reader wanting more. At the end of each chapter, there are discussion questions that give people an opportunity to cement the information learned while also exploring the topic in the Bible. Other books may have a few discussion questions, but the author here gives each chapter over 20 questions. Plus, at the end of the book, there are footnotes that point to other sources for further study and contemplation.
What makes reading the book enjoyable is, of course, the material and having an opportunity to discuss the material with a friend. If you have never tried doing this with a nonfiction book, I hope you will as it helped me remember what I read and clarified some points of the material I had trouble digesting.
While the book is not a recent work, don’t let that put you off from reading it. I am not sure how much Messianic Judaism has changed since the book was published, but I look at some of the material as being helpful to understand the subject at the time. The most recent chapter I read helped me understand the way Hebrews view education and how other cultures do as well. Plus, it helped me see how that influences the society I live in.
The book will remain on my shelf in the hopes that my progeny will read it and find the information helpful plus spur them on to seek more understanding and growth in their faith.… (altro)