by Marvin R. Wilson

Eerdmans Publishing Company and the Center for Judaic- Christian Studies, Dayton, Ohio

softside 374 pages

In my opinion, this book by Dr. Wilson was a long time in coming. It clearly lays a foundation that both layman and the serious bible student will fully appreciate. From the opening pages Dr. Wilson develops a historical perspective on the Jewish origin of the Christian Church and the need for a greater understanding of its roots.

Part 1. Deals with what it means for Gentiles to be spiritual Semites, grafted into and supported by Israel. He also deals with certain influences, such as, Hellenism, Judaizing, Paul and the Law.

Part 2. Is Diachronic. It focuses on Christian-Jewish relations throughout two thousand years of history, tracing the Jewish beginnings of the Church and the various factors that led to the split from the Synagogue. Reflecting also the history of contempt between Church and Synagogue, showing how the de-Judaization of the Church led to anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism.

Part 3. Establishes the importance of the Old Testament and other early Jewish sources as foundational for understanding of the New Testament. Also, some of the more important characteristics of Hebrew thought are set forth in order to help the reader get inside the Jewish mind-set of the biblical authors. Included in the end of this section is an examination of the three main areas where the Church deviated from its Jewish roots and found its theology distorted in the process.

Part 4. Contains a number of selected studies where the Hebrew heritage heavily influenced the Church. Topics such as marriage and the family and the concept of learning. A chapter on the Passover to provide the Jewish background to the Last Supper.

Part 5. Concludes in showing how Christians today can profit from a deeper understanding of the heritage that has been given to them from the Jewish people and help better relations between them.

For those who are searching for their Hebrew roots and a better understanding of them, as well as the person who has found them, this book will be a welcome addition to their library in both a research tool and a study guide. I have read the book five times now and each time I gain a better understanding of the book called," The Bible."