Photo:  Cave 4 at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1946/7. 

How Do I further My Studies? 

Kenneth Bailey once noted, "The Bible was written for us but it wasn't written to us."

The Bible is an ancient document written by and to people who lived in an ancient culture that is completely different than our own. Gaining an understanding of the cultural and historical context of the text is the only way we are going to be able to explore the depths of God's word. We want to help you get started.    

I've included a number of reading lists (from a beginner to more advanced) to help you navigate the hundreds of excellent books out there. Most are available on Amazon and I've provided a link where I can. 

May God richly bless you on your journey.  

Beginning - the Cultural Context

For a PDF of this reading list, click here
The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament - Sandra Richter
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus can Transform Your Faith - 
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels - Kenneth Bailey
Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith - Marvin Wilson
Jewish Annotated New Testament - Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler

Intermediate - Jesus and Rabbinic Judaism

For a PDF of this reading list, click here
Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus - Lois Tverberg
Meet the Rabbis - Brad Young
The Parables - Brad Young
​The Sage from Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus’ Genius – David Flusser with R. Steven Notely
Jesus Rabbi and Lord: The Hebrew Story of Jesus Behind our Gospels - Robert L. Lindsey
They Also Taught in Parables: Rabbinic Parables from the First Centuries of the Christian Era - Harvey K. McArthur and Robert M. Johnston
Jewish New Testament Commentary - David H. Stern
New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism - David Daube

Intermediate: 2nd Temple Period (450 BC - 70 AD)

For a PDF of this reading list, click here
When the Time Had Fully Come: A Study of the Intertestamental Period - Theodore Swanson
In the Shadow of the Temple: Jewish Influences on Early Christianity - Oskar Skarsaune
Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism - Malka Z. Simkovich
The next three books are by David Flusser and are more advanced: 
Judaism of the Second Temple Period: Qumran and Apocalypticism, Vol. 1 - David Flusser
 Judaism of the Second Temple Period: The Jewish Sages and their Literature, Vol. 2 - David Flusser
Judaism and the Origins of Christianity - David Flusser