A Prayer to Our Father

This was a very interesting and informative little book, what i'd call an easy 'read'. Its co-authors are an Afro-American protestant minister from the South, and orthodox American Jewish scholar raised in Chicago but now living in Israel. Together they academically research the historical context for the 'Prayer to Our Father" or "Lord's Prayer" as written by the founder Christianity, who was an observant Jew by the name of Yeshua, translated into Greek as "Jesus".The authors, who became best of friends, provide a word-by-word examination of the prayer in its original Hebrew language from an ancient manuscript of the book of Mathews, that was itself originally written in Hebrew. They also trace the many ideas, phrases and words in the prayer back to their origin, which was the even more ancient sources of the Torah (the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible (or what Christians think of as the "old" testament) and writings of the ancient prophets of Israel.Its so easy for Westerners to forget that Yeshua /Jesus, his family, friends, and all 12 disciples, were themselves Jews, living in a Jewish culture that was already over 2,000 years old. In order to also explore that historical and geographical context for the prayer, the authors traveled to many of the physical locations in Israel that form the backstory for Yeshua/Jesus's teaching. That part of the story was both enlightening and enjoyable.However, the most meaningful part of this modern-day adventure was the simple idea that a Jew and Christian were on the same side -- that of cooperation and mutual wellbeing for humanity. These two very different men of G*D came to imagine a world in which Christianity was not seen as inherently anti-Jewish, nor Judaism as fundamentally anti-Christian.What if the 4,000 year tradition of ethical monotheism (read "Jews, GOD, & History" by Max Dimont) and the practical instructions of Christianity's founder were to be seen as the seamless whole that they really are -- Judeo-Christianity as a historical and a contemporary faith?What if Jews and Christians all over the world worked together to rights the wrongs of social and economic injustice, and foster peaceful resolutions to conflicts of all kinds?That is the world i want to live in and want to leave as a legacy for my children. I think this sleeper of a book give us hope that the 21st century will replace the historical religious version of "mutually assured destruction' (MAD-ness) with that of compassionate kindness and a devotion to justice for all.

This book is a great and interesting read with a few qualifications. It really helps to actually have a deep conviction to live a life that is pleasing to our Creator. It also helps to know the background of where these two writers come from and the story of how they met and become lifelong friends despite the differences of those backgrounds. Nehemia Gordon is a Karaite Jew who does not hold that Jesus/Yeshua/Yahushua is the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. Keith Johnson is a Methodist minister who has discovered the connection of Jesus as the Messiah who through his shed blood has allowed a way for any God-fearer to return to the original one and only covenant laid out in the first five books of the OT known to Jews as the Torah. Nehemia, despite what some Christian legalists would say, has a true heart for the Father and has helped provide great insight from a Jewish perspective for many who are returning to the Torah of the Father through Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. He doesn't try to convince you of anything. He simply provides scholarly information of which this book as well as others he has written benefits greatly. On a personal note, this book really touched me deeply. It can actually be a very spiritually uplifting book if you meditate on some of the new information you will discover about the "Lord's Prayer". It is quite profound. God Bless.

This book will change the way you read and understand The Lord’s Prayer

Nehemia and Keith do a marvelous job of speaking honestly from their personal perspectives - one, a Jew's, the other, a Christian's - maintaining love, respect and honest scholarship. That, alone, is educational. They also speak easily to the academic or the layperson.Journeying with them through The Lord's Prayer (the Avinu Prayer) and through Israel is enlightening. They debunk not a few myths we've come to accept as matters of fact, which have important implications. I'm so thankful for the more thorough examination of the text. I'd been asking the Lord for better understanding of a few of its parts I couldn't quite wrap my head around. But now, seeing the Hebrew text, it makes sooooo much more sense and really fits, I think, within the counsel of the whole Bible. On top of that, understanding Jesus' words from the Jewish perspective, seeing the people and culture He spoke to, is deeply enriching. You'll get a much clearer picture of Jesus' voice and the true heart of this prayer when you get this historical context. I'm praying the Avinu prayer with much greater understanding and power - thank You Jesus.

This prayer is so much more deeper and richer when understood from the hebrew and I have a new understanding and new love for this perfect prayer it is truly amazing book one important thing I feel that they left out is to pray in Yahshua Messhia's name. John 14:13-14 in this prayer we are asking our father for so much more then you think and scripture says if will ask it in Messhia's name it will be done. Also in the part of the prayer give us our bread continually the word lehem witch meant bread to grain farmers, fish to fishermen, meat to shepherds. Think of what it means to if you were anyone of these a farmer, fisherman, or shepherd to bring fort lehem is then success at what you do. It is like Yahshua was saying to give us success continually wow what depth. This book gave me tears of joy I want to go run and hug Nehemia, Keith and of course Yahshua my Messhia thought I am not worthy to even to clean the dust from his feet. Praise Yahovah's holy name halluyah! Words can not describe his greatness. Amen!

A great and fascinating book although I am still reading it! It is the kind of book that you may have to read twice and slowly to remember all the facts. The findings help you understand the Jewishness of Jesus' background of course, and how the Our Father prayer in reality differs from Western interpretation of it.

I bought the book on Kindle because I could not get a paper copy for a sensible price in the UK.The download of the Kindle reader and kindle book was not straightforward and I fear I ended up paying twice for the download.

This book is brilliant (as are the other books by this author). It is very interesting and enlightening to read about this prayer that Jesus gave us, with the insight of a Hebrew-speaking rabbi.

This book by a very learned Jewish rabbi and a Christian minister, is a unique combination of insightful elucidation on the prayer of Jeshuah (Jesus), which actually has much in common with the priestly blessing, so much used in Jewish and Christian worship settings both. It could help break down the barrier of these two faiths, who both have their roots solidly planted in the Hebrew Bible.

This book has bought to light such depths and riches of Our HeavenlyFather. I have cried whilst reading this amazing book, because of the truth that is written. I thank God for bringing two such people together from different faiths, different cultures, and different upbringings for the sole purpose of glorifying His name.