From time-to-time people ask about recommended resources. The harvest is enormous, and the workers are very few, and heavily laden. Time is brief, so this list will be brief, and far from exhaustive, but we hope it will provide a starting point and an orientation for those seeking recommendations for further resources and study.
Recommended resources
“All-English (or Spanish) Bible”:
Very often people want to know a recommended Bible translation. All Bible translations have known issues (because of blind-spots in the authors’ knowledge), so in reality we recommend learning Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, and reading the original texts (and teaching your children to do that). However, as a practical measure, if you only have time for one (in English or Spanish), the safest we know of is The Scriptures, by Institute for Scripture Research (ISR).
With respect, regarding small critiques, we understand the “stauros argument”, yet we respectfully disagree with his choice of the term “impale”. Also, we understand why he chose it, but we respectfully disagree absolutely with his choice to substitute the term “messianic” for “Christian”, and we explain our reasons in the Nazarene Israel study. Since the late Dr. Koster passed some time ago, he was not aware of what is called “Divine Council Theology” as expounded by the late Dr. Michael Heiser (on the Books of Enoch, Jubilees, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.). However, with a few caveats, we feel this is the “safest” all-English version we can recommend.
About the Peshitta:
We have a Peshitta NT write-up on the website as to why we do not believe the Peshitta Aramaic is the originally inspired text. (Basically, it is written in Syriac rather than Galilean Aramaic, and has many Greek influences on the text.) With respect, we are unable to recommend the AENT.
About the LXX:
We are not experts on the LXX but it should be read. It was used as the base text for the Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant) because Yeshua was sent primarily on His first voyage to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (i.e., the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, aka Ephraim, aka Joseph). Therefore they quoted the LXX a lot, since that was the base text used in the Dispersion. (It is not the original, but it is valuable to read.)
About the Didache:
We do not believe the Didache to be an original text.
About the Book of Jasher:
To the best of our knowledge, the existing Book of Jasher is not the original.
About the Book of Enoch 1 (Book of the Watchers)
Our understanding from study is that the Book of Enoch 1 (Book of the Watchers) is not inspired, but it was widely read in the first century, and is referred to in the Renewed Covenant. Find the article by Omar Annus and his conclusion is that the Book of Enoch was an adaptation of the original Book of Enoch—and while not inspired, is descended from the originally-inspired work by Enoch himself, seventh from Adam.
The Works of Dr. Michael Heiser:
The late Dr. Michael Heiser was a Trinitarian (i.e., lost in Mystery Babylon), so we cannot trust his conclusions, recommendations, or suggestions with respect to angelology or demonology, but his research on the unseen realm and Divine Council Theology is superb. We recommend the research given in all of his scholarly works, including the Companion to the Book of Enoch (1 and 2), The Unseen Realm, Angels, and Demons. We have not yet read Reversing Hermon or The Old Testament in Revelation, but since Dr. Heiser was a Trinitarian (and normally eschatology) we have big doubts about his conclusions.
One For Israel:
Come Out Of Her My People by Dr. CJ Koster
The late Dr. CJ Koster wrote a book about the “solarization” of the belief in Yeshua in the Mystery Babylonian Church system. We disagree only with his use of the terms “impale” as a substitute for “crucify”, and “Messianic” as a substitute for “Christian”. We give our reasons why in the Nazarene Israel study. It is a study, but we agree with his point that there has been a “solarization” of the worship.
Hebrew Bibles
If you are solid in your faith, and can stand the Talmudic commentary (and not get lost) we recommend the Stone Edition Tanach (full size) from Artscroll.com. (This is the kind the American Jewish Yeshiva students use.) Please be careful of the commentary—much of it is off.
If you want a Hebrew Bible that has NO Talmudic commentary, you can contact the Society for Distributing Hebrew Scriptures. If you are Jewish, it is all free (always be honest—Yahweh likes it). They also have an Hebrew-English Tanach without commentary (although the print is small for me). Their printed Biblical NT (Salkinson-Ginsburg) is a real blessing. They have some other small study books that are very much worth the cost, as they are great studies in their own right.
1666: Redemption Through Sin by Robert Sepehr
This is hands-down the best short introduction to Illuminist black horse control over the past 300-400 years that I know of. (No comments on his other works.)
Other Resources
There are many other resources for disciples, but the first task is to read all of Nazarene Israel’s studies at least twice (the point not being twice, the point being to understand them fully, because you always catch more the second time). If you start with these works, then we can adjust your further reading materials to suit your needs as a contributing disciple.
Bible Apps
We recommend E-sword for personal study, as it is free. Please also check Biblesupport.com for supporting modules.
Please do your children a favor and teach them Hebrew and Aramaic while they are still young.
I hope this helps someone.
Shalom.
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We thank Yahweh Elohim for your love for His kingdom.
