Digging with Darren

I have begun a Recommended Reading List which you may like to check out. Currently, it is very brief, but it includes short reviews of each book, cover artwork and a direct link to the selected book on Amazon. I will be adding to the list as time permits. Also, if you purchase any of these books through the links on this page, you will be helping to support this site. Thanks for taking the time to look these over.

This is a classic from half a century ago that is a must on every bookshelf. Some topics specifically addressed are the link between Yeshua’s words in the Sermon on the Mount in connection to Talmudic literature, linking the Last Supper with the Seder meal, etc. Although David Flusser is commonly attributed as to finding the connection of Micah regarding the ‘breaker going forth,’ and Yeshua’s words ‘the kingdom suffers violence,’ I believe Daube made ‘first contact’ decades previous, as this work testifies.

Bivin & Blizzard present a great deal of information in this little book. The primary subjects deal with the Hebraic background to the Apostolic Scriptures, arguing for a Hebrew undertext. They present some breakthrough understandings of difficult passages, such as “the kingdom suffers violence” (based on the work of David Flusser).

This is a very good overview of the basic theological and philosophical components of the Talmud. If you’re interested in studying the Talmud but don’t know where to start, this is one of the best starting points I have found.

This is a great overview of the development of Jewish worship throughout the ages, specifically the development of the Siddur. This is the best source I have found on the historical background and sentimental outgrowth of the Siddur from the prayers of Israel. Highly recommended reading.

Zondervan has recently released a new addition to their plethora of Bibles in their study Bible family. It is called the Archaeological Study Bible. Although this name has undergone a bit of scrutiny, I think it is a name that is probably best suited for this particular work on marketing level, since the average person doesn’t make classification distinctions between archaeological, historical and geographical information.

The entire Bible is printed in full color, and it has 500 full cover photos of relevant material, not to mention that it’s simply beautiful.

If you have the opportunity, check out their website. It’s full of quite a bit of information regarding this new release, including a $10 rebate if you act quickly (offer expires at the end of June, 2006). The hardback retails for $50, but you can get it for $31 through Amazon.com, and then use the $10 rebate, saving you over 50% off the retail price. If you would really like a quick reference for histori-geographi-archaeological insights into the Biblical text at a glance along side your daily Bible study, this might be a good option, if nothing more than to have a gorgeous-looking Bible.