The Temple Revealed in Creation: A Portrait of the Family

by Dinah Dye

The subject of the Temple in Jerusalem usually generates a great deal of debate peppered with lots of questions and sprinkled with more than a little controversy. Some view the Temple as a building that was destroyed in the first century but will be built again to fulfill the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Others think the Temple is irrelevant because Yeshua’s (Jesus) sacrifice replaced it. Some are waiting for a new Temple to appear out of the heavens while others are taking steps to build it here on earth. Some see the Temple in abstract and spiritual terms while others see only a physical building that was destroyed. Dr. Dinah Dye explores the ancient understanding of the temple from the birth of time. She takes the reader back to the "beginning" and shows its enduring relevance for today’s family.  

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Judaism

207 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2016

Reviews

[Alan Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author brings a message about building a house and a family and bringing forth new life. She does so by selectively using references from the Bible, rabbinic teachings, second temple literature, ANE writings, and modern scholars. This is interspersed with fictional vignettes.

An example of what I mean by selectively is her identification of the Tree of Life as God's Wisdom and the Tree of Knowledge as folly. Compare that to 1 Enoch which she sometimes refers to.

3...the tree of knowledge, whose holy fruit they eat and know great wisdom.
4...'This is the tree of wisdom, of which thy father old (in years) and thy aged mother, who were before thee, have eaten, and they learnt wisdom and their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked and they were driven out of the garden.' Book Of Enoch, ch XXXII (cf. Sirach 19:19)

This would seem to square better with Paul's teaching about the Law (Rom 5:12-13, 6:21-23).

The book focuses on events and characters instead of moral and legal teachings. She believes that Creation is built upon the union of male and female elements, as in the Enuma Elish.

[BigDaddyBigz Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question the most important weapon against the decay of civilization is the family...PERIOD! Yet everywhere you turn you see the family losing ground in society more and more all the time. Why is this? What is happening to cause this? I believe the answer to these questions (and more) lies within the pages of Dinah Dye's book The Temple Revealed In Creation: A Portrait Of The Family. This book is extensive in the information that it delivers. 

I remember back when I was a kid in the late 1970's my favorite television show was Quincy M.E. If you remember it you'll recall that Jack Klugman played the part of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, and this was my first exposure to forensic science, something that has intrigued me since those days. In the forward of this book Dinah Dye makes reference to her biblical studies being akin to forensic science. While reading her book The Temple Revealed in Creation: A Portrait of the Family, I could see her as a modern day "Quincy" pouring over biblical texts and other historical documents as she would research the millions of rabbit-holes that tend to reveal themselves as you take on this kind of work. She has absolutely done her homework here!

Before you even begin this book I am going to recommend that you get a printed copy, a highlighter, an internet connection, and a journal or notebook. You can get the audio version, but you will need a printed (or Kindle) version as well. Why? This is not a novel or just some simple "how to" bible guide. This book is very detailed and in-depth. You will need to stop reading it, FREQUENTLY, and do a little research in order to get everything this book has to offer. This book is a study guide. You will get a tremendous amount just by listening to the audiobook, but there is more that can be obtained. This book is perfect for a study guide or leaders book for a Small Group Bible Study. Actually, I believe the entire series might fit that bill. I've only read part 1(this book) and part 3 so far. You can find my review of part 3 HERE.
*copied from The BigDaddyBigz Blog*

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern men and women do not understand promises anymore. The do not understand the importance of covenant-relationships and how they can help them to progress. This book looks at a time when humanity, not just people from the Jewish nation or the Christian faith, understood such relationships with deity and their fellow beings. Fascinating.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. If you like Margaret Barker's books, this was similar, but a much faster read. I will read her second book in this series once Amazon ships my copy. Great book for those who want to delve into scriptural and temple symbolism.

[Samantha Davis-Steinbeck]

Excellent read if you want to achieve a deeper understanding of the Temple. Well written, thought provoking!

[Ashley Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to understand. I felt like the author was trying to make a point, but I kept missing it. I will continue to read the whole series, and maybe revisit after awhile.

[Mozelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple/House building

I found her writing to be different in context! Not al all what I expected! However it was more than I expected as well!

[BigDaddyBigz Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinah Dye of Foundations in Torah has many years of studying Torah and Judaism. She understands so much that most of the Christian church has long forgotten about their roots in the practices that Jesus was a part of in His life on Earth. Do you have a good understanding of who Adam truly was? Do you fully grasp what was going on with Abraham and Isaac on that day on the mountain? Do you understand fully what it means biblically to be a preist or king? What does all of this have to do with those "Jewish festivals"? what does any of it have to do with YOU? 


Many questions like these are given answers in this book by Dinah Dye. This book, like the others in this series, are meant to be used as study guides. These books will cause you to stretch yourself, but more importantly, they will cause you to grow! Please pick up a copy today!

*Copied from The BigDaddyBigz Blog*

[Niesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definitely an interesting take from an ANE perspective, and the ending is well done. But I cannot give it 5 stars as I don't believe the strictly Jewish and worldly viewpoint aligns to the remainder of scripture on the subject matter. A worthwhile read indeed for anyone who holds Old Earth views however.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Loved it. So much to say about how good it was, I will probably come back and write a decent review. But yes, excellent read. Loved the author's style and read of the published literature and command of the subject.

[Saphraneet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was difficult for me to rate. I liked some of the ideas the author brought forth, but others didn't sit right with me. Actually, the second time I read it I liked it much better.

[Brenda Cregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me say, Yes!
Yes to truth!
Yes to God!
Yes to eternal life!