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The Holy Days: Returning the Biblical Festivals to the Disciples of Jesus
God has set dates for meeting with his people. The Holy Days explores the relationship between Jesus, his followers, and the Jewish observance of the biblical festivals. Discover how the LORD’s appointed times point to the Messiah and God’s plan of redemption. More than just theology and eschatology, Lancaster offers practical guidance and explanations for both Messianic Jews and Gentile disciples as they incorporate the celebration and observance of the biblical calendar into practical discipleship.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals. — Leviticus 23:1
From the Introduction
Why would disciples of Jesus keep the Jewish holy days? In a previous book in this series titled From Sabbath to Sabbath: Returning the Holy Sabbath to the Disciples of Jesus, I made the argument for a Christian observance of the weekly Sabbath. The same argument applies to the rest of the Bible’s holy days: Passover, Pentecost, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Booths, and the Eighth Day. This book builds on the premises established in the earlier book, extending the same logic to cover all the Bible’s festivals or appointed times.
The holy days have their own merit and rewards. The Jewish people regard them as sanctuaries in time, opportunities to engage in the spiritual world, enter holy time, and receive blessing from the Almighty. They are days of elevated holiness, set aside for prayer, study, and worship. They create an annual cycle of sanctification that keeps us on track with God, growing and maturing in Messiah from year to year. For disciples of Jesus, the Bible’s holy days offer opportunities for connecting with our Master and holy Savior, the living Son of the Almighty.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals. — Leviticus 23:1
From the Introduction
Why would disciples of Jesus keep the Jewish holy days? In a previous book in this series titled From Sabbath to Sabbath: Returning the Holy Sabbath to the Disciples of Jesus, I made the argument for a Christian observance of the weekly Sabbath. The same argument applies to the rest of the Bible’s holy days: Passover, Pentecost, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Booths, and the Eighth Day. This book builds on the premises established in the earlier book, extending the same logic to cover all the Bible’s festivals or appointed times.
The holy days have their own merit and rewards. The Jewish people regard them as sanctuaries in time, opportunities to engage in the spiritual world, enter holy time, and receive blessing from the Almighty. They are days of elevated holiness, set aside for prayer, study, and worship. They create an annual cycle of sanctification that keeps us on track with God, growing and maturing in Messiah from year to year. For disciples of Jesus, the Bible’s holy days offer opportunities for connecting with our Master and holy Savior, the living Son of the Almighty.
212 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
About the author
D. Thomas Lancaster
45 books47 followersD. Thomas Lancaster is Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion, editor of Messiah Magazine, and author of the Torah Club commentaries and several books and study programs. He is also the pastor of Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue in Hudson, WI.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 28, 2021
Excellent book teaching on the Holy Days highlighted in scripture. It’s a blessing beyond measure to study the Jewish roots of my faith deeply.
January 5, 2024
September 2026 update
I originally read this book as part of my engagement with FFOZ and its attempt to recover the Jewish context of early Christianity. At the time, I found its exploration of the biblical festivals valuable and appreciated the opportunity to think more deeply about their place in Scripture and in the life of disciples of Jesus. I found much here that was interesting and worthwhile, even though I would now approach some of its interpretations and conclusions differently.
However, my understanding of several of the theological and interpretive issues addressed in this book has developed considerably since I read it. My assessment of FFOZ's theology has also changed significantly, and I no longer agree with much of its theology. I can no longer recommend this book as I once did.
I am adding this update because an older positive rating or review could reasonably be understood as a current recommendation. Readers coming from a historic evangelical background should be aware that FFOZ's present-day theological perspective should not simply be assumed to represent mainstream evangelical theology. In some important respects, I now see its trajectory as considerably closer to contemporary Orthodox Judaism, and there are areas of its teaching concerning the Church, Kabbalah, the Trinity etc that may be surprising to evangelical readers.
That does not mean that everything I found valuable in this book has become worthless to me. I can still recognise why I appreciated its serious engagement with Scripture and the biblical festivals when I first encountered it. I would now read its arguments much more critically and with considerably greater discernment, distinguishing between the value of exploring these subjects and agreement with all of the theological conclusions presented here.
My original review below reflects what I thought when I first read the book. It should therefore be understood as a historical reflection on my response at that time, not as my current endorsement of FFOZ's theology or of all the conclusions in this book.
I originally read this book as part of my engagement with FFOZ and its attempt to recover the Jewish context of early Christianity. At the time, I found its exploration of the biblical festivals valuable and appreciated the opportunity to think more deeply about their place in Scripture and in the life of disciples of Jesus. I found much here that was interesting and worthwhile, even though I would now approach some of its interpretations and conclusions differently.
However, my understanding of several of the theological and interpretive issues addressed in this book has developed considerably since I read it. My assessment of FFOZ's theology has also changed significantly, and I no longer agree with much of its theology. I can no longer recommend this book as I once did.
I am adding this update because an older positive rating or review could reasonably be understood as a current recommendation. Readers coming from a historic evangelical background should be aware that FFOZ's present-day theological perspective should not simply be assumed to represent mainstream evangelical theology. In some important respects, I now see its trajectory as considerably closer to contemporary Orthodox Judaism, and there are areas of its teaching concerning the Church, Kabbalah, the Trinity etc that may be surprising to evangelical readers.
That does not mean that everything I found valuable in this book has become worthless to me. I can still recognise why I appreciated its serious engagement with Scripture and the biblical festivals when I first encountered it. I would now read its arguments much more critically and with considerably greater discernment, distinguishing between the value of exploring these subjects and agreement with all of the theological conclusions presented here.
My original review below reflects what I thought when I first read the book. It should therefore be understood as a historical reflection on my response at that time, not as my current endorsement of FFOZ's theology or of all the conclusions in this book.
December 27, 2022
A Fantastic read. I read it all the way through the first time…and now I get it out twice a year and read the parts pertaining/corresponding to each season.
What a gem! 💎
What a gem! 💎
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews