What do you think?
Rate this book
Restoration: Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus
Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus by D. Thomas Lancaster (2011-08-10)
193 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
20 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
D. Thomas Lancaster
32 books45 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 12, 2007
This is a great book that will make you think about traditional Christian theology and how we got there. Be prepared and forewarned: Lancaster is not afraid to push buttons, but he does so in love and out of an honest search for righteousness in Yeshua, and what it means to walk in the faith of the Master. It makes me sad when people accuse Lancaster of being a legalist (and I have heard many people say this.) Lancaster is clear in the book that any attempt to pursue righteousness apart from faith in Jesus is pointless; however he makes a good case in asking the question, "Who gets to define what righteousness means, or what is a biblical life to live because of our saving faith?" Jesus does - and so Lancaster sets out to find what the faith of Jesus looked like in His everyday life. A great introduction to Messianic theology, but not for the faint of heart.
October 9, 2019
This was eye opening for me and as an added bonus, it was written in plain English! If you really want to call yourself a follower of Jesus, start with this book. We really need to get back to our Jewish roots and understand the Bible in its context.
April 12, 2017
Although this is a tenth anniversary edition Lancaster has changed the basic thrust of the book. He has brought confusion into the issue of One Torah for all, attempting to back track from it or re-establish the premise of Two Torahs one for the Jew and the other for the Gentile. As a result of this revision it has weakened the value of this work, which is a pity
May 18, 2020
This is what the world needs now -- a return to the Creator's loving and gracious law. The author's writing is clear, concise, and brief. He would persuade us to follow Yeshua Messiah in the same way the first disciples and the early Gentile believers followed Him, to live by Torah as Yeshua himself did. Christianity has veered so far away from its foundation that I suspect those early believers would not recognize the gospel that is preached today.
October 30, 2009
A friend of mine whose family holds to more of a Jewish tradition than most Christians lent me this book. It was very thought-provoking! I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the culture of the Jewish people, their feasts, and other aspects of their lifestyle. I was also impressed with how so many of the laws and traditions God instituted were designed to help His people live with a constant awareness of His presence and the great things He had done on their behalf. In our eagerness to throw off the “constraints” of the Old Testament, Christians today have also forsaken in many ways the God-centered approach to life that He desires His people to embody.
February 10, 2014
Terrific book. The hubby is a tough sell on this concept. Baptist, seminary grad, pastor, chaplain, years and years of traditional Dallas Seminary/Dispensational/grace only theology. We read through aloud together and he actually enjoyed it, testing it all the way. Really appreciated Lancaster's easy style while covering this tough-for-some material. (Do you hear the sound of sacred cows falling? :-) We will be going through it again.
March 8, 2024
D. Thomas Lancaster’s Restoration, published by FFOZ, is exceedingly thin on evidence and outside authority, and long on bold claims and unproven assertions. It is cavalier with its scriptural citations, a significant number of which are taken out-of-context and used in a manner that works against the author’s original intent. In addition, Lancaster continues the FFOZ practice of freely substituting the term Torah into any NT quotation in place of the Greek nomos (Law) whenever it serves his purpose. As a work of scholarship, due to these deficiencies, it offers very little. I saw one review of this book that called it “scholarly,” I couldn’t disagree more as it is far from a scholarly analysis of anything.
With respect to the book’s evident and repeated disdain for the traditional Gospel and the Church, Lancaster is at least honest in admitting how these fit with his true goal of convincing Gentile Christians to live like Jews in order to bring about the End Times. FFOZ publicly maintains that it has abandoned One Law (“Divine Mandate”) and instead embraces a “Divine Permission” attitude. This book shows that public stance, one that our local Torah Club’s participants have accused me of not believing (to the extent of calling me a liar), to be just that, a public relations effort and no more. In Restoration, Lancaster doesn’t hide his own personal embrace of full Gentile Torah observance, nor his belief that this is what Jesus and the Apostles intended. At least he doesn’t run away from how radical his teaching is or try to hide it.
In the end, Restoration is consistent with the other published works of FFOZ in that it too is full of unorthodox and heretical teachings, disdain for Christianity and the Church, radical reinterpretations of scripture, and an End Times inspired self-appointed prophetic missionary zeal. Far from easing my desire to warn others about the teachings of FFOZ, this book only further confirms how necessary it is to protect the Church from the new “gospel” that FFOZ is selling.
With respect to the book’s evident and repeated disdain for the traditional Gospel and the Church, Lancaster is at least honest in admitting how these fit with his true goal of convincing Gentile Christians to live like Jews in order to bring about the End Times. FFOZ publicly maintains that it has abandoned One Law (“Divine Mandate”) and instead embraces a “Divine Permission” attitude. This book shows that public stance, one that our local Torah Club’s participants have accused me of not believing (to the extent of calling me a liar), to be just that, a public relations effort and no more. In Restoration, Lancaster doesn’t hide his own personal embrace of full Gentile Torah observance, nor his belief that this is what Jesus and the Apostles intended. At least he doesn’t run away from how radical his teaching is or try to hide it.
In the end, Restoration is consistent with the other published works of FFOZ in that it too is full of unorthodox and heretical teachings, disdain for Christianity and the Church, radical reinterpretations of scripture, and an End Times inspired self-appointed prophetic missionary zeal. Far from easing my desire to warn others about the teachings of FFOZ, this book only further confirms how necessary it is to protect the Church from the new “gospel” that FFOZ is selling.
January 15, 2021
I completely enjoyed this book! It is theology without being overbearing. The author is warm and caring, giving you a simple background of where the "Church" started and how we got to where we are today. He does a wonderful job of "making a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence".
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is looking for real relationship with God!
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is looking for real relationship with God!
October 24, 2020
This was a borrowed book and very dry to read, however, I did learn a lot as I forced myself to read. It convicts you to observe the biblical dietary laws, Sabbath, and the biblical feasts, but he does it in a shame-on-you way.
September 14, 2020
This fellow is quite confused. I'll leave it there.
November 12, 2020
The "restoration of all things" spoken of in the book of Acts is happening. Here is what you need to know!
October 2, 2025
Excellent. Must read very every believer.
May 3, 2012
In this "follow-up" to Boundary Stones, Lancaster goes into deeper detail and exploration of why OT observance is so vital to living a NT life. Technically this book stands alone from Boundary Stones but it serves to be a deeper study of what Aaron Eby has scribed in his book. Boundary Stones was a great introduction book for this one.
I actually finished this book a couple of days ago but have been sitting on it, mulling over how to review it! It's really hard to put into words so this review is going to fall woefully short of a good summary.
Lancaster starts off the book by giving a thorough history of the biblical texts - how they came to be where they are at today. It was a good history lesson for me, I learned a lot in a few short pages. With his explanation of the loss of scriptural context and why I immediately had understanding of why the OT gets neglected in the Church at large today. It all made so much sense. So reading the rest of the book was enlightening given Lancaster's history lesson.
What I really appreciate about this book is that Lancaster encouraged today's believer with the ways in which they were still keeping God's Word (Torah) and reintroducing them to the ways in which believer's aren't and making the case for why we would benefit from picking back up the whole of God's Word and observing it. Just as in Boundary Stones I would finish reading a chapter and have to take a "think break" for a few minutes to recover from that realization that, in my ignorance, I haven't been walking in God's ways. Fortunately while guilt threatened Lancaster does a good job of not allowing the reader to give in to the guilt but he presents his case with grace.
I was able to give Boundary Stones a much more detailed summary but if I tried to do that with this book I would make it so nobody would want to read it. So I will end my review with two thoughts: finishing this book made me eager to study the Torah in-depth for myself and recover for myself the faith God has designed for us - in full; I'd love to do this Torah study with other believers who have the same eagerness.
That being said, I'll say what I did about Boundary Stones - read the book, I've got a copy if you'd like to borrow, and then let me know if you'd like to study Torah together!
I actually finished this book a couple of days ago but have been sitting on it, mulling over how to review it! It's really hard to put into words so this review is going to fall woefully short of a good summary.
Lancaster starts off the book by giving a thorough history of the biblical texts - how they came to be where they are at today. It was a good history lesson for me, I learned a lot in a few short pages. With his explanation of the loss of scriptural context and why I immediately had understanding of why the OT gets neglected in the Church at large today. It all made so much sense. So reading the rest of the book was enlightening given Lancaster's history lesson.
What I really appreciate about this book is that Lancaster encouraged today's believer with the ways in which they were still keeping God's Word (Torah) and reintroducing them to the ways in which believer's aren't and making the case for why we would benefit from picking back up the whole of God's Word and observing it. Just as in Boundary Stones I would finish reading a chapter and have to take a "think break" for a few minutes to recover from that realization that, in my ignorance, I haven't been walking in God's ways. Fortunately while guilt threatened Lancaster does a good job of not allowing the reader to give in to the guilt but he presents his case with grace.
I was able to give Boundary Stones a much more detailed summary but if I tried to do that with this book I would make it so nobody would want to read it. So I will end my review with two thoughts: finishing this book made me eager to study the Torah in-depth for myself and recover for myself the faith God has designed for us - in full; I'd love to do this Torah study with other believers who have the same eagerness.
That being said, I'll say what I did about Boundary Stones - read the book, I've got a copy if you'd like to borrow, and then let me know if you'd like to study Torah together!
February 26, 2018
Even though I was familiar with much of the content of this book, it was very helpful in reminding me of the Scriptural basis of how I live as a disciple of Jesus. For anyone who is looking for a closer relationship with God, this book is a guide to help in a search of the Scriptures for what a disciple of Jesus, in His time, and ours should follow. Scripture, the primary source, with historical information is given for each topic. If you enjoy this book, you may also like Torah Club by First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ). This author is one of the instructors in this series.
May 9, 2015
Pros: Gave me a lot to think about and encouraged me to study the OT more than I do now.
Cons: Author relies a bit too heavily on tradition and reasoning, and not enough straight Scripture. At least this is true for the audio version of the book. There may be footnotes containing more Bible references, but these aren't given in the audiobook.
Over all, not sure what I think yet. Lots of food for thought.
Cons: Author relies a bit too heavily on tradition and reasoning, and not enough straight Scripture. At least this is true for the audio version of the book. There may be footnotes containing more Bible references, but these aren't given in the audiobook.
Over all, not sure what I think yet. Lots of food for thought.
September 21, 2013
This book should help peel the scales off of the eyes of Christians. A great introduction to the Torah observant life for Christians. Please don't stop here. Recommend this to your pastor also. Do it in private though, pastors don't generally accept change very well. Especially when it comes to the "LAW"........
April 16, 2015
Great book on trying to bridge the context between the 1Century Jewish world of Jesus and how the church today should interact with it. It made me really think about why I (and we in the church) do some of things we do. What are some traditions to reconsider. And where do those grafted in to the jewish people need to rethink their connection to the Jewish people? Worth a read.
Read
August 26, 2023As the author expected, not everyone would agree with him. While he quoted from mishnah, mentions the oral law, gamara etc -I don’t hold this to such regard as he does- he has some points that are worth considering. If you are willing to do a lot of thinking, read the Bible in the context and compare what he says with its truth, you might find it useful to read.
April 21, 2012
A very easy to read book on returning the Torah to all the nations. Easily explains why we should be keeping the feasts, laws, etc that are laid out for us in the Torah. Quick read from what I remember.
August 5, 2012
It's amazing how much of the Bible that we currently(Greek Translation-to Latin to English) read today was changed by the early church leaders. From changing the day of the Sabbath to removing the word Torah and replacing it with Law.
June 25, 2008
Best book I've read on the subject of learning to appreciate the Old Testament and the Jewish people!
January 5, 2009
A must read for all followers of Jesus Christ
August 28, 2010
It had helpful insights on the Law.
July 8, 2012
Excellent book!! A must-read for anyone interested in the Jewish/Hebraic roots of Scripture!
July 23, 2012
Very well written, easy read, radical!
May 9, 2016
I have reread this book every year since
October 22, 2017
Read my full review here Feeding Hope Ministries Book Reviews
December 26, 2021
Thought provoking. Clear and concise. There’s lots to glean and I’d be glad to read it again.
June 9, 2023
This book was amazing! Every Believer and follower of Jesus should read this book!
April 1, 2019
Another good and challenging read pointing us to the Jewish roots of Christianity
As he stated at the end of the book,not everyone will agree with the conclusions and convictions that he holds, but it can be used to have a greater conversation about the full counsel of God's Word. What place does the Torah have in the lives of believers in Jesus Christ today? This is not a new question but it is very important for us to wrestle with.
As he stated at the end of the book,not everyone will agree with the conclusions and convictions that he holds, but it can be used to have a greater conversation about the full counsel of God's Word. What place does the Torah have in the lives of believers in Jesus Christ today? This is not a new question but it is very important for us to wrestle with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews