Jesus’ True Heritage Revealed in Understanding Jesus

New Book Reinterprets 2,000 Years of History, Exposing Jewish Roots

Nashville, TN (February 2011) — Delving deep into Jewish history, author Joe Amaral explores societal mores and cultural traditions in his new book Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights into the Words and Deeds of Christ (FaithWords, 9780446584760, $13.99, April 2011) exposing a complete view of Jesus’ life from an ancient perspective, revealing important details normally overlooked by the Western world. “Jesus wasn’t from Montana, nor was He a Canadian—He was a Jew living in first century Israel, living a first century lifestyle,” writes Amaral.  “That realization has forever impacted the way I see Jesus and the way in which I now perceive the Gospels.”

The stunning reality that Jesus was first and foremost Jewish struck Amaral during a trip to the Holy Land in 2002. Since that visit, the author experienced a fuller, more robust faith as a result and believes that Understanding Jesus will offer readers a renewed sense of purpose as they connect to their spiritual heritage.

Through a chronological retelling of Christ’s life highlighted by an understanding of Jewish customs and history, Amaral offers readers a more complete picture of the historical Jesus which enhances modern faith. From interpreting the idioms Jesus used, to the Remez method in which Jesus taught, and the significance of each Jewish feast, Understanding Jesus underscores the all-important Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.  “We have taken the sayings of Jesus and used them simplistically in developing our doctrines and theology while failing to understand the true meaning of many of the idioms used by Christ,” says Amaral. “As we strive to be more like our Messiah, to think and act like Him, then understanding what He actually meant must be our greatest priority.”

About the Author: Joe Amaral
In November 2002, Amaral visited Israel for the first time and learned about the culture from his tour guide, a Messianic Jew. Seeing Jesus from a Hebrew perspective sparked a revival in his personal faith and a renewal in his ministry. On behalf of his ministry, Operation Outreach, the author conducts regular tours to the Holy Land, and has a regular speaking itinerary that takes him all over Canada. Amaral lives in Ontario, Canada.