TNN Press has produced a variety Messianic commentaries on various books of the Bible under the "for the Practical Messianic" byline. These can be used in an individual, small group, or congregational study.

Each commentary is produced in tandem with our Wednesday Night Bible Study or Extended Learning bonus studies.

A SURVEY OF THE TANACH FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
Coming 2008

This will be the companion volume to A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures for the Practical Messianic. It will discuss the composition of the books of the Tanach (Old Testament) from a theologically conservative and Messianic point of view. It will deal with the history of the Tanach, and the varied characters, places, settings, and situations that we see. Readers will be encouraged to follow along with their study Bibles to observe events, ask questions, and consider modern-day application to their lives. Critical theories in modern scholarship that are often ignored by Messianics today are also addressed.

GALATIANS FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
© 2007 TNN Press

Paul's Epistle to the Galatians is easily the most difficult to understand text for Messianic Believers today. Galatians has been historically interpreted by Christianity as delivering Believers a choice between God's Law and God's grace. Those who choose any obedience to the Law, according to this view of Paul, are unfaithful to the Messiah and the saving power of the gospel. Supposedly, Paul was desperately concerned for anyone who was trying to keep the Torah of Moses. Consequently, Galatians is a frequently-quoted text to today's Messianic Believers, most of whom are trying to live a life of holiness by obeying God's Torah in accordance with the example of obedience modeled to us by Yeshua.

Understanding Galatians in its original context, for its original audience, and for the original issues that it addressed is a severe challenge. Was the issue that the Galatians faced forced circumcision, followed by salvation―or was the issue ritual proselyte conversion for inclusion among God's people? Likewise, who were the people errantly influencing the Galatians? Were they authorized members of the assembly, or misguided outsiders with a definitive agenda?

In the commentary Galatians for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee takes a direct look at the issues of Paul's letter as he rebukes the Galatians for errors that have crept into their congregations. Engaging with contemporary Christian scholarship on Galatians, critical questions regarding common conclusions of Paul's words are asked. Are Paul and Yeshua truly at odds when it comes to the Torah? Were the Jerusalem leaders and Paul at constant odds with one another? How does Paul's progressive Pharisaism of the Diaspora compare to the more conservative Pharisaism of Jerusalem? What were the spiritual dynamics present in Galatia? What does the term "works of law" really mean? These are only a few of the questions that are considered. Likewise, current proposals from the New Perspective of Paul in theological studies are also analyzed.

The Epistle to the Galatians gives us a small peek into the world of the early ekklēsia, and the social dynamics and divisions between Jewish and non-Jewish Believers that had to be resolved. Many of the issues that the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 would address had yet to be discussed. Many did not understand the Abrahamic blessing of his seed being a blessing to the whole world. Many thought that inclusion among God's people came via ethnicity, rather than faith. Many did not know the proper place of obedience to the Torah. Paul's letter set in motion the need for these issues to be addressed by the First Century faith community.

This commentary will aid many Messianic Believers who have difficulty with Paul's letter to the Galatians. It also provides solid, exegetical answers to those who are skeptical, if not critical, of today's Messianic movement.

Also included in this commentary is an exposition on Acts 13:13-14:28: Paul’s visit to Southern Galatia.

Click here to read some excerpts from Galatians for the Practical Messianic commentary (PDF)

193 pages
spiral bound

Volume IV of the Pauline Epistles

PHILIPPIANS FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
© 2007 TNN Press

The letter of Paul to the Philippians is a frequently overlooked and disregarded text in the Bible by today’s Messianic community—yet it speaks so profoundly to where we presently are and the issues we are dealing, or will deal with in the near future. Perhaps with the most Roman character of any other book of the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament), save Paul’s letter to the Romans, Philippians invites us into a community of First Century Believers on their own in the Roman colony of Philippi. These people are surrounded by neighbors who are hostile to both Judaism and the gospel message of Messiah Yeshua. They number only in the few, but the Apostle Paul is able to consider them his close and affectionate friends, and seldom has a negative word for them. The Philippians are generous to his ministry work, and Paul has strong feelings for their well-being and calling in the Lord.

The Epistle to the Philippians presents us with many theological and social questions that cannot be avoided by anyone who reads it. Above all things, the Apostle Paul places Yeshua the Messiah at the center of his life, and urges his Philippian brothers and sisters to do the same. He urges the Philippians to be kind, generous, and be a light to their pagan neighbors. He urges them to show humility and to be about the supreme service of the gospel, even unto death. He urges unity in the assembly, and that all demonstrate God’s love to others. He affirms the mystery of both the Divinity and humanity of Yeshua. Paul also recognizes the value of women in the local congregation, and how God will raise them up when there are no men. For the modern Messianic, Philippians shows us how small fellowships and congregations on their own should function, in addition to the huge questions of how we can have a global vision that recognizes the virtues of other ethnicities and cultures, while still maintaining an Hebraic view of the Scriptures and God’s mission.

In the commentary Philippians for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee addresses many of the avoided issues that this text asks Messianic Believers. He takes into account the First Century Jewish and Roman background of Paul’s letter. He also considers the large amount of intertexual references that Philippians makes to the Tanach (Old Testament), deeply embedded in Paul’s vocabulary and mannerisms. Most importantly, he considers the centrality of Yeshua for Paul, and how all human achievements pale in comparison to who He should be for us as born again Believers who have experienced His transforming power.

Also included in this commentary is an exposition on Acts 16:6-40: Paul’s visit to Philippi.

Click here to read the Table of Contents and excerpts from Philippians for the Practical Messianic (PDF)

110 pages
spiral bound

Volume VI of the Pauline Epistles

A SURVEY OF THE APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURES FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
© 2006 TNN Press

As a Messianic Believer, do you have a problem reading the New Testament? When you read the Apostolic Scriptures, are you confused when you encounter the Gospels, Acts, or Epistles? Have you possibly been taught that the "New Testament" replaces the "Old Testament," and that there are contradictions between the two, only to be reconciled by the coming of Yeshua? Do you have difficulty reconciling the words of the Torah to Yeshua, Peter, Paul, John, and the other Apostles?

If you have ever asked any of these questions, it is time that you receive a re-introduction to the Apostolic Scriptures. These texts record the life story of Yeshua the Messiah, the history of the First Century Messianic community, and the challenges that the early Believers in Yeshua faced. These texts are not contrary to the Torah, but do continue God's progressive story that begins in Genesis. They have valuable lessons that every Messianic Believer and Messianic congregation must learn in this hour, as the Messianic community grows and matures.

A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures for the Practical Messianic takes you on a journey through the New Testament from a distinct Messianic point of view. The student, in company with his or her study Bible, is asked to read through each text of the Apostolic Scriptures, jotting down characters, place names, key ideas, and reflective questions. Each book of the New Testament is then summarized for its compositional data and asks you questions to get a good Messianic feel for the text. This workbook can be used for both personal and group study, and will be a valuable aid for any Messianic Believer wanting to study the whole Bible on a consistent basis.

Click here to read the Table of Contents and excerpts from A Survey of the Apostolic Scriptures for the Practical Messianic (PDF)

134 pages
spiral bound

HEBREWS FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
© 2006 TNN Press

The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most overlooked texts in the entire Bible, and is greatly unappreciated by many in the Messianic movement. A profoundly spiritual and intellectual masterpiece, the theme of this treatise is undeniably the Messiah Yeshua, and His supremacy over all. The author engages his audience by describing Yeshua as the Creator, being superior to angels, Moses, Joshua, and as mediator of the New Covenant. The author comes to these conclusions using some very unique ways, employing First Century rhetoric and literary devices that often evade your average reader.

The Epistle to the Hebrews asks First Century questions for a First Century audience. The Jewish revolt in the Land of Israel was just getting started, and the Temple was on the verge of being destroyed. Many Jews from all over the Mediterranean world--who had received Yeshua into their lives--did not know what to do. Was this the end of their faith? Many were at the point of denying the Lord. The author of Hebrews, employing carefully constructed and Scripturally-based arguments, advocates that to not heed the warnings of the past brought Israel extreme judgment--and to deny the Messiah would bring even worse judgment. The bulk of his arguments are deeply rooted in the Jewish theology of the First Century that we see attested to in a variety of sources such as the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, Philo, and traditions later recorded in the Mishnah and Talmud.

In the commentary Hebrews for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee tackles some of the difficult hermeneutical questions that are asked when we consider this text for today. Hebrews asks ancient questions that had to be answered by an ancient audience: Hebrews has background issues that cannot be answered solely by a surface reading of the text. Who wrote Hebrews? When was it written? How broad was its original audience? These are some of the many questions that surround Hebrews. The Twenty-First Century questions that Hebrews asks are difficult for many Messianics to consider: What should the role of the Greek Septuagint be in our theology? Do we ever make the mistake of uplifting the Torah over Yeshua? How do we maintain a high regard for Moses, but understand that Yeshua is superior?

In a very thorough and meticulous way, the issues of Hebrews are addressed fairly and scholastically. We need to understand who Yeshua is to us, who Moses is to us, what the New Covenant is to us, and how we should never lose sight of our saving faith in Him. You will see that the Epistle to the Hebrews is a truly inspired and profound text.

248 pages
spiral bound

Click here to read the Table of Contents and excerpts from Hebrews for the Practical Messianic (PDF)

JAMES FOR THE PRACTICAL MESSIANIC
© 2005 TNN Press

The letter of James the Just, the half-brother of Messiah Yeshua, is not without its controversy. Often considered to have the most Jewish character among all the books of the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament), James' epistle sits between two extremes: those who deny his message, and those who give his message a weight that it was never intended to have. James' letter has a distinctive emphasis on the works of the individual, and many have viewed what he has to say as in fact annulling the grace of God. Some have denied James' place in the Biblical canon, and others have forgotten who James was as a humble, kind, and patient servant of the Lord.

James' epistle has a universal moral message for all mankind, and especially the Messianic community today. Written at the beginning of our Messianic faith, Yeshua's half-brother was observing some of the controversies and issues creeping in as the gospel message went beyond the Land of Israel. With non-Jews being included in the assembly, some were causing discord and forgetting the ethics that God requires of us to have as seen throughout the Torah. When you add to this the persecutions that the early Believers faced, coupled with the fact that corrupt rich people were being shown favor in the assembly, you have a letter that deals with practical faith and holy living.

In the commentary James for the Practical Messianic, TNN Online editor J.K. McKee addresses what we need to learn as Messianic Believers today from James' epistle. He takes into account the distinct Jewish character of James, cross referencing James' writing with the Torah and Tanach, the wisdom literature of the Apocrypha, Josephus, Philo, and the Mishnah and Talmud. He also considers the First Century history behind James' letter, and parallels that exist between James and the writings of First Century Greek and Roman moralists, with whom his broad audience would have been familiar. Most importantly, the various theological opinions that have existed over the centuries regarding James are addressed, as are some of the current scholastic trends in Jamean studies, enriching the diligent student who is looking for a distinctive Messianic perspective on this letter.

90 pages
spiral bound

Click here to read the Table of Contents and excerpts from James for the Practical Messianic (PDF)

Volume I of the General Epistles