Alfred Edersheim (1825-1889) grew up a devout Jew in Austria, with extensive training in the Torah (the Pentateuch), the Talmud (rabbinical commentaries), and the Mishnah (a collection of the earliest oral traditions of the rabbis). He was converted to Christianity by a Scottish minister, after which he continued his education at New College, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Thereafter, Edersheim put his training in both rabbinical law and New Testament theology to use in writing about the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law and the sacrifices, and Jewish customs and traditions in the light of the New Testament. His extensive scholarly works are still available both in print and online. They are known, respected and read by many Christadelphians:
- The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (in two volumes);
- Old Testament History (in seven volumes);
- Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ; and
- The Temple, Its Ministry and Services at the Time of Jesus Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One