This title was re-released in 2007 from a different publisher, under the title "Lost In Translation Vol 1: Rediscovering the Roots of Our Faith." Despite the sensational nature of its subject, Devils and Demons and the Return of the Nephilim is written in simple, clear, rational language that relies 100 percent on the Bible as the ultimate authority. The book's teacher/pastor authors clear away centuries of confusion surrounding a subject that seldom comes up in modern sermons and Bible studies-or, if it does, is seldom dealt with correctly and coherently. The authors show how the ancient Hebrew language worked and explain what covenant is truly all about, presenting the Bible as a single book with a single message, cover-to-cover. Many of the Bible's so-called "mysteries" fall away as the authors demonstrate how a basic understanding of the ancient Hebraic culture can profoundly clarify that message. This is the first of a two-volume set. Book two will explain the book of Revelation, using many of the revolutionary yet age-old concepts introduced here for what, to many readers, may seem like the first time.
The authors spin out their theory of the spirit world, attempting to present a systematic structure of the variety of evil spirits and beings referred to by different words in different languages from different cultural and religious origins, with a Jewish spin.
I was amazed that some of the key derivations of words are just wrong. At two key points in their presentation, they support important points of their system by misanalysing the Greek-based technical word hermeneutics. They claim it is made up of two words, hier (system of) and minutiae (details).
But minutiae is a Latin word, not Greek, and the Greek root hier (hieros) normally is used to mean holy or sacred, a sacred thing. Hieros is the root of the Greek word for priest, hiereus. But the word hermaneutics is a transliteration of the Greek adjective or English noun made from the verb hermaneuein, which simply means to interpret.
They do not further comment to indicate if they intend to propose an alternative meaning or derivation. They simply declare their novel erroneous derivation as the meaning of hermeneutics. The English word is commonly used to mean simply interpretation, as in biblical interpretation. Other, perhaps even more important, errors occur because of a folk linguistics inconsistent with our actual knowledge in linguistic science of how languages work.
They tie their focus on spirits and evil and the final judgement of them to the recent Dispensational Rapturist perspective of the end time events. They include a quite good summary of an important part of the Book of Enoch, which they consider an inspired part of the biblical canon. The first-century BC writer of Enoch develops a story of the key archangels and ties them to the simple reference introduction to Genesis 6, referring to the "sons of the god," or "the sons of god."
The authors claim their presentation represents the biblical perspective and a schema of the objective metaphysical world. But this is another rationalist system in the modernist linear-abstract format, a version of reductionist fundamentalist logic that seems unable to see, or is uncomfortable admitting, the variety of biblical references from various ages and cultural settings, each with their own integrity.
An interesting read; however, the authors put forth many theories as fact. Facts that are not spelled out in Scripture. I especially find this true in Chapter 9 on Color. No explanation is given of why each color is applied in the way that they are. Example Noah = orange. That is just ridiculous other than the fact it then fits the narrative/outcome desired. This is certainly not a scholarly book, but it is interesting to see some Jewish perspective. However, I question if the author's views are traditionally Jewish or even Messianic
The author of the book deals with the issue of the progeny of the fallen angels and how they become evil spirits after their death. I knew many of these issues because of my previous readings from different authors; However, he provides some details which allowed me to understand certain passages in the New Testament which were not clear to me previously.
It offered interesting perspectives and insights on a variety of topics. I simply don't agree with certain premises contained therein regarding Nephillim, besides that, it was a solid read.
I bought this a couple years ago mainly due to the title. I was hoping to find some insight into the Hebrew view of Nephilim, as I was studying the issue at the time (still am actually). I THOUGHT I had read it, or at least part of it back then, but in renewing my studies recently, I pulled it out and started at page one, and realized I did not recall reading much of any of this.
My understanding is that the authors have a strong hebrew/Jewish background, and I expected to find quite a bit of background information, and that is indeed pretty much what this book offers. Unfortunately, the title of the book is mainly the focus of only a small section of the book...like a chapter or so. Good insights in that chapter, backing up much of what I have studied elsewhere. I guess the limited coverage of the topic may be one of the reasons the book was reprinted a couple years later under a new title, Lost In Translation Vol 1: Rediscovering the Roots of Our Faith which is much more suitable.
I found a bit of the explanation of the steps of the covenant relationship to be a little at odds with my Reformed background, but intriguing still. The symbolism between the old symbols and the new fulfillments was insightful. But one of the most interesting things was the examination of the original language, and the multiple meanings contained in the words. Not only are the words meaningful, but the individual letters were symbolic and and contained additional meaning. The words have multiple depths of meaning that simply cannot be captured and translated into individual English words, so we really miss so much by not better understanding these aspects.
The only let-down was some of their eschatology views, which were NOT very Hebrew in interpretation or understanding at times. But I guess that is not so much the authors specialty. Though it makes me wonder if the second edition to this book, Lost in Translation Vol 2: The Book of Revelation Through Hebrew Eyes will be any better on the topic. I will probably pick it up anyway, since it deals with more details about interpretation and symbolism and might offer insights not commonly understood to the Greek mind.
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to learn more about the Bride of Christ from my Hebrews study and prayed to the Holy Spirit to direct me. I was lead to this book, however, I thought I was going to learn more about the Nephilim, but unknown to me the authors go into the Bride of Christ and the convenants leading to that. I was totally surprised. God is amazing :)
This book blew me away with the depth of research that Mr. Klein and Spears delve. Using ancient Hebrew texts, they lay out the lost story of the nephilim, the progeny of the 'watchers' (demons) and humans. There is clarification of biblical referenced fallen angels, nephilim, and the angelic battles. This is volume one of a promised two-book series. I cannot wait for the second book.
This is definitely very interesting book, which provides a deeper insight into the "misses" that occurred during the translation of original Hebrew texts into the modern language of the Bible. It's gives us something worthwhile to think about, if we're to be serious with what we believe in.