Sep. 9, 2025
BooKecCenTriC was privileged to welcome Author Benjamin Nieves Carrasquillo Jr. to our virtual couch for an interview about his latest book, Through the Lens of An Ancient Yisra’elite Bible Study. Enjoy!
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What's your book about, and what
inspired you to write it?
The purpose of this book is to provide
insight, highlight biblical interpretations and doctrines that lack a solid
Scriptural foundation, and thoughtfully engage with difficult questions that
are often overlooked. Writing a book was never my original intention. My
initial goal was simply to research, collect data, and develop a study I could
teach—primarily at local churches or through online platforms. Over the years,
as I shared these studies, participants frequently offered thoughtful feedback
and, more than once, encouraged me to consider publishing the material in book
form. At the same time, I became increasingly frustrated while attending
church, as I observed pastors and leaders consistently avoid certain key
topics, interpret Scripture through a modern Western lens, and neglect the
historical and cultural context of the biblical text. Much of this, I believe,
stems from a lack of understanding of the ancient world in which the Bible was
written. I prayed for direction, seeking clarity about what to do next. As more
voices echoed the same encouragement to turn the study into a book, it became
clear that this was the answer.
Who is your target audience, and why do
you think this book will appeal to them?
This book is intended for both men and
women, believers and non-believers alike, ages 16 and up. It is also relevant
for church leaders seeking deeper insight. Regardless of income level, the
primary audience is English-speaking readers. The book resonates with everyday
believers because it tackles the kinds of questions many are hesitant to
ask—questions that are often met with silence, avoidance, or inadequate answers
from church leadership.
What's the one thing you hope readers
will remember or take away from your book long after they finish reading it?
This book was a pleasure to read from
beginning to end. It is rich in information, presents the facts with clarity,
and boldly addresses numerous biblical topics without compromise—many of which
are often overlooked, misinterpreted, or dismissed by religious institutions.
Can you share a surprising or
little-known fact about your writing process or research for this book?
Researching for this book was a
significant challenge. Living in a modern Western culture, we naturally carry
certain biases. As a result, there is often a tendency to interpret Scripture
through the lens of our own ideologies or preconceived notions—ideas that have
been deeply embedded in us from a young age by parents, church leaders, or our
broader cultural environment. This bias was something I had to confront
repeatedly throughout my research. It was especially difficult to find reliable
information on ancient biblical texts within mainstream Christianity, as much
of it has been diluted or heavily influenced by Greek philosophy. I realized
that if I truly wanted to understand the biblical authors and their original
audience, I needed to step outside my cultural framework and approach the text
with fresh eyes. This led me to pursue formal education—not only here in the
United States, but also at the source: Israel. As I progressed in my studies, I
encountered two major dilemmas. First, I observed an invisible wall that many
Western Christians have built between themselves and Jewish believers in
Christ, particularly Messianic Jews. Second, I noticed another wall—this one
between the content commonly preached from the pulpit and the wealth of
knowledge available in academic settings. Bridging these gaps became essential
to my journey of understanding Scripture more deeply and authentically.
Can you walk us through your favorite
scene or chapter from your book? What makes it stand out to you?
I don’t have a favorite chapter or scene
in the book because each of the seven sections is richly packed with valuable
insights that will benefit any reader. Few books offer such a comprehensive
study of the Bible alongside the Jewish culture and ancient traditions, all
seamlessly woven together into a single cohesive work.
What's the most memorable or impactful
response you've received from a reader, and how has it affected you?
While writing these studies, I made it a
habit to share a short biblical topic with my coworkers at least once a
week—something I called 'Food for Thought.' I also had meaningful conversations
with people who came to my door, often talking for one to two hours. Without
fail, I received the same emotional and verbal response: their eyes would light
up, and they’d say things like, 'Wow, I’ve never thought about it that way,' or
'That’s amazing—I can really see that.' Seeing people respond like this brings
me so much joy. It means the Word of Yahweh is being presented in a way that
people can truly connect with and relate to. That’s what keeps me
going—offering insights that allow others to explore the truth for themselves.
What they choose to do with the information is up to them. But at the end of
the day, the gospel is being shared—and it's all for His glory.
What's the one question you wish readers
would ask you about your book, and how would you answer it?
What took you so long? It may sound
surprising, but Yahweh had a process for me. Not only did I need to humble
myself and let go of certain personal traits—with His help—but I also had to
learn, according to His guidance and timing, and experience life in its
fullness, along with many smaller lessons, to ultimately reach my goal.
What's the best writing advice you've
ever received, and from whom?
When writing in this genre, it's important to keep things simple and avoid overcomplicating your message. You can include technical or complex ideas, but make sure to explain them clearly and thoroughly. I learned this principle from one of my art professors during my master’s program. He always reminded us with a phrase I still carry with me: 'K.I.S.S.—Keep it simple, stupid.'
How do you stay motivated and focused
during the writing process?
I wanted to avoid burnout—something I’ve
experienced before—and once you reach that point, it’s difficult to regain
momentum. I was spending several hours a day researching and writing, so I knew
I had to be intentional about maintaining balance. To do that, I scheduled
breaks throughout the week to recharge. That could mean watching a movie,
playing games, or spending time with family—whatever helped me step away and
reset. I approached it like a personal Sabbath: a time to pause and disconnect.
Taking these breaks made it much easier to stay focused, energized, and
motivated when it was time to return to the research and writing process.
If you could go back in time and give advice to your pre-published self, what would it be?
Stop messing around and
start reading the Bible.
Your favorite quote/saying to live by?
Threat others the way you want to be
treated.
Any advice to new/aspiring authors?
Like anything worthwhile in life,
achieving a goal takes hard work, and becoming an author is no exception.
Translating your thoughts onto paper or a computer screen can be challenging,
especially since most of us aren’t accustomed to this task. Those who keep a
diary or journal can relate—it definitely helps to maintain one. If you decide
to pursue writing, be sure to take regular breaks, conduct thorough and
unbiased research (especially for nonfiction, biographies, or religious
topics), and stay focused throughout the process.
Do you have any more books in the works?
Yes. I’m currently working on two
fantasy adventure graphic novel that weaves in several biblical themes, with a
particular focus on the ancient Jewish wedding tradition. I'm also developing a
sequel to the Bible study, which will explore the book of Revelation through a
first-century historical and cultural lens.
How can readers get in touch with or
follow you?
Website and Goodreads are on the works;
you can find me on YouTube and Rumble under the username “evolsdoom.” You can
reach me at: benjamin.n.carrasquillo.jr [at] gmail.com.
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