"Gentiles who devote themselves to Yeshua of Nazareth are not only disciples; they are his subjects, and he is their King. In that sense they relate to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people in the same way that a conquered and annexed people is subordinated to a conquering king. These Gentiles are no longer separated from the Messiah or “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12). Instead, they share in the inheritance and the destiny of the whole nation. In keeping with this identity, the God-fearing Messianic Gentile should not hesitate to join the Jewish people in formal prayer," pg. 47 of First Steps in Messianic Jewish Prayer by Aaron Eby
Uh huh...uh huh...wait WHAT?
Okay, I don't know anything about Eby. But does this guy really think a subjugated person can have a good, healthy relationship with his or her conqueror? Does this sound like a normal, healthy family relationship?
FFOZ just keeps getting weirder and weirder. ALSO, it's interesting that FFOZ's new book on Jewish prayer, according to James Pyles, makes no mention of the laws of a minyan. That's very telling.
Someone who knows FFOZ leadership should press them on this subject: what do they believe about the laws of minyanim? I'd love to hear their answer to that!
I'd be interested in the broader context, but that immediate context seems to indicate that the terms 'fellow citizens' and 'joint heirs,' also from Ephesians, are lost on the author.
ReplyDeleteI know Aaron and his family and have shared a dinner with them on multiple occasions at their home. Aaron is a kind and sincere person who loves the Lord and is trying his best to raise his kids to love Messiah and Torah.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what he was trying to say in that sentence; itdoes sound insulting. But, knowing him, I'm willing to read it charitably and give him the benefit of the doubt. I'll ask him next time I see him.
When Israel conquered their enemies, they could take slaves from among them. This is the language he is using, but it makes for a bad example, because it is even lower than the class of a sojourner. Paul says it much better in Ephesians 2, "you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints".
ReplyDeleteJudah,
ReplyDeleteAsk him why he works for a man, Boaz Michael, that calls you and me and all One Law Messianics followers of Korach. Ask him why he endorses Boaz Michael at every turn and has never denounced these statements.
... James 3:1
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Jews today is that they think more of themselves as a race, a bloodline, a DNA, then people that Hashes chose to carry his commandments to the world. When ever I hear another Jewish person make a distinction between Jews and Gentiles and the role they play in G-ds covanent, it makes me cringe. I underwent a halackic conversion and my new rabbi doesn't even recognize me as a Jew. He told me to be a militant Gentile, but keep the Torah.
ReplyDeleteFFOZ without a doubt believe non-Jews are second class citizens in the kingdom of G-d. If they do not believe this they have done a dismal job at explaining their views. I'm sure they are nice people but they are horribly mistaken when it comes to the role and understanding of the non-Jew. Unfortunately they seem to be moving into this area at a rapid pace and in doing so are committing a great travesty to the kingdom.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Nice people. Evil teaching.
ReplyDeleteYou are misunderstanding what Aaron is saying
ReplyDeletePlease enlighten us. Most of what he said above I agree with but the highlighted part is troublesome. He either worded it badly or believes what he said. In the first case it should have been caught by the editors and in the second case he needs to reconsider his opinion. Either way, it appears you have some insight or knowledge that the rest of us might be missing so hopefully you could help us clear this up.
Delete