Responding to James

So I think my new policy will be to respond to James whenever he takes my blog out of context.  Here's his latest post--see comments at bottom:

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Church Update

Got into a One Law discussion last night at church...and I didn't hold back at all.

Had it not been for the extremely small--even intimate--size of the class I wouldn't have done this.  Here's how it went down (more or less):

Teacher:  commentaries are helpful--we have all sorts of commentaries [he mentioned several commentators including David Stern]...but it's important to become thoroughly acquainted with the book first and develop inductive skills...

Me:  You have David Stern commentaries?

Teacher:  Oh, yes

Me:  What prompted you to study from a Messianic commentary?

Teacher:  Christianity was originally a Jewish faith.

NOTE:  it might be helpful to mention a little background at this point.  When my wife and I first met this gentleman, I was under the strong impression that he was Jewish even though he didn't identify that way.  On another evening, I mustered up the audacity to ask him what ethnicity he was (his name sounded very Jewish to me).  So he explained that he's not Jewish but that his ancestors fled Poland (I think it was Poland) and that his name is the name of a little Jewish village there and that the Jews there are identified by that name.  

Then the teacher went on to reference Acts 15, specifically the fourfold decree as being the only things that Gentiles are obligated to do...

Well, if you put enough candy in front of a Messianic...   

Me:  (paraphrasing)  The fourfold decree is specifically about avoiding the pollutions of idols and the elements related to cultic idolatry.  The hope was that the Gentiles would stop practicing idolatry and begin to learn the Torah of Moses as it indicates in verse 21.  What do you think of verse 21?

So he and his wife flipped there and studied it for a few moments...

Teacher:  [paraphrased] this part is written to Jews...

Me:  Notice how James quotes from multiple prophecies.  These prophecies foretell that the Gentiles will all go to Zion to learn the Torah of Moses.  Isaiah says the Gentiles will take hold of the covenant, even the Shabbat, so that the Temple will be a House of Prayer for all peoples.  But the point is that they--the Gentiles--have to start learning the Torah somewhere...

Teacher:  Jesus fulfilled the law

Me:  Let's look at that for a second.  "Abolish" and "fulfill" cannot be synonymous or else it would read:  "Don't think I've come to abolish the law, I've not come to abolish but to...abolish" and that wouldn't make any sense.

Teacher:  But...

Me:  And then he says that the universe would be destroyed before a single jot or tittle of the law would be abolished.  Lastly, he says to do and teach the law.  He tells us to practice the Law.  You have to consider all three verses there.

Teacher:  But I think what you're talking about is a kind of legalism...

Me:  How do you define legalism?

Teacher:  Thinking that one can earn salvation...the certificate of debt has been nailed to the cross...

Me: Paul says that even though we have grace we do not nullify the law.  "Heaven forbid".  And that "certificate of debt" is a record of sin.  The Law is not a record of sin but rather instructions for righteous living--these are two completely different things.

Teacher:  So what parts of the Law do you think continue under the New Covenant?

Me:  All of them.  Ezekiel 36 references both categories of law in the New Covenant...He writes the Torah in the heart.  It's a new agreement but the Law remains the same.  The point of the New Covenant was to give permanent forgiveness, not to abolish the Law.

Teacher:  But we don't need the Temple and sacrifices anymore...

Me:  Yet Ezekiel says that there will be blood sacrifices in the Temple

Teacher:  No, I don't think it says sacrifices...

Me:  It says there will be blood sacrifices.  And these commemorate the atonement that Jesus made.

Teacher:  I'll have to look at that... But what you're talking about may deal more with the Messianic Age than right now.  We might be doing some of those things but not until Jesus returns...

Me:  So you don't believe you should be keeping Shabbat or the Moedim now?

Teacher:  No because those things were given only to Israel.

Me:  The Shabbat is for everyone.  It's older than Israel.  Look at the rationale for it in Deuteronomy.  One rests because G-d rested on the seventh day.  This is a universally applicable rationale.  All men need rest;  all of humanity needs the rest of the Messiah.  Furthermore, the Prophets attest that the Gentiles will take hold of Shabbat.  And, let's keep in mind, Shabbat is an exclusive covenantal sign between G-d and Israel.  This indicates that Gentiles are brought into Israel through Yeshua.  For example, look at Ephesians 2 which is loaded with covenantal language.  It says that Gentiles are made citizens in Israel via the blood of Yeshua.

Teacher:  These are some interesting points you've brought up.  Good stuff for future conversations.



So then we had an amazing class.  At the end of it, as I was walking out, he said:

Teacher:  I'm going to do some more studying about the things you brought up about the Law.

So, dear reader, pray for our brother.  He is on the journey that mirrors so many of our own journeys.  I remember how I was changed after reading David Stern's "Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel."  He knows the Scripture; he knows hermeneutics.  He just needs our prayer right now.  Please pray for him.  He desires to go into ministry, perhaps starting a congregation in the next few years.

Shalom,

Peter

The Gnostic Context of Colossians 2

I'd like to share two excerpts about Christian Gnosticism that I think will be helpful for those studying Colossians chapter 2.  The first, outlines the main features of Gnosticism which is exceedingly handy.  The second, provides a very readable overview of Gnosticism.  Enjoy.

"D.M. Panton has well outlined the main features of full-grown Gnosticism as follows. 

1.  Historically, it absorbed non-Christian thought into the Christian faith. 

2.  Philosophically, it lodged sin in matter and, therefore, repudiated the Creator as either impotent or evil. 

3.  Practically, numerous Gnostic schools prohibited marriage as multiplying incurable matter. 

4.  Similarly, numerous Gnostics prohibited the eating of certain foods, such as wine and meat, as being inherently evil. 

5.  Theologically, the [Adonai] of the Old Testament was portrayed as the tribal God of Israel.  He was denounced as an alien and hostile deity. 

6.  Christologically, it separated Jesus from the Christ, denying both the deity and humanity of the Lord. 

7.  Inevitably, it sank finally into irreparable apostasy.  Apostasy is not merely corruption of the truth; it is a total change of the truth or a complete abandonment of the faith previously held," (D.M. Panton, Present Day Pamphlets:  'Gnosticism:  The Coming Apostasy", as quoted in Exploring Colossians and Philemon by John Phillips)

NOTE:  To summarize, Christian Gnosticism (1) was syncretic; (2) viewed matter as sinful; (3) prohibited marriage; (4) prohibited certain foods and drinks; (5) denied the Divinity (and humanity) of Yeshua; (6) led to apostasy.

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"The name 'gnosticism' derives from the Greek word gnosis, which mean 'knowledge.'  According to the Gnostics, they possessed a special, mystical knowledge, reserved for those with true understanding.  That knowledge was the secret key to salvation.
Salvation was the main concern for the Gnostics.  Drawing from several sources, they came to the conclusion that all matter is evil, or at best unreal.  A human being is in reality an eternal spirit...imprisoned in a body...Therefore, the Gnostic's final goal is to escape from the body and this material world....Gnosticism affirmed that originally all reality was spiritual.  The supreme being had no intention of creating a material world, but only a spiritual one....But, since this world was made by a spiritual being, there are still 'sparks'...of spirit in it.  it is these that have been imprisoned in human bodies and must be liberated through gnosis.
In order to achieve that liberation, a spiritual messenger must come to this world, to waken us from our 'dream.'  Our spirits are 'asleep' within our bodies, being driven by the impulses and passions of the body, and someone must come from beyond to remind us who we really are and to call us to struggle against our incarceration.  This messenger brings the gnosis, the secret knowledge...necessary for salvation....In order to reach the spiritual 'fulness,' we must break through each of those spheres.  The only way to do this is to have the secret knowledge that opens the way--much like a spiritual password...
In Christian gnosticism--one should always remember that there were also non-Christian Gnostics--that messenger is Christ...." pgs 59, 60 of The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzalez

Messianic Bar Mitzvahs

Divisions in the Family: How Fundamental and Peripheral Doctrines Shape Intrafaith Boundaries

I rather like how the Crossway ministry, a Christian ministry, has described four categories of relative importance for doctrines:

(1) Absolutes:  which define core doctrines

(2) Convictions:  which sometimes create different denominations

(3) Opinions:  which are so subjective that people generally don't bother to divide over

(4) Questions:  unsettled matters.

So, for example, Christians and Messianics are united in the same family as Believers because we both believe certain fundamentals (e.g. the Deity of Yeshua, the Inspiration of Scripture, etc).

Yet there are divisions in the family (unfortunately)...

• Christians believe that the Sinaitic Torah has been abolished;  Messianics believe it is valid.

• Christians believe that the New Testament is anti-Judaic;  Messianics believe that the Apostolic Writings are pro-Judaic.

And there are divisions with the system of Christianities and also within the Messianic movement.  These are all caused by certain convictions.

Are these convictions worth dividing over?

I believe so.  We can't build Messianic communities in the same way that Christians build their communities.  

But that doesn't mean we can't find times to fellowship with one another.

Are there convictions worth dividing over within the Messianic movement?

I believe so.  Messianic non-Jews cannot learn how to live a Torah lifestyle in a community that teaches that non-Jews are excluded from Israel.  That's why I've dedicated my life to building the Messianic communities that promote Inclusionism.  

Also, Messianic Jews and Non-Jews should immediately leave any congregation that denies that Yeshua is L-rd.

Are there convictions not worth dividing over within the Messianic movement?

Yes!  I'm saddened that some groups divide over "Two House".  That belief, whether true or not, is extremely peripheral.  It's about eschatology which, everyone should agree, is something that we can't know for certain--thus, it's what the Crossway ministry terms "Questions".  And no one should divide over something that we can't even know for certain!  And then there's people who divide over differences with regard to speaking the Name of G-d, etc.  These are all what the Crossway ministry calls "opinions", matters that are peripheral to our essential belief in Yeshua as L-rd and a Scripture that is G-d-breathed.

May G-d grant help us to become patient and humble regarding peripheral differences and may He make us to be discerning in regard to the fundamental matters of the Faith!

Shalom,

Peter

Essential vs. Peripheral Doctrines

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Reconciling Paul's Different Uses of the Term "Dogma" in Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14

"by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances [dogmasin], that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace," Eph 2.15 (ESV) 

"by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands [dogmasin]. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross," (Col. 2.14)

Is Paul using "dogma" in Eph. 2.15 in the same way that the Apocrypha uses "ton patrion dogmaton" to refer to Jewish ancestral traditions--specifically those that are designed to limit socialization between Jews and non-Jews (see footnote 45 of Hegg's "The 'Dividing Wall' in Ephesians 2:14" which cites to m.Pes. 8:8; m.Shek. 8:1; T.YomHaKipp. 4:20; Josephus, Ant. xviii, 90; Acts 10:28).

Yet, if this is the case, how can Paul be referring to Jewish ancestral traditions in Colossians 2.14?  Col. 2.14 would not make sense if it read as:

"by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its [Jewish ancestral traditions]"

I believe McKee has found the key to reconciling these different usages of "dogma":

"The two classical definitions of dogma we have to consider are 'that which seems to one, an opinion, dogma,' and 'a public decree, ordinance' (LS).  It is not inappropriate for us to consider how in Colossians 2:14, Paul first could have used dogma (as public decree, ordinance) to describe the condemning aspects of the Torah that have been erased via the shed blood of the Lord.  Later in composing Ephesians, dogma (as opinion) could have been used to describe condemning injunctions passing themselves off as Torah, keeping people separated..." pg. 65 of Colossians and Philemon for the Practical Messianic.

In other words, Paul, in Col. 2.14, might be using "dogma" in a general legal sense to refer to the penalties prescribed in the Torah for disobedience and, in Eph. 2.14, might be using "dogma" in a more specific sense to refer to specific Jewish traditions which were designed to limit socialization between Jews and non-Jews.

Cajun's Responses to Messianic Ecclesiology Questions

For anyone interested, here's Cajun's responses to some questions from a few posts ago:

Getting Along with Different Cultures

What Defines a Messianic Congregation

An Australian Friend of Ours Has a Question Regarding Messianic Bar Mitzvah Ceremony

A dear reader in Australia would like to give her son a bar mitzvah.  They're non-Jewish Messianics.  Does anyone know of a Messianic-styled bar mitzvah script they can use?

Embracing with the Right Hand, Pushing Away with the Left Hand: How Can Messianics Get Along with Proto-Messianic Christians?

In Tim Hegg's "A Community or a Congregation?  For What are We Striving?" (thanks Dan for the recommendation), Tim Hegg points out an interesting issue:

What are the differences between Christian and Messianic approaches to community?

He explains the differences in political structure (how Messianics are anti-hierarchy, electing to adopt the plural elder system used in ancient Judaisms and especially in the Apostolic writings) and why this is important for the generational aspect of community-building.

But the thing that poses the greatest potential social barrier between Messianics and proto-Messianic Christians (i.e. those Christians who are pro-Judaic but still identify as Christians), as I see it, is Hegg's point that the mitzvot are communal:

"...as one studies the Torah, it becomes evident that certain of the mitzvot cannot be obeyed apart from community involvement.  The very fact that the Shabbat as well as the Mo'edim (Appointed Times) require a 'sacred assembly'...points conclusively to this fact.  Or consider the mitzvah of wearing tzitzit.  This command involves not only wearing tzitzit but also looking upon them:  'It shall be tzitzit for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them...(Numbers 15:39).  The 'you' in this sentence is plural in the Hebrew as are the following verbs...In other words, a person cannot fulfill the commandment of tzitzit by himself or herself..."

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

(1)  How does a proto-Messianic congregation transition to becoming a Torah-True Messianic community?

(2)  How can we all get along without offending one another?

My Current Reading

Shalom, reader.  I'm really excited about the books I'm reading.  So much to do and so little time:

(1) almost done with the review of Hegg's "Introduction to Torah Living".  I absolutely love this primer!  

(2) I'm so blessed to be attending a Colossians class at church and also to have a copy of McKee's Colossians commentary!  

(3) but I wish I could read faster...because after those I have McKee's Philippians commentary and his ambitious "One Law For All".  

I'm so blessed.  My whole life I've waited to have such teachers in my life!  

Jenny Maher: A Truly Inspirational Person

"It was July 21, 2006, when I woke up in the emergency room, unable to sit up on my own or move my arms or legs."

That's the opening line in Jenny Maher's autobiography entitled "Never Give Up" (available at amazon.com).

My wife and I recently had the great pleasure to meet this courageous woman.  She's actually in our Sunday school class.  We just ordered her book from Amazon so I haven't read it yet.  But I read some of the preview.  It's astounding how many obstacles this woman has faced:

• her father died at an early age;

• her mother battled mental illness;

• she was sexually abused in foster homes;

• kicked out of the house;

• woke up one day to find that she was paralyzed.

And I thought I had it bad.

Anyway, I've ordered this book and, judging from the preview I've already read, I recommend that everyone do the same.

Review forthcoming...

Shalom,

Peter

Global One-Law Initiative

Derek Leman Calls Bible a Fraud, Gets Promoted Within UMJC to Chair the Education Committee

Responding to Derek Leman