BY DAN CALIC, YNET–
One of the challenges preventing improved relations between Christians and Jews is that both have misconceptions about the other.
For example, one of the biggest misconceptions is that most Jews and Christians think Jesus abandoned Judaism, the religion of his birth, in order to start Christianity. They are both incorrect.
Jews have been heavily affected by replacement theology, which most Christians adhere to. Moreover, Jews often feel Christians see them primarily as conversion targets who need to abandon being Jews and embrace Christianity.
Yet there is a growing number of Christians who see things from a different perspective.
These “Christian Zionists,” as they are commonly known, have a genuine love for the Jewish people. They recognize that God chose them in order to establish a relationship with humanity.
The book of Deuteronomy tells us He chose the Jews “from all the people on earth for his own unique treasure.” The Bible tells us numerous times God established an “everlasting covenant” with the Jews. Yet, the majority of Christians believe God rejected the Jews when Jesus was not accepted as Messiah, and replaced them with the “Church.”
I have yet to find a Christian who can point to a verse in the Bible where it says God rejected the Jews. In fact, the Bible indicates quite the opposite. Romans 11:1 says: “Has God rejected his people? Heaven forbid!”
So where did rejection of the Jews as God’s covenantal promise holders originate? The simple answer is that it came from misguided fathers of early Christianity, and not from God.
We should always seek the truth, even if it turns out to be contrary to what we’ve been taught. If Christians did this, the realization that the Jews have not been replaced by the “Church” would be only one of several things which might surprise them.
1,900 years of discrimination
For example, how many Christians know that the real name of Jesus is Yeshua ben Yosef? (Yeshua, son of Joseph.) How many know he never spoke against Judaism? He did take issue with some manmade “traditions,” and some individuals in positions of authority. However, contrary to what Christianity teaches, he remained a Jew throughout his life, and always taught Torah observance.
His teachings were never in Christian churches, or on Sunday. They were in Jewish synagogues on Shabbat. The fact is there were no Christian churches when he was alive. The first “Christians” were actually Jews who chose to accept him as their Messiah. They worshipped in Jewish synagogues along with other Jews.
As more gentiles accepted Jesus as Messiah they started to move away from the Jewish birth of what became “Christianity.”
Eventually Rome made Christianity its official religion, and the move away from the Jewishness of Jesus and his early followers took root. As time went on, anti-Jewish sentiment grew into the “Church.” The image of Jesus was completely made over from what no doubt was a Middle Eastern look to a pale skinned Anglo with a halo over his head and a cross around his neck.
In essence, Christianity hijacked what he looked like, what he taught, and formed its own “Jewishless” image and theology. The makeover and anti-Jewish sentiment permeated most of Christianity, and continues today.
After enduring 1,900 years of discrimination, persecution, forced conversion, banishment and killings, can anyone blame Jews for being hesitant about entering into relations with Christians, or trusting them? Evangelicals should understand why Jews resist converting to the very religion more responsible for their mistreatment than any other.
Yet as difficult as it may be for some Jews to accept, there are Christians who express sincere love for Israel and God’s “unique treasure.” I believe Jews should actively engage and embrace these Christians. They have professed their dedication to stand with Israel and the Jewish people. This is especially important during these turbulent times, as Egypt and other Arab countries have become increasingly hostile toward Israel and the West following the “Arab Spring.”
If Christians wish to promote trust, they might consider doing at least two things. First, offer genuine repentance for what Christianity has done to the Jewish people throughout history. This will help reduce tension and enhance reconciliation. The second suggestion is to love and appreciate the Jewish people for who they are. Recognize that through them we have God’s relationship with humanity, the Torah, the 10 Commandments, the Feasts, and so on.
If Christians express genuine love and are not simply out to unilaterally convert Jews, it seems this would be an excellent starting point for Jews and Christians to see each other in a more conciliatory and supportive light. Under such conditions Jews and Christians can undo centuries of misconceptions, and build a strong alliance against common enemies.
Thank you for this post. I have been getting this impression almost exclusively from your website here. I find you more interested in the Truth of Torah then many Jews. I am very skeptical, still, of Christian’s who embrace “messianic” Jews (Jews for Jesus) because it is clear that they are simply rejecting Judaism. The Torah is very clear that the nations of the world will raise the Jewish people. So long as you accept, not just Jews, but Jews who keep the covenant with G-d. I have said before that the reward for the Goy who accepts the Truth of G-d and takes a portion in the Jewish people learning and keeping ALL the Torah, is greater than that of the High Priest. I pray that this is not just a passing phase and that your word helps bring Jews back to their Torah and their Land.
This was something I was drawn to. I left a church where the pastor felt that the church is Israel. I believe there are more than 1000 chapters in the bible. A newly saved person starts reading the bible he would start in Genesis. Chapters 1&2 are “and God said” in Chapter 3 there is another voice that says “hath God said”? (what he said is being questioned). By the time a new convert reads the first 3 chapters, they should have learned a very valuable lesson. But todays church doesn’t pay attention. If you read Ruth, Naomi can’t get rid of her pesky daughter-in-law. The nearest of kin would redeem Naomi, but balked at Ruth. Her redemption was assured with or without Ruth and today we claim her redemption. If it wasn’t for Israel I would not have met the Master. Everyday I bless and pray for Israel, and support them when I can.
Dear Sir.
The article is very interesting in that it outlines the scriptural facts surrounding the Biblical Feasts of Adonai, and it certainly is correct in its observation that misunderstandings often grow disproportionately from perceptions of what one party or another believes about the other, when in fact the truth may be somewhat different.
I often find it necessary and beneficial (although I appreciate it is not always possible when an article may have a word limit) that an initial defining of the terms we use in an exchange may help to clear away many presumptions and misunderstandings.
A case in point would be to clarify for Rabbi Yosef Baruch some terms that I, as a Bible believing Christian gentile would proffer what the Bible says about the Messiah, and obedience to the Torah, as opposed to what the rabbi asserts.
Perhaps if I begin by way of an example of how ‘titles or terms’ can be misunderstood, and also to avoid the current predisposition to be ‘inclusive’ and not ‘offend’ or ‘exclude’ anyone of ‘another faith’, I would recommend that Jews and Christians follow the Biblical precedent and use the title; ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ rather than simply ‘G-d’ or a similar title, and so be clear that we are not talking about Allah the god of the Muslims, Krishna of the Hindus, or any other such religious deities.
The rabbi says he is; “very skeptical still, of Christian’s who embrace “messianic” Jews (Jews for Jesus)”…,
Yet I wonder whether you can be a Torah obedient or Bible believing Jew and NOT be a Messianic Jew also?
Is the rabbi not looking forward to the One of whom King David wrote in Psalm 110:
‘The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The Lord will stretch forth Your strong sceptre from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
Was it not the coming of the Jewish Messiah whom the prophet Isaiah wrote;
‘For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and for evermore.’
And also whom the prophet Daniel also said:
‘I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, One like the Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of days and was presented before Him, and to Him was given dominion, glory and kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away: and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.’
The Rabbi continued: “…because it is clear that they are simply rejecting Judaism.”
Before I respond to the accusation of ‘rejection’, I would first ask by way of clarification what the rabbi means by Judaism?
Does he mean Mosaic Judaisim, the Law and the Commandments received by Moses at Mt. Sinai/Horeb when the people said: “We will be obedient and do everything the Lord said.” ?
Or would it be Rabbinic Judaism which was ‘created’ at Yavneh, by Rabbi Ben Zakki, and then later when Rabbi Akiba believed that Bar Kochba was the messiah…
After the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus and the Jews were expelled from Israel by the Romans around 70AD, Mosaic Judaism became ‘impossible’ to practice in its true and full form.
So quite simply, they are not one and the same, and as Jews no longer have an Aaronic Priesthood, a Temple or any of the necessary sacrificial facilities as detailed in the Torah, Mosaic Judaism can no longer be conducted as Adonai requires.
Of course Rabbinic Judaism is followed by many Jews sincerely seeking to be obedient to the Lord’s Commandments, but it is most disingenuous of the Rabbi to assert that Messianic Jews (by which I suspect he means; Jews who believe that the Jew Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah of Israel) have ‘rejected’ Torah.
Perhaps if he sincerely took the opportunity to meet and speak with some of these Messianic believers, he would be surprised what they do actually believe and most importantly why!
It is also quite interesting to consider when the Rabbi says: “I have said before that the reward for the Goy who accepts the Truth of G-d and takes a portion in the Jewish people learning and keeping ALL the Torah, is greater than that of the High Priest.”
What does the Rabbi mean by; “keeping ALL the Torah…”?
As I have explained above, Mosaic Judaism and as such Torah cannot be kept in its entirety when there is No Temple, No Sacrifice, No Priesthood, etc, and so NO forgiveness for sins… unless the rabbi suggests that Mitzvot or ‘good works’ is a real alternative?
Does the Torah not say; ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin’?
I cannot find any such suggestion or allowance in the Torah for ‘cancelling out’ bad deeds with good ones. Who decides what the values are and who keeps count?
In fact you only have to consider what Adonai did when Israel was divided and the people chose Shechem and not Jerusalem as the place of meeting, and sent for Jeroboam to be ‘their’ king.
In conclusion, as a Christian gentile I pray for the people and the land of Israel, that they develop a desire to seek and call upon their Messiah and that the Spirit of Lord would move upon them to understand fully what His Torah really means and how they may be obedient to it.
Alan McIntyre. Peyia. Paphos. Cyprus.
Thanks for taking the time to write all of this Alan!