Why does Yeshua seemingly denounce the Jews so often in the Gospels? In order to understand this, one must look at the culture during which Yeshua lived.
Judaism from 30 B.C.E to 70 C.E. for the first time was divided into two religious schools: the School of Hillel and the School of Shammai. The schools debated, not on the law of Torah, but on the oral tradition passed down by Moses that had recently been put into writing for fear of losing it. The majority of the teachings of Bet Hillel (followers or "sons" of Hillel) were upheld by Yeshua throughout the Gospels; however, it is the teachings of Bet Shammai (followers or "sons" of Shammai) that Yeshua continually denounces and vehemently opposes.
Why does Yeshua rebuke them continually over and over in the Gospels (as does Paul in the epistles)?
For one, Bet Shammai Pharisees not only were adamant that gentiles had no place in the World to Come and could never merit salvation, but they also were involved with the murderous Zealots who refused to allow gentiles and especially the hated Romans, to bring offerings or tax to the Temple. This infuriated Yeshua! He came that gentiles may be grafted into the Abrahamic covenant, and it's no wonder Yeshua drove them out with a whip! Bet Hillel Pharisees on the other hand, taught that gentiles did have a place in the World to Come and even sought to bring gentiles "nigh to the Torah".
(This Temple refusal and numerous other actions by the Zealots incited the wrath of the Romans as well, and it is the Zealots hatred of gentiles and the Romans that is believed to be a great part of what ultimately resulted in the Temple destruction in 70 C.E. Interestingly, the school of Shammai died out at this time, and to this day the teachings of Hillel are followed by Jewry world-wide with very few teachings of Shammai still followed. It should also be noted that Hillel and Shammai, the teachers themselves, lived peacably with each other; and it was their followers in the coming decades between whom tensions greatly increased.)
Secondly, during Yeshua's time, it was Bet Shammai who were in control of the rabbinic community, so therefore Yeshua often targets the leaders and teacher's of the law accusing them of foresaking justice, mercy and faithfulness, over strict adherence to their own self-created laws. In addition, the Pharisees of Bet Shammai and the Zealots were frequently called by the 1st century rabbis as a "brood of vipers" and "children of the devil", so it was normal for Yeshua to call them such. When Yeshua speaks of the seven woes to the Pharisees in Matthew 23, it is to Bet Shammai Pharisees and the Zealots that Yeshua is referring to and calling hypocrites! At the beginning of this passage, Yeshua exhorts the people and tells them "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses', so you must obey them and do everything they tell you", but then continuing, He refers to Bet Shammai when He says, "But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."
So does Yeshua reject all Jewry, His own people? Absolutely not! In fact, to coin a phrase used by Bridges of Peace, Yeshua was a fully Torah observant, tallit wearing, synagogue attending, feast-keeping, kosher Jew! Why would he observe all these things if he wanted to do away with Torah?
Moreover, how ironic it is that Yeshua's words, ALWAYS used to uphold Torah law, are the very words gentiles use to say Yeshua did away with the law! How ironic it is, that the church fathers, and current theologians, not understanding the culture of Judaism during this time and that Yeshua was targeting a specific Jewish group, NOT the rest of the Jews, take those passages to mean that the church supplants Israel! Yeshua and Paul often speak of the gentiles being the wild olive branch grafted into the covenant, but never do either speak of the wild olive branch taking the place of the covenant with Israel.
Yeshua said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." All is not accomplished until after Yeshua's return as King!!
More examples of Yeshua observing Torah law, but rebuking followers of Shammai will be posted soon. Also answering: Why did Yeshua heal on the Sabbath? Why did Yeshua curse the fig tree? Why did He wait 3 days before raising Lazarus? Why did He tell the young man to leave the burial of his father and let the dead bury the dead?
For a more detailed look at Judaism and the differences between these two schools, read:
They Loved the Torah - What Yeshua's First Followers Really Thought About the Law by David Friedman, Ph.D.
Jesus the Pharisee - A New Look at the Jewishness of Jesus by Rabbi Harvey Falk
Jesus Through Jewish Eyes: A Rabbi Examines the Life and Teachings of Jesus by Rabbi John Fischer, Ph.D, Th.D.
On the Sea of Galilee
America Must Stand By Israel!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Influence of the Church Fathers
Do you recognize these famous and revered names: John Calvin, Martin Luther, St. Augustine, Peter the Venerable, John Chrysostom, Justin Martyr, Ignatius Bishop of Antioch? Of course! The incredible influence these men have had on Protestantism and/or Christianity through the centuries has been profound and cannot possibly be measured.
Yet what did all these great men have in common? They all held strong anti-semitic beliefs. Many of them to the point of ridiculous and fanatical - see remarks on Luther below. But why did these great men of the faith hold such prejudice against the Jews? All these great men - and many current theologians - believed that God rejected Israel and that the church took the place of Israel. Where does anyone find in Scripture that God says His covenant with Abraham is no longer valid and that the church supplants Israel? Why does the church think that all the blessings for Israel written of by the Prophets are valid only for the church, but that the curses are meant only for Israel? What an unbalanced, bizarre teaching! Israel is a set apart and holy nation, because God decreed it and made it so. God by His very nature cannot violate a covenant He established. Abraham kept the covenant, and regardless of how Abraham's descendants treated the covenant, the covenant was with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and it is through their merit and righteousness that God promises to keep the covenant!
Considering the profound influence these great church fathers have had on the church down through the ages, how might this anti-semitic theme have influenced the way the church thinks and behaves towards Jews and the nation of Israel today?
Considering that some of the most horrific persecutions of Jews have been in the name of Christianity, is there any doubt why Jews distrust Christians and anything a Christian has to say?
For examples of anti-Jewish writings for each church father mentioned, find the link under "Educational Material" termed: "Anti-Semitism of the "Church Father's".
ON MARTIN LUTHER: LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HOLOCAUST?
While Martin Luther is greatly revered for forever separating Protestantism from Catholicism with his 95 Theses and the ensuing reformation of the church; it is often overlooked that in his fanatical fervor to convert everyone, especially the non-conforming Jews into Christians, that he became extremely anti-semitic. He was so avid in his beliefs that he became greatly angered that those stubborn Jews would not bend to his evangelizing.
In fact, historians and theologians have posed the hypothesis that is was Luther's criminalizing book On Jews and Their Lies that played a role in the instigation and propagation of the holocaust. This book savagely attacks Jews, calling for a "burning of their synagogues", "that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly", and it gets much worse than this, calling them murderers, throwing sow dung on them if they say the name of God, and on and on. Luther greatly affected Protestant thought and of course especially the German mindset where he lived and exerted much influence through his emphatic writings and speeches.
Hitler was a member of the Lutheran church - which had become a state controlled church at that point - and 2,000 Lutheran pastors did withdraw from the Nazi-controlled state church in protest against Nazi actions and beliefs. The state controlled church did not denounce Hitler for his atrocities against primarily the Jews. In his book Mein Kampf, Hitler calls Luther one of the greatest reformers and indeed the Nazi plan was to create a state church based upon the "Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther". And just as Luther called for a burning of their synagogues, the first physical action taken against the Jews was the burning of hundreds of their synagogues on Luther's birthday, November 10th, 1938!!
What influence a man can have on the history of the world! God help us!
For a detailed report on this topic, find the link above: "Martin Luther's Dirty Little Book: On Jews and Their Lies".
Note: The purpose here was to identify anti-semitism in church fathers who have greatly influenced church history. Regarding Hitler, though Luther had an impact, Hitler had many influences and was highly influenced by Henry Ford who also was a noted anti-semite. See Ford's book The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem. Hitler was also influenced by Darwin who taught that the Aryan race was the most evolutionary advanced race and therefore was superior to all others, while the Jewish race (and handicapped people) were the most inferior because they were the least evolutionary advanced race!
Yet what did all these great men have in common? They all held strong anti-semitic beliefs. Many of them to the point of ridiculous and fanatical - see remarks on Luther below. But why did these great men of the faith hold such prejudice against the Jews? All these great men - and many current theologians - believed that God rejected Israel and that the church took the place of Israel. Where does anyone find in Scripture that God says His covenant with Abraham is no longer valid and that the church supplants Israel? Why does the church think that all the blessings for Israel written of by the Prophets are valid only for the church, but that the curses are meant only for Israel? What an unbalanced, bizarre teaching! Israel is a set apart and holy nation, because God decreed it and made it so. God by His very nature cannot violate a covenant He established. Abraham kept the covenant, and regardless of how Abraham's descendants treated the covenant, the covenant was with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and it is through their merit and righteousness that God promises to keep the covenant!
Considering the profound influence these great church fathers have had on the church down through the ages, how might this anti-semitic theme have influenced the way the church thinks and behaves towards Jews and the nation of Israel today?
Considering that some of the most horrific persecutions of Jews have been in the name of Christianity, is there any doubt why Jews distrust Christians and anything a Christian has to say?
For examples of anti-Jewish writings for each church father mentioned, find the link under "Educational Material" termed: "Anti-Semitism of the "Church Father's".
ON MARTIN LUTHER: LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HOLOCAUST?
While Martin Luther is greatly revered for forever separating Protestantism from Catholicism with his 95 Theses and the ensuing reformation of the church; it is often overlooked that in his fanatical fervor to convert everyone, especially the non-conforming Jews into Christians, that he became extremely anti-semitic. He was so avid in his beliefs that he became greatly angered that those stubborn Jews would not bend to his evangelizing.
In fact, historians and theologians have posed the hypothesis that is was Luther's criminalizing book On Jews and Their Lies that played a role in the instigation and propagation of the holocaust. This book savagely attacks Jews, calling for a "burning of their synagogues", "that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly", and it gets much worse than this, calling them murderers, throwing sow dung on them if they say the name of God, and on and on. Luther greatly affected Protestant thought and of course especially the German mindset where he lived and exerted much influence through his emphatic writings and speeches.
Hitler was a member of the Lutheran church - which had become a state controlled church at that point - and 2,000 Lutheran pastors did withdraw from the Nazi-controlled state church in protest against Nazi actions and beliefs. The state controlled church did not denounce Hitler for his atrocities against primarily the Jews. In his book Mein Kampf, Hitler calls Luther one of the greatest reformers and indeed the Nazi plan was to create a state church based upon the "Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther". And just as Luther called for a burning of their synagogues, the first physical action taken against the Jews was the burning of hundreds of their synagogues on Luther's birthday, November 10th, 1938!!
What influence a man can have on the history of the world! God help us!
For a detailed report on this topic, find the link above: "Martin Luther's Dirty Little Book: On Jews and Their Lies".
Note: The purpose here was to identify anti-semitism in church fathers who have greatly influenced church history. Regarding Hitler, though Luther had an impact, Hitler had many influences and was highly influenced by Henry Ford who also was a noted anti-semite. See Ford's book The International Jew: The World's Foremost Problem. Hitler was also influenced by Darwin who taught that the Aryan race was the most evolutionary advanced race and therefore was superior to all others, while the Jewish race (and handicapped people) were the most inferior because they were the least evolutionary advanced race!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Yeshua's Mock Sanhedrin Trial
Who Killed Yeshua?
Many people have believed throughout centuries that Yeshua was tried and convicted by a Jewish Sanhedrin. This is true in name only; it was ironically Gentiles - Romans and Greeks - who comprised the majority of the Sanhedrin that night!
To start with, the government was very corrupt at this time and many "puppet" leaders were in place - including the Sanhedrin where many of the leaders weren't even truly Jewish! The Romans appointed whoever they wanted to be the high priest, and it was the Romans who instituted the wicked Annas as high priest as well as his wicked son-in-law successor Caiaphas!
To add to that, the night of Yeshua's trial was held during the week of Pesach (Passover)! Authentic Jewish leaders would never have held a trial during this time; work is not even permitted during the first two days of this festival and is limited during the rest of the festival! They would have been home with their families celebrating Pesach and eating the traditional kosher meal!
Finally, notice how Yeshua's trial was held at night - literally in secret! A true Jewish Sanhedrin would NEVER have held capital trials beyond daylight hours and certainly not during Pesach! It was against Jewish law - against Torah! The law also teaches that a sentence of death must be pronounced after 24 hours had elapsed since the trial - they waited only a few hours! The law also teaches that trials could not be held on the day before Sabbath NOR on any of the great festivals. (The council also consisted of 71 members, and it would have been impossible to convince 71 men to all agree to break the laws of Torah, miss Pesach dinner and tradition with family, AND it would have taken several hours to gather 71 men to be there for a trial in the first place!)
Clearly this was an illegal, hastily done, kangaroo court that violated multiple Jewish laws regarding capital offense trials!!
There are more reasons than those listed above, but the point is to show that Yeshua was NOT convicted by Jews alone. In fact, He was convicted mostly by Gentiles - the VERY people group He came to graft into the covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the entire Jewish nation! What irony!
What an "ah-ha!" moment to have! That down through the centuries Jews have been repeatedly persecuted and called "Christ-killers" when in actuality, it was mostly us, the Gentiles, the Goyim, that sentenced Yeshua to death!
Yeshua's trial was fake...and they found no grounds by which to accuse Him!
But then of course, regardless of who on earth sentenced Yeshua to death, it was pre-determined in heaven by our merciful Heavenly Father who willed that Yeshua from the beginning of time would die at the appointed hour for the iniquity of all.
So ultimately it was our sin and the will of the Father that killed Yeshua.
And how grateful we are that the Father willed it and that Yeshua was perfectly obedient - for by the Father's will and by Yeshua's obedient sacrifice we are saved through repentance!
John 6:38 - "For I have not come to do my will, but the will of my Father who sent me."
COMPARISON: YESHUA'S TRIAL WITH PETER AND JOHN'S TRIAL
To take this a step further - Acts 5 describes the first arrest of Peter and John who were also arrested in the evening just like Yeshua! However, rather than assembling a hastily put together kangaroo Sanhedrin court that same evening like they did with Yeshua's trial, they put Peter and John in prison and WAITED UNTIL DAYBREAK to assemble the Sanhedrin. As stated previously, the entire 71 members of the Jewish Sanhedrin would never have agreed to hold a trial at night - it was against Torah! When the 71 members were finally assembled the next morning, even though such members as Annas and Caiaphas and their affiliates wanted Peter and John killed, there were still some righteous members of the Sanhedrin, such as Paul's teacher, Rabbi Gamaliel, who spoke up and essentially saved the lives of Peter and John by saying, Acts 5:38-39:
"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Peter and John's trial before the Sanhedrin was held much more according to the law and therefore their lives were spared to live and preach another day. How unjust was the trial of Yeshua our Messiah! Yet, how else could it have been? Had Yeshua been given a fair trial, the 71 members would probably never have been agreed to sentence Him to death. As unjust as it was, the Father allowed it so that even through the evil intentions of unrighteous men, ALL evil would be overcome by the death and resurrection of His Son Yeshua HaMashiach!!
Many people have believed throughout centuries that Yeshua was tried and convicted by a Jewish Sanhedrin. This is true in name only; it was ironically Gentiles - Romans and Greeks - who comprised the majority of the Sanhedrin that night!
To start with, the government was very corrupt at this time and many "puppet" leaders were in place - including the Sanhedrin where many of the leaders weren't even truly Jewish! The Romans appointed whoever they wanted to be the high priest, and it was the Romans who instituted the wicked Annas as high priest as well as his wicked son-in-law successor Caiaphas!
To add to that, the night of Yeshua's trial was held during the week of Pesach (Passover)! Authentic Jewish leaders would never have held a trial during this time; work is not even permitted during the first two days of this festival and is limited during the rest of the festival! They would have been home with their families celebrating Pesach and eating the traditional kosher meal!
Finally, notice how Yeshua's trial was held at night - literally in secret! A true Jewish Sanhedrin would NEVER have held capital trials beyond daylight hours and certainly not during Pesach! It was against Jewish law - against Torah! The law also teaches that a sentence of death must be pronounced after 24 hours had elapsed since the trial - they waited only a few hours! The law also teaches that trials could not be held on the day before Sabbath NOR on any of the great festivals. (The council also consisted of 71 members, and it would have been impossible to convince 71 men to all agree to break the laws of Torah, miss Pesach dinner and tradition with family, AND it would have taken several hours to gather 71 men to be there for a trial in the first place!)
Clearly this was an illegal, hastily done, kangaroo court that violated multiple Jewish laws regarding capital offense trials!!
There are more reasons than those listed above, but the point is to show that Yeshua was NOT convicted by Jews alone. In fact, He was convicted mostly by Gentiles - the VERY people group He came to graft into the covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the entire Jewish nation! What irony!
What an "ah-ha!" moment to have! That down through the centuries Jews have been repeatedly persecuted and called "Christ-killers" when in actuality, it was mostly us, the Gentiles, the Goyim, that sentenced Yeshua to death!
Yeshua's trial was fake...and they found no grounds by which to accuse Him!
But then of course, regardless of who on earth sentenced Yeshua to death, it was pre-determined in heaven by our merciful Heavenly Father who willed that Yeshua from the beginning of time would die at the appointed hour for the iniquity of all.
So ultimately it was our sin and the will of the Father that killed Yeshua.
And how grateful we are that the Father willed it and that Yeshua was perfectly obedient - for by the Father's will and by Yeshua's obedient sacrifice we are saved through repentance!
John 6:38 - "For I have not come to do my will, but the will of my Father who sent me."
COMPARISON: YESHUA'S TRIAL WITH PETER AND JOHN'S TRIAL
To take this a step further - Acts 5 describes the first arrest of Peter and John who were also arrested in the evening just like Yeshua! However, rather than assembling a hastily put together kangaroo Sanhedrin court that same evening like they did with Yeshua's trial, they put Peter and John in prison and WAITED UNTIL DAYBREAK to assemble the Sanhedrin. As stated previously, the entire 71 members of the Jewish Sanhedrin would never have agreed to hold a trial at night - it was against Torah! When the 71 members were finally assembled the next morning, even though such members as Annas and Caiaphas and their affiliates wanted Peter and John killed, there were still some righteous members of the Sanhedrin, such as Paul's teacher, Rabbi Gamaliel, who spoke up and essentially saved the lives of Peter and John by saying, Acts 5:38-39:
"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
Peter and John's trial before the Sanhedrin was held much more according to the law and therefore their lives were spared to live and preach another day. How unjust was the trial of Yeshua our Messiah! Yet, how else could it have been? Had Yeshua been given a fair trial, the 71 members would probably never have been agreed to sentence Him to death. As unjust as it was, the Father allowed it so that even through the evil intentions of unrighteous men, ALL evil would be overcome by the death and resurrection of His Son Yeshua HaMashiach!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Israel - We Must Stand By Her
On our recent trip to Israel, we learned the importance of standing by Israel. There is a clear divine blessing given to those who support this nation and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6 - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you, may there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels". We must pray that our nation decides to support the small nation of Israel. Consider that our current and past two presidents have called to separate the nation of Israel into an Israeli state and a Palestinian state, and is it no wonder that we have cursed ourselves in this and our economy has fallen? Now consider Canada, (who has not always supported Israel) and how their current Prime Minister has openly stated that they will stand by Israel, and as a result their economy and their currency is rising and becoming stronger than the US economy and US dollar, as well as other major nations' currencies. Could it be that a nation's economy is affected by whether that nation chooses to bless Israel or curse Israel? Note what God promises Abraham in Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you." We must bless the nation of Israel!
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