Is the Hebrew Roots Movement a cult?

[crossnote]

Here is an article written from a Messianic Ministry that speaks sense concerning the Torah issue...understanding it's proper use. Word of Messiah - Messianic Life So see there is some sanity in it. But much of what is being said specifically on these boards have little to do with faith in Jesus for our walk and more with Moses.
And this goes on in some of the Shuls. What happens (much like Church Growth advocates amongst EV's) is in their attempt to try to attract the Jewish unbelievers in, they will drop evangelical trappings e.g. a cross hanging on the wall, the name of Jesus,drop the Lord's Supper,drop mention of Christmas or Easter, and instead put up a Menorah, say 'Yeshua', observe the Feast Days, and dig deeper into Moses and the Levitical Law. As it draws on Yeshua is mentioned less and less (Paul is pretty well gone), the Gospel becomes blurred especially concerning justification and one hears more and more of Moses, Levites and Torah.
And the irony of it all as the same results in the EV CG movement, is that for all their efforts to reach the unconverted Jew...they don't ...but instead they end up converting Gentiles into Judaiism. Go figure.

 

[crossnote]

What warning? That the prayer shawl sold by a televangelist has no power?
That is the type of thing to warn against.
Or the phoney baloney doctrine that you need to adhere to every subset of ancient jewish religious affectation to be accepted by God? ........This is the warning signal. - Because this is not in the law.
It's not God's law.
There is a huge difference.

Yup, I warn of both. I am an equal opportunity Warner.
But when it starts tinkering with the actual Gospel I get nerved regardless what camp it is coming from.

 

[RickShafer]

"And the irony of it all as the same results in the EV CG movement, is that for all their efforts to reach the unconverted Jew...they don't ...but instead they end up converting Gentiles into Judaiism. Go figure."

I've seen people here on this site who love Jesus and aren't steered by Judaism.
But study the torah.(law)
JaumeJ and Red Tent for starters.
And I know from their testimony that I have read and conversed with them, sometimes during arguments, that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
- Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Imperical evidence must needs be met.
No christian would leave the gospel for bondage.

 

[crossnote]

"And the irony of it all as the same results in the EV CG movement, is that for all their efforts to reach the unconverted Jew...they don't ...but instead they end up converting Gentiles into Judaiism. Go figure."

I've seen people here on this site who love Jesus and aren't steered by Judaism.
But study the torah.(law)
JaumeJ and Red Tent for starters.
And I know from their testimony that I have read and conversed with them, sometimes during arguments, that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
- Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Imperical evidence must needs be met.
No christian would leave the gospel for bondage.

Maybe you should ask Paul concerning the Galatians...

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Gal 2:4)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Gal 5:1)

 

[crossnote]

"And the irony of it all as the same results in the EV CG movement, is that for all their efforts to reach the unconverted Jew...they don't ...but instead they end up converting Gentiles into Judaiism. Go figure."

I've seen people here on this site who love Jesus and aren't steered by Judaism.
But study the torah.(law)
JaumeJ and Red Tent for starters.
And I know from their testimony that I have read and conversed with them, sometimes during arguments, that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
- Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Imperical evidence must needs be met.
No christian would leave the gospel for bondage.

I believe I was pointing out the movement not certain individuals. I don't go after individuals but only what they may say concerning specific doctrine. Even Zone knows we may agree on this issue, yet we can easily turn around and butt heads on some other issues...nope...no need to get personal.

 

[RickShafer]

Maybe you should ask Paul concerning the Galatians...

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Gal 2:4)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Gal 5:1)

Yea, that's why God sent him to warn them.
You think God is slack concerning His promises?
"And none shall take you out of My hand".
But of course there were some who took the law back, because they saved themselves by their natural intuition right?

 

[JaumeJ]

The following explains in detail the meaning of Jude, Judas, Judah etc. These are all from the original name. Judas is from the Greek transliteration from the Hebrew used in English. I notice you have people who actually "liked" your comment about mixing the meanings of Israel with Jewish. People go to great lengths to support their own delusion.

The name Judas consists of two elements. The first element is the name

, the commonly accepted abbreviated form of

, which is YHWH, the Name of the Lord.

The second element of the name Judas comes from the Hebrew verb

(yada) meaning to confess, praise, give thanks. HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament submits that 'the primary meaning of this root is "to acknowledge or confess sin, God's character and works, or man's character."'

If you would like to read all of the article, go to Judas | The amazing name Judas: meaning and etymology

lol

I think you are mixed up between jewish and Israelite...

 

[crossnote]

Yea, that's why God sent him to warn them.
You think God is slack concerning His promises?
"And none shall take you out of My hand".
But of course there were some who took the law back, because they saved themselves by their natural intuition right?

I'm not sure of your point.
None get saved by their natural tuition. Right?
Or was it tongue in cheek?

 

[RickShafer]

I'm not sure of your point.
None get saved by their natural tuition. Right?
Or was it tongue in cheek?

Well, this goes back to the whole meaning of the thread.
Works verses predestination(or grace).
You are saying Judaizers are taking over some churches.
I'm telling you that it is impossible.(If they are true churches)
I'm not saying that some false assemblies might not be mixing the two religions, but where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Life. (not a reestablishment of the law for salvation)
And that's why God sent Paul to warn the redeemed about returning to bondage under the law.
But the whole the the Hebrew Roots Movement is not that. (Returning under the law for salvation)
- It is an oversimplification to claim that.

 

[zone]

There is a form of teaching that says you will be more blessed by raising a menorah, or blowing a ram's horn, or surrounding yourself with the affectations of early Hebraic worship,(as if those certain articles can save).
- This also is not from God.

But to paint the Hebrew Roots Movement as nothing more than a consignor of mere aesthetic trivialities is a mistake.
It's deeper than the cavalier trivialities of some who are sent to do nothing more than coalesce Christianity and Judaism.
- It's like lumping all Lutherans into a category that denies the existence of Lucifer.
( The serial killer known as 'B.T.K.' went to a church who held to this....that the devil is a figment of man's imagination.)
He was voted layman of the year by the same church one year in fact.

okay
rick.
i don't know how familiar you are with the HR movement.
so i'm not going to address much of the last few posts.

but i'll continue posting.

Judaizing is an ancient heresy, condemned in scripture.
it was heresy then and is today - for the same reasons.
at the very core it attacks the Gospel.

adherents are departing from Christ.
this is on record.

like leaven, it takes only a little.
i'll keep posting...maybe we can see if it really is a danger to those who are drawn to it.

 

[zone]

Well, this goes back to the whole meaning of the thread.
Works verses predestination(or grace).
You are saying Judaizers are taking over some churches.
I'm telling you that it is impossible.(If they are true churches)
I'm not saying that some false assemblies might not be mixing the two religions, but where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Life. (not a reestablishment of the law for salvation)
And that's why God sent Paul to warn the redeemed about returning to bondage under the law.
But the whole the the Hebrew Roots Movement is not that. (Returning under the law for salvation)
- It is an oversimplification to claim that.

they're starting their own churches.
they've started a new denomination.

it absolutely IS a "return" or turning to Law for justification.
that's exactly what it is.

but incrementally.
they're told lies about our scriptures; churches,etc...until they have deep-rooted doubt.
then they are offered a better way.
little by little they refuse to identify with anything Christian.

to each their own.
if people really believe Christianity is pagan; that God intended to return His people to Judaism, go for it.

as for me and my house,
no.

 

[JaumeJ]

There are times I have the sensation I am being tossed in with Hebrew Roots, and I do not mind at all, but my prefernce is to be tossed in with any who are Jews by translation, since I believe this includes anyone who truly loves Jesus, Yeshua.

Having said this, my understanding of the blessed family in this group is they tend to want to please Yahweh in attempting to do as He states His desire is for His children's conduct while in this age.

From what I have learned of them, they adore Yeshua as the only eternal offering for the sin of all mankind.

To bring up as a criticism the fact that they observe one day over another, or one food over another, or any other of their own honest approaches to understanding and pleasing Yahweh as being offensive is going directly against the teachings found in the letters of Paul where he teaches if a believer have a clear conscience in the sight of Yahweh in what he practices, it is not sin.

For me, to me, to expect others to do as one does to the letter is being controlling more than worshiping. Yahweh is good all of the time, amen.

I love anyone who worships Yeshua as He is, and according to Isaiah, I understand Him to be the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet He is One, amen.

 

[RedTent]

Actually this argument has been going on since Christ was crucified. We have some of it reported in Acts. The question comes down to if we have a brand new religion in Christ, did Christ destroy the OT God, or did Christ build on it. Christ said he built. In Matt 5, Christ listed several of the laws saying "you have been told" then Christ said that the law still stands but "I tell you" and each time we were to obey also with our heart and mind. So what of the OT was destroyed? Christ says nothing was. The blood of animals was replaced by Christ's blood. The temple wasn't needed any more but its functions were still valid. The HS was freely given to those who asked, and it helped with understanding including the law but it didn't destroy it helped and expanded understanding.

The first 500 years of the growth of Christianity was spent in severing the worship of God as it had been to be a completely new way of worship. By 300 years it was illegal to be connected in any way with how God was worshipped before. That was not because of scripture, it was because of man. Jews decided Christ was not the Messiah, that was man's decision. God had created and used Jews to train the world about Him, so he favored them. Gentiles said they were the loyal ones, it followed that they were the favored ones now, God would repay them for loyalty. It was a mess.

If we look strictly to God for answers, we find God created man and wants man to be saved, everyone. He wants that for Jew and gentile as the same people, except allow Him to feel the ones He spent those thousands of years on are special, and let Him judge all about them. In God's eyes, Christ is at His right hand and part of Him, eternal. Christ is in the OT and the NT, and in God's eyes He is "I am".

Now, there is a group of people who would like to include all of scripture in their worship. They worship and believe in exactly the same way the NT explains we are to do it. They would like to study and listen to the God principles shown to the Jews in the OT and follow how it was completed by Christ, not with the idea that Christ destroyed.

The organized church caught on to that this group of people listen and study about ways God suggested we worship Him. Some of these ways have been taught as the way to salvation when the facts are that Christ only is the way to salvation. The book of Galatians tells how God feels about what is most important. So the organized church is up in arms. They say you may NOT worship God as God suggested, some people have done it for the wrong reason so just don't do it at all. They say that God is completely against what he taught, it has nothing to do with salvation, God changed His mind about anything He said. We have a new God and a new way. I don't think that is so, or that is what God is saying. God says don't ever think it is anything other than Christ who gives salvation and forgiveness. That is not saying that you may not worship in any way suggested by God, ever.

We do not have a brand new religion in Christ, cutting ourselves off from the Father. Christ is our way to growth.

 

[RickShafer]

Answers in Red

okay
rick.
i don't know how familiar you are with the HR movement. (Have you read any of my posts? Does it look like I'm unfamiliar with the subject?)
so i'm not going to address much of the last few posts.

but i'll continue posting.

Judaizing is an ancient heresy, condemned in scripture. (I agree, what you are calling Judaizing isn't)
it was heresy then and is today - for the same reasons.
at the very core it attacks the Gospel. (Judaizing does, studying the O.T. doesn't)

adherents are departing from Christ.
this is on record. (You are mixing movements up, not all that study the law are Judaizers)

like leaven, it takes only a little. (The little leaven is hatred)
i'll keep posting...maybe we can see if it really is a danger to those who are drawn to it.(Those who are drawn to the false amalgamation of Judaic and Christian religions are not saved....this Does NOT include everyone in the Hebrew roots movement - It just doesn't Zone!)

 

[RickShafer]

Replies in Red:

they're starting their own churches.
they've started a new denomination. (Those are windblown houses, theres not a one of them whose pastor isn't die hard military industrial complex)

it absolutely IS a "return" or turning to Law for justification.(But not all people who see importance in upholding certain customs are Judaizers.)
that's exactly what it is.

but incrementally. (Listen, the biggest quote unqoute "judaizers" are the legalists. Not those who see importance in the shadows of the law, which point to Jesus Christ)
they're told lies about our scriptures; churches,etc...until they have deep-rooted doubt.
then they are offered a better way.
little by little they refuse to identify with anything Christian.(I have witnessed the greatest infamy of back to root Israel Judaizing on the planet - See Larry Hutch.....sure it's offensive, but people see through it....and those that don't are like other brands of earn your salvation legalists)

to each their own.
if people really believe Christianity is pagan; that God intended to return His people to Judaism, go for it.

as for me and my house,
no.

Listen, The effort by the power elite to combine Judaism and Christianity as a waring faction against Islam(which they also fund - see Muslim Brotherhood) is so ridiculously transparent, that anyone with just .001% Holy Spirit inspiration can see right through it.
- - Did you see what happened in Egypt two days ago? - They kicked the Muslim Brotherhood out!
People see Zone. People can see the advertent pushing of certain things.
People are not stupid.

 

[zone]

Replies in Red:


Listen, The effort by the power elite to combine Judaism and Christianity as a waring faction against Islam(which they also fund - see Muslim Brotherhood) is so ridiculously transparent, that anyone with just .001% Holy Spirit inspiration can see right through it.
- - Did you see what happened in Egypt two days ago? - They kicked the Muslim Brotherhood out!
People see Zone. People can see the advertent pushing of certain things.
People are not stupid.

rick. i know you see (the MB thing etc).

but no...people do not see....this is subtle.
it's incremental.

we have the record of the same problem in Galatians. it was so serious, they so had NOT seen, Paul had to write letters to correct them. and his writing in those letters are the harshest of all his writings.

it comes down to a single deadly error. and that error is so serious, Paul stated twice in one passage that anyone bring a message (Gospel) other then the one he brought was to be eternally condemned; damned; anathema!

this is the only place he speaks this way. that's how serious this is.

i don't run out into Pakistan shaking my fist at Muslims.
i don't kick open the door of the Masonic Lodge and curse them all.
i don't go to the atheists' table at the local and yell about damnation.

God judges those outside the church - they need the Law & then the Gospel.

what we HAVE to do; we are continually and repeatedly warned over and over to keep and guard and study and preserve the GOSPEL, the words and doctrines of CHRIST within the church.

you're right that most of us can "see" the heresies coming from the cults (JW; Mormonism; Adventism; etc).

but this particular cult - the HR movement is different.
it's different because we were first exposed to Dispensationalism which is basically Dual Covenant Theology - we have come to believe that the Church was a Plan B...that God REALLY intended a Plan A: a Jewish Kingdom on earth, into which the gentiles are accepted.

this has led some christians to believe they must be "covered" by jews; or they are grafted into jewish believers....the variations are endless.

you clearly see this is serious error. but hundreds of millions do not.

as well, the HR movement has direct connections to the Charismatic Movement. this is not accident, as Kabbalah and Mysticism (occult) abound in both. or at the very least there is a gnostic-like elitism which appeals to peple's flesh.


......


i can talk all day long about this, and most will not listen to me....that's fine.

but let me post some writings of a jewish man who was studying to become a rabbi, but came to Christ instead.

he tells it like it is.
i respect him immensely, and consider him a valuable teacher and brother in Christ.
i don't agree with every detail but that's cool.

his understanding of the value of Hebraic roots is very different from this Movement we see (among primarily gentiles!)

this is consistently the testimony of Jews who simply come to Christ - they don't want much to do with the Messianic Movement.

following: Q & A with Aaron Budjen

 

[zone]

Replies in Red:


Listen, The effort by the power elite to combine Judaism and Christianity as a waring faction against Islam(which they also fund - see Muslim Brotherhood) is so ridiculously transparent, that anyone with just .001% Holy Spirit inspiration can see right through it.
- - Did you see what happened in Egypt two days ago? - They kicked the Muslim Brotherhood out!
People see Zone. People can see the advertent pushing of certain things.
People are not stupid.

i had to LOL at this (you'll get it) because how many times have you been ridiculed as a conspiracy theorist for discussing the OBVIOUS! no...people do not see Rick.

some do, many don't.
and the ones unfortunately with one foot out of Grace are hard to bring back.
it's God's will either way.

okay....let's hear from someone who has been there, done that: Aaron Budjen

 

[JaumeJ]

You really must give people in Yeshua more credit. That is people in Jesus. Rereading I edit this in stating you must give Yeshua credit.

Some people "shop" all their lives looking for a homeland only to realize it is not on this earth. Believing Yeshua in part means loving all people, and this is not being taught anywhere in most named theologies, perhaps in word, but never in practice.

Any religion which associates itself with politics of this world is not of Yeshua.

The most heinous people are those who believe they must kill for God. The true God does not need His creatures to defend Him or fight for Him. His Word should be adequate for any battles, amen.

rick. i know you see (the MB thing etc).

but no...people do not see....this is subtle.
it's incremental.

we have the record of the same problem in Galatians. it was so serious, they so had NOT seen, Paul had to write letters to correct them. and his writing in those letters are the harshest of all his writings.

it comes down to a single deadly error. and that error is so serious, Paul stated twice in one passage that anyone bring a message (Gospel) other then the one he brought was to be eternally condemned; damned; anathema!

this is the only place he speaks this way. that's how serious this is.

i don't run out into Pakistan shaking my fist at Muslims.
i don't kick open the door of the Masonic Lodge and curse them all.
i don't go to the atheists' table at the local and yell about damnation.

God judges those outside the church - they need the Law & then the Gospel.

what we HAVE to do; we are continually and repeatedly warned over and over to keep and guard and study and preserve the GOSPEL, the words and doctrines of CHRIST within the church.

you're right that most of us can "see" the heresies coming from the cults (JW; Mormonism; Adventism; etc).

but this particular cult - the HR movement is different.
it's different because we were first exposed to Dispensationalism which is basically Dual Covenant Theology - we have come to believe that the Church was a Plan B...that God REALLY intended a Plan A: a Jewish Kingdom on earth, into which the gentiles are accepted.

this has led some christians to believe they must be "covered" by jews; or they are grafted into jewish believers....the variations are endless.

you clearly see this is serious error. but hundreds of millions do not.

as well, the HR movement has direct connections to the Charismatic Movement. this is not accident, as Kabbalah and Mysticism (occult) abound in both. or at the very least there is a gnostic-like elitism which appeals to peple's flesh.


......


i can talk all day long about this, and most will not listen to me....that's fine.

but let me post some writings of a jewish man who was studying to become a rabbi, but came to Christ instead.

he tells it like it is.
i respect him immensely, and consider him a valuable teacher and brother in Christ.
i don't agree with every detail but that's cool.

his understanding of the value of Hebraic roots is very different from this Movement we see (among primarily gentiles!)

this is consistently the testimony of Jews who simply come to Christ - they don't want much to do with the Messianic Movement.

following: Q & A with Aaron Budjen

 

[zone]

Q & A from: Aaron Budjen (his audio teachings are very valuable)

INTRODUCTION:

.........

Thank you for visiting the Q/A page. Below are a few articles you might find helpful.

The real content of my work is found in the audio files in the radio archive

How did you become a Christian?

Why do bad things happen to people?

What does it mean in Hebrews 12:6 that our Father in Heaven chastens or disciplines us?

How were people saved under the Old Covenant? What about those who never heard the Gospel?

Why was God about to kill Moses in Ex. 4:24-26?

What did Jesus mean when he said that we are gods in John 10:34?

If the name of Jesus was actually Yeshua, why don't we use His real name?

What did Jesus mean in Matthew 5:17 that He came to fulfill the Law?

Should we obey the Law of the Feast of Tabernacles?

What is your experience with Messianic Judaism?

Should we be under the covering of Jewish Traditions?

What was the significance of Jesus folding the burial cloth?

What do you think about the Jewish New Testament and the Complete Jewish Bible?

What is the abundant life?

I am preparing a sermon on prayer, and was wondering what your thoughts might be on the subject.

What does it mean to pray in the spirit?

In 1 Cor. 14:34,35, was Paul establishing a new legalistic command to the Church, with respect to women speaking in the church?

Can we find more fulfillment in Christian work than in any other kind of work?

How do you know what is true, when there are so many different interpretations about the Scriptures?

 

[zone]

What is Messianic Judaism?

There are many articles available on the Internet that describes Messianic Judaism from a historical and religious point of view. I will instead answer this question from my personal observations, instead of from a traditional expository approach.

When I had been ostracized out of the synagogue that I was a part of, I decided to explore the Christian world. I had believed in Jesus as my Messiah for over three years, and had grown to have a strong understanding of the Gospel and the implications of what Jesus did for me. When I visited my first Church, it was a bit of a culture shock at first. I had made several assumptions about churches, and quickly discovered that my preconceived ideas were not very close to reality. It was suggested to me that I visit with some Messianic Synagogues. It was assumed that I would be able to relate more to the Messianic Synagogues given my background.

When I visited with my first Messianic congregation, it was also a difficult experience. The worship service was common for most Messianic congregations. It could be described as a liberalized version of the most liberal reformed Jewish synagogues. I felt slightly insulted on behalf of my people when it was suggested that this type of worship was designed to attract Jewish people. Myself, and many other Jewish people I have asked over the years would often feel that the sanctity of the Synagogues was somewhat desecrated by what they were doing. I found the hybridization of Hebrew and English confusing. The way you think in Hebrew is very different from the way you think in English. Combining the two languages simultaneously can be very difficult when you understand this. I rapidly discovered however that no one in the Messianic congregation really understood Hebrew, so I could understand why this wasn’t a problem for them. I have visited with many Messianic congregations over the years, and have yet to meet anyone who understands Hebrew. Some could pronounce the words from the actual Aramaic script, but most would need transliterations in English.

It was suggested to me that the services and style of worship was designed to attract Jewish people. From what I have observed over the years, they don’t attract Jewish people. They attract Gentiles, but not Jews. The Jews that I have known have been offended by their services, and by the people who pretend to be someone they are not. I found that it is very unusual to find a Jewish person in a Messianic Jewish congregation. It is even more unusual to find a Jewish person who actually grew up with the traditions of Judaism, instead of recently discovering that a distant relative was considered to be Jewish.

It is often suggested that a person cannot understand the Scriptures well without understanding Hebraic roots, and perhaps some Jewish tradition. I do agree with this to a certain degree, but I have found that what they generally believe about Hebrew roots, and Jewish traditions is invalid. Just because someone says they study or teach Hebrew roots, doesn’t mean that what they study or teach is true Hebrew roots. Many people are sincerely convinced that they are, but that doesn’t mean they really are. Many people may study Torah (Law), and yet still have no idea what the law says, let alone what it means. There have been generations of people who have devoted their lives to studying Torah, and according to Jesus, had no idea what it said or what it meant. I could easily say this about myself before I knew that Jesus is the Messiah. If Jesus said this, then why would it be hard to believe that it isn’t very different today? Someone who has never had any deep exposure to Judaism can easily be deceived into believing that they are getting exposure to deeper truths, when in reality, they are not. It is very easy for this to happen. What is even more challenging is that a person can have a background in traditional Judaism, and still be deceived with respect to their Hebrew roots because of evolutionary Pharisaism. I do agree that there are many things hidden in the Scriptures because of a lack of understanding of the Hebraic culture and teachings. What I don’t agree with, is what many people believe those things are.

The Messianic Jewish culture has been interesting to observe. The core theology that is presented in the majority of Messianic Synagogues corresponds well with Baptist theology. There are several exceptions of course. I am only saying this from an observational point of view. What is very unique, however, is that the people in the congregations are generally Charismatic / Pentecostal in their theology. It is a peculiar combination that troubled me for a long time given their significant differences. I found that the style of worship was attractive to the Charismatic, and the teaching would rarely address the New Testament. Therefore, their differences are normally not addressed, because of the focus on other subjects.

I spoke with one of the most renowned leaders in the Messianic Jewish community in the early 90’s and asked him about the discipleship programs he had in his congregation. He began to explain to me that he was very troubled that many people would join his congregation, he would often marry them to others in the congregation and they would often teach Bible studies during the week. However, it was common for them to eventually convert to Judaism, and while they would normally not reject Jesus, they would live as if they didn’t know Him. He was very confused by this, and didn’t know why it was happening. In time, I discovered that it is very common for people to convert to Judaism after spending time with a Messianic Synagogue. It was generally unheard of that a Jewish person would convert to believing that Jesus is the Messiah after spending time with a Messianic Synagogue. I was very surprised at this also until I found out what many people in Messianic Judaism really believe.

A Messianic Synagogue is not very different from other churches in some ways. Most every church teaches and promotes a balance between the doctrines of law and the doctrines of grace. Their differences can be described in terms of their differences in laws they try and obey, and how they apply grace in their life when they fail to live in obedience to those laws. These laws are generally never written. Some are presented directly from the pulpits. Tithing is one example. Others are indirectly taught or culturally persuaded. The best question to ask when wanting to know these laws is what do I need to do and not do in order to be considered acceptable and an upstanding member of the particular congregation? Within Messianic Judaism there is also a very large variety of opinions with respect to what laws people are to obey and how they are to be obeyed. One thing I have found that they all seem to share in common is that most everyone says they do not teach or believe in legalism. However, not many are willing to define this term so they can clearly distinguish themselves from those that do teach legalism. This therefore is most often a statement of opinion that has no basis in anything.

One of the advertisements of Messianic Judaism is that you will grow closer to your God through the participation in the Messianic Synagogue, and the traditions that are taught there. I described earlier that what many believe are Hebrew roots and truths that can help illuminate the Scriptures may not necessarily be true. I have made this statement from a general point of view without specific examples. The intent of this paper is only to describe Messianic Judaism from a general point of view. The specifics will be addressed according to the specific relevant subjects. I have yet to meet anyone who was a part of a Messianic congregation that would convince me that they have truly grown closer to their God, and an understanding of who He is. They certainly don’t need to convince me, but I have not seen any evidence that what is advertised will truly be delivered. On the other hand, I have met many people in Messianic congregations who have openly told me that they felt further away from God than when they first got saved. Many of whom had tried every denomination they could find and have settled on this one, waiting and hoping that one day things would be made clear. These were people who were considered to be elders in their congregations. Therefore, by their testimony, I would suggest that the advertising may not be true.

The leadership in most Messianic congregations will normally have some Jewishness in their background. There are some who say they do, but the degree to which they do is rather questionable. The following are some examples in the Denver, Colorado area. I know one who has a long lineage of Rabbis in his family, but couldn’t read or correctly pronounce Hebrew at all. This would be the first skill he would have learned. I believe he is telling the truth about his lineage, but he did not grow up learning anything about Hebrew roots. I know another who has a very large following. He completely fabricated his background and facilitates his groups like a skilled cult leader. I believe he has been successful because he has promoted Charismatic teachings, which corresponds better to most of the people found in Messianic congregations. I have watched him since the beginning of his ministry, and have been consistently surprised with how many people he has been able to completely deceive. There is another who is probably the most popular that openly told me he did not care about truth, but only that he could keep people in his congregation to provide him with tithes and offerings. Not all people are who they tell you they are, but I think he was being sincere about this.

The intent of this was to give a general description of my exposure to Messianic Judaism. I will address specifics through addressing specific questions about what many Messianic Jews believe and why.

Aaron Budjen