From Melanie
Maybe this email I got from Melanie captures what a lot of the community feels.
Skip
“Those of us who came out of the traditional Church need to hear and understand the exegetical methods and understand about interpretive problems and all things along those lines, Skip. I have found that even after practicing a Messianic lifestyle for close to 13 years that I still find myself in Greek interpretive processes even when I think I’ve weeded all of that out of my system. It is a growth process, and it takes a lifetime. I dont’ think we ever see enough of this type of thing (in my opinion) because those of us who have come to live a Messianic lifestyle are still human and many of us have come out of the church and I think it is harder for us than those not raised in the church. Also, there are people who are just recognizing the differences in Hebraic thought and teaching styles and the Greek mindset and it is totally new ground to them
Personally, I have not had time to comment because on August 18th my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and though the surgery was a success, she will be undergoing Chemotherapy until the end of the year in rotating sessions, and I have had to step in to take care of both my home and hers whenever she is not up to it herself. All looks successful so far, but please keep Connie Powell in your prayers for a full recovery. It seems to have been harder on my father, who lost both parents and his eldest sister to Cancer, and my mother has absolutely no history in her fa mily of Cancer, but it happene anyway. We’d all appreciate your prayers
Please don’t think we’re not gaining something from the teachings, Skip. I know that this type of thing, for myself at least (since I am a ‘logical thinker’ and love detail) is extremely heplful, but I also gain much from the other side of things that do deal with the daily issues of life. Your ministry is wonderful and God bless you for it!”
Melanie
Melanie, I will be praying for your dear mother and for your family during this most difficult time.
Dr. Moen,
I love reading your thoughts and research as well as your interpretation of Hebrew language as it relates to our prediliction toward Greek thought. However; I work 80 plus hours a week in my business, am in grad and post grad programs in STPTS and Master’s, have a wife and 2 childrenand just had a fire at my home on Sunday ($45k damage)… So, I generally don’t have time to read comments, let alone make them.
I love to read your writing and nothing challenges and humbles me more. When I preach my guts out and no one says amen, am I still preaching the Word? Of course I am, and so are you.
Take care Brother,
Shawn
Shawn,
How can we help you?
Shawn,
I am praying for you and your family as well.
By His grace,
beth
Melanie,
I’m praying Psalm 18 over you and your family.
beth
Melanie is absolutely right — no matter how long we have been in Messianic congregations, we are still living in a Greek society and being bombarded by a huge majority of Greek thinkers in our reading material, religious “leaders” and tv/radio/internet. We need more constant input fron the Hebrew side to help counteract at least some of this. Sometimes I feel like an onion, peeling off one layer of “Christianized” Religion, only to find another layer just beneath it — and this has been going on for a long lifetime.
As far as slowing down of comments goes — we all remember the story of the child who didn’t speak until he was 4, and then blurted out a loud outburst of anger. When asked for an explanation, he said, “Up until now, everything was going my way.” When we aren’t saying anything, it just means we couldn’t be more in agreement, and would feel foolish trying to add to something so clear, concise and correct, and coming from an amazing “wordsmith.”
We really don’t thank you often enough. Sorry…
With blessings and thanks,
Donna
Melanie, please research Glycobiology on Medline and consider glyconutrients to help your mom’s cells survive the chemo–I believe God wants us well and provided the plants to provide the essence (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and glyconutrients (especially the eight essential sugars the body must have for healing). Of course, she can be healed instantly with God’s will!!! My prayers continue, fran